jwaits's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
octobertune's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is my least favourite movie in the prequel movies and I also didn't love this novelisation too much. There were still some nice scenes that weren't in the movie
I liked reading character's thoughts during certain scenes though, which is honestly why I enjoy novelisations so much (and yes it's 100% canon).
Spoiler
like one scene where it was shown that the Geonosians were the ones who were working on the Death Star, which I believe we never really find out in the movies but I did read about in CatalystI liked reading character's thoughts during certain scenes though, which is honestly why I enjoy novelisations so much (and yes it's 100% canon).
booksandpajamas's review against another edition
4.0
“A Jedi shall not know anger. Nor hatred. Nor love.”
Ten years have passed since Anakin Skywalker started his training to become a Jedi, since the dead of Qui-gon Jinn and since the blockade of Naboo.
Things have changed. Padmé Amidala, once a queen of Naboo, is now a Senator; Anakin a Padawan Learner and Obi-Wan a Jedi Knight.
The Republic is failing and the Dark side is growing and all events will eventually lead to war.
Padmé is being assassinated by the Trade Federation and to protect her life, she is being protected by the Jedi. Or to make it even more clear, by Anakin. The two haven't seen each other in ten years, but Anakin has thought of Padmé every day. Padmé, therefor, hasn't forgotten him either. Throughout the story their love blossoms, but both know it's forbidden. A Jedi isn't allowed to love. They both know that if they give in to their feelings, Anakin will be expelled from the Jedi Order and Padmé doesn't want that for him. Anakin, much more open with his feelings, doesn't care. Padmé, therefor, is much more guarded.
What's fascinating about this story is that a Jedi shall not know anger nor hatred. Anakin does know these feelings. We see him struggling with them and eventually giving in. When his mother is being held captive by the Tusken Raiders and eventually dies, he feels so much rage that he eventually kills them all. Including women and children.
These feelings stand in the way of the things that are important for a Jedi, they blur their vision.
In the movies we see, as people call it, this whiny child, but in the story we find out why. And really, it's that logical. For me, he wasn't a whiny child. He is struggling. Anakin believes that if he becomes powerful, he can save the people he loves. It already starts in this novel and it will continue further more. Rage, hatred, love, fear and anger cloud his mind and that makes it dangerous, because these feelings lead to the dark side.
kxu65's review against another edition
3.0
even my favorite author, R.A. Salvatore couldn't make a boring script any better
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Obviously, this book is the companion to the movie of the same title. It fills in some valuable additional background and character development that was absent in the film.
First: we get more of a view of Padme's mindset when Anakin comes back into her life. In the movie, it is clear that Anakin remembers Padme, not just fondly, but passionately. It is never made clear (even in the book) what place Anakin holds in Padme's heart when they meet again - whether he is simply a boy she remembers fondly from her days as Naboo's queen, or as a possible romantic attachment. It is probable that, given her understanding of the Jedi oaths and sacrifices, it didn't occur to her that Anakin nursed romantic feelings for her, and she likely didn't have any on the back burners for him.
We do know that she is primed and ready for a romantic relationship. It is ten years since the war on Naboo, she is no longer the Queen, but her life is still one of political service and sacrifice. Her sister is married with children and is constantly reminding her that there is more to her and to life than political causes and self-sacrifice.
When she meets Anakin again, and he looks at her as a man looks at a woman he loves, she is ready to fall. She puts up a good fight, but so does Anakin; ultimately, when he wins, they both lose.
Second: There is a little more background and insight into Jango and Boba Fett. This background is interesting for the contrast that it provides to the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Jango is teaching Boba all of his skills, to turn him into the ultimate bounty hunter and his ideal son. It is clear that Jango and Boba love each other. One of the greatest moments, for me, happens on Kamino before Obi-Wan shows up. Boba is fishing and makes a successful kill. Though Jango praises him, he also critiques his performance, telling him that a centimeter's difference would have made for a more precise killing, and less work on his part.
The boy nodded, unperturbed that his father, his mentor, could always find fault, even in success. The boy knew that his beloved father did so only because it forced him to strive for perfection. And in a dangerous galaxy, perfection allowed for survival. The boy loved his father even more for caring enough to criticize.
This is in stark contrast to Obi-Wan and Anakin. Obi certainly criticizes, but there isn't that feeling of love. Anakin definitely chafes under any suggestion that he isn't complete and perfect as he is.
[Master Obi-Wan] criticizes my every move, as if I was still a child. . .I am truly thankful to be his learner. (I think this is lip service, given because it is expected that there should be some gratitude.) Only, although I'm a Padawan learner, in some ways -in a lot of ways- I'm ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials. I know I am! He knows it, too. He feels I'm too unpredictable -other Jedi my age have gone through the trials and made it. . . he won't let me move on!
Compare that relationship with the one with Palpatine, who finds no fault, who justifies every action, who praises every thought, deed and success, and it becomes easier to see why Palpatine's influence is stronger than that of the Jedi.
First: we get more of a view of Padme's mindset when Anakin comes back into her life. In the movie, it is clear that Anakin remembers Padme, not just fondly, but passionately. It is never made clear (even in the book) what place Anakin holds in Padme's heart when they meet again - whether he is simply a boy she remembers fondly from her days as Naboo's queen, or as a possible romantic attachment. It is probable that, given her understanding of the Jedi oaths and sacrifices, it didn't occur to her that Anakin nursed romantic feelings for her, and she likely didn't have any on the back burners for him.
We do know that she is primed and ready for a romantic relationship. It is ten years since the war on Naboo, she is no longer the Queen, but her life is still one of political service and sacrifice. Her sister is married with children and is constantly reminding her that there is more to her and to life than political causes and self-sacrifice.
When she meets Anakin again, and he looks at her as a man looks at a woman he loves, she is ready to fall. She puts up a good fight, but so does Anakin; ultimately, when he wins, they both lose.
Second: There is a little more background and insight into Jango and Boba Fett. This background is interesting for the contrast that it provides to the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Jango is teaching Boba all of his skills, to turn him into the ultimate bounty hunter and his ideal son. It is clear that Jango and Boba love each other. One of the greatest moments, for me, happens on Kamino before Obi-Wan shows up. Boba is fishing and makes a successful kill. Though Jango praises him, he also critiques his performance, telling him that a centimeter's difference would have made for a more precise killing, and less work on his part.
The boy nodded, unperturbed that his father, his mentor, could always find fault, even in success. The boy knew that his beloved father did so only because it forced him to strive for perfection. And in a dangerous galaxy, perfection allowed for survival. The boy loved his father even more for caring enough to criticize.
This is in stark contrast to Obi-Wan and Anakin. Obi certainly criticizes, but there isn't that feeling of love. Anakin definitely chafes under any suggestion that he isn't complete and perfect as he is.
[Master Obi-Wan] criticizes my every move, as if I was still a child. . .I am truly thankful to be his learner. (I think this is lip service, given because it is expected that there should be some gratitude.) Only, although I'm a Padawan learner, in some ways -in a lot of ways- I'm ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials. I know I am! He knows it, too. He feels I'm too unpredictable -other Jedi my age have gone through the trials and made it. . . he won't let me move on!
Compare that relationship with the one with Palpatine, who finds no fault, who justifies every action, who praises every thought, deed and success, and it becomes easier to see why Palpatine's influence is stronger than that of the Jedi.
actualconman's review against another edition
3.0
Marginally better than the Phantom Menace novelization, in that I got SOMETHING new out of it (and at least have a better grasp of the wild politics going on in this entry) as opposed to just an almost complete play by play. I was hoping said new thing would be a decent Anakin and Padme romance, but that not being the case, I'll take Jango Fett being the best dad in the galaxy.
deardostoevsky's review against another edition
4.0
I would be (most probably) in minority here, but I genuinely liked the prequels. And this novelisation (the audible version) was thoroughly enjoyable, only amplifying my love for the prequel era of Star Wars. The narrator was amazing, and the frequent John Williams' score further beautified the experience. It fleshed out the story well, providing a subtle finesse than the limited cinematic experience allows.
the_bitextual's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.75
losingcats's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
you could definitely tell it was written by a man, gosh. if you tune that flaw out though, it is quite enjoyable !!