Rating: 
Summary: A bit boring, yet a should read for Star Wars fans
Review: Three years have passed since "The Phantom Menace". Anakin Skywalker still retains his child-like innocence as he finds a deeper relationship with the Force. His master Obi-Wan Kenobi still feels he is not ready to take on a mission and with good reason, too. Though Anakin is strong in the Force, he still is undisciplined, bearing the scars of his former slavery. But the council and revered Jedi Thracia Cho Leem feel that Obi-Wan and Anakin should be sent to the planet of Zonama Sekot, home of where the galaxy's fastest ships are made. A year ago another Jedi Knight had been sent to the planet but nothing has been heard from her since. And as the two Jedis Obi-Wan and Anakin find strange going-ons of Zonama Sekot, Commander Wilhuff Tarkin and Raith Sienar make plans to extract the secrets of the planet...The plot leaves much to be desired for as most of the story is focused on the building of the ships, plus all of the ceremonies and traditions involved. A bit strange, this part of the book never really held my interest and I had to slowly read along. But the beginning of the story is very interesting and exciting, telling about one of Anakin's romp in the underworld of Coruscant. The last part of the book is also extremely exciting to read. Probably the beginning and last part of the story is what saved "Rogue Planet" from complete dullness. My favorite character of all the Star Wars, besides Harrison Ford as Han Solo, has always been Obi-Wan Kenobi. So when I first had heard about "Rogue Planet" I was very excited to read more about Obi-Wan. Unfortunately, he's in a way placed more as a secondary character to Anakin Skywalker. Also he is made very stern and at times made to be in the wrong. One of the most interesting characters for me was Raith Sienar. Somehow he's a very likable bad guy, if you know what I mean. "Rogue Planet" I recommend for those who are Star Wars fans. But for those who have never read any Star Wars books and plan to start with this book, I recommend you read something first. Here are a few more Star Wars recommendations. First there's the Jedi Apprentice Series and Jedi Quest Series. Though aimed for young adults, they're extremely fun to read even for adults. Another Star Wars Series I recommend and like a lot are the Young Jedi Knights series. More on the teenager level of reading. For adult readings, a few selections I enjoy reading are "The Thrawn Trilogy", "The Jedi Academy Trilogy", "The Corellian Trilogy", and "The Truce at Bakura".
Rating: 
Summary: Episode I & II bridge
Review: With so many authors penning novels and stories in the Star Wars universe over the past few years, the field of thought provoking and enjoyable science fiction novels among the Skywalker line is has become quite muddy. But Greg Bear's novel rises from the murkiness and shine's upon it's own. What Greg Bear has done here is introduce us to classic science fiction story telling. The aliens are quite different than most 'bi-pedal' creatures we are so familiar with. Mr. Bear also goes far in detailing different environments, culture's, and philosophies, making us realize that we have been reading so many over-hashed similar stories that we forget how to use our imagination. Not here, we rediscover strange new worlds! Call it Phantom Menace 1.5, this novel takes place 3 years after Episode I. The focus of this novel is around Anakin and Obi-Wan, and not just in their traditional Master/Padawan role, but as friends and mutual respect for each other. Obi-Wan, more than ever before senses the un-measurable power within young Anakin and takes great pride in molding him in his adolescent life to being a Jedi. He often reflects on the teachings of his former Master Qui-Gon and see much of his former self in young Anakin and thus learns to appreciate the teachings of patience and understanding of all things alien. Obi-Wan, for all intents becomes a father figure. Anakin is a different story. We clearly see how far this boy has progressed over the last few years. It is amazing on what we as the reader can see just below the surface of this boys psyche and can understand on how one day he will become Dark Lord of the Sith. He skills develop daily, as does his aggressiveness. He still has the wonderment of a child, all the questions, but his yearning for adventure and his lack of patience 'will' be his eventual un-doing. A surprise character takes on a semi-major roll here. We are introduced to a young W. Tarkin as we know one day will become the 1st Grand Moff from 'A New Hope'. There is great insight to his character here as we learn about his youth at the Republic Academy, how he has made some 'political changes' as of late and strives for a New Order, one in which Human's will dominate the galaxy. These all lend to the ideas of Chancellor Palpatine here and how this young Officer wants to make an impression on the political regime that is slowly forming. We see all see characters such as Mace Windu, (briefly), but in a more 'human' role, and other events taking place in the galaxy that lend to the development at Star Wars as we know it, and how things are shaping up in the future. (note: look at new weapons, the replacement of the battle droids, other political references and you'll see what I'm talking about). Finally, Greg Bear hints at another force outside of the known galaxy. There is described a powerful race who uses organic technology and organic ships that one of the Jedi had taken upon herself to follow. This is mentioned in sparse sentences throughout the novel and all clues indicate that this force will become known as the Yuuzhan Vong that will menace the New Republic many years after the Empire has fallen.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Book That's A Perfect Follow Up To Phantom Menace
Review: `Rogue Planet' is sort of an anomaly. It is much more of a stand-alone story than other Star Wars novels, yet manages to fit snugly into the timeline all the same. Where most other novels in the series focus on key historic events - and some of the more popular characters' places therein - `Rogue Planet' takes us on a trip away from the Republic and almost even away from the known Galaxy. Far away from that chewy centre, Bear still succeeds in presenting us Anakin and Obi-Wan, Tarkin and Sienar - even Vergere and the Vong! (Albeit cameos, it must be said.) He manages to continue their stories fluently and convincingly.
Moreover, as the story unfolds, and the secrets of Zonema Sekot (the Rogue Planet) are slowly being unfolded, you know you're reading an exceptional addition to the Star Wars story cycle. However, the real eye catcher is Greg Bear himself. His writing is fluent and exciting, he makes you want to turn page after page. He manages to fit the events in his novel into the greater scheme as if he owns it all, while usually Bear's stories are far from the techno-myths that Star Wars is made out of. No event and character seems forced and uneasy in its position; something that cannot be said for all other "Old Republic" Star Wars novels. `Rogue Planet' is a breather, the pearl in a string of beads. My favourite "Old Republic" novel by far. This one gets four stars. Bram Janssen,
The Netherlands
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