[.ca] Star Wars: The Cestus Deception: A Clone Wars Novel (ISBN 0345458982)

fantastic entry:
While the Clone Wars continue, the Republic learns that the remote planet, Ord Cestus, is mass-producing special bio-droids capable of defeating a Jedi in mortal combat. Apparently, a ban on producing battle droids ravaged the local economy leading to the Cestus bartering with the Republic's enemy, Count Doohu and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Taking the threat seriously, Chancellor Palpatine dispatches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, fellow Jedi Knight Nautolan Kit Fisto, several trooper-clones, and the slug barrister Snoil to the orb to do whatever it takes including global genocide to insure that no Jedi-killing battle droids are produced. Obi-Wan plummets into local intrigues as he senses a much greater diabolical plot behind what is happening on Ord Cestus. With the help of his team, Obi-Wan struggles to prevent the development and sale of the bio-droids, to avert a nasty takeover scheme and trying to prevent the planet from total annihilation from his side or their opponent. Neither the Republic nor the Confederacy can afford to allow their enemy to gain control of the bio-droids that could shift the balance of power. Fans of the Star Wars mythos or Steven Barnes will thoroughly enjoy this fantastic entry that may be the best of the Clone War tales (comic book, novel or game). The action-packed story line contains plenty of enticing exotic characters from nasty bad dudes to the novel stealing Snoil, a brilliant legal genius. A touch of romance adds depth to a great Star Wars story that will bring new readers to the Jedi universe and showcase why Steven Barnes is one of the best novelists on the market today. Harriet Klausner

Though I am a "Star Trek" fan...:
Though I am an avid "Star Trek" fan, I am also a fan of "Star Wars" and many, many other sci-fi adventure and space opera works, such as: "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Puppet Masters", "Foundation", "2001", "2010", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Ringworld", all the "Star Trek" books, "Advent of the Corps" and others. Definite two thumbs up on this "Star Wars" book! Its space opera adventure lives on!

Great stuff:
Steven Barnes foray into the Star Wars universe is a wonderful book. He provides a very interesting look into the mind of a "clone" warrior that provides a lot of food for thought. His battle scenes are well written, while the politics provide the usual Star Wars back stabbing and intrigue. I highly recommend this book.

Great Book, but not perfect. Too many chapters!!:
The Cestus Deception was a great book overall. The story flowed and there was a good surprise ending. The story at first revolves around Obi-Wan Kenobi and his new mission to the planet Cestus. He is sent with Jedi Kit Fisto and a squad of clone troopers (including 1 ARC trooper) to convince the planet to come back into the Republic. But their main objective is to stop the production of JK droids, new battle droids capable of equally matching a jedi in combat. The bulk of the story centers on the ARC trooper who is given the name of Jangotat, means brother of Jango, and his relationship with a woman on Cestus. There are some great plot twists and plenty of action. My only complaint is that there were way too many chapters. The book is 396 pages and there are 82 chapters! Barnes tended to limit the scenes and end the chapter to cut to another scene. Also I had to wonder why Count Dooku appeared on the cover and he was only mentioned a couple of times in the book, but didn't appear at all. While Assajj Ventress (Dooku's Dark Jedi apprentice for those who didn't know) is one of the main characters, and didn't get a single shot. I would recommend the Cestus Deception to everyone as a great continuance of the Clone Wars.

An Excellent SW Debut for Steven Barnes:
Not having read any of Barnes' previous novels, i was not quite sure what to expect in this book. However, Steven managed to create a truly excellent addition to the Star Wars library. Obi-wan's struggle to stop the bio-droid factories while avoiding wholescale slaughter is one of the best political sub-plots ever to appear in a Star wars novel. Asajj Ventress also makes an impressive debut in this book, and her battle with Obi-wan at the end is very well-choreographed. The centerpiece of this book is the evolution of Nate, an ARC trooper serving under Kenobi, into Jangotat, a brave individual who makes a spectacular sacrifice. Kudos to Barnes for adding several new alien species to the SW pantheon, particularly the X'ting. Hopefully the rest of the Clone Wars series can offer as much enjoyment as this book did.