Star Wars: The Cestus Deception, Steven Barnes

Right after seeing Revenge of the Sith in Panama, this was a hard book to pass up - especially considering how, after finally seeing the 3rd episode, after following each sequel of Star Wars since 1977. What's more is that it delved into one of the lesser represented characters in the 6 movies - Obi-Wan Kenobi. Until the 4th movie - or 1st actual Star Wars - Obi-Wan was just an old guy that got killed by Darth Vader. This book takes place sometime between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, after the death of Jango Fett.

In a story of diplomatic intrigue, action comes in controlled bursts - from the Force-sensitive robot to Kit Fisto (Nautolan Jedi) and his light saber style that Obi-Wan grows to understand, to a hidden story revealing a bit of history involving the most well known Bounty Hunter in the Star Wars Galaxy.

Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto prepare uprisings on the barren planet Ord Cestus even as diplomatic solutions are tried; the production of Force-sensitive robots on Ord-Cestus for the Confederacy is seen as necessary by the Republic, with Palpatine's orders made very clear: Win At All Costs. It almost sounds like something a Sith Lord would command...

With his skills at negotiation tested to their limits, Obi-wan finds himself in positions which promise to betray the perception of the Jedi Order itself, and put his personal reputation at risk. While we all know that he does survive, and coupled with a clone who becomes self-aware, the origins of a certain Bounty Hunter, the intrigue of an insectoid race and the fury of the light saber of Kit Fisto make this book a rollercoaster ride with an exception. Though the reader is taken through a familiar universe, it becomes expanded and explained in new ways that show that though the movies are done - the books are not.

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