very poor and uninteresting im afraid
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As star wars books go this is a pretty big let down - strange because Greg Bear is such a talent outside Star Wars.
Rogue Planet is the story of Anakin and Obi Wan's mission to the living planet of Zonama Sekot looking for the missing Jedi Vergere. it is a precursor of the planet's origins before it is used extensively in The NJO series.
The problem is the complete lack of any interest to the story - there is no real villian (the blood carver is rubbish) and the novel is treated as anakin's first use of the dark side to kill - but the way the plot gets to that point is convoluted in the extreme.
You also spend half the book with tarkin and his cronies attacking the planet - with no purpose of any kind. it doesnt lead anywhere.
What would have made a better book about Zonama Sekot would be to write about the time Vergere arrived and the Far Outsiders attacked - no Anakin and Obi Wan malused!
Anyways - rant over - probably not a good place to start reading SW novels and a bad use of a tie in novel. Avoidance is probably your best policy.
5/10
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The Force was Strong with this One but it Turned to the Confused Side
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'Rogue Planet' starts of in the first third as the best Star Wars novel that I have read. Set three years or so after 'The Phantom Menace' Anakin is currently being taught the ways of the Jedi by Obi-Wan. When not studying, Anakin is sneaking off to join illegal street races. With his sense of adventure becoming too strong the Jedi's decide to send Obi-Wan and Anakin on a mission to investigate the disappearance of a missing Jedi on a far away planet. Can they discover the missing knight and do they know that they are being followed by a mysterious assassin?
There are many elements of this book that work really well. It's just unfortunate that they are all in the first third. The action at the start is better than the last three films and the characters of Obi-Wan and Anakin are interestingly explored. Add to this an interesting insight into the politics of the New Republic and you have a well written and thoughtful sci fi book.
However, things fall completely apart once they reach the mysterious planet as the book descends into a snorefest. The middle third is as poorly written and slow a narrative that I have read in a long time. The third section does pick up a little, but is confused and you may not care by then. I think this book is 2 stars and not 3 because I am really disappointed that Bear threw away some really good ideas.
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An ambitious novel, well written.
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THE STORY:
Set three years after Episode I, the Jedi Council assigns Obi-Wan and Anakin a mission in the hopes of curbing the youth's thrill-seeking nature. The mission takes them to the mysterious world of Zonama Sekot where they must investigate the disappearance of a Jedi Knight and discover the secret of the planet's way of life. Meanwhile, two clever and power-hungry men are also en route to Zonama Sekot.WHAT'S GOOD:
This book is an excellent read for fans of the New Jedi Order series as features a planet recovering from the Yuuzhan Vong's early incursions and reveals some of the past of the enigmatic Vergere. The story stands well alone two, beginning with a fast paced and energetic garbage pit race, continuing with the gradual exploration of Zonama Sekot's unique ecosystems and ending with a spectacular space battle. We get to see some of Obi-Wan's development as a teacher and discover that Anakin's fall towards the dark side is due in part to his inability to contain the great power within himself. There's a few interesting cameos, including Raith Seinar (maker of the Empire's TIE-Fighters) and Wilhuff Tarkin (aka Peter Cushing in 'A New Hope'). It's in the Seinar/Tarkin scenes that this book really excels, as each man attempts to gain strategic victories against the other. There's also a great moment when Seinar tells Tarkin about his idea for a moon-sized battlestation, later reinforced by Tarkin's fascination with a planet capable of hyperspace travel (can you say 'Death Star'?). WHAT'S BAD:
The story does slow down to a snail's pace at times on Zonama Sekot and you get sick to death of hearing about boras before long. Also, because it was written before Episode II, the scope of events that Bear is allowed to play with is a bit limited.
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A Great Read!
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I have just finished this book and it is one of the best i have read so far. It has some great characters eg Raith Sienar(the maker of the TIE Fighter) and also gives you a view of the Far Outsiders (The Vong)and details how Vergere ends up with them. It gives details of Anakin using the darkside as well. The only problem i had with this book was the ending or lack of it! Overall it was quite a good book but definately not the greatest.
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Fantastic read, stuffed with character detail.
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If Episodes I and II lacked in character development and emotional depth, this book goes a long way towards making up for it. Obi-Wan and Anakin head out on their first real mission together, a trip intended to channel Anakin's energy and pain, getting him away from the rocky path he's been walking during his first three years at the Temple. Although perhaps not the most original plot, this mystery and adventure story is gripping enough, sowing the seeds of both the Empire and the men that Anakin and Obi-Wan will become. Most importantly this book allows the characters to stop and reflect; on Qui-Gon Jinn, gone but not forgotten; on the choices they've made and on the sacrifices and trials yet to come. Obi-Wan struggles to be the Master Anakin needs, while Anakin struggles with himself. The author has brought a sensitivity and depth of characterisation to the Star Wars novel-universe that so often gets lost in a hammer-and-tongs plot. A balanced, absorbing and satisfying read.
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