The Cestus Deception

Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Kit Fisto, a Nautolan, are summoned to Coruscant to the T'Chuk sporting arena. Technician Lido Shan gives a demonstration of a bio-droid unit labeled 'JK-13' (JK for Jedi Killer). It is unique with its implanted 'Force-sensitive unit', a living circuit named 'dashtaeel', which allows greater empathy for its owner and aggression toward intruders. The unit is manufactured by Cestus Cybernetics. Lido Shan demonstrates JK's uniqueness, in sparring it against another droid, and then a Clone Commando, with devastating results to the Clone. Even though the Confederation's Count Dooku's photo graces the front cover with Obi-Wan and Kit, the Count never appears in the story, only mentioned now and then, but he has a powerful ally in Jedi Asajj Ventress, Commander of the Separatist Army. Her object: carry-out revenge on Obi-Wan Kenobi for an action in the past. Cestus is a barren world, necessitating the import of survival staples, and its population is 95% lower-class, and the community is economically-deprived. The ruling principals are the 'Five Families of Cestus Cybernetics' (each with a piece of the pie, such as manufacturing, mining, etc. -- 'a puppet Regency'. There is a bargaining in the wind to sell thousands of the JK units. Kit and Obi-Wan are to halt the deal, to recover a semblance of trust with the Cestians through contact Regent G'Mai Duris, and to advise of the danger in dealing with Count Dooku. Accompanying the Jedi Knights are Clone Commandos: A-98--Nate, an ARC Trooper, recruiter and command posting, whose soul dictum is: "It's not what a man fights with, its what he fights for that counts." Other CT's -- Xutoo, pilot; Sirty, logistics; Forry, physical trainer; and Seefor, communications are part of the Cestus team. All is to be accomplished peacefully, unless...! From the point of arrival on Cestus, Obi-Wan senses a presence around him, a drifter in and out, silently. Kit and the CT's go one way to carry out a plan, while Barrister Boolb Snoil (a Vippit of Nal Hutta reunites as partner with Obi-Wan, to fulfill a debt, before he ventures homeward to mate. Clone 'Nate' experiences feelings of love and romance with Sheeka Tull, Cestian pilot, who once had a relationship with Jango Fett. Sheeka renames Nate, 'Jangotat". Another refresher is the teaching of Jedi ways by Kit Fisto to the Clone Commandos delight. In a verbal exchange with Obi-Wan, Jangotat offers:: "General Fisto said that thoughts and fears are like boulders, and the force is the river rushing between them. Most people grow so clogged with pains and regrets that the water can no longer flow from the mountain to the sea. ... but have been warned that I could never learn to be as good as a Jedi." In return, Obi-Wan offers: "The joy in life comes not from surpassing another's gifts, but in fully manifesting our own." And, "one meter, one moment at a time, Jangotat was finding his way to the sea." Profound! beautiful

Steven Barnes foray into the Star Wars universe is a wonderful book. He provides a very interesting look into the mind of a "clone" warrior that provides a lot of food for thought.His battle scenes are well written, while the politics provide the usual Star Wars back stabbing and intrigue.I highly recommend this book.

Not having read any of Barnes' previous novels, i was not quite sure what to expect in this book. However, Steven managed to create a truly excellent addition to the Star Wars library. Obi-wan's struggle to stop the bio-droid factories while avoiding wholescale slaughter is one of the best political sub-plots ever to appear in a Star wars novel. Asajj Ventress also makes an impressive debut in this book, and her battle with Obi-wan at the end is very well-choreographed. The centerpiece of this book is the evolution of Nate, an ARC trooper serving under Kenobi, into Jangotat, a brave individual who makes a spectacular sacrifice. Kudos to Barnes for adding several new alien species to the SW pantheon, particularly the X'ting. Hopefully the rest of the Clone Wars series can offer as much enjoyment as this book did.

While the Clone Wars continue, the Republic learns that the remote planet, Ord Cestus, is mass-producing special bio-droids capable of defeating a Jedi in mortal combat. Apparently, a ban on producing battle droids ravaged the local economy leading to the Cestus bartering with the Republic's enemy, Count Doohu and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Taking the threat seriously, Chancellor Palpatine dispatches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, fellow Jedi Knight Nautolan Kit Fisto, several trooper-clones, and the slug barrister Snoil to the orb to do whatever it takes including global genocide to insure that no Jedi-killing battle droids are produced.Obi-Wan plummets into local intrigues as he senses a much greater diabolical plot behind what is happening on Ord Cestus. With the help of his team, Obi-Wan struggles to prevent the development and sale of the bio-droids, to avert a nasty takeover scheme and trying to prevent the planet from total annihilation from his side or their opponent. Neither the Republic nor the Confederacy can afford to allow their enemy to gain control of the bio-droids that could shift the balance of power.Fans of the Star Wars mythos or Steven Barnes will thoroughly enjoy this fantastic entry that may be the best of the Clone War tales (comic book, novel or game). The action-packed story line contains plenty of enticing exotic characters from nasty bad dudes to the novel stealing Snoil, a brilliant legal genius. A touch of romance adds depth to a great Star Wars story that will bring new readers to the Jedi universe and showcase why Steven Barnes is one of the best novelists on the market today.Harriet Klausner