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timmytunter's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Star Wars: Darth Plagueis" by James Luceno offers a gripping dive into the darkly enigmatic world of the Sith. Told from an omniscient third-person point of view, the story meticulously tracks the life of the statesman-cum-Sith Lord Hego Damask, from his early days as an ambitious apprentice, to his reign as a Sith Master, and ultimately, to his grisly demise.
Luceno masterfully crafts a narrative that is both chilling and compelling. The eponymous Plagueis, a cold, calculating, and sinister figure, makes for an uncomfortable yet fascinating protagonist. Despite the inherent vileness of Plagueis and his schemes, Luceno avoids excessive grotesqueness and gratuitous violence, focusing largely on the political and strategic schemes of his protagonists. This approach does require some patience on the part of the reader, but this is paid off as you are drawn deeper into the shadowy realm of the Sith, making it difficult to put the book down.
Interestingly, the story’s greatest strength is perhaps not its portrayal of Plagueis, but rather that of his apprentice, Darth Sidious. Any Star Wars fan will be well-versed with Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine—the finished product—in all his evil glory. But how did he, a native of the pleasant and unassuming world of Naboo, get to that point? Was he always so twisted? What propelled him so viciously toward the dark side of the Force? This novel masterfully unpacks Palpatine’s history, providing a fascinating exploration of his descent into darkness.
One of the highlights of "Star Wars: Darth Plagueis" is how it fills in crucial details preceding and during the events of the film "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace." These insights provide a richer understanding of the Star Wars universe. Although the book is no longer considered part of the official Star Wars canon, it remains, in my opinion, essential reading for any Star Wars fan.
Luceno masterfully crafts a narrative that is both chilling and compelling. The eponymous Plagueis, a cold, calculating, and sinister figure, makes for an uncomfortable yet fascinating protagonist. Despite the inherent vileness of Plagueis and his schemes, Luceno avoids excessive grotesqueness and gratuitous violence, focusing largely on the political and strategic schemes of his protagonists. This approach does require some patience on the part of the reader, but this is paid off as you are drawn deeper into the shadowy realm of the Sith, making it difficult to put the book down.
Interestingly, the story’s greatest strength is perhaps not its portrayal of Plagueis, but rather that of his apprentice, Darth Sidious. Any Star Wars fan will be well-versed with Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine—the finished product—in all his evil glory. But how did he, a native of the pleasant and unassuming world of Naboo, get to that point? Was he always so twisted? What propelled him so viciously toward the dark side of the Force? This novel masterfully unpacks Palpatine’s history, providing a fascinating exploration of his descent into darkness.
One of the highlights of "Star Wars: Darth Plagueis" is how it fills in crucial details preceding and during the events of the film "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace." These insights provide a richer understanding of the Star Wars universe. Although the book is no longer considered part of the official Star Wars canon, it remains, in my opinion, essential reading for any Star Wars fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Torture and Alcohol
bashsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I've always been blown away by Palpatine's master manipulation skills, so it was cool to peer behind the curtain and see how he managed to manufacture a war for his own gain. Plagueis is an interesting character, and I liked his philosophizing on Sith principles - and how his arrogance was ultimately his downfall.
Lots and lots of galatic politics and economics, though. That aspect really made my head spin at times. Also, I constantly had to look up the species being described because I haven't read a ton of Star Wars books, so matching the names of the species to the visuals I know from the TV shows and movies was a bit harrowing at times.
Lots and lots of galatic politics and economics, though. That aspect really made my head spin at times. Also, I constantly had to look up the species being described because I haven't read a ton of Star Wars books, so matching the names of the species to the visuals I know from the TV shows and movies was a bit harrowing at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Gun violence, Misogyny, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Vomit, Trafficking, and Stalking
-Racism is of the fantasy kind (between all the alien races) rather than the real world variety.
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