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mypantsaretight's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elvinelverenn's review
3.0
Unlike most people, I liked the Clone Wars animated movie. I mean it's he start of one of my favorite tv shows and introduces my favorite character in the series: Ahsoka. This book is almost exactly the same as the movie, only little better! Having seen Clone Wars' actual potential (I'm referring here to the Umbara arc, the Mortis arc, the Siege of Mandalore, etc.), this book is directed toward a younger audience and isn't as smart and impressive as the rest of the show, hence the 3-star rating.
jenny_librarian's review
4.0
4 ⭐️
Note: when I started reading this book, I didn't know there had been an actual movie released in theaters (which apparently was never released in Canada?). I have never seen the movie.
You shouldn't read this book if you haven't seen The Clone Wars animated series. Not because you won't know the characters - most of them who weren't in Episode II are introduced in this book - but because you won't fully understand how well the Clones and the Jedi work together. There is some kind of camaraderie and a certain flow that you pick up in the show that isn't fully depicted in this book. Traviss surely does her best to translate the show's vibe into her novel, and it works up to a certain extend.
I especially like that we got to learn how Anakin and Ahsoka met. It was one thing I had wondered about while watching the show. That and to know where their nicknames come from was nice.
The biggest aspect of this novel compared to the movies is that it shows you exactly how the war rages. It focuses on battles and on the clones themselves as much as it gives you details about the Jedi whereabouts. Almost half the book is from Rex' POV and it puts you in the mind of a Clone, something the movies never did. I quite enjoyed that dip into how the Clones think and how human they are vs. the droids, even though they aren't "really" human.
The Separatists POVs were also quite interesting. While Palpatine's not surprising, Dooku's and Ventress' gave new depth to why Jedi would choose to ally with the Separatists.
In itself, this book (along with the show) shared a much needed light on the years separating Attack of the Clones from Revenge of the Sith.
Note: when I started reading this book, I didn't know there had been an actual movie released in theaters (which apparently was never released in Canada?). I have never seen the movie.
You shouldn't read this book if you haven't seen The Clone Wars animated series. Not because you won't know the characters - most of them who weren't in Episode II are introduced in this book - but because you won't fully understand how well the Clones and the Jedi work together. There is some kind of camaraderie and a certain flow that you pick up in the show that isn't fully depicted in this book. Traviss surely does her best to translate the show's vibe into her novel, and it works up to a certain extend.
I especially like that we got to learn how Anakin and Ahsoka met. It was one thing I had wondered about while watching the show. That and to know where their nicknames come from was nice.
The biggest aspect of this novel compared to the movies is that it shows you exactly how the war rages. It focuses on battles and on the clones themselves as much as it gives you details about the Jedi whereabouts. Almost half the book is from Rex' POV and it puts you in the mind of a Clone, something the movies never did. I quite enjoyed that dip into how the Clones think and how human they are vs. the droids, even though they aren't "really" human.
The Separatists POVs were also quite interesting. While Palpatine's not surprising, Dooku's and Ventress' gave new depth to why Jedi would choose to ally with the Separatists.
In itself, this book (along with the show) shared a much needed light on the years separating Attack of the Clones from Revenge of the Sith.
echoes01's review
3.0
This was a fine adaptation of the Clone Wars movie and I liked the author giving. Some insight into Anakin’s state of mind during that time, but I wasn’t blown away by the story. The audiobook narrator kept mispronouncing names too which is a nitpick, I know, but it bothered me. And he didn’t even try to do Rex’s accent (though he managed an Australian-ish accent for Cody lol). I also got thrown out of the story every time someone in the 501st called clankers “tinnies.” I know that’s what clones use for battle droids in the Republic Commando books but if you’re adapting something, use the terminology from the thing you’re adapting. It’s not hard. Different clone units can have different slang. Ok, I’m done with my rant. This wasn’t bad, but it was just a so-so adaptation.
becca99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
clairesneverland's review
4.0
Seeing Ahsoka in book form is just as amazing as seeing her in the show. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in the SW universe. I think I may pick up more in this series to get more missions from The Clone Wars.
skitch41's review against another edition
4.0
A very good and mature adaptation of a decent kids movie. Traviss is certainly one of the best Star Wars writers out there, as evidenced by how compelling she made this story. By cutting out most of the hokey lines and adding depth and reflection to the characters's actions, Traviss made this a wonderful story to read. Especially satisfying were the passages from Anakin's conflicted and clone captain Rex's ordinary-man persepctive that adds a fresh quality to the story. What I didn't like though were the passages from Palpatines POV, writing him in his duplicitous way. We know what happens in Episode 3, but it takes something out of the whole Clone Wars saga to see things through Palpatine's eyes. And second, probably under time pressure, she cut out a lot of scenes that were in the movie that affects the ending, like the Kenobi/Ventress fight and Padme/Ziro scenes. Other than that, a very good adaptation and something SW fans should read if they feel cheated by the movie.
heyjaycee's review against another edition
5.0
I'm no military SF fan, and besides being a Star Wars novel—maybe because it's a Star Wars novel? I guess it's sort of in the name—the novelisation of the film The Clone Wars is very much military SF. Karen Traviss' background as a defence correspondent really shines through in this novel. She clearly knows what's she's on about, and that experience gives the galaxy far, far away real depth and grit. Especially when it comes to the clones.
No lie, I read this novel for the clones alone. (Surprising no one who knows me.) Traviss has a real feel for clone culture, presumably by way of her familiarity with a soldier's life, and because of that her portrayal of the clones is sensitive, nuanced, and full of insight.
But it's not just the clones Traviss makes compelling. I never thought I'd grow to like Jabba the Hutt so much! But Traviss' characterisation in Jabba's perspective chapters is so spot-on and sympathetic, I have a new appreciation for the character. I also enjoyed her depiction of Ahsoka not only as the chirpy teenage girl we know from the film and TV show, but as a Togruta, whose alien ancestry makes her especially suited for warfare as well as sometimes unsettling to humans.
I'm not the biggest fan of the film, but this novelisation knocked my socks off.
No lie, I read this novel for the clones alone. (Surprising no one who knows me.) Traviss has a real feel for clone culture, presumably by way of her familiarity with a soldier's life, and because of that her portrayal of the clones is sensitive, nuanced, and full of insight.
But it's not just the clones Traviss makes compelling. I never thought I'd grow to like Jabba the Hutt so much! But Traviss' characterisation in Jabba's perspective chapters is so spot-on and sympathetic, I have a new appreciation for the character. I also enjoyed her depiction of Ahsoka not only as the chirpy teenage girl we know from the film and TV show, but as a Togruta, whose alien ancestry makes her especially suited for warfare as well as sometimes unsettling to humans.
I'm not the biggest fan of the film, but this novelisation knocked my socks off.