The Cestus Deception

This was a book that nearly snuck in under the radar. After a cancellation of another Clone Wars novel, it was unclear when the next book would come out. Therefore, about a year after Shatterpoint--the first Clone Wars novel--hit shelves, The Cestus Deception finally arrived. It was historic in two ways.

Not only does The Cestus Deception mark the first Star Wars novel written by Steven Barnes, but it is also the first Star Wars book written by an African-American author. And what a debut it was.

The overall plot is that Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto, along with a detachment of clonetroopers are sent to the planet Ord Cestus to dissuade the government, run by a corrupt corporation, to cease production of a lethal new droid show more model, which the Confederacy of Independent Systems is intent on using to destroy the Jedi. Obi-Wan’s mission is to attempt a diplomatic response, but a saboteur with a hidden agenda makes sure that diplomacy fails. The novel proceeds in a race against time to resolve the situation before millions perish, as Obi-Wan finally realizes his mistakes, and nearly pays for it with his life.

Though the novel contains a fairly small cast of characters, Barnes concentrates mostly on a clonetrooper designated A-98 or ‘Nate’ for short. It’s interesting to note that it was Barnes’s idea to delve into the psyche of a Grand Army Republic trooper. Readers are treated to the realization that these troops are most certainly not droid army machines. They have feelings, emotions, and everything else you would expect from human beings.

The novel also deals with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his internal struggle to deal with a fairly major oversight. Barnes switches back and forth between Obi-Wan and Nate, without dwelling on any particular subject for an inordinate amount of time. In fact, unlike other authors, who build dramatic tension by switching to another character/scene at the moment of a major event, Barnes instead stays with that character until they get a chance to ‘breath’, if you will. Though this decreases the buildup of the climax, it’s a refreshing change of pace. Readers will find it nice to read a book with a plot that doesn’t jerk them around.

Barnes does a superb job in this novel of getting into character’s heads, without preaching, and yet makes the point that a person is more than the sum of their parts. There is an underlying philosophical message here that’s hard to identify, but makes the reader appreciate the writing on a whole new level.

Barnes will not only surprise readers, by surpassing expectations of a Star Wars author, but in fact sets the bar higher than ever before. This reader will certainly be seeking other works by Steven Barnes, and is proud to place The Cestus Deception on the bookshelf. show less

This was a book that nearly snuck in under the radar. After a cancellation of another Clone Wars novel, it was unclear when the next book would come out. Therefore, about a year after Shatterpoint--the first Clone Wars novel--hit shelves, The Cestus Deception finally arrived. It was historic in two ways.

Not only does The Cestus Deception mark the first Star Wars novel written by Steven Barnes, but it is also the first Star Wars book written by an African-American author. And what a debut it was.

The overall plot is that Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto, along with a detachment of clonetroopers are sent to the planet Ord Cestus to dissuade the government, run by a corrupt corporation, to cease production of a lethal new droid show more model, which the Confederacy of Independent Systems is intent on using to destroy the Jedi. Obi-Wan’s mission is to attempt a diplomatic response, but a saboteur with a hidden agenda makes sure that diplomacy fails. The novel proceeds in a race against time to resolve the situation before millions perish, as Obi-Wan finally realizes his mistakes, and nearly pays for it with his life.

Though the novel contains a fairly small cast of characters, Barnes concentrates mostly on a clonetrooper designated A-98 or ‘Nate’ for short. It’s interesting to note that it was Barnes’s idea to delve into the psyche of a Grand Army Republic trooper. Readers are treated to the realization that these troops are most certainly not droid army machines. They have feelings, emotions, and everything else you would expect from human beings.

The novel also deals with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his internal struggle to deal with a fairly major oversight. Barnes switches back and forth between Obi-Wan and Nate, without dwelling on any particular subject for an inordinate amount of time. In fact, unlike other authors, who build dramatic tension by switching to another character/scene at the moment of a major event, Barnes instead stays with that character until they get a chance to ‘breath’, if you will. Though this decreases the buildup of the climax, it’s a refreshing change of pace. Readers will find it nice to read a book with a plot that doesn’t jerk them around.

Barnes does a superb job in this novel of getting into character’s heads, without preaching, and yet makes the point that a person is more than the sum of their parts. There is an underlying philosophical message here that’s hard to identify, but makes the reader appreciate the writing on a whole new level.

Barnes will not only surprise readers, by surpassing expectations of a Star Wars author, but in fact sets the bar higher than ever before. This reader will certainly be seeking other works by Steven Barnes, and is proud to place The Cestus Deception on the bookshelf. show less

In this novel that takes place during the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Kit Fisto are sent by Chancellor Palpatine to the planet Cestus to stop their production of new droid technology that can be used against the Republic and is specifically designed to kill Jedi. Once they get to the planet they are enwrapped in web of deceit, political wrangling, and corporate espionageThere are dark forces at play that Kenobi can't detect and later comes to find in the form of Sith apprentice Asaj Ventriss.

There was a lot to like in this novel. There were certainly many action and fight sequences to maintain my interest. There were also numerous plot turns. One of the things I especially enjoyed was the humanization of the Clones. Often they show more are portrayed as collective units with no really personality. They are just vehicles for the plot. But in this case, the Clone Jangotet develops a relationship with female pilot Sheeka Tull. He experiences a great deal of change in the story, and it maintained a pleasant side story to the main action. The conclusion was fiery. In all, this was a good novel for Star Wars enthusiasts.

Carl Alves - author of Blood Street show less

This was my first full novel dealing with the Star Wars universe and since then I have read a few others but this is my favorite book so far. Fallowing the exploits of Obi-Wan Kenobi and fellow Jedi, Kit Fisto as they try to stop the production of a seemingly deadly new type of droid. The book also has a side story from the perspective of a clone trooper named Jangotat which I found quite interesting.

From the characters to the world around them everything was described with great detail. The action scenes are well written and fluid. As I said part of the story comes from the perspective of a clone trooper. I enjoyed his part in the story and found that it really gave me the feel of what it was to be a clone trooper fighting for the show more Grand Army of the Republic and struggling to maintain your identity amid thousands of beings that sound and look just like you, a nice addition to an already good story.

I enjoyed this book and I give it two thumbs up. show less

I really enjoyed this book. I thought at first I would have trouble following the political stuff but it was easy to follow which made me happy. I usually don't understand or like politics. Anyways, you find out who is deceiving who easliy and it moves fast which is good. You find out everyone is lieing to everyone for their own well being. I felt bad for Regent Duris after Obi-Wan decieved her and she had no one to trust. And poor Obi-Wan felt guilty and ashamed about it. He was the only one who felt guilty (since he's the only one with a conscience) but it comes out all right in the end.
I don't know why they put Dooku on the cover. He's not in the story. Ventress should have been. This was the first time I ever read about her and got show more to know her character. She seemed like a character you love to hate.
Kit Fisto was cool and had some wit I liked him.
My favorite part was A-98 "Nate" (Jangotat) and Sheeka Tull's story. I didn't think a clone was capable of such enlightment. I loved the part when she took him to the place in the caves with the dashta eels. That part was so sad when he realized he was never loved and probably never will, and was never held my his mother; that he was "built" for war and if the war ended what would he do?
His goodbye speach hologram to her before he dies was so sad. She made him realize he was more than a soilder and he wished he could have had a future with her after his duty was over.
When she speaks to Obi-Wan she feels guilty for "waking him up" right before he lost his life. Then this part that makes me think maybe Obi-Wan has been inlove. He tells Sheeka that people are not really in control of their hearts and it can be lonley. Then she asks "have you ever?" and he answers "YEs" but didn't get into it. So now I am all curious about that... (This was before I looked into the Jedi Apprentice books and found out about Siri)
Also Jangotat's conversation with Obi-Wan about making your own choices was intersting esp. when Obi-Wan says that even though he was raised in the Jedi Temple and on the path to become a Jedi, it was his choice to become a Jedi because he knew it was his destiny. show less

I liked this one more than most of the clone wars novels i've read. it was fun.

Good writing, strange format of plot.