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keniasedler's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
batsinthecastle's review
4.0
This one was funny, not as much as the fifth/second book. But the rap and the fact that, in the audiobook, Admiral Ackbar sounded like Christopher LLoyd as Uncle Fester in Addams Family was great!
jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
Another one I enjoyed in this series. I think Doescher really found a voice with this one, using the chorus a little less and trusting expository dialogue to bring the story home. It was fun.
bahbadook's review against another edition
5.0
If you're reading this instead of watching the movie, watch the movie. And then read the novelization. And then read this.
Return of the Jedi makes me cry. That music hits and boom, instant tears. I can be not paying attention and hear the music and will still end up crying even though I don't know why (made for a really uncomfortable acting class that one time).
This did not make me cry. Mostly because the music cut off before the part that triggers the tears came on. Great. Perfect. The fact that I also deliberately didn't pay attention when Luke looked off and saw the three figures? Probably unrelated.
Right, yes. This review is on the audiobook version because I still can't read Shakespeare.
Han has a song, guys. Han. Sings. A. Song. And it is absolutely precious. I want that as a ring tone. Actually, no. The song I want as a ring tone is the song to honor Jaba. It reminds me a crap ton of Men in Tights and it delights me.
And if you've ever thought that Artoo was a sassy little butthead, that will be confirmed upon reading/listening to this. When Threepio is all like "They think I'm a god," Artoo has an aside that's like "Oh, great. He already thinks he's basically divine. We won't be able to deal with this ego." Artoo is so freaking funny in this one.
But the thing that brings me the most joy is that this one is, as confirmed by Ian D during his author comments part at the end, the fulfillment of Anakin's story with a crap ton of parallels for Luke. And he doesn't hate the prequels. In fact, he called the six movie story of Anakin Skywalker a cinematic and storytelling masterpiece. Which is what I've been saying for years. I would have loved this regardless, because it tickles lots of my loves, but the fact that he doesn't hate the prequels makes it so much better.
My favorite line in the the entire Star Wars series was twisted a little bit, and it didn't quite hit as hard, but the Emperor's response did hit. And Vader's struggle hit me in my chest. Knowing it and hearing it are two very different things.
Excellent work. Loved it.
Return of the Jedi makes me cry. That music hits and boom, instant tears. I can be not paying attention and hear the music and will still end up crying even though I don't know why (made for a really uncomfortable acting class that one time).
This did not make me cry. Mostly because the music cut off before the part that triggers the tears came on. Great. Perfect. The fact that I also deliberately didn't pay attention when Luke looked off and saw the three figures? Probably unrelated.
Right, yes. This review is on the audiobook version because I still can't read Shakespeare.
Han has a song, guys. Han. Sings. A. Song. And it is absolutely precious. I want that as a ring tone. Actually, no. The song I want as a ring tone is the song to honor Jaba. It reminds me a crap ton of Men in Tights and it delights me.
And if you've ever thought that Artoo was a sassy little butthead, that will be confirmed upon reading/listening to this. When Threepio is all like "They think I'm a god," Artoo has an aside that's like "Oh, great. He already thinks he's basically divine. We won't be able to deal with this ego." Artoo is so freaking funny in this one.
But the thing that brings me the most joy is that this one is, as confirmed by Ian D during his author comments part at the end, the fulfillment of Anakin's story with a crap ton of parallels for Luke. And he doesn't hate the prequels. In fact, he called the six movie story of Anakin Skywalker a cinematic and storytelling masterpiece. Which is what I've been saying for years. I would have loved this regardless, because it tickles lots of my loves, but the fact that he doesn't hate the prequels makes it so much better.
My favorite line in the the entire Star Wars series was twisted a little bit, and it didn't quite hit as hard, but the Emperor's response did hit. And Vader's struggle hit me in my chest. Knowing it and hearing it are two very different things.
Excellent work. Loved it.
bookworm_baggins's review
4.0
Truly, Star Wars was made for Shakespeare. This book is just amazing - a perfect combination of nerdy fandom but with far more depth and character development that any of the prequels or sequels accomplish. After the author’s note I cannot wait to pick up Empire, and these are books I’m so glad to own. Initially they seemed like just goofy and fun, but the attention to detail and depth is truly fantastic.
Standouts in Jedi include many soliloquys - the rancor keeper (relies heavily on Tales from Jabba’s palace material), Leia’s realization of Luke being her brother, Wedge as the final battle approaches, Luke as he battles against the dark side, Vader as he fights for his soul, and R2 to end the book.
Standouts in Jedi include many soliloquys - the rancor keeper (relies heavily on Tales from Jabba’s palace material), Leia’s realization of Luke being her brother, Wedge as the final battle approaches, Luke as he battles against the dark side, Vader as he fights for his soul, and R2 to end the book.
calistareads's review
4.0
It still amazes me how well this works. Even with the old words of Shakespeare this story still soars. Ian is able to put a few lines from Shakespeare's plays in the story. It ends with R2 giving an ending like Puck from A Midsummer Nights Dream. I love Star Wars and I love Shakespeare so this is the perfect marriage.
unluckyprimes's review
3.0
I don't really have anything new to say that I haven't said in my reviews of the other 2 books. I'm going to keep the trilogy because they look nice and I have the box set, but not necessarily because they were awe-inspiring. I'd read the prequel trilogy if I happened across it at the library or something, but am not interested in purchasing it for myself. YMMV.
kate_elizabeth's review
3.0
My favorite of the three! And not only because the C3PO hatred continues...THOUGH IT DOES:
"Luke: C3PO, dost comprehend their tongue?
C3PO: Indeed, my master Luke! Recall that I
Am fluent in more than six million forms
Han: Less prating, more explaining, droid. What didst
Thou say to them, when thou didst speak?
C3PO: 'Hello,' methinks. 'Tis possible I am
Mistaken. They employ a primitive
And ancient dialect, but it appears
They think of me as like unto a god.
R2D2: [aside:] O heaven help us all. C3PO
Already thinks himself divine, and needs
No congregation further."
Han continues to call him goldenrod. It's just fantastic.
Beyond that, of all three original movies, the themes of "The Return of the Jedi" just seem to lend themselves most naturally to the Shakespeare format. Love these nerdy little books.
"Luke: C3PO, dost comprehend their tongue?
C3PO: Indeed, my master Luke! Recall that I
Am fluent in more than six million forms
Han: Less prating, more explaining, droid. What didst
Thou say to them, when thou didst speak?
C3PO: 'Hello,' methinks. 'Tis possible I am
Mistaken. They employ a primitive
And ancient dialect, but it appears
They think of me as like unto a god.
R2D2: [aside:] O heaven help us all. C3PO
Already thinks himself divine, and needs
No congregation further."
Han continues to call him goldenrod. It's just fantastic.
Beyond that, of all three original movies, the themes of "The Return of the Jedi" just seem to lend themselves most naturally to the Shakespeare format. Love these nerdy little books.
rach's review
5.0
Another fun listen! I’ve been waiting for this one because, despite what others might think, I love the Ewoks and I was excited to see how the author would interpret their speech. It definitely didn’t disappoint, and I appreciated the author’s insights into his personal writing rules for each character. I also really loved the speeches by the rancor and his trainer, and all the funny little songs. Other than the one Han sang upon hearing Leia and Luke were siblings - that one was weird.
It looks like my library also has all the prequels, as well as episode 7, so I’m going to listen to those next. It will be interesting to see how well I follow with the movies I don’t know as well as I do the original trilogy.
It looks like my library also has all the prequels, as well as episode 7, so I’m going to listen to those next. It will be interesting to see how well I follow with the movies I don’t know as well as I do the original trilogy.