Dark Disciple: Star Wars by Christie GoldenMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
After Count Dooku mercilessly commits genocide on a planets fleeing inhabitants simply for siding with Republic, the Jedi Council decides something unthinkable for them...assassination. The plan as decided by the council is to assassinate Count Dooku thus ending the war and saving countless lives. Jedi Master Quinlan Vos is chosen for this surprising mission and the Council's orders get even stranger as Vos is ordered to team with former Sith Acolyte Asajj Ventress in order to end Dooku.
When I saw there was going to be a Star Wars book that focused on Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos, I jumped on the opportunity to read it. It was somewhat of a mixed bag for me as I vacillate at times between liking and disliking the story. Dark Disciple is based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV show. In many ways it shows as the stories plot is occasionally sidetracked by removing focus from Vos and Ventress is favor of main series protagonists Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. There are also a few random point of view chapters with some characters of little importance to the book and series.
Vos and Ventress set off on what becomes a surprising Star Wars love story. Their early interactions were what I expected based on what I know of each of them, but things changed as emotions formed and were expressed to each other. To see Vos in love wasn't so shocking, but seeing Ventress in love was like watching the toughest man you've ever known cry over a TV commercial. It invariably leaves you with a what on Earth is happening here moment. The depth of love and conviction Ventress had for Vos was surprising, but mostly in a good way after getting over the moments of shock.
No Star Wars tale involving Jedi and Sith would be complete without some lightsaber fighting and philosophical debate between the light and dark side of the force. Both were handled in a manner consistent to the main series films, but I have to say the philosophical debate left me feeling it was too simplistic. This is no fault of the author since it's often been as simplistic as a Sith Lord putting doubts into a Jedi's head and using those doubts to pull that Jedi closer to the dark side. It's just crazy to think a chat with a guy trying to kill you with his laser sword could completely overwhelm a literal lifetime of training and experience against such things.
Overall Dark Disciple was a fun and quick read that centered around some interesting characters who normally don't get the spotlight.
3 out of 5 stars
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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