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38th out of 231 books
—
416 voters
Darth Plagueis (Star Wars)
by
James Luceno
He was the most powerful Sith lord who ever lived.
But could he be the only one who never died?
“Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise that he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could eve...more
But could he be the only one who never died?
“Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise that he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could eve...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
January 10th 2012
by LucasBooks
(first published December 27th 2011)
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Aug 11, 2012
Crystal Starr Light
rated it
4 of 5 stars
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review of another edition
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"sentient life is meant to evolve, not simply languish in contended stasis"
NOTE: I received this book from the Amazon Vine Program.
The time has come for the Sith to reveal themselves, to step away from the Rule of Two setup by Darth Bane many years ago. Darth Plagueis emerges and, with the assistance of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, begins the final steps to the destruction of the Republic and the Jedi.
I have some wonderful news! After SIX MONTHS of reading this book, I have finally finished it...more
NOTE: I received this book from the Amazon Vine Program.
The time has come for the Sith to reveal themselves, to step away from the Rule of Two setup by Darth Bane many years ago. Darth Plagueis emerges and, with the assistance of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, begins the final steps to the destruction of the Republic and the Jedi.
I have some wonderful news! After SIX MONTHS of reading this book, I have finally finished it...more
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Upon finishing this book I have read only two Star Wars novels, but can say from my limited experience in Star Wars literature that this may be the book by which many after will be judged. You definitely get the impression that James Luceno did his homework here, because his command of the universe seems seamless and nearly infinite. There are so many good descriptions and accurate references/inferences to events that add to the overall enjoyability of this book. I wanted to read this title beca...more
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Darth Plaguies was one of the characters in the star wars universe that had really peaked my interest ever since his all to brief mention in Episode 3, and this book gives me all the detail I want about the character leading right up to a certain point of the Star Wars saga (I'm not saying what part so is not to spoil anything. What's interesting is that in may ways I actually found Sidious to be the far more interesting character in this book, from his introduction all the way up to the conclus...more
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I decided to read this novel after multiple sources stated that Luceno's story of Darth Plagueis and the transformation of Palpatine into Darth Sidious did not portray the future Emperor in a more heroic light, as the prequel movies did with Darth Vader. Though I enjoyed the novel's first two sections, the final third of the novel became so overflowing with references to other Star Wars novels that I found myself losing interest. Instead of reading about Darth Plagueis, the last third of the nov...more
A great book. After quite a few mediocre books recently it is good to see a genuinely interesting Star Wars story again. Despite the plotline being revealed pretty much at the beginning this is a gripping read. The story is firmly routed in the Sith arc of the universe and when some known characters appear at various points throughout the story its interesting to see them portrayed from a completely different angle. In fact the Jedi don’t look all that good here. The characterisation of Plagueis...more
(minor spoilers) Darth Plagueis is the first Star Wars novel I have read in close to 10 years, because the quality varies so wildly that it felt often like a time sink. This book details the life of the Emperor's Sith master, Darth Plagueis, and Emperor Palpatine's training into the cackling evil guy we all know from Return of the Jedi.
The book's events run from Palpatine's teenage years through the end of Episode I. While I enjoyed the book for its far range of events, its attention to detail,...more
The book's events run from Palpatine's teenage years through the end of Episode I. While I enjoyed the book for its far range of events, its attention to detail,...more
Despite the title, this book is just as much about Darth Sidious as it is Darth Plagueis, delving into the backstory of their first meeting, upbringing as Master and Apprentice, and eventual falling out. Plagueis' story is truly a tragedy, for the Sith lord has the ambition, know-how, and financial means to set up the Grand Plan, but is unable to see it through. From Episode III, we know that Plagueis sought control over life and death, and in the end was able to save others, but not himself.
The...more
The...more
I haven't read any of the Star Wars movie books as that information is well known and well covered. Instead, I like those Star Wars books that give background. This is one of those books. Darth Plagueis was the dark master of Darth Sidious/Palpatine. The book starts at the death of Plagueis own master, Darth Tenebrous and ends with the death of Plagueis on the eve of Sidious' rise to emperor. The author, James Luceno, does an excellent job of leading the reader through the myriad of back alley p...more
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis by James Luceno is yet another novel taking place in the confused and cliche ridden universe of the popular Star Wars movies. The novel will be sure to please adolescents who have yet to develop critical reading skills and adults (like this reviewer) who would equate reading the latest Star Wars novels to an embarrassing rash it would be best not tell your family and friends about.
The obvious aim of the novel is to fill in the faux mythological world of the Sith (the b...more
The obvious aim of the novel is to fill in the faux mythological world of the Sith (the b...more
(MILD SPOILERS) Darth Plagueis is a character briefly mentioned in "Revenge of the Sith", as Palpatine is trying to tempt Anakin Skywalker into joining him -- and thus becoming his Sith Apprentice. "Plagueis the wise" has mastered the midichlorians and therefore can prevent death ... such as the death Anakin envisions of his wife.
The novel Darth Plagueis could just as readily -- and perhaps more appropriately -- be titled Darth Sidious, because this is really the story of the rise of Plagueis'...more
The novel Darth Plagueis could just as readily -- and perhaps more appropriately -- be titled Darth Sidious, because this is really the story of the rise of Plagueis'...more
I was greatly looking forward to this book after learning it was being written. With Plagueis' brief mention in Episode III, I was curious whether Anakin really had any hope of saving Padame'.
The story starts with Plagueis killing his master (almost as an afterthought), then takes the reader through his manipulations as part of the Intergalactic Banking Clan. He finally meets and ‘befriends’ Palpatine and then spends many pages spouting Sith doctrine. I know Luceno is doing this so the reader le...more
The story starts with Plagueis killing his master (almost as an afterthought), then takes the reader through his manipulations as part of the Intergalactic Banking Clan. He finally meets and ‘befriends’ Palpatine and then spends many pages spouting Sith doctrine. I know Luceno is doing this so the reader le...more
A prequel to the prequels. That's the description to this book. James Luceno does a good job at creating the character of Darth Sidious that is in the movies through his life and how the whole entire movies started. It's great to see how everything becomes connected between the prequel movies and the original trilogy. How the whole Sith plan was furnished on two of the most powerful beings in the galaxy.
I'm glad that George Lucas had approved of the backstory of Plagueis in this book. The last...more
I'm glad that George Lucas had approved of the backstory of Plagueis in this book. The last...more
I loved this book if for no other reason than I learned so much of the history of what took place before Episode 1 (as well as plenty of things that fed right into Episode 2). I'm not one of those fans who hates the prequel trilogy, so I enjoyed learning more about things such as the blockade of Naboo, among other things. All I knew about Darth Plagueis before I read (or, more appropriately, listened to) this book was that Darth Sidious mentioned him in Episode 3 to Anakin about how the deceased...more
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Don't misunderstand. This is a very good Star Wars book. I can't give it 4 stars because it officially crushed my personal theory of Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious' backstory.
I thought he was a thousand year old sorceror-ghoul cloaked in the guise of a middle-aged man. Now he officially was a middle-aged man with some limited magic powers. I thought the Grand Design of the Evil Sith was a plan ten centuries in the making, culminating in the creation of The Chosen One to bring down the arrogant...more
I thought he was a thousand year old sorceror-ghoul cloaked in the guise of a middle-aged man. Now he officially was a middle-aged man with some limited magic powers. I thought the Grand Design of the Evil Sith was a plan ten centuries in the making, culminating in the creation of The Chosen One to bring down the arrogant...more
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Okay, here's the thing: This is political thriller at heart. If you liked the "C-SPAN in Space" parts of the Prequel Trilogy then you'll absolutely love this novel. You've got political backstabbing (sometimes literally), infighting and maneuvering out the yin yang. If you're like me and thought, "Well, that was a clever plot by Palpatine to become Emperor, now let's get back to the action," then you might want to skip this one.
Politics aside, I think the biggest thing I didn't like was the tim...more
Politics aside, I think the biggest thing I didn't like was the tim...more
James Luceno weaves a tale of the Dark Side of the Force from 67 years before the Battle of Yavin through the Battle of Naboo.
To be completely candid, only fairly serious fans of Star Wars will "get this" - everyone else won't be very successful in making sense of what's going on.
I won't give away any books spoilers, but what I will say is that if you've wondered about the origins of Senator Palpatine/Darth Sidious, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Nute Gunray, and Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, as well as how...more
To be completely candid, only fairly serious fans of Star Wars will "get this" - everyone else won't be very successful in making sense of what's going on.
I won't give away any books spoilers, but what I will say is that if you've wondered about the origins of Senator Palpatine/Darth Sidious, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Nute Gunray, and Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, as well as how...more
Pretty much everyone who knows me knows I like Star Wars, but what some of them may be surprised to hear is that The Phantom Menace was pretty much my introduction to George Lucas' space opera. Oh, sure, I'd been hearing references to it for years prior, and I even had a primitive (by today's standards, anyway) Jedi pilot game on my Commodore 64, but Episode I was what really opened my eyes to the saga. You've probably heard that TPM is coming out in 3-D next week; people will probably flock to...more
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When I happened across Star Wars: Darth Plagueis by James Luceno in a Wal-Mart earlier this year I very nearly exploded with joy. I had heard of Mr. Luceno’s work before but never had the chance to read any of it, and I was not disappointed. Luceno has such a firm grasp on the lore of the Star Wars universe that this story just fits perfectly with the movies. Names and places; things that only a true Star Wars fan would know pop up at regular intervals, and it only adds to this books greatness.
A...more
A...more
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Darth Plagueis is an engrossing set up to The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, providing a wealth of back-story the films only hinted at. Peppered with appearances by Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn and the still puzzling Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, the story is almost guaranteed to appeal to fans of the Prequel Trilogy.
The plot is heavy on midi-chlorians, intrigue and Sith philosophy. It’s interesting, even thought-provoking stuff, but at times I found myself longing for a good lights...more
The plot is heavy on midi-chlorians, intrigue and Sith philosophy. It’s interesting, even thought-provoking stuff, but at times I found myself longing for a good lights...more
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For Star Wars nerds like myself. Also, while not absolutely necessary, this is even more enjoyable if you have read Cloak of Deception and Shadow Hunter.
This details much of the Sithy career of Darth Plagueis, the Sith Lord who discovered and trained Darth Sidious, better known as Emperor Palpatine, the guy who manages to finally bring down the Jedi and take over the galaxy and train Darth Vader.
It's really fun stuff if you are into the Star Wars world before the movies start. It does change th...more
This details much of the Sithy career of Darth Plagueis, the Sith Lord who discovered and trained Darth Sidious, better known as Emperor Palpatine, the guy who manages to finally bring down the Jedi and take over the galaxy and train Darth Vader.
It's really fun stuff if you are into the Star Wars world before the movies start. It does change th...more
Star Warsbooks are a dime-a-dozen nowadays, so it takes something unique to stand out in the overwhelmingly mediocre crowd. Darth Plagueis, by James Luceno, is one that has the potential to do just that. Detailing Palpatine's apprentice-ship, and revealing more about his Master, Darth Plagueis that he told Anakin about, the novel veers into new territory for the Star Warsseries.
Synopsis for Darth Plagueis:
Synopsis for Darth Plagueis:
...more"Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plague
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis by James Luceno was my first trip into Star Wars' extended universe, so I'm not necessarily speaking from past experience when I tell you it was an unbelievably addicting and well-crafted Star Wars' book, but as a constant reader and writer, I am speaking from experience when I say it's a fantastic read! Although I felt slightly odd at the pacing of certain situations, or the glossing over of other seemingly important facts and details, I feel as if this book could not...more
The more I think about it, the more I find myself disappointed with this book - because...
*MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD*
Firstly, The books premise is that the title Character, Darth Plagueis, is a Sith Lord who strives to study the mysteries of Life and the Force in order to achieve immortality and ensure Sith dominion (more specifically, HIS dominion) of the Galaxy - Yet the book does not really delve very far into this plot line. After the character's initial observations as he watches his master die,...more
*MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD*
Firstly, The books premise is that the title Character, Darth Plagueis, is a Sith Lord who strives to study the mysteries of Life and the Force in order to achieve immortality and ensure Sith dominion (more specifically, HIS dominion) of the Galaxy - Yet the book does not really delve very far into this plot line. After the character's initial observations as he watches his master die,...more
Perhaps my favorite scene in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the one where Palpatine entices Anakin toward the dark side by recounting the story of Darth Plagueis—a Sith Lord who manipulates the Force in an effort to become immortal. I love the scene in part because it focuses on personal relationships as opposed to bureaucratic procedure. It also emanates with the most spiritual strains of Jedi and Sith lore. So when I saw a new Star Wars novel titled Darth Plagueis, I snatched it...more
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I had some problems to find into the narration and i think it's partially because Luceno did not really write a novel here but rather a documented history of the two Siths preparing for the Clone Wars and the Fall of the Jedi. Just like some of the movies on history channel it's interspersed with played out scenes but in the mainstay it's rather sterile counting of facts and integrating of as many storylines from the Star Wars franchises past as Luceno possibly could grasp, ending with the epilo...more
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James Luceno seems to be the go-to guy at Del Rey for writing ‘fill-in-the-gaps’ novels for the Star Wars EU. To date, aside from his four New Jedi Order novels, Luceno seems to specialize in books that forego original stories in favor of filling in some narative and contextual gaps left by the films. Books like this walk fine line between being a gimmicky feat of coolness by association with your knowledge of the movie, and providing a legitimately interesting backstory and context that often c...more
Major Letdown!
I wills start by addressing the caption on the back of the book stating 'Plagueis was the most powerful Sith Lord who ever lived.' Really? Wouldn't you like to know how or why he got to be so powerful? Me too. Starting at the very beginning, we see that he has been an apprentice for decades and only advances through combining luck with opportunity. What does he do to further impress us with his power throughout the rest of the book? Not much. Plagueis comes across as very ineffectu...more
I wills start by addressing the caption on the back of the book stating 'Plagueis was the most powerful Sith Lord who ever lived.' Really? Wouldn't you like to know how or why he got to be so powerful? Me too. Starting at the very beginning, we see that he has been an apprentice for decades and only advances through combining luck with opportunity. What does he do to further impress us with his power throughout the rest of the book? Not much. Plagueis comes across as very ineffectu...more
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James Luceno co-wrote a lot of books with Brian Daley as Jack McKinney.
He is a New York Times Best-Selling author currently living in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child.
More about James Luceno...
He is a New York Times Best-Selling author currently living in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child.
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“Rarely did events play out as imagined, in any case. The order of future events was transient. In the same way that the past was reconfigured by selective memory, future events, too, were moving targets. One could only act on instinct, grab hold of an intuited perfect moment, and spring into action.”
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“Evil? What is that? ...You said you were death itself. Are you evil, then, or are you simply stronger and more awake than others? Who gives more shape to sentient history: the good, who adhere to the tried and true, or those who seek to rouse beings from their stupor and lead them to glory? A storm you are, but a much needed one, to wash away the old and complacent and prune the galaxy of deadweight."
-Plagueis”
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-Plagueis”
