The Star Wars Story That Made The Prequels Worth It
2. Exploring The Jedi's Downfall
While the overall plot of Dark Disciple makes for one of the most compelling Star Wars stories published as of late, the themes the book broaches distinguishes it as genuinely intelligent use of the Clone Wars IP.
At the end of Attack of the Clones, Yoda prophesies that "the shroud of the dark side has fallen", before we're treated to a hefty dose of foreshadowing featuring shots of the Clone Army with the Imperial March playing overhead. The implication here is that the Jedi are aware they're being manipulated, and yet they're powerless to stop it. There is also the added implication in Revenge of the Sith that the the Order has been corrupted by years of conflict, fighting not as the "guardians of peace and justice", but instead as soldiers in a war with no end.
The point is that they've been changed by war, but - as with most aspects of the prequels - it's barely discussed in detail. We're told that the Jedi have been compromised as a result of the conflict, but it scarcely manifests across either Episode II or III. Dark Disciple, on the other hand, devotes its entire story to the Order's lowest point - sanctioning assassination by manipulating a former ally of the Sith.
Exacerbating the Jedi's folly is the fact their scheme - as anyone can probably guess - ultimately fails. They dabble in the darkness only to emerge even more tainted, and with nothing to show for it.
Dark Disciple thus serves a vital purpose in the chronology of the Rise of the Empire. By examining the corrupting influence of war, Golden manages to make the stakes of Revenge of the Sith - and in particular the Jedi's restlessness to end the conflict as soon as possible - even more palpable. They've exhausted all other options, and have been brought to the brink with no other recourse but to look inward and ask why the war with the Separatists hasn't concluded. Yes, you can gather this from Revenge of the Sith, but the point isn't conveyed half as well without the added context and discussion Dark Disciple provides.