Book review: Star Wars: Master and Apprentice, by Claudia Gray
“Darkness is a part of nature, too, Qui-Gon. Equally as fundamental as the light. Always remember this.”
—Master Dooku
Good Star Wars novels feature an interesting story that generally checks a few important boxes. They will:
Deepen and alter our understanding of existing Star Wars canon. By revealing new details or a fresh perspective on existing canon, the book rewards the reader. We learned something new, and are smarter for it.
Center around well-known and beloved characters.
Introduce new characters in service of the main storyline and the well-known characters without dragging the reader off on bunny trails.
Some recent Star Wars novels have swung and missed at one or more of these key tenants.
But not Claudia Gray’s Master and Apprentice. The book is fun. Which, you know, was once the point of Star Wars.
(Interestingly enough, another of Claudia Gray’s Star Wars books—“Lost Stars”—focuses largely on new and unknown characters, and it’s a great book. Exception to every rule.)
”Master and Apprentice” provides:
An interesting story, as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are sent on a mission that morphs into something quite different--and more dangerous--than they expected.
An emphasis on action and on Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s relationship. The master and padawan, while dealing with external chaos and uncertainty, also have to deal with the exact same problems in their own struggles to work together cohesively.
Secondary characters that serve the story and main characters—an old Jedi turned planet-ruler, jewel thieves, a young princess coming into her own—these and other characters and others keep the book moving in an interesting fashion, and keep the spotlight where it belongs: on Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
New understanding of Star Wars canon in a few ways, including:
Insight into Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s relationship as Master and Padawan—and it ain’t smooth sailing.
How the pursuit of prophetic knowledge (including ancient Jedi prophecy) affects Jedi for better and for worse.
As a bonus, the new characters are interesting, with creative backgrounds that also serve Star Wars history—and the characters surprise us as the story unfolds.
Gray always delivers a good Star Wars tale, and this one is no different. A Star Wars novel should leave you, as a fan, entertained and enlightened. “Master and Apprentice” delivers.
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