Rogue Planet

by Greg Bear

A review by Don J'Bar

The novel is set a couple of years after "Phantom Menace" and before Episode II. Anakin Skywalker, the young Padawan Learner of Obi-Wan Kenobi, constrained by the rules and restrictions of the Jedi Temple, finds himself in trouble again. Against his Master's wishes, the precocious youngster finds a new dangerous sport to indulge himself in.

While rescuing his padawan, the Jedi gets a call from the Council to go off on a mission to a new, strange planet, in search of another missing Jedi padawan.

Finally, after accepting the mission (like they have a choice) our heroes embark to the planet and find a strange world, with a strong Force presence. However, all is not as it seems, and bad tidings are being kept under wraps. It seems that a terrifying secret is being withheld from the two Jedi, and they explore the reasons behind it...........

In this novel, we see the beginning of a new relationship between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. The Master runs into alot of trouble on account of his learner, and is forever apologizing for him, and chasing him around, trying to keep him out of danger. The sense of recklessness from him is unmistakeable, and we see Obi-Wan questioning whether or not he should have taken on the responsibility of training the boy. He even wonders if Yoda was indeed correct, and should have left the slave back on Tattooine.

The novel has a fast pace. We see the first stirrings of the Dark Side in Anakin. He must face his own challenges, in his own way, without outside help from Obi-Wan, the same way Luke Skywalker had to face Vader in the Dagobah cave. His reactions help set the stage for his fall to the Dark Side and his transformation to Darth Vader.

In this novel, we also get a first glimpse of a mysterious alien race from outside the galaxy, with strange "living" technologies and a thirst for destruction. It may be our first look at the Yuuzhan Vong which invade the galaxy about 60 years hence, although this is speculation, no answer is actually given. The implications are quite clear, however, at least in my opinion.

All in all, I enjoyed the book, but I found that the storyline moved a little quick, and didn't delve deep enough into the background characterizations. I enjoy learning about how a sentient thinks and reacts to certain situations rather than just reading about how he defeats the "evil ones." If you enjoy that kind of thing it is fun reading. If you have a couple of spare hours, go to it.

I am going to give it one thumb up, for action, but thumbs down in character development.

Just my two credits, Don

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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