With Lords of the Sith out in April, the next non-“Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” related adult novel will be Dark Disciple, authored by Christie Golden. Its plot synopsis is officially out (first spotted by Jedi-Bibliothek, naturally) and it sounds pretty dark, besides the romantic subplot of course. UPDATE 7/5/15: Our review is up, but cautious, it’s got spoilers!
Here’s the blurb:
Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!
The only way to bring down the dark side’s most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.
In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.
In the Advanced Reader Copy of LotS, the opening chapter for Dark Disciple was included and it confirms the Jedi’s extreme reluctance in following through on the idea to send an assassin after Count Dooku. Considering we know Dooku won’t die till Anakin crosses sabers through his neck in Revenge of the Sith, things don’t look like they’ll go good for Ventress and Vos. I seriously hope DD won’t end in Ventress’ death, as her journey through The Clone Wars series was wholly unexpected and seriously enjoyable and it would be a shame to watch her character end here. In the “Thank You” post by Dave Filoni back in March of 2014, he revealed a few images with hints on where TCW was going with the top two images likely from the arc DD is based off of (which Golden pointed out was going to be 8 episodes long) and one of those images shows Vos carrying a possibly (and hopefully) just injured or unconscious Ventress.
I wrote previously about Golden’s last Star Wars work with the Fate of the Jedi series and I seriously hope it was just the material they forced at her and not her talent as a writer which made her contributions cringe-worthy (which the whole series was, by the way and boy am I happy it’s Legends). She spent a good chunk of time in FotJ trying to sell us on Ben Skywalker’s romance with Vestara Khai, a member of the Lost Tribe of the Sith, and it just didn’t work at all. But like I said, it’s possible it was just the material which she had to deal with that caused the issues, so if she has to write a Vos and Ventress romantic subplot–especially one based off TCW, which was becoming increasingly better as the series went on–things might not go so badly.
We’ll know by July 7, 2015 when Dark Disciple hits store shelves.
UPDATE: You can check out some footage from the canned episodes now that the video from The Untold Clone Wars panel at SWCA 2015 is up, including a chase sequence and battle with Dooku to be featured in the novel!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
SEE ALSO:
The Untold Clone Wars Panel Impressions (SWCA 2015)
Del Rey Panel, TFA Novelization, Sampler Thoughts (SWCA 2015)
New Star Wars: Aftermath Details, Cover Unveiled
Marvel’s Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser, Aftermath Author Revealed
20 Books Along the ‘Journey to The Force Awakens’
First Star Wars Stand-Alone Titled, Ep. VIII Gets Release Date
Star Wars: Dark Disciple – Cover Art
Del Rey’s Star Wars 2014 Sampler Thoughts
NYCC 2014 Star Wars: Kanan Comic, Rebels Clip, and Hasbro Figures
The Clone Wars Soundtrack Available Now
The Clone Wars “Lost Missions” Coming To Blu-ray and DVD in November
The Clone Wars Legacy and Ventress Novel Title Unveiled
Asajj Ventress Novel Announced At SDCC 2014
Marvel Shows Off Three New Star Wars Series At SDCC
CANON NOVEL REVIEWS:
Dark Disciple
Tarkin
Lords of the Sith
A New Dawn
Heir to the Jedi