I have a few things to say about this book before I start my review, I hope it helps someone.
First off, I grew up reading star wars. Started with the kids books obi wan kenobi adventures, when he starts off not even getting picked as an apprentice to falling in love with Siri and almost leaving the jedi order. I've read all the Old republic books. The Bane Trilogy (which is a great precursor book to this one) all of Timothy Zahn's works, and the New Jedi Order Series, and pretty much everything in between. A good 60+ books I would say with confidence.
Secondly. I abhor the decision made to turn the Expanded Universe into....the....legends.........It physically angers me. That all those works done to make Star Wars into My star wars, the star wars I know and love, are turned into stories merely so Disney can have creative f***ing insight to make their new movies--......... It was a poor and crap decision. Bc now everything I know is out the window to pave the way for the crap they're wanting to do now. The movies could have been great if they did the yhuuzhang vong invasion....but I digress.....
Thirdly. This is the best book about the force I have ever read. Those 60+ books I've read don't include the omnibus's, comics, or the guide books they've created to explain the star wars universe. Yet, this book talks about the force in a way that the matrix animated movie explains what the matrix was really about.
The author goes so in depth with the force, what it is, what its capable of, that some chapters you'll read twice just to be sure you gathered all the info correctly. So either he had Lucas on speed-dial to ask him about what the force really is, or he has a better understanding than even Lucas himself has. Bc he does a great job explaining the capability of the force and its uses that can be implemented if merely looked at a different way. Things the jedi could never do bc of their almost religious way of using it and seeing it as something given, instead of something that exists to be used. As always, its about point of view in how you perceive it.
The book starts off amazingly with the death of the main character. Entices you into wondering "what just happened?" and then delving into the...I believe 50-75 year journey of this barely aging, very mysterious, almost mad Dr. like Sith who delves into the science and experimentation of what the force can do, and he does it well. Almost beautifully. As mentioned before, the Bane Trilogy is a good pre-book series to read, as those set up everything that this book continues. The bane trilogy is one of my favorites, and is the beginning of the Rule of 2 sith. This book, is basically the culmination of of a thousand years of building, planning, and gaining knowledge to bring about the downfall of the jedi and the coming of the sith. They go into detail about the secret contacts, meetings, almost illuminati like gatherings of the galaxies most powerful people, and how they are all being manipulated to do the sith's bidding. Eventually finding palpatine, and delving into his previously unknown backstory and even the intro of Darth Maul and how he came to be in an almost "slap on the knee I can't believe that just happened they had no idea they were giving maul to a sith instead of a jedi" moment.
The story follows Plagueis's experiments into solving the biggest thing the Sith have looked for, immortality, and he FINDS it. It follows the story of Palpatines training and involvement into becoming the President of the Republic Galaxy basically.
AND....in a sith ritual to put a veil over the jedi.......basically tells you what happened that brought Anakin into the world.
And in one part, IF IT WERE CANON, places Plagueis being present during the time of episode I. Literally in the background of when the ship first lands on Coruscant when they're looking at Anakin knowing that this is the child they basically created and knew he would be the future.
Which just goes to upset me more that this is just....legends.......grrrrrrr.......
But anyway, I've downvoted all the 1 star reviews about "lack of character development bc of a pretentiousness of the authors inability to blah blah blah I'm probably an art history major and am filled with years of culture that make me better than you and use big words bc I'm smart blah blah blah"
The story starts out with Plagueis being old, almost if not over 100, for a good reason it starts here. and Palpatine wasn't trained as a child, bc sith apprentices are different from jedi, they don't come as babies all the time, look at Dooku. Its more of someones ideals than it is them just being young, and they explain Palpatines desires to join and the "how it happened" very well. So character development is good. Action isn't everywhere, but this is more about learning about previously unknown origins and new facts about things we've never thought of than a book of Sith going on a killing rampage.
All in all, I bought this a while ago on paper back, and wanted it on my kindle. So I BOUGHT IT AGAIN. Bc I'm that happy with it.
May the force be with you.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Next 5 for you in this series
See full series
Total Price:
$41.95
More like Darth Plagueis: Star Wars Legends (Star Wars - Legends Book 19)
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Loading...
Popular Highlights in this book
“Uncertainty is the first step toward self-determination,” Plagueis said. “Courage comes next.”Highlighted by 689 Kindle readers- “The power of the dark side is an illness no true Sith would wish to be cured of.”Highlighted by 542 Kindle readers
- Damask knew, too, that the ancient Sith had once had an outpost on Tatooine, but he kept that to himself.Highlighted by 440 Kindle readers
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Star Wars: Episode 0
"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis, the Wise?"Holy Cow. Just as Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy is the perfect 7,8, and 9 to the Star Wars saga, "Darth Plagueis" is the perfect 'Episode 0'. While my intent was to read it as the end cap of the Bane Trilogy's story (and at that it succeeds), it also clarifies and more plainly puts forth the ideas and events surrounding episodes 1 and 2. Not in the same way that many current Star Wars novels act as cheap damage control, but instead building upon the skeleton upon which the entire Prequel Trilogy is based. Furthermore, while they were parts that were greatly enhanced by having just read the Bane Trilogy, it stands on its own in complete isolation from them enough that if one hasn't read those they shouldn't be lost.More Political Thriller than Space Opera, the narrative is tight, relevant, and thought-provoking. I can only recommend this to all Star Wars fans but if I had to single anyone out, it would be to the people that didn't find much enjoyment in episode 1, and to a lesser degree, 2.
Top reviews from other countries
JAVIER
Entretenido y el inglés en el que está escrito es fácil de entender.
Reviewed in Spain on February 18, 2023
JAVIER
Reviewed in Spain on February 18, 2023
Images in this review
