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A review by jaredkwheeler
The Changing of the Guard by Jude Watson
3.0
Star Wars Legends Project #94
Background: The Changing of the Guard was written by [a:Jude Watson|11912|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403530689p2/11912.jpg] and published in March 2004. It is the eighth book of the Jedi Quest series, following [b:The Moment of Truth|359825|The Moment of Truth (Star Wars Jedi Quest, #7)|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328869633s/359825.jpg|349942] (my review).
The Changing of the Guard is set the year after The Moment of Truth, 24 years before the Battle of Yavin, when Anakin is 17. Obi-Wan and Anakin are the main characters, along with Siri and Ferus Olin, and returning villain Jenna Zan Arbor.
Summary: Obi-Wan's old enemy Jenna Zan Arbor has resurfaced and he is anxious to apprehend her before she can do any more damage. Unfortunately, she has taken refuge on Romin, a sovereign world that provides refuge to the galaxy's worst. Posing as a notorious criminal gang, Obi-Wan and his team infiltrate the planet to attempt a forced extradition, but soon find themselves ensnared in a complex political situation.
Review: You can tell we're ramping up to a big finale now with the reintroduction of Zan Arbor as a major antagonist. Unfortunately, her reappearance also heralds a story that feels largely recycled. We've seen Jedi (Siri in particular) go undercover posing as criminals before. We've seen Ferus hem and haw about bending the law to do the right thing. We've seen the Jedi debate whether to get involved in a regime change when they see injustice all around. And there isn't anything particularly new about how Watson draws from these wells again.
Still, the twists and turns, though predictable, keep things moving, and there are some exciting action scenes. The most memorable bit, though, is a quiet moment that comes right in the middle of the book. Ferus and Obi-Wan have a conversation about Anakin and their relationship that finally gives Ferus the dimension I've been waiting for since his character was introduced several books ago. We finally get a glimpse inside his head and some insight into his perspective on the tension between him and Anakin. It's the stand-out moment in this story, and easily the most significant thing that happens (along with, presumably, the set-up for the next book).
C+
Background: The Changing of the Guard was written by [a:Jude Watson|11912|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403530689p2/11912.jpg] and published in March 2004. It is the eighth book of the Jedi Quest series, following [b:The Moment of Truth|359825|The Moment of Truth (Star Wars Jedi Quest, #7)|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328869633s/359825.jpg|349942] (my review).
The Changing of the Guard is set the year after The Moment of Truth, 24 years before the Battle of Yavin, when Anakin is 17. Obi-Wan and Anakin are the main characters, along with Siri and Ferus Olin, and returning villain Jenna Zan Arbor.
Summary: Obi-Wan's old enemy Jenna Zan Arbor has resurfaced and he is anxious to apprehend her before she can do any more damage. Unfortunately, she has taken refuge on Romin, a sovereign world that provides refuge to the galaxy's worst. Posing as a notorious criminal gang, Obi-Wan and his team infiltrate the planet to attempt a forced extradition, but soon find themselves ensnared in a complex political situation.
Review: You can tell we're ramping up to a big finale now with the reintroduction of Zan Arbor as a major antagonist. Unfortunately, her reappearance also heralds a story that feels largely recycled. We've seen Jedi (Siri in particular) go undercover posing as criminals before. We've seen Ferus hem and haw about bending the law to do the right thing. We've seen the Jedi debate whether to get involved in a regime change when they see injustice all around. And there isn't anything particularly new about how Watson draws from these wells again.
Still, the twists and turns, though predictable, keep things moving, and there are some exciting action scenes. The most memorable bit, though, is a quiet moment that comes right in the middle of the book. Ferus and Obi-Wan have a conversation about Anakin and their relationship that finally gives Ferus the dimension I've been waiting for since his character was introduced several books ago. We finally get a glimpse inside his head and some insight into his perspective on the tension between him and Anakin. It's the stand-out moment in this story, and easily the most significant thing that happens (along with, presumably, the set-up for the next book).
C+