Grieving for the loss of his friend Tahl, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn has been sent back to the Jedi Temple to recover. But this peace is soon shattered by an urgent mission -- a young boy with a knack for technology has intercepted a message that indicates a mass assassination of planetary leaders is about to take place. It is up to Qui-Gon and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to protect the boy from the bounty hunter assassins...and to foil the deadly plot.
Joining Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan on their mission are the Jedi Master Adi Gallia and her headstrong apprentice, Siri. Obi-Wan and Siri have been sparring friends for a long time. But as the assassins' pursuit tightens, they find their relationship beginning to change in an unexpected direction....
A generation later, Obi-Wan, Siri, and the boy they tried to save are reunited once more -- with the fate of the Clone Wars hinging on the outcome. Old tensions rise once more -- as well as new conflicts and secrets. Obi-Wan's apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, has many things to hide, and when his secret wife, Padmé Amidala, joins the Jedi mission, the risks becomes even greater than before.
Secrets are dangerous. Secrets are difficult. Secrets can kill.
I didn't realize this was a juvenile novel when I put it on hold at the library.
This story spans two generations of padawans, with Qui-Gon and Obi-wan in the first generation, and Obi-wan and Anakin in the second. The secret referred to is that although possession and atttachment are forbidden to a Jedi, it doesn't follow that they don't fall in love. Qui-Gon did, although the story is only referred to in the past tense, and apparently he and the Jedi woman he loved had made a pledge to one another. It was voided when she died, but the pain of it stayed with Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon and Obi-wan are sent on a mission with another Master and Padawan; the padawan is Siri, whom Obi has known since his youngling days. Over the course of their adventure, the two padawans fall in love, and decide (initially) that they are going to be together, and the Jedi can just make way for them. When the mission is completed, Qui-Gon and Yoda both advise Obi-Wan that he must choose: a life with the woman that he loves, or the Jedi. The Jedi will not bend, says Qui-Gon "Not unless the whole galaxy changes, the whole Order changes, not unless an upheaval happens that changes everything." Yoda tells Obi that losing the love will hurt, but losing the Jedi would shatter them both. Obi and Siri resolve never to refer to their feelings again, by look or by word.
Twenty years later, that mission from the past enters chapter two. The person they rescued needs help from the Jedi and a Republic senator, and the romantic attachment is the marriage between Anakin and Padme. Events happen, Obi and Siri recognize that that not having the relationship that they wanted in youth has had an effect on them, but that the Force helped them to deal with the loss. They decide it is better to be best friends than to allow the pain of not being together to maintain a barrier. Siri dies, and Anaking gets the idea that maybe Obi loved her. Obi's Jedi way of handling her death convinces him that either he was wrong or that Obi just doesn't feel as deeply as he does.
Padme says, "We chose this life, but it's so hard to live it. . .the secrecy is tearing me apart. I'm always afraid I'll betray us with a look or a word. . .Did we do the right thing? Not in loving each other, we couldn't help that, but in marrying? I've put a wedge between you and the Jedi. . .[Y]our first loyalty is to me. that makes your path confused. I know enough about the Jedi to know how wrong that is."
Even though it was a juvenile novel, it handled some of these difficult concepts extremely well, and I can see you resourceful parents could use them in a discussion about choices and consequences with their children.
I notice, as I read the review, that falling in love with a male Jedi is almost as fatal as sleeping with James Bond.
This book will always have a special place in my heart. Jude Watson is a skilled author in that she made Obi-Wan my favorite character of all time in her books, gave me Siri who I strongly relate to, and managed to create a romance that tugged at my heart strings back when I was a tween who thought romance was icky (that takes skill). I have re-read it multiple times and I hope to re-read it in the years to come <3
This book builds on the circumstances of The Jedi Apprentice series so one might be better off reading that series first. This book contains two stories and each story is connected by a central character. In this one, a boy has overheard a group of bounty hunters are planning to assassinate a Senator. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan with two other Jedi are sent to protect him and his family. The second story is set twenty years later with the boy now a man and he has developed a weapon that could win the war for the Republic. Obi-Wan and Anakin journey to meet him.
This was a likable offering from this universe and deals with the choices that we are forced to make. I would consider this more of a YA book than a novel. The tie-in with the boy for both stories works well and I enjoyed the character very much. Once again, we get an insight to Obi-Wan and this book adds to whether he knows about Anakin and Padme or he is just ignorant of their relationship. The reason I could not give this a higher rating is the first story. It is too similar to an arc for Qui-Gon in the previous series and similar to Anakin and Padme. I understand that was the intent but it did seem like we were repeating aspects here. Also, it was an arc during The Clone Wars cartoon series and I thought it was better done there.
This was a quick read and an enjoyable book. The problem was that there was too much of an overlap with other offerings from this universe. That being said, it is worth a read.
3.8 stars I'm pleasantly surprised this book isn't what I thought it would be.
This book is divided into 2 parts
Part 1: The experience of reading this is similar to that of watching TCW tv series. It is always nice to read about Jedi on mission during the golden era of the Old Republic. My favourite. The pace is not too slow and not to fast. The arc will catch your attention til the end. The heavy-handed implication in order to keep it PG-13 is amusing, I'm not complaining but it could have been made less of a scream-aloud *for kids*. Is this a children book or YA even? Because philosophy in the book (or the part) is not for a child to understand, not even a tween. However things uh are kept at bay at the standard of children's books. Why?
Part 2: In comparison to part 1, this part is less well written, more fast paced which is understandable but everything is rushed which makes the pacing throughout the whole book inconsistent. The action and Anidala dialogues resemble the now legend old Clone Wars micro series (Genndy Tartakovsky, 2003). One dimensional dialogues and boom-paw action sequences as opposed to the later written Clone Wars novel after the release of 2008 tv series. One easter egg I appreciate is that Anakin's possessiveness any machoism in this part seem to inspire the Clovis arc on TCW season 2 & 6, very uncanny, love it. And Padme, Padme just roasts him mercilessly HAHAHAHA. One regrettable thing the character Taly, his arc and character development should have been made a whole separated arc or a standalone, unfortunately he's merely a catalyst for the main ship the pun, sorry, can't help it. And Obi-Wan is still Obi-Wan, so oblivious (this book makes clear he's truly oblivious and not pretending ignorance).
The greatest aspect of this book: Obi-Wan and Siri (and Qui-Gon) quotable quotes about loving & letting go, which I found to be practical in real life
When I first started reading this book, I was very excited, but skeptical. The plot was okay, but what I didn't pay attention to the plot as much as I did the characters. As usual, Jude Watson wrote Obi-Wan perfectly, capturing some of his complexity within simple words. I loved this book, because it made Obi-Wan more human, showing us that there is more to him than Jedi philosophies. I enjoyed the few parts with Qui-Gon, and I always enjoy Siri. However, I felt that Anakin was extremely out of character. While Jude Watson can capture Anakin's feelings as a Padawan, I think she is better off leaving him alone after his marriage to Padme. The brief romance between them in the book made me cringe.
Overall, I think this was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to any prequel fan.
The ways in which this changed my perceptions of Obi-Wan as a character are hard to put into words. Looking at the saga after reading this, though, he's a completely different person. And I like that person, a lot. Plus, I really liked the juxtaposition of the Anakin/Padme relationship to the Obi-Wan/Siri relationship.
Reread. I recommended it to a kid at the library the other day and had an urge to reread it myself. It’s mostly about Obi-Wan and it’s one of the old canon books that I still consider canon, so of course I love it. And the end about made me cry even though I’ve known about it since I was a kid.
Secrets of the Jedi is a mixed experience for me. I would not call it one of Jude Watson’s stronger works, yet it does feel like a slight step up compared to some of her earlier Legends material. The most successful part is the storyline involving Taly. The Jedi’s effort to protect him as a child, followed by his reappearance years later, gives the book a thread that feels purposeful and sincere. I also found Part I more engaging, largely because the presence of Qui-Gon and Adi Gallia anchors the story in familiar territory.
The weakest section is the romance subplot between Obi-Wan and Siri. It feels forced and is inconsistent with everything we know about their characters. Siri is normally disciplined and deeply committed to the Jedi path, and she was vocal about Obi-Wan’s mistake on Melida/Daan. Obi-Wan, after returning from that same situation, made a deliberate promise not to violate the Jedi Code again. Having both characters suddenly contemplate secret attachment or a willingness to risk their futures does not align with their established arcs. The subplot also reads like artificial padding that expands Part I without adding meaningful depth. Moreover, since Part II takes place during the Clone Wars, it is difficult to accept that such an important mission did not include a detachment of clone troopers or stronger support from the Republic.
Overall, Secrets of the Jedi works as a passable entry for readers committed to the Legends timeline, and it is not the weakest book of its era. However, aside from the Taly storyline, the book often feels uneven, with emotional beats that do not always match the characters or the larger context. It is best approached as a supplemental read rather than a standout installment.
It's not a bad idea. It's just that the 2008 Clone Wars did it better. This book shows that Jude Watson struggles to make romance feel organic. Many of the characters feel out of character. This is some of her weakest and over the top prose since Tahl's final arc. It also doesn't help that she breaks her own continuity to make this work. That being said there were a few good moments that tried to explore ways of looking at the no attachments part of the Jedi code and the differences between love, passion, and a desire to possess and control a person. Poorly executed, but not the worst thing I've read.
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. To me the characters just lept off the page. They were so real. It was the first book that I cried when a character died. I recently found and reread the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Star Wars: Legends: Secrets of the Jedi by David Mattingly, Jude Watson
Challenging, emotional, hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character Strong character development? Yes Loveable characters? Yes Diverse cast of characters? Yes Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75 Stars
One of the best things about this story, is the parallel storylines about attachments to others (in love). The first was with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Siri, when they were both young, and Anakin and Padme (likewise while they were young).
As we know, Obi-Wan listened to Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda, while Anakin HID his relationship to Padme...and it is what lead him towards the Dark Side and away from the Light.
The things that I didn't like about this story, was the artificial combining of these two stories. If they were going to show the parallels, then I feel they should've drawn more similarities or obvious differences and how their respective Masters either succeeded/failed in correcting them (in time).
I just feel that it was done without a true structure and moral...to actually make the teach "stick" or add a counterpoint in how one prevailed in the Light, and while the other FELL to the Dark Side PRIMARILY because of his unhealthy attachment to Padme (and listening to Palpatine that HE (and ONLY he) could save Padme...and Anakin believed his lies.
BUT, this book was/is written for the Middle Grade age group, and I feel that they pulled too many punches in this story.
So, it was ineffective in the ONE thing that should've been taught in this important story.
Ugh. But, it was good to experience another adventure with Obi-Wan and his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn...which I always am grateful for.
I found this randomly at the library. I'm really glad I'd finished the Jedi Apprentice series before reading it, because there were big spoilers for that series. There was at least one spoiler for the Jedi Quest series too, which I haven't finished.... but at least it was something I already knew.
I confess to a bit of eye-rolling regarding the Obi-Wan/Siri plot, for two reasons: One, it seemed repetitive when we'd already dealt with this issue with Qui-Gon; and two, reading this in 2018, we already have an Obi-Wan forbidden love story with Duchess Satine in Clone Wars. It's like this whole "secret love" plot has been played out multiple times, and the ending is always the same. Moral: don't date a Jedi.
All that aside, the book itself was pretty enjoyable, and it was nice to see Padme for a change. Now I'll have to finish the Jedi Quest series to fill in, I guess.
Jude Watson is easily one of my favorite Star Wars authors and I would not have enjoyed this book as much if she hadn't written it. Watson's ability to focus on individuals and emotional interactions in a universe as large as Star Wars shines through in all her work. The emotional connections felt very real and were the strongest part of the story. I cannot give this book five stars however because the plot does get a little confused and is obviously just a backdrop for the emotional storytelling. Overall however, it is not terrible. I also think this book follows another series I have not read so I was missing some context, but it didn't hamper my reading too much. I also found the main love interest very funny because at first it felt a little self-insert-fan-fiction for me but grew on me over time.
"Secrets" of the Jedi... Here I was thinking, this book contains secrets of the Jedi order. Is Yoda high on drugs? Does Mace Windu shave his head every day? Nope, this book does not answer these questions. Instead this is another Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon adventure, (70%), and a small Obi-Wan/Anakin story. We learn that Obi-Wan fell in love with another Jedi while he was young, and both agreed to remain in the Jedi, than to follow their hearts. Then in the second story, Anakin and his secret wife Padme join Obi-Wan on a mission.
So the book title really should be "Secrets some Jedi keep from the council", but that wouldn't sell too many books...
Secrets of the Jedi is a perfectly fine mid grade Star Wars novel. I haven't read the Jedi Apprentice or Jedi Quest series that lead up to Secrets, but that didn't hinder my reading of this.
Secrets is essentially two interconnected shorts dealing with love and loss among different Jedi, mostly from the PoV of Obi-wan Kenobi. I love a well crafted romance story in my Star Wars, and though the language of Secrets skews very young, the ideas, concepts, and situations are very Star Wars. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's decent without any major issues.
This was the conclusion to the Jedi Apprentice series that it needed. It takes a few loose threads from the series and weaves it into the story of the later 2 prequel movies well. I loved the plotline with Siri and how it was tied in with Qui Gon and Tahl and then Padme and Anakin. How 3 different but connected Jedi dealt with the same issue.
Just like in the Jedi Apprentice special editions I like the use of telling one story in two different time periods. A must read for fans of the Jedi Apprentice series.
First off I would like to say that this cover is awful. If they wanted to do photos they should have either left Siri off, or hired a model.
The book itself was pretty good. We don't get to spend much time with Qui-Gon and his lost love, but I really enjoyed the story of Siri and Obi-Wan, as well as the plot that brings them together. Overall I think a well written and well constructed novel.
This book was the best Star Wars book that is not on one of the eight episodes or the clone war. it was before episode one and it was fantastic. I loved it and it was a very good book and I recommend it to all star wars fans.
Wow, what a great Star Wars book. I'd highly recommend to all fans.
As a continuation of Legends, we see Obi-Wan & Siri teamed up followed by Clone Wars them with Anakin & Pandmé. Excellent look at 3 generations of great Jedi and their interpretation of love within the Jedi Code.
The last of Obi Wan and Anakin young readers novels kind of leaves it bittersweet. And that ending? Sobs. These books have been quite enjoyable, really great insight into the relationship.
Ich hab mich irgendwann einmal gefragt, ob es denn keinen Jedi gibt, der wirklich streng zölibatär lebt... Jeder hat eine unglückliche Liebschaft im Hintergrund.
Initially I didn’t love the book but the ending was really good. Very moving. Definitely worth a reread. Will probably split and read it in order next time.
Wirklich nichts besonderes. Würde eig eher 3 Sterne geben, aber im Vergleich zu den Büchern denen ich 3 Sterne gegeben habe, ist das hier nicht so gut.