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Master and Apprentice

(Star Wars Disney Canon Novel)

Claudia Gray (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 7,730 ratings · 1,037 reviews

An unexpected offer threatens the bond between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as the two Jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future.

A Jedi must be a fearless warrior, a guardian of justice, and a scholar in the ways of the Force. But perhaps a Jedi’s most essential duty is to pass on what they have learned. Master Yoda trained Dooku; Dooku trained Qui-Go ...more

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Hardcover, 330 pages

Published April 16th 2019 by Del Rey Books

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May 04, 2019 Khurram rated it liked it · review of another edition

I was a little disappointed in this book. It was ok and good in most places. I think my main problem with the book is having read the entire Jedi Apprentice series I had a very different picture in my mind of Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan. This being a new universe this could be forgiven, and Claudia Gray does a very good job with her own characters, but for me she just did not seem to Qui Gon and the Jedi right for me.

My problem with the Jedi was they seemed to need rescuing as much as the who they ...more

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Mar 11, 2020 megs_bookrack rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-to-read, 2019-releases

**4.5-stars**

In anticipation of the Star Wars: The High Republic books releasing soon, I have been in such a mood to devour as much of the current Canon content as I can.

I will tell you that reading Master and Apprentice hot on the heels of Dooku: Jedi Lost was so satisfying!!!

This novel follows Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The events of this book fall after the audiobook, Dooku: Jedi Lost, and prior to the film, The Phantom Menace.

Obi-Wan is Qui-Gon's first Apprent ...more

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Jul 21, 2018 rachael ♡ marked it as to-read

Shelves: star-wars-canon

This Cover. THIS COVER!!!

—

Claudia stays blessing me. QUEEN OF STAR WARS NOVELS.

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Aug 01, 2018 Peter Hale marked it as to-read

"Qui-Gon Jinn". Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time; long time.

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Apr 24, 2019 Neil R. Coulter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, star-wars

My history with Claudia Gray’s Star Wars novels hasn’t been very positive. Her first, Lost Stars, was one of the early entries in the new canon, and it has a lot of fans—but for a number of reasons, I didn’t care for it. Nor did I enjoy her two Leia-focused books, Bloodline and Leia: Princess of Alderaan.

But then I read her short story, “Master and Apprentice,” in From a Certain Point of View, and it was by far one of the best things I’ve read in the new canon. That story offered a quiet, reflec ...more

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Apr 22, 2019 Grace rated it liked it

Shelves: star-wars, solid, adult-fiction

Me, mining this book exhaustively for every tiny detail about Jedi Order tradition, the master & padawan relationship, the layout of the Jedi Temple, and ancient Jedi prophecy: Wait, this book is supposed to have, like, a story?

This book does, in fact, have a story, and the story is mostly about Qui-Gon Jinn.

Obi-Wan is there, and we occasionally dip into his perspective, but the journey is mostly Qui-Gon's, the growth is mostly Qui-Gon's, and the eyes through which we view events are almost alw Me, mining this book exhaustively for every tiny detail about Jedi Order tradition, the master & padawan relationship, the layout of the Jedi Temple, and ancient Jedi prophecy: Wait, this book is supposed to have, like, a story?

This book does, in fact, have a story, and the story is mostly about Qui-Gon Jinn.

Obi-Wan is there, and we occasionally dip into his perspective, but the journey is mostly Qui-Gon's, the growth is mostly Qui-Gon's, and the eyes through which we view events are almost always Qui-Gon's. The concept of lineage is a powerful thread throughout this book. Occasional flashbacks take us back to Qui-Gon's childhood, and Dooku is a strongly felt presence in everyone's mind even when he's not physically there. We get to meet Dooku's first padawan, and as Qui-Gon grapples with his current relationship with Obi-Wan, he is just as strongly anchored in the past as he is in the present.

The massive thrust of this book is the moral dilemma(s). Qui-Gon is at a transition point, struggling with his relationship with Obi-Wan, struggling with his understanding of prophecy, struggling with his perception of morality and the role of the Jedi Order... He's pretty much going through it. If you're into flawed, well-meaning characters and debating moral issues that may have no one right answer, you'll probably like this book.

Qui-Gon comes off as a hypocrite half the time, but it's palpable how hard he's trying and how committed he is to doing "the right thing" -- whatever that may be. Confronting your own blind spots and flaws is something that comes up a lot. Obi-Wan totally blanks out when asked what would happen if two Jedi were to fight each other. "They wouldn't," he says. "The Jedi are united." Even though JUST chapters ago they discussed a sad case where a master killed his own padawan. Qui-Gon goes off on another Jedi for having a sexual dalliance (which doesn't technically break the Code) and then we learn that HE literally has a tragic romance (which EXPLICITLY breaks the Code) in his past.

This whole book is a journey of self-knowledge and growth. It's very Jedi.

Personally, I have to admit that my favorite thing about this book was the details I was able to glean about Jedi life. Some things I learned:

• Council Masters don't take padawans

• The Jedi Temple has aquatic levels that are completely underwater

• There's a meditation maze (?)

• Padawans are expected to perform some traditional "squire" type tasks, such as caring for their master's tack and boots, etc.

• THERE IS A TRAINING DOJO RESERVED SPECIFICALLY FOR PADAWANS. This means nothing to anyone else, but I'm smug about it because I CALLED it.

• We continue to go with the new canon norm of taking padawans when they're in their mid-teens, instead of the Legends norm of aging out at thirteen years old

• THEY WENT BACK TO CELIBACY. Really? We're seriously doing this? Come on, Claudia.

• You can check holocrons out of the Archives

• Masters and padawans live in separate rooms (I'm never going to accept this. Give me a master/padawan suite or give me death)

• Jedi don't get to choose the color of their lightsabers

Other notable details:

• Despite the "older padawans" norm we're going with, Obi-Wan was 13 at the time he became Qui-Gon's padawan. This, combined with Obi-Wan's overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and how much time Qui-Gon spends vaguely being a jerk? Claudia Gray said JEDI APPRENTICE RIGHTS.

• Qui-Gon's painful past romance??? Tahl, am I right ladies

• Depa Billaba side-eyeing Yoda while saying "the Council needs fresh perspectives" I LOVE

• I'm a BIG fan of Rael. I love him. Poor guy.

• "Up the hell, he should shut."

• I'm so FREAKING glad to get a look at the actual text of the Chosen One prophecy. All the other prophecies are intriguing as well. Some seem to be utter nonsense, while others might have any number of explanations. I'm hoping someone smart will do an in-depth analysis.

• Obi-Wan LOVES TO FLY!!! HE SURE DOES!! I LOVE THIS SHOUTOUT TO HIS CHILDHOOD ENTHUSIASM FOR FLYING AS ALLUDED TO IN ROGUE PLANET.

• His traumatic piloting experience wasn't traumatic ENOUGH to explain such a sudden and extreme flip in sentiment, though. I'm going to need more background on what happened to make him hate flying.

• "People are more than their worst act. They are also more than the worst thing ever done to them."

• Dooku and Qui-Gon having a close and powerful bond is NOT something we have ever… seen before. I’m torn on whether I believe it or not, but it’s definitely an interesting dynamic to think about, especially with Qui-Gon emphasizing all the ways he and Dooku were similar, whereas he and Obi-Wan are so different. Are he and Dooku really THAT similar?!

• Can't believe Rael was literally offered a Sith apprenticeship and went, "Nah... I mean, I kinda like the Light."

• Pretty sure I fought some people from Czerka Mining Corporation once. Were they in KOTOR 2?

• The contrast between how the Jedi Order handled Rael, given the late age at which he came to the Order, and how they handled Anakin. They "erred on the side of mercy" and "treated him with compassion," tolerating Rael's non-conformance and iconoclastic attitude with leniency. Was this deliberately put here as a thought provoker? If so, it's working.

• The situation with the princess escalated SO QUICKLY and then somehow deescalated equally as fast. It was jarring. From "oh what a charming, precocious girl" to "OH GOSH SHE'S MURDERING EVERYBODY" and then suddenly back to "she's confined to her room for now, maybe she'll go to college and do something useful later on." Like yeah, I get that, we all go through a "ruthless murder" stage at the age of fourteen, right?

• I'm SICK of all this SLAVERY in my GALAXY

...more

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Apr 25, 2019 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it really liked it

Shelves: star-wars, review-copy, science-fiction, media-tie-in, audiobook, tv-and-film

4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/05/02/...

I have been most impressed with Claudia Gray’s books in the new Star Wars canon, and I have to say, she has yet to disappoint me. Now she’s at the top of her game once again with Star Wars: Master & Apprentice, a novel set a handful of years before the events of The Phantom Menace which shines the light on 17-year-old padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and his complicated relationship with his mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn.

When the book begi 4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/05/02/...

I have been most impressed with Claudia Gray’s books in the new Star Wars canon, and I have to say, she has yet to disappoint me. Now she’s at the top of her game once again with Star Wars: Master & Apprentice, a novel set a handful of years before the events of The Phantom Menace which shines the light on 17-year-old padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and his complicated relationship with his mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn.

When the book begins, the two Jedi have already been working together for several years, though deep down, both suspect that their current arrangement may be soon coming to an end. They are simply too different in their views of the Force, with Qui-Gon with his unconventional thinking and sometimes flagrant disregard for the Jedi Council’s advice while Obi-Wan is more of a stickler for the rules. These differences have created a tension between master and apprentice that both know can’t go on for much longer.

So when Qui-Gon is unexpected offered a seat on the Council to replace a retiring member, a part of him believes that the change may be for the best. No one would expect him to turn down such a prestigious position, and consequently, Obi-Wan can be transferred to a different master out of necessity. But before the older Jedi can make such a momentous decision, he knows he must meditate upon it, and in the meantime, he and his apprentice are dispatched to the planet of Pijal where an old acquaintance of Qui-Gon’s has requested their assistance in defusing a political situation between the royal house and their opposition.

This contact is Rael Averross, a rogue Jedi who was also a former student of Dooku, like Qui-Gon Jinn. Averross is currently serving as lord regent to Pijal’s princess, her Serene Highness Fanry, who is only fourteen years old and is heir to a throne fraught with a history of political tension. Her planet is now in a position to affect the economic futures of other worlds in the region, and a corporation called Czerka also has stakes in the new hyperspace lane venture that is being discussed. When terrorists threaten to place that all in danger, Averross decides to call upon his old friend Qui-Gon despite the two of them having drifted apart over the years, because he knows Pijal is going to need all the help it can get. The urgency of the situation also leads the Jedi to enlist the aid of a couple of jewel thieves named Rahara, an escaped slave from Czerka, and Pax, a social outcast raised by a crew of protocol droids aboard an abandoned ship. Despite their differences, our motley crew of characters must work together to protect Fanry and safeguard Pijal’s interests. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon also needs to figure out what to do with his apprentice, as well as sort out his doubts with regards to his beliefs in ancient Jedi prophecies.

For a media tie-in novel, Master & Apprentice is surprisingly complex and layered. There’s certainly a lot to unpack here, compared to some of the more recent releases in the Star Wars canon. However, the central theme of the book is undeniably the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Gray explores this dynamic using a number of ways, including flashing back to Dooku and Qui-Gon’s time as master and apprentice to show how an individual Jedi’s views can be shaped by their style of training and instruction. It is perhaps no coincidence that both of Dooku’s students, Qui-Gon and Rael Averross, have ended up with rebellious natures, given the kind of person their teacher was and the Dark Side path he chose.

But back to the relationships between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan: in the late 90s, I started reading a series of now-Legends middle grade novels called Jedi Apprentice, the first book of which was called The Rising Force and told the story of how they became master and apprentice. As this series was marketed for children, I didn’t demand too much from it, though I do recall wishing it had been a deeper exploration of the two characters’ personalities and bond as it went along. Twenty years later, it’s like Claudia Gray has finally written the kind of story I wanted. Qui-Gon’s fear of failing his apprentice is written incredibly well, and likewise so is Obi-Wan’s struggle to understand his master and his determination not to disappoint him. It was heartbreaking to read about their anxieties, knowing that deep down, they both loved and respected each other very much.

And of course, another one of the novel’s major topics is prophecy. I mean, considering how the Jedi prophecy of the “Chosen One” was the main impetus behind Anakin Skywalker and the whole Star Wars saga, this is huge—and accordingly, Gray gives this theme the gravitas and weight it deserves. Qui-Gon’s views on prophecies, which also explained his motivations in The Phantom Menace, were addressed here in Master & Apprentice, and also sets up a number of theories for Star Wars fans to chew on with regards to the new movies.

Typical of the author’s Star Wars novels, the characterization was also done extremely well. There’s a clear emphasis on developing relationships, and there are a whole web of them here to consider. The story takes a look at both past and present, examining the relationships of multiple sets of masters and apprentices, as well as the role the Jedi Council has played in those dynamics. In addition, we have the side characters and their relationships to each other and the protagonists. Following in the footsteps of a long line of rogue Jedi in Star Wars fiction, Rael Averross’ infectious personality and emotional openness completely stole the show for me. Rahara and Pax were also a joy to read about, and their personal stories offer some commentary on darker activities that still go on in the Republic, including smuggling and slavery. And then there are the shadowy villains and other dubious organizations like Czerka and or the Opposition on Pijal, though Gray is so subtle and clever with her writing that there will be twists and surprises you won’t see coming.

Needless to say, in my eyes, Master & Apprentice is one of the new canon’s better books. Personally, I also think it’s one of Claudia Gray’s bolder Star Wars novels, where she tackles more mature themes and uses some modern vernacular and risqué language which felt a little out of place at times (keep in mind I’m talking by Star Wars standards here, and I know some people let their younger kids read Star Wars tie-ins, so reader discretion is advised). To sum things up though, I had a great time with this novel, and after reading it, I also think it would be fantastic to see more prequel or pre-prequel era Star Wars books in the future.

Audiobook Comments: I absolutely adored Jonathan Davis’ performance on the Star Wars: Master & Apprentice audiobook. He’s always been known to me as “that Star Wars narrator who can do an amazing Darth Vader voice”, but obviously he’s incredibly talented and can do a lot more than that. Short of getting Liam Neeson himself to read this book, I don’t think you could have gotten a better voice actor for Qui-Gon Jinn. Stellar performance, as always. ...more

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May 20, 2019 Ben Brown rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: star-wars-canon

I’ve long maintained that in the time since Disney’s purchase of “Star Wars” in 2012, the very best materials released thus far in the new canon – and I’m including all of the new movies under this umbrella – have been Claudia Gray’s “Star Wars” novels. “Lost Stars,” “Bloodline”, and “Leia: Princess of Alderaan” are all TERRIFIC books, taking characters that we all know and love and placing them in thrilling, very OT-“Star Wars”-esque narratives. Which makes the fact that “Master and Apprentice, ...more

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Jul 29, 2018 Lucie rated it liked it

Shelves: star-wars

3.5 stars

January 28, 2020: after reading it

For me, Master and Apprentice wasn't easy to get along with, at first: I struggled a bit to get a sense of the characters and found it to be a bit slow, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it!

Every tiny bit of world-building in this galaxy always makes me the happiest: in this, I loved that it explored the prophecies, as well as kyber crystals (I just love when they talk about the kyber crystals, what can I say) and how rebellious Qui-Gon was (he ...more

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Sep 25, 2019 Jim C rated it really liked it

This book takes place before the prequel movies. In this one, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent to a planet that is about to sign a treaty that will open a hyperspace corridor which means this planet will be connected to the rest of the galaxy. Obviously, things don't go as planned.

This book is a terrific look into the relationship between master and padawan. It is also a terrific look into each character especially Qui-Gon. Their relationship isn't the smoothest and we get to see why as these two di ...more

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Jul 16, 2019 Robert rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Those Who Turn Toward the Light

Shelves: guerre-stellari

“It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.”

We live in morally grey times, and to its credit the mythos of Star Wars is flexing to incorporate a little more cynic ...more

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Feb 11, 2019 Cho rated it it was amazing

I'm preparing to fall into another star wars phase in two months and I have no regrets. The Jude Watson series about these two was basically my childhood.

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Apr 22, 2019 DiscoSpacePanther rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, space-opera, star-wars, star-wars-canon

This book has many shortcomings, but in the end these were irrelevant to me, because I simply enjoyed the story.

The strongest elements are the development of Qui-Gon Jinn’s relationships with both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Count Dooku—these are the best character-based parts to the story, and I was happy that (to the best of my knowledge) they didn’t seriously contradict any of the pre-Disney Legends canon, so that this book can sit comfortably enough in both (or either) continuities. There are some as ...more

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Jan 27, 2020 Brooke — brooklynnnnereads rated it really liked it

Similarly to the Star Wars films, this novel was action PACKED. From start to finish, it was a quick novel to read due to the action and the pacing of the story, but I forced myself to read it slowly so I didn't miss any details or foreshadowing. Even with paying close attention, I'm sure I missed small details of the story to come.

This novel was my first experience reading a book set in the Star Wars universe and I can't wait to read more. It gave me a better understanding of the story behind ...more

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Sep 25, 2019 Jerry rated it it was ok

Years ago, there was a fabulous Star Wars novel series called Jedi Apprentice. Though it was intended for younger readers--after all, it was published by Scholastic--it brought new life to the character of Qui-Gon Jinn, who I always wished we'd seen more of after he got killed in The Phantom Menace. Jude Watson, who wrote all but the first book in that series, did an excellent job of bringing a galaxy far, far away to the page.

So, then...why are they giving us an alternate version of Qui-Gon and ...more

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Apr 22, 2019 Allyson rated it it was ok

This was...not the book I was looking for.

CG wrote the two (pretty unarguably) best books in the new Star Wars canon, so it's safe to say my expectations for this were pretty high -- especially since Obi-Wan is my favorite character not named Ahsoka Tano.

But...

The political plot was as dull as that of The Phantom Menace. And character-wise, Qui-Gon remains as inscrutable as ever, while Obi-Wan has been shoved into a box labeled "persnickety rule-follower and/or whiny teenager." I mean??? No one ...more

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Jun 06, 2019 Drewthereader20 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hardcover, 2019-favorite-books, scribd, library-books, 2019-reads, new-releases, audiobook

This was so good. Plz check out the audiobook of this one! There were a lot of sound effects and nice voice acting as well!(:

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Jan 22, 2020 Christina rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, star-wars, read-in-2020, 2020-wotf-reading-challenge, sw-canon

“‘It matters,’ Qui-Gon said quietly. ‘It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there is no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch-it matters. I don’t turn towards the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn because it is the light.’”

The Master and Apprentice is set 8 years before The Phantom Menace and shows the struggles and “‘It matters,’ Qui-Gon said quietly. ‘It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there is no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch-it matters. I don’t turn towards the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn because it is the light.’”

The Master and Apprentice is set 8 years before The Phantom Menace and shows the struggles and miscommunication between a master and apprentice. It also contains very heartfelt themes, new interesting characters and a very well-developed world/history by Claudia Gray.

The book has multiple POVs but it’s mainly focused on Qui-Gon Jinn and includes interesting flashbacks of Count Dooku and Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn. It’s a perfect tie-in as I’m currently reading Dooku: Jedi Lost.

Qui-Gon Jinn has to be one of my favourite Jedi because of his realistic opinions and actions. It was very nice to see more of his specific ideas and the parallels of Count Dooku and him. In the end, he chooses the light side despite the corruption of the Jedi and Republic because he is a true example of a Jedi.

We learn quite a bit about prophecies and new canon about the Jedi temple.
-There is an Aquatic level of the Jedi Temple
-Padawans have homework and roles of fetching things for their master
-Holocrons can be burrowed/checked out of the archives
-Meditation maze (it was featured in last clone wars episodes s6 but you only see a bit of what I assume is the maze?)
-Council masters don’t take Padawans with some exceptions
-The role of Seekers

Although this book does have slow pacing at the start and seem hard to adjust to with the multiple POVs / flashbacks it really all comes together.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of my favourite characters. We see him struggle and the contrast between his master- his ethic to follow every rule and to work hard. We start to see the snarky Obi-Wan Kenobi we all know and love at the end of the book. One of my favourite minor scenes is where he rides a varactyl for the first time as it’s a nice callback to ROTS plus, the species is one of my favourites. I didn’t feel like the ship incident would’ve made him hate flying forever.

The ending hit me in the gut because I was not expecting to receive a scene from The Phantom Menace (well it wasn’t specifically from it but an extra emotional scene) I liked how it showed Obi-Wan Kenobi’s worries aka how unfit he was which is why Anakin turned to the Dark Side. ...more

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Oct 04, 2019 Ashley rated it really liked it

Shelves: the-robots-will-kill-us-all, sci-fi, political-plots-and-maneuverings, orphalins, professional-fanfic

Still ace at Star Wars novels, Claudia. I really should read her non-Star Wars work at some point, but every time I finish one of her SW books, I'm left satisfied, and feel no need to do so. Perhaps this is a mistake.

This book was unexpected, both in that she chose to write about the earlier period of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi's partnership instead of the later period most SW writers play in, and that I enjoyed it so much, when I'm usually not that into prequel-era Star Wars very much. I Still ace at Star Wars novels, Claudia. I really should read her non-Star Wars work at some point, but every time I finish one of her SW books, I'm left satisfied, and feel no need to do so. Perhaps this is a mistake.

This book was unexpected, both in that she chose to write about the earlier period of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi's partnership instead of the later period most SW writers play in, and that I enjoyed it so much, when I'm usually not that into prequel-era Star Wars very much. I just don't have as much emotional connection to the characters, even though both Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor bring gravitas to the material that makes me have affection for them (and Obi-Wan features quite a bit in the Clone Wars TV show).

While there is a space adventure here, featuring a coronation, a galactic treaty, terrorists jeopardizing that treaty, and an evil galactic corporation that exists on slave labor, this is really a book about the emotional relationship between Qui-Gon and his fourteen year old apprentice, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon has been given a chance to join the Jedi Council, which is a surprise because he so often is at odds with them. This drives a wedge in their already fragile master/apprentice relationship, as Obi-Wan feels like he has never been good enough for Qui-Gon, and that he doesn't understand his master; Qui-Gon leaving to join the Council feels like an abandonment on top of that. Qui-Gon also has struggled in how to reach Obi-Wan. He is not one to follow the rules blindly and often does things not by the book. He feels torn by his desire to join the Council, and what he sees as his duty to Obi-Wan.

I thought the book did an excellent job of portraying the emotional arcs of both characters, and their resulting conflict. Watching them clash with one another while being able to see inside of their thoughts, and that they both respected each other but couldn't find a way to communicate that, was a little heartbreaking. This book gets at the heart of the Jedi/Padawan relationship, how even though Jedi aren't supposed to love, it's impossible for a master not to care for, even love, an apprentice they spend years bringing up, and for an apprentice to care for the Jedi who raised them. We get echoes of this in the relationships between Jedi Rael Averross (also an apprentice of Dooku) and his Padawan, and with the princess he acts as Regent for on the planet Pijal, as well as the relationship between Qui-Gonn and Dooku himself in the form of flashbacks.

The one thing that didn't work perfectly for me is that there are hints to the overall Star Wars mythology in the ancient Jedi prophecies that Qui-Gonn studies, including one that I'm pretty sure predicted the births of Leia and Ben Solo ("She who will be born to darkness will give birth to darkness," or something like that; I've returned the book to the library). The reason that I didn't like this very much is that I wanted to know what all those prophecies were referring to! And we don't get any answers. Obviously this is a Me complaint; the prophecies were deployed strategically, and I think Gray meant them to be a fun nod, not something to obsess over (like Qui-Gonn and Dooku do). Well I can't help that I'm obsessive and hate unsolved puzzles, which in one of life's great ironies, I am terrible at solving. ...more

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Feb 27, 2020 Catherine Stormblessed rated it really liked it

QUI-GON AND OBI-WAN ARE PRECIOUS AND MUST BE PROTECTED (except they’re both dead now so RIP...BUT STILL).
I’m glad I could finally get to this. The characterization and overall quality of this novel is fantastic. Claudia Gray is such a great asset to the Star Wars novelizations. I love how she stays true to the heart of Star Wars. It feels so authentic and immersive.
I absolutely loved gaining a more intimate knowledge of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s dynamic. Father and son relationships are so wholesome QUI-GON AND OBI-WAN ARE PRECIOUS AND MUST BE PROTECTED (except they’re both dead now so RIP...BUT STILL).
I’m glad I could finally get to this. The characterization and overall quality of this novel is fantastic. Claudia Gray is such a great asset to the Star Wars novelizations. I love how she stays true to the heart of Star Wars. It feels so authentic and immersive.
I absolutely loved gaining a more intimate knowledge of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s dynamic. Father and son relationships are so wholesome and I love it. I love how different they are. They struggled so much in terms of getting along and communicating with each other because Qui-Gon is the definition of chaos and ideal thinking and Obi-Wan is the definition of lawful good. Qui-Gon’s idealistic way of thinking I think is such a great way to be a Jedi. I’ve always admired how much more radical he is, which is why Yoda was so hesitant to allow him on the council. Meanwhile Obi-Wan worships the rules of the council and enjoys structure and direction.
I also loved how there’s more info of Count Dooku and his time as a Jedi and Qui-Gon’s master. There is a great deal of political intrigue that enhances the story beautifully. That is one of the many reasons I’ve always LOVED the prequels. The war has so many negotiations that invite a lens of understanding in terms of how many Jedi think and act. It’s why we get great characterization.
This story is even more incredible because it specifically dives into prophecies about the Jedi and the chosen one aka Anakin Skywalker. I have always admired how Qui-Gon was really the only one who believed in Anakin and his role in the galaxy.
One of my favorite quotes is when Qui-Gon states, “Not every disagreement with Jedi orthodoxy turns you into a Sith overnight.” The Jedi aspire for peace but I think aren’t entirely successful because they are unable to abandon toxic traditions. Visions are not trusted by the council because they are unreliable. However, I think a big lesson to be learned is that everyone’s spiritual experiences are so individual it’s unfair for other people to declare spiritual experiences as unreliable and non-existent because you don’t understand them. I love how Qui-Gon is willing to change but also EXPERIMENTS with the ways of the force to understand it better. He doesn’t wholly declare his visions unreliable, but searches for truth even when he does not fully understand. I love that. The force is constant event when agreements and order are not.
I’ve always been absolutely entranced by Star Wars’ definition of good versus evil. In this book Qui-Gon has a particular interaction with another Jedi about the prophecies of the chosen one. He elaborates on how touching darkness is not something you do once, but multiple times and must choose to turn away from over and over again. I love this idea because it casts aside the idea of perfection. We are all imperfect beings who can tap into our light side and dark side depending on which one we choose to acknowledge.
If you can’t tell, I loved this book. I adore Obi-Wan as a character. I adore Qui-Gon as a character. Their development was so nice. The end felt like such a bittersweet way to leave their companionship:( I miss them. ...more

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Mar 18, 2020 Melinda rated it really liked it

3.75⭐️
I liked this book! I know I know it’s SW, but it was a bit too much politics for me...
But at the end I liked how it wrapped up everything.
(Also I’m very distracted because of what is happening in the World these days, so maybe I will read it again one day when I won’t be stressed this much, and I will be able to concentrate more)

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Aug 14, 2018 Frank-Intergalactic Bookdragon marked it as to-read

Shelves: star-wars, cover-luv

The cover makes me so happy I'm crying, it looks just like Last of the Jedi books which was the first full series I read on my own 😭
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This will make another fine addition to my collection ...more

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Aug 21, 2018 Maria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gen-scifi, faves-2019-edition

A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one!

This gets 5 wars out of 5 stars purely for the fun I've had reading it

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May 13, 2019 janel rated it liked it

It’s me, book, not you. I’ll try again soon when I am less grumpy.

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May 26, 2019 Kingtchalla83 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Claudia Gray is is a phenomenal author. I've only read her Star Wars books, but ole boy! I found myself highlighting whole sections while reading. Once again I purchased the book with an audio upgrade. Listening to a Stars War is an experience because of the narrator, music and sound effects. The production is unlike any book I've listened to before.
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Master & Apprentice follows Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan. Their relationship is slightly dis ...more

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Aug 24, 2019 Donna rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi

Yes, it's another Star Wars book. And again, I highly recommend the audios. They make for a fun afternoon. While the original Star Wars cast is my favorite, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are my second favorite.

I'll admit first that this one started off a little slow for me. The set up seemed too long. Once that was out of the way the story picked up and I was reeled in. I liked the developing relationships in this. And not just with the two Jedis but also the other characters. They were all a ...more

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Mar 16, 2020 Moony MeowPoff rated it it was amazing

There's no emotion - there's is peace.
There is no ignorance - there is knowlegde
There is no passion - there is serenity.
There is no chaos - there is harmony

Propechy in dreams is possible through the illumination of the active intellect over our soul. - Ibn Rushd, Also known as Averros

I loved that i got more time with Qui Gon and Obi-Wan, that i could get to see how they acted together, more. Why they were so good together as master and apprentice and how they overcame differenses and tried to ...more

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Dec 18, 2019 Ozymandias rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: space-opera, scifi, star-wars

The Republic era is a hard one to work with. It was one of the chief faults of Lucas’s prequel trilogy that he never managed to make the galaxy of the Republic really compelling in the same way that the Empire’s was. And the worst failing of all was how dull he made the Jedi. It turns out that when you take the awesomeness of space wizards with laser swords and place them in a stale bureaucracy the stale bureaucracy wins. And nothing epitomizes that better than The Phantom Menace, where the gala The Republic era is a hard one to work with. It was one of the chief faults of Lucas’s prequel trilogy that he never managed to make the galaxy of the Republic really compelling in the same way that the Empire’s was. And the worst failing of all was how dull he made the Jedi. It turns out that when you take the awesomeness of space wizards with laser swords and place them in a stale bureaucracy the stale bureaucracy wins. And nothing epitomizes that better than The Phantom Menace, where the galaxy’s at peace and the Jedi spend most of their time in negotiations with evil yet oddly motiveless multinationals. Finding drama or exotic characters in this setting and making them seem important is a challenge to say the least.

Qui-Gon Jinn’s a pretty basic example of an underwritten character: a Jedi with a vaguely rebellious reputation who does nothing radical enough to earn that reputation and has very little that makes him stand apart from other Jedi. Even with the great Liam Neeson doing his best in the role, we’re never told why we should care. And so it is with great pleasure that I can report that Qui-Gon’s probably the most interesting character in here. Not the most entertaining, that prize goes to the two gem thieves (one an ex-slave, the other raised entirely by protocol droids) whose buddy antics really amuse, but certainly the deepest and most sympathetic.

Gray’s way into Qui-Gon’s soul is through his self-doubt. He and Obi-Wan are not getting along. Neither actively dislikes the other, but they struggle to understand each other and each feel that he has failed to bridge the gap between them. Qui-Gon in particular is secretive and allusive, something the more direct Obi-Wan cannot stand. And that incomprehensibility only intensifies as Qui-Gon’s prophetic interests grow.

Qui-Gon’s character journey is pretty impressive given that on the surface little seems to have changed. Qui-Gon starts off as a frustratingly pragmatic Jedi and he ends the same way. However, what this story is about is essentially his renewal of faith. That’s a somewhat overblown way of describing it of course. Qui-Gon never doubted that he was a Jedi or questioned his duty. But while he had been interested in prophecy since a child he had come to accept that they were more metaphorical than true. Now he’s receiving visions and carefully considering the prophecy that “when the kyber that is not kyber shines forth, the time of prophecy will be at hand.” And suddenly he finds his faith returning, only not as a youthful obsession but as the more thoughtful consideration of a seasoned campaigner.

Making Qui-Gon essentially a lapsed believer was probably the cleverest thing this book did, but I found Obi-Wan’s initial love of flying less clever and more the sort of ‘oh, let’s show the origins of even the most basic of characteristics.’ Han Solo’s name, anyone? That’s not to say that Obi-Wan is badly done, but this story isn’t his own. As a a bit of a stick-in-the-mud he’s not exactly enthralling. Yet. I’m more pleased with some of the supporting cast. Dooku’s about the only major character who’s more wasted than Qui-Gon, and in Qui-Gon’s recollections we get to see Dooku as a great and noble knight. In a strange way he and Qui-Gon are both perfectly matched and the worst possible choice. He shares Qui-Gon’s obsession with prophecy, but recognizes its danger. It’s Qui-Gon himself who pushes him to resume his studies, and the desire to know and control the future is what consumes him. But in a subtle way that those not in the know could believably misconstrue.

In addition, we get probably the most radical Jedi out there: Rael Averross, a scruffy, emotional Jedi who loves brawls, smoking cigarettes, and sleeping with women. He’s another of Dooku’s brood, but while he’s very messed up in the head he’s not as far gone as his former Master. Rather, he’s torn up with guilt about the death of his former Padawan and determined that his current charge shall not suffer the same fate. He’s troubled in all sorts of ways that undermine his good heart.

The story itself is the sort of thing that a Republic story is always about: random political machinations on a far-off world that don’t have any major impact on galactic events because nothing can change that morass. That said, this one does work better than most and we have the lovely Czerka corporation (from KOTOR!) showing up to ruin everyone’s lives. This lack of real incident would normally be a major flaw, but the focus on internal conflict means that the plot becomes almost irrelevant. In fact, I didn’t notice how few combat scenes there were until I thought back on it and realized there were only three. Three scenes in the entire book, and none lasted over a chapter or managed to be all that interesting. In fact, they were probably the worst written and least interesting scenes in the book since I had a not-very-clear impression of what was going on. Yet I was so carried away I didn’t notice. The book’s final twist is unexpected enough to be brilliant, though I do wish we got to know more of the motivation behind it. I’m not claiming I know the solution to every mystery I read, but the culprit’s usually at least on my list of possible suspects. The climax itself is more of an anticlimax. But that’s okay. From a character standpoint it told us exactly what we needed to know.

I have to say that I was extremely impressed by this book, and even more so for the fact that it takes place in a time when it’s very hard to tell good stories. Qui-Gon has never been done better. He’s a fascinating enigma. A rulebreaking mystic who somehow manages to combine respect for authority with the conviction that he knows better than them. And best of all, if you watch The Phantom Menace it seems to match completely what Lucas was trying to do. At the least it seems to give depth to the blank slate that is Qui-Gon. I actually came away wanting to see more. More of Qui-Gon! Crazy.

This is the sort of story that can only be told in novel form. Qui-Gon’s distinctions are subtle, and subtle has never been Star Wars’ speciality. More to the point, we can never understand him if we only know what is said and not what is thought. In short, this is the perfect matching of format and story. Gray’s written the best novels in the new EU, and this is completely true to form. Like her previous books, it shines light on a little-explored era to bring us a story of great character depth. Good book, highly recommended. ...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Patricia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-star-wars, favorites

I don't care what Claudia does or writes or constructs, at this point I'm just gonna give all her books a five star rating because honestly EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS SO GOOD.

Okay, realistically speaking, this story was emotional, heartfelt and absolutely precious. The characters were on point, I often found myself thinking "jeez this is so Obi-Wan!"

The plot of this book was a tad too slow for me at points (especially the middle bits) but I still flew through this. I gotta say, the ending was spoil ...more

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May 05, 2020 Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: for-a-challenge, 2020, e-book, great-side-characters, look-at-the-pretty-cover, fantastic-hero, read-on-my-kindle, sci-fi, adult

There is no past, no future. Only now.

4 stars. This was awesome. This review isn’t going to be long because while I did really, really enjoy this book, I don’t have much to say about it other than to recommend that you read it. It follows Qui-Gon Jin and Obi-Wan Kenobi and it’s extremely entertaining. There were definitely a lot of slow moments but I don’t think that hindered my enjoyment at all. Those slow moments were a lot of world building and back stories so it was necessary to move the ...more

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About Claudia Gray

Claudia Gray

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Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actual ...more

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“...It would mean the darkness would be just as strong as the light. So it doesn’t matter what we do, because in the end, hey, it’s a tie! It doesn’t matter which side we choose.”
...
“It matters,” Qui-Gon said quietly. “It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.” — 4 likes

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