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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
The dialogue was forced (no pun intended) and the ending fell flat, but the action was often mesmerizing and the characters were surprisinlgy nuanced, especially when compared to the movie's portrayal of the same characters. Not the best-written sci-fi adventure novel, but certainly enjoyable, and easily one of the best Star Wars novels I've read.
Movie novelizations aren't always top tier but this is one of the best exceptions. The movie Revenge of the Sith is a fan favorite, and for good reason. It also has some problematic issues throughout that Stover smooths over better than I would have expected. Throughout the book, we get to spend a little more time with many of the characters who deserve it, including a wonderful amount with Papa Palps, one of my favorite characters ever. What Stover gets right, he really gets right, especially the climactic ending and its significance for players on both sides of the force. The icing on the cake is that this is a full fledged production. It has sound effects, music, and voices which is so very appropriate for Star Wars. Hearing blaster shots in the background of a lightsaber duel or Vader's breathing during the last paragraphs about his transformation are exquisite. This would be my first recommendation for any Star Wars fan looking to read something beyond the movies.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
The God of War novelization was the Audible Deal of the Day.
My friend and I had both agreed it was the best game of 2018. It was up there with Chrono Trigger for me as one of my favorite games ever. But, the novelization?
"Well, novelizations aren't all bad." My friend said.
"They're not?" I replied incredulously.
"Not at all. Take the Revenge of the Sith novelization. That's one of my favorite books period." He claimed.
"You're kidding. Episode III??
So, taking his recommendation I turned to the internet. Into the search bar went the words:
"revenge of the sith novelization GOOD????"
He wasn't kidding. This is a beloved book, and many will tell you it is one of the best Star Wars books. That's saying something. There are a LOT of Star Wars books. So what gives here? Matthew Stover wrote a small handful of Star Wars novels culminating with this take on the movie, and all I can tell you is that maybe a certain someone should have consulted him before releasing the film.
Maybe you don't like Star Wars. If you don't. . . thanks, that means a lot that you've read this far. I grew up on Star Wars, and while I'm certainly not a hardcore fanatic I have thought about dropping a few hundred dollars on a custom lightsaber. . . not sure how much jedi robes cost. Somewhere in the world there is a local news clip of eight year old me after a premiere showing of The Phantom Menace saying "That was awesome!" That said, I've only seen Revenge of the Sith (ROTS as the cool kids say) once all the way through.
Does one italicize movie titles? Video games? . . . Oh well.
For me, this book is comfort food. There's plenty here that should be cheesy but it's not. There are some literary devices that I thought would turn stale, but didn't. Despite efforts in the past decade to make the good guys seem bad and the bad guys seem relatable this is the first time I've really been able to look at them differently. I can more understand Anakin's temptation. The Jedi seem way out of touch and misguided. Oh wow, yeah, Obi Wan is amazing and a true peer of the other masters. Somehow even General Grievous doesn't seem like a complete clown.
All in all this is the way I want to remember the movie. I'm tempted to watch again it now, but I'm afraid it might spoil the book.
My friend and I had both agreed it was the best game of 2018. It was up there with Chrono Trigger for me as one of my favorite games ever. But, the novelization?
"Well, novelizations aren't all bad." My friend said.
"They're not?" I replied incredulously.
"Not at all. Take the Revenge of the Sith novelization. That's one of my favorite books period." He claimed.
"You're kidding. Episode III??
So, taking his recommendation I turned to the internet. Into the search bar went the words:
"revenge of the sith novelization GOOD????"
He wasn't kidding. This is a beloved book, and many will tell you it is one of the best Star Wars books. That's saying something. There are a LOT of Star Wars books. So what gives here? Matthew Stover wrote a small handful of Star Wars novels culminating with this take on the movie, and all I can tell you is that maybe a certain someone should have consulted him before releasing the film.
Maybe you don't like Star Wars. If you don't. . . thanks, that means a lot that you've read this far. I grew up on Star Wars, and while I'm certainly not a hardcore fanatic I have thought about dropping a few hundred dollars on a custom lightsaber. . . not sure how much jedi robes cost. Somewhere in the world there is a local news clip of eight year old me after a premiere showing of The Phantom Menace saying "That was awesome!" That said, I've only seen Revenge of the Sith (ROTS as the cool kids say) once all the way through.
Does one italicize movie titles? Video games? . . . Oh well.
For me, this book is comfort food. There's plenty here that should be cheesy but it's not. There are some literary devices that I thought would turn stale, but didn't. Despite efforts in the past decade to make the good guys seem bad and the bad guys seem relatable this is the first time I've really been able to look at them differently. I can more understand Anakin's temptation. The Jedi seem way out of touch and misguided. Oh wow, yeah, Obi Wan is amazing and a true peer of the other masters. Somehow even General Grievous doesn't seem like a complete clown.
All in all this is the way I want to remember the movie. I'm tempted to watch again it now, but I'm afraid it might spoil the book.
The writing is good, but the first half drags considerably, and so much is packed into the last 50 pages. But there's only so much one can improve on a novelization of a mediocre script. I do feel like the author really understood the material and his passion comes through, probably much more than what transpires from the movie. Reading this trilogy has been an interesting experience for sure; but I don't regret it, despite the middling quality. And ever since another SW fan praised this book online years and years ago, I've always wanted to read it- if only to see this story from another angle and writer - and so it's done.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*If you don't know the ending of SW EP 3: ROTS, then don't read my review. [But respectfully, where the hekka have you been all these years.]*
Wait while I just- *crying, screaming, throwing up*
Okay. I'm good.
Just kidding.
Wait while I just- *crying, screaming, throwing up*
Okay. I'm good.
Just kidding.