A Beginner's Guide To Star Wars Legends Part 1 The Prequel Novels

 

If you follow me on social media, or in my comments on BanthaSkull, JTA and Yakface, I don't like much about Disney Star Wars. There are exceptions (1st 2 Mandalorian seasons, Rebels, Rogue One and Andor S1, I haven't seen S2 yet). For me, I grew up on the old expanded universe, now known as Star Wars Legends (aka Star Wars Truths). But when and where to begin? It's not as long and complicated as you think. But I can't overwhelm you with a massive list, so I'll break it down into eras. Today, I'll offer a short reading list for the Prequel Era as far as the novels go. I'll do a separate blog post on some of the comics and young adult books which really aren't bad, and enjoyable. So get ready for my 3 must reads, plus 2 suggested books you might want to consider reading. I'll be doing these books in time line order. So start with the 1st book, read then the 2nd, etc. None of the images are mine, and come from doing online searches of the novel titles. These aren't trilogies or duologies so you don't need to stress out. 

1. CLOAK OF DECEPTION 

James Luceno is one of the best Star Wars authors out there. Here, he writes a novel that takes place before The Phantom Menace. And it's an important novel, as it sets up a lot of the political problems the Galactic Republic faces, as well as how and why Chancellor Valorum is in the situation that he's in. But it also gives insight as to why Valorum sent Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to Naboo at the beginning of that movie. The main plot is a trade summit, where the taxation of trade routes is discussed, and passed. This sets up the blockade at Naboo. 

Cutting through the political stuff is a terrorist plot uncovered by Qui-Gon and it goes throughout the novel. Pay attention to some of the cameos (including Jorus C'baoth), as some play a role in later novels, including my next book suggestion. Reading this novel helps give you the bigger picture for watching The Phantom Menace. 

SUGGESTED READING: DARTH MAUL SHADOW HUNTER

Darth Maul is the lead on the cover, but the main characters in the novel are information broker Lorn Pavan, Jedi Padawan Darsha Assant and Lorn's protocol/protection droid I-5YQ. The plot is about a Neimoidian who leaks out the invasion of Naboo, and the existence of the Sith. Sidious sends Maul to kill the Neimoidian and anyone he talked to, which was Lorn and Darsha. The plot is predictable, but it's a fun read. The set up is for Lorn's son Jax to play a role in future novels. Of course, Lorn only realizes the truth at what's to come as he meets his end at the hands of a certain Sith apprentice. 

This is a good plot, but you know Maul survives. Someone else also survives to play a role in future books as well, but his appearance a few years later in the timeline doesn't take anything away from this book. This also takes place just before the opening for TPM, but immediately after Cloak of Deception. 

2. THE APPROACHING STORM

The mission to Ansion that Mace Windu told Chancellor Palpatine and Padme Amidala about in AOTC is what this novel is about. Plus it's written by Alan Dean Foster who wrote the novel Splinter Of The Mind's Eye which was the 1st novel Star Wars expanded universe book published which took place between ANH and ESB. Here, he writes a novel that takes place between TPM and AOTC. It's like poetry, it rhymes! The book puts Obi-Wan and Anakin at center stage, along with Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee. The novel also introduced Count Dooku into the timeline and is considered his debut appearance. 

The plot revolves around Ansion, a insignificant planet on the surface. However, Ansion is part of many galactic trade treaties, and if they pull out of the Republic it can create chaos. Naturally, the Sepratists are behind it, Shu Mai in particular, with Dooku approving the actions behind the scenes. The interaction with Obi-Wan and Anakin gives insights into their futures, but the best interactions are between Anakin and Barriss. This was obviously written years before the Clone Wars series, and it's implied that Anakin and Barriss are close in age to each other. Overall, a good book if you were curious about Mace's line in AOTC. 

SUGGESTED READING: YODA DARK RENDEZVOUS 

This is a paperback novel, not a hard cover. Like the Darth Maul book, Yoda isn't really the main character here. 2 Jedi Padawans are, as well as Asajj Ventress. The main plot is about a possible peace treaty with the Sepratists, with Yoda and Dooku coming face to face to negotiate. Naturally, the negotiations don't take place and become quite aggressive. 

If you want insight into Yoda and Dooku's relationship, this novel will disappoint you. But if you want insight into the Jedi, and their failings, this novel is for you. You learn enough about Yoda to know you have more questions about him. And if you ask me, my perssonal fan canon has Jedi Padawan "Scout" aka Talisbeth Enwandung-Esterhazy is either Mara Jade's mother or is who Mara was cloned from. She's described looking a lot like Mara (green eyes, red-gold hair). 

3. SHATTERPOINT

Ever since I saw The Phantom Menace, I was intrigued by Mace Windu. Not because it's the only movie that Samuel L Jackson doesn't say the words "mother f**ker", but because he and Yoda are the top 2 Jedi of the Order. Here, we learn a bit about Mace's background, as the story takes place on his home planet. Author Matthew Stover would write the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, which is considered by many to be the best novel adaptation of any Star Wars movie. The insight into Mace, and Depa Bilaba (who largely has a cameo as she's in a coma) play out. Survivors of this novel pop up later on in other books, including Stover's novel Luke Skywalker And The Shadows of Mindor which is a sequel of sorts to this novel.

If you're a fan of the movie Apocalypse Now, you'll love this book. It gets into just how devastating the Clone Wars are, and the brutal tactics taken by both sides to win. We know what happens to the Jedi and Republic after this, as it's just before ROTS. It offers some true to life events at the time of this book being written (Iraq and Afghanistan for one, Vietnam for obvious reasons), but the allusions to real life events sell you on the horrors of war. 

That wraps up the Prequels Legends novels! I'll cover the comics and young adult books you might want to consider reading in a future blog post. And if you were expecting a figure review, I didn't have time to shoot photos this week. I will have a post for next week, despite it being Thanksgiving Weekend next week. Thanks for reading! A special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this link in the comments section! Please share this link on your social media accounts so I can get more readers!