From Publishers Weekly

The successful military-SF team of Sherman and Cragg (the Starfist series) brings new energy to the Star Wars franchise. Because of a shortage of available Jedi knights, the inexperienced Anakin Skywalker and the disgraced Nejaa Halcyon are sent to the planet Praesitlyn, at the head of a small fleet and army of clone warriors. Praesitlyn is under attack by a horde of combat droids under banker-turned-admiral Pors Tonith, and defended by freelance military commander Capt. Zozridor Slayke, who has a personal score to settle with Jedi Halcyon. Meanwhile, the Republic's original defenders have left some tough survivors behind, such as fighter pilot Erk H'Arman and recon trooper Odie Subu. The Force is definitely with the good guys, particularly Anakin in the climactic moment of a hostage rescue, but so is plain old-fashioned courage. Human, alien or clone, the characters fight and die, go hungry and thirsty, have hopes, fears and dreams, not unlike the troops patrolling the plains of Iraq today. Count Dooku and Senator Palpatine keep watch for their respective sides, but most of the book stands splendidly independent of the usual concerns of the Star Wars universe.
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From Booklist

The action of the latest Star Wars novel transpires between events in the movies Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, due in theaters next spring. Anakin Skywalker, pre-Darth Vader, is peeved when his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, announces that he is going on a mission sans Anakin. During Obi-Wan's absence, Anakin takes up sparring with disgraced fellow Jedi knight Nejaa Halcyon, but the two Jedi aren't idle long. Separatist troops descend upon the planet Praesitlyn, home to the republic's Intergalactic Communications Center. The republic can't afford losing Praesitlyn, so Chancellor Palpatine dispatches Halcyon and Anakin to the planet with an army of clone troops. The pair must liberate the planet, with the help of an unusual ally, who happens to be an old rival of Halcyon. With its oddly named heroes and villains and abundant action, Jedi Trial is pretty standard Star Wars fare. Fans anticipating Revenge of the Sith's release, however, will relish the piquing of their appetites it affords. Kristine Huntley
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