Star Wars: Cloak of Deception

By: James Luceno

Narrated by: Alexander Adams

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author James Luceno comes an all-new Star Wars adventure that reveals the action and intrigue unfolding directly before Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Mired in greed and corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, the Galactic Republic is crumbling. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over - while back in the comfort of Coruscant, the hub of civilized space and seat of the Republic government, few senators seem inclined to investigate the problem. And those who suspect Supreme Chancellor Valorum of having a hand in the machinations are baffled - especially when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on the Chancellor. With the crisis escalating, Valorum calls for an emergency trade summit. As humans and aliens gather, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation who have entered into a shadowy alliance with a dark overlord. While the trio will be content with more money and fewer problems, Darth Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans.

It is a time that tests the mettle of all those who strive to hold the Republic together - none more so than the Jedi Knights, who have long been the galaxy's best hope for preserving peace and justice. Yet despite their most valiant efforts, the meeting will explode into fiery chaos beyond everyone's worst fears....

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©2001 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)2001 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"At last, what you've been waiting for: a prequel...that will explain why Chancellor Valorum fell from power." (Library Journal)
"Adams reads expertly and confidently, and his storytelling powers flow with Jedi force." (AudioFile)

Largely forgettable, with some redeeming qualities

While those of Star Wars fandom should listen to this book, I found it largely forgettable. The general paucity of true character development may be why. We don't get many good glimpses into the underlying characters, but merely observe them go through somewhat predictable motions. That said, there is some redemption in the fact that it does fill in some of the gaps in the timeline and we do see a little more of the various machinations leading up to Episode I.

Didn’t like narration.

I listened to Master and Apprentice just before this and the narration on that was great! Qui-Gon (especially) and Obi-Wan sounded very much like the actors in the film, but this guy didn’t even try and really there was very little difference between any voices which made it a little difficult to follow sometimes. I don’t really recommend it.

Great just a little short

Overall Fantastic Book just a little short for me. pace & sound effects 2 thumbs up

Not one of my favorite Star Wars stories

There are some good links to the Darth Plagueis story. The sound affects and music is not as good as later audio books. The story is good for filling in a few gaps in the overall story of the lead up to The Phantom Menace. The Darth Plagueis story is a better book to get a more fulfilling story to the lead up to The Phantom Menace.

J. Luceno is a master at adding depth to Palpatine

This book dovetails nicely into episode l and really gives you an idea of whats going on with the trade federation and the struggle the Republic has found it's self in to keep order. I really enjoyed Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan working together as master and apprentice, Qui-Gon is one of my favorite characters of the entire saga and Luceno really gets how he felt about the Republics situation and the way the Jedi should act.

Great story but reader leaves a bit desired.

While the story is great as always of James Luceno and most of the star wars authors. I did notice that the narrator skips whole passages of the actual book though and they may not be super prevalent, they do help set a scene which is exactly why the author put them in there.

Palpatine Enthusiasts Only

Somewhat disappointed. There was little to no character development and what few new characters were introduced are drowned by a full ensemble of the Jedi High Council. It almost reads like a newspaper article. The only thing carrying the story is the lore it narrates and the culmination of Palpatines plots. This is not the natrators best work; he seems almost bored himself. He should probably cut down on the use of his squeaky high pitched voice.

3 stars, because its fun to see Sideous' machinations, because it expands the lore a bit, and because they managed to subtly suggest Tarkins influence as well. Beyond that, fairly forgettable.

Nice Precursor

Interesting story and as such, The Phantom Menace story now makes since. I will have to go watch it again so I can place the two tales together.

pre to prequels

I enjoyed it. well thought out. Not just simply lightsaber duels. Narrator left a little to be desired thou.

Good, but not great.

For the most part, the story works. I'm always happy to see more Qui Gon, but sadly, the story itself is a bit lacking. The Jedi barely have any interaction with the antagonists and as such, build no real connection with their adversaries. Qui Gon, as usual does most of the leg work and comes closest to actually making a difference, while the council fails to accomplish anything. This book also made really dislike Yaddle for treating Qui Gon like certain events were his fault, even as she did far less to make an impact. That being said, we do see Palpatine's manipulations that set in motion his rise to Supreme Chancellor, and Arwhen Cole is an interesting character who manages to be engaging.