Take a photo of a barcode or cover
latad_books 's review for:
Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy
by Terry Brooks, Matthew Woodring Stover, R.A. Salvatore
2023-06: Revenge of the Sith. 4.5 stars.
I've heard for years that this book is terrific, and it is. Author Matthew Stover gave me all the character motivations and intrigue that I needed, deepening the experience of the movie, and the tragedy, if that's possible.
Seeing how the Jedi Council made bigger and bigger mistakes leading up to the moment Sidious finally revealed himself, and also how overwhelming and powerful Anakin's need was to save Padmé, leading him to make tragically bad decisions, was what I needed.
There are also some really great passages describing Obiwan's and Anakin's relationship. And, if you're a Kenobi fan, this is a great book, as we see how Obiwan interacts with the Force during several critical moments. Though not canon anymore, I'm glad I took the time to read this story.
2023-06: Attack of the Clones. 3 stars.
This one was always going to suffer in its rating because no matter who wrote it, the painfully heightened, florid language of the scene on Naboo, then later in the stadium, between the wonderful Padme and the lovesick Anakin was always going to be squirm-worthy.
I liked the rest of the story, in how we see how clouded the Jedi in their analyses, judgments and actions, and how emotionally stunted they were. And just how inevitable it was that someone would come along and wipe them off the board for their superiority, insularity, and inability to understand others, and specifically Anakin, when it was critical.
2023-04: The Phantom Menace. 3.5 stars.
I was surprised just how much I enjoyed this book. Going through the High Republic Phase one prompted me to look back at this version of the Jedi Order: rulebound, unable to intuit anything meaningful, dismissive when presented by truths (Padme, Dooku and Maul), emotionally stunted, and just so frustrating.
And it was incredibly joyful and saddening to see young, kind and generous Anakin Skywalker, before he was moulded by the Jedi and left to handle his pain alone with no guidance except, "No attachments!"
I particularly liked the scenes Terry Brooks provided of Anakin prior to his meeting Qui-Gon, Padme and Jar Jar: he's brilliant, intuitive, kind and compassionate, and yearning for adventure. This makes his inability to deal with letting loved ones go and his fall even more difficult to watch.
I've heard for years that this book is terrific, and it is. Author Matthew Stover gave me all the character motivations and intrigue that I needed, deepening the experience of the movie, and the tragedy, if that's possible.
Seeing how the Jedi Council made bigger and bigger mistakes leading up to the moment Sidious finally revealed himself, and also how overwhelming and powerful Anakin's need was to save Padmé, leading him to make tragically bad decisions, was what I needed.
There are also some really great passages describing Obiwan's and Anakin's relationship. And, if you're a Kenobi fan, this is a great book, as we see how Obiwan interacts with the Force during several critical moments. Though not canon anymore, I'm glad I took the time to read this story.
2023-06: Attack of the Clones. 3 stars.
This one was always going to suffer in its rating because no matter who wrote it, the painfully heightened, florid language of the scene on Naboo, then later in the stadium, between the wonderful Padme and the lovesick Anakin was always going to be squirm-worthy.
I liked the rest of the story, in how we see how clouded the Jedi in their analyses, judgments and actions, and how emotionally stunted they were. And just how inevitable it was that someone would come along and wipe them off the board for their superiority, insularity, and inability to understand others, and specifically Anakin, when it was critical.
2023-04: The Phantom Menace. 3.5 stars.
I was surprised just how much I enjoyed this book. Going through the High Republic Phase one prompted me to look back at this version of the Jedi Order: rulebound, unable to intuit anything meaningful, dismissive when presented by truths (Padme, Dooku and Maul), emotionally stunted, and just so frustrating.
And it was incredibly joyful and saddening to see young, kind and generous Anakin Skywalker, before he was moulded by the Jedi and left to handle his pain alone with no guidance except, "No attachments!"
I particularly liked the scenes Terry Brooks provided of Anakin prior to his meeting Qui-Gon, Padme and Jar Jar: he's brilliant, intuitive, kind and compassionate, and yearning for adventure. This makes his inability to deal with letting loved ones go and his fall even more difficult to watch.