The Apprenticeship Begins

Not just for kids, these books are fun for anyone who craves stories about Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and the Old Jedi Order.
WARNING: Minor Spoilers

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In this 171-page story, young Obi-Wan has only four weeks until his 13th birthday when he will be kicked out of the temple. After he blows his chance to impress Qui-Gon Jinn, he's shipped off to Bandomeer to join the Agriculture Corps. Fate -- or the Force -- puts Qui-Gon on the same ship, and when they are attacked by pirates, Obi-Wan gets another chance. Together the Jedi battle evil Hutts, ravenous beasts, and their own weaknesses to forge a bond. The action is fast paced, and the Jedi kick ... Hutt! I really liked how this book began right in the middle of a lightsaber duel.

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I actually read this one first, and it did such a good job clueing me in on the action from #1 I never felt lost. On Bandomeer, Qui-Gon Jinn's failed apprentice, Xanatos, re-emerges to take revenge on his old master, and he doesn't care if he destroys a whole planet in the process. We find out much more about Qui-Gon than we do Obi-Wan, but as the young Jedi proves his courage it gives the Master the strength to finally let go of the past. While I enjoyed this one very much, it started slow in contrast to #1, and it was shorter -- 144 pages. But the interaction between the two Jedi is astounding, and Watson manages to capture the inconstancy and confusion of being a 13-year-old boy quite well. Obi-Wan's voice even cracks at a dramatic moment!

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A not-so-accidental emergency landing puts the Jedi right in the middle of conflict on Phindar, whose leaders are getting ready to sell their own people into slavery. In this 138-page tale, Obi-Wan gets a mysterious birthday present, but he forgets to do his meditations on his past until it's too late, and his captors send him to have his memories wiped. I enjoyed the Phindar aliens and their strange way of talking, and I really liked Obi-Wan's confidence as he turns his capture into a coup without Qui-Gon's help. One side note -- this book lets us know that Obi-Wan definitely has a brother named Owen.

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Once again, Watson delivers an interesting tale. This 131-page story continues where the previous one left off, as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon travel to Gala to ensure a fair election. When Qui-Gon goes off on his own mission, Obi-Wan is left to unravel a plot that includes a dying Queen, a rigged election, and personal betrayal. I really liked how competent Obi-Wan is in these stories, even at age 13, while still being naive. I can imagine these books have quite a bit of appeal to young people.

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In this 144-page story which ends in a dark, dark cliffhanger, the Jedi are sent to rescue a captured and wounded comrade who is a hostage in a Kosovo-like civil war. But the heartrending conflict is overwhelming for young Obi-Wan, and he completely loses his objectivity, deciding he must help the young people's faction in direct defiance of Qui-Gon's orders. This one ends darkly, and sheds even more light on the relationship between these two powerful and stubborn men. Definitely worth reading, but you might want to wait until #6, The Uncertain Path, comes out to give us the rest of the story.

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This 140-page story continues where #5 left us hanging, with 13-year-old Obi-Wan abandoned by his master on Melida/Daan trying to help the Young solidify their control of a war-torn society. I think Watson does a good job of showing us the internal conflicts of both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as they try to deal with the consequences of their decisions. Qui-Gon learns a little humility, and Obi-Wan loses his naivete. And although we know from The Phantom Menace that these two do eventually become Master and Padawan again, it's fascinating to see their struggles. The reason I like this series so much is that Watson has given us two complex, stubborn, noble heroes here, not just cardboard cutouts. There's even a subtle hint of budding romance for both Jedi. I very much enjoyed this story, although a mystery subplot at the temple was not resolved, and leaves us hanging until #7, The Captive Temple, due out in March.

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Jude Watson really outdoes herself in this 132-page continuation of the adventures of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. At the end of the last book, the two Jedi are ordered back to Coruscant because an attempt has been made on Yoda's life. In this book, Qui-Gon resumes his search for the mysterious intruder who is disrupting Temple life, while Obi-Wan is left at loose ends wondering if the Jedi will take him back. Everything Obi-Wan does to prove himself seems to make things worse. Obi-Wan's angst is moving, and welcome -- I would have been disappointed if his redemption back into the fold were easy after his betrayal of his vows and the Code. Instead, Watson is content to let Obi-Wan suffer through several books. Watson also pulls no punches when it comes to character death -- Obi-Wan is now struggling with the deaths of two kids his own age to whom he was close and for which he now feels personally responsible. I think the series, and this book, especially, make a strong point to kids about the consequences of one's choices. I love these books because Watson has made these two Jedi very complex, very real. While Obi-Wan struggles with his fears, Qui-Gon, too, must face his demons. Can he learn to trust after being betrayed once again? This book has a little bit of everything: adventure, mystery, jealousy, suspense, lightsaber duels, friendship, trust, betrayal ... I can't wait until #8, The Day of Reckoning, due out in May.

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Somebody should capture Jude Watson, tie her down, and make her promise to keep writing these books one every other month until, say, 2005 when Episode III comes out. Right now the book schedule only has these listed through #10, and I am already mourning the end of the adventure.  In this 144-page story, Qui-Gon sets out against the wishes of the Jedi Council to track down his errant ex-apprentice Xanatos, and Obi-Wan insists on coming along. Their relationship is still not settled ... Obi-Wan is on probation, desperately longing for Qui-Gon to take him back, but Qui-Gon doesn't think he can let go of his doubts sufficiently to be a good Master to the boy. (We all know they MUST get back together eventually, but the wait to find out HOW is tantalizing.) Their journey to Telos is filled with tension and unspoken regrets. Once on the planet, they find that Xanatos, far from hiding, is openly appearing in public and is a hero to his people. He has devised a gladiatorial-type lottery game called Katharsis and is ostensibly using the proceeds to preserve Telos's natural resources -- aided by Bruck Chun's father as financial advisor. With a couple of unlikely young allies, the Jedi discover Xanatos's real plans for the planet. But before they can do anything about it, they are captured and imprisoned, then sentenced to death. After escaping (and I really MUST point out that Xanatos would never have let them keep their lightsabers ... duh!) they must race to get proof of Xanatos's duplicity before they are re-captured -- meanwhile, they are posted as wanted criminals, and all the planet's inhabitants are looking for them! Obi-Wan really takes center stage here, as he gathers the proof of Xanatos's connections to Offworld, fights off a gang of assassin droids, pilots swoops at high speeds, and engages Xanatos in a deadly lightsaber duel. This book ends with a definite feeling of closure, which makes me wonder if there were originally supposed to be only eight books in the series. Again, Watson pulls no punches, and is not afraid to have her characters face very serious issues of life-and-death responsibility. I won't spoil it for you further, but suffice it to say that everyone I've talked to was shocked at the climax. Once you've read the book, drop me a line and tell me your take on the climactic scene: Did he, or didn't he? Better yet ...

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These stories just keep getting better and better. Each time I put one down I say, "That was the best one yet!" This was no exception. This 138-page tale takes place several months after the events of #8. Obi-Wan's probation is over, and he has been strengthening his bond with Qui-Gon. Here we see Obi-Wan's growing conservatism as he deals with the aftershocks of his impulsive decisions of the past. By the time of The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan is described as "brooding and cautious," a "serious, quiet man" who "is careful to weight the consequences of his actions and is reluctant to entangle himself unnecessarily in transgressions against the will of the Jedi High Council" (source: Episode I Visual Dictionary). In this book, we see the seeds of what Obi-Wan will eventually become. Have I mentioned before how I love Watson's characterizations?

Obi-Wan's growing caution is juxtaposed against the impulsiveness of another Padawan, 11-year-old Siri. The book opens with the two Padawans failing an exercise in cooperation. That's not good, because their next mission is going to require all the cooperation they can muster. Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Master Adi Gallia (who is a Council Member in TPM), and their Padawans are sent to investigate reports of a Force-sensitive baby on  the isolationist planet Kegan. Because the Senate would like to open relations with Kegan, the Jedi are instructed not to cause any disruption. But when the baby disappears and the two Padawans are forced to go to the Learning Circle where all the planet's children are being indoctrinated by lies, the Jedi are caught in a dilemma. Can they allow the people to remain in a dictatorship where every thought is monitored and individual well-being is sacrificed to the General Good, or will they violate their orders and fight for truth?

I really like the way Watson sets up resonance in her stories. Here, not only must the Padawans learn to cooperate; the two Masters are struggling to work together as well. And near the end, when the two planetary leaders reveal their visions of darkness emerging from within the Jedi to swallow the galaxy -- complete with masked soldiers and world-destroying weapons -- it's enough to raise chills. Although it might not have been intentional, Qui-Gon's and Adi's dismissal of the Keganites' visions effectively foreshadows the hubris that will eventually destroy the Jedi Order. Finally, Qui-Gon has a vision of his own: an elderly Obi-Wan living alone in a wasteland. How terrible, and yet how thrilling. Kudos to Watson yet again for a wonderful story.

I think the writing is getting better as these books progress. I didn't come across anything that jolted me out of the story in this one. My only criticisms are minor -- I didn't buy the idea that the kids could keep their lightsabers and other personal property, nor did I believe the teachers at the Learning Circle would not realize that Obi-Wan and Siri were outsiders -- they'd never seen the kids before, and the kids are claiming to be from another planet, yet nobody thinks to check? And why don't the Jedi show any interest in the possible Force-sensitivity of the planetary leaders? Also, although the parents here are willing to give their kid up to the Jedi so she can have a better life, the whole idea of the ethics of "infant-napping" by the Jedi has never been explored. Perhaps that's a topic for another book. This series is, after all, primarily for schoolkids, so I guess Watson can't delve too deeply into the really disturbing issues that lurk in the shadows of her plots.

The good news is this series has apparently been extended to at least #14. As a friend pointed out, we're up to #9 and Obi-Wan is still only 13 years old, so there's plenty of room for more stories! Say, several hundred? Please?

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Jude Watson checks in with #10 in the extremely popular Jedi Apprentice series. The Shattered Peace is set about six months after the previous story. Obi-Wan is no longer on probation, and he is well on his way to healing the rift in his relationship with his master, Qui-Gon. This 130-page story follows the Jedi as they try to avert civil war between hunting-obsessed Rutan and its moon, the low-tech island paradise of Senali. A generations-old peace treaty directs the royal heir of each world to spend his or her childhood from age seven living with the people of the other culture. Unfortunately, the 16-year-old heir to Rutan's throne, Leed, does not want to come home and resume his royal training. It's up to the Jedi to find him and convince his father not to declare war on Senali.

As Leed faces the difficult choice between duty and his own personal feelings, Obi-Wan is forced to reflect on his past and the choices he made when abandoning the Jedi. There are no pat answers, and it's interesting to see both young men struggle to grow through this dilemma.

I have to say I was slightly disappointed with this story. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the earlier books in this series, but I found this tale to be more simplistic than the others. The target audience of 9-12 year-olds will most likely enjoy this straightforward adventure, but the legions of adult Jedi Apprentice devotees are bound to be left unsatisfied. A friend suggested the reason was that the language in this one was more childlike, but I didn't notice much of a difference. (Let's face it; none of the Star Wars books is in danger of winning awards for literary merit.) No, instead I found both the plot and the characterizations to be comparatively lacking in complexity in this story. Earlier novels dealt with big issues -- failed dreams and destiny, betrayal and rebuilding trust, facing one's own death and being responsible for the deaths of others. The first eight books tied into an overall story arc covering Obi-Wan's shaky, almost still-born apprenticeship and the reemergence of Qui-Gon's fallen Padawan, Xanatos. Both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were forced to face their greatest flaws and grow as people. Even #9 dealt somewhat with those issues, tying up the loose threads of the arc. Now, in #10, the characters are free to have a simple adventure. They don't face any huge, life-changing decisions, and thus they don't grow or change in any significant way. This is typical of heroes in an adventure series -- it's hard to keep them growing and changing through so many stories -- but I've come to expect more from Jedi Apprentice.

I don't want to leave you with a totally negative impression. There were plenty of enjoyable moments in this book: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan battling seeker droids with lightsabers while hopping across the backs of a stampeding herd of hunted beasts, for instance. I especially liked the (surprisingly plausible) description of a girl tracking the passage of a boat across water. The plot was not without a bit of subtlety and subterfuge, with a nice twist near the end. (I saw it coming, but then I'm not 12.) And the secondary characters, as always, were well drawn and easy to remember. As I mentioned earlier, Watson does a good job of creating resonance in the story by drawing a parallel between Obi-Wan's past actions and Leed's current choices regarding duty versus personal preference. Parents of preteens might use this book as an opportunity for more discussion on the topic.

Although I miss the looming threat of Xanatos and the revelation of details about Jedi training that we got from previous novels in the series, I'd recommend this story to any Jedi Apprentice fan. Book number 11, The Deadly Hunter, is due out in October or November, depending on whom you believe. My bet is on November.

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Jude Watson has done it again. I don't know whether to kiss her or kill her. The Deadly Hunter is her best Jedi Apprentice story yet, but it ends with a wicked cliffhanger. The 118-page story starts as 14-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, arrive home to Coruscant after a long mission. Qui-Gon decides to visit an old friend, the cafe-owner Didi Oddo, but Didi is being hounded by a bounty hunter, and the two Jedi find themselves caught up in a murder mystery involving the Senate, a prominent genetic scientist, and black market traders. Why are the dead bodies drained of blood? And why does the bounty hunter want the scientist's datapad? I won't give away the ending, but suffice it to say I am holding my breath for book number 12, The Evil Experiment, due out in January 2001.

This story was enjoyable to me for three reasons: plot, characterization, and the villain. The plot is a good, old-fashioned murder mystery with science-fictional elements -- you can't get any better than that. As for the characters, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon have clearly gotten over their initial differences and are working together as an effective team. Each one gets his chance to shine; each one solves a bit of the mystery. We get to see through Obi-Wan's eyes the admiration he has for his mentor, the warmth Qui-Gon gives so easily to the beings they encounter, the gentle way the master encourages and corrects him, and the frustration young Obi-Wan has at times when he is hungry or clumsy or feeling lost. We also get to see Qui-Gon's viewpoint, his anger at being bested by the bounty hunter, his sleepless night after Obi-Wan is nearly killed. Watson does a good job at dealing with the tough topic of death, something I thought she shirked a bit in earlier books. By the very nature of their lives, Jedi not only must deal with death, they must also kill. After Qui-Gon examines a dead body, a troubled Obi-Wan asks, "Do you ever get used to death?" The master replies, "No. That is how it should be." As usual, Watson manages to make all the other characters seem both memorable and real, with lots of quirky dialogue and humor. It's especially heartwarming to see Obi-Wan go from disdain to compassion as he gets to know Didi, and Qui-Gon's patient understanding as Obi-Wan learns this lesson about the empathy of the Living Force.

Finally, the villain simply kicks booty. I love strong female characters, and this one is tops. Watson does a good job of coming up with a character that can believably take on two Jedi and get away, time after time after time. Anybody that can draw blood off Qui-Gon Jinn is a force to be reckoned with. I don't want to spoil the story by giving too much away, but the bounty hunter's acrobatic abilities and her weapon are both awesome. I did get annoyed at one point when Qui-Gon had her down and didn't finish her off -- or at least take her weapon, for crying out loud! But then I guess if he had, Watson couldn't have tortured us with a truly painful cliffhanger ending. Jude Watson, you better be glad I don't know where you live or I'd come over and make you tell me what happens next!

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Jude Watson has now revealed her true Sithly nature by keeping us on tenterhooks yet again at the end of this book. (You know I love you, don't you, Jude?) All I can say is this is sweet torture -- and I'm not just talking about the cover art depicting a spread-eagle Qui-Gon Jinn shackled and in obvious anguish.

At the end of the last book, Obi-Wan was left on the planet Duneeden with Qui-Gon's friend Didi Oddo dead or dying, watching helplessly alongside Didi's daughter Astri as a Sorrusian bounty hunter shot Qui-Gon in the chest and took off with him in her ship. As this 144-page story opens, Qui-Gon finds himself imprisoned in a lab run by genius scientist Jenna Zan Arbor, who studies his blood and his reactions in an attempt to understand and harness the Force. Qui-Gon refuses to cooperate, although he is growing weaker as she takes more and more of his blood. The full resources of the Jedi are enlisted to find Qui-Gon, led by Knight Tahl's extraordinary data-research talents. Meanwhile, Didi is dying of an unknown toxin for which only Zan Arbor has the antidote. Astri insists on accompanying Obi-Wan as he pursues his own line of investigation. Using logical deduction and Astri's unique abilities to get information from reluctant witnesses, they find the lab and Qui-Gon. But Zan Arbor is not a fool, and the Jedi find themselves in a dangerous standoff with two Jedi masters as hostages.

As always, this book provided an enjoyable hour's entertainment. I especially liked seeing Obi-Wan using deductive reasoning to solve a puzzle, as well as using his formidable fighting skills to save a witness from the assassin. Much of the book is in his point of view, and though he is only 14, his maturity has really blossomed since the beginning of this series. I really like the way these books give us insight into Jedi ways. Several times Obi-Wan seeks guidance by reflecting on one of Qui-Gon's maxims. We get to see the Jedi Temple medical center with its medics and healers, the latter of which we find out wear light blue robes. We also see something of the Jedi's proprietary attitude toward the Force -- a kind of possessiveness that has Qui-Gon worried Zan Arbor will discover "things she should not know." Obviously, the concept of the midi-chlorians is a well-kept secret.

Only one thing truly bothered me about this story -- Astri's knowledge of Sorrusian desert cuisine. I know the Force works in mysterious ways, but this coincidence was a bit hard to swallow (pun intended). However, it did give me one of my favorite lines in the book, when Astri turns to Obi-Wan and says, "Now, what was that you said about my not being able to cook us out of trouble?"

I have been impressed with Watson's writing throughout the series, but more so lately. While she keeps the language simple enough for her young readers, she still manages to evoke vivid images and emotions at times. Take this passage: "Qui-Gon's knees buckled and he fell forward. The floor against his cheek felt like a gift. Sense had been deprived for so long that the texture of the stone, the coolness of the temperature, felt like fresh rain on his face." Not prize-winning prose, but evocative nonetheless. Each character thinks and talks in a unique manner, and even the minor characters are usually well drawn and memorable, imbued with humorous quirks that add to the enjoyment.

A while back, Jude Watson was asked, "What can readers expect in the remainder of the Jedi Apprentice series?" Her answer: "We've tested Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's relationship and put it through the fire in Books 1 through 8. Now that we know their partnership is solid, we're going to throw some dangerous and very cool missions at them. Their different styles can be a source of both conflict and strength. Siri and Adi Gallia will return, and we've also come up with two atrociously evil female villains for them to tangle with."

Sound familiar? Judging by the cover for #13, The Dangerous Rescue, due out in March, it looks like Siri and Adi are definitely going to be involved in the next part of the story. Is this a three-book story arc? Well, I heard a rumor that the series is planned to last through at least #14. My worry is that the next book will end with yet another cliffhanger. I'm not sure my heart can take it!

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Contrary to my expectations, this installment of the series does indeed seem to wrap up the bounty-hunter / kidnapping plot begun in Jedi Apprentice #11.

When we left off in the last book, Qui-Gon had escaped his torture chamber but was still trapped in the lab of evil scientist Jenna Zan Arbor. He had ordered Obi-Wan to accompany Astri back to Coruscant with the antitoxin that could save the life of her father, Didi Oddo. As the current story opens, Obi-Wan is torn between obeying his orders or staying to rescue his master. He is saved from making a decision when Adi Gallia and her Padawan, Siri, arrive. Astri leaves on their transport for Coruscant, while the Jedi stay and infiltrate the lab. They end up having to battle assassin droids while Zan Arbor escapes with a hostage, an ancient Jedi Master named Noor R'aya. Knight Tahl, their resource on Coruscant, informs them that Astri has vanished while hunting for the assassin, Ona Nobis, on Sorrus. The Jedi split up, with Adi and a weakened Qui-Gon going after Zan Arbor while Obi-Wan and Siri travel to Sorrus to look into Astri's disappearance. They meet up again near the end of the book, following separate trails to Belasco, Senator Uta S'orn's home planet, where Zan Arbor has introduced a plague into the water system. There the Jedi finally put all the pieces together and figure out what really happened to Uta S'orn's son and why the bounty hunter was willing to kill for that stolen datapad.

There was much I liked about the book, but first, what I didn't like: the plot is so complicated, and so rushed, with so much packed into a scant 128 pages, that the characters seem to be doing nothing but running from one planet to the next following clues. I felt like I was reading a novelization of "Where in the Galaxy is Carmen Sandiego?" I have no objection to a complicated plot if there's space enough to set the scenes and develop the characters. However, I think Lucasbooks should have allowed Watson more space, or perhaps spread this story arc over four books instead of three (not that I would have liked waiting even longer for the ending ...) Because of this, some events in the book were insufficiently explained, to the point that I found myself groaning in disbelief when a supposedly dead character turns up at just the right time in just the right place to provide just the right bit of crucial evidence to convict the bad guys. It also bothered me that we never got to meet Zan Arbor's hostage, the other captive Jedi Master. I guess there just wasn't room for a nice denouement. Oh, well.

Another small gripe: In the previous Jedi Apprentice books, I have found the secondary characters amusing and unique. However, in this book the "Three Stooges" Cholly, Weez, and Tup were really starting to get on my nerves.

What I did like about the book was the theme -- the lesson that each of the four Jedi, to a greater or lesser extent, learned from this adventure: it is no disgrace to acknowledge one's weaknesses. At one point Obi-Wan finds himself fighting against the bounty hunter one-on-one, with no way to get help. He opts to retreat, putting his mission ahead of his personal desire to fight on. At first Siri doesn't understand, and looks down at him for running away from a fight, but in the end she, too realizes that "the hardest decision is to walk away." At the same time, Qui-Gon must swallow his pride and admit to Adi that he is physically weak and having trouble accessing the Force.

And speaking of Obi-Wan's duel with Ona Nobis ... wow. The kid is awesome! But I have a question about the book's cover. What happened to Obi-Wan's braid? And for that matter, why doesn't Siri have one, too? I think it's unfair the girls don't have to wear their hair in that silly brush-cut/ponytail combination.

That's it until this summer. Can't wait for the next installment! See the News above for details.

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Weighing in at 188 pages, this installment in the Jedi Apprentice saga is the longest -- and one of the most enjoyable -- to date. I liked the premise behind this story: The first half tells how 13-year-old Obi-Wan faces a Senate inquiry into the death of his former rival, Bruck Chun. The second half picks up the story many years later, when Obi-Wan's past emerges to threaten him and his 12-year-old apprentice, Anakin. The book has some glaring timeline and continuity errors which we'll deal with in a moment, but if you can get past those relatively minor flaws, this is an enjoyable story.

Stuff I liked:

• Watson manages to give Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin serious issues to deal with, lending their characters more depth in many ways than they are given in the so-called adult novels. The rapport and camaraderie among Jedi is also refreshing to read.
• We get a few more details about Jedi history, including the existence of a controversial Jedi starfighter pilot program on one of Coruscant's moons, as well as glimpses into Temple life, such as all the students going together to meditate at dawn.
• Despite the relatively simple language, Watson comes up with ideas that resonate. Qui-Gon, musing over Obi-Wan's lingering guilt about Bruck: "He had spoken to the boy, but the words had not reached him. Life needed to teach him. Time. Experience. These he could not hand over like a piece of advice."
• I loved the complexity of Obi-Wan and Anakin, their hidden secrets and self doubts. Knowing what will happen to them later lends this whole tale a terrible significance.
• There's a great deal of shiver-inducing resonance near the end of the story. When Anakin finds out about Xanatos and his fall to the Dark Side, he wonders, "How could a Jedi turn to the dark side? How could a Padawan betray his Master?" Later, when Anakin sees Kad Chun forgive his father who lies dying in his arms: "How could Kad forgive his father at the end? He had betrayed him. He could have been responsible for countless deaths."
• It was fun to see characters from previous stories reappear, including Obi-Wan's friends Bant and Garen as well as the Telos couple, Den and Andra.
• This book gave me one of my favorite Star Wars of all time: "Jedi do not threaten. We inform."

Stuff that bothered me:

• That phrase that appears on the back cover and as the title of Section 2: "Twelve years later." Obi-Wan was 13 during the first half of this book. We know from official sources he is 25 at the time of The Phantom Menace. During the second half of this book, we are told he has had Anakin as his apprentice for three and one half years, making Obi-Wan then at least 28. That's fifteen years later, not twelve. But let's set that aside as a simple, yet annoying miscalculation on someone's part.
• It was hard to reconcile this story with the novel Rogue Planet by Greg Bear. This story is supposed to be three and one half years after TPM, while Rogue Planet was set three years afterwards. However, this story has to have occurred first, because Anakin keeps going on about how this is his "first mission." There's a strong implication in Rogue Planet that the pair have not been off Coruscant up until the time of that novel, but I could not find a direct reference anywhere. So for now we must assume this story predates Rogue Planet by less than six months. If anybody can come up with a reason why this is not so, please email me.
• It boggles the mind that Vox Chun was pardoned for his part in the plunder of Telos. How did that happen?

Overall, this was a worthy addition to the ever-expanding Star Wars universe. These books are like Chinese food; I finish one and then an hour later I'm hungry for more!

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With this 136-page story, Jude Watson has once again left us biting our nails, waiting for the next book to resolve a wicked cliff-hanger. The Ties That Bind takes up the saga of our favorite Master/Padawan pair when Obi-Wan is sixteen (a significant gap in the narrative), but unlike previous installments, the story focuses almost exclusively on Qui-Gon as he struggles with an emotional crisis regarding his life-long friend, the blind Knight Tahl. Obi-Wan is by his side the whole time, of course, accompanying him on an unsanctioned mission to "rescue" Tahl, who has disappeared on New Apsolon where Tahl and Qui-Gon had brokered a fragile peace six years previous. But the adventure -- and Obi-Wan's part in the story -- take a backseat to Qui-Gon's emotional distress as he continues to have dire visions of a weakened Tahl apparently dying in his arms. I found the story fascinating, if in the end, unsatisfying. I'll discuss my reasons below, but first ...

Stuff I liked:

• The theme of the book: carpe diem (seize the moment). In the beginning, a pensive Qui-Gon tells Obi-Wan, "We are here now and gone in a moment of time. You must be sure of what you want and believe." Later, Qui-Gon astonishes Obi-Wan by advising him, "Even in the middle of a mission, don't neglect to taste the pastries." Qui-Gon ends up taking his own advice in a truly life-changing moment near the end of the book.
• The portrayal of Qui-Gon's anxiety: cutting off people in traffic, crashing a Council session uninvited, speaking rudely to the Councilors, defying their express wishes, breaking a table in a fit of frustration. It's good to know even a Jedi Master does not have ice in his veins all the time.
• The plot: I enjoyed following the Jedi as they wove their way through New Apsolon's complicated political situation, the mystery surrounding the murder of the Supreme Governor, the subsequent kidnapping of his daughters, the twist as the bad guys gain the upper hand at the end. 

Stuff that bothered me (WARNING, this section contains spoilers):

• Obi-Wan's diminished role: our favorite apprentice has little to do other than react to Qui-Gon's strange moods and follow him around. The series is called Jedi Apprentice, after all! It would have been nice to have given him a separate task to accomplish. And there is nothing in the characterization of this sixteen-year-old Obi-Wan that distinguishes him as older or more mature than the thirteen-year-old we see in previous books.
• Tahl's inconsistent abilities: How is it that Obi-Wan can duel with lightsabers in a debris-strewn room blindfolded at the age of twelve, but a Jedi Knight who is blinded cannot sense a probe droid that is chasing her? How is it that Tahl can make her way just fine through the capital city and rise through the ranks to be in charge of the bad guys in a mere two weeks, and yet she needs to call Qui-Gon to rescue her from a few droids? From this story, it's hard to see how the Council could allow Tahl to go on missions alone. At the same time, I found Qui-Gon's protectiveness of Tahl disturbing. Is she competent to be in the field, or not? If she is, then it's rather insulting for another Jedi to be following her around insisting she be protected.
• (SPOILER AHEAD) The romance: I don't have a problem with the idea of Qui-Gon and Tahl falling in love per se, but I do think their betrothal (if that's what it was) lacked a plausible build-up. And while the proposal itself was terribly romantic, the lack of even a kiss to seal the deal made the whole affair seem bloodless. Yes, "there is no passion," but get real! The main audience of these books (mostly nine-to-twelve-year-old boys at a guess) are probably relieved at Watson's (and Qui-Gon's) restraint. However, all us thirty-something-plus fan-girls make up a large part of Watson's fandom, and I, for one, was left wanting. On the other hand, the romance has brought up a lot of interesting questions that might get answered in the next two books -- Will the Council sanction a bond between Jedi? How will Obi-Wan react when he realizes he is no longer Qui-Gon's chief companion? Will Tahl even survive? And if not, how will Qui-Gon deal with yet another huge blow to his emotions?
• Watson's writing: more stilted and simplistic than usual. The dialogue, especially, rang false to me. Here's a paragraph spoken by Obi-Wan to his friend Bant. I just can't imagine anyone, teenager or adult, talking this way: '"There is distance between me and Qui-Gon right now," Obi-Wan confided. "I don't understand it, but I know I will in time. Qui-Gon has told me that each of us is still an individual. We will have worries and concerns that are unique to us. We cannot expect to always understand each other. The commitment is what is important."'
• Cardboard characters and setting: I have praised Watson for the creation of many endearing and memorable secondary characters such as Paxxi and Guerra (anybody notice their names mean "peace" and "war"?) and unique speech patterns. (Who can forget the tag line -- "Not so, I lie!"?) However, in this story the characters seem to be generic humans, distinguished merely by their hair color. Only the Governor's brother Manex has any personality to speak of. The world is yet another Earth-like place with stone buildings and a palace. Can the galaxy really be this homogeneous?
• The time gap: Bant is now Tahl's Padawan. Two to three years have passed since the last story. I feel as if I have missed a lot of important events, and I hope one day we will see interim tales told.
• Dumb villains: Yet again, the Jedi are captured and bound, but their lightsabers are not taken from them. The bad guys cannot possibly be that stupid.

All in all, I thought the writing was below expectations. I am reserving final judgement on the plot until at least the next book. Amazon.com has posted a summary for the next novel, Jedi Apprentice #15, The Death of Hope (due in September). Click on the link to go see it, but be warned ... it contains a pretty big SPOILER. I believe #16, The Call To Vengeance (November), may also be a part of this story arc. From the titles and the summary, things aren't looking so good for Knight Tahl. Despite my disappointment in this one, I can't wait to read more!

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This 152-page novel continues the story where the last book left off. Knight Tahl has been kidnapped, and Qui-Gon, who has secretly pledged his life to hers, is frantic to find her. The story is really one big chase scene, with Obi-Wan along for the ride, trying to figure out why his normally serene master is so totally out of control. It is not until the end that Obi-Wan begins to understand the depths of Qui-Gon's emotional turmoil. This book has a wrenching ending and a cliffhanger which I cannot talk about without spoiling the book, so I'll stick to safer topics.

There are many things I liked about this book, but plot was not one of them. The story is really the second act of a longer story arc, leaving us waiting yet again for another two months for some resolution. And what a cliffhanger! This one has more angst and potential disaster brewing than even Qui-Gon's abandonment of Obi-Wan on Melida/Daan in book #5.

Stuff I liked:

• Obi-Wan's growing maturity and confidence. In contrast with the uncertain 13-year-old we saw at the beginning of this series, Obi-Wan at 16 does not hesitate to say to his master, "You're wrong." And, to his credit, Qui-Gon eventually agrees and apologizes.
• The battle scenes. Not only were there some cool foes (mining machines and probe droids), but also we get to see how Qui-Gon deals with Obi-Wan being injured.
• Although Watson's writing has its moments of plodding, at times she manages to thrill me with a series of very simple sentences. As an example, here is Qui-Gon reflecting on his proposal to Tahl:

What an astonishing lesson, Qui-Gon thought, to find that joy was such a simple thing. It sprang from a single, shining source. She said yes. She said yes.  

Next up is #16, The Call To Vengeance (November), which will presumably be pretty dark and angsty. All I can say is, goody goody goody! Can't wait.

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First I have to say, you gotta love the Qui-Gon-berserker image on the cover! Despite the image being reversed (lightsaber in left hand, tunics crossed the wrong way) this is the best cover yet. For once we are given an original pose, and not just a copy of a production still we've seen a thousand times.

As for the story, I am equally impressed. Watson manages to pack a ton of swashbuckling and whiplash-inducing plot twists into only 134 pages, and what a ride it is! In the previous book, Qui-Gon's lady love, Knight Tahl, died despite all his efforts to save her. Now Qui-Gon's grief has him teetering on the edge of the dark side, and Obi-Wan feels powerless to do anything to help. Mace Windu and Bant arrive to help track down Tahl's killer and try to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating political situation of New Apsolon, but Qui-Gon runs off on his own, seemingly bent on vengeance at any cost. He manages to get himself in a heap of trouble as he plows through the city's underworld looking for the traitor Balog. Meanwhile, a bereft Obi-Wan (even Bant has deserted him) works to untangle the maze of loyalties and motives, solving the mystery of who really betrayed Tahl and why. In the end, though, Obi-Wan can do nothing to prevent his Master from surrendering to his own base instincts, and it is ultimately Qui-Gon himself (or is it Knight Tahl?) who must provide the strength to let go of his anger.

Amazon managed to deliver my books a couple of weeks late, so I had already heard a lot of opinions about this installment, most of them negative. Perhaps my low expectations affected my perception, but to me, this was one of the best Jedi Apprentice novels yet. I think Watson did a credible job of showing us how even a Jedi Master can lose his serenity -- and incidentally, gives us an object lesson in why love is frowned upon for Jedi. That's going to be a big part of Episode II, and it's interesting to see theme addressed here. We'll have to wait and see if Master Kenobi's attitudes towards love seem to have been influenced by Padawan Kenobi's experiences at age 16, now won't we?

Stuff I liked:

• Obi-Wan had a much meatier role in this book than in the previous two. Much of the story is in his viewpoint. He is the one who solves the mystery. He is the one who remains strong for everyone else, even in the face of bitterness and anger from his best friend, Bant. His longing to be older so that he could better know how to comfort Qui-Gon was touching.
• Qui-Gon's descent into "madness" was surprisingly plausible. I wouldn't have thought Watson could convince me that Qui-Gon would find himself close to the dark side, but the portrait of desperation, grief, sleep deprivation, anger, and frustration was powerful -- and chilling.
• Qui-Gon may have been a bit demented during most of this story, but that didn't stop him from taking on a half a dozen droids whenever he felt like it. The story contains several intense action sequences -- good stuff!
• Bant's grief and Obi-Wan's angst seemed realistic, and added a poignancy to the story.

Stuff that could have been better:

• Mace Windu does almost nothing during this story. Why did he even come to New Apsolon?
• I think more should have been made about Qui-Gon's culpability at the end of the story. Not only did he get a couple of innocent people killed, his interference from the outset is arguably at least partly responsible for Tahl's death as well.
• It was pretty awful that Obi-Wan hadn't even considered Bant's feelings until she showed up. I think she let him off easy.

Next up is #17, The Only Witness (January), which starts a new story arc, but with Qui-Gon apparently still among the walking wounded.

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This 118-page novel (it seems longer) is a stand-alone story. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are picked to go to Frego and provide escort for a witness who is supposed to testify to the Senate against a crime syndicate. It supposed to be an easy assignment, the first one the pair have accepted since Qui-Gon's heartwrenching loss, but complications with the witness force Qui-Gon to deal with his grief, and Obi-Wan to deal with his inadequacy ... and perhaps a bit of jealousy, too. The plot is fairly simplistic, with the Jedi going from one place to the next looking for evidence to convict the criminals. There's an artificial time limit of 48 hours (but aren't Coruscant days longer than 24 hours?) before Qui-Gon insists on leaving. A few twists and turns leave the Jedi wondering who's telling the truth, and if anyone on the planet can be trusted.

Overall, I was disappointed that this story seemed to rely so little on things that are unique to Star Wars, such as aliens, space battles, Jedi mysticism, etc. Except for the fighting prowess of the Jedi, this story could be transplanted anywhere, including current-day earth. There's very little of the "long ago and far, far away" feel to it.

Stuff I liked:

• I really liked the way Watson juxtaposes the widow Lena Cobral's grief at the death of her husband with Qui-Gon's grief over Tahl. Despite Lena's pain, she continues to move on and make her husband's sacrifice count for something. Her determination and courage force Qui-Gon to realize he's been immobilized for too long.
• Obi-Wan really gets to shine in this one. While Qui-Gon is moping, Obi-Wan takes action. In contrast to earlier stories where Qui-Gon was quick to trust (Didi Oddo) and Obi-Wan was suspicious, this time Obi-Wan is the one who argues for trusting Lena. Of course, it helps that Obi-Wan has a crush on her.
• Speaking of Obi-Wan's little infatuation, I thought Qui-Gon's gentle handling of it was perfect. All of us should have such wise guidance in our youth. It seemed in some ways a bit immature on Obi-Wan's part, but then he doesn't get out much.
• The ending, where Obi-Wan gets to kick a little booty, was a nice twist. And Qui-Gon's epiphany about those who love him being able to share his grief about Tahl had me saying, "About time!"

Stuff that could have been better:

• This is the worst cover art so far. Boring.
• I did get tired of Qui-Gon's passivity and moping after a while. I hope that bit's over and done with, and we can see him at 100% again in the final novel.
• Again everybody is human, and the world is pretty much generic. With so many interesting planets and species to draw from, I wish Watson would challenge the reader's imagination more.

Next up is Jedi Apprentice Special Edition #2, The Followers, and Jedi Apprentice #18, The Threat Within, which ends the series. [sigh]

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I'm not sure if the title is supposed to refer exclusively to the internal strife of the planet Vorzyd 4, or if it also references Obi-Wan's growing independence -- and Qui-Gon's reluctance to let him go. At any rate, this 130-page novel ends the series on a disappointing note. It's as if Watson was trying too hard to leave us with a "meaningful" story, drawing parallels between the kids of the planet wanting their parents to listen to them and a seventeen-year-old Obi-Wan's growing need for autonomy.

Vorzyd 4 is certain that their neighbor, Vorzyd 5, is sabotaging their productivity. The Vorzydiaks are humanoid, with apparently only antennae on their heads to distinguish them from humans. The Vorzyd 4 society is obsessed with work. Productivity is their only pleasure. They live and work in unadorned hexagonal buildings (meant to make us think, I am sure, of bees) and don't deal with change very well, falling apart emotionally at the least alteration of their routine. The production glitches are causing mass hysteria, and the political situation between the two planets has deteriorated. That's where our Jedi come in.

Obi-Wan is relieved to get a mission. He's been trapped in the Temple for two months. On Vorzyd 4, he uncovers the true reason for the sabotage: the young people think their elders need to lighten up, and are pulling pranks. Obi-Wan infiltrates these so-called Freelies, and when things start to go wrong, he must weigh his need to complete the mission on his own against his master's wisdom and his own conscience.

Stuff I liked:

• Obi-Wan nearly bests Qui-Gon in a sparring duel, underscoring Qui-Gon's feeling that Obi-Wan is one day going to leave him. I especially liked Qui-Gon's melancholy as he contemplates Obi-Wan growing up and becoming a Knight. And it is chilling when he looks to the future after Obi-Wan's knighting and draws a blank.
• We get to see the Jedi communicate telepathically, at least on some level. That answers a question I've been wondering about, although it's anybody's guess if George Lucas considers that ability part of "canon."
• Obi-Wan clinging to the outside of a shuttle and nearly getting scraped off. That was as close to "action and adventure" as we got in this story.

Stuff that could have been better:

• The alien race of Vorzydiaks was internally inconsistent. Is it possible a whole planet could be obsessed with productivity, while the same species on a neighboring planet is not? And if you can buy that premise, can you explain why the young people on Vorzyd 4 are so different in their thinking from the adults? Is there no dissent, past or present, on Vorzyd 4? It just doesn't make sense.
• Obi-Wan passes himself off as a Vorzydiak by wrapping his cowl over his head, and none of the kids seem to be curious or alarmed when he suddenly turns up at their secret meetings. Despite an attempt to explain it, I found their unquestioning acceptance of Obi-Wan so incredible as to be ludicrous.
• How could a handful of kids in one city nearly precipitate an interplanetary war? The scale of events in this story is too insular. Yet another blow to my suspension of disbelief. This is just lazy storytelling.
• This seems like an especially uninspiring tale considering it is the last of the series. Overall, I have really enjoyed reading these stories and getting a glimpse into Obi-Wan Kenobi's early years (not to mention a regular dose of Qui-Gon Jinn). It's just too bad the series has to go out with a whimper rather than a bang.

Next up is Jedi Apprentice Special Edition #2, The Followers, due out in March. Also, check out our Jedi Quest page for the latest on Jude Watson's new series about Obi-Wan and young Anakin.

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I spoke too soon last time about the series ending with a "whimper." This 154-page special edition of Jedi Apprentice, which bridges the two generations of master and apprentice, features plenty of action, adventure, and mystery as the Jedi race to stop a group of Sith groupies from finding and using an ancient Sith holocron containing secrets of unimaginable evil power. The first half of the story follows Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as they investigate rumors of the holocron and track the leader of the Sith followers, Dr. Lundi, to a strange planet where a ten-year cycle of tides is at its lowest ebb, exposing the holocron's hiding place. They catch Dr. Lundi, but not before he goes mad from the holocron's power. Ten years later, the Sith have returned, and the low tides are about to expose the holocron's hiding place once again. Obi-Wan and his apprentice Anakin must ask the crazed Dr. Lundi to be their guide as they attempt to keep the holocron out of the Sith's clutches.

Stuff I liked:

• The introduction of a few minor characters from Episode II, as well as the re-appearance of some old friends from the Jedi Apprentice series, especially Bant.
• The cover art. Very cool, although one wonders how Obi-Wan went from brunette to redhead in the intervening ten years.
• The swashbuckling sense of adventure, travel to exotic planets, solving a mystery, battling bad guys, etc. This is what a Star Wars novel should be about.
• Qui-Gon giving Obi-Wan guidance from beyond the pyre. Cool.
• Anakin's sneakiness and Obi-Wan's growing mistrust. It's interesting to see the cracks beginning to form in their relationship even at this early stage.

Stuff that could have been better:

• Qui-Gon defusing a bomb with one second to spare. Gimme a break.

As far as I know, there are no more Jedi Apprentice books planned. Instead, Jude Watson is working on the upcoming Jedi Quest series about Obi-Wan and young Anakin. We'll keep you posted on all the news at the new Jedi Quest page.

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Interviews & Articles

March 1, 2002 - Star Wars Kids website solicits fan questions for Jude Watson

StarWarskids.com is asking fans of Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest to submit questions for Jude Watson to answer. You can go here to submit your question. The deadline is March 8.

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January 31, 2002 - Official Site Previews Jedi Apprentice Special Edition #2

StarWars.com has just updated with a summary and cover image of Jedi Apprentice Special Edition #2, The Followers. In addition, they are previewing the first two Jedi Quest novels by Jude Watson and a new series about young Boba Fett. You can read the article on the official site here.

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December 1, 2001 - Official Site Previews Jedi Apprentice #17 and #18

StarWars.com has just updated with a summary of Jedi Apprentice #17, The Only Witness, and #18, The Threat Within -- including cover photos (click on the covers for large versions). You can read the article on the official site here.

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November 23, 2001 - Lucasfilm Responds to Online Petition

Jedi Apprentice Desktop Central reports receiving a letter from Lucy Autrey Wilson, Director of Publishing for Lucasfilm, in response to their petition. You can read the whole letter here, but the upshot is ...

• The Jedi Apprentice series is ending with the Special Edition #2 The Followers scheduled for publication in March of 2002.
• A new multi-book paperback series by Jude Watson entitled Jedi Quest will begin April of 2002. Previewed in the Jedi Quest hardcover, the series is about Anakin's apprenticeship under Obi-Wan Kenobi during the years between the events in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.
• Some characters from the Jedi Apprentice series will appear in these new books.
• On-going adventures between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon may be developed in the new Jedi Quest books as memories and/or flashbacks.

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August 27, 2001 - Official Site Previews Jedi Apprentice #15

StarWars.com has an article about the Jedi Apprentice series and the newest installment, #15, The Death of Hope, as well as a list of titles to date. Go to this article on the official site to read more about it. They also have a larger image of the Cliff Neilsen cover here.

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June, 2001 - Star Wars Insider #54 Features Jedi Apprentice Author Jude Watson

The official Lucasfilm fan magazine Star Wars Insider #54 had a full-page article about the Jedi Apprentice series that was chock full of interesting news:

• In September, Jedi Quest, the first hardcover novel from Scholastic, will tell the story of Obi-Wan and Anakin infiltrating a band of slave traders whom Anakin ran across on Tatooine as a boy. "We're going to thrust him into the very situation he should not be thrust into," Watson says of Anakin, adding that "Obi-Wan knows that and doesn't necessarily want to take this mission." She hints that it is a test of the young boy by Mace Windu and the Jedi Council.
• A tie-in comic-book series from Dark Horse, also called Jedi Quest, is planned in which we will see Anakin build his lightsaber.
• After Jedi Quest, the series will return to the pre-prequel era.  Watson promises a crisis for Qui-Gon which will deepen his character.
• The series will continue at least up to the release of Episode II and promises to remain less a collection of adventures than a single, long-running narrative.

For our American readers, you can still get Star Wars Insider #54 off the newsstands if you hurry!

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May, 2001 - Ew's Temple Interviews Jude Watson

The following excerpt is from a very interesting interview conducted by Maki over at the Japanese fan site Ew's Temple. Click here to read the whole interview in English.

In Japan, the relationship between master and apprentice is strict and apprentices are not allowed to make any objections to their masters. But in JA, Obi-Wan sometimes does not respect Qui-Gon's direction. With the background of Japanese master and apprentice relationships, this lack of respect is very unusual for us. What image do you see for the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan?

The Master-Apprentice relationship in the Jedi order is meant to be unique. One of the goals of the Master is to teach his or her Padawan independence. Many Jedi Knights operate independently and must be on their own for long periods of time. It is important that when Obi-Wan disagrees with Qui-Gon it must not be seen as a sign of disrespect. The process of disagreeing with the Master is seen as part of the education process and is encouraged. Outright disobedience, of course, is not. This is why when Obi-Wan decides to stay on Melida/Daan, Qui-Gon sees it as a violation of trust. The Jedi students are taught to trust their instincts, but it is also important that they realize that they need guidance to understand and interpret their instincts. Obi-Wan acts on his heart's impulse. He does come to regret his decision, and it is up to the reader to decide if he was wrong or right, or if there was a better way to handle it. Obi-Wan is not perfect, and must come to better understand his place in the world and his responsibilities as a Jedi. That is what the Jedi Apprentice series is all about.

Be sure to check out the whole interview, and visit Ew's Temple while you're there for some interesting artwork (and fan fiction if you can read Japanese)! [excerpt used by permission of Ew's Temple.]

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April 25, 2001 - Official Site Previews Jedi Quest Novel and Comic Series

StarWars.com has an article about the upcoming Jedi Quest hardback from Scholastic and its companion comic book series from Dark Horse. "The dreaded space pirate Krayn plagues the Colicoid people. The insect-like beings look to the Jedi for help, and Kenobi and Skywalker answer the call." Go to this article on the official site to read more about it.

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March 20, 2001 - Official Site Announces Jedi Apprentice Special Edition

StarWars.com is now reporting two exciting developments. One, the series has been extended to at least #16. Second, they've announced a Special Edition of Jedi Apprentice which will bridge the years from Qui-Gon to Anakin. It's about a "dark secret in Obi-Wan's past" and should be out near the end of May if their shipping schedule holds true to form. Go to this article on the official site to read more about it.

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November 13, 2000 - Official Site Features Jedi Apprentice Artist Cliff Nielsen

StarWars.com has an interview with Cliff Nielsen, cover artist for the Jedi Apprentice series as well as other Star Wars novels. He talks a bit about his work and how he creates the images. He even reveals how he came up with the face for 13-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi. Go to this article on the official site to read the interview.

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August 29, 2000 - Official Site Lists Upcoming Jedi Apprentice Books

StarWars.com has announced the titles and short plot summaries of Jedi Apprentice #10, The Shattered Peace, and #12, The Deadly Hunter. Go to this article on the official site to see the covers and read the blurbs.

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June 22, 2000 - Starwars.com Interviews Jude Watson

The Official Star Wars site has an interview with Jude Watson, author of all but one Jedi Apprentice novel. Here's an excerpt, but you should go there for the whole interview. It's quite informative ....

Your Star Wars books have been as popular with "adults" as with "young readers", a rare compliment. Why do you think older readers have responded so positively?

I don't consciously have an age level in mind when I write these books. The fact that Obi-Wan is thirteen years old and is one of its principal narrators gives it a natural framework for a young readers book. But Qui-Gon's perspective is equally important, and I think that's one area where an older reader can become engaged. Qui-Gon's story is about a man who has to learn to take responsibility for another life. His struggles with this concept can be understood on an adult level. You can read subtext into it -- it's about mentoring, but it's also about parenthood, about love, about deep friendship -- any relationship in which you find yourself bound to another person. Your life becomes entwined with theirs, and what they do affects you. You open yourself up to both joy and loss.

We very deliberately set out to give Obi-Wan a major crisis in his life. That crisis is when he leaves the Jedi. It's a formative experience for him, and it affects Qui-Gon deeply. It also deepens their connection. In Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's relationship, there are misunderstandings, reversals, jokes, betrayals, and above all, forgiveness. It isn't an easy forgiveness, either. It's a mature forgiveness, one that comes with struggle and over time. I know I drove some readers crazy because Qui-Gon took so long to take Obi-Wan back. I didn't do it to be manipulative, but because it seemed true for the character. Qui-Gon is a very measured guy.

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March 25, 2000 - Official Site Lists Upcoming Jedi Apprentice Books

StarWars.com has announced the titles and short plot summaries of Jedi Apprentice #7, The Captive Temple, #8, The Day of Reckoning, & #9, The Fight For Truth. Go to this article on the official site to see the covers and read the blurbs.

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November 23, 1999 - Official Site Lists Upcoming Jude Watson Books

StarWars.com has announced the titles and short plot summaries of Jedi Apprentice #6, The Uncertain Path & #7, The Captive Temple as well as Darth Maul's Journal. Go to this article on the official site to see the covers and read the blurbs.

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