Star Wars: Restraint

by James Luceno

"Restraint" is a short story written by James Luceno. It was published in the second edition of Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter which was published by Del Rey in December 27, 2011. It features Darth Maul, Talzin, Meltch Krakko, Trezza, and Palpatine. It helped connect major changes in Maul's and Asajj Ventress's origins that were introduced in the third season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published December 27, 2011

About the author

James Luceno is a New York Times bestselling author, best known for his novels and reference books connected with the Star Wars franchise and the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and novelisations of the Robotech animated television series. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child.

He has co-written many books with Brian Daley as Jack McKinney.

Reviews

[Stanislav · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good short story that connects the old Maul novels to the new canon.
It was very disappointing when Disney dismmissed most of the Star Wars stories as "Legends". But it is geting very interesting how they selectively bring characters back to the canon, refreshed but true to their original concepts.

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. I love getting back story information on Darth Maul. Looking forward to reading lockdown.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Nothing less than perfection will be sufficient, Maul,” Sidious said. “Do you understand?”

“I understand, Master.”

This is a very obscure entry into the Legends canon, and one I’m glad I the chance to read included in the paperback edition of Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter I purchased a while back. I’d almost venture to say that this story, and its companion Darth Maul: Saboteur made buying the full-length novel worthwhile as both told tension-filled, Galaxy-expanding stories that gave insight into the two incarnations of Maul we are most familiar with: the Agent of Sidious’s malevolent will we see in The Phantom Menace, and the wayward scion of the Nightsister culture of Dathomir we meet in The Clone Wars animated series. Highly recommended if you can track it down.

[Jamie Maloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the Star Wars novels and stories written by Luceno that I've read, I enjoyed this one the most. I enjoyed the other Star Wars books by him that I read (e.g. Cloak of Deception) but they tend to focus on filling in history of gaps in EU time and accurately tying in multiple other EU works vs. focusing on writing a compelling story. This story is like his others in that it is true to EU history but it also tells a really compelling story. I would love to see it expanded into a novel.

[B.A.G. Studios · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddly enough, I’d kinda already read this. Little of this was new to me because I read The Wrath of Darth Maul probably about one full decade ago, or more. So I’ll say this was good, but I can’t say I was impressed. It does feel a lot more plot-forward than character-focused.

[Michael Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent short story set before the Phantom Menace and with some ties to the clone wars series has some very good and interesting moments between Maul and Sidious and the nightbrothers, also explains how Maul meets Palpatine and begins training to become his sith apprentice in the Phantom menace.

[Matthew Juffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

As per the title, Maul has to exercise restraint and not show his powers in the dark side of the force. With this restraint, he's still a formidable warrior and dangerous weapon.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would you be interested to read a short story about young Maul?

Then this one's for you. You'll have a good time!

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was actually surprised at how good this was, considering that its sole purpose was to smooth over some discrepancies raised by the Clone Wars show.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ties to the Clone Wars and a quick read with young Maul at the forefront.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. This story apparently bridges the gap between The Clone Wars and Maul's backstory, but it's not that thrilling of a story by itself. Not being familiar with the show or what discrepancies this was meant to fill, I'm a little disappointed.

I read this as part of Shadow Hunters.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and fun read. Maul must prove that he can overcome daunting physical obstacles without the use of the Force.