'Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter' by Michael Reaves   Del Rey 2001   Set before TPM  Paperback includes e-book 'Saboteur' by James Luceno

Original characters from the movies -- excellent characterisations! Yeah, I know, we didn't see a whole lot of DM's 'character' in the movie, but I can really see him acting like this - sort of a killing machine with flaws. ;) And I loved the way the Nemoidian's were written. Also appearances by Obi-Wan, Mace Windu & the Jedi Council. Nice balance between movie characters and new ones.

New characters -- Darsha Assant is a Jedi padawan about to reach knighthood - she just has one last mission to complete. Lorn Pavan (human male) and I-Five (extremely cool droid) are 'business' partners on Coruscant. It's usually quite difficult to empathise with new characters, but not so in this book. Lots of other new minor characters - glad to see Mr. Reaves takes as much care over writing these characters as over the major ones.
 
Cover art -- UK cover has Darth Maul three times, US cover has one Maul plus Darth Sidious. Both are verra nice!!

Chicks -- loved Darsha! Young and, impulsive, but still able to kick butt!! Mahwi Lihnn is a cool female bounty hunter who could give Boba Fett a run for his credits - but she's still very much an original character.

Any good? -- pretty darn good! Reaves has a nice writing style - not too circumlocutory (sorry, couldn't resist - it means 'wordy'), not too simplistic. I love the multiple story threads that all tie in with one another - and the descriptions of Coruscant's 'underbelly' and its denizens are fab, as are the portrayals of DM's training and life at the Jedi Temple. BUT - why do so many authors feel the urge to include stuff from the Original Trilogy? Yavin, Hoth, etc. are mentioned in everyday conversation as throwaway lines - I thought the Rebels put their bases there because no one had heard of them? And Darth Maul makes so many references to Tatooine (including fighting stances - "Riding Bantha" indeed!) that it reads like he was brought up there. As for the appearance of a carbon freezing chamber - nooooooooooooo! It all just feels so unnecessary! But those irritations aside, it's still a great read.

Read it? -- compulsory for Maul fans. You'll love it. Everyone else - depends on how much you like 'dark and foreboding'. This is a Darth Maul story - he's not going to show up and start reasoning with his opponents, he's gonna get out the double-ender and let that do the talking! Not for the squeamish or for those who expect everyone to live happily ever after. Personally, I really enjoyed it. :)

Rating -- 8 out of 10

'Saboteur' -- included in the paperback version as a 'bonus', this short story was originally released as an e-book. Written by James Luceno, it's approximately 54 pages long, and is essentially a Darth Maul adventure. It's set before 'Shadow Hunter', but stands alone and isn't particularly connected to the events that take place during the novel.
 

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