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betharanova's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, Jason Fry! Impress me!
This is definitely a kids' book. Zare, the protagonist, is young. The writing is young and fast. But the writing is by no means simple or casual. This is the ground-level view of the empire and all its terrifying, mundane evils that permeate even small towns trying to live their lives. We're talking agriculture, revised history, sustainability vs profitability of resources, racism in positions of power, why everyday people cooperate with corrupt rule. The fact that all this laid out during a high school drama where Zare is on the football team was very odd in a Star Wars book. On the other hand, Fry did so well with the normal civilian understanding of the Empire that I found it charming, actually.
This is definitely a kids' book. Zare, the protagonist, is young. The writing is young and fast. But the writing is by no means simple or casual. This is the ground-level view of the empire and all its terrifying, mundane evils that permeate even small towns trying to live their lives. We're talking agriculture, revised history, sustainability vs profitability of resources, racism in positions of power, why everyday people cooperate with corrupt rule. The fact that all this laid out during a high school drama where Zare is on the football team was very odd in a Star Wars book. On the other hand, Fry did so well with the normal civilian understanding of the Empire that I found it charming, actually.
jclermont's review against another edition
4.0
I never expect too much from YA-targeted novels like this, but I found it to be better than expected. It held my interest and the kids, plus it dovetailed nicely with season 1 of star wars rebels, providing some backstory on Zare.
grimdark_dad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
justin_wong's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
neilrcoulter's review against another edition
4.0
The Rebels/Rogue One era is my favorite part of Star Wars. It's very interesting to see how the galaxy recovers from the Clone Wars, and how the rebellion against the Empire develops. This book series was highly recommended from a GR friend, and I looked forward to getting back in the Rebels world and Lothal.
It's interesting to see the Empire slowly crushing a planet through bureaucracy and propaganda rather than through outright warfare. This first novel in the series asks the basic question: When is it right to begin fighting against the government? Characters respond in a variety of ways, and each character's response makes sense and feels true within the story. Jason Fry has set up an intriguing narrative.
The main protagonist of the series is Zare Leonis, who will eventually connect with Ezra Bridger in the Rebels series. This is his backstory, explaining how he came to the Imperial Academy on Lothal, and why he is the way he is when Ezra finds him. Within this short book are themes of rebellion and submission, family obedience and conflict, leadership and sacrifice, patience and action, and social status and immigration. That's a lot of material for a "young readers" Star Wars book. I'm glad to see someone beginning to write Star Wars stories with that kind of complexity.
My only disappointment in this book is the focus on football. Yes, it's call "grav-ball" on Lothal, but from the descriptions, it's basically American football. If sports was going to be such a focus of this book, then I would have liked a more creative imagining of the game. Make something about it different from football.
I'd like to read the rest of the series, but alas, this is a case where the public library has failed me: they only have the first book. :(
It's interesting to see the Empire slowly crushing a planet through bureaucracy and propaganda rather than through outright warfare. This first novel in the series asks the basic question: When is it right to begin fighting against the government? Characters respond in a variety of ways, and each character's response makes sense and feels true within the story. Jason Fry has set up an intriguing narrative.
The main protagonist of the series is Zare Leonis, who will eventually connect with Ezra Bridger in the Rebels series. This is his backstory, explaining how he came to the Imperial Academy on Lothal, and why he is the way he is when Ezra finds him. Within this short book are themes of rebellion and submission, family obedience and conflict, leadership and sacrifice, patience and action, and social status and immigration. That's a lot of material for a "young readers" Star Wars book. I'm glad to see someone beginning to write Star Wars stories with that kind of complexity.
My only disappointment in this book is the focus on football. Yes, it's call "grav-ball" on Lothal, but from the descriptions, it's basically American football. If sports was going to be such a focus of this book, then I would have liked a more creative imagining of the game. Make something about it different from football.
I'd like to read the rest of the series, but alas, this is a case where the public library has failed me: they only have the first book. :(
sheldonnylander's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gingerteabooks's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.25
I love the subtle evolution of Zare's doubt concerning the empire. It was really well done.
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
puckzilla23's review against another edition
2.0
Okay so first I want to say I’m aware that I’m not really the target audience for this book and I do think it would be a great book for its age range. However. Honestly. The reason I disliked this book and honestly this series so much… the cross hatching pattern on the pages. It was so distracting and really made it difficult to read at the speed I’m used to. I really couldn’t get into this one
polknation's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25