Star Wars: Jedi Quest: Path To Truth (28 BBY)

Written by: Jude Watson

Another adventure for younger readers. This one is particularly well intended for certain. I like what Watson was attempting to do. Was it successful? Somewhat.

The novel starts off on Ilum with Anakin making the perilous journey to the mountains to gather his crystal to make his own lightsaber while Obi-Wan meditates outside. It’s a tough journey filled with a treacherous climb up a mountain side and some natural predators wanting to feast, but our two Jedi get through it.

It’s the mental attacks that are more harrowing Facing down his mother’s fear during his slavery, and also facing down visions of both Qui-Gon and Darth Maul, Anakin is left unsure of who he is. But he is determined to be a Jedi no matter what.

After they finish their duties they are sent off on a mission to protect an alien trader species from a pirate and slaver who just happened to be the same slaver who led an attack on Tatooine, taking a friend of Anakin’s and causing his mom much consternation.

During the mission, it becomes increasingly obvious how much Anakin’s slavery past got to him. And that’s where it rubs a bit for me. Anakin, despite being a slave never seemed to have a difficult life to the point where it would overtake all he had learned from the Jedi code so that he would abandon Obi-Wan in a quest for vengeance. It wasn’t completely out of possibility but it just seemed a bit forced.

Reintroducing Siri from Obi-Wan’s past was a nice touch – again adding some depth and continuity to the universe. Even as Obi-Wan and Anakin are separated, Anakin works to free the slaves and bring the slavers to justice.

Besides the fact that he’s awfully young to be coming up with the plans he comes up with, the most interesting bit happens at the end when Anakin ends up killing Krayn in front of Obi-Wan. He claimed that Krayn was still raising his blaster but Obi-Wan is not convinced. It’s vague…as it should be.

Overall it’s a decent enough storyline, that’s enjoyable.

B