I am generally one that believes that you can never have enough Star Wars. I may have finally met the exception to that rule, In Lockdown: Maul. Not because it is not a good story - it is well written. However, when I read (or watch) Star Wars, it is not for a horror aspect; this is a gory book. It is kind of a silly perspective, I don't have a problem with lightsaber fights or blasters normally, All that aside, for some fans, this book will be just the thing. For me, I am quite glad I read it (It is Star Wars after all) but I don't think I will ever reread this particular story.

Darth Maul is sooooooooooooooooo badass, guys. That's the thesis here. Re-iterated over and over again for two-hundred and fifty-six pages. Set during the vague pre-episode 1 era spanned by Darth Plagueis, Maul is tasked with infiltrating the most secure prison/gladitorial arena in the galaxy to track down the arms dealer that uses it as a base of operations. Why he's a prison when there are thousands of other good hiding spot in the galaxy (no one ever checks Tattooine) is never explained, for that matter, neither is what Plagueis and Sidious want with this guy. What we do get is Maul punching guys to death being HARDCORE.
OMG, he made a Vong warrior eat his own amphistaff! BADASS!
He kicked a wampa so hard its face EXPLODED! METAL!
He killed a strangled a sea monster with its own tentacles! AMAZEBALLS!

Yeah, look at the fucks I give about that.

But much like the last time Darth Maul got to be the title character, the other characters are actually interesting. I enjoyed watching the Warden react to her perfect system collapse on itself and a few of the prisoners had neat sub plots I just wish those had gotten more attention. Maul is a great attack dog, but he really only works to highlight other characters.

Verdict: Try it.