hstapp's review
3.0
Much better than he last book. Star Wars books tend to be much better when the main characters are separated, as they are here.
lorien13's review
5.0
I finally reread this, and it's a lot better than I recall. Although the title and cover are straight up terrible (talk about bad Photoshop instead of just getting a look alike), the story is great. Picking up right after the end of The Deadly Hunter, this one isn't as hard to predict. Instead the twists and turns aren't as big. But the ending is also a cliffhanger done well enough that I think I'm going to pick up my third Jedi Apprentice in one day, my fifth in the month!
janebby's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
fandom4ever's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
‘The Evil Experiment’ is the twelfth book in the Jedi Apprentice series and a direct continuation after the cliffhanger in ‘The Deadly Hunter’. With Qui-Gon now a captive, Obi-Wan is masterless and must use everything he’s learned thus far to try and bring his master home. Watson does an amazing job of showing how capable Obi-Wan has become under Qui-Gon’s tutelage. He’s still a bit hesitant, after all he’s still a kid and not sure that people will listen to him or do as he says no matter that he’s a Jedi. But overall, he focuses on all the lessons and how Qui-Gon would act in each given situation, which proves to be his greatest asset in the search.
The book once more switches between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s points of view and here you get to see that while trying to remain strong, Qui-Gon is worried about how long he can last as a prisoner and very much awaiting his Padawan to rescue him. I love the level of trust that is shown in this book. The two of them have grown so much and truly care so much for each other.
I thought the reveal of who had hired the bounty hunter and now held Qui-Gon captive was really well done. The questioning in the prior book never shed too much light on who it might be, thus never ruining the reveal. Due to this being the second book in this particular storyline, Watson was able to further flesh out many of the characters that were introduced last book. For instance, we get to learn more about the mysterious bounty hunter and get to see how far Astri will go when her father’s, Didi, life is on the line.
This is a well done book. Obviously because of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, we know that Qui-Gon can’t die but that doesn’t matter here. You still feel the tension, the race against time, and are completely captivated as to how Qui-Gon will be rescued. The book once more leaves us on a huge cliffhanger that leaves you stunned. I am impressed that we’re heading into a trilogy for this story arc and I absolutely can’t wait to begin the next book!!
The book once more switches between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s points of view and here you get to see that while trying to remain strong, Qui-Gon is worried about how long he can last as a prisoner and very much awaiting his Padawan to rescue him. I love the level of trust that is shown in this book. The two of them have grown so much and truly care so much for each other.
I thought the reveal of who had hired the bounty hunter and now held Qui-Gon captive was really well done. The questioning in the prior book never shed too much light on who it might be, thus never ruining the reveal. Due to this being the second book in this particular storyline, Watson was able to further flesh out many of the characters that were introduced last book. For instance, we get to learn more about the mysterious bounty hunter and get to see how far Astri will go when her father’s, Didi, life is on the line.
This is a well done book. Obviously because of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, we know that Qui-Gon can’t die but that doesn’t matter here. You still feel the tension, the race against time, and are completely captivated as to how Qui-Gon will be rescued. The book once more leaves us on a huge cliffhanger that leaves you stunned. I am impressed that we’re heading into a trilogy for this story arc and I absolutely can’t wait to begin the next book!!
thebookslayer's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ofclumsywords's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wasn't kidding when I said that I was excited for this plot to be a multiple book arc in my last review and this did not disappoint! Obi-Wan is separated from his master at the very end of Deadly Hunter and now he has to navigate how to find Qui-Gon all on his own.
Now that Qui-Gon is gone, we really get to see Obi-Wan's progression of all he has learned in his apprenticeship. He conducts the entire investigation without any Jedi supervision and with the help of Astri, Didi's daughter. Though he lacks confidence during certain parts of the mission, he really does an excellent job. He lets himself take his time to think things through instead of jumping to conclusions and being quick to judge. He lets Qui-Gon's past lessons come back by remembering his teachings as if Qui-Gon is right there next to him speaking them out loud.
With that being said, it also makes me sad to realize how far Obi-Wan has come and that there are only a few books left in this series. And Qui-Gon's eventual death. Seeing them apart while Qui-Gon is still alive and hearing Qui-Gon say multiple times in this book that he is proud of Obi-Wan and that he knows that Obi-Wan will find him is like a knife in the heart. Their bond is growing stronger and all their past differences are in the past. We get to see each of them really care for each other and worry about the other and getting an inside look to Obi-Wan's apprenticeship is really driving home how much Qui-Gon's death effected him in The Phantom Menace.
I really cannot wait to begin the next book; and getting to buddy read it (something I tried for the first time here on StoryGraph and was so much fun) made reading this book with so much angst much more bearable.
Now that Qui-Gon is gone, we really get to see Obi-Wan's progression of all he has learned in his apprenticeship. He conducts the entire investigation without any Jedi supervision and with the help of Astri, Didi's daughter. Though he lacks confidence during certain parts of the mission, he really does an excellent job. He lets himself take his time to think things through instead of jumping to conclusions and being quick to judge. He lets Qui-Gon's past lessons come back by remembering his teachings as if Qui-Gon is right there next to him speaking them out loud.
With that being said, it also makes me sad to realize how far Obi-Wan has come and that there are only a few books left in this series. And Qui-Gon's eventual death. Seeing them apart while Qui-Gon is still alive and hearing Qui-Gon say multiple times in this book that he is proud of Obi-Wan and that he knows that Obi-Wan will find him is like a knife in the heart. Their bond is growing stronger and all their past differences are in the past. We get to see each of them really care for each other and worry about the other and getting an inside look to Obi-Wan's apprenticeship is really driving home how much Qui-Gon's death effected him in The Phantom Menace.
I really cannot wait to begin the next book; and getting to buddy read it (something I tried for the first time here on StoryGraph and was so much fun) made reading this book with so much angst much more bearable.
verkisto's review
3.0
The Evil Experiment begins moments after the end of The Deadly Hunter, with Qui-Gon abducted by the assassin that was chasing them in that book. Obi-Wan has to solve the mystery of why he was abducted, find out where he was taken, and figure out how to get him out. The book is as much a mystery as its predecessor, but isn't laid out to be so; instead, it's more a straightforward adventure as Obi-Wan is on the trail.
Also like The Deadly Hunter, this book ends on a cliffhanger, making this book part of a series within a series. This isn't the first time Watson has done this in Jedi Apprentice, but this does mark the biggest story she's put together for the series so far. It will be at least three books, and this one is its own The Empire Strikes Back, since it ends on a dark moment. It's not quite as bleak (which I assume is due to the intended audience for the book), but it's not a happy ending, either. Even knowing that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon will survive through to the events of The Phantom Menace doesn't lessen the tension of the story.
Characters presented in The Deadly Hunter are fleshed out more here, marking another trend Watson began with the series. Short as the individual books are, the multi-book arcs that feature the same cast of characters allows for development that wouldn't be feasible in one standalone book. It's brilliantly executed, and I wonder if this is standard among other juvenile series, or if this is just something Watson does. Either way, it's effective.
This series is at its best when the stories carry over from book-to-book. Considering that this book is the middle of a trilogy (tetralogy? Maybe more?), it raises the bar of the books that will follow. I feel my expectations for the rest of the series are justified.
Also like The Deadly Hunter, this book ends on a cliffhanger, making this book part of a series within a series. This isn't the first time Watson has done this in Jedi Apprentice, but this does mark the biggest story she's put together for the series so far. It will be at least three books, and this one is its own The Empire Strikes Back, since it ends on a dark moment. It's not quite as bleak (which I assume is due to the intended audience for the book), but it's not a happy ending, either. Even knowing that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon will survive through to the events of The Phantom Menace doesn't lessen the tension of the story.
Characters presented in The Deadly Hunter are fleshed out more here, marking another trend Watson began with the series. Short as the individual books are, the multi-book arcs that feature the same cast of characters allows for development that wouldn't be feasible in one standalone book. It's brilliantly executed, and I wonder if this is standard among other juvenile series, or if this is just something Watson does. Either way, it's effective.
This series is at its best when the stories carry over from book-to-book. Considering that this book is the middle of a trilogy (tetralogy? Maybe more?), it raises the bar of the books that will follow. I feel my expectations for the rest of the series are justified.
dostojevskijs's review
2.0
Patience, young padawan. Suspend your judgement, and every being has something to teach you.
I liked how this was different from previous books in the series as it picks up right at the end of previous book (and ends up continuing in the next) as the rest of the series are all connected, sure, but often only in off-hand reflections and references - it's mostly been scattered adventures from Obi Wan's time as Qui Gon's Padawan. So, that was a refreshing take.
But even as the young girl Astri who teams up with Obi-Wan is one of my favourite characters so far... it failed to truly engage me (but as I've continued to point out, the only thing that makes me the target audience is my love for Star Wars; I'm the wrong age, and I've moved beyond this kind of literature, or writing style, quite a while ago) but it was a nice adventure, showing the bond between Padawan and Master.
I liked how this was different from previous books in the series as it picks up right at the end of previous book (and ends up continuing in the next) as the rest of the series are all connected, sure, but often only in off-hand reflections and references - it's mostly been scattered adventures from Obi Wan's time as Qui Gon's Padawan. So, that was a refreshing take.
But even as the young girl Astri who teams up with Obi-Wan is one of my favourite characters so far... it failed to truly engage me (but as I've continued to point out, the only thing that makes me the target audience is my love for Star Wars; I'm the wrong age, and I've moved beyond this kind of literature, or writing style, quite a while ago) but it was a nice adventure, showing the bond between Padawan and Master.
rhaenyratargaryen's review against another edition
3.0
Estos libros antes no eran taaaan entretenidos, pero últimamente vienen siendo muy adictivos.