robotowilliam's review against another edition
3.0
A surprise to be sure, but a pleasant one. Actually better than Episode 1, which it largely covers in the final chapters (albeit from a very different perspective). Even though it's old canon, I'm happy to adopt it as part of my headcanon since it blends so seamlessly into the movies. That being said, I think the movie paints a bit of a simpler picture - movie Sidious is a more of a crazed megalomaniac and less of a shrewd Machievelli who won power through guile.
scrapgirlreads's review against another edition
Had to return this book to the library.
petelefeet's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
timeladix's review against another edition
5.0
"In the annals of Sith history, you will be known as Plagueis the Wise"
"A tragedy, really, for one so wise. One who could oversee the lives and deaths of all beings, except himself."
Oh, to read this book! Full of Sith lore, giving insight into the Dark Side of the Force through Plagueis's efforts in making himself immortal and full of details about how Palpatine came to power and his relationship with his Master, the novel explores the time period before and during the "Phantom menace" movie, really making connections and adding clarity to the events.
The writing style is gorgeous, full of interesting interactions between the characters, and politics of course. A really really enjoyable read:)))
"A tragedy, really, for one so wise. One who could oversee the lives and deaths of all beings, except himself."
Oh, to read this book! Full of Sith lore, giving insight into the Dark Side of the Force through Plagueis's efforts in making himself immortal and full of details about how Palpatine came to power and his relationship with his Master, the novel explores the time period before and during the "Phantom menace" movie, really making connections and adding clarity to the events.
The writing style is gorgeous, full of interesting interactions between the characters, and politics of course. A really really enjoyable read:)))
factolvictor's review against another edition
3.0
If you like the political intrigue from Star Wars episodes I-II-III this book is for you. It tells how Palpatine ascended to power in detail and it’s quite great to know how he became a Sith Lord. He is not a mastermind alone: he’s following his Master’s steps, Darth Plagueis. The book is well written and it feels you’re seeing the prequel trilogy from behind the scenes. Several important questions are answered in this installment. Darth Plagueis is a great character in this grand scheme of the Revenge of the Sith, although the book is misleading. Although the book is called Darth Plagueis, the character is practically secondary to his apprentice, Darth Sidious.
My problem with this title is that it’s quite exemplary of how bad old SW Expanded Universe has become in its final days (I’m not saying that the Disney Cannon is better either; I still prefer the old EU). It shows this unnecessary (and quite annoying) urge to connect all the dots between movies, previous books, videogames and comic books as well. I was constantly thinking about the huge library research Luceno did to “fill all the gaps” just to fulfill the LucasBooks Licensing editorial demands. Sometimes it seems it was more important to know when and where this or that came from than the story itself (ie. if you want to know why Count Dooku uses his well tailored cape, you will find the answer here; what that matters to the main plot Is the big question).
What do Dooku, Tatooine, Kamino, Jabba, the Hutt and those beautiful chrome-nosed Nubian starfighters of Naboo have in common? Apparently everything, and that is the problem. I have this feeling that Star Wars galaxy is amazingly small because everyone knows everyone and everyone lives and/or goes to the same places because of this unjustified need to connect all previous publications. I still don’t understand why they have to be at Tatooine all the time (I don’t know what’s so appealing with that huge dust ball) or even to meet Jabba the Hutt just because he’s an iconic character.
Anyway, if you’re looking to take a different look at what happened before the prequel trilogy and you really dig the political schemes from episodes I-II-III, it’s a must read.
My problem with this title is that it’s quite exemplary of how bad old SW Expanded Universe has become in its final days (I’m not saying that the Disney Cannon is better either; I still prefer the old EU). It shows this unnecessary (and quite annoying) urge to connect all the dots between movies, previous books, videogames and comic books as well. I was constantly thinking about the huge library research Luceno did to “fill all the gaps” just to fulfill the LucasBooks Licensing editorial demands. Sometimes it seems it was more important to know when and where this or that came from than the story itself (ie. if you want to know why Count Dooku uses his well tailored cape, you will find the answer here; what that matters to the main plot Is the big question).
What do Dooku, Tatooine, Kamino, Jabba, the Hutt and those beautiful chrome-nosed Nubian starfighters of Naboo have in common? Apparently everything, and that is the problem. I have this feeling that Star Wars galaxy is amazingly small because everyone knows everyone and everyone lives and/or goes to the same places because of this unjustified need to connect all previous publications. I still don’t understand why they have to be at Tatooine all the time (I don’t know what’s so appealing with that huge dust ball) or even to meet Jabba the Hutt just because he’s an iconic character.
Anyway, if you’re looking to take a different look at what happened before the prequel trilogy and you really dig the political schemes from episodes I-II-III, it’s a must read.
warhistory4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As someone who is a lifelong Star Wars fan, although I’m not a big lover of READING fiction, this is a must read. The way that that Luceno is able to write truly puts you into the Star Wars universe in the most captivating of ways. From the first page to the last you’ll find yourself fully immersed in the story and the Intriguingly dark characters they cover: Plagueis and Palpatine. Gives you a complete picture of the somewhat inconsistent timeline of the prequels and really fleshes out an otherwise comically evil villain. Must read for all Star Wars fans.
eximo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
scottmerilatt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nupsilon's review against another edition
3.0
Remember when episode 7 just came out and the "Snoke is Plagueis" theory was all the rage? And a lot of people, me included, were saying it was a bad idea because bringing back dead villains had been done enough times and we needed new characters?
Good times.
Good times.