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thisdadreads's review against another edition
3.0
Written by Sean Stewart, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous was a part of The Clone Wars multimedia project when it was first published by Del Rey in 2004 and was included in the latest wave of The Essential Legends Collection published in May 2023. As the title suggests, Dark Rendezvous tells a tale about the powerful pull of the dark side and how it can affect Force users from young to old. In addition to familiar Star Wars characters, a number of new characters are introduced in Dark Rendezvous: Jedi Masters Jai Maruk and Maks Leem and their Padawans Scout and Whie. Count Dooku sends a message to his former Master Yoda, conceding that the Clone Wars have gotten out of hand, and calls for a truce on the planet Vjun. The Jedi concoct a plan that can get Yoda to Dooku, but with Asajj Ventress on their trail will everyone survive and even more, is Dooku’s plan all just a trap?
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous will please Clone Wars era fans as it tells a mission-centric story amidst the backdrop of galactic war, plus with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala making appearances, what’s there not to love? I enjoyed that this book focuses on a relatively small section of the war and dives deep into the psychological and emotional factors that can come into play. While Yoda shares a good deal of storyline with other characters, his unique mixture of wisdom and humor is the heartbeat of Dark Rendezvous (a running joke about his specific dietary preferences is hilarious). The story reaches its peak when Dooku and Yoda finally meet and those scenes are some of the most memorable of any Star Wars book I’ve ever read; powerful stuff that will undoubtedly cause human readers to pause and ponder the power they have over their own lives.
As central to Dark Rendezvous as Yoda is, Padawans Scout and Whie both have compelling storylines that will draw readers in. Unlike Dooku, these Jedi are in the earlier phases of their journeys and each are dealing with issues such as identity and courage. Scout and Whie are so compelling a duo that I’d gladly follow them on their own standalone adventure. Scout’s a super unique character in that she’s relatively weak in the Force but full of pluck and ingenuity. Whie’s Force ability grants him intense prophetic dreams and his journey in Rendezvous is mysterious and ultimately quite satisfying.
The Essential Legends Collection edition of Yoda: Dark Rendezvous features brand new cover art designed by Scott Biel and rendered by Andrea C. White.
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous will please Clone Wars era fans as it tells a mission-centric story amidst the backdrop of galactic war, plus with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala making appearances, what’s there not to love? I enjoyed that this book focuses on a relatively small section of the war and dives deep into the psychological and emotional factors that can come into play. While Yoda shares a good deal of storyline with other characters, his unique mixture of wisdom and humor is the heartbeat of Dark Rendezvous (a running joke about his specific dietary preferences is hilarious). The story reaches its peak when Dooku and Yoda finally meet and those scenes are some of the most memorable of any Star Wars book I’ve ever read; powerful stuff that will undoubtedly cause human readers to pause and ponder the power they have over their own lives.
As central to Dark Rendezvous as Yoda is, Padawans Scout and Whie both have compelling storylines that will draw readers in. Unlike Dooku, these Jedi are in the earlier phases of their journeys and each are dealing with issues such as identity and courage. Scout and Whie are so compelling a duo that I’d gladly follow them on their own standalone adventure. Scout’s a super unique character in that she’s relatively weak in the Force but full of pluck and ingenuity. Whie’s Force ability grants him intense prophetic dreams and his journey in Rendezvous is mysterious and ultimately quite satisfying.
The Essential Legends Collection edition of Yoda: Dark Rendezvous features brand new cover art designed by Scott Biel and rendered by Andrea C. White.
hstapp's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. The writing style really worked well for me, and I really liked the characters and story as well. Probably one of my favorite Star Wars books.
coolidge_1878's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
murrdog2000's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t leave a lot of reviews but I thought this whole book was going to be the last 2 chapters. Not sure why it’s in the essential legends collection as of now when many more have not been included. First 80% of the book meanders a lot.
Ending stuff with yoda and Dooku is great it just took forever to get there
Ending stuff with yoda and Dooku is great it just took forever to get there
stacielfisher's review against another edition
Very enjoyable SW read!
The Clone Wars era✔️
Yoda and Dooku interaction✔️
Asajj Ventress✔️
(some) Anakin/Obi-Wan ✔️
Also really enjoyed the Padawans in this book.
The Clone Wars era✔️
Yoda and Dooku interaction✔️
Asajj Ventress✔️
(some) Anakin/Obi-Wan ✔️
Also really enjoyed the Padawans in this book.
the_bitextual's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
2.75
This could have been a great book. The parts with Yoda are legitimately amazing. But the B story with the Apprentices drags it down. Either take those out, or lengthen the whole book by a few hundred pages and flesh it out more.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantastic SW novel. I have heard one or two negative comments on this novel and I couldn't disagree more. Perhaps over written at times(12 page chapters that could have been 5), but just a perfect Yoda story. This is very much about Yoda the teacher, and the novel is populated with Excellent Jedi characters and situations.
Some of the best moments include a wonderful moment between Qui-gon and Yoda, and the amazing confrontation between Dooku and Yoda. If there is one weakness is some of Yoda dialogue, but writing dialogue for yoda..."Easy it is not."
Some of the best moments include a wonderful moment between Qui-gon and Yoda, and the amazing confrontation between Dooku and Yoda. If there is one weakness is some of Yoda dialogue, but writing dialogue for yoda..."Easy it is not."
rogue_leader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rhganci's review against another edition
3.0
It was amazing, and totally lived up to the name. Yoda’s discussions of the dark side make it feel more like a SW novel than perhaps any other I’ve read. It was tremendous—especially the showdown at the end. Give me Master Yoda with a lightsaber every day of the week.
roblucas's review against another edition
3.0
Light-hearted. Compared to other Star Wars novels, I got the impression this was aimed at a 'young adult' audience.