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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This is the only Star Wars novel I’ve read, so I am not sure how it compares. That being said; Rogue One was my favorite Star Wars movie, and I think this book truly did it justice.
The insight into the characters minds were so brilliant and moving. This book wrecked me emotionally, even more so than the movie—even seemingly insignificant or side characters in the movie were given just a bit more humanity which made it all the more impactful.
The insight into the characters minds were so brilliant and moving. This book wrecked me emotionally, even more so than the movie—even seemingly insignificant or side characters in the movie were given just a bit more humanity which made it all the more impactful.
I had hoped that the book could talk its way around or at least paper over the innumerable problems of the movie but instead it replaced the at least visual excitement of the space battles with even clunkier internal monologues. Ugh.
Out of all the new Star Wars movies this is the movie that had emotional resonance. Alexander Freed did a great job bringing something new to the story. Giving it texture beyond the film and opened up perspectives on Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, that we could not have gotten elsewhere.
As film adaptations go, I highly recommend this one.
As film adaptations go, I highly recommend this one.
I absolutely loved it. I already knew I was going to like it because of the movie but I was pleasantly surprised by just how much it fleshed the movie out and how much it built on the characters. Definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.
I am perpetually leery of film novelizations, just as I am leery of film adaptations of novels. The narrative of film doesn't always translate to written word, and vice versa. Yet I heard good things about Alexander Freed's take on Rogue One, which I consider the finest film of the recent installments to the Star Wars series. Luckily, my expectations were mostly fulfilled.
Freed leads an internal inspection of the characters across 300+ pages, while still retaining the plot, if not quite the blazing pace or humor, of the original version. In many ways, the writing style matches the film: somber and desperate and tense, divulging what little is known of the ragtag team in the time given.
To wit, the Cassian and Jyn relationship was handled perfectly (this is of utmost importance, of course). The histories of both were attended to; they were allowed to probe each others' motives, faults, and strengths. They were curious--and trust grew between them. The trust of soldiers, of kindred spirits without the gift of time.
"Maybe it was the need he'd seen in Jyn, the fire that had carried her through the fighting in the Holy Quarter. It seemed obscene to leave that need unanswered, abandoned to the dust."
Be still, my RebelCaptain heart.
The magic of Rogue One is in part because it is a story abbreviated. While I sometimes wished the narrative had pushed further into the characters' psyches, I realize that to do so would have been a betrayal to the purpose of this prequel piece. Jyn and Cassian and Bohdi and Co. were destined to come together for only a brief, defining moment.
Even Krennic, a token villain pawn in the film, is portrayed with evil genius brilliance. Especially well done, and singular to this novelization, is the exploration of Krennic and Galen's difficult past. It was set up almost akin to a Hamilton-Burr relationship: "[Krennic] could follow Galen Erso's thread through his life. He could see the full extent of the tragedy, the waste of effort on a wasted man."
The true waste is that the story ends. But, if the successfulness of a story--in film or book--is measured on how much the reader desires it to continue on after the last word, then Rogue One accomplished its mission twice.
Freed leads an internal inspection of the characters across 300+ pages, while still retaining the plot, if not quite the blazing pace or humor, of the original version. In many ways, the writing style matches the film: somber and desperate and tense, divulging what little is known of the ragtag team in the time given.
To wit, the Cassian and Jyn relationship was handled perfectly (this is of utmost importance, of course). The histories of both were attended to; they were allowed to probe each others' motives, faults, and strengths. They were curious--and trust grew between them. The trust of soldiers, of kindred spirits without the gift of time.
"Maybe it was the need he'd seen in Jyn, the fire that had carried her through the fighting in the Holy Quarter. It seemed obscene to leave that need unanswered, abandoned to the dust."
Be still, my RebelCaptain heart.
The magic of Rogue One is in part because it is a story abbreviated. While I sometimes wished the narrative had pushed further into the characters' psyches, I realize that to do so would have been a betrayal to the purpose of this prequel piece. Jyn and Cassian and Bohdi and Co. were destined to come together for only a brief, defining moment.
Even Krennic, a token villain pawn in the film, is portrayed with evil genius brilliance. Especially well done, and singular to this novelization, is the exploration of Krennic and Galen's difficult past. It was set up almost akin to a Hamilton-Burr relationship: "[Krennic] could follow Galen Erso's thread through his life. He could see the full extent of the tragedy, the waste of effort on a wasted man."
The true waste is that the story ends. But, if the successfulness of a story--in film or book--is measured on how much the reader desires it to continue on after the last word, then Rogue One accomplished its mission twice.
REBELLIONS ARE BUILT ON HOPE – A REVIEW OF ROGUE ONE
It’s a dark time for rebellion in a galaxy far, far away. Rumors of a huge weapon that the Empire is creating are keeping the Rebel Alliance Intelligence officers busy. One young woman, pulled from her home and family, holds the key to helping the Rebel Alliance keep the galaxy safe. Jyn Erso goes from chains to freedom in her pursuit to escape the Empire and follow the path to the weapon’s plans. Standing in Jyn’s way is the Empire’s own Orson Krennic, who leads the project and Jyn’s father, Galen, to creating the weapon that will tip the scales forever in the Empire’s favor.
If you haven’t seen the movie, read this book so you get an idea of what is at stake–especially if you have seen Star Wars: A New Hope. If you have seen the movie, read this book so you can get some great character development on the Rebellion side and see a little more in-depth to the way things really work on the Imperial side.
Author Alexander Freed takes readers through a logical progression of the movie, scene by scene, but the little snippets of things that ended up on the cutting room floor (or edited for time) are intriguing. I am so excited to read more books by Freed–it looks like he writes things related to video game properties.
I am so completely happy that I picked up this book–it was so worth it!
Who would read this: Fans of Star Wars and associated properties, people who missed out on the movie, fans of strong female characters and books who pass the Bechdel test. Anyone ten-ish and up who enjoyed the movie.
Time to Read: The novelization of Rogue One, took just a little over 4 hours–which is just under double it’s 2 hour and 13 minute running time.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars–I seriously enjoyed all aspects of this novel, much more than I thought I might.
Funny Story: I read the novelization of The Force Awakens (review here) and determined just how much might have been left on the cutting room floor. This (and a giftcard from my husband) propelled me to pick up Rogue One‘s novelization and I really enjoyed the time spent with the development of the secondary characters–in particular, the Pilot and Mon Mothma.
Final thoughts: Alexander Freed did a great job with this book! I wish I had picked it up sooner, but I decided to pick this as my first book of 2017. If this years reads are anything like Rogue One, I am in a great spot!
If you would like to purchase this book, it is available at your favorite retailer in your favorite format.
May the Force be with you in 2017!
It’s a dark time for rebellion in a galaxy far, far away. Rumors of a huge weapon that the Empire is creating are keeping the Rebel Alliance Intelligence officers busy. One young woman, pulled from her home and family, holds the key to helping the Rebel Alliance keep the galaxy safe. Jyn Erso goes from chains to freedom in her pursuit to escape the Empire and follow the path to the weapon’s plans. Standing in Jyn’s way is the Empire’s own Orson Krennic, who leads the project and Jyn’s father, Galen, to creating the weapon that will tip the scales forever in the Empire’s favor.
If you haven’t seen the movie, read this book so you get an idea of what is at stake–especially if you have seen Star Wars: A New Hope. If you have seen the movie, read this book so you can get some great character development on the Rebellion side and see a little more in-depth to the way things really work on the Imperial side.
Author Alexander Freed takes readers through a logical progression of the movie, scene by scene, but the little snippets of things that ended up on the cutting room floor (or edited for time) are intriguing. I am so excited to read more books by Freed–it looks like he writes things related to video game properties.
I am so completely happy that I picked up this book–it was so worth it!
Who would read this: Fans of Star Wars and associated properties, people who missed out on the movie, fans of strong female characters and books who pass the Bechdel test. Anyone ten-ish and up who enjoyed the movie.
Time to Read: The novelization of Rogue One, took just a little over 4 hours–which is just under double it’s 2 hour and 13 minute running time.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars–I seriously enjoyed all aspects of this novel, much more than I thought I might.
Funny Story: I read the novelization of The Force Awakens (review here) and determined just how much might have been left on the cutting room floor. This (and a giftcard from my husband) propelled me to pick up Rogue One‘s novelization and I really enjoyed the time spent with the development of the secondary characters–in particular, the Pilot and Mon Mothma.
Final thoughts: Alexander Freed did a great job with this book! I wish I had picked it up sooner, but I decided to pick this as my first book of 2017. If this years reads are anything like Rogue One, I am in a great spot!
If you would like to purchase this book, it is available at your favorite retailer in your favorite format.
May the Force be with you in 2017!
This novelization added depth to the movie in places that were grossly needed, I fully enjoyed this book a lot. I enjoyed the movie Rogue One immensely, don’t get me wrong, but my quibble with the movie is that it jumped far too much. However, the characters and their characterization made up for it, and I liked that the novel added even more. If you enjoyed Rogue One, but still had questions after watching pick up the novelization, as far as novelizations go this is definitely high on the good shelf.