Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)

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Summary: History of the Taxation of Trade Routes and Valorum's Fall
Review: 'Cloak of Deception', by James Luceno, takes place before Episode One of the Star Wars saga. This novel could be described as a political/spy novel featuring the Jedi. It tells the story of how the trade routes came to be taxed as mentioned in the opening scrawl of 'The Phantom Menace'. It also gives some history to the "baseless accusations of corruption" and the "bureaucracy" that Senator Palpatine mentions in the movie.

Qui-gon and Obi Wan are set up to be the main characters in the book, yet most of the story revolves around the Supreme Chancellor and the Senate. This is certainly different than most Star Wars novels. Instead of the key scenes featuring the Jedi, the Empire, or other adversaries engaged in battle, many of the climatic events center around debates in the Senate. In short, it is a different type of Star Wars novel.

It was, however, nice to see some of the more neglected Jedi, such as Saesee Tiin and Adi Galia get attention. They featured prominently in many events. As mentioned in other reviews, Jorus C'Boath, Anoon Bondara, Darsha Assant, and Vegere amongst others from the expanded universe of Star Wars make cameo appearences in this novel as well.

In the early part of the novel, Bondara offers a thought puzzle to several Jedi Padawans. One of my favorite scenes in the book comes near the end when Obi Wan and Qui-gon discuss Obi Wan's solution to the puzzle. I felt that scene was especially good at capturing the essence of those two characters and their relationship. In fact, Luceno's greatest strength is his ability to write the characters as we would expect them from the movie.

In comparison to 'Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter', which is the other prequel novel to 'The Phantom Menace', 'Cloak of Deception' is a bit slower. In addition, it doesn't have the pacing or the feel as most of the Star Wars movies. That doesn't keep it from being enjoyable however. This history of the taxation of the trade routes and what it meant does add to the story in 'The Phantom Menace'. As I mentioned earlier, this is more of a Political/Spy novel, and I recommend it to Star Wars fans, especially those interested in the events before 'The Phantom Menace'.

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Summary: Essential Prelude to TPM
Review: Cloak of Deception is not only an exciting read, but it also nicely sets the stage for the events of TPM.

Most importantly for Star Wars fans, this book explains what the vague "dispute over taxation" at the beginning of Episode I is all about. Much of the information to be found here would have improved the film as well, by more fully explaining the motivations of key characters and more sharply setting the tension. For instance, the fact that the dispute isn't really about taxes, but rather about (a) a nascent rebellion, (b) the reactions of both the Trade Federation and the Republic to growing anarchy and (c) political control over large portions of the galaxy is important to understanding the issues behind TPM. Of course, Palpatine's behind-the-scenes manipulation of everyone on every side is also interesting and illuminating. As a side note, I think that in TPM Lucas wanted to hide Palpatine's actions behind a veil of secrecy and mystery, a goal that was largely successful. On the other hand, Lucas was so successful that the film left us clueless as to what the political factions were debating and why the Trade Federation was making such a hostile play for Naboo. TPM as a stand alone film would have been better served if Lucas had cleaned up those plot lines a bit - even one or two lines explaining the dilema would have helped (it's all about motivation!). Cloak of Deception corrects that oversight.

Perhaps just as important to the future development of the SW epic is Luceno's treatment of the rift among the Jedi regarding the nature of the Force. Luceno tell us that some (Qui-Gonn Jinn among them) adhere to the precepts of the "Living Force," while others (the majority of the Jedi Council) follow those of the "Unifying Force." In the interest of brevity and my unwillingness to spoil an interesting plot line for fans, suffice it to say that this book begins to explain why Qui-Gonn is somewhat of an outsider (his adherence to the Living Force) and how these conceputal differences have somewhat divided the council. I think that this philosophical difference will also tie in with the midi-chlorian thingies and the disappearing Jedi conundrum (SW fans understand those references).

I'm not even going to outline the plot in this review - it's mostly standard dueling, space chases and other swashbuckling. As far as all of that goes, Luceno does a fine job balancing action, political intrigue and character development.

Footnote: I think that reading this book will probably be as essential as watching TPM again before Episode II hits the screens. The political intrigue is bound to play a role in the next film, too.

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Summary: The best of Luceno's Star Wars books nice lead into E1
Review: James Luceno's prequal to Episode I, Cloak of Deception is the best of the pre classic Star Wars tales to be written. It's exciting with interesting characters, well-written movie tie-ins and overall simply a fun read. The interaction between Obi-wan and Qui-Gon is very well done as is the continuing introduction of Vergere. The story revolves around a comment made in Episode I when Senator Palpatine refers to the Chancellor as being engulfed by "baseless accusations of corruption", this story tells how these accusations came to pass, as well as the simultaneous story of how Nute Gunray came to power. Its filled with Jedi in the role of protectors, not as private investigators as seen in Rogue Planet or as diplomats as seen in The Approaching Storm. Here they are the guardians of peace and justice for the Republic. Luceno writes in a very different style from his New Jedi Order books, and it gives me hope for his next Star Wars work.

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Summary: Good big-picture background, but lacks strong characters
Review: Reason for writing this review, too many reviews give 4-5 stars. To clarify, if ur looking to dig deeper into the big picture stuff, such as the relations between the Republic and the Trade Federation and Nubula Front, or Palpetine, then this is a 4 star book.

Other than that, if u want a character driven story look somewhere else. The only interesting characters in this book to follow are Palpetine, for his subtle scheming and Captain Cohl who is a hard nosed mercenary working against the Republic. All the jedi are quite one dimensional even though they take up 1/2 the book. The main Jedi here is Qui Gon who is intent to catch Cohl. The author does touch on why Qui Gon is a sort of mavrick in Jedi circles, but would have been interesting to see more of this and less Yoda/Windu babble.

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Summary: One of the favorite Star Wars novels - excellent background
Review: This book is a "most read" for every Star Wars fan. You learn how seemingly innocent Palpatine "marketed" himself while cunningly playing both sides of the fence. He was basically brewing the conflict that would push the Republic to become a dictatorship/empire while guaranteeing that he would be at the head of it. You get introduced to Palpatine/Darth Sidious, Gunray, Amidala, Tarkin, more of Qui Gon, Obi Wan, Vergere (yes NJO's Vergere), Yoda and Mace Windu, etc. Amidala's role is disappointing and short. She is inexperienced and easily manipulated at the end; Palpatine played her good, but he was also able to play Valorum all the way, who has a lot of political experience. Palpatine is already positioning himself to take over. He played the Trade Federation, the Nebula Front, the other senators, etc. James Luceno managed to create a brilliant senator in Palpatine - nothing less could had destroyed the Old Republic. That is what makes this book excellent. This book is more about Palpatine than about Qui Gon or any other Jedi. That is where the title "Cloak of Deception" fits perfectly. I rarely read books twice, but this one is worth it to pick up on the details and to learn from a master of the political game, Palpatine, who is machiavellic. I have enjoyed almost everything that James Luceno has contributed to the Star Wars universe and he is up there with TZ - Timothy Zhan. I cannot wait for the New Jedi Order (NJO) finale, The Unifying Force, written by Mr. Luceno and coming up in Nov. 2003. I already expect that Luceno will do a great job on than one, too.

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Summary: A Very good Book
Review: Unlike most of the other Star Wars books, this book has a lot more politics in it. Not nearly as much action as the Rogue Squadron or Thrawn books. There is a lot of debates and things like that, so this might not be the best for you. It does have some Episode II spoilers in it so that can be another drawback to it.
Along with the poltics that are in the book, there is a lot of action from the Jedi, Obi Wan and Qui Gon. They fought both on the ground and in space, making the book interesting. It flows well from scene to scene and expecially at the end, where it links up with Episode I and Shadow Hunters. Another good thing is that there are lots of cameos around in it. Jorus C'Boath(From the Thrawn Books)and Governor Tarkin for example. And there is the things between Palpatine and Valorum, and how they interact with each other. Over all, a good read, one that introduces a new view on the pre-movies era of Star Wars.