As much as I ADORE Star Wars books, this may be the first time I've actually reviewed one. I'm SHOCKED! Shocked, I tell you!! (also, I do realize that this is not my target audience's choice of books, but I'm sure there are a few fellow nerds out there who will appreciate a SW review every now and then)One of these years, I want to write for the Star Wars Universe. Because of that, I devour Star Wars books like they're candy. I've read them all, including the middle grade and young reader ones. (Not the comic books though. I don't like comic books.) I suppose you could call it research.
Anyway, I LOVE that Drew Karpyshyn has been exploring the very earliest days of the Old Republic and giving me insights into the Jedi & Sith that lived long before Luke and Leia were a gleam in Padme's eye.
I've enjoyed getting to know these characters in better detail than I'd gotten from Wookieepedia (yes, I'm a regular there. I wear my geek with pride!). Revan has always interested me and I was happy to see a book dedicated to him.
So here's the lowdown: Revan was a promising Jedi Knight who went on a mission to the Outer Rim and came back a powerful Sith Lord with an apprentice, Darth Malak. When he tried to wipe out the Jedi Order, he was betrayed by his apprentice and defeated by the Jedi. On the brink of death, he was saved by Bastila Shan, whom he eventually married. Bastila turned him back to the light side of the Force, but the Masters didn't trust him. His memory was wiped completely and he started over.
Revan is the story of how he worked to get his memory back and continue to redeem himself. He travels back to the Outer Rim, knowing that there is something there that's a huge threat to the Republic and that somehow, he must stop it.
This wasn't my favorite of the Star Wars books, but it was a pretty good read. I appreciate the detail that goes into one of these books. In order to be published by LucasBooks, you have to stick to canon and you have to research meticulously to make sure that your characters aren't doing something that wouldn't be done in the universe. You never know when something you read in one book will crop up in another, so you have to be careful. It's a painstaking process and there are few who break into the LucasBooks ranks. (still crossing fingers that I'll be in that group someday!)
Overall, I enjoyed the story here and getting to know Revan and Bastila Shan. I wasn't expecting the outcome and I'm hoping that there will be more to this story. With Star Wars books, I'm a guaranteed sell, so hurry up and write more to Revan's story, Mr. Karpyshyn!
Revan is getting a 'Drool Worthy' rating, but probably only hardcore Star Wars or sci-fi fans would agree with me. :D