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A review by notesurfer
Darth Plagueis by James Luceno
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Darth Plagueis is a competently written expanded universe novel, but doesn't have much going for it other than a giant pile of Star Wars trivia. The moment-to-moment prose is excellent, and the premise is initially pretty compelling. Unfortunately little is done to humanize the baddies - both protagonists are selfish, scheming, murderous, and power-hungry. No attempt is made to illustrate why they developed those traits or why they continue to choose the dark side.
Furthermore, it feels like half the book is just references to the events and characters of other expanded universe novels. The intended reader is clearly either someone who has read every other EU novel or who will now buy and read those because they are curious about the vast network of ancillary events. If the book spent more time delving into the character and psychology of its leads then I could forgive the repeated hand-waving of off-screen events. Sadly, this book feels like just another brick in the Star Wars wall.
Furthermore, it feels like half the book is just references to the events and characters of other expanded universe novels. The intended reader is clearly either someone who has read every other EU novel or who will now buy and read those because they are curious about the vast network of ancillary events. If the book spent more time delving into the character and psychology of its leads then I could forgive the repeated hand-waving of off-screen events. Sadly, this book feels like just another brick in the Star Wars wall.