Today I’m reviewing the first of the special edition novels and prefacing this with an explanation. Unlike the regular novels in the Jedi Apprentice/Jedi Quest series, special editions are multi-generational. While they jump from one master-padawan generation to another, there is continuity in theme and characters. Because of the multi-generational approach they’re a little hard to place in chronology, but I chose to review Deceptions at this point because it deals with the ramifications of the four book story arc I just finished reviewing. So on to the review.

Deceptions: Jude Watson

While Obi-Wan has much back in place – his standing in the Jedi Order and Qui Gon once again his master, he has not found acceptance within himself for all his actions. Bruck Chun’s death still haunts Obi-Wan, and it isn’t long before it becomes a very serious issue for him. Representing Bruck’s father, Vox Chun, Senator Sano Sauro insists on a senate investigation of Bruck’s death and succeeds in turning the senate hearing into a trial which does not go well for Obi-Wan. It’s obvious that Sauro has a vendetta against the Jedi and is using the case to further it (how deeply Sauro’s hatred of the Jedi runs will be seen in later novels). Qui Gon is right by Obi-Wan’s side, supporting him and to distract his padawan, he enlists Obi-Wan’s help with a problem in the newly formed Jedi starfighter program on Centax 2. Qui Gon senses there is some connection between the sabotage of the starfighters and Obi-Wan’s problems. While he never fully discovers the connection in the process he does uncover the saboteur as well as the means to prove Obi-Wan’s innocence. But even though it’s clear to the senate that Obi-Wan is vindicated, he’s earned the undying hatred of Bruck Chun’s family, especially his brother Kad. Obi-Wan is unable to erase Kad’s parting words. You will always be a killer. In his own eyes, Obi-Wan too sees himself as a killer.

Fast forward twelve years…

There’s a new master-padawan pairing now and Obi-Wan is still feeling his way as Anakin Skywalker’s master. Even though Yoda stresses that having Jedi look into the matter of the BioCruiser is not a mission, it nonetheless turns into just that. The ship is a self-sustaining, permanent home for anyone whose world has become uninhabitable, and it’s led by a human known as Uni. Uni has agreed to a Jedi inspection to calm the fears that his followers have been coerced or brainwashed. Obi-Wan and Anakin board the ship and soon meet with Uni – who turns out to be Kad Chun. While the enmity between Kad and Obi-Wan is still there under the surface neither man allows it to interfere with their goals. Obi-Wan realizes that there is no badness in Kad; just misguided idealism. However there is something wrong. Our old saboteur from the Jedi starfighter program is back, and he nearly destroys everything Kad Chun is trying to achieve. What evolves in the fight to save the BioCruiser is resolution for two men who badly need it.

There isn’t much that doesn’t satisfy in this Jedi generational story. It’s nice to have a continuity of story crossover, and Watson does a good job delineating the differences in the two master-padawan relationships. While Qui Gon is gone in the second half of the story, he’s very much a presence and Watson brings in a subtle theme she uses periodically throughout the Jedi Quest series. Obi-Wan hears Qui Gon’s advice in his head in Qui Gon’s voice. Obi-Wan always assumes it’s his own mind evoking his memories of Qui-Gon, but the reader is left to assume that it is, in fact, Qui-Gon still there helping his padawan.

Watson also uses the opportunity to bring back characters from Obi-Wan’s padawan past, and that’s enjoyable to see. In Deceptions we find out that Andra and Den (the two who saved Qui Gon and Obi-Wan’s lives in The Day of Reckoning) are married and living on the BioCruiser. Andra is still idealistic and Den is still a likeable rogue, and once again they assist the Jedi. Even Xanatos is given a mention (he really was a good villain), so that Qui Gon/Obi-Wan legacy is passed onto Anakin as well. As well Watson does her usual good job of building relationships and the Obi-Wan-Anakin one is no exception. They’re still new at the master-padawan business, feeling their way and it isn’t all smooth sailing.

All in all, I’d give this book a thumbs up. This book could be a stand-alone, and while you don’t need to read the preceding books to enjoy, it will leave you wanting to.