Rating: 
Summary: A Fun, Fast-Paced Read.
Review: I'm not really much of a fan of Star Wars novels; I have one or two, but generally I take a pass on them. But when I saw a book devoted to the ultra-cool Dart Maul, I had to give it a try. Michael Reaves deftly avoids the usual trap that makes me avoid sci-fi books like the plague: Too much tech, not enough characterization (A problem I'm having right now with the Star Wars: Rogue Planet novel...). The plot is very straight-forward, and reads like a briskly-paced summer action movie. Following the events in his Dark Horse Comics mini-series, where he decimated the criminal Black Sun organization, Maul finds himself assigned to a seemingly trivial duty. Find and kill a Nemoidian Trade Federation official who has gone AWOL, and is trying to sell information about the impending blockade of Naboo to the highest bidder. Sounds like a piece of cake, right? Wrong. Before long the information falls into the hands of Jedi-hating "Information Broker" Lorn Pavan and his partner, I-5, a kind of criminal C-3P0. When Jedi Padawan Darsha Asant becomes involved, after miserably botching her Jedi trial, the trio finds themselves relentlessly pursued through the underworld of Coruscant by the machine-like Sith assassin.
Reaves does a good job of making us care about the new characters, and he also drops in some old favorites like Yoda, Mace Windu, Qui-Gon Jinn, and, in a fairly large supporting role, Obi-Wan Kenobi. While I STILL don't understand the reason for the blockade of Naboo, Reaves tells his story with amazing clarity, even giving the reader glimpses into the backstory of Maul and his master Darth Sidious. Although anyone who has seen The Phantom Menace will be able to figure out the end, Reaves still manages to have the finale pack a punch. His writing style is fun, and I highly recommend the book to Star Wars fans and action fans alike.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely App- (Maul) -ing!
Review: My motives for purchasing this novel were pretty straight forward - I like Darth Maul. I had hoped this novel would expand on the mystique of this powerful Sith apprentice. However I was rather dissapointed. The novel was flat and not very exciting to read. The book is littered with way too many Star Wars clichés, references to monsters by name only (do I need to buy the Star Wars encyclopedia to find out which species the author is referring to?) and the general story line is rather weak. Perhaps this novel was somewhat of a let down because it is set prior to the events in the film Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace. You know that Maul's exploits will not be unearthed by the Jedi, you know the plans for the blockade will not be revealed to the Jedi, and you know that Darth Maul survives in the end! So it's pretty predictable. Perhaps an adventure story not relating to Episode 1 would have been a better option. This novel is about as exciting as frozen Tauntaun dung.
Rating: 
Summary: Strictly For the Fans
Review: If you are wondering what happen after Episode one this is the book for you. It tells about Darth Maul right before Episode one hunting down some people from the Trade Federation. He ends up having the hunt down Lorn Pavan, and his droid I-Five. Lorn Pavan is just like Han Solo, and his droid is like 3P0 but much smarter and armed with some weapons. The two of them get lucky many times and even get a Jedi Padawan to help them out. There is are a few Jedi Duels and gun fights. You get to more about Darth Maul and his master, Darth Sidious. I liked this book because I really enjoy Star Wars. I would recommend this book to all Star Wars fan, but not for any other casual reader.
Rating:
Summary: What you need to know about Maul....
Review: I was a little hesitant to pick up this novel. Like many others, I was afraid this would be a cheap attempt to cash in on the "coolest" character from Episode One. I was also afraid that we would get something that expanded the myth and legend of Darth Maul that would be contradictory to George Lucas's vision. In addition, while others found the cover catchy, in comparison to covers for other Star Wars novels, I thought this was a bit cheap, and I was afraid the story would be the same. Fortunately, none of my fears were realized. Before I get too much further into the review, I think it is worth noting that when I judge Star Wars novels, I am generally holding them up to the standard of the movie. Do they capture the same feel? Could you see the scenes on the big screen? Is it fun? Or is it overburdened with obscure characters and cheap solutions to critical plot points? To quickly summarize the plot: Darth Maul is dispatched by Lord Sidious to eliminate a Neimodian that is attempting to sell information about the impending blockade of Naboo. The hunt expands to include a Jedi Padawan, a rogue, and his sidekick. I felt that the treatment of Maul was ideal in this novel. First, Reaves gives us some background knowledge of Maul that fills in some of the gaps, but leaves out enough detail that Maul can maintain his mysteriousness that other characters have lost (take Boba Fett for example, he has gone from being mysterious to confusing as too many authors have tried to give him a history). I've heard others compare him to an alien Terminator, which is a fairly good description. Add a warrior's honor (like a Klingon from Star Trek?) and a hatred of Jedi, and you have Maul. However, Maul isn't always the central character of this book. The protagonists are Lorn Pavan (the rogue), his droid partner I-Five, and the Jedi Padawan Darsha Assant. The book mainly follows these three, who unknowlingly fell into Maul's hunt for the Neimodian, and their attempt to find safety. The human droid pairing of Pavan and I-Five is especially satisfying and adds the majority of the humor to the novel. While Maul doesn't change much over the course of the novel, the doomed protagonists, with the exception of I-five, do. Darsha comes to realize what it means to be a Jedi, while Pavan comes to grips with his extreme dislike of the Jedi (which is explained over the course of the novel and not re-iterated her so as not to spoil it for others). The novel moves at a fairly quick pace. Most of the first half of the novel centers around Maul's pursuit of the Neimodian and then a chase of Pavan. The action is crisp and uncomplicated. Reaves has a definite knack for writing action sequences that are both vivid and concise, which is a trait many other action writers would be wise to learn. The second half and end of the novel has a few surprises that twist the narrative to the inevitable conclusion and the events of Episode One: The Phantom Menace. The second half contains most of the suspense and thrills of the novel as Maul's pursuit of the protagonists slows down. Despite knowing who is going to win, getting their is still an enjoyable reading experience. Of the established Jedi characters from the movies, Obi-wan Kenobi has the largest presence in the novel. He is in no way a major character though. He attempts to investigate the disappearance of Darsha. While others have criticized his inclusion in the novel, I felt he was properly used. He was an ideal character to tie the novel to the movie and was a useful tool in explaining how Maul's activities didn't reveal the Sith to the Jedi. After having read many of the novels in the New Jedi Order, I was really pleased with this novel. It is truer to the spirit and pace of the movies, and doesn't bog down with an overabundance of characters. I'd recommend it to anyone that is looking for a quick adventure in the prequel era of the Star Wars universe.
Rating: 
Summary: I love the character, Darth Maul,
Review: but I was not impressed with this book. Set on Coruscant, Maul is assigned the odious task of hunting down a sniveling neomidian, a Han Solo-esque crook and his droid. Hardly worth his time. The story drags on and on, as Pavin gets lucky break after lucky break, and even a jedi apprentice gets thrown into Maul's path. The story was poorly written, the plot boring, and the characters (even Maul) poorly expanded upon. Get this book only if you are a die-hard Star Wars fan.
Rating:
Summary: The books set in "prequel" times surpass the rest
Review: The authors used to write the books that are set in prequel times have been much better than those used for the "new republic" timeline.
Rating: 
Summary: Who is this book about anyway?
Review: Enter Darth Maul, Darth Sidious and a cast of characters you don't know . . . .Hmm, sound interesting. Of course you know that Darth Maul will win Darsha I-5 and Lauren are doomed.
Despite this I decided to give this book a try. I was intersested to meet some new characters and see what the author would do with them . . .very little.
I was particularly disappointed when Obi-Wan slowly started to become a contributing character in the story line.
To add insult to injury Yoda and Qui-Gon make cameos. Their appearances do nothing for the story...
Rating:
Summary: "Action packed adventure all the way to the very end!!"
Review: I am not a real star wars fan and so when a friend of mine gave me this book to read I was a little skeptical at first, but when I started reading it I could not put it down. It is a very well written book and is a must for fans of the galaxy far far away and also for people who are not familiar with star wars.
Rating:
Summary: doubt I'll finish this book....
Review: ok, I've been reading alot of classics lately, and I'm only half into stars wars, I liked the films and all, and I've read a few of the books... I started this one yet I doubt I'll even finish it, as slow as the start of this book is... not to mention the lack of a ablity of the writer... I just want to fall asleep everytime I pick this book up... who knows, I may change my mind if I ever finish the book but somehow I doubt it... word to the wise, don't knock Barbera Humbely's books until you've read this one.
Rating:
Summary: Needed to be better.
Review: It could have been a 5 star novel. It has the right ingridients to be one. But it just lacks a punch when really needed. The story is hamstrung by a couple of stupid plot points. As the Jedi do not learn about the Sith until the events in episode 1. The author constantly struggles with how to involve characters without them really learning what is going on. Once they do you know something nasty is going to happen to them. This takes away from the suspense somewhat.
Also Obi-Wan Kenobi who enters the story midway through really has nothing to do, He wanders around trying to peice everything together and you guessed it, because of the events in episode 1. He can't figure it out.
The first time he see's Maul is on Tatooine, so he has no chance of averting or changing or learning anything. He really didn't need to be in the novel.
But all that being said it was a fun read. We learn a little more about Maul. Some of his insights into the force and his respect for a worthy foe add some deapth to the character.
If you like Maul then pick it up. You will enjoy the ride.
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