Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter

Title: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
Author: Michael Reaves
Superseries: Star Wars
Preceeded By: Darth Maul Saboteur (eBook Novella by James Luceno - currently available in the back of modern editions of Shadow Hunter)

Ratings

Score: 8/10


Review

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter was the first book that I read in the Star Wars extended universe, and it's probably due to this book that my blog is currently rather full of star wars book reviews. It's not my favourite book in the Star Wars franchise, but it is one that I will always enjoy reading - and have indeed read several times.


It's a really easy to read book - there is nothing particularly complex about it, the only thing that might require Expanded Universe knowledge is that "the Black Sun" is the name of a criminal organisation - but even that isn't really necessary. If you've only seen the Star Wars films, you can enjoy this book.

Essentially it tells us more about the mystery that is Darth Maul. But in a way that kind of doesn't really tell us much at all. But while I loved Darth Maul in this book, the thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the two characters introduced in it - Darsha Assant and Lorn Pavan. The first a Jedi, the second a kind of lowlife. Reaves writes both of them really well - and the changing relationship between them even better.

I also enjoyed learning more about the Jedi. This was the first book in which I read the Jedi Code, and we learn more about how jedi are taught - as well as what they would sacrifice to protect others. It's quite an uplifting book, if somewhat tragic, and a really nice entry into the extended universe.

A lot of Star Wars books are enjoyed mainly by fans of the Extended Universe. This one is one that I believe can be enjoyed by anyone, and easily read. As I said at the beginning of the review - it's not the best book in the world. But it's one that opens the door to many others (There are over a hundred books in the Star Wars franchise). It's a great book - and an excellent first Star Wars books.

More Information

Main Protagonist(s): 1 male, 1 female, 1 droid
Main Antagonist(s): 1 male
Main Relationships: None more than hints of heterosexual.
Genre: Sci-fi
Brief Synopsis:

Darth Maul, merciless apprentice of evil and one of the legendary Sith, a twisted order given over to the dark side of the Force…Darth Maul, champion of the nefarious Sith Lord, Darth Sidious…Darth Maul, a legend sprung to life from the nightmares of history, about to be unleashed…In an all-new tale of intrigue and mystery set just before the events of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

-Wookiepedia 

ISBN: 978-0099410553

Amazon Link: UK | US
Pages: 411
First Published: 6 Dec 2001
Publisher: Arrow