Star Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter

By: Michael Reeves

Narrated by: Michael Cumpsty

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best seller

For the infamous, power-hungry Sith, beholden to the dark side, the time has come to rise again.

After years of waiting in the shadows, Darth Sidious is taking the first step in his master plan to bring the Republic to its knees. Key to his scheme are the Neimoidians of the Trade Federation. Then one of his Neimoidian contacts disappears, and Sidious does not need his Force-honed instincts to suspect betrayal. He orders his apprentice, Darth Maul, to hunt the traitor down.

But he is too late. The secret has already passed into the hands of information broker Lorn Pavan, which places him right at the top of Darth Maul's hit list. Then, in the labyrinthine alleyways and sewers of Coruscant, capital city of the Republic, Lorn crosses paths with Darsha Assant, a Jedi Padawan on a mission to earn her Knighthood. Now the future of the Republic depends on Darsha and Lorn. But how can an untried Jedi and an ordinary man, stranger to the powerful ways of the Force, hope to triumph over one of the deadliest killers in the galaxy?

This special edition features an all-new Darth Maul short story as well as “Star Wars:® Darth Maul: Saboteur” - both written by New York Times best-selling author James Luceno!

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

Critic Reviews

"Full of lightsaber battles, the Jedi philosophy, and lots of new life forms." (Chicago Sun-Times)
"Reaves writes with a creative flair, allowing readers to experience an almost cinematic sensation as they move through the story. The language is colorful, the action scenes are dynamic, and the dialogue is realistic." (Winston-Salem Journal)

Maul story good, sound effects horrible.

Is there anything you would change about this book?
Simply put, the effects were horrible...this is Star Wars, and soundboards for it are a dime a dozen, so I was more than a little shocked by the production value...A dirt bike putt-putt sound for speeder bikes? REALLY!? I was honestly unable to immerse myself in this a-book because I kept listening for all of the misused sound effects.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Wars?
The story in Star Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter is interesting because it explores Coruscant's lower levels in a way that has not been done yet. The story moved along nicely, and Maul's capabilities in skills other than lightsaber combat are exposed to a decent degree.

What three words best describe Michael Cumpsty’s voice?
The narrator, Michael Cumpsty, breathed life into the characters and delivered the goods in an otherwise mediocre to shoddy Star Wars Production. Michael was able to emote all of the character well, the rogue was rough, Maul was focused and sinister, and the Jedi Padawan character sounded uncertain of her skill, and Jedi-like in her approach to the problems at hand.

Was Star Wars worth the listening time?
This book was worth the time and money if you have credits to burn...if you are looking for a big bang for real $$, this is not it.

Any additional comments?
I am shocked that George Lucas has not had the sound effects remastered on this audiobook yet...only slightly less shocking is that he allowed this to roll-out in the first place.

Excellent!

As a Star Wars fan, I really enjoyed this book. The writer pulls you right into the Star Wars universe! I read the book, listened to the audiobook, and I find myself doing it over and over again. It's a must have if you're a Star Wars fan.

Make way for the Bad Guy...

Would you listen to Star Wars again? Why?

Yes, if they featured a character as interesting as Darth Maul.

What other book might you compare Star Wars to and why?

Stainless Steel Rat Series by Harry Harrison - thye are both Science Fiction action adventure.

Which character – as performed by Michael Cumpsty – was your favorite?

Darth Maul (of course!)

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The DARK Force is strong in this one.

Any additional comments?

I wish they had included the short 52 page story that was in the paper back version: Darth Maul: Saboteur by James Luceno. I felt let down when it wasn't part of the audio version.

More Maul please!

the story is great! the background... not so much

I uhh.. well, I LOVED this book when I read it. so I figured I'd enjoy it as well l, when listening to it while I work, but dear god.. the noises in the background are SO FORCED! they are Annoying... its SO BAD, that it catches your attention more so than the narrator. the beginning of the book alone was almost enough to make me say screw it and stop... it's the same annoying sound, on an unnecessarily long loop. After what... 8 minutes of the same knockoff scifi background sounds, they stop, for only maybe 30 seconds. then start up again. stop again, and the starts again... that's just in the first 10 or so minutes of the book...
I want, to enjoy it I REALLY do.. but you shouldnt force sounds that didnt need to be there..

No regrets

Definitely could have been better, not that it was horrible. Sound effects were a little too much. Was hoping it would have centered more around maul. The side story wasn't bad though.

No more let him read

kinda boring and doesn’t do different voices which really sucks. I had high hopes since it would be the last book before episode one.

Captivated through the whole story

This story was a real treat and was very entertaining. I really really enjoyed it!

chapters

the chapters don't work right. the book is broken up in to 5 chapters most of the digital chapters are about an hour long

Enjoyed it

My only complaint is the abridged nature of the story. Wish it had been a longer more drawn out version. I am not one that subscribes to the belief reporter short is the way to go.

great story

like many other reviews, great story, just very slow beginning. sound effects weren't that bad, the guy reading it not the best

Great story. recommended for any Star Wars fan.

Great story and interesting characters.
One small problem is, In the discretion it says it also included the short story Darth Maul Saboteur. But is doesn't. Which is a shame.
But love Shadow Hunter anyway.

Interesting exploration of Coruscant's underworld

I liked that this book explored the lower levels of Coruscant. Also enjoyed how it ties in directly with Phantom Menace