7.6 /10 1 Votes
Cover artist Cliff Nielsen Language English Publisher Scholastic Followed by The Hidden Past | 3.8/5 Goodreads Country United States Subject Star Wars Originally published 3 May 1999 Page count 126 Genre Science Fiction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Series Jedi Apprentice
Canon C Preceded by The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission Similar Judy Blundell books, Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice books, Star Wars books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Dark Rival by Jude Watson is the second in a series of young reader novels called Jedi Apprentice, and the first by Jude Watson. The series explores the adventures of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi prior to Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The story is told from the point of view of both characters, rather than from the point of view of Obi-Wan Kenobi alone, which was primarily how The Rising Force was focused.
Plot
Qui-Gon Jinn must face his past: his former apprentice, Xanatos, who has turned to the dark side of the Force, returns to fight Qui-Gon and lead Offworld Corporation at the major mining faction on Bandomeer. The Jedi Master must request the help of the boy he refused to have as his Padawan, the young Obi-Wan Kenobi.
During their fight against Xanatos and Offworld, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon become close allies. However, Obi-Wan is soon captured by Offworld miners after they utilize an electro-jabber and a blow to the head to immobilize him. Forced to work as a slave on a deep sea mining facility, Obi-Wan meets a Phindian named Guerra. After some near misses, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reunite in a showdown against Xanatos.
Xanatos escapes after nearly trapping Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in a mining shaft. However, the mission brings Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan even closer. Finally, Obi-Wan is accepted as Qui-Gon's padawan learner, thus avoiding a fate in the Jedi Agricultural Corps.