BOOK
Star Wars
Cloak of Deception


Author: James Luceno
Lucas Books
£15.99
ISBN 0-7126-7957-X
Available Now

 

The Galactic Republic is rapidly entering a state of chaos. Hoping to maintain stability, Chancellor Valorum convenes an emergency trade summit on the planet Eriadu, and asks the Jedi Knights to protect the delegates from possible terrorist attack. This assignment soon becomes confused by political complications, at the heart of which is the power of the Dark Side.

Cloak of Deception is set just prior to the events of The Phantom Menace. Yep, that's right, another bridge novel! Still, the author James Luceno is an excellent writer, his articulation and fluency making the novel a genuine pleasure to read. The story has good pace and structure and holds your attention all the way to the last page. Like the masters Michael Stackpole and Timothy Zahn, Luceno can deliver an irresistible feast of action and intrigue.

Well known characters such as Palpatine, Valorum, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are written with precision and accuracy. The physical descriptions are perfect, and thanks to Luceno's colourful writing, add pleasing nuances to the characters. The dialogue displays the same skill, so much so that you can 'hear' the voices of the original actors as you read.

A novel of distinct merit, Cloak of Deception will not embarrass your Star Wars literary collection.

Jeff Watson