Scan barcode
mumblebeee's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chappellmw90's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
libkatem's review against another edition
4.0
STAR WARS!! Full disclosure, I don't read a ton of Star Wars books (I'm completely unfamiliar with the Extended Universe, for instance). The ones I do read are typically about Leia Organa.
But I trust Ben Acker and Ben Blacker to built characters that I love, to come up with situations that are fun and interesting. The delivered here. Annie Wu's illustrations were really dynamic and a fun addition.
I adored Mattis, he's such a cute and earnest character, and all the other characters were great! I loved the scrapes that they got into, and the ongoing adventure. But one mission sustains them: Help the Galaxy. They get mixed results so far.
And of course, Acker and Blacker end on a bloody cliffhanger. I don't know why I expected anything else. I can't believe I have to wait until October for a resolution. But they'll probably end on a cliffhanger again.
Ultimately, this is a super fun and charming adventure that's appropriate for a middle grade reader.
But I trust Ben Acker and Ben Blacker to built characters that I love, to come up with situations that are fun and interesting. The delivered here. Annie Wu's illustrations were really dynamic and a fun addition.
I adored Mattis, he's such a cute and earnest character, and all the other characters were great! I loved the scrapes that they got into, and the ongoing adventure. But one mission sustains them: Help the Galaxy. They get mixed results so far.
And of course, Acker and Blacker end on a bloody cliffhanger. I don't know why I expected anything else. I can't believe I have to wait until October for a resolution. But they'll probably end on a cliffhanger again.
Ultimately, this is a super fun and charming adventure that's appropriate for a middle grade reader.
burzol's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read, great dialogs, interesting characters.... Only ending got me unhappy for spoilery reasons. That is why I cannot give it a 5 star review...but I will be back for the next chapter of this series.
renatasnacks's review against another edition
3.0
This was really cute! I picked it up because of my affection for Bens Acker & Blacker. It's a quick, fun middle-grade novel, great for tweens who loved Force Awakens. Annie Wu's illustrations are adorable.
My main quibble is that the protagonist, Mattis, is pretty much the least interesting character? He's not uninteresting--I do appreciate his inner turmoil re: wanting be be heroic vs actually being heroic, and I think that struggle is something relatable for tweens... but just, give me more about Dec, the kid who was raised with a droid for a brother? Give me more about Lorica, the Paris Hilton rebel? It's clearly setting up for a series and I hope future books are narrated by other members of the squadron.
My main quibble is that the protagonist, Mattis, is pretty much the least interesting character? He's not uninteresting--I do appreciate his inner turmoil re: wanting be be heroic vs actually being heroic, and I think that struggle is something relatable for tweens... but just, give me more about Dec, the kid who was raised with a droid for a brother? Give me more about Lorica, the Paris Hilton rebel? It's clearly setting up for a series and I hope future books are narrated by other members of the squadron.
laurenlol's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jazin95's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
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
3.5
This was a good introduction to the Join the Resistance series. Centring on Mattis Banz, an apparently force-sensitive kid, joining the Resistance. It also follows a ragtag group of friends getting to know each other and learning to get along in their newly formed J-Squad.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty good junior novel. However, there seemed to be a few plot holes. It seemed way too easy for the kids to survive a Sarlacc pit, and even though Mattis is supposed to be force-sensitive, there appears to be no evidence of that so far.
I look forward to reading this series and seeing where the story goes.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty good junior novel. However, there seemed to be a few plot holes. It seemed way too easy for the kids to survive a Sarlacc pit, and even though Mattis is supposed to be force-sensitive, there appears to be no evidence of that so far.
I look forward to reading this series and seeing where the story goes.
iwi's review
4.0
This impressed me more than I thought it would. The last two chapters, dearlord that was a ride. I'm gonna ignore a lot of the less thought out parts, like recruiting kids to a base and the mass amounts of different animals so close, because it's written in a very light way.
I lovelovelove that the main character cries, like how cool is that that he cries when he's happy and sad. So sweet.
I think for the most part the characters were really well done, I wasn't expect as much personality to them as there is. There were a lot of cool ideas, like having First Order parents, a 'sibling' who is a droid, an accidental hero, a boy who knows he has the force but can't tap into it, a super tough girl who prefers to be brainy. It's all really fun and kept the action going.
I lovelovelove that the main character cries, like how cool is that that he cries when he's happy and sad. So sweet.
I think for the most part the characters were really well done, I wasn't expect as much personality to them as there is. There were a lot of cool ideas, like having First Order parents, a 'sibling' who is a droid, an accidental hero, a boy who knows he has the force but can't tap into it, a super tough girl who prefers to be brainy. It's all really fun and kept the action going.