The Clone Wars Gambit, or, That One Star Wars Series You Probably Haven't Read (But Should)

 

During my teen years, I read many Star Wars books by many different authors - and then I stopped. Why? Because after reading the Clone Wars Gambit by Karen Miller, I couldn't find any Star Wars books I enjoyed as much. Not even Timothy Zahn's books about Thrawn were as much fun.  But what's so great about them? Let me tell you.

My favorite thing about the novels was definitely the witty banter between Anakin and Obi-Wan. This is after Anakin has graduated from Padawan to Knight but has not yet reached the level of Master. The novels feel very much like the prequel movies, but with better plot, pacing, and less glaring errors.

I loved seeing this side of Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship. Where Obi-Wan is condescending in the movies, these books address that issue. Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship is more adult and less like a babysitter and a little kid. Still, the banter remains and is better than ever - these books make me laugh out loud thanks to their verbal sparring. It's obvious how close Anakin and Obi-Wan are, and their relationships is really a gem among Star Wars books.

Another favorite thing about these books is how well they develop Anakin's character. I don't blame Anakin's portrayal in the prequel movies on Hayden, but I blame them on the director. Hayden did exactly what the director told him to, and thus we get a frequently annoying, whiny brat. However, in these books, the author keeps Anakin's personality intact while providing us with deeper insight into who he is and what makes him tick. He's hotheaded, impulsive, and has very different ideas from Obi-Wan, but he knows the names of every Trooper under his command. He is fiercely loyal and protective of those he loves, and defending the innocent is so important to him that it nearly costs him his life - more than once.

These books take familiar characters and, instead of wrecking them, give them depth you never thought about before while still giving you a tight plot, interesting twists, and solid overall story structure. They're adult novels, but they're easy reading and, while it's been a few years, I remember very minimal language and no graphic or disturbing content. Honestly, I'd like to pick these up and read them all over again as soon as I get the chance.

What are YOUR favorite Star Wars books?