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Title: The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel) |
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Review of The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel)
- Ord Cestus, a planet mostly barren and inhospitable to life, was first colonized as a prison worldâuntil a handful of hardy pioneers discovered its rich ore deposits and managed to build up a successful droid-manufacturing industry. But when the Clone Wars erupted, bringing severe rationing of imported resources and a Republic ban on the production of battle droids, Ord Cestus was threatened with imminent economic collapse.
Enter the Confederacy of Independent Systemsâthe Separatistsâwith a life-saving offer to purchase a generous quantity of the planetâs most lucrative export: bio-droids. Possessed of tactical capabilities that rival the fighting abilities of even the most advanced Jedi, these sophisticated, techno-organic hybrid units would prove a most formidable weapon if ever deployed for military use. And now the Confederacyâs intention to invest in what amounts to an army of bio-droids has sent ripples of alarm through the highest echelons of the Republic government.
Determined to halt the bio-droid saleâbut fearing a show of force will result in a political backlashâSupreme Chancellor Palpatine dispatches a team of envoys, led by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their mission: persuade Ord Cestusâs government to abandon its dealings with the Confederacy . . . while secretly stirring up revolution among the planetâs struggling underclass. Diplomacy is paramount. But if all else fails, the Republic will not hesitate to launch a full-scale attackâand wipe out not only the means of bio-droid production, but countless lives as well, to demonstrate the consequences of disloyalty.
For Obi-Wan, the prospect of such wholesale slaughter only serves to fuel his growing suspicions about the sinister path the Republic seems to be taking. But the brash Jedi Master Kit Fisto and the detachment of clone soldiers assigned to the mission are ready and willing to do the Supreme Chancellorâs bidding. As the leaders of Ord Cestus refuse to capitulate and Palpatine rapidly loses patience, Obi-Wanâs hopes of a peaceful resolution are dwindling. Now, facing a crisis of conscience, Obi-Wan must find the wisdom and strength to prevent a bloodbath and safeguard the Republicâ while abiding by the ancient code to which he has pledged his life.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Comments for The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel)
- Posted on 2008-07-25
Even though I am a HUGE fan of Star Wars, I didn't like it.
This story takes place in the Clone Wars. The Clone Wars was my favorite era in Star Wars, so I thought I would like it, like Shatterpoint, which I liked.I have to be honest in saying that I hated it. The author dragged everything out, and I wish he would have just shortened it and taken out all the drecriptions of everything. It seemed to go on and on about small details that really didn't need to be mentioned. Don't read it if you don't have to.
Score: 2
- Posted on 2008-02-03
chick-lit
This book has one huge flaw. The over-the-top humanising of a clone-trooper. The author kept building on this theme until the nauseating Chapter 67, which had me reaching for a vom-bucket.
There should be a warning sticker on this book - "chick-lit", because it is literature for chicks. Whoever gave this guy the keys to the "Star Wars books" kingdom should snatch them right back from him. He has abused the privilege bestowed upon him.
Score: 2 - Posted on 2007-04-09
Not exceptional...nothing that you would miss
After reading probably 95% of the Star Wars adult novels in existence, I would have to say that this one is the worst Star Wars novels to date that I have read. The only one that surpasses it is Jedi Trial (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel) (and The Black Fleet Crisis is in the running in case you were wondering).
To give you an idea of how bad this is, I will number each point (in no particular order).
1. I feel that, in general, the author threw information about the characters at you--such as how scary or courageous or dangerous these people are supposed to be (their actions never justify such a narration, however)--and expects you to believe it. No actions are used to actually prove the author's claims. For instance, the rulers are supposed to be so brave, but they certainly never give me the impression they actually are.
2. The 'love' story between Nate and Sheeka is so stupid and corny I just wanted to laugh (it is obvious when reading how Sheeka talks that a man wrote this novel). The author forces the chemistry between the two and doesn't spend enough time to cement their relationship. I still wonder how Sheeka got pregnant--the auther never even hints at any intimacy (other than a kiss) between the two (I would like a hint of their intimacy, not a full-blown steamy sex scene).
3. Kit Fisto, whom I had hoped to learn more about, drifts into the background and is so unimportant (fades behind Nate), I wonder why Steve even bothered to include him in here. This point is probably the most annoying point in the book besides, maybe the next...
4. Asajj Ventress was NOT scary in the least. All she did was boast about how she would kill Obi-Wan and how much smarter she was than anybody else. Oh...I forgot! She also stalked Obi-Wan (real scary, huh?). I had so hoped, after seeing her in the Clone Wars animated shorts, that the author would use her to her fullest. I was wrong.
5. The battle sequences were too short. Typically I get tired of long battle sequences and wish the author would cut some material out but not this time. The author glosses over the lightsaber battles as if they are just fillers. I want to know some of the dynamics, not a blow-by-blow and not a summary either.
6. I can't believe that Obi-Wan (who seems to be a big whiny know-it-all in this book--I half expect to see a line similary to the infamous 'I want to go to Toshee Station to pick up some power converters') would stoop to deception to trick the Cestians to turning to the Republic. It just seems out of character to me. Obi-Wan is very traditional, by-the-book. Qui-Gon (and maybe Anakin) would stoop to deception; not Obi-Wan.
7. The story's ending was way too pat. It's like all of a sudden--boom!
8. Snoil, the Snail. I mean, come on! Are you that desperate for a new species? Why can't authors reuse at least one alien from another book?
There were a few bright points in the book: the aliens were cool, and I also liked how the author showed the point of view of a clone bred for war (but Karen Traviss does a much better job in Hard Contact). Also, the author writes a superb short story inclueded in the paperback version (I don't know why the short story was better than the novel but it was). But, overall, I would not recommend buying this book (unless in paperback or used or free) unless you are like me and trying to read all the Star Wars books. I would suggest that you check it out at the library or skip it. You won't miss any important developments.
Recommended Reads: Jedi Apprentice Series, Thrawn Trilogy (absolute BEST!), some of the New Jedi Order (most notably Traitor (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 13)), Shatterpoint (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel), the MedStar duology (ER, anyone?), Yoda - Dark Rendezvous (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel), Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, anything by Timothy Zahn
Score: 2 - Posted on 2007-03-29
Good Star Wars Novel
This novel works excellent in the on-going stories of Anakin. I really liked the way the author delved into Anakin's pshyche. A must read for a true Star Wars Fan!
Score: 5
- Posted on 2006-09-28
Obi-Wan Goes to Meetings
The Cestus Deception is a story of Obi-Wan Kenobi's efforts on the planet of Ord Cestus to bring a halt to the manufacture of killer battle droids that are difficult for even Jedi to defeat. The story is rife with political machinations because the droid production has to be stopped without destroying the economy of Ord Cestus. Obi-Wan is joined in his efforts by fellow Jedi Master Kit Fisto and a team of ARC clone troopers led by A-98, otherwise known as Nate for most of the story. The efforts are also helped by Doob Snoila, a brilliant barrister from the planet of Nal Hutta.
Obi-Wan focuses on negotiations with G'Mai Duris, the official ruler of Ord Cestus. As the story progresses we realize that true power on the planet is held by the Five Families, descendants of one-time business tycoons who were held in the penal colonies of Ord Cestus generations earlier. The Five Families are under the amazing control of Asajj Ventress, the representative of Count Dooku and a long-time enemy of Obi-Wan. Asajj works behind the scenes to counter all of the moves made by the Jedi and has a memorable battle with Obi-Wan near the end of the book.
The story in The Cestus Deception is interesting, and we are introduced to a number of new characters. That aspect of the book is fine. It lost favor with me due to an excessive amount of time introducing us to the feelings of Nate, the ARC trooper as he struggles to follow the rules of life by which he was brought up and balance that strict code of conduct against more human feelings that are encouraged in him by Sheeka Tull, a local pilot on Ord Cestus. That part of the story could have been edited. Nate is an admirable character and performs valiant deeds, but I ended up knowing more about his internal struggles than I cared to know. I also tired of all of the political maneuverings in the tale.
On the whole, the book is a good effort but not one of the highlights of the tales of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
Score: 3
