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macncheeseable's review against another edition
3.25
rae carson was truly doing the most with what she was given
atlas_28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.0
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
3.0
The second half of the book ended up being a much better read than the first 100 pages—thank goodness. The tightly-written, heartfelt prose I so enjoy in Carson's other work found its footing during the important scenes here, for which I'm grateful. While this doesn't fix the film for me, it does clarify WTF was happening during several key moments, which didn't have a chance in hell of getting communicated properly thanks to the go-go-go directing style Abrams adopted for this installment (even more breathless and afraid of the pause button than his other movies). I'll always have my problems with this story, but by restoring many of the dropped connections it contains, this book allowed me some closure, at least—and gave me a chance to even appreciate some of the thematic elements that I was previously quite resistant to.
Now what I really need is an animated series set post-IX with Rey trying to establish a non-dogmatic Order and yes, looking for Ben in the World Between Worlds, because if a Force dyad is the real fulfillment of the Rule of Two, y'all, we cannot just DROP this concept. (And let's face it: Rey deserves an arc that isn't "completing Leia's Jedi path", c'mon Terrio. This in no way feels like the end of her story.) The Clone Wars added so much depth to the prequels; the sequels deserve their own shot at redemption, since apparently all the creative/experimental material in the SW galaxy gets reserved for animation these days, and everyone is just terrified of New Shit in Live-Action. Ahem. I will step off my Star Wars Opinion Box now!
Now what I really need is an animated series set post-IX with Rey trying to establish a non-dogmatic Order and yes, looking for Ben in the World Between Worlds, because if a Force dyad is the real fulfillment of the Rule of Two, y'all, we cannot just DROP this concept. (And let's face it: Rey deserves an arc that isn't "completing Leia's Jedi path", c'mon Terrio. This in no way feels like the end of her story.) The Clone Wars added so much depth to the prequels; the sequels deserve their own shot at redemption, since apparently all the creative/experimental material in the SW galaxy gets reserved for animation these days, and everyone is just terrified of New Shit in Live-Action. Ahem. I will step off my Star Wars Opinion Box now!
darkside1523's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the Star Wars equivalent to “What might have been?” as it delivers the emotional punch the movie sometimes lacked. While the books doesn’t add too many additional scenes, just getting into the minds of our favorite characters brings so much emotion to the forefront.
elodiethefangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
kavasghost's review against another edition
3.5
I actually quite liked this one. Definitely the best novelisation of the new movies by far.
This book gave me a lot more details to the story and insight to the characters thoughts and feelings. Unlike the movie, this book didn't feel like there was a chunk of the story missing. Some of my least favorite parts of the film were explanded on and clarified, which improved the story for me.
For example the kiss is very clearly platonic here and the reasoning behind Rey being a Skywalker is actually really sweet.
Kylo Ren's story is also expanded and getting to see a little bit into his head and where he is coming from also really worked. Particularly how he turned from one side to the other made much more sense and the scene with Han was so sad.
3.5 ✨
This book gave me a lot more details to the story and insight to the characters thoughts and feelings. Unlike the movie, this book didn't feel like there was a chunk of the story missing. Some of my least favorite parts of the film were explanded on and clarified, which improved the story for me.
For example the kiss is very clearly platonic here and the reasoning behind Rey being a Skywalker is actually really sweet.
Kylo Ren's story is also expanded and getting to see a little bit into his head and where he is coming from also really worked. Particularly how he turned from one side to the other made much more sense and the scene with Han was so sad.
3.5 ✨
isabellarobinson7's review against another edition
2.5
Rating: a generous 2.5 stars
I was going to go on a whole rant about all the problems I had with Episode IX (as in the movie) but there's enough of that around anyway, and I don't feel as though a rant from me would add anything of benefit. Yes, the ending was a rehash of Return of the Jedi. Yes, the lightsaber duel was two angsty people being all emotional in a children's water park, because "we did a good one in fire, now let's do one with water!" Yes, there were lines (especially that last "battlecry" I guess you could call it from Rey) that should not have seen the light of day. And finally, yes, Force lightning does. Not. Come. That. Easily. It was a huge missed opportunity, and to me, a real disappointment.
And that was what Rae Carson had to work with. I don't envy her task. But despite that, I think she did what she could, and did it the best as was possible with the material given. That at least is commendable, and earns an extra star and a half.
I was going to go on a whole rant about all the problems I had with Episode IX (as in the movie) but there's enough of that around anyway, and I don't feel as though a rant from me would add anything of benefit. Yes, the ending was a rehash of Return of the Jedi. Yes, the lightsaber duel was two angsty people being all emotional in a children's water park, because "we did a good one in fire, now let's do one with water!" Yes, there were lines (especially that last "battlecry" I guess you could call it from Rey) that should not have seen the light of day. And finally, yes, Force lightning does. Not. Come. That. Easily. It was a huge missed opportunity, and to me, a real disappointment.
And that was what Rae Carson had to work with. I don't envy her task. But despite that, I think she did what she could, and did it the best as was possible with the material given. That at least is commendable, and earns an extra star and a half.
sofiabsilva's review against another edition
medium-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
4.5