MASTER AND APPRENTICE / AUTHOR: CLAUDIA GRAY / PUBLISHER: CENTURY / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
In an attempt to whet our appetites for more Star Wars, Master and Apprentice sets the scene for Act One by both rewriting The Phantom Menace and alluding to what will come to pass as the Master-Padawan relationship between Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi (surprisingly fraught) is put to the test by a surprise invitation for the elder man to sit – in a sense – at Yoda’s right hand on the Jedi Council. Given that he’s never shown to be a most orthodox disciple, this surprises even him. Unlike his own former master, who features in flashback chapters to when Jinn was a young slip of a lad, though, he demonstrates faith in prophecy in the right way – Count Dooku already having left the Order amid hints he’s already toying with the Dark Side.
Against this backdrop is a mission to Pijal and the chance to reunite with another former student of the man from Serenno, Rael Aveross, who’s sent to serve as Lord Regent This offers ample opportunity for bonds to be forged anew. Princess Fanry is days away from being crowned the planet’s Queen as terror threatens to strike at the heart of an already uneasy alliance between the monarch in waiting and her planet’s business interests. Namely, the Czerka Corporation awaiting the signing of a treaty allowing them access to a lucrative trade route. Sounding familiar? Wait till you find out who gets roped into helping the two Jedi get around undetected – say hello to former slave and now brilliant pilot Rahara, making a living as a jewel thief alongside protocol droid educated Pax.
All of which gives Qui Gon quite the push into the frame of mind that will see him take it upon himself to bargain for the freedom of another, who pops up via the briefest of mentions during a flash forward to the aftermath of paying the ultimate price, as the Sith return and prophecy rears its head once more. The formula is strong with this one…
