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July 7th, 2015 was a big day! Not only was it our first anniversary (and thanks so much for all the well wishes and pats on the back), and the release date for Dark Disciple by Christie Golden, but it was also notable for the fact that we got the official word on the next Anthology movie!
The screenplay is written by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan. The story focuses on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley.
It will be directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord (of The LEGO Movie and the Jump Street movies), slated for a May 25th, 2018 release.
Scene-stealing news from the Dark Disciple launch, which is a bit of a shame, considering that the novel is quite possibly the best of the five in the new canon so far. It’s also the most complete story that’s been told, right up there with John Jackson Miller’s A New Dawn. I really dug the Tarkin novel, too, but the main story was somewhat thin, yet bolstered in a fascinating and very compelling way by the backstory.
The setup, in brief:
In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
“Target,” as in, “assassinate” Dooku, to be precise. And before I started reading, I figured the story would be a build up to the assassination attempt at the climax, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it happens about halfway through the book! Of course you know he survives it, since he doesn’t die until the opening of Revenge of the Sith. The second half of the book becomes very surprising, desperate, and suspenseful. I mean “desperate” in a good way, in the sense that you can feel the desperation of the characters dealing with the results of the attempt, and as for suspenseful – well, not to give too much away, one of the characters essentially becomes a ticking time bomb, and you’re not sure until the climax if, how, and/or when that character might explode.
Even if you’re not a Clone Wars fan, you’re going to like this book. Two very strong characters drive a well-told, emotionally resonant story, and we highly recommend it.
Trivia Time!
Test your knowledge of the Star Wars universe!Previous question’s answer: Alec Guinness
Today’s question: What does Luke address Vader as for the first time, after Vader informs him, “The Emperor has been expecting you”?