Master & Apprentice (Star Wars)

By: Claudia Gray

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best seller

An unexpected offer threatens the bond between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as the two Jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future in the first canon Star Wars novel to take place before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

A Jedi must be a fearless warrior, a guardian of justice, and a scholar in the ways of the Force. But perhaps a Jedi’s most essential duty is to pass on what they have learned. Master Yoda trained Dooku; Dooku trained Qui-Gon Jinn; and now, Qui-Gon has a Padawan of his own. But while Qui-Gon has faced all manner of threats and danger as a Jedi, nothing has ever scared him like the thought of failing his apprentice. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi has deep respect for his Master but struggles to understand him. Why must Qui-Gon so often disregard the laws that bind the Jedi? Why is Qui-Gon drawn to ancient Jedi prophecies instead of more practical concerns? And why wasn’t Obi-Wan told that Qui-Gon is considering an invitation to join the Jedi Council - knowing it would mean the end of their partnership? The simple answer scares him: Obi-Wan has failed his Master. 

When Jedi Rael Averross, another former student of Dooku, requests their assistance with a political dispute, Jinn and Kenobi travel to the royal court of Pijal for what may be their final mission together. What should be a simple assignment quickly becomes clouded by deceit and by visions of violent disaster that take hold in Qui-Gon’s mind. 

As Qui-Gon’s faith in prophecy grows, Obi-Wan’s faith in him is tested - just as a threat surfaces that will demand that Master and apprentice come together as never before or be divided forever. 

©2019 Claudia Gray (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“Gray's other Star Wars novels - Lost Stars, Bloodline and Leia: Princess of Alderaan - are among the best you can read, but Master & Apprentice stands out as her strongest.” (CNET)

“Thankfully, the novel absolutely delivers on the goods and the wait has been worth it.” (Cinelinx)

“Gray has not only written her finest novel to date in my opinion, but certainly one of the finest canon novels as well, maybe the finest.” (TheForce.Net)

I've wanted this... sorta

Brief: I've wanted a cannon novel focusing on the relationship and adventures of Qui gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi for a long time. They finally delivered. I came in with high hopes and expectations... I was satisfied. Hope there's a sequel.
Longer: A lot of Star Wars stories feel remarkably similar. This is not spared from that. It feels quite similar to other cannon novels. In some ways that helps follow the story but also makes a few things predictable. This is more of a gripe then a Major or even minor flaw.
I had fairly high expectations and they weren't exactly met or disappointed. They were satisfied as long as there is another in a couple of years. I would really like to pick this story up in a year or two and see it continued into maybe a trilogy.
It was enjoyable to see glimpses into Dooku and I have a feeling Lucasfilms purposefully lined this up to lead up to their audio drama about Dooku leaving the order. This satisfied me and left me wanting to see more.

Enjoyable

Interesting book. Strong deep characters. Fun twists and turns. Primary plot line needed clean up.

meh...rewrite of canon

a poor attempt to rewrite the cannon to make a news story for Qui-Gon. Not really great. The story had some interesting characters and was entertaining apart from the non-canon bit

The best novel of the new Canon

if I had to be honest I have not been a fan of anything really that Disney has done with this franchise. I stand by to this day that throwing out the expanded universe was a mistake. Now I'm glad for once a character that's barely been explored even in the expanded universe what little we do have unfortunately are novels that are hard to find and have been out of print for years. finally Qui-Gon Jinn has his own novel that is easily accessible. master and Apprentice was a great time it's the closest thing to a Legends novel to me.


it seems like Claudia Gray knew her stuff when it came to master and Apprentice in some instances I see some homage to Jade Watson's Jedi Apprentice series. The book was great from beginning to end. This book unlike the expanded universe explore the relationship between Qui-Gon Jinn and Count Dooku. Though I couldn't help but crave more.I feel like the flashback sections could have easily been its own novel.

There is some things I will say I didn't like I feel like it was not necessary and I don't understand why they insist on adding explicit language in a Star Wars novel. hearing the word getting laid in a Star Wars novel almost took me out of the story. I have to deduct a point because of it.


Unlike Queen shadow I don't feel like the ending was tacked on I thought it was perfect. I really would love more stories with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan which is something I really love about the Jedi Apprentice series. I would really like more stories with those two characters. This is the first book I can say in the new Canon that I can say that I consider on par if not better then a lot of the expanded universe novels. unlike most novels in the new Canon this one feels like it actually matters and actually adds to the Canon. if you are a fan of Qui-Gon Jinn.



I highly recommend this book it's also the second best thing I could recommend to the Jedi Apprentice series which unfortunately are out of print. please lucasfilm give us more stories like this. I would really like a sequel to this novel except with Obi-Wan and Anakin.

I give this novel a 9 out of 10

mediocre

when you have had the Legends and Old Republic arcs for more then 30 years, what is the point of these new disney approved books? the new authors dont know anything about star wars that isnt recent. no context, very sad that, except for Zahn, all those wonderful authors that followed on after Zahn's original trilogy were treated badly, not to mention the fans.

Disney will never beat Legends.

Every change they made was in favor of feminists, lgbt+, etc. Not that I have a problem with them, it just makes me so mad that the opinions of star wars fans since before 2015 do not matter. It is unfair, and I hope they do something about it. They could easily make an alternate legends timeline. Episodes 1-6 could fit in with bot the legends timeline and canon. They could, and everyone would be happy. But no, they just pander to certain civil rights groups. Screw the people who have loved star wars since the 70s, 80s 90s and 2000s. As long as they please the people who whine the loudest. It is sad, because as decent as this book was, it pales in comparison to books like Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, or the Darth Bane series. It overwrites stories that are immensely superior, and it makes so many fans upset.

Kinda boring

Really takes a long time to get going. Nothing of importance seems to happen in this book. Good narration though

Frustrating

Poor beginning,Could have started the story around chapter nine. Once the story gets rolling the writer constantly interrupts the story to tell-at length-about something that happened “ Long ago.” Very frustrating! The story itself is just..,okay. The narrator does a good job. The music and sound effects are great and never over power the narration. This book has lessened my enthusiasm for any other Obi Wan material.

Not a bad look into Qui Gon believes.

We get to see Qui Gon one more time in all his wise glory. Not bad, the story was limited though.

Slow to Start

The story wasn't bad but it felt like it took a while to pick up. It didn't grasp my interest until a few hours in. The portrayal of Qui-Gon in this book is not how I always pictured him but it was still a nice story.

The performance by Jonathan Davis was superb; this was my first listen to his narration and I will definitely listen to more by him. His impression of Qui-Gon was impeccable and his Obi-Wan was pretty convincing.