This story by Greg Bear features a world strong in the Force itself and very mysterious. The Jedi Knight Vergere vanished here, but most of Rogue Planet is in the development of Anakin, with Obi-Wan along to guide him and solve the mystery of Zonoma Sekot. It also features some developments involving some figures rather familiar from the Imperial era.
I liked Anakin’s development in this, his relationship to the planet and to Obi-Wan Kenobi. His reckless nature is still getting him into trouble. We even get a bit of Jedi history here. Obi-Wan’s insight into what Anakin would become as an adult, based on the ‘seed’ like creatures and how he handled them, is just a bit sad. It’s a reminder of what could have been, and what I always felt we glimpsed in his Force ghost (Sebastion Shaw version, since that is more what he would’ve been, rather than Hayden, who was more a glimpse of who he was before.)
The involvement of Tarkin and Sienar is an unusual twist. How they got away with events here is a mystery. But Sienar had little development before this. The implication they were both involved with dark figures (ie the Sith, probably through intermediaries,) is subtle. Evidence elsewhere suggests Tarkin may not have been aware that Palpatine was Sidious (though he may well have had dealings with Sidious).
The world building in Rogue Planet is really good, not only in the sheer environment of Sekot but also in the colonists and ‘creatures’ for lack of a better term, as well.
Audio
This audio version is read by Michael Cumpsy. Not my fav and not the greatest at the voices. Still, the abridgements were subtle and it was trimmed in such away it was more details, not plot points that were remove. All the new characters were there and well represented.
Rogue Planet continuity
This one is a bit of an enigma in relation to Jedi Apprentice Special Edition 1 by Jude Watson. That one is specifically mentioned in the story as Anakin’s first mission. However, he used a training lightsaber on the mission, so why did they not give him one here? Also, it mentions conversations between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan before they became Master and apprentice. Overall, Jedi Apprentice seems to imply they hadn’t spoken much (it doesn’t specifically say that, though.)
Veregere, the Far Outsiders, and Zonoma Sekot are meant to tie into the later New Jedi Order series. The book stands alone without those, however. But the later New Jedi Order specifically reflects Anakin Skywalker, imitating the boy in form as he was in Rogue Planet.
Spoiler for Post NJO
Later stories claim Vergere was trained as a Sith; however, there is no evidence of that in Rogue Planet.
Tarkin, of course, is well known as the man behind the Death Star and the destruction of Alderaan in A New Hope. He is also developed in other stories, particularly Death Star by Michael Reaves and Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson. His family is also mentioned in Star Wars Comics (prequel era, before it was called Republic), Cloak of Deception, and Jedi Trial.
Raith Sienar is well known as being behind the design of many imperial ships, such as the TIE fighter. He also designed Darth Maul’s starfighter (see Labyrinth of Evil). He was first introduced by West End Games. Until now, it was not suggested he had any influence in the Death Star design. Rogue Planet does hint at the end that he intentionally distanced himself from the design. There were, of course, many others involved in its creation, including the Geonosians, Bevel Lemelisk, and various others, some of whom had no idea what they were helping create..
