andystehr's review against another edition
4.0
Fun Star Wars book. I liked Luke getting a love interest. I enjoyed the deep dive into other species we've only glimpsed in the movies.
bianca_horkan's review against another edition
3.0
First person stories have never been my favorite - thus it taking me almost two weeks to finish this book.
I had some issues - it never really left like it was Luke.
Sure he said he was Luke Skywalker but I didn't really believe it.
Aside from that, the main plot was decent but not for more than three stars.
I had some issues - it never really left like it was Luke.
Sure he said he was Luke Skywalker but I didn't really believe it.
Aside from that, the main plot was decent but not for more than three stars.
mhuntone's review against another edition
3.0
interesting concept doing a POV Luke Skywalker story, but not much here to seperate it from any other Star Wars book.
rhganci's review against another edition
3.0
We move steadily towards The Force Awakens with a new answer to an old question: how did Luke Skywalker learn how to make that lightsaber jump off the floor of the wampa's cave? While there's a lot more to Heir to the Jedi than that, it's one of best the questions at the core of a good story that gives us a sort of midterm progress report on Luke between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.
He's Lieutenant Skywalker when we catch up with him, and the Rebellion is out looking for a place to set up shop. In the meantime, the Rebellion finds itself short on contacts, and short on cash, and short on intel, so Luke gets dispatched on his own to solve all three problems. Thanks to some good plot structure from author Kevin Hearne, the book neither gives Luke too much to do, nor does it read like a three-act play; the solutions to the Rebels' problems comes through Luke's ability to relate to new people and new situations.
As the story reads mostly like a manhunt/rescue/fight-and-flight narrative, the locations that Luke visits with his new compatriots aren't as memorable as Tatooine, Hoth, Bespin, or Dagobah, that really doesn't undercut the story--Luke is a hero between stages of his development, so the sense of malleability with the setting as the plot moves from station to station doesn't reduce the quality of the plot in any way. More, they provide a range of challenges to Luke at a point at which learning to grow in the Force toward Jedi-hood seems impossible. The book isn't all about these worries, but Hearne does a great job of weaving Luke's thinking into and out of that concern.
The supporting cast is interesting, mainly because of the math-reasoning Givin spy around whom the plot revolves. There's some great science in this piece of science fiction, and Hearne makes use of his imagination and develops an interesting race of beings that serve an important role in explaining how the Rebel Alliance continued to gain support and power after the destruction of the first Death Star.
All in all, I enjoyed Heir to the Jedi as much as I have each of these first three LSG-approved Star Wars novels, and with the focus on the post-Clone Wars era being the chief work of the LSG, it's good to see them fitting the pieces together so expertly. It's been quite a long time since Luke Skywalker went on an adventure quite like this, and Kevin Hearne does a great job of bringing the character and situations back to life in true Star Wars fashion.
He's Lieutenant Skywalker when we catch up with him, and the Rebellion is out looking for a place to set up shop. In the meantime, the Rebellion finds itself short on contacts, and short on cash, and short on intel, so Luke gets dispatched on his own to solve all three problems. Thanks to some good plot structure from author Kevin Hearne, the book neither gives Luke too much to do, nor does it read like a three-act play; the solutions to the Rebels' problems comes through Luke's ability to relate to new people and new situations.
As the story reads mostly like a manhunt/rescue/fight-and-flight narrative, the locations that Luke visits with his new compatriots aren't as memorable as Tatooine, Hoth, Bespin, or Dagobah, that really doesn't undercut the story--Luke is a hero between stages of his development, so the sense of malleability with the setting as the plot moves from station to station doesn't reduce the quality of the plot in any way. More, they provide a range of challenges to Luke at a point at which learning to grow in the Force toward Jedi-hood seems impossible. The book isn't all about these worries, but Hearne does a great job of weaving Luke's thinking into and out of that concern.
The supporting cast is interesting, mainly because of the math-reasoning Givin spy around whom the plot revolves. There's some great science in this piece of science fiction, and Hearne makes use of his imagination and develops an interesting race of beings that serve an important role in explaining how the Rebel Alliance continued to gain support and power after the destruction of the first Death Star.
All in all, I enjoyed Heir to the Jedi as much as I have each of these first three LSG-approved Star Wars novels, and with the focus on the post-Clone Wars era being the chief work of the LSG, it's good to see them fitting the pieces together so expertly. It's been quite a long time since Luke Skywalker went on an adventure quite like this, and Kevin Hearne does a great job of bringing the character and situations back to life in true Star Wars fashion.
eatingfiction's review against another edition
3.0
I was really unsure going into this. Luke is quite the beloved character, and the thing is, we know him well. I figure it would be pretty challenging to write from his perspective, accurately portraying the way he reacts and thinks, to meet the expectations of fans.
I personally ended up being pretty happy with the result though, for the most part. Luke really is a great main character, whether it's in a movie or a book. He is so darn like-able. The author, in my opinion, captured his personality well, and it did feel like the same Luke we know and love.
I found myself really enjoying the way the force is explored throughout the story. It's set not long after the Battle of Yavin, so this Luke isn't a Jedi Master, or anywhere close. He doesn't really understand the force at all, beyond what Obi-Wan told him. I hadn't yet read a Star Wars novel where the MC wasn't already well trained or over the course of the story becomes an crazy-awesome force wielder. It was actually refreshing to have Luke slowly uncovering and learning about the force. By the end, he isn't way overpowered. He's still pretty unsure in all things Jedi. All he knows is that, one day, he wants to be a Jedi like his father. It...was kind of heart-warming.
As for the plot, it was pretty entertaining. Nothing too remarkable I have to say, but certainly not a drag. Fast paced and action packed, but it definitely was lacking in tension. You could predict the ending right from the start. It wasn't really the fault of the author, but rather the fact that this is set between movies.
The side characters were fun, and I ended up liking them much more then I expected. However I can't say they were very memorable, which is disappointing. They seemed like standard Star Wars characters...And well I guess this was a Star Wars novel. *Shrug*
This was overall a fun, exciting adventure. I'd say a pretty standard Star Wars novel. Once again, I listened to the audio book and it truly heightened the experience with the music and sound effects, and the fantastic narration.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I personally ended up being pretty happy with the result though, for the most part. Luke really is a great main character, whether it's in a movie or a book. He is so darn like-able. The author, in my opinion, captured his personality well, and it did feel like the same Luke we know and love.
I found myself really enjoying the way the force is explored throughout the story. It's set not long after the Battle of Yavin, so this Luke isn't a Jedi Master, or anywhere close. He doesn't really understand the force at all, beyond what Obi-Wan told him. I hadn't yet read a Star Wars novel where the MC wasn't already well trained or over the course of the story becomes an crazy-awesome force wielder. It was actually refreshing to have Luke slowly uncovering and learning about the force. By the end, he isn't way overpowered. He's still pretty unsure in all things Jedi. All he knows is that, one day, he wants to be a Jedi like his father. It...was kind of heart-warming.
Spoiler
I really, really, really like the way the dark side is described here. I don't know why but it seemed to be described in such a simple way that I almost saw it in a new light. And, I thought it was very interesting to see Luke getting a taste of the dark side - and turning away from it.As for the plot, it was pretty entertaining. Nothing too remarkable I have to say, but certainly not a drag. Fast paced and action packed, but it definitely was lacking in tension. You could predict the ending right from the start. It wasn't really the fault of the author, but rather the fact that this is set between movies.
The side characters were fun, and I ended up liking them much more then I expected. However I can't say they were very memorable, which is disappointing.
Spoiler
The scene where they are about to split up, but then stop and look back at each other - it really got me. I knew she was going to die but this surprisingly packed the emotional punch. I realized then that I didn't actually want her to die. Aaaaand then she was gone. So I guess the predictability of her death was somewhat made up for in the emotional impact. Although - I didn't like the way she died. It seemed a bit anticlimactic.This was overall a fun, exciting adventure. I'd say a pretty standard Star Wars novel. Once again, I listened to the audio book and it truly heightened the experience with the music and sound effects, and the fantastic narration.
Rating: 3.5 stars
liasloveletters's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this book as an audiobook and it is definitely one of my fav star wars books so far. Whilst it wasn't apart of the canon timeline from the movies, it does add to your understanding of the Luke Skywalker. You get a further insight into his thoughts and feelings as he navigates the different challengers throughout the book from the Empire to romantic relationships to loss. I would definitely recommend it!!
liasloveletter's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this book as an audiobook and it is definitely one of my fav star wars books so far. Whilst it wasn't apart of the canon timeline from the movies, it does add to your understanding of the Luke Skywalker. You get a further insight into his thoughts and feelings as he navigates the different challengers throughout the book from the Empire to romantic relationships to loss. I would definitely recommend it!!
old_tim's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't going to change your life, but it's fun stuff. Recommended for fans of Luke &/or fans of Hearne.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-know-force-is-real-ive-felt-it.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-know-force-is-real-ive-felt-it.html
ashtheaudiomancer's review against another edition
2.0
Egads.
Not the most painful thing I've read, but it did not meet my expectations. Which is a shame because I generally like Kevin Hearne as a writer.
This book covers the gap between Episodes IV and V, furthering the plot not at all but getting a little bit into Luke's struggle to reach out to the Force without Ben Kenobi to guide him anymore. The strongest parts are when he's trying to reach the right meditative state to use the Force, and his conversations with Drusil, an ally/rescued prisoner with a knack for advanced physics and equations, who coaches him on reaching that state by talking about her own methods of meditating through "probability ladders." There was also a pretty cool scene early on where he's searching a crashed ship full of invisible brain-sucking monsters, which was tense and disturbing in all the right places. A bit more Event Horizon than I was expecting for this universe, but I'm kinda okay with that.
The weakest parts are anything involving the awkward forced love interest, Nakari, who seems to have no personality apart from "pretty" and "good at shooting things." She exists because they're using her ship for this rescue mission. That's it. That's the whole reason. Well, and to give Luke a forced love interest, but--guh, no, don't. I hate that trope. Most of the plot could easily happen without her. The whole pretty-girl-sharp-shooter character trope *can* be handled better, and for an example of it done the right way, see Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye from Fullmetal Alchemist. Hawkeye's actions have a palpable affect on the surrounding plot and characters to the point where you can't imagine the story without her. Nakari is the polar opposite of that.
Honestly if just a couple things were changed--nixing the awkward forced love interest entirely, and not stopping to describe the food every time the characters decide they're hungry, which was a LOT--it would be fine.
Not the most painful thing I've read, but it did not meet my expectations. Which is a shame because I generally like Kevin Hearne as a writer.
This book covers the gap between Episodes IV and V, furthering the plot not at all but getting a little bit into Luke's struggle to reach out to the Force without Ben Kenobi to guide him anymore. The strongest parts are when he's trying to reach the right meditative state to use the Force, and his conversations with Drusil, an ally/rescued prisoner with a knack for advanced physics and equations, who coaches him on reaching that state by talking about her own methods of meditating through "probability ladders." There was also a pretty cool scene early on where he's searching a crashed ship full of invisible brain-sucking monsters, which was tense and disturbing in all the right places. A bit more Event Horizon than I was expecting for this universe, but I'm kinda okay with that.
The weakest parts are anything involving the awkward forced love interest, Nakari, who seems to have no personality apart from "pretty" and "good at shooting things." She exists because they're using her ship for this rescue mission. That's it. That's the whole reason. Well, and to give Luke a forced love interest, but--guh, no, don't. I hate that trope. Most of the plot could easily happen without her. The whole pretty-girl-sharp-shooter character trope *can* be handled better, and for an example of it done the right way, see Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye from Fullmetal Alchemist. Hawkeye's actions have a palpable affect on the surrounding plot and characters to the point where you can't imagine the story without her. Nakari is the polar opposite of that.
Honestly if just a couple things were changed--nixing the awkward forced love interest entirely, and not stopping to describe the food every time the characters decide they're hungry, which was a LOT--it would be fine.
srlemons42's review against another edition
4.0
I love Luke Skywalker. Over time he has become one of my favorite characters in Star Wars. Yes, even over Leia and Han Solo. I just really love his unending enthusiasm and love of being a Jedi. However, he is very hit or miss in the various EU Star Wars books. It is very dependent on who is writing him. He can be wise and a calm presence in the Force, A big whiny emo crybaby, ineffectual and a pushover, or a hundred other personas. It was maddening and very eye-rollingly bad as you read the old EU books.
That is, of course, up to the fact that there were a lot of different writers and they all wanted to portray the Jedi and Luke in particular a certain way. My hope for the "new" EU is that they focus really tightly on making the characters consistent between books and writers. Only time will tell if they can maintain an iron grip over the continuity needed.
That brings me to this book. I liked it overall, I felt the plot was fine and the characters were also fine.....but just fine. This pains me in a way because I really like Kevin Hearne and love most of his writing. His Iron Druid series is pretty great with good characters and good plots. Although I've cooled a bit on them lately, I'm still very interested in the next book in the series.
I think my main problem with this book is that it's plot felt very....thin. Luke Skywalker is tasked with rescuing alien cryptographer renowned for her ability to breach even the most advanced communications systems from the Empire and delivering her to her family on another world. There are some space fights and fights on several planets, Luke spends some time contemplating what being a Jedi means to him and bemoaning the death of Obiwan. He also gets a fun partner Nakari Kelen who he falls a bit for .
I just felt there wasn't anything really exciting in the book. Everything was perfectly fine but I found it to be mediocre and just kind of there as a book. This was the first of the new EU that I've read and I hope they improve from here.
That is, of course, up to the fact that there were a lot of different writers and they all wanted to portray the Jedi and Luke in particular a certain way. My hope for the "new" EU is that they focus really tightly on making the characters consistent between books and writers. Only time will tell if they can maintain an iron grip over the continuity needed.
That brings me to this book. I liked it overall, I felt the plot was fine and the characters were also fine.....but just fine. This pains me in a way because I really like Kevin Hearne and love most of his writing. His Iron Druid series is pretty great with good characters and good plots. Although I've cooled a bit on them lately, I'm still very interested in the next book in the series.
I think my main problem with this book is that it's plot felt very....thin. Luke Skywalker is tasked with rescuing alien cryptographer renowned for her ability to breach even the most advanced communications systems from the Empire and delivering her to her family on another world. There are some space fights and fights on several planets, Luke spends some time contemplating what being a Jedi means to him and bemoaning the death of Obiwan. He also gets a fun partner Nakari Kelen who he falls a bit for
Spoiler
who then dies tragically at the end. of course.I just felt there wasn't anything really exciting in the book. Everything was perfectly fine but I found it to be mediocre and just kind of there as a book. This was the first of the new EU that I've read and I hope they improve from here.