Old Friends: Mace Windu, Yoda, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Synopsis: There has been a massacre on Haruun Kal, Mace Windu's home world. Evidence brought by a secret agent of the Empire suggests that the murders are the work of a Lightsaber. Mace's former Padawan, Depa Bilaba disappeared on Haruun Kal 4 months ago after she was sent to train the locals against the Separtists who now control the planet. Review: This story of Mace Windu's return to him place of birth is an in-depth look into the heart and mind of one of the most powerful Jedi Masters ever. The character of Master Windu is explored in great detail - he is haunted by the battle at Geonosis, by what he perceives as his failure if in fact Depa did commit the murders, by what may have been if he hadn't left Harrun Kal, the war, and on and on. This guy is really tortured.
However, by undertaking this journey home and working with the local balawi (the guerillas Depa was sent to train) against the Separatist
It was very difficult, from the very beginning, to keep track of the good guys and the bad guys, which is part of writing a good story. Matt Stover writes this novel in an interesting style, as he inserts portions of Mace Windu's personal journal into the chapters. This means of giving the reader added information about Mace, what he is feeling, remembering, fearing makes the main character's struggles even more intense.
Along the way, Mace picks up a very reluctant side-kick, Nick Rostu, who has an almost Han Solo attitude about him - young, tough, an oddball sense of humor, looking out for himself, but eventually gets caught up in the real mission. I would hope to see more of him in the future - he was a good foil to some of Mace's more profound moments. We also get some interaction between the Stormtroopers sent along mid-point in the mission to add a little muscle. Altho they only have numbers, and not names, you still get a sense of "person" as they interact with each other and with Mace.
I particularly liked the Ack dogs, the top balwai Jastor who at one point really kicks Mace's butt, and the brothers Lesh and Besh. They don't make it to the end of the book, but they add an interesting bit of realism to the storyline. In additions, the detailed descriptions of the Vaapad style of fighting adds another level to the exemplary skills of Master Windu and his Padawan.
All in all, I liked this one alot. We were not overrun with just space battles, Mace has to rely on more than his Lightsaber, Depa and her situation is difficult to understand for both the reader and for Mace and the resolution leaves room for more storytelling. It is going to be very interesting to see just how all this Clone War stuff gets put together in May, 2005.
Title: Shatterpoint |
09/06/2005
