3/5 Rancors - In Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter we are introduced to the Sith apprentice as he carries out an assignment from Darth Sidious to track down and deal with Hath Monchar, a runaway Neimoidian. Monchar has information regarding the impending blockade of Naboo by the Trade Federation, and Sidious is extremely clear in explaining to Maul that this information must not get to the Jedi or any of the senators on Coruscant. The book follows Maul through the labyrinthine alleyways and sewers of Coruscant as he tracks first Monchar and then Lorn Pavan, an information broker scrounging out a day-to-day existence in the lower levels of Coruscant. Pavan is accompanied by a wonderful character, his droid and friend I-5. Maul's efforts are complicated somewhat by inadvertent meetings with Jedi, particularly Padawan Darsha Assant.
The book is an adventure yarn, which keeps your attention throughout with lightsaber battles, explosions, chase scenes, and creepy characters from the very depths of Coruscant. What is missing from the book are any subplots or explanations of political deals or summaries of Trade Federation activities that were so prevalent in Cloak of Deception. However, the book does accomplish several major functions. We now have a clear idea of how Darth Maul functions, how he trains, his relationship with his master Sidious, and how his mind works as he carries out assignments. Clearly, he will let nothing stand in his way. Reading this book and having advance knowledge of what happens in The Phantom Menace, you can't help but wish that Maul could have been allowed to have a longer existence in the Star Wars universe. His stay is short, but impressive. Set aside a few hours. Pick up Shadow Hunter and follow Sith #2 as he makes his way through the depths of Coruscant with a focus unmatched by anyone that I can think of.
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