Scan barcode
sersi's review against another edition
3.0
The double whammy of Anime Expo and Comic Con had a big impact on my reading habits—I didn't really read much at all for a good three weeks. It wasn't until nearly five days after Comic Con ended that I managed to find my way back to my Goodreads page, where I discovered that I was BEHIND on my 2013 Reading Challenge. This kicked off a reading frenzy/search for books less epic than I had previously been reading and thus, I returned to Young Jedi Knights.
Over the course of my attempt to re-read the whole series, one of the constantly surprising things has been the level of simplicity in the writing. While my character attachments have proven fairly consistent between when I was 11/12 and now, my ability to enjoy the writing hasn't. Some of the volumes have been worse than others in this respect and Darkest Knight was the most challenge thus far.
Even for a series ostensibly aimed at younger teens/tweens, Darkest Knight was very frequently incredibly simplistic and repetitive. Particularly as the plot moved characters from Yavin IV to Kashyyykk, it felt like an incredibly large amount of plot and characterization was rehashed each time the book moved between character POVs. Further, for a book so dedicated to ensuring that no bit of detail go overlooked by the reader, the pacing was surprisingly swift. Jacen, Jaina, and crew end up Kashyyyk not long after the book begins and after only a very short introduction to the planet/Lowie’s family, there are signs of trouble and the book begins its swift dash towards the conclusion. While I’d normally appreciate such attempts at a concise plot, the contrast between the plotting and characterization/writing style made this all very unsatisfying. I never managed to find my footing with the characters and the disconnect between the two stylistic impulses in the book left me largely un-invested in what was happening.
Over the course of my attempt to re-read the whole series, one of the constantly surprising things has been the level of simplicity in the writing. While my character attachments have proven fairly consistent between when I was 11/12 and now, my ability to enjoy the writing hasn't. Some of the volumes have been worse than others in this respect and Darkest Knight was the most challenge thus far.
Even for a series ostensibly aimed at younger teens/tweens, Darkest Knight was very frequently incredibly simplistic and repetitive. Particularly as the plot moved characters from Yavin IV to Kashyyykk, it felt like an incredibly large amount of plot and characterization was rehashed each time the book moved between character POVs. Further, for a book so dedicated to ensuring that no bit of detail go overlooked by the reader, the pacing was surprisingly swift. Jacen, Jaina, and crew end up Kashyyyk not long after the book begins and after only a very short introduction to the planet/Lowie’s family, there are signs of trouble and the book begins its swift dash towards the conclusion. While I’d normally appreciate such attempts at a concise plot, the contrast between the plotting and characterization/writing style made this all very unsatisfying. I never managed to find my footing with the characters and the disconnect between the two stylistic impulses in the book left me largely un-invested in what was happening.
lenore2185's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jljaina's review against another edition
5.0
Bases on the description I had expected more of a confrontation. Not really- there is one but only a brief one.
Still I loved this book. We get to learn a lot more of Lowbacca (FINALLY) and his homeplanet. This was the first S.W. book I read that describes Kashyyk. There is a new fiend in this one. One I thought long dead. Watching Tamith Kai and Zekk together is quite interesting.I liked the light romantic hints and undertones in this one. Not in the traditional sense but in how these characters feel for one another.
Still I loved this book. We get to learn a lot more of Lowbacca (FINALLY) and his homeplanet. This was the first S.W. book I read that describes Kashyyk. There is a new fiend in this one. One I thought long dead. Watching Tamith Kai and Zekk together is quite interesting.I liked the light romantic hints and undertones in this one. Not in the traditional sense but in how these characters feel for one another.
ragingcardboard's review against another edition
4.0
In this novel, we travel to Kashyyyk and meet Lowie's family, who are going through a challenging time. We get to see the characters become closer and work together to solve conflict. The action in this one is pretty heavy and the pacing is fast. There are some good moments in here about Zekk and the journey he's on, which gets pretty dark. The end of this one is kind of a cliff hanger and you know the final in this story arc is going to be insane.
wealhtheow's review against another edition
3.0
The Jedi trainees go to Kashyyyk, where they hope to help Lowbacca's younger sister complete a dangerous rite of passage. I liked the insight into the Wookie culture, and it helped differentiate Lowbacca for me, who I'd previously passed over.
chalicotherex's review
3.0
Okay I thought this was the coolest thing in when I read it in I guess Grade Six, around the turn of the millennium. Or rather, the idea of a Jedi Academy run by Luke Skywalker after the events of Return of the Jedi was cool. Like Harry Potter but with a more rigorous magic system. It let you imagine that you were a Jedi there or whatever and think about what kind of Star Wars gear you'd have (green lightsaber, A-Wing, protocol droid) and who you'd fight with it (those pig assholes from Jabba's Palace must've lived because they weren't on his desert barge). I still think it's a cool idea and it's a shame that the new movies aren't going in the direction. I mean, sure, the specific new Jedi and the events they get up to are dumb, but it's a great narrative structure to latch onto if you're going to pump out a movie a year until everyone turns their backs on the franchise.
More...