Katie Lucas, who’s dad may or may not have created Star Wars, joined the writing team of the Clone Wars animated series at age 17. Over the course of ten years she penned some amazing episodes featuring Aura Sing, Savage Opress, Darth Maul, and Asajj Ventress. Due to the Clone Wars being cancelled, Katie’s final scripts, a series of episodes featuring Ventress and Jedi Quinlan Vos, were never produced.
“In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll.
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear, pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter and assassin to Vos’s quest.
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts, a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy…and her own doubt.”
Sounds like a pretty awesome set of episodes right? Makes you wish they’d been produced right? Well, you’re not the only one! Seems that the Story Group felt the same way, and so they decided to collaborate with New York Times best selling author Christie Golden. The author has written three other Star Wars novels, and a ton of Star Trek, Assassin’s Creed, World of Warcraft, and Starcraft novels. Needless to say, she knows her Sci-fi.
Let me start by saying that I’m a huge fan of Asajj, I love her character. Quinlan Vos, not so much. He had a fairly lengthy run in the Star Wars Darkhorse Comics, and a brief appearance in the Clone Wars animated series. I found that the character was portrayed very differently between the comics and television series. While I liked him in the comics, I found him to be pretty forgettable in the animated series. Golden must have agreed, as his personality is most certainly pulled from the comics. I don’t want to call Dark Disciple a Star wars romance novel, but if there ever was such a thing…this is it. The relationship between Vos and Asajj develops quickly, and as both have been portrayed as sexually charged characters, it’s no real surprise that the story travels the path that it does.
Don’t misunderstand, this book is no “Fifty Shades of Sith”, and the characters relationship by no means takes center stage. Instead, we are treated to a well written, well developed story that honestly plays better as a book than the eight episode animated story arc that it was supposed to be. One of the down sides to Disney canceling the Clone Wars with little warning to the production team was that they were busy developing material that would eventually become seasons six and seven of the series. There was also little to no chance to tie up loose ends and resolve unfinished stories. Of course the Clone Wars Lost Missions on Netflix, and now Star Wars Rebels has provided us with some closure to the Clone Wars material, but the fate of Ventress was never addressed…until now.
I generally can find something about these Star Wars novels, however minor, that I don’t like. Not the case here, I loved the story, and burned through it faster then I believe I’ve ever read a Star Wars novel before. If you are a fan of Ventress you need to read this book.
Until next time, may the Force be with you!