A fantastic fast paced and action packed story.
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I have read a few Star Wars books and found most of them to be very heavy going. The only one I have enjoyed is Shadows of the Empire. This was given to me as a Christmas present last year and I have finally got round to reading it after runny out of other books!!
Whilst not expecting much I ended up being totally blown away. The pace never lets up right from the start. The story progresses quickly and is full of action all the way through. We find out more about General Grevious's back story and how the plot to capture Palpatine unfolds.
Overall this is a must read for all Star Wars fans. If you are a fan of the other books then you will love this. If you are a bit sceptical then I urge you to buy as it really is a fantastic read.
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Good buildup to the movie
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James Luceno is one of the better "Star Wars" authors, having penned the excellent "Cloak of Deception" about the downfall of Chancellor Valorum, and the very start of Palpatine's rise to power. In this excellent prequel to "Revenge of the Sith", he gets the balance right between politics, characterisation and space battles and it is a highly thrilling read.
As the Clone Wars come to a close, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi continue to pursue the Separatist leaders Count Dooku and the cyborg General Grievous, while Jedi Master Mace Windu on the capital Coruscant leads the hunt for Darth Sidious, the treacherous Sith Lord behind the war...
The space battles in the book will have the hardcore fans excited, as well as the details of Windu's search and, in a splendid sequence, Palpatine's "capture" at the hands of General Grievous.
Seen as the beginning of a trilogy of books (that continues with Matthew Stover's novelization of "Revenge of the Sith" and Luceno's follow-up "Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader"), "Labyrinth of Evil" is highly recommended.
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Fantastic
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This book is easily in the top five of all Star Wars books ever written. It's almost-if not as good as- The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn. It moves at such a pace that you can't help but be blown away by everything that unfolds before you.
The book unfolds, and is layered masterfully, as the plot thickens, gathers pace and comes together effortlessly. You're never left feeling disappointed.
The characters are exactly as they should be, and this book benefits from having a whole host of them in starring roles, including: Yoda, Mace Windu, Palpatine, Amidala, Bail Organa, General Greivous, Count Dooku and of Course Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Real depth is given to the character of Anakin and we come to appreciate the anguish he feels. We get to see just how much he feels let down by the council, just how much he fears for Padme's life; and crucially just how easily Palpatine can manipulate him. It's brilliant because we can see exactly where his downfalls occur and all his flaws are laid out to see.
The relationship between him and Obi-Wan is brilliantly crafted and adds further to Lucas's interpretation of it. The banter is excellent, the understanding is there too.....but Anakin can never really be honest with Obi-Wan and it obviously pains him. Their relationship changes from Father and Son, to brothers to Uncle and Nephew. It really is very well done by Luceno.
The pace of the book, as mentioned earlier, is brilliant. From exhilirating snow-speeder chases to battles in Neimodian palaces to an epic series of clashes on Coruscant, the book will leave you wanting much more. But don't go on to read Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. That's just rubbish.
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Well worth reading
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This book cleared up so many questions I had after watching the last Star Wars film and gives great background knowledge on characters such as General Grevious and Count Dooku. By reading this book it enhances your enjoyment and understanding of the events that eventually turn Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side of the force becoming Darth Vader which is all seems to happen a bit too quick and easy in Episode III. Once you get going you find yourself wanting to know more, it's hard to put it down.
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A Perfect buildup....
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This "prelude to Episode III" novel does exactly what a good Star Wars book should - it complements the film, and expands it. Precision storytelling by James Luceno leads this book right up to the spectacular opening of the last Star Wars film. In fact, the only criticism I can level at this novel, is the fact that it doesn't really end. It builds up, builds up, and then s "To be concluded...". But then, if you consider Episode III Revenge of the Sith to actually be this book's finale...then wow, WHAT a climax! This answers all those questions that you might have raised about the beginning of Episode III. How does Greivous kidnap Chancellor Palpatine? But Luceno doesn't bog this book down in political context, something that the prequel films and more recent Star Wars novels, can sometimes do. The politics is there, but it's under such a fast moving pace, coupled with plenty of space dogfighting and lightsaber battles, you're too eager wanting to know what will happen next. The books picks up with Obi Wan and Anakin closing in on the Separatists, Dooku and Grievous, with the end of the Clone Wars in sight. Meanwhile on Coruscant, Mace Windu is close to uncovering the secret of the new Sith Lord. The events that take place really build up the story well, giving even more depth to the film. The banter between Obi Wan and Anakin is exceptional and links to all the other Star Wars films and other novels are like little in-jokes to fans. I couldn't put this book down. An action packed story that is what Star Wars is all about!
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