tomtas_anneli's review against another edition
3.0
I'd heard some horrible things about this book, and granted, if I'd read it on paper I would certainly have been more annoyed at some writing style choices than I was listening to it, but what I have no complaints about is the story. Wendig introduces new types of characters to the Star Wars universe, puts them together with some tried and true types, and throws them straight into adventure after adventure. As an audio-book, this was fun and diverting, while telling me things about the political developments after A New Hope that will likely be crucial not just to this trilogy, but to my understanding of the coming Saga films.
me511kev's review against another edition
1.0
Let me start out by saying I'm a huge Star Wars fan....
I started this book as an audiobook and 10 minutes in I was not impressed. There were sound affects, enhanced voices, constant background music and the narrator got hyper intense when there was action. Needless to say I didn't like it. Don't get me wrong, some effects can enhance a book, but this was a movie being narrated. I prefer to use my imagination when reading. If I want a movie, I'll go see one... but that's Disney for you.
Now on to the story...I ultimately gave up on this book about a third of the way through for multiple reasons. First, the story was too fragmented and very slow to start. With all the interludes, it was difficult to follow what was going on, especially when scenes cut away partway through the action. That can be useful plot device, but it became annoying pretty quick. Second, the writing itself was atrocious and immature.... the use of similes was over the top (it reminded me of City Of Bones)...I mean, learn to use a metaphor, AND you don't need to paint a picture of every little thing. The reader is intelligent and can use their imagination. This was apparent in his other book Zer0s, but the story made up for it. Next, other reviewers persuaded me to stop since it was obvious the story wasn't going to get better. I have made it habit not to waste my time forcing myself through books, I'd rather spend time on something I'm interested in. Lastly, I didn't like how this was rewriting the established post RTOJ canon that is already out there. I get this is a lead into The Force Awakens, but it invalidates great books like the Admiral Thron series. I would have been more OK with that, if the story was better.
Overall, audio book was too much, the story was disappointing and the writing wasn't great. Read at your own peril.
I started this book as an audiobook and 10 minutes in I was not impressed. There were sound affects, enhanced voices, constant background music and the narrator got hyper intense when there was action. Needless to say I didn't like it. Don't get me wrong, some effects can enhance a book, but this was a movie being narrated. I prefer to use my imagination when reading. If I want a movie, I'll go see one... but that's Disney for you.
Now on to the story...I ultimately gave up on this book about a third of the way through for multiple reasons. First, the story was too fragmented and very slow to start. With all the interludes, it was difficult to follow what was going on, especially when scenes cut away partway through the action. That can be useful plot device, but it became annoying pretty quick. Second, the writing itself was atrocious and immature.... the use of similes was over the top (it reminded me of City Of Bones)...I mean, learn to use a metaphor, AND you don't need to paint a picture of every little thing. The reader is intelligent and can use their imagination. This was apparent in his other book Zer0s, but the story made up for it. Next, other reviewers persuaded me to stop since it was obvious the story wasn't going to get better. I have made it habit not to waste my time forcing myself through books, I'd rather spend time on something I'm interested in. Lastly, I didn't like how this was rewriting the established post RTOJ canon that is already out there. I get this is a lead into The Force Awakens, but it invalidates great books like the Admiral Thron series. I would have been more OK with that, if the story was better.
Overall, audio book was too much, the story was disappointing and the writing wasn't great. Read at your own peril.
incognitiously's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
jaffo's review against another edition
2.0
This was a decent story, but the sound effects are too much. Not a fan of constant background noise, starfighters, blasters, swelling John Williams music...
Okay, the music is a nice to have at times, but it's all way overdone in this audiobook.
The author wrote a good story, but his ham fisted platitudes kind of ruin the suspension of disbelief.
The narrator is decent, although he tries to hard with a few of the voices. I mean, I don't recall seeing James Stewart in a Star Wars film but he shows up near the end of this audiobook...
If you are a fan of the Star Wars universe and want a decent fix, this is just what you are looking for. It's not the next great American novel for certain, but it'll scratch the itch for a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Okay, the music is a nice to have at times, but it's all way overdone in this audiobook.
The author wrote a good story, but his ham fisted platitudes kind of ruin the suspension of disbelief.
The narrator is decent, although he tries to hard with a few of the voices. I mean, I don't recall seeing James Stewart in a Star Wars film but he shows up near the end of this audiobook...
If you are a fan of the Star Wars universe and want a decent fix, this is just what you are looking for. It's not the next great American novel for certain, but it'll scratch the itch for a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
erichart's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable introduction to the new Star Wars universe. I'd read a lot of complaints about the writing style, but I had no trouble with it, apart from the irritating similes. The plot and characters are gripping enough to overcome minor quibbles. The interludes showing how different places are coping with the fall of the Empire serve to broaden the scope and paint a larger picture.
alwaysagem's review against another edition
3.0
Quite a boring and confusing read at first. it’s written very weirdly and i don’t like it. however, the ending was okay and picked up a little bit but overall the book fell flat.
darthkitty23's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lxdesigner's review against another edition
3.0
3.7 stars. this really isn’t incredible writing, and the storyline just barely kept be engaged until the third act, which saved it. i’ll put a little time between the next novel in the series.
wiroju's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0