The Official THE CESTUS DECEPTION Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)

I'll probably wait until my birthday on the 18th but damn right I'll be looking forward to this one!

 

Should be interesting. Because I'm getting it early, TUCWS will have a full summery, character list and bios and reviews.

 

What would be good is if you did a spoiler-free review as well, for those of us who want to know how it is but don't want to be spoiled.

 

Nope. Sorry, but I'm not writing more than one review, and it will include spoilers.

 

alright, i find it's better to read the review after reading a book anyway. i like going in without any preconceptions of how good it is. but I'll be sure to check out the review once I've finished reading it.

 

Okay, my copy just arrived via UPS. For those people who don't like spoilers, prepare to have your socks knocked off. This book is outstanding, from the first 50 pages.


Some corrections: it's not first person, but Obi-Wan and Nate the ARC are featured a lot.

 

Any mention of Alpha?

 

Non-spoiler reviews are always very uniformative, which I do not like.

 

JT, have you also read The Hive? If so, do you have any indication of when in The Cestus Deception does The Hive take place?

 

No, Alpha is not in this book. There is a new ARC named Nate, A-98, instead. He's a pretty interesting guy. The four other troopers aren't ARCs, they're commandos.

I have not read the Hive, because I don't have a credit card to purchase it. Besides, my reader is now gone for some reason.

Here's another tidbit, remember that pilot? Well, she was the former girlfriend of Jango... and now she's got five of his clones around her....

 

Oh, you know whats going to happen.






She will die after professing eternal love to Nate. It's Star Wars not Playboy TV.

 

now that the spoilers are starting to come in, I'm ducking out of this thread for a while. I'll see you all over the fence

 

Yea, Im gonna duck out, too (I dont want to be too spoiled ), but Im loving what Im hearing about this book so far. Thanks, Trilobite.

 

I should be getting the first review up at TUCWS shortly. I'll also post it here.

 

Hi TheForce.Net Fans,

The Signed Page is now offering another Star Wars online signing! The
signing is with Steven Barnes for the release of STAR WARS: THE CESTUS
DECEPTION, available from Del Rey Books in June 2004. The last two
online signings - the first with James Luceno and the second with
Timothy Zahn - went very well. Since Mr. Barnes is only making several
appearances, Star Wars fans can still get a signed or personalized copy
of the new Clone Wars novel for cover price! The order period ends June
12th, 2004.

Visit The Signed Page at http://www.signedpage.com for more details.

Best Wishes,

Shawn Speakman

 

Okay, my review for Cestus Deception:

Review: The Cestus Deception
By Steven Barnes
Reviewed by Andrew Liptak


Summery: The Droid manufacturing Factories on the planet Ord Cestus have developed a new type of droid, JK, one that is completely new, partially organic and can use the force to some degree, giving it a new edge against opponents. Given the deadliness of the droid, the Republic moves to shut down the factories, diplomatically, if possible. However, the droids are being sought after by the Confederation of Independent Systems, under the cover of security droids. Senator Palpatine sent in Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto and a contingent of ARC and Commando Troopers in case things go horribly wrong during the negotiations. They do, and while everything falls apart, the Jedi realize that there's more than one deception that they're part of.


What Worked: I was anticipating this book for a very long time, and with that came some worrying. What if the book wasn't as good as we'd hoped? What if I'd have to write out a negative review for this? Well, my worries were very unfounded. From the minute I started this book, to the moment I finished, I have held onto every word and have loved it. For a debut novel, Steven Barnes has done a wonderful job, capturing the feel of the Star Wars universe and the Clone Wars wonderfully.
There are many things that I have really enjoyed about this book. First, the references to the timeline and previous events is something that is not often seen, but for those who know the Clone Wars well, this is a wonderful thing to see so much interconnected references, that really makes this book a good one to read. While previous ones do not overly affect the plot, there are several references to the comics and movie. Secondly, for those ARC and Trooper fans out there, you're in for a treat. We're introduced to a new ARC Trooper, A-98, nicknamed Nate, who is tasked to assisting with the mission. Through Nate, we are really introduced to the lives of the Troopers, and there are several fundamental questions that are asked of him, especially when he meets Sheeka Tull, one of Jango's former girlfriends, who had lost him. Between the two of them, we see the way that the Troopers see things, and when Tull sees something else. The difference is pointed out, and it's interesting to see their reactions. In addition to Nate, we learn a little about Jango as well, which is very interesting, to say the least.
Characterization in this novel was excellently done. From known characters like Obi-Wan, Anakin and Palpatine, Barnes has done a masterful job at bringing these characters to life, as viewers would remember them in the movies, and has even gone above and beyond to do the characters right. For other characters such as Asajj Ventress, Nate the ARC, the Clone Troopers, Sheeka Tull, and any of the numerous other characters, Barnes had brought them to life wonderfully, picking up where they were in the comics or cartoon series or out of the Star Wars universe, there are many reasons to like, love, hate, despise or otherwise care about the characters being used in some way.
The plot is excellent. Barnes has not only successfully created an outstanding political situation, but makes it interesting as well, throwing in some weird things and coming out with something even better. The JK droids, also known as Jedi Killers, are slightly force sensitive, and are a blend of organic and inorganic parts, which certainly makes for a new threat. Throw in a planet that is poised to make trillions of credits for these droids, selling them through a political loophole, and then having the Republic try and stop them from doing so. Mixed with various characters and factions who all want something different, the situation is explosive and is clearly going beyond diplomacy.
The title, Cestus Deception is revealing. Deception is one of the main themes of this novel, from the false kidnapping staged by Obi-Wan, as well as the other deceptions that are in the novel. These deceptions and more are

 

Cool, when's it out?

 

June 1st, so a couple weeks.

 

So is it as good as Shatterpoint?

 

Hm... that's hard to say. I'd say that they're both about even. Maybe TCD is a bit higher.

 

Sounds great, but I'm afraid the timeline error with Jabiim will annoy me to no end

 

My question is for those that read the novel, does it state what color the light whip is? If it does, is it blue colored?

 

Lightwhip? The only ones who used that weapon where Sith Lord Ghitany from Jedi vs. Sith and Lumiya from the Marvel Comics. It can't be Asajj because in all of Asajj's appearances she used either lightsabers or her two curved-hilt interlocking sabers. So why would she use a lightwhip?

 

I'll probably wait until my birthday on the 18th but damn right I'll be looking forward to this one!

That's my b-day, too!

Anywho, I'm looking forward to this book quite a bit.

 

Me too. Its been a long time since Ive looked forward to an SW book this much.