Star Wars: Legacy of the Jedi #1: Legacy of the Jedi

I enjoyed this book a lot, and I'm well over the suggested age range. I've read many of Watson's books to my 7-year-old son, who's under the suggested age range, and we've both gotten hooked on them. I like the character bits and dialogue; he likes the fight scenes! This one is divided into 4 sections, each focusing on a different generation of Jedi. The first is about Dooku as a Padawan, the second is about Dooku as a Knight with Qui-Gon as his Padawan, the third covers Qui-Gon as master with Obi-Wan as his Padawan, and the fourth is set in the early stages of the Clone Wars with Obi-Wan and Anakin. Linking them all together is a character who appears in all four sections, a onetime friend of Dooku's named Lorian Nod who has several run-ins with the Jedi. Watson is a master of characterization and what I enjoyed most about this book was getting to see what Dooku was like at age 13, what he was like later on as Qui-Gon's master, and some of the events that shaped his life. Even more fun was seeing a young Qui-Gon and the early manifestations of his reserve, his rebellious nature and his compassionate desire to help beings whom no one else will help. One gets a sense of how difficult it must have been for Qui-Gon to have been Dooku's apprentice, given Qui-Gon's strong living force connection and Dooku's almost total lack of empathy for other beings. Part four was a mixed bag for me. I loved the scene where Obi-Wan was rude to Lorian Nod in the Jedi Council room. It's such unusual behavior for Obi-Wan, and yet it was completely in character. But the ending of the book kind of fizzled out for me; I was expecting a bigger payoff out of the redemption storyline and the ending felt rushed somehow. But overall, this is a very fun and thought-provoking book. You have four generations of important Jedi from the movies, two of which will never stray from the Jedi path, and two of which will ultimately betray the Order and become Sith. If you are thoughtful about this sort of thing you can wonder, did events concerned with Lorian Nod cause Dooku to fall, or was he doomed to fall because he could never control his pride or even see it as a fault? And similarly, did Anakin fall because of the events in his life, or because Obi-Wan failed him, or because of inherent and unchangeable personality traits? The book doesn't answer these questions but it gives the reader plenty to think about.

Got to admit (I'm 30 too) and enjoyed this book! I've been reading them with my son (who is 8) and he is totally engrossed in the stories. This one has been one of my favorites due to the elaborating of Qui-Gon as Padawan Learner to Dooku. My son loves Obi-Wan and I'm a Qui-Gon fan, so this book was great. And the fact that the one character that started out back when Dooku was a teen was great. Showing what friendship is about and that betrayal is and can be on different levels.Jude Watson did an excellent job in dividing the parts up. I wish that she'd write some of the adult SW books. I think she has the skill and definitely the mind for it!I have (as well as my son) enjoyed the Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest books. I believe that any true SW fan will definitely enjoy this one as well as the other books.

Even though this book, and many other books written by Jude Watson are "for ages 9-12", the depth of emotions and the touching stories portrayed in these books are superior. For ages 9-100, I say!I am a 15 year old girl and I own all of the StarWars books, from The Rising Force (Jedi Apprentice #1) to the eighth book in the Jedi Quest series. I'm not a Sci-fi freak, but I love these books because they are so well written, and they teach important values, dealing with friendship, working through adversity, and even romance. These books are for everyone, boy or girl, man or woman.Legacy of the Jedi was brilliant. It linked the different generations of Jedi (Yoda and Dooku, Dooku and Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and Obi-wan and Anakin)as if they were seperate little books in one. Jude Watson provided excellent coherence in the book by linking all of the relationships together with each master-padawan team battling a common enemy.Each team has a weakness that they have to work through. Each team is different. It is amazing to see what Dooku was like as a boy, and what made him become Count Dooku. It was also good to see what Qui-Gon was like before he became the logical, perfect master. This book is definatly recomended!! If you like this book, read Jedi Apprentice Special Edition 1 & 2- they're awesome!

This was the greatest book yet. I loved how Jude Watson keeps you waiting for the next. I had no clue about the character Lorian Nod. The new book taught me alot of new peices of imformation. I am the biggest Star Wars fan. I have read all the books, but i reccomend this one as number 1 on my list. The way Jude Watson lays the book out through 4 parts is really genius. I cant wait till the next.

When reading the SW books that Jude Watson writes I can't help but wonder why she isn't writing adult novels too. Her "children's" novel are often smarter, wittier, funnier, and alot better read then most of the other author's books in the EU. This is definitely the case with Legacy of The Jedi. Legacy is separated in to four different section but weave into each other to create something magical. In the first part we learn of Dooku as a padawan and his friend Lorian. Next we get a look into Qui-Gon Jinn's apprenticeship with Dooku were they encounter Lorian once more. The third story centers around Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan and another mishap with Lorian. Finally we get a story about Obi-Wan and Anakin during the beginning of the Clone War that also involves Lorian, now an old man. While each story is separated they bounce off each other and blend into one big story. In this book we get a glimpse at Dooku's beginning and a peak at his fall. The reader also get a look at the different relationship between Master and Padawan. From the distance with Dooku and Jinn, to the close bonds of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, to finally the widening gaps of Obi-Wan and Anakin. It's very interesting to see the different approaches the Master each take and how different each Padawan is from the other.I especially like the part centering around Qui-Gon when he was a Padawan. I wouldn't mind seeing a series revolving around his and Dooku's relationship in the future or perhaps a sequel type book to this where we once again get all four generations. This book is a bit steep in price but reading wise it will entertain and make you wish it was a great deal longer.