Star Wars by Steven Barnes

Ord Cestus, a planet mostly barren and inhospitable to life, was first colonized as a prison world—until a handful of hardy pioneers discovered its rich ore deposits and managed to build up a successful droid-manufacturing industry. But when the Clone Wars erupted, bringing severe rationing of imported resources and a Republic ban on the production of battle droids, Ord Cestus was threatened with imminent economic collapse.

Enter the Confederacy of Independent Systems—the Separatists—with a life-saving offer to purchase a generous quantity of the planet's most lucrative export: bio-droids. Possessed of tactical capabilities that rival the fighting abilities of even the most advanced Jedi, these sophisticated, techno-organic hybrid units would prove a most formidable weapon if ever deployed for military use. And now the Confederacy's intention to invest in what amounts to an army of bio-droids has sent ripples of alarm through the highest echelons of the Republic government.

Determined to halt the bio-droid sale—but fearing a show of force will result in a political backlash—Supreme Chancellor Palpatine dispatches a team of envoys, led by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their mission: persuade Ord Cestus's government to abandon its dealings with the Confederacy…while secretly stirring up revolution among the planet's struggling underclass. Diplomacy is paramount. But if all else fails, the Republic will not hesitate to launch a full-scale attack—and wipe out not only the means of bio-droid production, but countless lives as well, to demonstrate the consequences of disloyalty.

For Obi-Wan, the prospect of such wholesale slaughter only serves to fuel his growing suspicions about the sinister path the Republic seems to be taking. But the brash Jedi Master Kit Fisto and the detachment of clone soldiers assigned to the mission are ready and willing to do the Supreme Chancellor's bidding. As the leaders of Ord Cestus refuse to capitulate and Palpatine rapidly loses patience, Obi-Wan's hopes of a peaceful resolution are dwindling. Now, facing a crisis of conscience, Obi-Wan must find the wisdom and strength to prevent a bloodbath and safeguard the Republic—while abiding by the ancient code to which he has pledged his life.

This was a book that nearly snuck in under the radar. After a cancellation of another Clone Wars novel, it was unclear when the next book would come out. Therefore, about a year after Shatterpoint–the first Clone Wars novel–hit shelves, The Cestus Deception finally arrived. It was historic in two ways.

Not only does The Cestus Deception mark the first Star Wars novel written by Steven Barnes, but it is also the first Star Wars book written by an African-American author. And what a debut it was.

The overall plot is that Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto, along with a detachment of clonetroopers are sent to the planet Ord Cestus to dissuade the government, run by a corrupt corporation, to cease production of a lethal new droid model, which the Confederacy of Independent Systems is intent on using to destroy the Jedi. Obi-Wan's mission is to attempt a diplomatic response, but a saboteur with a hidden agenda makes sure that diplomacy fails. The novel proceeds in a race against time to resolve the situation before millions perish, as Obi-Wan finally realizes his mistakes, and nearly pays for it with his life.

Though the novel contains a fairly small cast of characters, Barnes concentrates mostly on a clonetrooper designated A-98 or ‘Nate' for short. It's interesting to note that it was Barnes's idea to delve into the psyche of a Grand Army Republic trooper. Readers are treated to the realization that these troops are most certainly not droid army machines. They have feelings, emotions, and everything else you would expect from human beings.

The novel also deals with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his internal struggle to deal with a fairly major oversight. Barnes switches back and forth between Obi-Wan and Nate, without dwelling on any particular subject for an inordinate amount of time. In fact, unlike other authors, who build dramatic tension by switching to another character/scene at the moment of a major event, Barnes instead stays with that character until they get a chance to ‘breath', if you will. Though this decreases the buildup of the climax, it's a refreshing change of pace. Readers will find it nice to read a book with a plot that doesn't jerk them around.

Barnes does a superb job in this novel of getting into character's heads, without preaching, and yet makes the point that a person is more than the sum of their parts. There is an underlying philosophical message here that's hard to identify, but makes the reader appreciate the writing on a whole new level.

Barnes will not only surprise readers, by surpassing expectations of a Star Wars author, but in fact sets the bar higher than ever before. This reader will certainly be seeking other works by Steven Barnes, and is proud to place The Cestus Deception on the bookshelf.