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crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
5.0
Bullet Review:
May well be the best of this pretty stellar young adult series. WOW.
Full Review:
When we last saw our group, they had lost their friend, Zekk, to the Dark Jedi Academy led by Brakiss and Tamith Kai. Luke Skywalker realizes he has no choice but to prepare his young Jedi Knights for battle and approves them to make their own lightsabers, but not everyone comes out of this unscathed. Meanwhile Zekk and Norys train on the Shadow Academy, marching ever closer to a Big Showdown.
This may well be the best book of this series. It's still far too early to tell, but the depths the characters go in this book, the lessons they learn and the very permanent changes that happen are absolutely stunning - there are adult books that pull their punches more than this "measly" kid book!
I don't know if spoilers are a thing for a 30 year old book that isn't even part of "Disney canon" anymore, but this is your one and only warning.
I went into this series not really expecting much. Well, that's a lie - I expected cheesy Jacen Dad jokes and really cheesy kid book plots with the blip of "Lightsabers". I read these books when I was a teen and I adored them - but then, I liked "The Crystal Star" when I was younger too! As I've been reading this series, I've mostly found them solid, maybe more than solid, with the exception of "The Lost Ones", which mostly felt like filler surrounding a minor plot element.
And then "Lightsabers" hit and I'm just astounded. This book has stakes. Things happen. People are irreparably changed - and they are made to face that change head on. I'll finally stop being vague and come out with it: the thread of Tenel Ka's loss of arm is the highlight so far of this series. Tenel Ka was a proud young warrior, more willing to trust her physical strength than to spend time 1) constructing a good lightsaber and 2) building her skill in the Force and relying on that innate power as well. She spends time to reflect on her mistakes and then, in yet another astoundingly amazing scene, she realizes that while for Luke it is okay to have a prosthetic arm, for her, it is not right. There is ZERO judgment for either choice - she explicitly says that it's okay Luke did it, but for her personally, "It's just not her thing". WOW people! Mike drop from a nearly 30 year old book! A lesson every single one of us should know, more than ever thanks to the Internet, given to us by a book that could have been bought when Amazon was known for only selling books!
Then we have the incredible scene when Jacen and Tenel Ka finally discuss what happened. Jacen is distraught and feels immensely guilty, and he seeks out an apology. Tenel Ka is honest - she doesn't blame him at all, but she gives him the apology he seeks because it will make him feel better. The way these two young people talk to each other is so amazing and mature - I wish EVERY conversation I've ever had as an adult could be handled with such maturity and openness!
There is a tacked on assassination plot whose perpetrator is pretty obvious for anyone who is reading this half-heartedly to recognize. We also get some scenes with Zekk developing in his own powers, including one where he has to duel someone in zero-g (Ender's Game for the less homophobic, perhaps?) - and yes, he does kill his opponent! It's shocking and brutal, even if bloodless, and you get the impression that this death will weight heavily on Zekk's mind for the rest of his life.
But despite some of the cheesy plot elements, the story is part of what Luke Skywalker says early in the book:
And mostly Tenel Ka's character development. Tenel Ka suffers a real loss, not an imagined one, and she has to deal with the repercussions - who is she without her arm? Is she meant to be a Jedi anymore? What about the two disparate sides of her family? She's always aligned herself more with her mother's Dathomiri people, but does her father's Hapan heritage have a place in her life? And who would have thought that a book 10 and 12 year olds would read would have these massive, life-altering questions in them?!
I don't give out 5-stars lightly; this book more than deserves it.
May well be the best of this pretty stellar young adult series. WOW.
Full Review:
When we last saw our group, they had lost their friend, Zekk, to the Dark Jedi Academy led by Brakiss and Tamith Kai. Luke Skywalker realizes he has no choice but to prepare his young Jedi Knights for battle and approves them to make their own lightsabers, but not everyone comes out of this unscathed. Meanwhile Zekk and Norys train on the Shadow Academy, marching ever closer to a Big Showdown.
This may well be the best book of this series. It's still far too early to tell, but the depths the characters go in this book, the lessons they learn and the very permanent changes that happen are absolutely stunning - there are adult books that pull their punches more than this "measly" kid book!
I don't know if spoilers are a thing for a 30 year old book that isn't even part of "Disney canon" anymore, but this is your one and only warning.
I went into this series not really expecting much. Well, that's a lie - I expected cheesy Jacen Dad jokes and really cheesy kid book plots with the blip of "Lightsabers". I read these books when I was a teen and I adored them - but then, I liked "The Crystal Star" when I was younger too! As I've been reading this series, I've mostly found them solid, maybe more than solid, with the exception of "The Lost Ones", which mostly felt like filler surrounding a minor plot element.
And then "Lightsabers" hit and I'm just astounded. This book has stakes. Things happen. People are irreparably changed - and they are made to face that change head on. I'll finally stop being vague and come out with it: the thread of Tenel Ka's loss of arm is the highlight so far of this series. Tenel Ka was a proud young warrior, more willing to trust her physical strength than to spend time 1) constructing a good lightsaber and 2) building her skill in the Force and relying on that innate power as well. She spends time to reflect on her mistakes and then, in yet another astoundingly amazing scene, she realizes that while for Luke it is okay to have a prosthetic arm, for her, it is not right. There is ZERO judgment for either choice - she explicitly says that it's okay Luke did it, but for her personally, "It's just not her thing". WOW people! Mike drop from a nearly 30 year old book! A lesson every single one of us should know, more than ever thanks to the Internet, given to us by a book that could have been bought when Amazon was known for only selling books!
Then we have the incredible scene when Jacen and Tenel Ka finally discuss what happened. Jacen is distraught and feels immensely guilty, and he seeks out an apology. Tenel Ka is honest - she doesn't blame him at all, but she gives him the apology he seeks because it will make him feel better. The way these two young people talk to each other is so amazing and mature - I wish EVERY conversation I've ever had as an adult could be handled with such maturity and openness!
There is a tacked on assassination plot whose perpetrator is pretty obvious for anyone who is reading this half-heartedly to recognize. We also get some scenes with Zekk developing in his own powers, including one where he has to duel someone in zero-g (Ender's Game for the less homophobic, perhaps?) - and yes, he does kill his opponent! It's shocking and brutal, even if bloodless, and you get the impression that this death will weight heavily on Zekk's mind for the rest of his life.
But despite some of the cheesy plot elements, the story is part of what Luke Skywalker says early in the book:
“If you are forced to draw your lightsaber, you have already forfeited much of your advantage. A Jedi trusts the Force and at first, seeks other wars to resolve problems: patience, logic, tolerance, attentive listening, negotiation, persuasion, calming techniques.”
And mostly Tenel Ka's character development. Tenel Ka suffers a real loss, not an imagined one, and she has to deal with the repercussions - who is she without her arm? Is she meant to be a Jedi anymore? What about the two disparate sides of her family? She's always aligned herself more with her mother's Dathomiri people, but does her father's Hapan heritage have a place in her life? And who would have thought that a book 10 and 12 year olds would read would have these massive, life-altering questions in them?!
I don't give out 5-stars lightly; this book more than deserves it.
cyris_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
valerio10's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
twilliamson's review
5.0
The Young Jedi Knights series only continues to get better with the fourth book in the series, Lightsabers. In previous installments, lightsabers have been the topic of a lot of discussion, as the main characters struggle with differentiating the weapons from toys. Admittedly, lightsabers are freaking cool, but the Star Wars universe has long given it symbolic meaning, and one of the greater explorations in this particular series has been the importance of the Force as philosophy and the maturation of its younger characters as they come into the mastery of the Force and themselves.
Lightsabers represents both a culmination of the series' themes so far as well as another thematic exploration of the meaning of carrying a lightsaber. Far from being a phenomenal toy, these weapons are incredibly dangerous, and the sobering events of the novel clearly demonstrate why it's so important to learn their utility but also to learn why they should only be drawn as a last resort.
Even if the book only focused on the utility and terrible obligation lightsabers represent, it would be a great book, but it doesn't stop with just one message. Wrapped up in this novel is also an exploration of what it means to be a warrior, to rely on one's self and to rely on the Force, and it takes a deep look at how personal tragedy shapes someone's sense of self. In the wake of the single major disaster in this novel, the characters of the book have to figure out who they are in relation to what happened, taking responsibility over the event and taking ownership of what comes next. The contrast between Luke's academy and Brakiss' apprentice, too, demonstrates the philosophical differences between how violence is taught and internalized by the dichotomy of the Force.
Anderson and Moesta don't just "get" what Star Wars is really about; they actively work to refine these stories into cogent philosophical statements about power and the responsibility needed in order to wield it wisely. This series is resolutely the best Star Wars of the early-to-mid-'90s, and it's because it never loses sight of the lessons we can learn through the fantastic in literature.
Lightsabers represents both a culmination of the series' themes so far as well as another thematic exploration of the meaning of carrying a lightsaber. Far from being a phenomenal toy, these weapons are incredibly dangerous, and the sobering events of the novel clearly demonstrate why it's so important to learn their utility but also to learn why they should only be drawn as a last resort.
Even if the book only focused on the utility and terrible obligation lightsabers represent, it would be a great book, but it doesn't stop with just one message. Wrapped up in this novel is also an exploration of what it means to be a warrior, to rely on one's self and to rely on the Force, and it takes a deep look at how personal tragedy shapes someone's sense of self. In the wake of the single major disaster in this novel, the characters of the book have to figure out who they are in relation to what happened, taking responsibility over the event and taking ownership of what comes next. The contrast between Luke's academy and Brakiss' apprentice, too, demonstrates the philosophical differences between how violence is taught and internalized by the dichotomy of the Force.
Anderson and Moesta don't just "get" what Star Wars is really about; they actively work to refine these stories into cogent philosophical statements about power and the responsibility needed in order to wield it wisely. This series is resolutely the best Star Wars of the early-to-mid-'90s, and it's because it never loses sight of the lessons we can learn through the fantastic in literature.
lenore2185's review
5.0
I must have read this book a dozen times as a kid. It manages to be so fun and child-friendly, but at the same time has a nuanced take on disability, bodily autonomy, and trauma. One of the best Star Wars books out there.
amiry's review
4.0
This is the one in which Tenel Ka loses her arm in a practice duel with Jacen. Why she chose not to ever replace it with a prosthetic is beyond me. I would love a roboclaw myself. :b
jljaina's review
5.0
This book starts off with an early shock. The character building in this is fantastic! Each character really came to life in this one. Tenal Ka and Jacen especially take the spotlights in this one. The emotions these two have, about each other, themselves and what happened had me very connected to every page of this book.
I loved learning more about lightsabers and how they are made. Most interesting. Lowbacca takes a backseat in this one. I like his character but in each book he keeps getting a bit pushed off to the side it seems. And for once, Emteedee is not overly "annoying", compared to past books. I so want to learn more about Hapes now!
I loved learning more about lightsabers and how they are made. Most interesting. Lowbacca takes a backseat in this one. I like his character but in each book he keeps getting a bit pushed off to the side it seems. And for once, Emteedee is not overly "annoying", compared to past books. I so want to learn more about Hapes now!
ifthebook's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. We get to see a lot about Tenel Ka's character, we get to see a lot about Jacen, we get to see them together. It's fantastic. We learn that Tenel Ka isn't this perfect person - she has her own flaws, too, in rather devastating ways.
ragingcardboard's review
4.0
This was one of my favorites from this story arc. It's super fun to see the kids create their lightsabers and continue on their journey of becoming true Jedi Knights. I loved the twist in this (truly did not see it coming) and felt like it was handled well. However, I actually wish this one was longer to help the characters really deal with their feelings and to develop more. This series seems to fall within a basic page limit though, so I still appreciate what they did with the space they had. I also loved the world we visited in this book and had a great time with the action part of the plot.