Darth Maul Saboteur - E Book -

On the distant planet Dorvalla, precious ore is mined by two competing companies: InterGalactic Ore and Lommite Limited. Neither rival suspects that they are central to a sinister plot masterminded by Darth Sidious, Lord of the Sith, himself.

Dispatched by Sidious on his very first solo mission, Darth Maul infiltrates Lommite Limited. There, his unique gifts of deception and subterfuge will set off an explosive chain of events that could destroy both companies, leaving them ripe for takeover by the Trade Federation. But a vengeful Lommite Limited Manager with his own thirst for retaliation against InterGal could blow Maul's cover — and all of Sidious's fiendishly laid plans…

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After I had first listened to the Audio book Shadow Hunter, I was super excited for purchasing Shadow Hunter and reading it again for this bonus E Book included in the mass market paperback.  I figured this would get more into the awesome character that was Darth Maul.  I was grossly disappointed.  Although this book was not terrible, it was short and left much more to be desired.  

James Luceno, awesome author of Cloak of Deception and Rise are the Dark Lord, wrote this 54 page novel which should have been included with Cloak of Deception.  This entire book took place before all the events on Dorvalla, and really set the stage for what would happen at Dorvalla.  This E book was mostly a trade dispute between two Ore companies, with Maul playing the saboteur of each company for the greater good of the Trade Federation, which leads to the beginning of the Cloak of Deception novel.  

This would not be a bad introduction to Cloak of Deception and should have been the included in that novel.  Not completely terrible, but bad placement to read with Shadow Hunter.  Fatal Alliance releases this week, prepare for some awesome Sith madness.

"Tell me what you regard as your greatest strength, so I will know how best to undermine you; tell me of your greatest fear, so I will know which I must force you to face; tell me what you cherish most, so I will know what to take from you; and tell me what you crave, so that I might deny you…"

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Darth Maul Shadow Hunter - Novel - Old Republic

After years of waiting in the shadows, Darth Sidious is taking the first step in his master plan to bring the Republic to its knees. Key to his scheme are the Neimoidians of the Trade Federation. Then one of his Neimoidian contacts disappears, and Sidious does not need his Force-honed instincts to suspect betrayal. He orders his apprentice, Darth Maul, to hunt the traitor down.


But he is too late. The secret has already passed into the hands of information broker Lorn Pavan, which places him right at the top of Darth Maul's hit list. Then, in the labyrinthine alleyways and sewers of Coruscant, capital city of the Republic, Lorn crosses paths with Darsha Assant, a Jedi Padawan on a mission to earn her Knighthood. Now the future of the Republic depends on Darsha and Lorn. But how can an untried Jedi and an ordinary man, stranger to the powerful ways of the Force, hope to triumph over one of the deadliest killers in the galaxy?

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Shadow Hunter is an extremely exciting novel that gives birth to the Episode 1.  It continues on the timeline of exactly where Cloak of Deception left of with the Trade Federations beginnings of the Blockade of Naboo.  Hath Monchar, Nemodian assistant of Nute Gunray, power hungery and driven by deceiving the Sith and his fellow Nemodians.  He plans to sell the plans of the upcoming Blockade of Naboo for his financial benefits.  When Sidious checks on his plans for the blockade, he fears the worst as one of the four Nemodians are missing from their meeting, and sends his Jedi hungry apprentice, Darth Maul, to stop the information from being released, and to "handle" the situation.

Lorn Pavan (previously blogged his legacy) and his droid counterpart I5YQ, or short I-Five are information brokers and in search of their next big score.  They end up mixing up with the Hath Monchar, and are setting up to purchase his holocron with the information regarding the Trade Federations plot over Naboo.  Their intentions are to sell the plans to Yantha the Hutt.

Darsha Assant (left), human female Jedi Padawan to Master Anoon Bondara, Twi-lek male (right), is on the verge of earning her title as Jedi Knight and has one task to earn that role after her many years of training.  She has to go into the Crimson Corridor, in the depths of Coruscants underworld to safely escort a witness in protection in an upcoming trial.  Darsha engages a journey where she doubts her force ability and her role as a Jedi.


Obi-Wan Kenobi also has a large part in this story although he is always a few steps behind the main story line and never quite catches up to Darsha, Lorn, or Maul; As Kenobi is sent to investigate the disappearance of Darsha and her Master.

Michael Reaves is genius with his portrayal of this story.  In Mauls pursuit for destroying Hath Monchar and the holocron, he is out witted by the unlikely Lorn Pavan and I-Five many times.  Lorn and I-Five have a relationship that is similar to if Han Solo was partnered with a Wookie / C-3PO combo.  But I-Five is no prissy protocol droid, removed of his creativity dampers and equipped with firearms, he is almost as deadly as a human assassin. Darsha and the human droid pair team up to elude the Sith through the bowels of Coruscant.  They serve as an unlikely pair due to Lorn's discuss for the Jedi Order.  This book has many turns and digs deep into the red and black tattooed Zabrak that is Darth Maul.  A ruthless, Jedi hating, failure not even an option, Sith apprentice is really bad ass through the entire book.  This book also includes the bonus, only previously available in E-Book format, Darth Maul - Saboteur, by James Luceno. 

There is no death; There is only the Force.

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Cloak of Deception - Novel - Old Republic

After a thousand generations of peace, the

Galactic Republic is crumbling. On Coruscant,

at the center of civilized space, greed and

corruption riddle the Senate, beyond even

the abilities of Supreme Chancellor Valorum

to remedy. And in the outlying systems, the

Trade Federation dominates the hyperlanes

with its gargantuan vessels.

But now even the Trade Federation finds

itself assailed from all quarters, preyed

upon by pirates and raiders, and victimized

by terrorists, who demand an end to the

Federation's tyrannical practices.

It is a time that tests the mettle of all

those who strive to hold the Republic

together—none more than the Jedi

Knights, who have long been the

Republic's best hope for preserving peace

and justice…

Mired in greed and corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, the Galactic Republic is crumbling. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over—and now even the comfort of Coruscant is being invaded, as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on Supreme Chancellor Valorum.


As humans and aliens gather for an emergency trade summit, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation who have entered into a shadowy alliance with a dark overlord. While the trio will be content with more money and fewer problems, Darth Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans.

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My second attempt at Cloak of Deception proved all the worthiness as James Luceno's prior novels.  Luceno brings depth to the apprenticeship of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the brilliance and wisdom of Qui-Gon Jinn.  Set prior to the events of the Trade Blockade of Naboo, this novel brings curiosity again to watch Phantom Menace and see the repercussions of these events.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are set investigating actions of the Nebula Front terrorist group around Outer Rim world Dorvalla.  Neimoidian Daultay Dofine Captain of the ship Revenue's mining actions on Dorvalla was unaware of the stown away Jedi.  After the invasion of the Revenue by Captain Cohl's Nebula Front, the Jedi are quick on the tail of Cohl, but eludes the Jedi after the Revenue explodes.

This novel politically plants the seeds for the birth of the Separatists.  Also including multiple assassination attempts on the Super Chancellor Valorum's life.  Senator Palpatine is also sowing the seeds of the ultimate destruction of the Old Republic, and is using Valorum as a puppet for his own interests.  There is much depth to the story and we journey with so many Jedi that are so untouched in the movies: Vergere (bird like humanoid), Yaddle (female of yoda's species), Oppo Ranscis (snake creature) and Even Piell (pink version of yoda).  We also witness the beginnings of Govenor Tarkin, and the beginning of the reigning Queen of Naboo.  If you are biased to the movie Phatom Menace, the adventure that is Cloak of Deception may change your views on the movie.

I know Phantom Menace is probably the most criticized Star Wars movie, but this novel made me appreciate a lot the movie and enjoy it in its entirety. 

"Qui-Gon Jinn was perhaps the greatest Jedi alive, a commanding presence at Council, a strong and brave warrior who refused to be intimidated by even the most daunting challenge, and a good and kind man."


Star Wars Hitchhiker

Crimson Empire - Audio Drama - New Republic

The explosive Star Wars saga continues! Crimson Empire introduces you to a new generation of space heroes and thrilling adventures!  This Audio Drama is an adaptation of the popular Crimson Empire comic book series.

As the story opens, the Empire's in turmoil; Luke Skywalker has destroyed the last of Emperor Palpatine's clones, and the Dark Lord Carnor Jax plans to seize the throne. But he has a formidable opponent to contend with: the brave Kir Kanos. The only survivor of the elite Crimson Guard, he alone stands between Jax and universal domination.

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Kir Kanos (right) a former Emperor's Red Guard is out for vengeance against the empire and former guard Carnor Jax.  Kanos started as a storm trooper but was recognized for his abilities and was brought to train with the elite to become an Emperor's Guard.  Kanos earned his position in a dual of fates against another guardsman.  He was permanently marked by Darth Vader, Kanos carries the scar a crossed his right eye from Vader's light saber.  Kanos is united with the New Republic on the Planet Phaeda, in his hunt for revenge.  He is offered sanctuary by Mirith Sinn who hopes to turn Kanos to the New Republic, but Kanos wants nothing of their rebellion.  Kanos and the New Republic are united by their common enemy but he is only after avenging the wrongful death of the Emperor he was sworn to serve.

Ruling in place of the recently killed Palpatine, Carnor Jax is establishing his new empire and one person stands in his way.  The sole living being that knows Jax's true secret is Kanos.  Kir Kanos is the only guardsman that witnessed Jax's treachery by sabotaging the remainder of Palpatines clones to destroy is chances of finding a new body after death.  This is Kanos's driving force to live and breathe, to avenge the death of the Emperor.

This audio drama completely follows the events of the ending of the Dark Empire Series.  Although lacking the main Star Wars characters, Crimson Empire introduces new members of the Star Wars EU.  This tale ventures deep in the history of the two Red Guards and their journey through the ranks of storm troopers to arch enemies.  The audio drama adaptation is shorter than any of the 6 movies and is an exciting adventure in the New Republic, with a few new faces (Sish Sadeet - Trandoshan - Left) and Mirith Sinn (Female on Right). 

"You have allowed this Dark Lord to twist your mind until now… until now, you have become the very thing you swore to destroy!"

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Empire's End - Dark Empire Finale - Audio Drama - New Republic

Emperor Palpatine has a new weapon -- one that can annihilate a planet. But he's not targeting a planet -- he's targeting the future of the Jedi, Leia's children. It looks like a hopeless situation for Luke Skywalker, who has the critical task of protecting the children. But it's not the first time Luke has found hope where none existed. The finale to the Dark Empire trilogy is collected here.

The Emperor is back and in a dual of fates against the Skywalker legacy.  The remnants of the Empire tests the New Republic in this final chapter of the Dark Empire.  The New Republics Pinnacle Base is destroyed by the Empire's new Galaxy Gun, and is now on target to destroy the New Republic home world.  Our favorite Astro-mech droid does that galaxy a great service with hands in the ultimate destruction of the Galaxy Gun.

With the slowly dying body of the Emperor deteriorating, he needs to find a new inhabitant for his mind to dwell and targets little baby Anakin Solo.  Han Solo show's he has a little bit more in common with his father in law than he truly believes, and a great friend from the clone wars makes the ultimate sacrifice of his life, to join the force, and forever destroy the Emperor Palpatine.

"This weapon can destroy a city… a landmass… or even an entire planet anywhere in the galaxy."

As Vader once said..... "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force"

Star Wars Hitchhiker