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twilliamson's review against another edition
2.0
Jedi Search isn't a good novel. Its story takes a bit too long to actually come together, lacks substantive momentum or focus according to the stated goals of the novel, and the novel contains some terrible prose. For a novel that should be about Luke Skywalker finding new Jedi apprentices and establishing a new Jedi academy, it's surprising that the novel dedicates so little actual space to Luke's search. Instead, the book is weirdly split along several lines: Leia's struggles as a mother to raise children while being a diplomat; Han and Chewbacca's unfortunate capture on Kessel and the revelation of yet another Imperial superweapon that threatens the Rebellion; Luke's efforts to find a home for his Jedi academy and recruit new Jedi; and the rebuilding of the New Republic on Coruscant.
The fact that Luke takes a back seat to virtually all of the novel's other subplots doesn't bode well for the development of Anderson's trilogy. Because his focus is split over so many B-plots, the actual purpose of a book titled Jedi Search seems entirely muddled. To make issues worse, Anderson's prose is absolutely abominable. I haven't read a book this poorly written since The Amityville Horror, and I wonder if Anderson and Anson had the same creative writing teacher--or if they studied creative writing at all.
It's painful to read a story with such obvious potential struggle so much with establishing its main ideas. There's a lot of good to be had in Jedi Search, but that good is oftentimes buried beneath some objectively terrible writing. Anderson's ideas for Kessel and the Maw, for Luke's search for new Jedi, and even for Leia's struggles as a mother are all good story beats that could help Star Wars continue to evolve. Nevertheless, the book is simply an incoherent mess of a novel, with a plot that feels weak in stakes and takes far too many stupid detours to be of great value to the ongoing saga. If the story were perhaps delivered by a more talented writer than Anderson, I think I could actually even learn to love Jedi Search.
Alas, the book simply misses the mark by a wide margin. It's a real shame that a book with such potential ends up being so predominantly mediocre.
The fact that Luke takes a back seat to virtually all of the novel's other subplots doesn't bode well for the development of Anderson's trilogy. Because his focus is split over so many B-plots, the actual purpose of a book titled Jedi Search seems entirely muddled. To make issues worse, Anderson's prose is absolutely abominable. I haven't read a book this poorly written since The Amityville Horror, and I wonder if Anderson and Anson had the same creative writing teacher--or if they studied creative writing at all.
It's painful to read a story with such obvious potential struggle so much with establishing its main ideas. There's a lot of good to be had in Jedi Search, but that good is oftentimes buried beneath some objectively terrible writing. Anderson's ideas for Kessel and the Maw, for Luke's search for new Jedi, and even for Leia's struggles as a mother are all good story beats that could help Star Wars continue to evolve. Nevertheless, the book is simply an incoherent mess of a novel, with a plot that feels weak in stakes and takes far too many stupid detours to be of great value to the ongoing saga. If the story were perhaps delivered by a more talented writer than Anderson, I think I could actually even learn to love Jedi Search.
Alas, the book simply misses the mark by a wide margin. It's a real shame that a book with such potential ends up being so predominantly mediocre.
dj92's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
aussiejp's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
j_espere's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.0
ofclumsywords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
From the very first chapter this was an action packed book. It was fast paced and so much fun, getting to be reunited with beloved characters and also meeting new ones. I loved every moment of this book, most of all the mentions of pervious books and all the adventures that happened before. I can’t wait to continue this series and see how the plot plays out.
pakebrokenshire's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gingerreader99's review against another edition
3.0
A very fun and interestinf story introducing new characters that I would come to love shortly after reading this book. Would recommend to anyone looking to read Legends novels
tarmstrong112's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
This was a solid Star Wars story and I enjoyed reading it. It was fun. The Star Crusher is kind of a stretch as a superweapon but I'm willing to see where it goes. This book is very obviously the first in a trilogy but it's intrigued me enough to continue reading the other books.
This was a solid Star Wars story and I enjoyed reading it. It was fun. The Star Crusher is kind of a stretch as a superweapon but I'm willing to see where it goes. This book is very obviously the first in a trilogy but it's intrigued me enough to continue reading the other books.
mal8181's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0