Series
Genres
Description
Fiction. Literature. Science Fiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER �?� An unexpected offer threatens the bond between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as the two Jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future in the first canon Star Wars novel to take place before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. A Jedi must be a fearless warrior, a guardian of justice, and a scholar in the ways of the Force. But perhaps a Jedi�??s most essential duty is to pass on what they have learned. Master Yoda trained Dooku; Dooku trained Qui-Gon Jinn; and now Qui-Gon has a Padawan of his own. But while Qui-Gon has faced all manner of threats and danger as a Jedi, nothing has ever scared him like the thought of failing his apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi has deep respect for his Master, but struggles to understand him. Why must Qui-Gon so often disregard the laws that bind the Jedi? Why is Qui-Gon drawn to ancient Jedi prophecies instead of more practical concerns? And why wasn�??t Obi-Wan told that Qui-Gon is considering an invitation to join the Jedi Council�??knowing it would mean the end of their partnership? The simple answer scares him: Obi-Wan has failed his Master. When Jedi Rael Averross, another former student of Dooku, requests their assistance with a political dispute, Jinn and Kenobi travel to the royal court of Pijal for what may be their final mission together. What should be a simple assignment quickly becomes clouded by deceit, and by visions of violent disaster that take hold in Qui-Gon�??s mind. As Qui-Gon�??s faith in prophecy grows, Obi-Wan�??s faith in him is tested�??just as a threat surfaces that will demand that Master and apprentice come together as never before… (more)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019-04-18
Physical description
480 p.; 4.18 inches
Publication
Del Rey (2019), Edition: Reprint, 480 pages
Pages
480
ISBN
1984819615 / 9781984819611
Library's review
The story, while well executed and moving at a good pace, is nothing particularly special, but the core relationship between and depiction of Qui-Gon and a young Obi-Wan is very well done, even making my eyes moisten somewhat towards the end. This book was everything I hoped the disappointing
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"Dooku: Jedi Lost" would have been, and one of the most satisfying Star Wars novels I've read. Show Less
Similar in this library
Awards
Dragon Award (Finalist — 2019)
User reviews
LibraryThing member chard69
One of my favorites of the new canon books. It is really nice to see an early Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan story that focuses on the fact that they had a troubled history with each other, and had to find a way to work around their huge personality differences. Claudia Gray is a very good Star Wars writer.
LibraryThing member ViragoReads
Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi have been my favorite master/padawan pair since the prequels were released. I devoured the Master Apprentice series and this book is just an extension of that. In this novel we got to know their relationship a bit more intimately. It was fascinating that Qui-Gon was
This story was well done because it didn't lose anything from the Master Apprentice series and even though I knew the outcome would be Qui-Gon declining his invitation to join the council, which would have meant hand Obi-Wan over to a new master, I still had no idea how it would all transpire. They were both disenchanted with one another throughout, but it was because they both cared. Qui-Gon saw his failings as a master and pondered whether or not he even deserved to be Obi's master. Obi-Wan felt his inadequacies as a padawan was the reason he learned about Qui-Gon's invitation from an outside source, rather than from his master. I think he believed that Qui-Gon was disappointed in him as an apprentice. Oh, and in the midst of all of this angst, there were flashbacks from Qui-Gon's time as Dooku's apprentice, and an entire plot of betrayal and murder involving a "backwater" planet's monarchy and their ascent into "modern" within the republic.
A very good addition the the JA canon and Jeff Davis did very well with the narration. He captured each characters voice and emotion in a believable way. Fun listen.
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offered a position on the council as well as the fact that he believed he was failing Obi-Wan as a master. Seeing them go through turmoil once more was unexpected, but I suppose that was their relationship from the beginning to the very end. They clearly loved and respected one another, but they also butted heads frequently. Perhaps their love for one another was the reason they were in opposition so often. This story was well done because it didn't lose anything from the Master Apprentice series and even though I knew the outcome would be Qui-Gon declining his invitation to join the council, which would have meant hand Obi-Wan over to a new master, I still had no idea how it would all transpire. They were both disenchanted with one another throughout, but it was because they both cared. Qui-Gon saw his failings as a master and pondered whether or not he even deserved to be Obi's master. Obi-Wan felt his inadequacies as a padawan was the reason he learned about Qui-Gon's invitation from an outside source, rather than from his master. I think he believed that Qui-Gon was disappointed in him as an apprentice. Oh, and in the midst of all of this angst, there were flashbacks from Qui-Gon's time as Dooku's apprentice, and an entire plot of betrayal and murder involving a "backwater" planet's monarchy and their ascent into "modern" within the republic.
A very good addition the the JA canon and Jeff Davis did very well with the narration. He captured each characters voice and emotion in a believable way. Fun listen.
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LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
Claudia Gray’s Master & Apprentice begins with the troubled apprenticeship between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan struggles to adapt to Qui-Gon’s unique interpretation of Jedi rules and his unorthodox approach to problems. Qui-Gon can see the bright future his apprentice will have,
In exploring Qui-Gon’s unorthodox methods, Gray focuses on his fascination with Jedi prophecy. The discovery of a fool’s gold type of kyber crystal evokes one of these prophecies: “When the kyber that is not kyber shines forth, the time of prophecy will be at hand” (pg. 117). Other prophecies run through the novel, such as “she who was born to darkness will give birth to darkness” (pg. 229), possibly a reference to Leia and Ben Solo, as well as “he who learns to conquer death will through his greatest student live again” (pg. 288), which may refer to Emperor Palpatine’s forthcoming return in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Quoting one of Qui-Gon’s aphorisms, Obi-Wan says, “People are more than their worst act” (pg. 116), contributing to the belief in redemption that runs as a throughline in the Star Wars saga. The story further helps to explore themes from The Phantom Menace as the Czerka Corporation relies on slave labor, somehow skirting the laws of the Republic and establishing Qui-Gon’s feeling that the Jedi Council, in obeying its mandate of nonintervention, has allowed evil to flourish at the margins of society (pg. 212). Qui-Gon enlists the help of Rahara Wick, a formerly enslaved person turned jewel smuggler, to help him search for the Pijali Opposition unnoticed. Both Rahara’s experience and Czerka’s attempts to codify slavery as a punishment for most crimes on Pijal (pg. 188) help to show the corruption and moral lapses in the twilight of the Republic.
Previous authors have examined Obi-Wan Kenobi’s apprenticeship with Qui-Gon Jinn, in particular Dave Wolverton and Jude Watson in the Jedi Apprentice series, though this is the first novel in the new Star Wars canon to examine the period prior to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. In helping to link the prequel-era stories together, Gray not only includes the references to kyber crystals and Jedi prophecy, she also includes flashbacks to Qui-Gon’s apprenticeship with Dooku and shows Obi-Wan learning to ride a veractyl, one of the creatures he rode in Revenge of the Sith (pg. 151), and reflecting on the Guardians of the Whills in a reference to Rogue One (pg. 243). The idea of a Jedi acting as planetary regent as well as the characterization of Averross recalls some of the best elements of the 1990s Bantam Star Wars novels, like Corran Horn. A comment on format: while the new Star Wars novels are re-introducing the light profanity from the Original Trilogy (hell, damn), this one includes the word “scumbag” (pg. 160). Though it goes toward showing Averross’s informality, the term is so unique to twentieth-century American slang that it feels out of place in a Star Wars story. Gray previous wrote three of the best character studies in the new Star Wars canon – Lost Stars, Bloodline, and Leia: Princess of Alderaan – and this is more of the style fans expect of her. Other than one use of slang, the story is a great addition to the new Star Wars canon.
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but doesn’t feel that he’s the best teacher. When the Jedi Council offers Qui-Gon a position on the council, the possibility that Qui-Gon will transfer Obi-Wan to another master for training so he may accept the offer further strains their partnership. Before Qui-Gon can make a decision, however, the two must travel to Pijal, where the reclusive government is about to undergo sweeping changes as the Czerka Corporation opens a hyperspace corridor nearby. Since the princess is only 14, the Jedi Rael Averross has been acting as the regent due to his neutrality for the last eight years following the tragic death of his padawan. Recent terrorist attacks threaten the forthcoming change from an absolute to constitutional monarchy as well as the construction of infrastructure for the hyperspace corridor, so the Pijali government requests an investigation by the Jedi. Averross apprenticed with Count Dooku prior to Qui-Gon and personally vouches for him to lead the investigation.In exploring Qui-Gon’s unorthodox methods, Gray focuses on his fascination with Jedi prophecy. The discovery of a fool’s gold type of kyber crystal evokes one of these prophecies: “When the kyber that is not kyber shines forth, the time of prophecy will be at hand” (pg. 117). Other prophecies run through the novel, such as “she who was born to darkness will give birth to darkness” (pg. 229), possibly a reference to Leia and Ben Solo, as well as “he who learns to conquer death will through his greatest student live again” (pg. 288), which may refer to Emperor Palpatine’s forthcoming return in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Quoting one of Qui-Gon’s aphorisms, Obi-Wan says, “People are more than their worst act” (pg. 116), contributing to the belief in redemption that runs as a throughline in the Star Wars saga. The story further helps to explore themes from The Phantom Menace as the Czerka Corporation relies on slave labor, somehow skirting the laws of the Republic and establishing Qui-Gon’s feeling that the Jedi Council, in obeying its mandate of nonintervention, has allowed evil to flourish at the margins of society (pg. 212). Qui-Gon enlists the help of Rahara Wick, a formerly enslaved person turned jewel smuggler, to help him search for the Pijali Opposition unnoticed. Both Rahara’s experience and Czerka’s attempts to codify slavery as a punishment for most crimes on Pijal (pg. 188) help to show the corruption and moral lapses in the twilight of the Republic.
Previous authors have examined Obi-Wan Kenobi’s apprenticeship with Qui-Gon Jinn, in particular Dave Wolverton and Jude Watson in the Jedi Apprentice series, though this is the first novel in the new Star Wars canon to examine the period prior to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. In helping to link the prequel-era stories together, Gray not only includes the references to kyber crystals and Jedi prophecy, she also includes flashbacks to Qui-Gon’s apprenticeship with Dooku and shows Obi-Wan learning to ride a veractyl, one of the creatures he rode in Revenge of the Sith (pg. 151), and reflecting on the Guardians of the Whills in a reference to Rogue One (pg. 243). The idea of a Jedi acting as planetary regent as well as the characterization of Averross recalls some of the best elements of the 1990s Bantam Star Wars novels, like Corran Horn. A comment on format: while the new Star Wars novels are re-introducing the light profanity from the Original Trilogy (hell, damn), this one includes the word “scumbag” (pg. 160). Though it goes toward showing Averross’s informality, the term is so unique to twentieth-century American slang that it feels out of place in a Star Wars story. Gray previous wrote three of the best character studies in the new Star Wars canon – Lost Stars, Bloodline, and Leia: Princess of Alderaan – and this is more of the style fans expect of her. Other than one use of slang, the story is a great addition to the new Star Wars canon.
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LibraryThing member BenKline
I have a lot of mixed thoughts/feelings on this work. There was a lot of good in it... and a lot of bad in it.
Firstly, and this isn't a "bad" about the book, but, I can't shake how I didn't like the idea that Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon were at odds with each other pre-start of this book, and that this was how
The prophecy stuff was also... a bit both in the category of "like" and "Dislike". Not sure which way I lean more on. I like the idea that Qui-Gon was a mystic and more into the mysticism than he was anything else, which seems to work nicely with TPM, but the overall history of how the prophecies are handled, and Dooku's working into it with the plot... eh. I do like how they kind of gave an "old Testament" vibe to the prophecies with the various minor and major prophets, but it still... eh.
I think the plot was overly convoluted for the sake of it. And the Fanry ending was pretty bad. Just not practical bad. Not good storytelling or idea plotwise bad. Good for a "I want X and Y to happen" even though it doesn't seem like it'd be practical, possible, or likely, or even a good decision on the basis of the characters.
Also was not a fan of the Czerka enterprise and their plotline, and how neatly it tied into Qui-Gon's rescuing Anakin and just too much of a "oh... I see....". I think the slavery idea is getting a bit over used in Star Wars with some of the various works.
I also thought despite the convoluted plot, too many things just "too nicely fit" together. Which made the convolutions of the plot all the more jarring when it just so happened that it made X and Y and Z work out, just precisely the way they needed to work out, and if the plot would have had one less twist or a character steps left instead of right, it all falls apart. Eh. I think Luceno captures this level of master-crafting and Palpatine level of scheming far better.
But there was some good in here, and it was an entertaining book. I did like the character of Rael Avarross ... up until the ending though.
So it goes.
Firstly, and this isn't a "bad" about the book, but, I can't shake how I didn't like the idea that Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon were at odds with each other pre-start of this book, and that this was how
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they got closer before TPM. And I think some of that boils down to the old timeline had them as always being in a good relationship relative to each other, so its a bit jarring here.The prophecy stuff was also... a bit both in the category of "like" and "Dislike". Not sure which way I lean more on. I like the idea that Qui-Gon was a mystic and more into the mysticism than he was anything else, which seems to work nicely with TPM, but the overall history of how the prophecies are handled, and Dooku's working into it with the plot... eh. I do like how they kind of gave an "old Testament" vibe to the prophecies with the various minor and major prophets, but it still... eh.
I think the plot was overly convoluted for the sake of it. And the Fanry ending was pretty bad. Just not practical bad. Not good storytelling or idea plotwise bad. Good for a "I want X and Y to happen" even though it doesn't seem like it'd be practical, possible, or likely, or even a good decision on the basis of the characters.
Also was not a fan of the Czerka enterprise and their plotline, and how neatly it tied into Qui-Gon's rescuing Anakin and just too much of a "oh... I see....". I think the slavery idea is getting a bit over used in Star Wars with some of the various works.
I also thought despite the convoluted plot, too many things just "too nicely fit" together. Which made the convolutions of the plot all the more jarring when it just so happened that it made X and Y and Z work out, just precisely the way they needed to work out, and if the plot would have had one less twist or a character steps left instead of right, it all falls apart. Eh. I think Luceno captures this level of master-crafting and Palpatine level of scheming far better.
But there was some good in here, and it was an entertaining book. I did like the character of Rael Avarross ... up until the ending though.
So it goes.
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LibraryThing member Othemts
Continuing my daughter's fascination with the Star Wars universe, we read this novel which is a prequel to the prequels. It tells the story of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi on an assignment several years before the events of The Phantom Menace. The central part of the
This book is complex for a Star Wars story with the events arranged around palace intrigue as well as issues of corporate influence on government and the enslavement of people. The book has some interesting twists (I didn't expect who would be the villain) and introduces the eccentric Jedi Rael Aveross, an old friend of Qui-Gon who is serving as a Lord Regent to a young queen. I really like the character development in this novel of both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as well as the many new characters (members of the royal court, corporate agents, and even an interesting pair of jewel thieves who ally with Qui-Gon). It makes The Phantom Menace all the more depressing for sacrificing opportunities for great character moments to bland CGI special effects and comic relief.
Favorite Passages:
“It matters,” Qui-Gon said quietly. “It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.”
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story is that neither master nor apprentice feels that they have bonded. In this story they end up in conflict with one another over following the rules and yet that conflict brings them closer together.This book is complex for a Star Wars story with the events arranged around palace intrigue as well as issues of corporate influence on government and the enslavement of people. The book has some interesting twists (I didn't expect who would be the villain) and introduces the eccentric Jedi Rael Aveross, an old friend of Qui-Gon who is serving as a Lord Regent to a young queen. I really like the character development in this novel of both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as well as the many new characters (members of the royal court, corporate agents, and even an interesting pair of jewel thieves who ally with Qui-Gon). It makes The Phantom Menace all the more depressing for sacrificing opportunities for great character moments to bland CGI special effects and comic relief.
Favorite Passages:
“It matters,” Qui-Gon said quietly. “It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.”
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LibraryThing member octoberdad
More like 4.5 stars.
Claudia Gray is without doubt the best of the new canon Star Wars writers. Master and Apprentice is a solid story about the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, with echoes of their relationships to their respective masters and apprentices. One gets a much better sense in
The only reason I didn't give this a 5-star rating is that I found one of the plot devices about a technological development a bit unconvincing.Specifically, I find it hard to believe that the value of kohlen crystals in generating shields that block lightsabers would only have been recently discovered. Even more so, I find the lack of ingenuity of the Jedi when dealing with such shields highly improbable. Why not just use the Force to push the people to the ground, or even use the Force to switch the shields off? Seems like a lot of ways for Force-wielders to get around not being able to cut through a lightsaber-blocking shield, none of which were explored.
Claudia Gray is without doubt the best of the new canon Star Wars writers. Master and Apprentice is a solid story about the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, with echoes of their relationships to their respective masters and apprentices. One gets a much better sense in
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this novel of how that relationship sends ripples through history (and the Force) than anything in the prequel series or even the Clone Wars show does.The only reason I didn't give this a 5-star rating is that I found one of the plot devices about a technological development a bit unconvincing.
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LibraryThing member Herenya
Qui-Gon is contemplating an offer to join the Jedi Council when he and Obi-Wan are sent on a mission to Pijal, a planet with a Jedi regent, a teenage princess and terrorists threatening to sabotage an important treaty signing.
I read the now-non-canonical Jedi Apprentice books at an impressionable
Think of it as fanfiction! I told myself, and that helped.
I was impressed by how the different parts of this narrative fitted together -- their connections in terms of themes as well as plot. Gray is a good storyteller, and the narrator, Jonathan Davis, did a wonderful job with the characters’ voices.
“It matters.” Quin Gon said quietly. “It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch, it matters. I don't turn toward the light because it means some day I'll win some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.
I read the now-non-canonical Jedi Apprentice books at an impressionable
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age, which meant I was predisposed to be both delighted and disappointed by Master and Apprentice. I enjoyed the parts about Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s relationship, and occasionally was irritated during parts of the story where this relationship wasn’t the focus, or when it differed in details from what I remember of Jedi Apprentice. Think of it as fanfiction! I told myself, and that helped.
I was impressed by how the different parts of this narrative fitted together -- their connections in terms of themes as well as plot. Gray is a good storyteller, and the narrator, Jonathan Davis, did a wonderful job with the characters’ voices.
“It matters.” Quin Gon said quietly. “It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch, it matters. I don't turn toward the light because it means some day I'll win some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.
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LibraryThing member jklugman
This novel, about some boring characters from a boring movie, is surprisingly good. Gray expertly weaves multiple strands throughout the novel--there are multiple conflicts between teacher and student, and internal conflicts, and it all comes together in a nice package. There are no major stakes
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here, but I was invested in the (formerly boring) main characters and the side characters Gray introduces here. Show Less
LibraryThing member wanderlustlover
Spring 2020 (Staw Wars Disney Canon Read, April);
I madly love prequel books, and this one was no exception. I love seeing how hard it was for our two main characters figure out how to work together, and whether to stay with each other in the long run. I love the pervasiveness about prophecy (and I
I found myself surprisingly attached to the subplot both about the Princess-Regent, and about the once-slave turned thief, and her companion. All in all a fast, nice pre-prequel read and I look forward to more in the future.
I madly love prequel books, and this one was no exception. I love seeing how hard it was for our two main characters figure out how to work together, and whether to stay with each other in the long run. I love the pervasiveness about prophecy (and I
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hope we come back to this in the Golden Republic series coming out later this year). I found myself surprisingly attached to the subplot both about the Princess-Regent, and about the once-slave turned thief, and her companion. All in all a fast, nice pre-prequel read and I look forward to more in the future.
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LibraryThing member sgsmitty
Nice story in the Star Wars universe. The author does a great job in capturing the essence of the characters of Qui Gon and Obiwan. As with most Star Wars books these days there are not major revelations. Mostly they provide nuggets of background and more color to the world we love. In this case it
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is done very well indeed. Show Less