Star Wars: The Cestus Deception : A Clone Wars Novel

Rating:
Summary: A very solid entry into the developing clone wars saga
Review: First off i am a long time fan ofstar Wars perticularly star wars novels. I havehad mixed feelings on mst of the Str Wars writtings ever since Del Ray took the publishing rigts.

(if yo are only intrested in The Cetus Deception please skip this section)

The NJO siries was a good chang of pace for a while howeer i started feelin too unrealistic after a while, (yes even for Star Wars)

I throughl enoyed Tatoiene Goast by Troy Denning, his brding the classic charecters with those of the new films was flawless.Thoose who are still true to the charecter of Star Wars and not the special effects, don't pass this one up.

Mathew Woodrin Stover's Shatteoint, did a great job making Samuel Jackson's role in the teo new films, have more hn one demention. Although this book draled on way o long and some of te situaitions we'e just there so Stover could writeanther actionscene with the purple lightsaber wielding waror. A good start for the clone wars novel sirie. (also try Traitor one of the better NJO boks by Stover)

AND NOW WE COME T THE CETUS DECEPTION:
Written by Steeve Brnes who actually wrote some great Twilight Zone Eposodes. The story is actuall quite well developed. Barnes sheds light on astr wars race that, to my knolladge, before his novel never exsted. The X'Ting of Cets, pushed back from thier homeland by human entrepenues, thre race ravagd by diseese. One of the more intresting concets is that they actually swich beetween male and female over the course of a hree ear cycle.
II will not tell you much of the story, so as not to give away the ending. But a few of the charecters are, Aiji Ventress, count Duku's dark side apretess. Obi-Wan Kenobi the sta of the sow. Kit Fisto, a Waer World jedi maste,(who uses the force to push therpio down in The Atack of he Clones). Snoil a malussc alienn senetor the brains behnd h operaition. Nate a clone trooper, perhaps Barn's biggest acomplishment was speading light on the philosophy of ones sole purpouse to fight, but culd he love?

Te Cetus Deception would be a strong stand alone read however, o more undestand why Asaji Ventress wants so much to kill Obi-Wan,I would pick up a copy of the Graphic Novel Clone Wars volume Two.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent SW Debut for Steven Barnes
Review: Not having read any of Barnes' previous novels, i was not quite sure what to expect in this book. However, Steven managed to create a truly excellent addition to the Star Wars library. Obi-wan's struggle to stop the bio-droid factories while avoiding wholescale slaughter is one of the best political sub-plots ever to appear in a Star wars novel. Asajj Ventress also makes an impressive debut in this book, and her battle with Obi-wan at the end is very well-choreographed. The centerpiece of this book is the evolution of Nate, an ARC trooper serving under Kenobi, into Jangotat, a brave individual who makes a spectacular sacrifice. Kudos to Barnes for adding several new alien species to the SW pantheon, particularly the X'ting. Hopefully the rest of the Clone Wars series can offer as much enjoyment as this book did.

Rating:
Summary: Well-Written & Intriguing addition to the Star Wars mythos
Review: Star Wars: The Cestus Deception by STEVEN BARNES is the first Clone Wars novel to come out since last years' Mace Windu book Shatterpoint. The Cestus Deception brings together, everyone's favorite investigative Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi along with Kit Fisto (the Jedi that knocked over C-3PO'c battle droid body). The two Jedi are sent on a mission to the world of Cestus, which has been bringing out a new type of droid known as the JK (for Jedi Killers). While Kenobi attempt to bring Cestus back into the Republic fold, Fisto along with 3 Clone Troopers attempts rally the desperate farmers and miners in a fight against corporate oppressiom. Filled with double and triple crosses, this book is certainly interesting and while it is full of surprises, this story truly holds the readers attention and is well-crafted. Most intriguing are the chapters regarding an ARC Clone Trooper Captain known as Nate. This is the first look in to the mind of a clone trooper and while Barnes is a little obvious with where the character ends up, his journey is both interesting and insightful. Overall, I give this book a high 5 stars. Anyway read and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Great stuff
Review: Steven Barnes foray into the Star Wars universe is a wonderful book. He provides a very interesting look into the mind of a "clone" warrior that provides a lot of food for thought.

His battle scenes are well written, while the politics provide the usual Star Wars back stabbing and intrigue.

I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: Though I would hardly rate this along with Clive Barker or Orson Scott Card, it is a decent book. They are trying to stretch the mold for the star wars universe a bit, giving it a bit more depth.

In this one they follow the example of the new movies and keep it with a politically charged book.

The planet of Cestus is under turmoil. There is segregation between the workers and the ruling class of the planet, basically those that control the industry. They produce droids of various types, including security droids. Times are hard on them through Republic restrictions and the lack of support during the war. But times are changing; they have a unique new droid that is about the hit the market. It is a droid with biological components, one that is almost as fast as a Jedi. The Confederacy of Independent Systems is making a bid to purchase it and the possibility of assisting them in secession from the Republic. Obi Wan And Kit Fisto are given a mission, secure the contract and loyalty of the planet, or destroy their ability to produce these new droids. But the Separatists have sent an envoy of their own, a familiar face for star wars fans.

This was a better than standard book in the Star Wars universe. Not saying that the standard is bad, they are usually enjoyable a some level. But they often are overly technical, focusing on mechanical elements and either science or mysticism. This has those elements but they also add a lot of political and social intrigue. As well as the working of a hive like society that constitutes the working class.

All in all this was not a bad book at all. It mixes a lot of political intrigue with action. This action isn't the same as what you see in the movies. The Jedi act as army Rangers, and try to train rebellious members of a society to work for their cause, and use guerilla warfare. A good read and hopefully a progression of the style, adding fresh blood to the Star Wars Universe.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic entry
Review: While the Clone Wars continue, the Republic learns that the remote planet, Ord Cestus, is mass-producing special bio-droids capable of defeating a Jedi in mortal combat. Apparently, a ban on producing battle droids ravaged the local economy leading to the Cestus bartering with the Republic's enemy, Count Doohu and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Taking the threat seriously, Chancellor Palpatine dispatches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, fellow Jedi Knight Nautolan Kit Fisto, several trooper-clones, and the slug barrister Snoil to the orb to do whatever it takes including global genocide to insure that no Jedi-killing battle droids are produced.

Obi-Wan plummets into local intrigues as he senses a much greater diabolical plot behind what is happening on Ord Cestus. With the help of his team, Obi-Wan struggles to prevent the development and sale of the bio-droids, to avert a nasty takeover scheme and trying to prevent the planet from total annihilation from his side or their opponent. Neither the Republic nor the Confederacy can afford to allow their enemy to gain control of the bio-droids that could shift the balance of power.

Fans of the Star Wars mythos or Steven Barnes will thoroughly enjoy this fantastic entry that may be the best of the Clone War tales (comic book, novel or game). The action-packed story line contains plenty of enticing exotic characters from nasty bad dudes to the novel stealing Snoil, a brilliant legal genius. A touch of romance adds depth to a great Star Wars story that will bring new readers to the Jedi universe and showcase why Steven Barnes is one of the best novelists on the market today.

Harriet Klausner