Star Wars: Jedi Quest - Path to Truth

Star Wars: Jedi Quest #0.5

by Jude Watson, A. Buelow & D. Mattingly (Illustrator)

As twelve-year-old Anakin Skywalker becomes a star apprentice at the Jedi Temple, his Jedi Master worries about Anakin's darker nature, but when they must embark on a dangerous mission to destroy a brutal space pirate who is linked to Anakin's past, Anakin's Jedi prowess foreshadows the darkness that beckons him.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Shadowdenizen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-Read Thoughts: As Star Wars continues to barrel forward with their movies and "new canon", I'm finding myself looking back more and more to the Prequel Era, and thinking about the great chracters that were created that were used poorly (Grievious, Darth Tyranus, Darth Maul, etc.), and "what could have been".

So, my trekking to read obscure Prequel-Era fiction has led me here; the "Jedi Quest" YA series that fills in some of what happened to Anakin between Episode 1 & Episdoe 2.

While I'm not expecting Shakepseare, I'm hoping these will at least be fun, decent reads, with mybe a nugget of truth/wisdom about what shaped Anakin into Darth Vader.

Read & Review to come!
***

Post-Read:
Well, I mostly enjoyed this. It was a quick, fast-paced YA novel. I would have liked something a little deeper, perhaps, but that's just wishful thinking on my part.

While I felt that the voice of Anakin was slightly "off" (at least for me), it did a pretty good job of showing the core of anger that Anakin has that they dind't really do a good job of identifying in Episode I, and largely glossed over in Episode II and III.

Also, seeing Anakin on Ilum hunting for lightsaber crysals was kinda neat, since (NERD ALERT!) in our new Star Wars "Force and Destiny" RPG campaign our party is currently on their way to Ilum to find crystals to craft our own lightsabers.

I'm certainly intrigued by this enough to continue the series. A qualified 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 because of my relatively newfound love for the Prequel-Era novels and comics.)

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a YA book and is part of the old canon timeline. This takes place between Episode I and Episode II. In this one, we deal with space pirates that are dealing in the slave trade. This ties in with Anakin as we all know that he was a slave in the first movie.

I liked this first book of this series. I am not expecting great literature in these books. I am expecting to be entertained and these books to tie in with the overall arc and this book accomplishes that. When dealing with Anakin as a subject matter, the reader is expecting some kind of foreshadowing or trait that leads him to becoming Darth Vader. I thought the author succeeded with this as we get to see Anakin's anger at being a slave and it still affects him. This was the strength of the novel. The past does shape how a person behaves in the present and does affect his behavior in the future. The only flaw for me in this book is the length. It was too short and I believe this could have been one of the many novels that exist in this universe.

I just came off a different series in this universe that in the middle of it I stopped reading. It was meant for the younger generation so I believe that was the reason I could not continue. This beginning of this series has me excited and I am not sure if it the actual quality of the book or more coming of that series that I did not care for. Either way, I am looking forward to continuing this series and exploring Anakin as a padawan.

[vicky. · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is... just sad.

anakin is always afraid and angry, remembering his time as slave and then being slaved again?? obi-wan is anxious, worried and always thinking about qui-gon :(

at least their banter gave me life. i love them so much.

i also like when star wars book show the duality of obi-wan being OK TIME TO OVERTHINK THIS!! to:

“Now for the weapons system,” he said.
“Do you know how to disable it?” Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan grinned. “Sure. I’ll use a trick Qui-Gon taught me.” He raised his lightsaber overhead and then slashed down onto the control panel. Smoke rose and metal sizzled. He aimed a second blow, then a third. Soon the control panel was completely demolished.

he!!!!

[Genevieve Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we go again. I'm not surprised Obi-Wan looked so ancient in ANH, despite being merely in his fifties. He's essentially one tangled knot of deepening anxiety throughout Anakin's entire apprenticeship, and who can blame him?

This adventure has the Jedi Council plunging twelve-year-old Anakin into a slavery debacle as, like, his second or third mission. I, historically, am a pro-Jedi partisan, but the Council really come off as truly unhelpful and bordering on deliberately malicious. Obi-Wan is doing his BEST, okay, and Anakin is doing... something.

They both clearly care for each other deeply already. Anakin struggles a lot, and Obi-Wan wants to help him so much. He compares Anakin's impetuousness and rashness to his own as a child, and to Qui-Gon's. I think that what he doesn't see, though, is the desire for control and power in Anakin that was never present within him as a padawan. Since Anakin has known real oppression and exploitation, power is always going to mean more to him than to other Jedi, who have been raised with it all their lives.

I love the scene on Ilum where Qui-Gon's ghost comes to Obi-Wan. Of course Obi-Wan would completely misunderstand the message he's trying to communicate. I'm glad for this proof that Qui-Gon did try to speak to Obi-Wan first, before speaking to Anakin like in Rogue Planet.

Also, what was the deal with the ghost of Darth Maul building Anakn's lightsaber for him?

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set in 28BBY

Nope.

[elef · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book made me like anakin skywalker i can't believe that

[Kat V · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid these books came out right when I was starting to read adult material and I regret not reading them then. I don’t have the same fondness and nostalgia as I do with some other books. I highly recommend reading the Jedi Apprentice series prior to starting this one. The plot is a little predictable but the brilliance is in the characters and their thoughts and actions. Worth a reread for sure.

[Sarah Musser mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few other books in this series, and I liked this one the best. Recommended to any fans of Star Wars.

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that is clearly written for a younger audience. The writing style is simple and short, the story has a very fast pacing. But the way the characters interact with each other and get a moment to shine and regret reminds me of the Clone Wars episodes of my youth. I get the same feeling of excitment and shock reading this as I did when I was 8 years old and my lifelong love for STAR WARS started. From a narrative perspective the writing style makes sense from Anakins POV, who is not only young but also not incredibly well spoken. Often times the simple words do their work and hit the right emotions. But the book left me wishing for a longer, deeper explored story...especially when the book took turns and spoke from Obi Wans POV. But all in all it is a fun and suprisingly dark adventure to read if SW is your childhood like it was mine.

[betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet little book if you want to read some more-or-less harmless and low-stakes adventures with Obi-Wan and Anakin. I have to keep myself from cooing over these two rugrats after every second paragraph, but they are SO sweet, you guys. Anakin thinks the world of Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan is constantly worrying about raising his child right. Because what would the Council think?? And, most importantly, what would Qui-Gon think?? Speaking of which, Qui-Gon is an almost constant presence throughout this little novel: Anakin thinks so fondly of the man who saved him, while Obi-Wan misses him terribly. They both share the kind of "attachment issues" that the Jedi Council would wag their fingers at and they both have the same fear of rejection and disappointing their respective masters. This mirroring is simultaneously endearing and ultimately tragic, as we know that they will essentially not be able to bridge that gap of understanding and communication.

And it's exactly these bits of lore and characterization that mark the highlights of such a booklet. The plot is not bad at all, but more simplistic than anything (this being a children's book after all). It does not bother me in this instance, as the main function of the events is to provide a springboard for Anakin's and Obi-Wan's relationship. Basically, 29-year-old Obi-Wan convinces the mean old Jedi Council to allow him to take his 13-year-old padawan to the kyber crystal cave on the ice planet Ilum, in order to allow Anakin to finally forge his own lightsaber.

It is disheartening to hear how hurt Anakin is that the Council are so set on viewing him suspiciously, simply because of his strong sense of justice and his eagerness to help. Their adherence to outdated dogma, cold detachment and refusal to question their approach are, unsurprisingly, not helpful in the face of systematic oppression. Anakin has never been wrong to miss his mother and to be furious at the practice of slavery. But, luckily, Obi-Wan is there to lobby for his little charge, even though his fully-formed brain is still finding it difficult to balance between Jedi orthodoxy and his responsibility towards Anakin and, actually, every living being in need of help. ("There was something about this boy that wound around his heart. During the course of their missions together he had seen firsthand Anakin's impulsive generosity, his loyalty, his thirst to learn.") Obi-Wan knows deep in his heart that Anakin is right, he just doesn't know what to do about it. How millennial of him!

Their little trip to Ilum is melancholy because of these underlying and inescapable issues, but also hearwarming, too, due to their care for one another. Obi-Wan is not JUST Anakin's #1 lobbyist, he can also scale ice walls! He protects his padawan from fierce beasts guarding the cave mouth! (Anakin helps with a training saber!) He has to let Anakin face the cave's visions alone, but he doesn't want him to go too far either! He can fly ships pretty well, but doesn't want to! On the other hand, Anakin is reminded by the cave's mystical properties of the trauma he developed as a slave and the immense guilt he accrued by leaving his mother behind to that fate.

We all know from Episode I that Anakin was a slave, but actually reading glimpses of what his life must have been like paints a bleak picture of casual cruelty and injustice. Even on "good", beautiful days like the one described in the prologue, the slaves are never truly safe from further violations, as the feared slaver Krayn raids Anakin's village and kidnaps his friend's mother. Years later, after fashioning his own lightsaber, in the same colour as his master's, Anakin finds himself face to face with this despicable person on a mission that was supposed to provide only nominal security for a diplomatic ship manned by an insectoid species.

He could not speak of Krayn. Not yet. If he spoke the memory aloud, it would choke him. He was afraid of the emptiness he felt whenever he remembered his mother. There were so many sleepless nights when he berated himself for the comfort of his sleep-couch at the Temple, for his plentiful meals, his excellent education, but mostly, for his happiness there. How could he continue to take even one more contented breath when his mother languished as a slave on a desolate planet?
 
In the beginning, when he'd first arrived at the Temple, he could call up her voice and smile so easily. He could repeat her soft words to him: The greatest gift you can give me, Annie, is to take your freedom.
 
But her voice was growing fainter, and her smile growing dim.
 
Sometimes he had to struggle to recall the living reality of her face, the texture of her skin. He had not seen her in four years. He had been so young when he left. His greatest fear was that one day she would leave him completely. That he would lose her like a dream. Then he would be hollow inside.
 
Obi-Wan Kenobi had been raised in the Temple since he was a baby. He could not truly know how a childhood could be one of terror and shame mixed with comfort and love. He only knew this through his intellect, not his experience. It is one thing to see the effects of a terrible childhood. It is another to live them every day. So when his beloved Master told him he must accept his anger and let it move through him, a small, mean voice in Anakin whispered that his Master did not know what he was talking about. He did not truly know anger.
 
How could he let such rage move through him? Obi-Wan could never understand how it beat inside him, threatening never to leave. It had the power to consume him. It frightened him, and Anakin did not want to accept fear, either. Did this mean he could never be a Jedi Knight?
 
When he thought of his fears, his thoughts circled in just this way, bringing a spark of panic deep in his belly. It was better to pretend the anger wasn't there. Wasn't being a Jedi all about control? He had to find his own way to control his feelings. That would be the best way.

The fundamental conflict of the book boils down to Anakin's and Obi-Wan's differing approaches to tackling slavery. As a former slave himself, Anakin's rage is righteous and he doesn't have the willingness to ignore this kind of appalling inequality - he wants to fight and destroy Krayn personally. He wants to free all the slaves. (Anakin will always want to free all the slaves.) Obi-Wan, on the other hand, is old enough to have experienced the joys of bureaucracy and knows enough of the world and its workings to realise that the two of them together do not possess the necessary resources (either martial, financial or political power) to do so on their own (and neither does the Jedi Council). So, our favourite overwhelmed teenage father (he was 16 when Anakin was born, OK!) has the thankless task of explaining to his insubordinate apprentice how they have to pick and choose their battles. But, as Obi-Wan finds out himself, refusing a direct plea for help from enslaved prisoners is neither easy, nor straightforward, not necessarily right either.

"Our best chance to destroy this operation is to leave this ship at once," Obi-Wan told him urgently.
 
"But he's here, now!" Anakin argued. "We can destroy him."
 
"Marking a being for death is not the Jedi way," Obi-Wan told him severely.
 
"Even when that being enslaves others, kills them as if they were nothing, imprisons them against their will?" Anakin argued. "I heard the slaves beg you to help them. I saw you turn your back on them. How can you abandon them to such misery? Every day for a slave is another chance to die. Killing Krayn will free them. How can you do this?"

Of course, this was not a debate Obi-Wan was ever going to win and so Anakin flees from him on board the enemy ship, on his single-minded quest to stop Krayn. Anakin just cannot seem to catch a brake, though, as he naturally gets captured and has to live and work as a slave again, until Obi-Wan can come after him. I know I'd be losing my damn mind had I been in his place. The build-up to the climax is afforded more attention than the resolution of the story proper, but, even so, I think that the themes were pretty well-established and the characterisations robust. The author did a decent job of giving even tertiary characters their own backgrounds, motivations and distinctive voices: I'm thinking here of the Twi'leks Mazie and Berri, as well as Jedi Master Britney Spears (if you go by some of the artwork of her) a.k.a. Siri Tachi. I do wish the author chose to stylistically separate interior thoughts voiced as actual lines with the use of italics.

All in all, it is revealed that Britney-Siri had never left the Jedi Order after all and had been working for two years undercover within Krayn's operation, so she teams up with Anakin to provoke a riot among the slave population, later reuniting with Obi-Wan to dismantle the entire illegal operation. For his part, Obi-Wan is doing his best impression of Benoit Blanc as he puts his investigative goggles on and does the necessary detective work to discover the precise connection between the insectoid Colicoids and Krayn, the Jedi Council's secret mission involving Siri and, most importantly, where Anakin was taken: the moon Nar Shaddaa. Obi-Wan's cover story as an experienced slaver himself, hired by the Colicoids to act as an >>independent observer and consultant<<< on the issues of slave productivity and operational feasibility (!!!) allows him to witness exactly how little regard these people have for the lives of slaves and ends up kind of agreeing with Anakin's stance:

Obi-Wan felt revulsion rise deep within him. Krayn and Nor Fik were talking about living beings as if they were machines to be maintained.
 
You're the one who doesn't understand!
 
Anakin's tortured words filled his brain. His Padawan had been right.
 
He hadn't understood. He couldn't understand the depths of Anakin's feeling. As a child, Anakin had lived every day with the knowledge that his life meant nothing. That he was a possession, not a living being.

I did appreciate how the author managed to introduce some pretty heavy themes and ideas to a younger audience (gotta indoctrinate them into being WOKE as soon as possible!), but I do think she must have run out of steam towards the end, because the resolution, although not the worst, remains a little underdeveloped. Siri and Anakin come up with a plan to convince the Colicoids that it would be more profitable for them, as new members of the Republic, where slavery is illegal, to rely on paid labour, rather than slavery, for their operation, as they prove with the riot that Krayn cannot keep control of his slaves. It's a little too twee to be believable and could have used maybe five more pages to round off some criticism at how unsatisfactory a resolution this would be. The Colicoids would be completely off the hook, as would the collaborationist inhabitants of Nar Shaddaa, all the while the living conditions of the affected population would not necessarily be tremendously improved, as we can deign from real-life examples of forced economic migration and such.

Likewise, we could have used a few musings on the Jedi Council's approach to this situation, namely the double-faced hypocrisy of chiding Anakin for being preoccupied about the moral quandary of remaining passive in the face of slavery, when, in fact, they were actually trying to enact change in some way. Not that they should have revealed their secret plan to a little boy, but it does fall back on the themes of miscommunication and facilitating mental illness by withholding comfort. Case in point, Obi-Wan does ruminate on Anakin's decision to kill Krayn unarmed, which would have been against the Jedi Code, and his blank expression afterwards, foreshadowing of the coming darkness. Obi-Wan clings to Anakin's argument that Krayn still had a blaster on him (and we all know he is lying to himself and that he thinks the explanation insufficient), but is it really that much of a transgression when Krayn's life choices have brought suffering to so many? Obi-Wan would probably argue back that Jedi are not executioners and I can't say it would be detrimental to have such a voice cautioning against one's worst impulses either.

I did have to laugh at the author making Siri and Obi-Wan voice a neat summary of the events at the end, like they were doing a news report for the audience, but I guess that's inevitable when you write children's literature. :)) 4 stars because I did really enjoy it for what it is, but it would not hold the same appeal if you were not interested in these two characters specifically.

[Darian · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was some quality ani/obi content

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anakin is in his early teen years and rapidly becoming a true Jedi knight. However, he is still a boy, so he is lacking in the superb mental discipline that is characteristic of a Jedi. Obi-Wan does his best to keep his occasionally rebellious Padawan under control, but he is not always listened to. In this case a slaver named Krayn has been raiding planets for some time in order to have labor for his spice works. Obi-Wan and Anakin are given the task of infiltrating Krayn’s operation in order to learn the specifics so that it can be shut down.
Getting inside Krayn’s ship is fairly easily done, but when they encounter some slaves, Anakin remembers his youth where his mother and he were slaves. Therefore, he picks an inappropriate time to disobey Obi-Wan and Anakin is enslaved in the spice works. It is a brutal place where slaves are often severely punished, poorly fed and frequently worked to death. Anakin seems to have no hope until he receives aid from an unusual source. Since Obi-Wan knows where Anakin is held, he poses as a consultant in order to infiltrate the planet.
Written at the YA level, this book is a solid element of the print thread of the Star Wars story. It portrays Anakin as he most certainly would be at the age of twelve. Extremely talented and capable in the Jedi arts, yet impulsive and emotional as he grows into the role of a Jedi knight. The action moves well and there are hints regarding his dark and twisted future.

[Lisa Muchmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soooo good. Felt like I was reading a kids show episode arc. Sobbing over Obi Wan and Anakin’s relationship..again.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. The prose may not be the best, but it still packs a punch. I enjoyed getting to see Anakin build his lightsaber and struggle. Obi-wan has much to learn about teaching a Padawan. Obi-wan is still grieving the loss of Qui-gon, and has idealized him in his mind. I understand some of the secrecy required, but the lack of clear communication on all levels in the Jedi Order is exasperating.

[Jacob Vanden Avond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book, very interesting. I think I would have liked it a little bi more if it was longer, but it was still good.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story between Episodes 1 and 2.

Anakin is now 13 years old and is moving forward in his Jedi training. His master, Obi-Wan, and himself are assigned a delicate task that will test Anakin's training and his loyalty.

This book was a short story, but well written. I enjoyed the dynamic between Obi-Wan and Anakin right away. You really felt their relationship was real. I also liked how this story almost set up the path for Anakin to start distrusting the Jedi that eventually leads to his becoming Darth Vader.

There are moments when you can see the clear strings being pulled to lead Anakin down that path of the Dark Side. They main meat of the book revolves around a slave trader, Krayn, and his own relationship to Anakin. The fact that Anakin himself was once a slave plays a huge role as well.

I enjoyed the story overall, despite how short it was, because it really set up the start of when Anakin really began down that path towards the Dark Side of the Force. Obi-Wan sees it at the end, but practically ignores it or pushes those feelings down in order to keep his word to Qui-Gon and not fail in his training of Anakin.

I thought it was a well thought out story that just hints at what else is going on within Anakin's mind and heart. It was done very well.

[Saimi Korhonen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5!

I've been meaning to re-read the whole Jedi Quest series for a long time and now, finally, I started it! I don't remember much of anything that happens in these books, so I'm excited to re-live them now years after reading them for the first time as a kid.

Path To Truth was a solid start to the series. These books are very easy to read, very fast and very short, so you if you are looking for an in-depth analysis of the galaxy and multi-layered mysteries, you will not get it from this series. These stories' main focus is on the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan, and their individual characters. I think they were both written very well in this. Anakin's past as a slave was addressed in this book, as were his traumas relating to it. The antagonist of this story is a slaver, so there was quite a bit about Anakin, his past and his anger that stems from that past. That was all very fascinating to read about.

I also really love the character of Siri, and I think she had a cool arc in this book, though I wish we'd gotten to explore it more, but, since this is Anakin and Obi-Wan's series, it's not surprising or overly disappointing that we didn't. But I'm happy to be reading about her again.

I'm excited to continue with this series!

[Graff Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars: Legends - Path To Truth by Jude Watson - First book in the Jedi Quest middle grade series

Challenging, dark, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.

Fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5 Stars

Anakin going "undercover", while Obi-Wan searches for answers with the Jedi Council.

There are glimpses in this story...where we see our two favourite Jedi...trying to do their best, within the confines of their areas of influence. Anakin, trying to do the best thing for the people...and putting himself in "harm's way", while Obi-Wan sees the difficulties that he otherwise never understood...when Qui-Gon was dealing with the Jedi Council.

They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but in this story...they work out...but each of them grow in their respective areas of struggle (within the Force, and being a Jedi) under unfamiliar and unfavourable circumstances.

It was a fun romp. Not the highest of highs, but a good time to be back in this galaxy and fighting against the Dark Side.

[Tinita125 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno bueno bueno, hello there! Es la primera vez que leo un libro de Star Wars y la verdad me gustó. Nada mejor que consumir contenido de los personajes que tanto amo!
Particularmente cualquier historia que tenga a Anakin y Obi wan como personajes principales es una win win situation para mí.
Es interesante porque en la historia se puede ver como ambos tienen muchas dudas. Anakin tiene mucha dificultad para controlar sus emociones y miedo a no llegar a ser un jedi decente. Por otro lado, Obi se la pasa pensando en Qui Gon y en que es lo mejor para Anakin.
Siempre soy muy biased y la verdad es que tengo sentimientos de amor y odio con Obi wan, siento que no supo muy bien como ayudar a Anakin y se mando muchas cagadas. Me pareció hermoso ver como estaba tan preocupado por él y como lo defiende del consejo.
Siempre voy a pensar que la historia de Anakin Skywalker es tragedia pura, pero me ilusiona saber que hay tanto por leer y mas facetas que descubrir de él, no solo el canon.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remember in Phantom Menace, Anakin was the cute 7 year old slave. Then we next saw him in the Attack of the Clones and he was a teenage Padawan. This series of books traces the Jedi training than Anakin went through, and of course a few adventures thrown in for good measure.

This being a Young Adult book, the story is fast, and there is no over building of tension or characters. It also ties in with the previous series by Jude Watson "The Jedi Apprentice" where Obi Wan was the padawan to Qui-Gon.

This story rated around 2.5 stars but I rounded up to 3 as it was quick! Obi-Wan and Anakin are sent by the Jedi council to escort a ship to keep them safe from a pirate attack by a known slave trader. Does Anakin want to stop slavery? Does Tatooine get a bit warm in summer?

[Swati Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was shockingly good, I didn’t expect such depth and emotional insight. I was on the verge of tears for half of it.

I love the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin in this book. We see so much of Obi-Wan’s thoughts and fears and worries but also he sees the inherent goodness of Anakin. I don’t feel like this is always the case in how Obi-Wan is written.

I also loved how this book really understands Anakin’s generosity. The way he connects with other people, his instant desire to help when he can. This is the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker.

I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Imaad Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this thoughtfully crafted novel by Jude Watson. It introduces familiar Star Wars characters such as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. But it also introduces new topics such as the story of Anakin between Episodes 1 and 2. This book is really good to read if you love Star Wars and the prequel trilogy. It really goes in depth about Anakin's training and Obi-Wans mentorship. And don't worry because if you loved this book, the author has plenty more "Path to Truth" books about Anakin and Obi-Wans adventures. Anyways to wrap it up, this is why I really liked Jude Watson's series "Jedi Quest: Path to Truth"!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m still undecided whether I want to read all of Jedi Quest, but I thought I’d try it out.

Much in keeping with the previous series, the plot manages to conveniently separate Master from Apprentice so that the kid (in this case Anakin) can have dangerous adventures their responsible adult would otherwise protect them from (and it’s now Obi-wan’s turn to be that responsible adult, good luck Obi-wan try not to let the middlegrade tropes get you down).

It was fairly entertaining, but due to length and the fact that it’s leading up to RotS, we don’t get to delve into the deeper emotional ramifications. And we definitely don’t get to fix anything! Yay dramatic irony.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I forgot to put this in Goodreads.... I thought tying this book into Anakin's background as a former slave was pretty interesting. I also liked the Siri/Zora angle. Everything about this series definitely hammers home Anakin's anger, fear, doubt, and emotional instability which is always a little....... well, let's just say, it seems easier and more obvious to write him that way when you already know what will happen to him.

[J.B. Mathias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story, I love the Jude Watson series that began as Obi Wan as Qui Gons Apprentice and continue here with Obi Wan as Anakins master. I always felt Obi Wan needed to be a central character in Episode 1 more than he was and these series do just that. Story was short but well executed, tied into the canon nicely and connected to the Jedi Apprentice series as well. Characters were well developed for a short story geared to kids and was still enjoyable as an adult.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always found it odd that this book isn't the first official title in the Jedi Quest series and was seemingly published as a one-shot, but perhaps TPTB were testing the waters. They didn't need to be so cautious - Jude Watson always delivers. It might not carry #1 on the cover, but this instalment is incredibly strong and immediately highlights the differences between Obi-Wan's firm bond with Qui-Gon and his tenuous connection with Anakin. Bonus Siri Tachi!

[loppu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miten kukaan voi kirjoittaa näin hyvän kirjan?! Anakin on mahtava, samoiten Zora. I love it! Myöskin pidän Obi-Wanin luonteesta, joka ilmestyy useasti juuri oikealla tavalla lukijalle. Vähän häiritsi, että hänkertoja (voi myöskin olla joku muu, koska en kovin hyvin tunnista kertojia) vain siirtyi eri hahmolle kesken luvun. Myös se, kun Anakin sai valomiekkansa oli mahtavaa!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much wish that I had had the chance to read this series as a kid. I did not have the privilege but I am sure glad to be reading them now.

Such a great story. I think any PT fan or Anakin fan should take a chance on beginning this series. I have enjoyed it so much. I really cannot wait to continue this series.

[Albert Kleppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a kick-off to the Jedi Quest series, this does everything it needs to and more. Tying in perfectly to the previous series Jedi Apprentice and the film it's set closest to, The Phantom Menace, this develops the characters extremely well, and ticks the checklist that other Anakin and Obi-Wan adventures set in this timefrime aren't always able to for me.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These young readers books do an amazing job at character development. Anakin is trapped between the kind young boy he was and the fearful arrogant young man he will become and Jude Watson does a masterful job at showing this.