James Luceno
Author of Darth Plagueis
About the Author
James Luceno was born in 1947. His works include the Star Wars novels Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, Cloak of Deception, Labyrinth of Evil, Millennium Falcon, and Darth Plagueis as well as the New Jedi Order novels Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial, Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse, and The show more Unifying Force. He also writes the Web Warrior series. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: wikia
Series
Works by James Luceno
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- McKinney, Jack (joint pseudonym with Brian C. Daley)
- Birthdate
- 1947
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Annapolis, Maryland, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Maryland, USA
Members
Reviews
Taking place largely in the aftermath of the events of Episode 3, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader lets the reader tag along and get inside the head of a very broken (physically, emotionally, psychologically) Anakin Skywalker sorting things out in the early days of what will be the rest of his life as Darth Vader.
It's surprising to see how one of the chief complaints many reviewers have about this book is that we are reading about an "emo" Vader. What many perceive to be a flaw of the show more book, I say is what makes it special. Anakin/Vader has been in the suit for a matter of weeks when the first POV chapter appears. After everything the guy has been through in the 6-8 weeks, I think one could forgive him for coming across as what folks are calling "emo". I guess these same reviewers think that returning soldiers with PTSD issues are "emo" too? Most people's first glimpse of Darth Vader (the opening scenes of ep 4) comes at a time when he's been in the suit & serving Palpatine for 19-20 years. He's had two decades to get used to his new "life" & grow callous about his circumstances. He's a very different person in Episode 4 than he is in this novel (taking place in the immediate aftermath of Episode 3).
Enough with my rant against the haters - I really enjoyed Dark Lord. It provided a nice followup to the closing of Episode 3. I also enjoyed the alternate POV from the Jedi who survived the extermination order, as well as the Bail Organa POV chapters.
I've read a lot of Star Wars fiction, and not all of it is good. THIS is good though. Luceno does a fine job of writing the "dark" side (pardon the pun) of Star Wars. After reading this I intend to eventually track down [b:Darth Plagueis|11099729|Darth Plagueis (Star Wars)|James Luceno|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1310159548s/11099729.jpg|15371735] for another dose of the lost chapters of the greater story. show less
It's surprising to see how one of the chief complaints many reviewers have about this book is that we are reading about an "emo" Vader. What many perceive to be a flaw of the show more book, I say is what makes it special. Anakin/Vader has been in the suit for a matter of weeks when the first POV chapter appears. After everything the guy has been through in the 6-8 weeks, I think one could forgive him for coming across as what folks are calling "emo". I guess these same reviewers think that returning soldiers with PTSD issues are "emo" too? Most people's first glimpse of Darth Vader (the opening scenes of ep 4) comes at a time when he's been in the suit & serving Palpatine for 19-20 years. He's had two decades to get used to his new "life" & grow callous about his circumstances. He's a very different person in Episode 4 than he is in this novel (taking place in the immediate aftermath of Episode 3).
Enough with my rant against the haters - I really enjoyed Dark Lord. It provided a nice followup to the closing of Episode 3. I also enjoyed the alternate POV from the Jedi who survived the extermination order, as well as the Bail Organa POV chapters.
I've read a lot of Star Wars fiction, and not all of it is good. THIS is good though. Luceno does a fine job of writing the "dark" side (pardon the pun) of Star Wars. After reading this I intend to eventually track down [b:Darth Plagueis|11099729|Darth Plagueis (Star Wars)|James Luceno|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1310159548s/11099729.jpg|15371735] for another dose of the lost chapters of the greater story. show less
Star Wars books 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 Wars series.
Synopsis for Darth Plagueis:
For the most part, the novel is well-written, weaving disparate story-lines together, while keeping the reader entertained. The locations are well-defined, and we're introduced to a few planets we've only ever heard about. There's no over-abundance of specific words or phrases--in other words, nothing to be annoyed by.
The characters are equally well-thought out. Plagueis is sinister and cunning, while Sidious spends the novel coming into his own. Darth Maul receives a much more fleshed-out background, which should make fans of the fearsome lightsaber handler excited--at last, an origin story for him! Many of the major characters make appearances, including Qui-Gon Jinn, Count Dooku, Anakin and Obi-Wan, who all play their parts convincingly.
Dialogue in the novel is typical Star Wars fare, though delving much more deeply into the political and financial than most Star Wars novels are known for. Luceno does an excellent job of preventing overlap of this book and the events in the prequel films. Though some of the book takes place simultaneously, readers are treated to new scenes and situations not covered in the movies.
The thought of the origin story of Darth Plagueis and Palpatine is a heady one, and Darth Plagueis delivers on some of the promise that it proposes. Unfortuately, it also falls flat in some respects. The plotting and scheming of both Plagueis and Sidious reveal just how long events had been building up to ensure the downfall of the Republic, but Sidious is revealed as much less of a mastermind than we had ever previously considered. Palpatine always seemed such an evil, despicable figure, but Darth Plagueis lessens much of those conceptions. He is revealed to have been a fairly ordinary young man, with an strong connection to the Force. But rather than be malevolent from the very beginning, he is turned toward the Dark Side (and fairly easily, at that), and takes a secondary role in the culmination of the revenge of the Sith--at least until the end. Still, this sheds new light on the characters, and will cause new insight into the saga fans know so well.
The sheer intensity of reading about the discovery and training of Darth Sidious by Darth Plagueis is fascinating to read, and one that most fans will enjoy. It's a much better novel than the typical Star Wars book, though it doesn't quite fulfill it's promise. Still, Darth Plagueis is practically required reading for any fan of the saga. show less
Synopsis for Darth Plagueis:
show more
"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 even keep the ones he cared about from dying.” —Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Darth Plagueis: one of the most brilliant Sith Lords who ever lived. Possessing power is all he desires. Losing it is the only thing he fears. As an apprentice, he embraces the ruthless ways of the Sith. And when the time is right, he destroys his Master—but vows never to suffer the same fate. For like no other disciple of the dark side, Darth Plagueis learns to command the ultimate power . . . over life and death.
Darth Sidious: Plagueis’s chosen apprentice. Under the guidance of his Master, he secretly studies the ways of the Sith, while publicly rising to power in the galactic government, first as Senator, then as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor.
Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious, Master and acolyte, target the galaxy for domination—and the Jedi Order for annihilation. But can they defy the merciless Sith tradition? Or will the desire of one to rule supreme, and the dream of the other to live forever, sow the seeds of their destruction?
For the most part, the novel is well-written, weaving disparate story-lines together, while keeping the reader entertained. The locations are well-defined, and we're introduced to a few planets we've only ever heard about. There's no over-abundance of specific words or phrases--in other words, nothing to be annoyed by.
The characters are equally well-thought out. Plagueis is sinister and cunning, while Sidious spends the novel coming into his own. Darth Maul receives a much more fleshed-out background, which should make fans of the fearsome lightsaber handler excited--at last, an origin story for him! Many of the major characters make appearances, including Qui-Gon Jinn, Count Dooku, Anakin and Obi-Wan, who all play their parts convincingly.
Dialogue in the novel is typical Star Wars fare, though delving much more deeply into the political and financial than most Star Wars novels are known for. Luceno does an excellent job of preventing overlap of this book and the events in the prequel films. Though some of the book takes place simultaneously, readers are treated to new scenes and situations not covered in the movies.
The thought of the origin story of Darth Plagueis and Palpatine is a heady one, and Darth Plagueis delivers on some of the promise that it proposes. Unfortuately, it also falls flat in some respects. The plotting and scheming of both Plagueis and Sidious reveal just how long events had been building up to ensure the downfall of the Republic, but Sidious is revealed as much less of a mastermind than we had ever previously considered. Palpatine always seemed such an evil, despicable figure, but Darth Plagueis lessens much of those conceptions. He is revealed to have been a fairly ordinary young man, with an strong connection to the Force. But rather than be malevolent from the very beginning, he is turned toward the Dark Side (and fairly easily, at that), and takes a secondary role in the culmination of the revenge of the Sith--at least until the end. Still, this sheds new light on the characters, and will cause new insight into the saga fans know so well.
The sheer intensity of reading about the discovery and training of Darth Sidious by Darth Plagueis is fascinating to read, and one that most fans will enjoy. It's a much better novel than the typical Star Wars book, though it doesn't quite fulfill it's promise. Still, Darth Plagueis is practically required reading for any fan of the saga. show less
Like in Luceno last's New Jedi Order tedium-fest, there's some potential here: Han and Droma trying to find Droma's family in the midst of the galaxy's refugee crisis. This plot is actually a lot of fun, with the usual hijinks you expect Han Solo to get into. Unfortunately, the rest of this novel consists of military and political posturing with absolutely no character hook to hang on-- it's just people with titles talking to/about other people with titles.
Even when there is potential for show more more in the politics, it is squandered: Leia goes to Hapes to convince them to join the fight on the side of the New Republic, but then just stands around while male characters fight over her. (Somehow, women can be marginalized even in the matriarchal society of Hapes.) Then, she has a vague vision of badness again and again, but does nothing about it... then something bad happens! Man, riveting. And, for the two people out there who considered the Corellian Trilogy the high point of Star Wars fiction, Luceno peppers the book with characters from that series so you don't have to miss them anymore.
The New Jedi Order: « Previous in sequence | Next in sequence » show less
Even when there is potential for show more more in the politics, it is squandered: Leia goes to Hapes to convince them to join the fight on the side of the New Republic, but then just stands around while male characters fight over her. (Somehow, women can be marginalized even in the matriarchal society of Hapes.) Then, she has a vague vision of badness again and again, but does nothing about it... then something bad happens! Man, riveting. And, for the two people out there who considered the Corellian Trilogy the high point of Star Wars fiction, Luceno peppers the book with characters from that series so you don't have to miss them anymore.
The New Jedi Order: « Previous in sequence | Next in sequence » show less
Star Wars: Tarkin is a confident book that is written by a confident author. It is filled with the intrigue, action, and fascinating characterization that we've come to expect from a Luceno Star Wars book. In my opinion, Luceno is one of the best authors of Star Wars fiction writing today (alongside of Timothy Zahn and Claudia Gray). He is also very proficient at describing the technology world of the star wars universe without bogging the reader down.
The story takes place five years after show more the end of the Clone Wars. Emperor Palpatine is using his influence and the dark side of the Force to manipulate the galaxy and change the landscape. Moff Tarkin is in the Outer Rim overseeing the construction of the Death Star, and Darth Vader is doing whatever the Emperor wants. In this case, the Emperor wants Vader and Tarkin to work together to investigate what appears to be an act of insurrection. Mystery ensues.
As the plot unfolds, so does Tarkin’s past. We learn about his family, his home on the planet Eriadu, a little about his time in the Clone Wars, and most importantly, we see his family’s peculiar rites of passage. Those experiences – which are essentially an intense game of Survivor that pits Tarkin against wild creatures and nature – are what ultimately shape Tarkin into the man we meet in Episode IV. They taught Tarkin the value of ruling with fear, and it’s a theme that runs throughout the book. The Empire’s governing techniques are rooted in intimidation. I mean they're building a Death Star to rule with terror.
And this is more or less the plot of the book. I found it interesting to read about the insurgency (one of those many flickers of hope throughout the galaxy). It gives you insight (the way Enfys Nest did in Solo) into all the different freedom fighters that exist in the galaxy before the rebellion really gets organized.
Anyway, as fascinating as freedom fighters are, this is Tarkin's story and a captivating one at that. You really see how he learned to be such a tactical and cunning leader. I found the ending to be completely satisfying and his characterization dazzling. Kuddos to Luceno for writing another great Star Wars entry. show less
The story takes place five years after show more the end of the Clone Wars. Emperor Palpatine is using his influence and the dark side of the Force to manipulate the galaxy and change the landscape. Moff Tarkin is in the Outer Rim overseeing the construction of the Death Star, and Darth Vader is doing whatever the Emperor wants. In this case, the Emperor wants Vader and Tarkin to work together to investigate what appears to be an act of insurrection. Mystery ensues.
As the plot unfolds, so does Tarkin’s past. We learn about his family, his home on the planet Eriadu, a little about his time in the Clone Wars, and most importantly, we see his family’s peculiar rites of passage. Those experiences – which are essentially an intense game of Survivor that pits Tarkin against wild creatures and nature – are what ultimately shape Tarkin into the man we meet in Episode IV. They taught Tarkin the value of ruling with fear, and it’s a theme that runs throughout the book. The Empire’s governing techniques are rooted in intimidation. I mean they're building a Death Star to rule with terror.
And this is more or less the plot of the book. I found it interesting to read about the insurgency (one of those many flickers of hope throughout the galaxy). It gives you insight (the way Enfys Nest did in Solo) into all the different freedom fighters that exist in the galaxy before the rebellion really gets organized.
Anyway, as fascinating as freedom fighters are, this is Tarkin's story and a captivating one at that. You really see how he learned to be such a tactical and cunning leader. I found the ending to be completely satisfying and his characterization dazzling. Kuddos to Luceno for writing another great Star Wars entry. show less
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