Star Wars – Darth Plagueis
Written by James Luceno
www.ink2quill.com

“Star Wars – Darth Plagueis” is a scifi novel that takes place in the Star Wars Universe. It was written by James Luceno, who has authored many books in the Star Wars Universe including “The Rise Of Darth Vader”.

“Star Wars – Darth Plagueis” takes place in the Star Wars Universe and starts before the birth of Darth Vader. The galaxy is run by a corrupt Senate and ineffective Jeidi Order. It is important to mention that most jedi are not as powerful as Yoda, Ben Kenobi or Mace Windu. Most have become mediocre. At this time, the Core of the galaxy is prospering at the expense of an outer rim plagued by piracy and nobody cares. not the Senate nor the Jedi Order. Throw into the mix the struggle for dominance in the Senate and the struggle for resources like plasma in the galaxy and you have the setting for the story of Darth Plagueis. We see how Darth Plagueis meets his new disciple Palpatine under his alter identity of Hego Damask and the scheming they do together to bring down the Jedi Order.

The novel begins with the death of a drunk Darth Sidious at the hands of his Sith apprentice whose alternate identity is that of Chancelor Sheev Palpantine. The story continues as a kind of flashback where we learn of Hego´s upbringing and ambitions. We learn the he is not his father´s son and so his life is in danger. We learn of his fascination with the Sith Order and the study into creating life and cheating death using dark force energies. He meets Palpatine as a young student and grooms him into the apprentice that will become Darth Sidious. The two spend their careers scheming and plotting to overthrow the jedi and take control of the Universe and they are very good at it.

This is the first and only book in the Star Wars Series I have read and I really liked it. It shattered my misconceptions that the Star Wars Series was a young adult series and the characters where interesting but not necessarily likable. One thing this book did was show me a portrait of the jedi through a more critical lens. I no longer see them as protectors of the galaxy and forces of good. As is the case with most corrupted organisations, the members are self serving and myopic. I don´t side with the Sith Order but I understand how they could come about. I see how a group that declares itself as evil could get allies in this case and thrive like an infection.

Another thing that piqued my fascination was just how powerful the Sith Order was. Plagueis was actually trying to stop death as well as create life with the evil energies of the force and I really had the impression that he was on the verge of achieving his goals if he did not already before he was killed by his apprentice Darth Sidious.

“Star Wars – Darth Plagueis” is a read with interesting characters and a fast moving story line. I only wish the story had slowed its pace in a few places like the relationships between Palpatine and his parents and Hego Damask and his parents. More details and incidences in their upbringing would have been nice, especially Hego. Over all, this is a good read and a fun read. So check it out.

John

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