Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit - Siege

Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit #2

by Karen Miller

The second installment of a two-book Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker adventure, set against the backdrop of the Clone Wars! Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are trapped on the Separatist controlled planet Lanteeb, on the run from General Lok Durd and his droid army. After being forced to abandon their jerry-rigged groundcar they continue on foot, hunted, as they try to find a safe place to hide and regroup before escaping the planet altogether. Eventually they seek shelter in a remote Lanteeban village, but the Separatists track them down. Now they're under siege...and the little time they've bought themselves is running out.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Adventure, Space

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. Please see this thread for more details.

Also writes as "K.E. Mills"

Lord, do you really want to know?

Oh, all right.

I was born in Vancouver, Canada, and came to Australia with my parents when I was 2. I think. Dad’s an Aussie, Mum’s English, go figure. Talk about Fate and Destiny. But three passports come in handy.

I’ve always lived in Sydney, except when I didn’t. After graduating with a BA Communications from the then Institute of Technology (now University) a few years ahead of Hugh Jackman, dammit, talk about rotten timing, I headed off to England and lived there for 3 years. It was interesting. I worked for a bunch of nutters in a community health centre and got the sack because I refused to go do EST with them (you stand in the middle of a circle and thank people for hurling verbal abuse at you for your own good, they said, and then were surprised when I said no), was a customer services officer for DHL London (would you believe at one time I knew every single airport code for every single airport in the world, off by heart?!?), got roped into an extremely dubious life insurance selling scheme (I was young and broke, need I say more?) and ended up realizing a life-long dream of working professionally with horses. After 18 grueling months I woke up, and came home.

Since then I’ve done customer service in the insurance and telecommunications industries, been a training officer, PR Officer in local government, production assistant in educational publishing, taught English and Business Communication at TAFE, been a supervisor and run my own sf/fantasy/mystery bookshop. Money for jam, there! I also managed to squeeze in a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature from Macquarie University.

I used to have horses of my own, and spent lots of time and money showing, breeding, training and judging, but then I came off one time too many and so a large part of my life ended.

When I’m not writing I’m heavily involved in the Castle Hill Players, my local community theatre group, as an actor, director, prompt, stage manager (but not all at once!) and publicity officer.

I’m a story junkie. Books, film, tv ... you name it. Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), Stargate, Firefly, X-Men, Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, The Professionals, Forever Knight, Due South, The West Wing, The Shield, Sandbaggers, Homicide, Wiseguy, The Shield, The Closer ... and the list goes on. And that’s just the media stuff!

I love music. While writing I listen primarily to film soundtracks, because they’ve been written primarily to evoke emotional responses in the listener. This helps access emotion during tough scenes. Plus, the music is pretty. At least the stuff I listen to is. Favourite film composers include Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, James Horner and John Williams. Vocalists I enjoy are Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Sarah McLachlan, Simon and Garfunkel , Queen, The Moody Blues, Steeleye Span, Meatloaf, Mike Oldfield ... anyone who can carry a tune, basically.

In short, I’m an only child with an overactive imagination, 3 dogs, 2 cats and not enough hours in the day. I don’t drink, smoke, or do enough exercise. I make periodic stabs at eating properly. Chocolate is my besetting downfall.

So that’s me. You can wake up now ...

Reviews

[Jonathan Koan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Karen Miller's way of writing all of these characters just absolutely works for me.

I really liked the way she mirrored book 1 with this book. While Stealth started with an epic battle and then became a much slower, smaller scale book, this book does the opposite. We spend about 250 pages with Anakin and Obi-Wan on the run with their information, and Bail and Yoda are trying to figure out how much information to reveal to the Chancellor. Ahsoka doesn't have that much to do in this book, especially compared to book 1. But she does have a bit to do by the end.

I'm sure the Obi-Wan and Taria Damsin relationship is controversial, I personally loved it. I thought that Miller did a great job of writing them both and making their dynamic realistic. I thought their ending in the book was beautifully done (and found myself tearing up a bit).

Bant'ena Fhernan wasn't in the book as much as book 1, and neither was Lok Durd, but what little page-time they had I thought worked quite well.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Palpatine/Sidious' POV scenes. We don't really have many books that show Palpatine's POV during the Clone Wars era, and certainly not before he's revealed as Sidious. So getting to see how he reacts and has to play chess against himself (although with entire galaxies), was really great. And seeing his true thoughts about Bail and Yoda and other characters was great to see.

The last section of the book gets pretty epic, with some scenes that really feel like they come from the best episodes of the Clone Wars. Miller did an excellent job here.

Overall, I really loved this book. Karen Miller's writing just speaks to me, and I'm really sad that I have now completed all of her Star Wars novels. For now, I'll give Siege a 9 out of 10.

[CS · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Jedi are not creatures of myth and magic. They are flesh and blood. They bleed. They break.”

When we last left our Jedi heroes, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker (this was Stealth, the first part of a two part story), they were about to crash their vehicle into the Lanteeban countryside after a narrow escape with General Lok Durd's forces. Now, our heroes struggle to reach Trebol, a small damotite mining village. There, they try to blend in and manage their escape. Meanwhile, Tyranus and Sidious grow more suspicious of the events, and Bail asks an old Tryn Netzl, to find a cure for this bioweapon.

I Liked:
As always, Karen Miller has an absolutely impressive grasp of the main characters. Time and again, I was astounded at how she was able to write Anakin and Obi-Wan so close to their onscreen performances. I also love how she kept bringing up the past with them. For Anakin, it was his life as a slave, his adoration of children, his conflict between being a Jedi and wanting to make everyone's life better, and his hidden darkness. For Obi-Wan, it was simple things like Qui-Gon, Melida/Daan (always good to see tie-ins with Jude Watson's fantastic works), his stiffness, and even hints of his “acting” ability (hence why he's called a “Crazy old wizard” while on Tatooine).

One of the absolute best conversations between the two of them starts on page 274 with this amazing quote from Obi-Wan:

“I am a Jedi. I have the power to help them and so I must help them. I cannot—I will not—stand by and watch them suffer. I won't prove our critics right!”

This brilliantly ties in with "Wild Space" (where Bail criticizes the Jedi for taking care of their own above others) and shows Obi-Wan's growth. It also leads into a nice conversation where Anakin reveals he did here the words Obi-Wan told Qui-Gon on the landing platform on Coruscant (“The boy is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can't you?”). I love these types of tie-ins!

Other characters that fare equally well include Bail Organa, Padme Naberrie, Count Dooku, Yoda, and Palpatine. I don't think KM could ever do Bail wrong, she just seems to have his cadences down. Padme, she has brought tons of life to and far beyond just Love Interest. I was shocked at how well she did Count Dooku, which I don't think she's done before. He was a nice blend of evil and truly upset with the current state of the Republic and the Jedi. KM's Yoda is really good; so many authors have such a hard time writing his speech, but KM really nails it. And finally, Palpatine had some (see below) interesting POVs. I think her novel has got to be the first where he thinks of himself as Sidious and Palpatine as almost like a costume he puts on. Brilliant!

The story really ramps up when Obi-Wan and Anakin “join” the village of Torbel. There, they first try to remain undercover, but when their cover is blown, they must break past the villagers distrust of strangers and Jedi and befriend them. This is really great, that Jedi must prove their worth, not just burst in, lightsabers blazing, to a crowd that bows down and worships them (Karen Traviss does something similar, but I found her approach a lot harsher).

Karen Miller continues to impress in her way of writing action. The scenes where Obi-Wan and Anakin are assisting in the theta storm really drew me into the novel and made it hard to put the book down. I also was impressed that Miller allowed Durd to be successful with his bioweapon on Chandrila (nice tie-in to Mon Mothma). Too many authors say something is big, bad and ominous, but then the Jedi swoop in, blow it all up, and bam, tension over.

I Didn't Like:
There are a ton of minor things that bother me, but here are the major ones.

Right off, the book starts very, extremely slow. Obi-Wan and Anakin walk. Obi-Wan and Anakin collapse from exhaustion. Obi-Wan and Anakin stay with Teeba Jaklin. Obi-Wan and Anakin investigate the town. Obi-Wan and Anakin spend a day in the mines. And interspersed we have rather uninteresting scenes where Bail talks to a worried Padme, Bail talks to a worried Mon Mothma, Yoda talks to a worried Taria, and Taria talks to a worried Ahsoka. Not what I would call an “edge of your seat” entrance. While I don't expect 100% action in a story and I actually adore character development, to me this felt like a combination of setup and fluff. The setup is unnecessary, as the first book, Stealth, should have provided that. And the fluff is exactly that: fluff.

Like the past two books, everyone experiences mind-numbing, life-or-death, excruciating pain. While I like how she keeps from making the Jedi invulnerable and God-like, I do grow tired of hearing how much in pain everyone is, how so-and-so needs to rest, and especially how much Durd abuses Bant'era (that almost goes too far in and of itself). The whole “slave collar” that transmits all this pain and paralyzing agents is just too much.

I mentioned it briefly, but some of Palpatine's scenes just go too far, particularly when he is with Bail, Yoda, and Padme. Honestly, he comes off as an irate parent. How does Yoda not sense the Dark Side in this man? He's biting off Bail and Yoda's heads every other word!

I'm still not fond of Miller's original characters, namely Bant'era and Taria. Bant'era feels more like a woman trying to be a scientist than a scientist. Same goes for the “quirky” Tryn Netzl (though I did like him a bit more than Bant'era). Taria Damsin just smarts of a Mary Sue. Her unique hair color is constantly brought up, she gets to be romantically involved with Obi-Wan (which I didn't hate, but it does strain credibility), she gets to be the super-duper hero and save the day in the end, she is understanding, she is smart, she is uber cool with a lightsaber, she is pitied by everyone, including Yoda, because she is oh, so sick and dying...I think you get my drift. All I could think as I read a scene with her was: did Star Wars really need another Mary Sue?

Something I notice more and more in Clone Wars material: the Separatists, instead of being shown as dissenters of the Republic (think: Rebel Alliance for an in-universe or early America for out-of-universe example), are shown as truly evil, evil, evil, bad, bad, bad, wicked, wicked, wicked. Bioweapons, superweapons, under-handed attacks, killing billions of innocents for the heck of it—where are the Republic's bioweapons, superweapons and under-handed attacks? Come on, don't tell me the Republic isn't cooking up some type of weapon that will destroy billions (yes, billions, writers and creators have no sense of scale) just to win a battle. Don't tell me the Republic is morally superior to the Separatists (they use clones!)! Quit treating this battle like another good vs. evil, particularly when it was set up more like the American Civil War.

And the swearing! Geesh, I've never seen so many “stangs” in a Star Wars novel! And what really bothers me, is that every single character uses “stang”. I find it odd that, in a galaxy that big, with that many disparate cultures (Obi-Wan being a Jedi, Anakin from Tatooine, Bail from Alderaan, Padme from Naboo, Durd from Neimoidia, and Bant'era from Corellia) “stang” is the most common form of swearing. Where are the Corellia curses, the Neimoidian curses, the Tatooinian/Hutt curses? Why is everyone over-using “stang”?

The end “battle” was disappointing. Not only was the actual battle execution poor (Miller is better at this, as she showed in Stealth), but then, after slogging through page after page of “will the shields fail or not”, the last 60 pages or so takes place over an indeterminate time, with everything falling coincidentally in place. Wow, they got Taria to Lanteeb fast! Wow, she arrives just in time for Obi-Wan to send the final key to Tryn, who surprisingly finds the cure in 2.5 minutes, which allows the ships to miraculously arrive near Lanteeb just in time to scare away Greivous! And the shield conveniently fails at the same time that Ahsoka and Rex arrive to save the day! My, the Force has been busy today!

And my final complaint: why was this separated into two books? The story is good, the character interactions decent or better, but there is no reason why this should have been stretched into two books (other than Karen Traviss backed out of the last book, making Miller pick it up).

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Too many “stangs”, “kriffs” and “barves” to count. It got annoying to read after a point too.

Taria used to be Obi-Wan's squeeze.

Chandrila is devastated with the use of the bioweapon. Bant'era is brutally abused by her captor. Obi-Wan and Anakin are stretched to the limit.

Overall:
Clone Wars Gambit: Siege is a nice conclusion to the duology, Stealth & Siege. The story was interesting enough to hold my attention, different enough from the billion of other “superweapon” type plots to not make me groan, portrayed the characters well enough that I could believe they would do and act the way they did, and introduced some new conflicts to the characters (Greti's Force sensitivity, Anakin's training as a Jedi, the townspeople's view of the Jedi, and so on). I still wasn't fond of the newest Mary Sue addition to Star Wars, Taria Damsin, the continued vilification of the Separatists, or the repetitiveness (either of people's never-ending pain, swearing, or the problem of the moment), but I feel it was a decent read. I just hope Miller returns to Star Wars; she's a good writer and her talents would be perfect in the Expanded universe.

[vicky. · Rating 4 out of 5]

the plot was much better than the previous one, it's a great duology set in the clone wars era.
so here's part two of me crying about anakin and obi-wan.

-"...If it had been anyone other than Anakin … but it was Anakin, so Obi-Wan poured his will into cradling the machine as his former apprentice bullied it into cooperating."
ah shit here we go again.
-“Yeah …” Anakin looked at him. “So who was it exactly nicknamed you the Negotiator? Because from where I’m lying you couldn’t sell water to a man dying of thirst.”
He smiled. “Ouch.”
THEY
-"For all they were hard men, seasoned soldiers, not given to softness or sentimentality of any kind, they adored their general." the clones care so much :(
-whenever anakin remembers his mom sht.
-obi-wan's acting skills part 2.
-"Anakin gave him an amused look. “Obi-Wan Kenobi: Master Jedi by day, secret healer by night. Mysterious, elusive, a shadow who—”
“Very funny,”"

THEY HTYE THEY!!
-is it a star wars history is anakin isn't described at least once as mercurial?
-

“Fated Obi-Wan is, Taria,” he said quietly. “Fated, too, is Anakin. Entwined their lives were destined to be. Brought together by the Force they were. Protected by the Force they are."

WHAT THE FUCK!!!! im cyring
-anakin playing WTIH KIDS!!!!!!!!!1 im so soft
-

"Anakin’s anger gave way to rueful affection. “You never give up, do you?”
“On you?” He allowed himself a small, answering smile. “No. Never.”

im emotionally dry, when will i stop cryign.
-"During their years as Master and Padawan he’d done his best to break Anakin’s childish dependence on demonstrations of affection." why is obi-wan so emotionally constipated??? hilarious because he does clasp anakin's shoulder and like five minutes later anakin hugs him lmao.
-"Why do I keep forgetting that he was raised a Jedi? That he’ll never understand what it is to feel any strong emotion without feeling guilty about it straight after? Everything I was taught to rely on, he was taught to repress or deny. I keep forgetting that." this?? is the most mature thing anakin has said ever?
-anakin and obi-wan discussing how obi-wan felt jealous of him when he first arrived?? because qui-gon had replaced him?? BITCH?
-obi wan "the negotiator" kenobi !.
-

"He clasped Anakin’s shoulder, briefly. “I’m glad you’re here. I wouldn’t want to go through this with anyone but you.”
For once, Anakin had no witty retort. “Likewise,” he said at last. "

guess what??? im crying again!!!
-

“They call Anakin the Chosen One but you have a destiny, too. You have a long road to walk and it won’t always be easy. I wish I could walk it with you, but that’s not meant to be. So you remember what I’m telling you, Obi-Wan. Everything happens for a reason. Everything. The good, the bad, the indifferent. They all have a purpose. Never forget who you are. Never forget what you serve. And no matter what happens, keep your face turned to the light.”

thanks for the foreshadowing!!! I HATE IT
-anakin being aware that obi-wan would die for him and!!!! it's implied that anakin would die FOR obi-wan!! i love pain!!!
-"They were such an odd pairing on the face of it: Obi-Wan so self-contained, Anakin so reckless. But they’d found their balance, and now they were two halves of a whole. Anakin had been the making of Obi-Wan … and Obi-Wan had shown Anakin what it meant to be a good man."
im crying, actually crying, crying tears! im cry
-

“Kenobi!” Master Windu shouted from the corridor. “Have you forgotten what best speed means?”
“Oops,” said Anakin, and extended his hand with a flourish. “After you, Master Kenobi.”
“No, no, Master Skywalker,” he replied. “I insist. After you.”
Side by side, they walked out of the room."

:')))

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's better . . . much better. My advice would be to skip the first book of this duo, Stealth, and just read Siege (which comes up on Goodreads search's as Star Wars Clone Wars Gambit).

Same young-reader quality, but she starts somewhere and goes somewhere else. And gets there. So many books these days don't.

[DiscoSpacePanther · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so - Star Wars Legends is comfort food for me. Even when it has flaws like Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Siege, I still find myself enjoying it immensely.

The characters of Obi-Wan and Anakin are so familiar, from the movies, the Clone Wars TV show and the novels, that it is always a pleasure to see them back in action together again. And this conclusion to the story begun in Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth is as satisfying as I had expected, despite unfolding almost entirely as I had predicted (there were only two things in it that were a surprise to me after having read the setup novel).

It was good to see Padmé get something to do that played to her strengths, and not sit on Coruscant or Naboo waiting for something to happen. In this, she is much more like her character from The Phantom Menace or the Clone Wars TV show than the more passive character from Revenge of the Sith, and she works well with Bail Organa, who is as prominent in this story as he was in Karen Miller's other Clone Wars book, Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Wild Space.

There was not enough Ahsoka, and the Taria Damsin subplot went nowhere (seriously, how many ex-lovers does love-forbidden warrior monk Obi-Wan actually have?), but that didn't really detract from the story for me.

I would recommend this duology to all fans of the Clone Wars TV show, and anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the Star Wars Legends timeline.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ½ stars. A fabulous depiction of Jedi characters with plenty of depth. The dialogue is extraordinary, taking the voices of the film characters and extrapolating them perfectly for every situation the author puts the characters in.
The author tugs the heartstrings of the avid Star Wars fan, and this book makes most of the tragic events that happen in Revenge of the Sith all the more poignant. I misted up a few times over touching moments between Obi-Wan and Anakin, knowing how their friendship ended.
Up to this point, this is probably the most human I’ve ever seen Obi-Wan Kenobi [I read the author's Star Wars books out of order], but he’s not diminished by that because he comes across as more complex. We saw the tip of the iceberg of Obi-Wan’s emotions in Revenge of the Sith, but this book does a very good job of showing his inner workings. Underneath the guise of the warrior, the man in tune with the Force, is someone who has to choose to behave as he does, someone who sometimes finds it difficult to be calm or to put the needs of the many ahead of the needs of the few. His strength in the Force is astounding, but it’s not a power he can wield without consequence.

Regret cut keenly, like a blade. “I’m so sorry, Devi. I’m not a dedicated healer. Besides, the original injury happened some time ago, didn’t it? Even if I were trained, I’m not certain it could be fixed.”
She closed her eyes. “I see.”
“But I will make you more comfortable,” [Obi-Wan] promised. “Now. Breathe slowly and deeply for me. Yes. That’s it.”
It was a relief to help her, to sink himself into the Force and use it in such a good cause. Knowing that countless innocents would suffer and die if he and Anakin failed to stop Lok Durd and Count Dooku, this one small act, this brief, transitory kindness, took on a grave and greatly personal significance. In healing Greti’s mother and Rikkard’s son, in easing this courageous woman’s pain, he was making a difference. Anything he could do to leave these people better than he found them was a balm to his weary, fretful mind.
When he was finished, and Devi’s pain was near to banished, he left her to stir awake and turned his attention to the antigrav harness. It was indeed a sorry piece of equipment, broken and mended and tricked up and falling apart. He’d do what he could, but doubtless Anakin could do better. He’d ask him to look at it before they returned to the city. –pg 205

It’s also intriguing to see Obi-Wan interacting with a former lover who’s become a good friend, another Jedi named Taria Damsin who’s dying of an incurable disease.

Even if he’d wanted to hide from her, [Obi-Wan] couldn’t. His self-control was too far eroded, his carefully constructed inner barriers smashed flat. And [Taria] was…who she was. She could feel every pain in him, sense every overstretched nerve and sinew.
…“Taria, I wish Yoda had sent someone else.”
“There was no one else,” she said. “Things are bad out there, Obi-Wan.” Then she pulled a face. “Mind you, they aren’t looking too cheerful in here.”
“That’s because they’re not,” he said--and to his shame, he heard his voice break.
“Stang.” She sighed. Her arms went around him, pulling him close. “What a mess.”
“Don’t,” he protested. “I’m all right. And we must contact Master Windu and--”
She tightened her hold. “Master Windu can wait till we’ve something definite to tell him. Hush now. Hush. You’re so tired. Hush.”
He felt something deep inside him break. Hiding his face against her, he let himself go. –pgs 337-338

Pumped full of chemicals by Indomitable’s med droids, [Taria] looked almost healthy again. It was a terrible lie. …not a soul looking at her would guess she had only weeks to live.
But I’m not going to spoil this. I’m not.
…“So, Obi-Wan,” Taria said softly, and rested her hand on his arm. “Are you all right?”
He was far from all right. And of course Taria knew that, which was why she’d asked. But there’d be time for debriefings back at the Temple. Time to think of the fallen, and mourn them, and find ways to honor those who’d made mistakes--and paid a terrible price to undo them. Time to come to terms with the loss of his friend. It was a journey he’d started in Torbel’s sick house, but he still had a long way to go.
I’m not even sure it’s a journey I can finish.
Knowing she’d let him, just this once, he lied. “Yes. I’m fine.” –pgs 380-381

And in this story, we see the brotherly bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker with all its complications.

For all [Anakin’s] frustration, and his fear that Obi-Wan would never see him as an equal no matter what he did or how many battles he won, he was moved by the depth of compassion he could feel in his former Master.
Why do I keep forgetting that he was raised a Jedi? That he’ll never understand what it is to feel any strong emotion without feeling guilty about it straight after? Everything I was taught to rely on, he was taught to repress or deny. I keep forgetting that. –pg 222

The depiction of Anakin is wonderful, too. He has so many good qualities and talents despite his insecurities and faults. He’s so giving of himself, so quick to try to connect with the people he meets. He deeply admires Obi-Wan even as he gets annoyed with him, and there are some understandably awkward moments when Anakin figures out the history Obi-Wan and Taria share. And seeing Anakin at his best makes what he later becomes seem all the worse.

“I guess you were right after all. I guess I am dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” said Obi-Wan blankly. “What are you talking about?”
“You don’t remember?” [Anakin] shrugged. “Well. It was a long time ago.”
Coruscant at night, awash with brilliant color. A landing platform crowded with the Queen of Naboo’s starship, busy with staff and droids, humming with tension. Young and alone, he was missing his mother so badly, was so angry because the Jedi Council had smashed his dreams to dust. His only hope was Qui-Gon, tall and strong and somehow elemental--a shield and a shelter and a newfound friend. Not like Obi-Wan. He’d been young, then. Impatient, sharp-tongued, and just as angry--because Qui-Gon had said he wanted to train one small, strange boy.
“The boy is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can’t you?”
Anakin shivered, remembering. And then the puzzlement in Obi-Wan’s face faded, replaced with a dawning realization as he remembered too. “Oh,” he said. “Oh, Anakin…”
There was shame in Obi-Wan’s voice. Regret. And shock, to think his fleeting anger, his thoughtless words, could have left such an indelible impression.
But they did, Master Kenobi. They really did. And now I can’t help wondering…were you right, after all?
“Anakin,” said Obi-Wan intently. “Listen to me. I was wrong. In that moment I was hurt, I was angry.” He swallowed. “Anakin, I was jealous.”
Some part of him had always known that. Even as child, abandoned to the care of an astromech droid on that landing platform, he’d felt those hot, roiling emotions in Qui-Gon’s quicksilver apprentice. Even when he’d been too young to understand everything, he’d always understood how other people were feeling. That was just another part of being a Jedi. The Chosen One. The boy who grew up as something more than a boy.
And now, years later, stranded on a planet staring death--or worse--in the face, that boy was a man and the quicksilver apprentice was the man’s former Master. His friend. His brother. His comrade-in-arms.
Strange times.
Anakin shook his head. “Forget it. I never should’ve brought it up.”
“But you did bring it up,” said Obi-Wan. “Anakin, you are not dangerous and you are not responsible for the trouble we’re in now….” –pgs 276-277

“Kenobi!” Master Windu shouted from the corridor. “Have you forgotten what best speed means?”
“Oops,” said Anakin, and extended his hand with a flourish. “After you, Master Kenobi.”
“No, no, Master Skywalker,” he replied. “I insist. After you.”
Side by side, they walked out of the room. –pg 382 (the last lines of the novel)

Also here is a depiction of Bail Organa that makes him a three-dimensional character, a truly admirable man. He worries about the Republic and about his friends Obi-Wan and Padmé. He’s run ragged by his responsibilities and duties. I’ve always wondered how Anakin and Padmé managed to get away with their relationship--but in this story, Bail figures out at least part of what’s going on, which makes sense because he spends so much time with Padmé.
While Padmé does come up with a cunning plan to help the Jedi, her part in the novel isn’t as vivid as some.
The author also makes a good case for the obscuring power of the Dark side. She shows Palpatine conning everyone with his skills in scenes of almost painful dramatic irony. The contrast between his demeanor with others and his warped inner self is stark. His protectiveness of Anakin seems to extend to helping keep others from figuring out what Anakin and Padmé are up to. But it also seems that Anakin’s own Dark side leanings help him keep his secrets, even from Obi-Wan. Though I continued to feel that, while Obi-Wan is aware of Anakin’s and Padmé’s attraction to each other, he just can’t bring himself to believe that they would have ever crossed the line—until it’s far too late.
Yoda has some good scenes, showing what a mastermind he can be while using others’ perceptions of him to his advantage. And there are some good scenes with Mace Windu being fierce and commanding as only he can be.
Anakin’s Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano is probably as cute as a teenage Padawan can get, though she isn’t too cute. I was familiar with her from the Clone Wars animated movie but remember her as mostly a tag-along. It’s interesting to see inside her head in this book as she juggles her emotions, trying to reconcile the more expressive and impulsive example she sees in Anakin with the sterner teachings of the older Jedi such as Obi-Wan and Mace. Her rapport with the clone troopers of the 501st is lovely. Both books of this pair depict the clone troopers as real people with quirks in addition to being talented soldiers and pilots. Rex is especially likeable. But, again, dramatic irony causes emotional twinges while reading these passages and thinking about the horrible Order 66.
I would’ve liked to have seen even more of Jedi Taria Damsin. She’s an amazing woman, so strong-willed and centred in the Force, so compassionate, but also a little wild and reckless and sarcastically funny.
The author also did a good job depicting the people of Torbel, a mining town under the thumb of the Separatists. They aren’t cliché villagers but believable people who have had a hard life with very limited resources. I also liked their speech pattern and slang. Suspicious of outsiders, they take Obi-Wan and Anakin in and expect them to prove themselves. Some of them are furious when Obi-Wan’s and Anakin’s cover as men from another part of their planet is blown, and they constantly question the motives of the Jedi and blame them for the further hardships delivered upon the town when the Separatist droids attack. The Jedi drive themselves to the edge of their abilities and endurance in trying to protect and help the townspeople; Anakin nearly kills himself keeping a shield over the town going, while Obi-Wan drains himself healing people.
The situation involving Dr. Bant’ena Fhernan, the scientist coerced into creating a bioweapon for the Separatists (and evil Palpatine and his minions), is resolved in a reasonable way. She was somewhat more likable in the end when she chose to own up to her responsibilities and destroy the lab--although you might say she sort of got off easy instead of continuing to carry the burden of what she’d done.
The Neimoidian Lok Durd, a Separatist general working for Count Dooku and Dr. Fhernan’s captor, is a sadistic coward of the lowest order. He’s so utterly despicable that I found myself hoping he was one of the Neimoidians Anakin (in Darth mode) killed in Revenge of the Sith, because I certainly wasn’t happy that the slime got away. (I did a little research to find out the character comes from the Clone Wars animated stories. I saw the feature-length movie but haven’t watched much of the series.)
This is definitely one of my favourite Star Wars books, and it makes me eager to read more of Karen Miller’s work.

[TheGeeksAttic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Gambit: Siege, an Expanded Universe novel - the sequal to Clone Wars Gambit: Stealty - was written by Karen Miller. This tale takes place during the Rise of the Empire era, during the clone wars, 21 years before the battle of Yavin.

SUMMARY
The story picks up right where we left off, with Anakin & Kenobi in a spaceship on Lanteeb. Sadly, the duo crash their ship and need to seek shelter immediately, before the droid army discovers their location. Ahsoka is growing anxious to hear back from her master; a bad feeling is filling her gut.

Dooku is losing his patience with General Durd as he's wanting his plans to come to fruition; Durd just can't get the work done in a timely manner. Meanwhile, Bail Organa has a scientist breaking down the elements of the developing bioweapon, to create an antidote.

Kenobi and Anakin hide out with in a small community that is mining the very substance (unknowingly), that's used in the bioweapon that Durd has created. Trouble eventually finds them, and as a result, brings alarm to the community.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
A strange way to split this series into two books, why the Gambit books weren't combined into just one book is baffling to me.

While I was enjoying the first book in this series, I was bored out of my mind with the second instalment. It was was like a Clone Wars episode that just wouldn't end. Everyone was irritated with each other. Real life bickering and confrontation is bad enough, don't care to read about it in an entire Star Wars novel.

A little foreshadowing of Anakin becoming man & machine happens, and it's pretty dumb. He surrenders himself to become one with a machine. It's mentioned that he can't burn, because he's machine... but you know... eventually he WILL burn and become machine.

"Let your feelings guide you Anakin, and you won't go far wrong."
- Obi-Wan Kenobi. Kenobi delivers what is most likely the worst advice ever given to Anakin Skywalker.

The author pulls the curtain back on the Jedi Order, revealing that the Jedi are full of secrets. The guardians of peace have little to no control of the events unfolding all across the galaxy, and they truly are afraid.

Do I recommend you read Star Wars Gambit: Siege? No.

RATING
I give this novel 2.5/5 stars, or a C-.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
We shift to Ahsoka and her clones, Rex asks about the force, what is has shown her. It shocks me is that she was under strict instruction to NOT reveal that the force is getting harder and harder to read. I'm discovering through these Gambit books, is that the Jedi really are a mess.

Terria, one of Kenboi's past lovers in the Jedi Temple, is dying, and she is desperate to find the lost Kenobi and Skywalker.

Dooku gets griped at by Sidious, that was a bit refreshing. Sidious, establishing his superiority over his pupil.

Hanna City of Chandrila, is attacked by a bioweapon. The bioweapon is extreme, turning victims into bloody slime and froth. The attack was on the home-world of Mon Mothma. Yoda and Bail get a mouth full from Palpatine, he's pissed at the two, especially Yoda. Later, when Sidious speaks with Dooku, he's pissed that the bioweapon was released without being aware of it. Dooku is also shocked, Durd must have acted alone.

Senator Padme really doesn't have a grip on her emotions. Her attachment to Anakin is causing her to act emotionally not rationally. Speaking of relationships/attachment. Anakin is pissed when he realizes that Kenobi had a past with Jedi Taria Damsin.

[Shawn Fahey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I might scream if I have to read another full book of Anakin and Obi-Wan arguing then making up in the last chapters of the book.
It’s funny going from Cannon to Legends books back and forth seeing Ahsoka written into Cannon books then her not existing in Legends. It definitely makes for some confusing reads but that’s fully my fault

Otherwise not terrible. 2.5/5 rounded up

PS. why and how does Obi-Wan have MULTIPLE secret lovers

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

the best star wars book i’ve ever read. i loved the story and the characters, and oh my god the anakin content was impeccable.

the reread 2 years later was also enjoyable. got me out of a slump but the story felt more intense the first read through

[syl · Rating 5 out of 5]

fueled my obikin agenda and also karen miller’s grasp on obi-wan and anakin’s characters is my chosen juice

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first but needed more clones. Bonus points because I read it in a series of NYC coffeeshops.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The party continues!! Like I said before, don’t let the 3⭐️ rating fool you into thinking I had anything less than a wildly good time while reading this.

I giggled, I snorted, I laid on my bed and kicked my feet in the air while flicking through this space soap opera of a novel. If anything, the Star Wars prequels are angsty, melodramatic episodes sparkling with pizazz, and if Karen Miller understands one thing it’s that at the very least her audience deserves a healthy plate of that drama!

[katie :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is for the girlies who stan best friends!! nothing else!!

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Wars: Legends: Clone Wars Gambit - 02 Siege by Karen Miller, Karen Miller

adventurous challenging dark emotional
hopeful informative inspiring reflective
sad tense

Medium-paced

Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25 Stars

Good conclusion to the arc. This story deals with a LOT of commentary on racism and prejudice, but also on growing and not being stagnant in one's own beliefs are the ONLY way of thinking. It's a large galaxy, with many ways to live and support each other.

Obi-Wan Kenobe and Anakin Skywalker are undercover in a very racist society, that doesn't trust outsiders...but for their benefit, these two OUTSIDERS are going to break down walls, and introduce them to a larger galaxy of different people...that can possibly change their perspective about morality and who/what is good, and who/what is evil...and how to discern the difference.

Taria Damsin's story is powerful in relation to her life threatening illness, and what she's willing to sacrifice for others...to do the right thing. Her bond/relationship with Obi-Wan, though not what Anakin sees (in relationship to his own attachment to Padmé), rankles him...and actually condemns him...in a sense. But her portrayal of doing the right thing, even though it may eventually lead to her own end, but she's willing to do it.

Bant'ena Fhernan (scientist) - Hate that she was put into the situation that she was put into. It is good to read stories about how this can happen (little by little the erosion of morality in the fight to discovery in science). Interesting case study. I truly feel for her.

Greti - Force sensative, but too old to become a Jedi...so they say. I loved her relationship with Obi-Wan.

Lok Durd, Separatist General - Oh, I cannot stand this dude. Ugh. Wish ONLY bad things to happen to this Neimoidian.

Ahsoka Tano is missing Sky Guy, but in the meantime, she is with Rex and the 501st...trying to get to Lanteeb (where Obi-Wan and Anakin are).
Mace Windu - this is one of the first times...where I felt that he was one of the good guys, versus being a pain in the ass. He frustrates me, on his leadership style. Ugh.
Yoda shows that he's starting to NOT trust the Supreme Chancellor, and is flirting with covert ops (and hiding his actions and the Jedi from Palpatine...and will deal with the aftermath, AFTER he gets back the Jedi that are exposed.

Padmé Amadala and Bail Organa are not a lot in this story, but their actions are felt dealing with the Jedi (the good guys) versus the growing suspicions of things are not right with the Republic.

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine - ruler of the Republic - in this story, you start to see cracks within the façad in him being a leader versus a dictator. He did not/does not like being left out of conversations dealing with the Jedi and the Army. Very interesting discussions occurred in this book. Paradigm shift...in my eyes.

Count Dooku - Leader of the Separatist

This is a story of abuse of power, gaslighting, and ignorance.

I enjoyed this story, very much. Looking forward to reading more Star Wars: Legends/Extended Universe novels in the near future.

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25

These books are so good. I desperately wish we had so many more of them. I adore these intense stories that read like a season of TCW. The Anakin and Obi-Wan dynamic is just phenomenal, and I love that Rex and Ahsoka and Bail and Padme are so present here as well! I love Clone Wars books so very much, and the blend of action and emotional scenes works beautifully. I can't recommend the audiobook enough!

However, I do feel like this book ended a little suddenly, which is disappointing since it's the second book in a duology. Despite the main conflict being resolved, I wanted a little more from Anakin and Ahsoka's reunion, and Obi-Wan and Taria's arc didn't feel finished to me. I know that it's implied she's going to die soon, but it felt odd not to have her die in the final battle saving Obi-Wan and Anakin. Since these are the only two SW books that she exists in, it gives her story an unfinished air. And I wish, since she was such a large part of Stealth, that Bant'ena got some more retrospection from Anakin. Anakin just thinks once, early on, that he was wrong to trust Bant'ena, and then he doesn't have much of a reaction when he learns that she sacrificed herself. And what about her family? And all of the village people?? I want more!

This is definitely a great series, and I'm going to have to go exploring for more SW books like this one! 4.25/5 stars.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my least favourite period of the Lucasverse comes a well-written, easy to like story that is easily one of the best depictions of this era. In particular, the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan seems warmer and tighter...in a way I believe it should always have been depicted. I also appreciated how so many citizens of the galaxy actually fear the Jedi as creatures of myth and terror...and how they fail to quell this fear, resulting in another tool that Palpatine can use against them. A very well put together work.

[Kat V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely better than the last and the two really do need to be read together. This felt more like one book was split in two instead of reading two books. I liked the character development more than the plot. I wish there had been follow up with Bant’ena’s mom though. Perhaps another book will cover it? 4 stars

[Iset · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of what I said in my review for the first part of this duology, Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth, applies here too. In fact, it feels very much like this was originally written as one complete novel, and only after it was finished, split in two at a somewhat awkward halfway point and then padded out to make the requisite two books. In any case, it means that some of my praise and criticisms are exactly the same. Obi-Wan and Anakin’s dialogue, especially with each other, can feel spot-on one moment but then drag on to long and become out of character – both a positive and a negative – and yeah, I hate to say it but Taria Damsin remains a poorly constructed Mary Sue who I never bought into and deserved to be better written – or, not included in the first place. See my review of Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth for more detail on those particular points.

In some ways, Siege is definitely the better book of the two. There is much less dawdling around and the bulk of the main plot occurs in this book. It is much more to-the-point and gives the impression of having been much less padded out with filler than Stealth was. For that alone, it earns a higher rating from me. But it is still obvious where padding has occurred. Padawan assault courses, lingering siege suffering with Obi-Wan and Anakin, but most prominently of all, when the Jedi stroll around exploring the village. I get the feeling that the theta storm was originally written to hit the settlement soon after their arrival, setting the stage for the sense of community amidst the siege that ensues, and that later, when the book was broken in two, Obi-Wan and Anakin were given extra time to explore at leisure in order to draw things out and fill more pages.

Getting to spend some time inside Palpatine’s head was fun, but at times didn’t make sense. He seems determined here to ensure that the Republic loses the war, when in fact we know that it is essential to his plans that the Republic be victorious eventually. And the bioweapon macguffin that gives this duology its galactic stakes is first, resolved too quickly and easily once the native plants are found, and, second, kind of doesn’t create the kind of impact the author was hoping for – mainly because we just a couple of books previously, in Republic Commando: Hard Contact, have a plot with a genius female scientist and a bioweapon threat. This is almost the exact same stakes, only four books back. And given that this duology was written so many years after Hard Contact was, you can’t put it down to unfortunate coincidence – this is bad planning.

The conclusion to the story didn’t ring true to me either. The Lanteebians, we are told, are very xenophobic and keep themselves to themselves. Obi-Wan and Anakin really struggle throughout the two novels to prove their good intentions and use their Jedi skills to help the villagers of the settlement they wind up in. There’s a grudging respect and comradeship by the end, but it was hard earned. This was well done. What seemed implausible was that, with their village reduced to rubble, Padme secures passage for them to Naboo as refugees where they’ll be given lush land and a place of their own. Not the entire population of this sparsely settled planet, mind you – just this one village. And they accept. Despite being the kind of people who feel deeply connected to their planet and their fellow Lanteebians, and hostile to outsiders. I don’t care if Anakin and Obi-Wan earned their welcome, I still think they’d be too dedicated to their home and culture to want to leave the planet. What’s weird is that this comes after Anakin has made a promise to these people that once the Republic liberates the planet, they’ll receive aid – food and the equipment they need. The villagers make much of this promise, repeatedly telling Anakin that they’ll hold him to it. Okay, sure, the village is destroyed… but I really think that on balance these people would want to stay on-planet, even if they have to start a new village, and take the promised Republic aid to improve their lives. I cannot see this one village agreeing to leave everyone else behind to start a new village on a completely different planet, when they have a culture of isolationism and Anakin promised them Republic aid on their own world. Like, this just doesn’t make sense to me.

5 out of 10

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like others who have reviewed this title before me, I did not read (or listen to) the first book in this duology prior to starting in on Siege, though frankly this did not detract too much from my enjoyment. The principle characters (Obi-Wan, Anakin, to a lesser extent Ahsoka, Yoda, Palpatine, even Lok Durd) are all known quantities while the Damson, the Jedi Master with a tragic fate, and Bantina the captive scientist being (fairly brutally) forced to work for the Separatists are easy enough to figure out as you go along.

Karen Miller is a good writer, and she does well in fleshing out the ordinary lives of the hardscrabble citizens of Torbel on the planet Lanteeb as Our Heroes limp into their lives right after escaping the Seps by the skin of their Jedi teeth. You really feel empathy for their plight, and it's easy to understand why people living in such straights would have an innate suspicion and hostility toward the legendarily aloof Jedi who have, up to this point, never done a thing to help them. The tragedy of the Force-sensitive child Gretti that Obi-Wan befriends, doomed to lead a mundane life among the prosaic miners as she is too old to enter the Temple and become a true Jedi, just for one example, is beautifully and heart-rendingly described.

Where this book falls down a bit, for me, is the somewhat sparse descriptions of the fight and actions sequences. This is Star Wars, after all, and I for one would've liked to have heard Mr. Gurner narrate some nifty Jedi moves over the always-excellent SFX of these titles.

One pet peeve: Big Baddie Lok Durd's fate is not discussed after he flees, which I felt was a pretty big loose end after his continuously appalling behaviour.



On the whole, a good listen and a pretty solid entry into the Clone Wars canon legends...

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Include in future EU re-reads? Probably not. It has some value to character building but it was a bit of a chore to read.

I struggled for a bit to figure out what exactly it was that underwhelmed me about this book and the previous one. I finally decided that this just should've been condensed down into one book. Everything I had a problem with could be boiled down is the Stephen King effect, which is you took something that was interesting for 10 pages and wrote 60 about it. There is so much of this book that basically just world-building for Lanteeb, and specifically world building for one village.
It is one thing if these are going to be recurring characters in a series, but from what I can tell, the new characters were all just dropped off on Naboo never to be seen again. Seriously, I never want to read about how tired someone looks or how worried about a person someone is. Cut all that out, and you could shrink two books down to one. It is pretty obvious that this book was originally one that was split into two, but there wasn't quite enough to justify that. Did we seriously need to spend time with Ahsoka and Taria and their training of padawans? This thought popped into my head in the middle of the second book, and then I started spotting the likely areas where the author added repetitive nonsense to pad the run time.

The things I really enjoyed about these two books are seeing events from the perspective of Palpatine and to a lesser extent Bail Organa/Padme. All of the Clone Wars era novels have really driven home for me how much more character building we needed to see for the relationship between Anakin/Obi-Wan in the movies. All of the books try their best to bridge the gap and show how Anakin can go from be more or less absolutely good to I'm going to go slaughter children now.

My second biggest complaint after the drawn out plot is the enormous problem of stupidity in the villains. Once they create the formula for the virus in the first book, that cat is out of the bag right? Obviously, they would send off the formula as well as some of the Damotite so that, no matter what happens on Lanteeb, they can create this virus somewhere else and still have the ability to bring the Republic to its knees. One use at Chandrila was enough to cause galaxy wide panic. You would think that they would create a contingency plan in the unlikely event that they are figured out and their plan is foiled. Nope. They put all of their eggs for winning the war in this one basket and just assume that nothing will happen to their formula or the scientist working on it or the damotite minerals that can only be found in one place in the entire galaxy. The plot literally hinges on this decision. On top of that, they place one deceitful person, Durd, in charge in spite of the fact that he gets caught in lies. Is this worthy of Dooku's attention? Apparently not. You would think he would at least send a representative to watch over Durd. It goes back to the idea that, if your villains have to be completely stupid for your plot to work, then your plot is stupid.

I am still very up in the air about Taria. On the one hand, I liked the attempt by Miller to insert something to drive a wedge between Anakin/Obi-Wan and provide credibility to why he would just go completely to the dark side so quickly in Revenge of the Sith. Witnessing the fact that Obi-Wan was in love with Taria provides a bit more substance to Anakin's rage at the unfairness, at least in his eyes, of how the rules were being applied to him. However, I still hate the idea of Obi-Wan forming this attachment and even having a sexual relationship with Taria. This is just so outside what we've been told are the ways of the Jedi and the character of Obi-Wan himself.
Also, we have multiple scenes where Obi-Wan breaks down and weeps. Not because the woman he loves is going to die soon, but just because he is so overwhelmed. Give me a break.
I was annoyed at the contrived drama towards the end. Almost the entire village turns against the Jedi and want to turn them over to face certain death. It would be one thing if they did this just to save themselves, but they just blame everything on the Jedi. It is the kind of thing that you can see some people doing, but like 80% of the village? Nobody brought up that if the Jedi hadn't been there, literally every single person would've died in the theta storm. Seems like a good point to make in this argument, but we needed to have this drama for some reason so everyone had to be stupid.

If I could change anything about this book and the others in the series so far, I would try and humanize the Separatists. It is a lot more engaging to me to have the "villains" have realistic demands/beliefs. It is fine to have some mustache twirling pure evil people, but the reality is that in almost every conflict, the vast majority don't see themselves as evil and are fighting for what they perceive as an altruistic purpose. I want to see more of the Separatists who are fighting grudgingly because they think this is best for their people.

Also, I still would like any form of explanation of what Palpatine's overarching plan is. He always is portrayed as genuinely wanting the plans of the Separatists to succeed, but if they do, he wouldn't be able to convert the Republic into his Empire. I could buy something along the lines of more destruction would lead to the Senate giving him more power, but so many of the plots that he, as Sidious, seems to be hoping to succeed would likely lead to the complete destruction of the Republic. My guess is that they don't know what he actually wants so they hope nobody thinks about it too hard.

[erin lengel · Rating 4 out of 5]

any time Anakin and Obi-Wan are together in anything i WILL eat it up!!! i adore both their characters and interactions always <3

[Mark Oppenlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clone Wars Gambit: Siege, the sequel to Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth, finds Anakin and Obi-Wan hiding out in the small village of Torbel on the planet of Lanteeb. They disguise their true natures from the distrustful locals, while trying to come up with a plan to return to Lok Durd's complex in the city and thwart his bioweapon project. They know their time is short, but without a communications device or a ship, their options are limited.

I read another review here on Goodreads that said the plot of this book felt thin, and still another review that said it started slow. I disagree with both assessments. There are plenty of meaningful incidents here, especially as the action cuts back and forth between Lanteeb and what is happening on Coruscant with Ahsoka, Yoda, Bail Organa, and other. But Miller chooses to develop this as a slow burn, much like a movie setting up the first act in a more grounded place, before going over-the-top with action and adventure. It's very cinematic and thus, appropriate to the Star Wars universe.

I found the character work in this story quite good again, and I appreciated the ways in which Miller highlights the Jedi's vulnerabilities, both physical and emotional. They're extremely gifted, but not supernatural. It also requires a great deal of effort for them to get the locals to trust them when Torbel comes under attack from droid armies under the command of Lok Durd. Obi-Wan and Anakin wrestle with the ethics of how they can best use their gifts to support the Lanteebans, as well as their responsibility to thwart the greater threat of a galactic bioweapon. These conversations are some of the more interesting aspects of the novel.

There are a few things that don't work quite as well, or seem out of character for this series. In attempting to demonstrate how evil Lok Durd is, Miller shows him using torture, and then discusses the nastier aspects of what his new bioweapon does. Overall this is a grittier book than some of the other Clone Wars novels or stories. Also, the arguments between Palpatine and members of the Senate or Jedi Council don't always seem believable. I agree with the reviewers who question how Yoda could not sense the Dark Side in this man. The smooth politician who deceives everyone has too many rough edges here, like a petulant child. The ending also feels a little too neat or compact; with all of the characters and plot elements resolved in a quick rush.

Still, this remains an entertaining book, especially for the interplay between Anakin and Obi-Wan. We know from the movies and other material that these two became inseparable friends and brothers-in-arms, and the Clone Wars Gambit duology really lets you inside of the day-to-day interactions that created those bonds. The story itself may not have a great impact on the larger universe, or even the Clone Wars themselves, but as an exploration of the beloved characters, it is worthy.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obi-Wan and Anakin are still stuck on Lanteeb, a planet far in the Outer Rim and of seeming little consequence. The Lanteebans pose no apparent strategic value to the Republic or Separatists; it’s an attitude that grossly misjudges the efforts of captured scientist Bant’ena Fhernan. She’s been hired to construct a virus to end all viruses, a massive biological weapon that will sway the war in Dooku’s favor, but getting materials for it isn’t easy. The key ingredient, damotite, lays deep within the sinuous mines of Lanteeb and Separatist overseer Lok Durd rides the locals hard with threats of drastic food and water rationing if his unreasonable quota and timetable aren’t met.

Against all impossibilities, the Lanteeban’s work furiously every day, risking damotite poisoning to please Durd. When Anakin and Obi-Wan crash their vehicle and end up stranded in the mining city responsible for churning out the dangerous material, the two are welcomed only as long as the villagers don’t know they’re Jedi. Naturally, an invading droid army and a failing shield barrier that forces the pair to use the Force for self preservation were probably unavoidable inevitabilities.

Karen Miller does several things with Gambit: Siege, most of which she’s shown us before. Like Stealth and Wild Space, Obi-Wan and Anakin are taken to their physical limits. They’re moved around the narrative like rag dolls with an unhealthy sense of duty and a never-ending desire to do everything they can to be compassionate without being heroic. Well, at least Obi-Wan does. Once again, Anakin’s emotional tidal waves and compulsion to save people gets him into constant trouble with his former Master. The friction that arises from these situations is an eerie echo of the clash of ideals Miller first showed in Stealth. Anakin and Obi-Wan are different. No one will argue that.

Anakin’s weaknesses prove to be his strengths in gaining the trust of the Lanteeban miners. He’s emotional and makes irrational promises out of the psychological fantasy that he really can save them. At times it feels like Anakin buys into the childish belief that Jedi are and should be the protectors of everybody. As Miller reminds us though, the “Jedi are not creatures of myth and magic” (p. 182)—with the ability to resist deadly damotite gas and reach out to the Force for hidden reserves of energy to keep going far past the point which a non-Jedi would have passed out and been hospitalized from a small army of injuries, it’s no wonder they’re misunderstood, held under suspicion, and thought of as immortal miracle workers. Miller, of course, removes this illusion.

The narrative is peppered with concern and exasperation over the length Anakin and Obi-Wan push their very human bodies to. If they aren’t trying to order each other to go lay down and take a rest, it’s one of the villagers. At first, this was touching and sweet, but after seeing the same from her other two Clone Wars books, I began to suspect Miller was trying a little too hard to prove a point. The two go through so much it almost became unreasonable to believe they hadn’t collapsed from exhaustion. In all fairness, they’re in the middle of one of the biggest wars the galaxy has experienced. Everyone’s tired and wants peace; no one wants to do the dirty work so the load is taken on by the too few who are willing to abide by duty and preserve the freedoms of the Republic. All of that, I understand. Completely. But reading the various ways Anakin and Obi-Wan could be so tired and yet somehow find the strength to keep going got a bit ridiculous.

Not to mention, in addition to being physically put out, everyone (everyone) was running on a short fuse. Characters were quick to temper, snapping at minor things—I was hard pressed to find someone who didn’t receive their final straw. The war wears thin across the galaxy and even Senator Palpatine, manipulative mastermind that we all know him to be, began to slip. It’s no wonder then that Obi-Wan, for all of his teachings of controlling one’s emotions and warnings of attachment to Anakin, found a very un-Jedilike and demonstrative display of human need.

Miller clearly has a soft spot for Obi-Wan. He’s complex, mysterious, and let’s face it: I don’t think anyone ever knows what to expect from his dark, fathomless closet of secrets. As if we didn’t already know Obi-Wan has an effect on the ladies, it’s still a bit of a surprise to find out he has a laundry list of past love interests the war seems to be shaking out onto his doorstep. It’s amusing for readers, but alarming for Anakin and extremely disappointing. In order words, how dare he. Whatever arguments ensue or are denied by Anakin’s incredulity are one of the best parts of this book. Miller has nailed the Anakin and Obi-Wan relationship in a way I don’t think any other writer has before.

I also really enjoyed the intellectual jockeying of Teeb Jaklin prying into Obi-Wan’s mortality. How strange it is to be asked not about his humanity, but his heart, his feelings. And how denied I felt by his standard Jedi answer. Miller had me convinced she would take his character into the realms of self-gratification, to break that outer display of calm and composure that Anakin so desperately wants, but in the end I realized perhaps the most important thing of all: Obi-Wan isn’t perfect. He’s as complicated as the war against the Separatists. To quote Anakin, “I don’t understand you, Obi-Wan.” (p. 342)

I may have been burnt out on the situations Anakin and Obi-Wan keep getting into (anything that makes them bone tired, causes bruises, swelling, lacerations, or broken bones), but Miller does effectively give us an ugly portrayal of what the war is really accomplishing. It’s breaking people apart at the most fundamental of levels and testing loyalties. As we all know, it shadows Anakin and Obi-Wan ominously. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Miller in the Star Wars universe.

Except next time, I’d appreciate it if she didn’t have everyone using the word “barve” so much. There are other insulting words. Let’s not make the galaxy seem more small than it already appears, please?

[✨Rebel Fairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than the first book in this duology of Clone Wars Gambit. The plot continues by destroying the bio weapon and saving our two Jedi heroes, Anakin and Obi-wan.

This is my second novel by Karen Miller. I am not too fond of her writing style but do applaude her for keeping the relationship between Obi and Anakin authentic.

I enjoyed Obi and Taria's relationship it is another side we see of him and explaining why he is what he is and his view. Of course, this angers our Ani because everything he was let to believe is only applicable more or less to him.

The battle scenes in this one weren't so descriptive, but it was more about the battle inside our characters themselves. This isn't the best Star Wars novel I have read so far, but it was still intriguing.

The political plots were few but well received, with Palpatine still pulling the strings and weaving his webs of lies.

Throughout the duology, the word "Stang" is used, more than it should have been. (5 times a page) It was kind of irritating, as it loses its meaning, but my guess is that this is a swear word more or less.

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excuse me, can this man (Obi-wan) have at least one week of a freaking peace and quiet? Let someone cover him with a blanket and give mug with tea or something? I mean, poor guy. But again, I absolutely loved his interactions with Anakin (and oh, how he was scared shitless he annoyed his older brother seriously this time, priceless). And his relationship with Taria? Fucking hell, let the man have a happy relationship, pretty please.
It was very well written, both Obi-Wan and Anakin - Anakin being hypocritical when it comes to Obi-Wan was chef’s kiss, because yes, that’s my little shit for you.
But I have one big problem - you don’t exchange cool girls from first part for two old men who are SO EVIL and so fucking stupid it hurts. I didn’t need Dooku and Sheev at all, I needed more of Taria and Ahsoka!
And okay, second problem - I NEED MORE. Karen Miller wrote wonderful fanfic and I am weeping that’s it. Give me more my best boys hanging out, please.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of how all the writers seem to feel the need to invent an OC who’s a former love interest for Obi-Wan (I’m for Siriwan all the way, though I guess she’s dead at this point in the timeline anyway), but I enjoyed this one more than the first CW Gambit. But then, there was a lot more of biological warfare related stuff and explosions and Anakin doing the impossible. Lots of good quotes in this one too. And I loved Anakin’s “we need a new hobby” at the end.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set in 21BBY

A continuiation from Stealth that sees more Ahsoka than in the last one, which was mediocre, and everything else with Kenobi and Skywalker from beginning to end it would slowly become tedious and a chore to read.

[Andrew Sternisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one as well. Keeping the Jedi more human and flawed with some fun behind manipulations by Sidious of events. Definitely and underrated duology.

[Chris The Lizard from Planet X · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clone Wars: Siege the final installment in the Legends EU clone wars book series.

To start off…unfortunately I did find this book to be one of the weaker ones in the series. That isn't to say that I didn't like it. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I like this book quite a bit. On the other hand though, when I really thought about it, I didn't find the book quite as memorable as the novelization of the movie, "Stealth" and "Wild Space."

The book picks up where "Stealth" left off. Basically, Anakin and Obi-Wan have to defend the villagers of Lanteeb from Lok Durd and his armies long enough for Mace Windu, Ashoka, and the rest of the Clone Army to arrive.

As for the book itself though, I really liked the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan and how it was explored. I think it's fair to say that these two characters are probably the best duo in Star Wars, and I think this book does a great job of doing that relationship justice. Within that, I also liked how the book developed these two characters individually. Much like with previous entries in the series, the book does a fantastic job of keeping the characters in line with their depictions in both the TV show and in the films. We really see the heroic yet emotional unstable take on the character of Anakin Skywalker that is consistent with both the prequels and the show itself, and we also see that the book is very true to the calm yet empathetic character of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

I also like the dynamic that are heroes had with the villagers they needed to protect. It was honestly quite well explored and I really felt that it touched on a lot of the moral complexities that come with being a Jedi as described in the prequel era. At the very least, it was interesting.

Thirdly, I really liked the plot. It just really engaging and interesting from start to finish. At the very least the book was able to sustain tension throughout the story.

Lastly, I really liked how they handled Dr. Bant'ena Fhernan's storyline. For those of you who don't know, basically she is the scientist that Lok Durd is forcing to make the bio weapon that our heroes are trying to destroy. I really like that the book have the guts to kill her off the way she did. Personally, I interpreted this as her killing herself off as a way of getting revenge on her abuser. The novel did a fantastic job of making me care about her character and what she was going through, and making me feel sad that she was killed off. Overall I feel the book did a great job with her storyline.

Unfortunately this is where my positive feelings towards the book ends.

For one thing, this book has far less action than its predecessor. Specifically, we get virtually no battles in this book whatsoever. Sure, we get one or two skirmishes with a couple of battle droids and a couple of stopped assassination attempts, but there was very little action outside of that. No epic lightsaber duels or awesome battles to be found here. In fact, the biggest battle that the end of the book where Mace, Ashoka and the rest of the Clone Army actually rescue Anakin and Obi-Wan is completely skipped over. The fact that the book completely cut that part out just infuriates me. Yes I understand that our heroes were going to win that encounter (as they are clearly alive and well in later works) so showing that might've been redundant ....but it just made me feel like I was cheated nonetheless. The worst part was that the entire book was building up to that moment. So, the book ends up building up to a battle that we don't even get to see. This would be like if the epic duel at the end of "Revenge of the Sith" happened off screen. Yeah that would certainly cripple any story out there.

The next problem I have is that they didn't kill off Lok Durd. I assume the reason they didn't do this was because they thought that they were going to use this character in later episodes of the TV show. The reason behind this was that they realized that General Grievous was losing too often in the TV show, so they brought back Lok Durd to be the fall guy instead. In other words, they decided not to kill off this character because they wanted an antagonist that our protagonist can beat without ruining the reputations of Dooku and General Grievous. However, the book completely undermines this by actually having both of those characters appear in the actual book, only to have them both lose that battle at the end of the book. So having Lok Durd alive at all was completely pointless. Combine this with the fact that this antagonist was never seen again in both the TV show and in future works makes this decision to keep him alive even more idiotic. In other words, the book robbed the audience a narratively satisfying conclusion to the Lok Durd for absolutely no reason. What happens to him after this book is never addressed. I would like to think that Anakin killed him on Mustafar like the other CIS leaders...but alas we shall never know!!

And speaking of villains, this book has General Grievous in the story but doesn't actually show him to us. Although he's in the story, we never actually get to see him in the flesh and he gets absolutely zero dialogue. Why was this allowed to happen? What was the point of having one of the best antagonists in the entire prequel era only to not even use him properly?! Sigh! What a waste. My personal theory was that the cost required to emulate the voice of General Grievous for the audiobook was outside of their budget, hence explaining why he had no dialogue in the book. But this just theory crafting on my end!

The next problem I have with this book is that the Hayden Christensen look-a-like that Lucasfilm chose to play Anakin on the cover looks NOTHING Anakin. Come on guys!! How could you mess that up?! He is the most iconic character in the entire series!! All you had to do was just take any random picture of Anakin from Episode II or III and slap it on the cover. Hell....they did the same thing with Obi-Wan for the previous installment. The more I look at the cover the glaring this flaw becomes. It just terrible!! Now I know this a nitpick but was it lazy of Lucasfilm to NOT find a better cover.

The other problem with this book was the pacing and its sheer repetitiveness. The entire book was basically Anakin and Obi-Wan preventing the shield that protects the village from collapsing. I am not joking....literally 80% of the book was Anakin and Obi-Wan fixing the shield over and over and over again! To top it all off, the book keeps going on and on and on about how tired and exhausted they are. This slowed the book down to a painful crawl sometimes. In fact, it made the book feel like that there were long stretches of time where nothing important actually happened. This just got really annoying really fast. Fortunately, because the writing was really good and I really liked both the story and characters, this was not a huge problem. But nonetheless it did bother me.

The final thing that troubled me was that they didn't resolve Obi-Wan's girlfriend problem. As set up in the last book, basically Obi-Wan's girlfriend is dying of some disease. However, the book doesn't really end her story arc by killing her by the end of this book. To be fair, the book makes it pretty clear that this character was going to die anyway, but the fact that it doesn't actually show her dying kind of robbed the audience of a meaningful end to this character's story arc.

In some ways, I feel like that there was going to be another entry in the series, mainly because this book had so many plot threads up in the air even by the end. I don't know how or why this book ended up being the final entry, but I feel like that it wasn't always intended to be that way. I think that there was going to be another book in this series but Lucas said no because maybe the series didn't sell well enough. Just personal speculation on my part. By the way, fun fact: originally this book was going to be written by Karen Traviss instead of Karen Miller. However, because Traviss was too busy to write it, Miller got to write it instead. Personally, I'm glad they stuck with Miller as I enjoyed her writing style far more. But anyway, I just thought it was worth mentioning.

Unfortunately, I don't think I quite like this book as much as I wanted to. The ending was literally anti-climactic, there was way too many plot threads that were left unresolved, and there were parts of the plot that felt quite repetitive. The pacing was also meh. In fact, I would go as to say that this one the weakest entries in the series. (Still better than "No Prisoners").

That isn't to say that I disliked the book. In fact, I actually liked the book quite a bit. I thought the characters were spot on as usual and the story was at the very least interesting. And the narrator was awesome as he always is.

Overall, I give this book 3/5 stars - A book that I liked but at the same time found severely flawed.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a little break in reading this book, merely because another thing took over my life for a bit. But I was able to come back to this book without flipping through any of what I had read which means one thing. This book was plot-less.

I literally picked this up and was like "Ah yes Obi-Wan and Anakin were still stuck in this crappy village and everyone was trying to kill each other...because its the Clone Wars". It wasn't the fact that this is during the Clone Wars, its the fact that this was a bit like what I've come to expect during a Star Wars book. The characters face a near death problem but are miraculously saved by their gritty determination and someone dying to help them. Also one of the characters has a love interest that we've never heard of and will never see again in another book. I liked seeing Obi-Wan and Anakin's somewhat chaotic relationship, they respect each other by this point and are literally two halves of a whole, but they still piss each other off. Anakin sees Obi-Wan bond with Taria and thinks what a hypocrite for telling him not to be with Padme. And Anakin is making promises he can't keep left and right which drives Obi-Wan mental.

I love the Bail and Padme scenes just because you see how much they accomplish in one book but then realize just how ineffective the Senate and essentially their life's work will be in the long run. They're so busy trying to save the day when they don't realize the one person who could help them the most is the most evil person in the galaxy: Palpatine aka Darth Sidious. He basically moves his chess pieces around while the others are playing with checkers, they really don't have a chance against someone who has all the power.

Can we just talk about the one thing I'm not crazy about in all Star Wars books with Obi-Wan and Anakin? I hate love interests, I just do. I hate that EVERY book has someone falling in love with one of them (I can deal with Padme and Anakin, they're married and its canon), why is it every book has someone dying for them or falling in love with someone who is NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE SELFISH FEELINGS LIKE LOVE? It's like falling in love with someone in the Catholic Church, you don't do it because its just not going to go anywhere. It's just...eurgh I hate it.

Overall, I like the main characters but the plot was forgettable.