JA7 - The Captive Temple

Jedi Apprentice - book 7

'The Captive Temple' by Jude Watson

Published by Scholastic Books 2000

Set 12 years before TPM

Story -- Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, although not fully reconciled, are back at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. But it's no longer the sanctuary that Obi remembers from his childhood - someone has tried to kill Yoda, and no one is free from suspicion.

Movie characters -- loved Obi's characterisation in this one - impulsive but kind-hearted. Yoda and Mace have a fair bit to say, although I found Mace kinda tough and abrasive. And several characters from the earlier JA books show up, too.

New characters -- some expansion on characters we've met before, as well as the introduction of a few new ones - again, I found myself wishing for a longer book, to allow the story to be more fleshed out.

Cover art -- Yoda's mugshot looming over Qui and Obi.

Chicks -- Bant has a much bigger role in this book - nice to see it's not just the humans that get the action. Tahl is as wise as ever, and we also meet Siri, another pretty neat Jedi apprentice.

Any good? -- yet again I am reminded these are children's books, as I found the dialogue somewhat stilted. But it was nice to read about Obi and Qui coming to terms with what has happened in previous novels - can they learn to move on?

Read it? -- this one's a bit of a tearjerker, with lots of angst. It's also a damn good mystery - I really enjoyed it.

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

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