The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel)
by Steven Barnes
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Book Summary Information
Author: Steven BarnesEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-03-01
ISBN: 0345458982
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: LucasBooks
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780345458988
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel)
Book Review: Steven Barnes first Star Wars book, a stand out story...
Summary: 5 Stars
Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Kit Fisto, a Nautolan, are summoned to Coruscant to the T'Chuk sporting arena. Technician Lido Shan gives a demonstration of a bio-droid unit labeled 'JK-13' (JK for Jedi Killer). It is unique with its implanted 'Force-sensitive unit', a living circuit named 'dashtaeel', which allows greater empathy for its owner and aggression toward intruders. The unit is manufactured by Cestus Cybernetics. Lido Shan demonstrates JK's uniqueness, in sparring it against another droid, and then a Clone Commando, with devastating results to the Clone. Even though the Confederation's Count Dooku's photo graces the front cover with Obi-Wan and Kit, the Count never appears in the story, only mentioned now and then, but he has a powerful ally in Jedi Asajj Ventress, Commander of the Separatist Army. Her object: carry-out revenge on Obi-Wan Kenobi for an action in the past.
Cestus is a barren world, necessitating the import of survival staples, and its population is 95% lower-class, and the community is economically-deprived. The ruling principals are the 'Five Families of Cestus Cybernetics' (each with a piece of the pie, such as manufacturing, mining, etc. -- 'a puppet Regency'. There is a bargaining in the wind to sell thousands of the JK units. Kit and Obi-Wan are to halt the deal, to recover a semblance of trust with the Cestians through contact Regent G'Mai Duris, and to advise of the danger in dealing with Count Dooku. Accompanying the Jedi Knights are Clone Commandos: A-98--Nate, an ARC Trooper, recruiter and command posting, whose soul dictum is: "It's not what a man fights with, its what he fights for that counts." Other CT's -- Xutoo, pilot; Sirty, logistics; Forry, physical trainer; and Seefor, communications are part of the Cestus team. All is to be accomplished peacefully, unless...!
From the point of arrival on Cestus, Obi-Wan senses a presence around him, a drifter in and out, silently. Kit and the CT's go one way to carry out a plan, while Barrister Boolb Snoil (a Vippit of Nal Hutta reunites as partner with Obi-Wan, to fulfill a debt, before he ventures homeward to mate. Clone 'Nate' experiences feelings of love and romance with Sheeka Tull, Cestian pilot, who once had a relationship with Jango Fett. Sheeka renames Nate, 'Jangotat". Another refresher is the teaching of Jedi ways by Kit Fisto to the Clone Commandos delight. In a verbal exchange with Obi-Wan, Jangotat offers:: "General Fisto said that thoughts and fears are like boulders, and the force is the river rushing between them. Most people grow so clogged with pains and regrets that the water can no longer flow from the mountain to the sea. ... but have been warned that I could never learn to be as good as a Jedi." In return, Obi-Wan offers: "The joy in life comes not from surpassing another's gifts, but in fully manifesting our own." And, "one meter, one moment at a time, Jangotat was finding his way to the sea." Profound! beautifully and eloquently rendered by Barnes, as are many of the author's words throughout the novel.
Steven Barnes's first STAR WARSŪ novel is more than a fulfilling read -- it is a breath of fresh air and newness, which still captures the essence of the Star WarsŪ galaxy and beyond. Besides strong character build-up, rich location descriptions, humor, sensitivity, there is plenty of defined actions, along with insightful philosophy and dialog, all done so well for ease of reader imagery. I summon the reader's attention as to who is deceiving whom within this story. Welcome to Mr. Barnes, and hope to see you again in Star WarsŪ print.
Summary of The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel)
Ord Cestus, a planet mostly barren and inhospitable to life, was first colonized as a prison world?until a handful of hardy pioneers discovered its rich ore deposits and managed to build up a successful droid-manufacturing industry. But when the Clone Wars erupted, bringing severe rationing of imported resources and a Republic ban on the production of battle droids, Ord Cestus was threatened with imminent economic collapse.Enter the Confederacy of Independent Systems?the Separatists?with a life-saving offer to purchase a generous quantity of the planet?s most lucrative export: bio-droids. Possessed of tactical capabilities that rival the fighting abilities of even the most advanced Jedi, these sophisticated, techno-organic hybrid units would prove a most formidable weapon if ever deployed for military use. And now the Confederacy?s intention to invest in what amounts to an army of bio-droids has sent ripples of alarm through the highest echelons of the Republic government.
Determined to halt the bio-droid sale?but fearing a show of force will result in a political backlash?Supreme Chancellor Palpatine dispatches a team of envoys, led by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their mission: persuade Ord Cestus?s government to abandon its dealings with the Confederacy . . . while secretly stirring up revolution among the planet?s struggling underclass. Diplomacy is paramount. But if all else fails, the Republic will not hesitate to launch a full-scale attack?and wipe out not only the means of bio-droid production, but countless lives as well, to demonstrate the consequences of disloyalty.
For Obi-Wan, the prospect of such wholesale slaughter only serves to fuel his growing suspicions about the sinister path the Republic seems to be taking. But the brash Jedi Master Kit Fisto and the detachment of clone soldiers assigned to the mission are ready and willing to do the Supreme Chancellor?s bidding. As the leaders of Ord Cestus refuse to capitulate and Palpatine rapidly loses patience, Obi-Wan?s hopes of a peaceful resolution are dwindling. Now, facing a crisis of conscience, Obi-Wan must find the wisdom and strength to prevent a bloodbath and safeguard the Republic? while abiding by the ancient code to which he has pledged his life.
From the Hardcover edition.
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