Jedi Apprentice - book 5  

'The Defenders of the Dead' by Jude Watson  

Published by Scholastic Books 1999  

Set 12 years before TPM 

 book cover
Story -- in the continuing saga of Obi-Wan's early apprenticeship to Qui-Gon, we head for the planet Melida/Daan, to try to rescue a Jedi Knight sent on a peacekeeping mission and subsequently captured. But the adults of the planet are on the brink of self-destruction; can the Young save them all? And what part can two Jedi, restrained by the Council and the Code, play in a planet-wide war?

Movie characters -- Qui-Gon's patience is sorely tried by his padawan, but he is ever the Master. Obi-Wan - I can see him like this - impulsive, passionate about his beliefs, and desperate for the company of people his own age.

New characters -- Nield is the leader of the Young; a little unhinged. Cerasi is an excellent teenage chick character.
 
Cover art -- Obi, Nield (looks like he should be in a boy band), and Cerasi (red hair, green eyes; yet another contender for Mara Jade ancestor?).

Chicks -- loved Cerasi. Even at such a young age she can take care of herself and is a natural leader.

Any good? -- better than number 4; a bit more logical, and I loved the characterisations.

Read it? -- yup! And the saga continues in JA6...

Rating -- 7 out of 10  (as a kid's book)
 

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