Star Wars Dark Disciple is a Canon novel starring Asaaj Ventress in Quinlan Voss. Originally released in July of 2015, Star Wars: Dark Disciple was originally a story arc in the Star Wars Clone Wars TV show, but when Disney purchased Lucasfilm, showrunners repurposed it into one of the first pieces of Star Wars canon under the Disney flag.
Dark Disciple
Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos posing like total bad-as on the planet Dathomir.
Originally written by George Lucas’s very own daughter, Katie Lucas, the original Star Wars Clone Wars series encompassed seven episodes including Lethal Alliance, The Mission, Conspirators, Dark Disciple, Saving Vos Part 1, Saving Voss Part 2, Traitor, and The Path. Like many story arcs set to be a part of The Clone Wars, when Disney purchased Lucasfilm, they wanted to make their canon and the Dark Disciple story arc was scrapped when the series was cut short.
Recognizing the importance of the potential of such a strong character like Asajj Ventress, this story arc was given to the author Christie Goldie to be repurposed into the Dark Disciple we have now.
With the return of Asajj Ventress in the final season of Star Wars: Bad Batch, fans have been assured that the events of this novel have gone unchanged and that Star Wars: Dark Disciple is still officially part of cannon under Disney.
Dark Disciple: A Summary
The galactic Civil War has raged on for years costing both sides in life and treasure. The Jedi Council had grown weary as Count Dooku had employed ever more brutal tactics in the war. Seeing the death toll rise, the Jedi believe that the surest path to victory is to cut off the head of the Separatist movement: assassinate Count Dooku.
But who would be capable of such a feat? The Council calls on a brash Jedi Master, Quinlan Voss, who spends much of his time working to bring down the galaxy’s underworld for the job. His unique connection to the intergalactic underworld gives him a unique approach to the task.
But Obi-Wan knows that Voss will need some help. At his suggestion, Voss is to track down and gain the trust of Dooku’s former apprentice and assassin Asajj Ventress. Asaaj has unsuccessfully attempted to kill Dooku three times previously. But if anyone could provide Quinlan Voss an inside edge to eliminating the Count, it would be Asajj.
The real problems arise when Quinlan and Asajj begin working together, planning for the assassination. Can the Jedi Master tap into enough of the dark side to take a life via assassination? Can Asaaj let go of enough of her past to finally carry out the task she has long desired to complete?
And what will happen when two people who have always been seemingly on the outside of their respective societies find not just a common purpose, but a kindred spirit? Can training and ideology stop nature from leading these two down paths they’ve never considered?
Favorite Moments
There are several great moments in this book, but there are a few that stand out from all others.
An Insight into Asajj
Asajj Ventress dressed in her bounty hunter outfit.
Asajj Ventress is an incredibly complex character. Throughout the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, we see her character change and develop from Separatist assassin to Nightsister, to bounty hunter. With the cancellation of the show, we didn’t get a chance to see how this last phase of her story ends. Dark Disciple provides this conclusion for us and does so in a way that shows us the scars left on her soul throughout her life.
Fans know Star Wars as having well-developed characters, from Anakin to Xizor and everyone in between, this universe has no dearth of individuals to connect with. But what I love about this novel, especially in the hyper-divided climate we live in, is that we see Asajj Ventress–a well-developed character in her own right–get a proper sendoff.
A Conflicted Council
The Jedi Council during the Clone Wars era was fraught with challenges unique to their order. Remember, the Jedi are peacekeepers, not soldiers or generals. So to see the leaders of the Jedi brought to discussing the morality of assassinating one to save millions, we can see just how far the Jedi have fallen.
Maybe just as important is that we can see just how effective Darth Sidious’s machinations were. With the focus of the story being on the downfall of the light side, it’s easy to overlook just how cunning the dark side’s plans were.
It is because of these machinations that we can see a council divided in the first place, which ultimately leads to the birth of the Empire.
Bad-A Bounty Hunters
Scene from the Clone Wars showing a divided council.
Who doesn’t like seeing the bounty hunters in action? One of the many enjoyable aspects of this story is seeing a young Boba Fett and the type of leader he was. We know that Boba becomes a powerful force to be reckoned with, but we also see what that force was like at a young age. Now, this is something viewers saw in The Clone Wars, but we also see a side of him that is not just in it for the money.
There is a moment in this story where we see Boba Fett acting if not compassionately, but, at the very least, nobly toward Asajj. This is a woman who embarrassed him and put a black mark on his reputation. Boba doesn’t suffer fools, but he also doesn’t act dishonorably.
Final Thoughts
Not every Star Wars novel is worth reading. Most are, at the very least, a fun exploration of a galaxy far, far away. I would say that there is a handful of books that aren’t worth reading and more than a handful of books that are must-reads.
Star Wars: Dark Disciple is a must-read. It’s Romeo and Juliet if Romeo and Juliet were sent to assassinate an evil Sith Lord instead of merely falling in love. I’ve read this book three times, and, the force willing, I’ll probably read it more as well.
I am a man-child in my early 30s who is looking to explore the nerdy side of life. I am a former English teacher, a current copywriter, and a future who-knows-what. I love movies, literature, video games, TV, and music.
Feb 19 2024
Dark Disciple: The Asajj Ventress Story Every Fan Needs to Know
A Star Wars Book Review
Star Wars Dark Disciple is a Canon novel starring Asaaj Ventress in Quinlan Voss. Originally released in July of 2015, Star Wars: Dark Disciple was originally a story arc in the Star Wars Clone Wars TV show, but when Disney purchased Lucasfilm, showrunners repurposed it into one of the first pieces of Star Wars canon under the Disney flag.
Dark Disciple
Originally written by George Lucas’s very own daughter, Katie Lucas, the original Star Wars Clone Wars series encompassed seven episodes including Lethal Alliance, The Mission, Conspirators, Dark Disciple, Saving Vos Part 1, Saving Voss Part 2, Traitor, and The Path. Like many story arcs set to be a part of The Clone Wars, when Disney purchased Lucasfilm, they wanted to make their canon and the Dark Disciple story arc was scrapped when the series was cut short.
Recognizing the importance of the potential of such a strong character like Asajj Ventress, this story arc was given to the author Christie Goldie to be repurposed into the Dark Disciple we have now.
With the return of Asajj Ventress in the final season of Star Wars: Bad Batch, fans have been assured that the events of this novel have gone unchanged and that Star Wars: Dark Disciple is still officially part of cannon under Disney.
Dark Disciple: A Summary
The galactic Civil War has raged on for years costing both sides in life and treasure. The Jedi Council had grown weary as Count Dooku had employed ever more brutal tactics in the war. Seeing the death toll rise, the Jedi believe that the surest path to victory is to cut off the head of the Separatist movement: assassinate Count Dooku.
But who would be capable of such a feat? The Council calls on a brash Jedi Master, Quinlan Voss, who spends much of his time working to bring down the galaxy’s underworld for the job. His unique connection to the intergalactic underworld gives him a unique approach to the task.
But Obi-Wan knows that Voss will need some help. At his suggestion, Voss is to track down and gain the trust of Dooku’s former apprentice and assassin Asajj Ventress. Asaaj has unsuccessfully attempted to kill Dooku three times previously. But if anyone could provide Quinlan Voss an inside edge to eliminating the Count, it would be Asajj.
The real problems arise when Quinlan and Asajj begin working together, planning for the assassination. Can the Jedi Master tap into enough of the dark side to take a life via assassination? Can Asaaj let go of enough of her past to finally carry out the task she has long desired to complete?
And what will happen when two people who have always been seemingly on the outside of their respective societies find not just a common purpose, but a kindred spirit? Can training and ideology stop nature from leading these two down paths they’ve never considered?
Favorite Moments
There are several great moments in this book, but there are a few that stand out from all others.
An Insight into Asajj
Asajj Ventress is an incredibly complex character. Throughout the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, we see her character change and develop from Separatist assassin to Nightsister, to bounty hunter. With the cancellation of the show, we didn’t get a chance to see how this last phase of her story ends. Dark Disciple provides this conclusion for us and does so in a way that shows us the scars left on her soul throughout her life.
Fans know Star Wars as having well-developed characters, from Anakin to Xizor and everyone in between, this universe has no dearth of individuals to connect with. But what I love about this novel, especially in the hyper-divided climate we live in, is that we see Asajj Ventress–a well-developed character in her own right–get a proper sendoff.
A Conflicted Council
The Jedi Council during the Clone Wars era was fraught with challenges unique to their order. Remember, the Jedi are peacekeepers, not soldiers or generals. So to see the leaders of the Jedi brought to discussing the morality of assassinating one to save millions, we can see just how far the Jedi have fallen.
Maybe just as important is that we can see just how effective Darth Sidious’s machinations were. With the focus of the story being on the downfall of the light side, it’s easy to overlook just how cunning the dark side’s plans were.
It is because of these machinations that we can see a council divided in the first place, which ultimately leads to the birth of the Empire.
Bad-A Bounty Hunters
Who doesn’t like seeing the bounty hunters in action? One of the many enjoyable aspects of this story is seeing a young Boba Fett and the type of leader he was. We know that Boba becomes a powerful force to be reckoned with, but we also see what that force was like at a young age. Now, this is something viewers saw in The Clone Wars, but we also see a side of him that is not just in it for the money.
There is a moment in this story where we see Boba Fett acting if not compassionately, but, at the very least, nobly toward Asajj. This is a woman who embarrassed him and put a black mark on his reputation. Boba doesn’t suffer fools, but he also doesn’t act dishonorably.
Final Thoughts
Not every Star Wars novel is worth reading. Most are, at the very least, a fun exploration of a galaxy far, far away. I would say that there is a handful of books that aren’t worth reading and more than a handful of books that are must-reads.
Star Wars: Dark Disciple is a must-read. It’s Romeo and Juliet if Romeo and Juliet were sent to assassinate an evil Sith Lord instead of merely falling in love. I’ve read this book three times, and, the force willing, I’ll probably read it more as well.
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If you’ve read Dark Disciple, leave a comment in the section below telling me what you think about the story.
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By Thaddaeus Brodrick • Book • • Tags: Asaaj Ventress, Star Wars Canon, star wars the clone wars