Rating: 
Summary: Political intrigue abounds in the Old Republic
Review: In this novel, we see more of the high-calibre writing talent of James Luceno, who previously scripted two of the New Jedi Order (NJO) novels. Luceno does a masterful job of capturing the essence of characters that many will recognize, including the eventual Moff Tarkin, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi (as a youth of course), and a host of others. Other characters make appearances, including: Vergere, who seems to be playing a part in the NJO series, a Jedi Master named Cboath, a newly elected leader named Amidala, and two jedi whom we saw face Darth Maul in Shadow Hunter. Luceno has done a great job of keeping the reader guessing on exactly what the eventual goal of the plot being hatched by dissidents really is. Of course it turns out that Sidious has been orchestrating things very far in advance. But we are also able to see the even Palpatine cannot plan EVERYthing, as he exhibits some doubts and slight apprehensions during the story. The novel takes place some weeks before Shadow Hunter, and thence before Phantom Menace. Luceno, as mentioned, did an excellent job in incorporating all those things we know to have taken place, but also in rounding out HOW they came about. I think that this is an excellent lead-in to Phantom Menace, better than Shadow Hunter. I have read that many feel the book moves too slow. Well, it may seem so, but for those with patience, it takes only a moment's thought to realize how much work went into planning the outcome. It is clearly worth any perceived effort. Much of what we see is political machinations, a great deal of course being orchestrated by Palpatine. We are able to see how he was able to position himself to be the successor to the Chancellor's post. Much of the story also hinges upon the pursuit of some criminals by the Jedi, particularly Qui-Gon Jin. We are able to see how he was unable to remove a momentary focus from his mind, as we know later proved to be his undoing. There is also Jedi combat on a scale not appreciated before the NJO series, as we see a relatively large gathering of Jedi working in concert against a much numerically larger foe. When you read this, you will know why the Jedi were so feared by criminal elements, and by Palpatine. I don't know that I could give much more praise to this book than I have already. I am sure that most Star Wars readers already have this one, but I would like to recommend this to those that may have been soured on Star Wars after Phantom Menace came out. I know of many that claimed they did not understand what it was all about. Well folks, here is the background that will answer your questions.
Rating: 
Summary: You CAN fool all of the people all of the time...
Review: ...if you're a Sith lord, that is. Ahh, Palpatine, it's always a treat to see him in action, and Luceno has the great one's character dead-on. Make no mistake, this is a Palpatine book, for even when the unassuming Senator from Naboo isn't in the spotlight his presence is felt as he lurks in the shadows, pulling the strings that bring about the rise and fall of many principle characters. Whether acting the part of kindly old friend and confidant or displaying his might in his Sith lord incarnation, Palpatine proves himself deserving of the status of ultimate SW villian. Often imitated (how many bad guys in sci-fi and fantasy fiction since ROTJ have just been Palpy knock-offs?) poorly duplicated (Dark Empire...shudder) but never surpassed (sure, some great baddies have appeared in the EU: Thrawn and Tierce in the Zahn books, Dzem in Planet of Twilight, and most recently Lord Shimrra in the NJO, but none of them can match the Emperor), Palpatine weaves a web so tangled it's all but impossible for even the closest reader to divine what his real goal is. Of course, you can't build an entire book around the villian: Luceno's novel tells an action-packed story, features some great cameos, gives a lot of useful background info (if only this had been published before Phantom Menace, a lot of fans would have enjoyed the movie more, or at least been able to understand it!), and gives readers an inside look at the Jedi council and philosophy, but we all know who the main man is, even if the other characters don't. Tell me you don't feel chill whenever Palpatine interacts with someone and ends up maneuvering the dupe to do his bidding without the poor soul even realising it!
After reading this, I can hardly wait to see the great one on-screen again in Episode II! May the Force be with the SW universe (they'll need it with Palps to contend with).
Rating:
Summary: Never thought Politics could be so Interesting!
Review: In short, this book was great. It provides an excellent story line and background for what happens in Episode I. When the Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter came out I thought that book would be the one to help answer the questions to Episode I, but as it turns out it was just a fun, albeit morbid, read. Cloak of Deception was the tool used to provide excellent background for Star Wars fans. Valorum is given much more of a role than in Episode I, along with each of the Senators we glimpsed for brief seconds in the movie. The taxation of trade routes finally makes sense as well as Jedi, Judicial, and Senate activities. Despite this book being the beginning of a saga, many old friends join us n this well thought out story, Darsha Assant and Anoon Bondara from Darth Maul. Vergere from Rogue Planet and the New Jedi Order. Even Tarkin and Sate Pestage make their brief appearances. This is a very worthy and exciting read. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Star Bores is more like it!
Review: It doesn't appear to me that James Luceno could write his way out of a paper bag. There is no neato Science Fiction in this novel. It is almost as if someone gave the guy a template for a story, told him.. "This is what must happen, how you make it happen is your business.." and he started writing. The book reads like a term paper in the Star Wars universe. We never get a glimpse in depth to the motivation of Qui Gon or Obi Wan. Why are they Jedis? Why do they consider certain people their nemesis? Why bother? Any of the short stories included in any of the TALES FROM: series of Star Wars book offered more characterization, more neato Sci Fi gadgets and ideas, and more alien cultures and even more PLOT than this novel. This book just clearly bored me to tears and I was disappointed in it. It answered no real burning questions and offered no great revelations. There was no compelling reason to like either Qui Gon or Obi Wan or even to cheer them on.
Rating: 
Summary: BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Dang was this book boring. I kept hitting myself over the head with it. What happened? Where there was kinda a plot present, but the basic idea of the book was something that we were already well aware of. Palpatine is secretly controlling the Senate! *gasp* If you didn't already know that, you shouldn't be even considering reading this book. What's worse is that ALL attempts at character development come only from paraphrasing of statements made in Episode 1. I was looking for some good Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon scenes (as in something similar to what we've seen in the Jedi Apprentice series), but there weren't any! And how about the long-winded, nearly pointless opening of the book? Something around 100 pages if I remember correctly. I still don't get why Qui-Gon was so bent on following that guy. The Jedi obviously had no business being present there. I could more easily accept that Qui-Gon was there for personal reasons rather than official Jedi reasons if we had been told what those personal reasons may have been later in the book, which we weren't. In short, I was greatly disappointed in this book, particularily since it is written in my favorite Star Wars time period to read about (pre-Episode 2)! Rogue Planet was MUCH better and the Jedi Apprentice Series still tops them all. Get this one from the library.
Rating:
Summary: Political Thriller! Episode I Questions Answered!
Review: Want to know why Volorum was mired in baseless accusations? Did you know Palpatine was considered Volorum's staunchest supporter although he had him ousted? Do you know how long Queen Amidala reigned for before the Battle of Naboo? Who was her predecessor? Who was Bail Antilles who was also up for the postition of Supreme Chancellor with Palpatine? What are some of the things Qui-Gon does to exasperate the Council? How do the Jedi really work? Do the Jedi really answer to the Senate? Why does a Trade Commission who are businessmen have an Army? Why did they blockade Naboo? All of these and more is answered in this book. You will love it. Good action, good Jedi-lore and probably the most well-thought out Star Wars book around. PREQUELS RULE! This is one of the best (although they are all good).
Rating:
Summary: A little slow, but some good background information
Review: This book focuses on the political antics of the Galactic Senate and the dealings of some if the individual senators. It focuses on the wheelings and dealings of Senator Palpatine and how he underminds everything in the Senate. If you want to know about how the Senate falls this is a very good book. I have not enjoyed the prequel books as much as I have the post-Jedi series. To me, this book was a little slow and took me a while to read because there was never really a point in which it "grabbed" me and made me want to read more. I did finish it and would say that you can read it for information but you do not need to read it to understand any of the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the Best I've Read
Review: I went in to this book looking forward to an interesting political thriller in the Star Wars Universe. It was a different look at the saga with some newer (or is that older?) characters. I enjoyed all the political maneuvering, plots and counterplots in this book. As it turns out, Palpatine was my favorite character in the whole book. I wish I could say the same for the treatment of the Jedi. To me, all the action centering around the Jedi wasn't up to snuff. Qui-Gon (as Ahab) chasing his white whale (Captain Cohl) just didn't seem to ring true with me. All the parts when (and after) the Jedi were on the island (the name of the planet escapes me right now) weren't written with excitement in mind. Although, I will say that I am wondering where James Luceno is going with his recurring character of the Fosh, Vergere. If they want to try something different with Star Wars, how about they get Tom Clancy to write a political thriller and Stephen King to write a tale of the Dark Side...
Rating:
Summary: Tie-in with the New Jedi Order
Review: Apart from this being one of the better tought-out SW books, there is an interesting tie-in with the New Jedi Order. The avian Jedi Vergere seems to be the same being as the one who saves Mara in book three or four of the NJO. A great reference (hopefully it will be developed more at a later date- apparently not _all_ the Jedi were killed by Vader, Ben and Yoda the other obvious exeptions) that leaves a nice open end for a future author to work with. Hard-core fans such as myself can appreciate the tie-in - those who catch it that is! Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless
Review: I haven't really enjoyed any of the "prequel" books as much as I have the post-movie books. Cloak of Deception sets the stage for the movie "The Phantom Menace", and because of that the ending is a foregone conclusion. There just wasn't enough suspense to sustain the story to my taste or to really advance the larger story. We know that Palpatine is the evil Darth Sidious, that Chancellor Valorum will be deposed, that Qui Gonn will die in the movie. I guess if you really want to know the background story that sets up Phantom Menace, then it will be interesting, otherwise.... However, despite all the problems, I enjoyed the story enough to finish it (if I don't like a book I won't bother). I liked seeing the Jedi Knights at work as they were supposed to (not when Luke was the only one in the movies), and I could see why the Galactic Republic would fall from its own corruption even if Palpatine hadn't been pushing it. My advice is pick up the paperback when it comes out if you're really interested in Star Wars or learning more. Otherwise, there are plenty of "sequel" books to read.
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