Master & Apprentice (Star Wars)

A little over three years ago, I was introduced to author Claudia Gray through her first Star Wars book Lost Stars. It was a great tale that provided new intrigue to my favorite universe in all of fiction, and became my favorite book as a result. Since then I've been reading A LOT of the new canon Star Wars novel, and while several have been really good, I've been mostly excited for Gray's novels whenever I hear them announced. So I was pretty hyped when I heard about Master and Apprentice, a book not only written by her, but was set before any other point in the current canon. Let me say personally, I was not disappointed at all. Master and Apprentice is another great story in her already impressive literary resume. The film dives into the pre Phantom Menace era and gives great insight into what shaped certain events that the actual films failed to capture. We are treated to a very well written mystery, that shakes things up and has us frequently saying to ourselves "Wait a minute..." or "Ah, that makes sense now". But for me, the most important part of any work of fiction is characterization and we get A LOT of that here. Though the novel describes itself as a trial between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan (more on that later), the real dynamic is between the former and new character Rael Aveross. Through these two, we get a lot of clarity of Jinn's past and it's one of the best aspects of the book. Nevertheless, Kenobi still has an interesting arc himself, one that does resolve in a satisfying way. There are a handful of other interesting character who I won't say any more about, but are definitely ones I would love to hear more about in future stories and comic spin-offs. Also the world Pijal that most of the book takes place on is yet another wonderful new planet in the Star Wars galaxy that the little kid in me would love to be a part of. If I had one issue with the book, however, it's not with the story itself but rather the way it was described. The novel was marketed as a story about the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan being put under pressure during a severe assignment. That is featured, don't get me wrong, but it isn't as prevalent as you would likely believe. It feels more like a sub-plot than anything else, falling under the main plot as well as the aforementioned back story between Qui-Gon and Rael Aveross. It kind of reminded me of my first new canon novel "Lords of the Sith", which was described as Darth Vader and Palpatine's attempts to quell a resistance movement, when in actuality that storyline was really only in the last third. Now having said that, what is the main focus is still fantastic. It may have overshadowed what I was expecting to be first and foremost, but I still greatly enjoyed diving into that mystery and seeing these new characters. So in my mind, that makes up for the flaws just fine, though I'm not sure how others will react. In my opinion, this is Claudia Gray's second best Star Wars novel (Lost Stars still tops the list for me), and I'll be looking forward to anything else she adds to the ever growing canon. Highly recommended!

I have read Claudia Gray's other Star Wars books and they have not been favorites of mine. When I first heard about this book, I had hoped John Jackson Miller would be writing, since he did such a stellar job on the legends book Kenobi. This book undoubtedly grew from the short story of the same name that was included in From A Certain Point of View, which I thought was one of the best stories in that book. I have read a number of books on the Jedi Master and Padawan relationship by author Jude Watson. Though they were designed as youth books, her Jedi Quest, Last of the Jedi and contributions to Jedi Apprentice were excellent. This is the first Claudia Gray book that I actually enjoyed for the most part. The prophecies as a theme were interesting and there were some great characters in the book, most notably Rael Avaross, the grizzled veteran Jedi. There were a number of twists and turns that were genuine surprises. I loved the exploration of differing viewpoints on between Rael, Qui-Gon and young Obi-Wan, forcing each one to grow. The surprise invitation was a surprise, as was who opposed it. One thing I wasn't pleased with was some of the conversational language. Seriously, "getting laid" was a phrase used several times throughout the book, and I felt this is not a term that would be used in the Star Wars universe. The legends books kept the illusion beautifully. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audiobook. The veteran Star Wars narrator Jonathan Davis beautifully handles the narration and character voices. His Qui-Gon is wonderful and his Obi-Wan is so good, you would swear it was Ewan McGregor. He was brilliant on the legends book Kenobi as well. Even his Yoda was spot on. A great canon book for Jedi lovers like me.

A short background of me and Star Wars (SW): I've been a fan since nearly the beginning. I've read/enjoyed well over a hundred books, comics, novellas, games, etc... a drop in the veritable ocean of SW media, but still more than most. While my favorite SW novels are mostly from those of the old EU, Master & Apprentice has managed to edge it's way into that exclusive list. It was that good! M&A was a bit of a perfect storm for me in that it checked my boxes of enjoyment for a SW book: 1. Prequel-era timeline 2. Featured favorite characters 3. Focused on Force lore. I know there's sizable portion of fans who say their favorite Gray book, or SW book in general, is Lost Stars, but I found that to be not much more than a SW Romeo and Juliet. M&A however is SW through-and-through IMHO. To each their own! Here we get lots of detail on prophecy, more Qui-Gon, more Dooku, more Obi-Wan... all of which I felt was overdue in this context. The story-line and new characters didn't enthrall me as much as I would've liked (another roguish Jedi...?), and there was some new tech that didn't fit into the SW universe very well to me (nanites and full body personal shields - Trek anyone? ), but that didn't matter to me as much as the other points I did like. What separates SW from general sci-fi is the Jedi and the Force, which is of course what makes it sci-fantasy, and M&A has that in abundance. If you're a SW fan who likes stories that focus more on the Force-related elements, I highly recommend getting this one, even those who aren't a big fan of the new canon. Many people will of course compare this story to the beloved Jedi Apprentice series in Legends, which was where we got most of our Qui-Gon material until recently, and I can say that Master and Apprentice does not trample on those stories, so pick them both up!

My adolescence was spent devouring Star Wars book after Star Wars book in the old Expanded Universe—all those books now published under the Legends line. I read about my heroes making peace with the remnants of the Empire, flying around in X-wings, courting one another, taking down Grand Admiral Thrawn, founding a Jedi Academy, raising a new generation of Jedi, and dealing with all of the pain, heartache, and drama that came along with it. I’ve not been enamored with any of the newer Del Rey offerings, until Master & Apprentice, that is. This is nearly everything I want in a Star Wars novel, and I loved it. Claudia Gray writes a fast-paced tale focused on Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the titular master and apprentice. True to the form of all the greatest Star Wars novels, what makes this novel work is the interactions of the characters. Jinn and Kenobi serve as excellent foils for one another. Qui-Gon is hardly a rule follower, and his tendency to bend the rules of the Jedi Order runs afoul of Obi-Wan’s much more obedient tendencies. It’s interesting to watch Qui-Gon attempt to open his padawan’s mind to the realities of the universe while at the same time watching Obi-Wan’s own struggles with how to relate to his masters. We also get some interesting flashbacks to Qui-Gon’s own days as a padawan with his master, Dooku. There are plenty of lightsabers, fun uses of the Force, and at least one cool scene with a star fighter, to complement the excellent characterizations. There’s also some interesting politics and references to well-known worlds from the Star Wars universe, like Alderaan and Naboo. Even more tantalizing, there are a number of references to ancient Jedi prophecies. Obviously, this ties into the prequel trilogies assertion that Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One—that’s tropey and a bit boring, honestly. But some of these prophecies, I’m convinced, apply or will apply to the new movies as well, which makes them interesting. There’s hardly anything I didn’t like about this novel. Personally, I think Star Wars is at its best when there are Sith to balance the Jedi. This is true if for no other reason than lightsaber battles are the coolest battles. That couldn’t be the case here, given the timeframe it takes place in, when everyone is convinced the Sith have been extinct for a couple millennia. Because we know both the main protagonists survive, it also lacks a little tension in some scenes here and there. That’s the disadvantage to writing about the earlier history of two characters we already know. In the larger picture, however, these are fairly minor criticisms. Claudia Gray has done a fabulous job with Master & Apprentice and I’m hoping for more Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan shenanigans. This became an instant favorite for me. It’s Star Wars at its best, and it makes me want to go reread my old favorites and hope for some new favorites set in the Old Republic era. Recommended for hardcore fans and folks who’ve only seen the movies. 9/10 4.5/5 stars. 5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile 4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile 3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time 2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it 1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing

As anticipation of the next Star Wars movie rises to a fever pitch, this book represents a gratuitous escape from the FOMO around what's next. Already knowing what happens next (in Episode I), it was enjoyable to go back in time to an earlier moment in the relationship between Qui-Gon Jinn and his 17 year-old apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The mutual comfort and confidence portrayed in the movie was hard-won, it turns out, and this future was in real jeopardy at one point; this novel is about a tipping point in their relationship when it could have gone either way. The complementarity visible in the movie is here portrayed as pure contrast, and the journey to resolve that conflict is thrilling to witness. In addition to the aforementioned relationship between the titular master & apprentice, the author also utilizes a modestly-sized (thankfully) cast of new characters to create additional juxtapositions at the service of developing the main characters, including several who are intriguingly fleshed-out in their own right. Flashbacks to Qui-Gon's own days apprenticing under then-Jedi Master Dooku are as fascinating as they are bittersweet, knowing what we already know about Dooku's fate. One newly introduced Jedi is particularly effective as a foil to the main characters, each in a different way. The author uses dramatic irony to full effect throughout the book. I don't want to give the impression, however, that this book is a mere appendix to the prequel trilogy. Even taken on its own merits, it's a rousing adventure in which characters learn about themselves and overcome conflicts both internal and external. However, taken together with the larger canon, it's a supremely satisfying read. I enjoyed the author's other Star Wars books well enough, but this one is on another level. I recommend it not only to fans of Star Wars, but also to anyone who is interested in the human journey towards respect and friendship with someone who is different from yourself.

"Master & Apprentice" , the newest novel in the Star Wars series, focuses on the relationship between Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his young apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Trouble is brewing in the galaxy. Jedi Knight Rael Averross has been serving as the Regent to princess Fanry, of the planet Pijal. Only fourteen years old, Fanry has finally come to her coronation. But there are problems. It is reported that a group of terrorists have their eyes set on taking control of the planet. A new hyperspace line is due to open, and the Czerka Corporation continues to have an influence on the planet, as well. All of these scenarios have led Aveross to reach out to the Jedi council for assistance. The council decides to send Qui-Gon and Kenobi to assist. But Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon have their own issues to work through. Recent events have caused their relationship to become distant, and Qui-Gon has been offered a seat on the Jedi council, meaning that he could no longer train Ob-Wan. Despite these differences, the two Jedi set off for Pijal. Qui-Gon believes in prophecy, and his visions have shown him a potentially dangerous end to their mission. But, with the assistance of two rogue jewel smugglers, they press on. Will their efforts be enough, and can Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon overcome their strained relationship in order to succeed? I'm a big fan of the Star Wars novels, and I enjoyed reading this one. I've always liked Qui-Gon Jinn, and it was good to read about him again. The other characters are well-developed, and the story itself is full of action and excitement. I believe the prequels don't get the credit they deserve from Star Wars fans, but this book does a good job with the story setting being in the prequel era. Highly recommended.

This book tells a story of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan before “The Phantom Menace” where they are asked by the Jedi Council to go to a planet called Pijal to solve a political dispute between two large groups in the planet so a young girl who is coming of age can become the Queen of Pijal. This story definitely excels the most when focused on the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Although Obi-Wan has been the padawan of Qui-Gon for years already, they have had many disagreements and a rocky relationship. To me this seemed very realistic given what I know of both characters based on the movies. While Gui-Gon is a more flexible Jedi when it comes to his beliefs, Obi-Wan is stricter and needs rules to follow and normally doesn’t tend to question the Jedi Order. I feel Claudia Gray understood these characters and while I was reading both characters, I could actually imagine them having these conversations and arguments. I also felt that not a single word was wasted in this book. I read quite a bit of books and at times I feel like the author is just pouring useless information that I don’t really need. This book did not do that. Every sentence to me felt was there to understand the character better or move the plot forward and I really enjoyed that. I normally tend to find books in Star Wars Canon a bit too contained. They don’t tell big enough stories for me to really get into. This book although feels contained as well, tells a story that I got a lot out of. This book expands on Qui-Gon's life and even other characters like Dooku and a padawan of his called Real Averross. I loved this book and would definitely recommend. I will say physically the dust cover on the book is very big and slips off when picking the book up very easily.

I constantly wish you could give half stars here, as this really is a great read that delves deeper into the relationship between Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although what glimpse we get into their lives from The Phantom Menace is small, we do recognize there's a good, synced atmosphere between the two of them. That wasn't always the case, as this book portrays. Prior to discovering Anakin Skywalker, the two butted heads more than not and a simple mission to help sign a treaty to open a space corridor in an outlying system of the galaxy is what brings them farther apart and then, intrinsically, closer together. The reason I would have shaved off half a star is simply because the storyline is a tad predictable. It's good, don't get me wrong, and there's a good ebb and flow to the story, but I don't find myself to be the most creative person on the planet and I found the plot a bit obvious. That's just me, though! You might not, and I don't intend to give anything away. Regardless, the characters, the dialogue, the witticism, everything in this book falls perfectly into the Star Wars universe. You can read it pretty quickly, too, which is ideal as a lot of the times the plot circles back around on itself to prior characters that were only briefly mentioned. A great book for any Star Wars fan for the train, the beach, the couch--anywhere. Please note, if you haven't at LEAST watched The Phantom Menace, there is a spoiler at the end that could ruin the movie for you! Be warned. :)

Master and Apprentice was a fantastic book looking at the relationship between Obi Wan Kenobi and Qui Gon Jinn before the events of the prequel trilogy. It was a fantastic way to get to know where the characters started out. At the start of this story their relationship as Master and Apprentice is very much on the rocks, to the extent of even considering assigning Kenobi to a new Jedi Master. It really delves into their oposite traits, particularly looking at how they each react to the rules of the Jedi. There are multiple plot lines running throughout looking at terrorism and slavery in particular, but what really took centre stage to me were the prophecies and how they linked to the plot and further plots within the canon stories. There were lots of Easter eggs within these parts of the book, which I just loved to work out each one and what they may mean. This also highlighted religion within the Jedi Order, reminding us they aren't just the military force we see in the other stories. Each Jedi has a different reaction to prophecies, which illustrates their individual personalities, aswell as their connections with the force and the Jedi Order. I loved seeing Qui Gon and Obi Wan's relationship develop and though they are by no means perfect by the end of the book, as we see in episode 1, this book shows how well they can work together too. Throughout the book there are flashbacks to when Qui Gon was younger, as apprentice under Dooku, it really creates comparisons in the bond with his own apprentice. All of the characters go through so much developmentin this book, the plot feels second to this, in the best way possible, as your learn to love the characters with all there flaws. There are strong themes of family in this book, particularly found family. I'm used to reading, and watching, so many Star Wars stories about forbidden love within the Jedi Order. It was interesting that this reflected onto the more paternal feelings between the Jedi Masters and their Padawans. They are told not to be distracted by these feelings and emotions they have for others, usually romantically, but it also shows how Masters, quite understandably, fill a more parental role. It takes different forms in all of the characters, and sometimes not for the best. Overall I thought this was a brilliant novel, with such complex relations between its characters, with plenty of development whilst still being a fast paced read.

The parts with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are good, but the side characters are just so boring.

This book is awesome! Since the first pages you feel hooked to the plot and then you have to read more soon because you need to know more about it. The writing is so intriguing you will read it in the blink of an eye. I love Claudia Gray's writing so much!!

If you have ever wondered about it, read this novel. It is an Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon novel, but make no mistake - this is an Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon novel from Qui-Gon's point of view (for the most part). The title could refer to them or another Master-Padawan pair, or simply refer to a single character. There in lies the beauty of it. I read 'Lost Stars' first and liked Claudia Gray's writing style, and immediately started this one. While 'Master and Apprentice' doesn't quite achieve that level of masterful storytelling in the galaxy we have come to love, it nevertheless is an intriguing tale and a total page-turner. Two novels in, I feel Gray does a better job writing new characters, and her understanding of the lore sometimes feels a tad lacking, but she still manages to retain the essence of the old characters and the world in moments where it counts. The twist, while not a total shock, was well done. The novel gets better as it goes on, and in quite a few ways serves to enhance our understanding of events that we know will unfold.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It took me right back into the Star Wars universe with many of the beloved and known characters. The story was thrilling and gave lots of deeper info into the Jedi order, prophecies and the minds of both Qui Gong and Obi Wan. I’m sure I’ll read this again or get the matching audio book so I can listen to it. If you enjoy the Star Wars universe, I highly recommend this book