Patterns of Force (Star Wars: Coruscant Nights III)

by Michael Reaves

Book Overview

After the Empire's bloody purge of the Jedi, one lone Knight still fights for those who cannot, unaware that he's about to be swept into a cataclysmic battle against the Master of Darkness himself.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345477588
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Random House Worlds
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Conclusion to Coruscant Nights

Patterns of Force is the excellent third book in the Coruscant Nights trilogy by Michael Reaves. I liked this one the best of the three. We have the same basic cast of characters, plus an extremely interesting addition. Jax Pavan, one of the few remaining Jedi, is still the lead guy. He struggles to avoid Darth Vader's attempts to capture him, and he continues to lead his unusual band of individuals - Den Dhur, I-5YQ, Rhinann, Laranth Tarak, and the Zeltron Dejah Duare. Readers of the first two books will be very familiar with all of these characters. The interesting addition is Kajin Savaros, a teenage boy who is on his own in Coruscant and is adept in the Force but completely untrained. The boy has tremendous Force skills, so he manages to stay alive. However, he has limited control over his use of the Force and continually calls unwanted attention to himself and his location. Jax becomes his mentor and tries to help him get control of his skills. A number of things reach a head in this tale. Jax continues to struggle with what his late father would have had him do. I-5 seriously considers making an attempt to assassinate the Emperor, and we all suspect that such a move is likely not a good idea. The group also has to be constantly on guard to avoid giving themselves away to the Inquisitors, Force-sensitive henchmen who have been tasked with finding the remaining Jedi. I greatly admired the way Mr. Reaves maintained a high level of suspense until the end. You might think that after two books and most of a third that a reader could predict the outcome. I did not find that to be the case. Yes, certainly I knew that they would not succeed in killing the Emperor or Darth Vader. However, I did not know which characters would survive a final face-to-face confrontation with Vader or what kind of shape they would be in at the end. I hope that in the future Mr. Reaves will let us share in the adventures of these characters again.

hopefully not the end

This was a good book by Michael Reaves. I also have read almost every star wars book written and have noticed minor inconsistancies in the story arc such as the blocking of force abilities etc etc...That being said, the character development is great, and I enjoy the premise behind the series. The book reminds me of old Private Investigator novels. The third book in the series was by far the weakest, with the whole story being wrapped up way too quickly, but I would still enjoy another 1 or 2 books following Jax Pavan and his associates.

Thoughtful and engaging

I'm going to start reading everything Michael Reaves has written! The Coruscant Nights series is thoughtful with characters that go far beyond the typical 2-D heros (and villans) we often see in Star Wars novels. Characters have conflicting motives and loyalties, are at times uncertain, and are not infallible. It is refreshing to read a Jedi who ponders the nature of good and evil, his own motives, and the nature of the Force. Of course, there is still plenty of action to satisfy die-hard fans who like to read a good fight or two as well. Generally, a well-rounded book in a solid series. I'm waiting impatiently for the next installment!

Among the best of the newer books

Michael Reaves is a GREAT writer! I have found myself drawn in to his stories and truly care about his characters! When first reading this book, I didn't realise that he wrote the books that introduced us to Den Dhur, I-5YQ and Lorn Pavan (unforgettable characters). It's good of him to continue the stories of these three (well the latter's son anyway). Something else that is essential to a Star Wars writer these days is to incorporate the books into the flow of the rest of Star Wars' canon novels. He does this seemlessly. I always thought that if any Jedi live, or more force-users are born, it would be awfully hard for Vader & Palpatine to sense them and root them out alone-hence the Inquisitors. You really feel right there with Jax & co. as they hide, resist, and struggle to help another young force-sensitive. In fact, I love the characters so much that I was sorry that they would fail and most likely die (I was sure Jax would die by the end). But Mr. Reaves leaves it open for more stories and has us at the edge of our seats! I dont know if he invented the Gray Paladins, but it was a good idea-this way it is conceivable that not all the force-sensitives are dead by the time Luke comes of age in Ep. 4. Perhaps there are off-shoots of the Jedi who have a couple remaining members who determined to forget their arts in order to fall under the radar of the relentless hunters. I know I am being vague but I respect this book to much to give away the plot-please read it, I don't think you will be dissappointed. My only question is why isn't this fine trilogy on audio (especially if inferior works like "The Force Unleashed" is)?

The Jedi Noir Trilogy Continues

This is the third book in the Jedi Noir series Coruscant Nights, as one of the few Jedi surviving the Fall of the Old Republic ekes out a living with a motley band of supporters in the lower levels of the ruling planet city Coruscant. Not as a private investigator (in the film noir style) as blurbed for the first two books in the series, but rather as a cell within the first steps towards the Rebel Alliance, an organization known as the Whiplash. Jedi Jax Pavan is teamed with the strangely aware droid I-5YQ, around whose powers and secrets much of the plot centers. The group encounters a young Force sensitive of exceptional power, who must be instructed in the ways of the Jedi while protected from the Emperor's Inquisitors. Jax is also torn between trying to maintain the traditional Jedi chastity and the attentions of a seductive Zeltron and his feelings for Gray Paladin Twi'lek Laranth Tarak. There's also plotting and betrayal as a climactic confrontation with none other than Darth Vader awaits. We all know that Vader survives the encounter...(SPOILER ALERT), this supposedly third book in a trilogy happily ends with the door open for more adventures. Hopefully they will appear soon.