For me, Star Wars novels are often hit or miss. Some are really good; others less so. This one was definitely very good. Even though I know where events in the Star Wars universe were going by the end of the novel, I still wanted to keep on reading. I did not really want it to end, and that right there earns it the five stars for me.

You really get two stories in this novel. You get the story of Darth Plagueis, and you get the story of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, also known as Palpatine, whom fans already know will become the Emperor. You also get a lot of political intrigue. This is not a novel heavy on battles and lightsaber duels. You get a lot of behind the scenes deals and events, which explain how the Sith managed to rise to power. They figured out the need to use less brute force and more political muscle and finesse. Plagueis gets Palpatine to be the political public face while Plagueis manipulates things from behind the scenes. And the game is coming to an end as the Sith feel the dark side of the Force ascending; the time is at hand.

The novel does explain a lot about the Star Wars universe and how things led to Episode One. While I have seen other reviewers say it reveals too much (or that it breaks the illusion), I think the novel does it just right. You wondered how the Clone Army came about? You will get answers here? The deal with the Trade Federation blocking Naboo? That is here too, and there is a lot more. Plus Plagueis is a compelling character. He is trying to use the Force to figure out how to stay alive forever. Will he be the one to end the Rule of Two once and for all? Well, we kind of know how things turn out (if you seen the films, you know), and yet at times you wonder if he will actually be able to accomplish his plans. And there I think lies a lot of the strength in the book. Sure, you may know where events lead, but you still want to know, and at times, you even wonder what if.

I definitely recommend this one to Star Wars fans.