Listen free for 30 days
-
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: No Prisoners
- Narrated by: Jeff Gurner
- Series: Star Wars: Legends, Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Legends (abridged), Book 1
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £22.49
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Wild Space
- By: Karen Miller
- Narrated by: Jeff Gurner
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Clone Wars have exploded across the galaxy as Republic forces and Separatists struggle to gain the upper hand. But while the Jedi generals work tirelessly to defeat Count Dooku and his rebels, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is hatching his own dark plans. The Separatists have launched a sneak attack on Coruscant. Obi-Wan Kenobi, wounded in battle, insists that Anakin Skywalker and his rookie Padawan, Ahsoka, leave on a risky mission against General Grievous.
-
-
Interesting story
- By Andrei Bratu on 02-07-21
-
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- By: Karen Traviss
- Narrated by: Jeff Gurner
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Across the galaxy, the Clone Wars are raging. The Separatists, led by Count Dooku, the onetime Jedi and now secret Sith Lord, continue to press forward, and more and more worlds are either falling, or seceding and joining the cause. Under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the Republic heroically battles on, championed by its huge army of cloned soldiers and their Jedi generals. Anakin Skywalker, believed by some to be the prophesied “Chosen One” destined to bring balance to the Force, is now a Jedi Knight under the tutelage of his Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
-
-
A great story
- By Vader on 26-03-22
-
Shatterpoint: Star Wars Legends
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Sullivan Jones
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The jungle planet of Haruun Kal, homeworld of the legendary Jedi Master Mace Windu, has become a battleground in the increasing hostilities between the Republic and the renegade Separatist movement. The Jedi Council has sent Depa Billaba - Mace’s former Padawan and fellow Council member - to Haruun Kal to train the local tribesmen as a guerrilla resistance force. But now the Separatists have pulled back, and Depa has not returned.
-
-
Very good Unabridged audiobook.
- By Thomas Rollén on 09-10-21
-
Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil
- By: James Luceno
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The war that erupted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point. The Separatist forces continue their assault on the Republic as the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy and Separatist Councilmember Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Neimoidia.
-
-
Too abridged
- By Amazon Customer on 11-07-19
-
Star Wars: Brotherhood
- By: Mike Chen
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must stem the tide of the raging Clone Wars and forge a new bond as Jedi Knights. The Clone Wars have begun. Battle lines are being drawn throughout the galaxy. With every world that joins the Separatists, the peace guarded by the Jedi Order is slipping through their fingers. Amid the brewing chaos, Anakin Skywalker rises to the rank of Jedi Knight. Once a Padawan to Obi-Wan, Anakin now finds himself on equal—but uncertain—footing with the man who raised him. To overcome the threat they face they must grow beyond master and apprentice.
-
-
The Force is strong with this one
- By Luke Syder on 16-05-22
-
Star Wars Episode III
- Revenge of the Sith
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic.
-
-
"Impressive! Most Impressive!"
- By DJ Morpheus on 22-11-08
-
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Wild Space
- By: Karen Miller
- Narrated by: Jeff Gurner
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Clone Wars have exploded across the galaxy as Republic forces and Separatists struggle to gain the upper hand. But while the Jedi generals work tirelessly to defeat Count Dooku and his rebels, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is hatching his own dark plans. The Separatists have launched a sneak attack on Coruscant. Obi-Wan Kenobi, wounded in battle, insists that Anakin Skywalker and his rookie Padawan, Ahsoka, leave on a risky mission against General Grievous.
-
-
Interesting story
- By Andrei Bratu on 02-07-21
-
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- By: Karen Traviss
- Narrated by: Jeff Gurner
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Across the galaxy, the Clone Wars are raging. The Separatists, led by Count Dooku, the onetime Jedi and now secret Sith Lord, continue to press forward, and more and more worlds are either falling, or seceding and joining the cause. Under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the Republic heroically battles on, championed by its huge army of cloned soldiers and their Jedi generals. Anakin Skywalker, believed by some to be the prophesied “Chosen One” destined to bring balance to the Force, is now a Jedi Knight under the tutelage of his Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
-
-
A great story
- By Vader on 26-03-22
-
Shatterpoint: Star Wars Legends
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Sullivan Jones
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The jungle planet of Haruun Kal, homeworld of the legendary Jedi Master Mace Windu, has become a battleground in the increasing hostilities between the Republic and the renegade Separatist movement. The Jedi Council has sent Depa Billaba - Mace’s former Padawan and fellow Council member - to Haruun Kal to train the local tribesmen as a guerrilla resistance force. But now the Separatists have pulled back, and Depa has not returned.
-
-
Very good Unabridged audiobook.
- By Thomas Rollén on 09-10-21
-
Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil
- By: James Luceno
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The war that erupted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point. The Separatist forces continue their assault on the Republic as the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy and Separatist Councilmember Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Neimoidia.
-
-
Too abridged
- By Amazon Customer on 11-07-19
-
Star Wars: Brotherhood
- By: Mike Chen
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must stem the tide of the raging Clone Wars and forge a new bond as Jedi Knights. The Clone Wars have begun. Battle lines are being drawn throughout the galaxy. With every world that joins the Separatists, the peace guarded by the Jedi Order is slipping through their fingers. Amid the brewing chaos, Anakin Skywalker rises to the rank of Jedi Knight. Once a Padawan to Obi-Wan, Anakin now finds himself on equal—but uncertain—footing with the man who raised him. To overcome the threat they face they must grow beyond master and apprentice.
-
-
The Force is strong with this one
- By Luke Syder on 16-05-22
-
Star Wars Episode III
- Revenge of the Sith
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic.
-
-
"Impressive! Most Impressive!"
- By DJ Morpheus on 22-11-08
-
Nighthawk Ensign: Lady Hellgate Books 1-3
- By: Greg Dragon
- Narrated by: Cari Scholtens
- Length: 29 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After losing her parents and joining the Alliance Navy, Ensign Helga Ate has proven to be special enough to be chosen for the prestigious Nighthawks Special Forces. But, tragedy strikes when her team deploys to a remote moon and gets put to the ultimate test - survival. Facing impossible odds, Helga and her team battle brain-eating aliens, human pirates, and treacherous spacers corrupted by the enemy.
-
-
Space action thriller!
- By Concerned Citizen on 17-01-22
-
Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
- By: James Luceno
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For the handful of scattered Jedi, survival is imperative if the light side of the Force is to be protected and the galaxy somehow, someday reclaimed. Yet more important still is the well-being of the twin infants, Leia and Luke Skywalker, the children of Anakin and his doomed bride, Padme Amidala. Separated after Padme's death, they must be made safe at all costs, lest the hope they represent for the future be turned to horror by the new Sith regime, and the unspeakable power of the dark side.
-
-
A disappointing collage of prior Star Wars moments
- By JPG68 on 15-03-16
-
Crimson Tempest
- Survival Wars, Book 1
- By: Anthony James
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain John Nathan Duggan and his crew are given a mission - find the missing ESS Crimson and bring it home. Little does Duggan realize, this is no ordinary mission. As he struggles against enemies both within and without, he desperately tries to unlock the mystery surrounding the Crimson's disappearance and the unknown weapons it carries. He soon discovers the missing warship might be the only hope for salvation that mankind has left. When everything is veiled in secrecy nothing is easy, as Duggan is about to find out.
-
-
Good book
- By CJSILV on 09-01-19
-
Rogue Squadron: Star Wars Legends (Rogue Squadron)
- By: Michael A. Stackpole
- Narrated by: Marc Thompson
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both their lives and their machines. Their mission: to defend the Rebel Alliance against a still-powerful and battle-hardened Imperial foe in a last-ditch effort to control the stars!
-
-
Rogue Squadron
- By Craig on 09-09-21
-
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Medstar I: Battle Surgeons
- A Clone Wars Novel
- By: Michael Reaves, Steve Perry
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As civil war between the Republic and the Separatists rages across the galaxy, nowhere is the fighting more fierce than on the swamp world of Drongar, where a beleaguered mobile hospital unit wages a never-ending war of its own....
-
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- By: Sean Williams
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The overthrow of the Republic is complete. The Separatist forces have been smashed, the Jedi Council nearly decimated, and the rest of the Order all but destroyed. Now absolute power rests in the iron fist of Darth Sidious - the cunning Sith Lord better known as the former Senator, now Emperor, Palpatine. But more remains to be done.
-
-
As good as it gets...considering it's abridged!
- By James Short on 10-03-14
-
Star Wars: Outbound Flight
- By: Timothy Zahn
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Six Jedi Masters, 12 Jedi Knights, and 50,000 men, women, and children, will embark - aboard a gargantuan vessel, equipped for years of travel - on a mission to contact intelligent life and colonize undiscovered worlds beyond the known galaxy. The government bureaucracy threatens to scuttle the expedition before it can even start - until Master C’baoth foils a murderous conspiracy plot, winning him the political capital he needs to set in motion the dream of Outbound Flight.
-
-
Hard to get into with curent canon
- By Zenoslaf on 23-10-20
-
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Medstar II: Jedi Healer
- A Clone Wars Novel
- By: Michael Reaves, Steve Perry
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The threatened enemy offensive begins as the Separatists employ legions of droids into their attack. Even with reinforcements, the flesh and blood of the Republic forces are just no match for the battle droids' durasteel. Nowhere is this point more painfully clear than in the steaming Jasserak jungle, where the doctors and nurses of a small med unit face an impossible situation. As the dead and wounded start to pile up, surgeons Jos Vandar and Kornell "Uli" Divini know that time is running out.
-
Star Wars: The Approaching Storm
- By: Alan Dean Foster
- Narrated by: Alexander Adams
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the strategic planet Ansion, a powerful faction is on the verge of joining the secessionist movement. At the Chancellor's request, the Jedi Council sends Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luminara Unduli, along with their Padawans, Anakin Skywalker and Barriss Offee, to stabilize the planet's population. To succeed, the Jedi will have to fulfill near-impossible tasks, befriend wary strangers, and influence two great armies - stalked all the while by an enemy sworn to see the mission fail.
-
-
Another Brilliant Alan Dean Foster book
- By Phil on 08-12-21
-
Light of the Jedi
- By: Charles Soule
- Narrated by: Marc Thompson
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is a golden age. Intrepid hyperspace scouts expand the reach of the Republic to the furthest stars, worlds flourish under the benevolent leadership of the Senate and peace reigns, enforced by the wisdom and strength of the renowned order of Force users known as the Jedi. With the Jedi at the height of their power, the free citizens of the galaxy are confident in their ability to weather any storm. But the even brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms defy any preparation.
-
-
NOT Star Wars
- By T-Bone on 06-01-21
-
Star Wars: The Bounty Hunter, Book 1: The Mandalorian Armor
- By: K. W. Jeter
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He is Boba Fett, the most feared and successful bounty hunter in the galaxy, and even the most hardened criminals tremble at his name. Now he faces the deadliest challenge of his infamous career: an all-out war against his most dangerous enemies.
-
-
Nothing happened...
- By Jack on 14-01-18
-
Death Troopers: Star Wars Legends
- Death Troopers
- By: Joe Schreiber
- Narrated by: Sean Kenin
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the Imperial prison barge Purge - temporary home to 500 of the galaxy’s most ruthless killers, rebels, scoundrels, and thieves - breaks down in a distant, uninhabited part of space, its only hope appears to lie with a Star Destroyer found drifting, derelict, and seemingly abandoned. But when a boarding party from the Purge is sent to scavenge for parts, only half of them come back - bringing with them a horrific disease so lethal that within hours nearly all aboard the Purge die in ways too hideous to imagine. And death is only the beginning.
-
-
Star Wars with zombies
- By Ian on 10-12-09
Summary
The Clone Wars rage on. As insurgent Separatists fight furiously to wrest control of the galaxy from the Republic, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine cunningly manipulates both sides for his own sinister purposes.
Torrent Company's Captain Rex agrees to temporarily relieve Anakin Skywalker of Ahsoka, his ubiquitous and insatiably curious Padawan, by bringing her along on a routine three-day shakedown cruise aboard Captain Gilad Pellaeon's newly refitted assault ship. But the training run becomes an active and dangerous rescue mission when Republic undercover Agent Hallena Devis goes missing in the middle of a Separatist invasion.
Dispatched to a distant world to aid a local dictator facing a revolution, Hallena finds herself surrounded by angry freedom fighters and questioning the Republic's methods and motives. Summoned to rescue the missing operative who is also his secret love, Pellaeon, sworn to protect the Republic over all, is torn between duty and desire. And Ahsoka, sent in with Rex and six untested clone troopers to extract Hallena, encounters a new and different Jedi philosophy, which shakes the foundation of her upbringing to the core. As danger and intrigue intensify, the loyalties and convictions of all involved will be tested.
More from the same
What listeners say about Star Wars: The Clone Wars: No Prisoners
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Victor
- 02-09-18
fantastic
this is a must for all star wars fans do not pass this one by you'll only regret it.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr. I. A. Fairhurst
- 09-04-20
A different Jedi order
If you are a fan of the Clone Wars this book is for you. This book shows a different side to the Jedi.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Calvin Buchanan
- 25-12-18
Really good audio book!!
great story with great new characters as well as clone war favourites. A good read (listen)
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mother of one
- 28-01-22
Amazing but not enough actual fighting
Absolutely fantastic but the story has a lot of talking and not enough fighting and not enough clones.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nabil Hussain
- 03-01-22
Excellent Star Wars tale with many superlatives!!
This audiobook was fantastic and exciting to listen to. It was gripping with suspense and drama. It was magnificently composed by Karen Traviss and narrated in a splendid manner by Jeff Gurner. The sound effects were top notch.
This audiobook is a must for Star Wars fans.
The idea of Jedi with attachments is explored in this story. It all sums up to be a compelling Star Wars story which is not to be missed.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Vader
- 04-11-21
Great story 👏
most books I picture as a film but this I pictured as part of the clone wars animated series it was great.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrei Bratu
- 08-07-21
One of the best Star Wars books
I'm usually quite critical of Star Wars material as I love this franchise so much, but for this book there's really nothing to complain about!
It gives us a whole new perspective on the Jedi order. It presents a different view of the force and introduces some new and very interesting abilities that only a select few Jedi have.
It also focuses on the clones quite a lot. It really makes you care about every single clone introduced in the book. They get a lot of time to shine and develop.
The action is pretty interesting as well. There's spies, a revolution against tyranny, clones fighting against overwhelming odds, space battles and Jedi doing what Jedi do.
Even Jeff Gurner's narration shines in this one. There are more new characters than old ones, so there aren't that many voices for him to try and imitate. He's a great narrator on this one. I also like the fact that he gives the clones slightly different voices. Even if they sound nothing like the clones wars, you can really tell the young clones apart from their veteran brothers.
Get this book, you won't regret it!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anne
- 11-05-20
Amazing story in the midst of the clone wars
As a fan of the clone wars TV series, listening to this audio book was a thrill, especially as the series have now ended. I can only imagine how this would have added to the story.
Jeff Gurner reading is amazing and really gives the characters justice.
The only downside of this may be the background soundtracks, sometimes coming through too loudly and repetitive.
-
Overall

- john
- 05-07-09
Another full length and it was enjoyable
i am normally not a fan of This authors work in the star wars arena. how ever her take on Palleon was really good and well worth the listen he is a character we see through the whole novel series i think he just died in one of the newer books, its nice to see. i enjoyed this one a lot and has changed my mind about this author i thought the narrator did a fine job.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Owen
- 07-03-15
Intriguing Plot and a great read.
Karen Traviss certainly has an interesting take on the Jedi Council, and the code it follows. The story is quite compelling, and even romantic in it's own way. She deftly hints at the direction of Skywalker's future while not overpowering the story with it.
While introducing a new sect in the Order I feel she opens up possibilities for authors to explore the EU without being trapped into the need for Jedi vs. Sith conflict. But also potentially interesting Jedi vs. Jedi conflict.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Landon
- 06-03-14
Wishing this was longer
What made the experience of listening to Star Wars the most enjoyable?
The multi-emotional circumstances brought to the surface during this book made it more of a philosophical read than just lightsabers and snarky remarks
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lorraine Baker
- 09-09-16
Relationships
This book ultimately answered questions many had about the Jedi and their issues with attachment. It was the most illuminating book yet.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Scott C Atkins
- 18-11-16
No Woman left behind
Great story line, with familiar characters and lots of action through out. Shows how rebels may have started.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Zoey Nickel
- 16-08-16
exceptional story
adds a lot of answers to books I've read in the past. it was cool to learn of Altus and hear the beginnib of the story for Callista.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Jerry Weisenberger
- 16-02-16
loved it
Great story, Hippie Jedi! who'da thought it! really new to the off stories and have immersed myself into the time line, but so far the clone wars series, runs a close to the Darth Bane series, and the Republic Commando series! where is this stuff in the movies...boo to you lucas/Disney!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Woodsman
- 12-11-15
Excellent book that addresses a key point
I'm a big fan of the Star Wars books. This is the first one I've read that provides a much needed critique of the Jedi Council's view on attachment.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Michael J Eutizi
- 06-05-15
Karen Traviss does it again
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, Karen Traviss once again crafts a quality story using primarily second tier and unexplored characters. Jeff Gurner has an admirable performance, his accents and inflections bringing depth to each character.
What other book might you compare Star Wars to and why?
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis. Both delve into the under-explored philosophical and political worlds in ways that are entertaining and leave you satisfied instead of bored.
Which character – as performed by Jeff Gurner – was your favorite?
Djinn Altis and Gilad Pelleaon. Jeff brings life to these two character through consistent voice work, that evokes the emotions experienced by them through out the story. Jeff also does a good job on the Maori accent used by the clones, making his reading of them similar to the animated television series.
Any additional comments?
The sound effects and music were a nice compliment to the book and story and only added to the ambiance, instead of intruding on the story like they are wont to do.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Russell31
- 27-07-22
Great story with familiar and new characters
I really enjoyed this audiobook, which involved familiar favorites such as Captain Rex, a young padawan Ahsoka and Anakin meeting and working together with new characters in the Star Wars galaxy. The exploration of the lives of a Republic cruiser captain and a Republic spy was really interesting. Both characters were great and they were developed well over the course of the audiobook.
As some of the other reviews have said, there is also a rare and fascinating in-depth discussion about the Jedi philosophy of attachment. The narrator also did a good job with his performance and it felt like multiple voice actors were involved aside from just one. This audiobook was an unexpected gem.