justthatstarwarsbookgirl's Reviews (117)

I appreciate how large the words are in the book and how descriptive and detailed they are on their topics while keeping it basic and with good enough simplicity to keep it on a natural level for child readers. I thought the full color photos included in the book and the glossy pages were absolutely vividly beautiful and gorgeous, although some of the photos looked modified or slightly inaccurate, such as Leia, to my memory at least. I love how some of the pages were laid out into fact files or other interactive and unique layouts, such as the Stormtrooper arsenal and weapons kit as well as the First Order Vehicles, Maz’s Castle Rules Certificate, Rathtar Beast Research Page and Jakku Animals fact layouts. I especially liked how the Jakku Animals fact layout looked like somebody had “sketched” the animals onto the page of a book inside this book. The concise and centered minor character layouts weren’t bad either (such as for Maz and BB-8) for providing basic necessary information while not taking up too much space. I think my favorite part of the book, funnily enough, was “FN-2187”’s Stormtrooper Training Scorecard and reading the scores, that really seemed a very interactive element for kids and even me as an adult and I like that it added an extra fact to the movies in this book that wasn’t shown anywhere else, that would definitely intrigue kids and make them feel special for knowing that extra tidbit of information that maybe others don’t know. I thought I remembered that Starkiller Base was created on the planet of Ilum, which the Jedi used to visit to harvest Kyber Crystals, which was why it was chosen, but this book references it as a unnamed ice planet. I don’t know if I’m wrong or the book itself is inaccurate, and I’m unsure at the end of the day. Also it is stated on that same page that they aren’t sure about the whole Hosnian system being devastated, but in the movies they seem pretty certain the whole system was blown up and destroyed completely. I thought the quiz at the end of the book was easy enough to be fun yet allow me to keep my confidence in my answers at the same time testing me on a few of the questions really provoking my thoughts and thinking on what I had just previously read; truly tempting me not to flip back in the book for the answer but when it occurred to me in my mind it was exciting to flip back in the book to see if I was correct after all all on my own. I also liked how the page numbers were marked very clearly and in large font for child readers to mark their place in the book and their progress as well as if they have to do book reports for school that makes it easier. Also, for DK books, I like how at the back for the parents it is explained what children should be able to do if they are ready for a Level 3 book, such as being able to read many words in succession and beginning to read silently. My favorite tip for parents was to encourage your child to talk about what THEY liked about the book, the words and details they found interesting and important. Also encouraging the parents to ask questions about the text is an interesting method. Plus, I like how DK explains that when a child is excited to flip to the next page that’s a good thing!! Lastly, I like that it’s stated that it should be encouraged to reread favorite works, texts and books to increase confidence. I never thought that doing that would increase confidence, but now that I can think about it, that would definitely do so! To learn a book by heart word by word would definitely increase your confidence as a child. I thought this book overall was a very concise and accurate summarization of Finn’s role and all of his point of view of the events that take place in Episode 7: The Force Awakens. The only downfall is that it ONLY expresses these events from what Finn witnesses and takes part in, but I suppose that’s why the book is called “Finn’s Mission” and not something else Star Wars overall. As a focused topic book, this is definitely a great book!! 

I thought this book was highly simplistic and laid out the lightsaber duel at the end of Episode 7 in very basic terms, perfect for children who love the Sequels but are too young to REALLY read into the material and content yet. I do think the story should’ve A. Explained that Rey had the Force before suddenly giving her the lightsaber to fight Ren and B. Should’ve given a little bit of insight into what Starkiller Base was and why we needed to stop it. I didn’t like how the book took two whole pages to write out “Kylo Ren had a red lightsaber. Finn had a blue lightsaber”. That made it seem like the author acted like they were talking to somebody of lesser intelligence. Even a child would read those lines and think it’s insanity to write them. I also didn’t like the line of “Rey knocked Kylo Ren to the ground” like it was such a big deal, when we haven’t even been fully introduced to or know who Kylo Ren is or his powers. I also thought the reason for Starkiller Base exploding should’ve been expressed and expanded upon for the overall story to make sense. To me if it was going to be mentioned at all it should’ve at least been fully explained as a concept. My favorite piece of artwork in the book is when Rey and Finn are rescued by Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon. I like how  they made the light look, as well as Finn’s unconscious state and Rey’s helpless hopelessness as she sits in an appropriate position on the ground. I like Rey’s clothing depictions in all of the artwork as well. The lighting backdrop behind the Falcon as Starkiller Base exploded was a very pretty orange/yellow color. Lastly, the collage image on the last page of Rey holding the saber with Ren in his helmet behind her is great foreshadowing for the future of the Sequel Trilogy movies and all works associated with them. 

I thought this book was a good summary of the opening events of Episode 6: The Return of the Jedi, especially for kids as the intended audience, the author watered down some of the more intense elements while adding a lot more feelings of excitement and intensity that weren’t felt in the movie, but still kept the entire portrayal of the scenes highly accurate in their elements and appropriately descriptive for children. I didn’t however like the depictions of alien species like the Gamorrean Guards and Jabba the Hutt himself. I also didn’t like the portrayal of Chewbacca the Wookiee, but that doesn't make much sense because I don’t mind his depiction in other Star Wars World of Reading books illustrated by the same Studio. However I do love Leia and Han Solo’s depictions in their different outfits, Leia in her Bespin and Boushh outfits, as well as her hair, and Han in his Episode 4 Smuggler’s outfit. I like that flashback of artwork shown from Episode 4 of Han talking to Jabba. I also like the scene of Slave 1 (Boba Fett’s starship) on the landing platform in Cloud City with the sunset. I do like Jabba the Hutt’s colors in the artwork though. I love the depictions of Luke in his black Jedi Knight robes. I thought the portrayal of the Rancor was really scary, scarier than it is shown in the movie, and it was super cool but I’d worry about it actually frightening the children reading the book. I like the way Jabba’s sail barge looked sailing across the sands of Tatooine. I like the small smile on Lando (disguised as a guard) when Luke springs into action off the plank. My favorite part was the emphasis put on the fact that his new lightsaber was green!! A whole page was dedicated to expressing this fact. I always thought it should’ve gotten more attention and explanation in the movie. I also like how it’s explained in detail what happened to Boba Fett, and how they spent more than a few pages describing what occurred. It was a very short scene in the movie that I personally thought should’ve gotten more time. I love the full page artwork of Boba in the Sarlacc’s tentacles. The colors are really bright and vibrant on that page in particular. It is worth noting however that instead of stating how Leia choked Jabba to death with her slave chain, it is stated only that she “used a big chain to defeat him” to make the story child-appropriate. I thought it was silly to have Leia in her slave outfit at the end scene, but I suppose that would be accurate for the scene in the timeline however as portrayed. Overall I thought this book was very enjoyable and well written and I believe that anybody should read it whether kid or even an adult who is a loving fan of the movie or novelization of Episode 6 or wishing for an introduction into it’s chapter of time in the Star Wars universe as a whole. 

The first thing I noticed when opening this book is how beautiful the artwork was. Compared to all other Star Wars World of Reading books I’ve read, this one has the most beautiful artwork. The colors especially are gorgeous, definitely the darker and moodier tones set the mood and feeling of darkness and downtrodden emotions. I love the uses of the purples, blacks and deep blue shades. I also loved the deep green of Boba Fett’s armor, how Luke’s X-Wing fighter looked, the sunset on the first page with the Falcon; and the depiction of Leia’s character, as well as the duel between Vader and Luke (and Luke’s Bespin outfit). The story itself was a good summary of the events it was attempting to describe that occur in Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back. I thought every word was completely accurate to the movie’s events and the Star Wars universe overall. Although being shortened, that was an appropriate move for a book intended for kid’s, and I thought even though the events were shortened they were described fully enough so that you understood the complete gist of the situation overall. I loved this short story and the images presented, even though one image Luke’s eyes looked off-centered. Therefore there is a likely chance I’d pick it up again to view the images again in more thorough detail to ingrain them in my mind’s eye. Props to the illustrators of this story and once again, this World of Reading story was written by Nate Millici, who is the author of the first ever World of Reading story I read and I immensely enjoyed, which would explain why I like this story more than the ones I didn’t written by other World of Reading authors. This has now become my favorite World of Reading Star Wars book. 

There wasn’t really anything outright WRONG with the book, but the book definitely wasn’t even a decent read in my opinion. I flipped through the book and got through reading it rather quickly, and I thought it was a decent summarization of Luke’s training with Yoda for kids, but definitely had slight inaccuracies where they left important details out, including the cave scene with “Vader”, the X-Wing scene and even Luke leaving Dagobah. I thought Luke’s leaving was shortened so much so that there was no emphasis at all put on how he is damaging his use for the Force by not completing his training and leaving the planet too early/so soon. The reason for why Luke failed the cave test and even I believe the fact itself that he did fail was not included in the book at all, nor was the premonition about Luke’s face being under Vader’s mask. The X-Wing scene seemed abrupt and rushed, and the explanation about why Luke failed to lift it out of the swamp seemed too short and not descriptive enough. I absolutely disliked the ending, just leaving off so suddenly with Luke going to “use the Force” to rescue his friends, not even adding on the extra fact that he doesn’t have full control over the Force due to leaving Dagobah before his training was complete. I believe the only thing I liked and enjoyed in this book was a piece of artwork of Luke doing a flip with Yoda on his back, not even any of the writing; which is confusing because other writing from this author hasn’t been bad to me in the past. The only reason I have rated this book two stars is because of the possibility that for a casual fan (and maybe a VERY young child) this book would be an easy read and make sense to them overall. Overall for a dedicated fan or any adult readers even slightly familiar with the real Star Wars, I wouldn’t suggest reading this book. It would only irritate you in my opinion. But by all means don’t take this review as the only thing, if you’d like to read it please read it for yourself! Form your own ideas and opinions on it as a whole. This was just my thoughts on this book overall. Lastly, to note, this was the first Star Wars World of Reading book I have explicitly disliked. I’ve read two previously. I love the World of Reading books as a whole, just to acknowledge that fact and put that out there. 

I rated this book 4 stars because of the possibility of me picking it back up to reread. I flew through the book, it was a simplistic and easy read for me as an adult but I can understand how this World of Reading book in particular may be difficult for the kids it’s marketed at to follow and read. The story seems to jump around a lot from event to event to summarize a lot of events from a time period into a few pages for this book, when they deserve and are meant to have more page time. I overall enjoyed the book and the relaxing feeling it gave me as a summary of the escape from the Death Star in A New Hope, but I did however think the generalization of the word “heroes” was used to describe Han, Leia, Chewbacca and Luke far too much and far too many times in the book, on way too many different pages. It kind of got annoying and repetitive after a while. But if you overlook that, it was an enjoyable read. The art looked even more complex than the last World of Reading book I’ve read, and the little details and varying colors appear hard to manage, so I believe props to the artist and illustrator of this World of Reading book in particular compared to all the rest. I’d pick up this story again to read it again for a more relaxing time in the Star Wars universe while at the same time staying accurate to canon and also to absorb more of the information and artwork more thoroughly and fully. 

I thought the book was very enjoyable! A decent length, not too short for older readers such as myself but not too long for kids as the story was intended for. I thought the book had an accurate and detailed description of the events leading up to C-3PO and R2-D2 being purchased by the Lars homestead and meeting Ben Kenobi with Luke, in a simplified manner so that it was easier for children to understand but still not taking away the importance and emphasis of main events in the storyline. If I had one criticism it was that I noticed they said the line “R2-D2 was sad” a lot, like about 3 times, at least twice. I thought it was slightly inaccurate for some moments and R2’s feelings, but I guess it depends on the readers/movie watcher’s opinion whether or not they thought R2 was feeling the emotion of sadness in these moments, such as the author clearly did. I also thought the extra fact included about Leia’s dress being white was unnecessary and just added in for some reason, however I LOVED the artwork on every page. A ton of detail was put into every picture, including the wind blowing Luke’s hair even. The colors are bright and vividly beautiful. Lastly, I thought the story summarized this small part of A New Hope in a good direction leading accurately from point A to point B with the events very well. This story would be great for kids, and for adults it’s a super easy and relaxing read that will chill out and ease the stresses on your mind and body as you go through the short story, as an accurate portrayal of important moments in the Star Wars galaxy. The story also had a very overall positive vibe and mood to it. 

 I legitimately flew through this book, wanted to finish it within one night the storyline and plot were so addictive with their portrayal and wording. It’s highly likely, if not positive I’ll reread this book at some point in time. The book itself is extremely well written by an extraordinarily promising and talented author, I haven’t read such beautiful and consistent writing in a long time and the author is now automatically one of my favorite authors out there, definitely want to read more of their works, the talent of their writing and wording in this junior novelization is just incredible. Super easy to understand and take the reader’s mind from Point A to Point B in the storyline. I haven’t read another junior novelization yet this well written, I believe that may be because the three I’ve read (Episodes 1, 2&3 by Patricia C. Wrede) are all Legends novelizations due to being written at the times the movie came out exactly and not being able to have full information or references in the Star Wars Universe quite yet due to the Star Wars galaxy not having expanded quite that much yet into all the TV Series and Movies we have today, that is an advantage this author had over the ones of old. I honestly didn’t expect much from this book because I didn’t really enjoy the movie; it was only okay to me, not exactly enjoyable but not bad either, but once I picked up this novelization I just couldn’t seem to put it down, I was addicted to finishing the story. I liked how most if not all of the chapters left off on cliffhangers or unknown events in the chapter so you’d want to turn the page to get to the next chapter. I thought that was very clever overall for the book. I think this junior novelization is so good overall that it didn’t even need the movie photo inserts most other junior novelizations include. For a true reader who loves and is enjoying the storyline the photos are unnecessary and would only interrupt your reading. I liked how Qi’ra and Han’s bucket of eels scene on Corellia was included, because this scene I believe is also in the official full-length movie novelization, I believe it kept the book whole and completely and complexly accurate to the other works. I was wondering whether or not they’d include that scene. To me, the overall depictions of Val, Beckett and Rio are all really great depictions of their characters you don’t exactly get great insight to in the movie, you get a glimpse of their true personalities and how they relate to one another and are connected as a crew in this junior novelization. I noticed that the small, slight joke about Han and Carbonite overall during the Kessel Run scenes is ironic and slightly funny, which I’m sure is why it was included there. I’m sure it would be funnier if I had a better sense of humor and wasn’t so serious about it. I absolutely LOVED the way young Lando’s character is portrayed even better than he is in the movie personally to me. Every part of the book, every event, every mission, every plot/plan/heist, are all amazingly laid out in detail from the beginning to the end, easily understandable and highly enjoyable to read and witness occurring in the book. I LOVE these parts of the book (such as the Kessel Heist in particular). And finally, at the end of the book when Maul tells Qi’ra Dryden loved her and out of all his disciples was the only one with the potential to surpass him is a great detail that’s included in this junior novelization, I love this fact being included in this book. It ties in very nicely with the 2023 canon novel Crimson Climb by E.K. Johnston (about Qi’ra’s rise through Crimson Dawn’s ranks). The fact itself is highly accurate and truthful overall to the characters and their relationships as well as being highly relevant to the storyline and plot of the book. The book had a nice, short resolution I enjoyed reading and thought finished out and fulfilled the rest of the storyline nicely. The book is really nice as a stand-alone novel to read but also to be read within the order of all of the rest of the junior novelizations as an overall series. 

I definitely would recommend this book to any Star Wars fan, whether a casual-time fan or highly dedicated one! It was a highly enjoyable read for me and I would definitely reread it. For specific details here are some flaws or pluses about the book: To me it seems in the beginning of this book, at least twice in notable circumstances to my notice, Obi-Wan explains away/dismisses Anakin’s suspicious actions or faults due to the fact that he has saved his life, the Chancellor’s, or completed difficult and important missions. If these issues had been addressed rather than dismissed and explained away in Obi-Wan’s mind then perhaps we could’ve caught Anakin becoming Vader early. I found it interesting how it’s explained that Palpatine, from the chair during the fight, tells Anakin to use his aggressive feelings, and that he uses all the rage he feels towards Dooku just like he did at the Tuskens to conquer him in battle and “just this once” he can break the Jedi Code, just to save the Chancellor and Obi-Wan because he believes he wouldn’t be able to otherwise, I never would’ve thought of that concept or idea occurring. I’m not sure I like that concept/idea. I thought Anakin being excited about Palpatine wanting to put him on the Jedi Council because it would make him the youngest member ever and in his mind they’d definitely want him to stay even with Padmé having his child is crazy to me, and doesn’t make much sense. I much prefer the explanation in the official full-length novelization where he wants the rank of Master to research and check in the Jedi Temple Archives (with his new clearance and permissions) for a way to save Padmé from death. To me, the outright exclamation by Anakin of “I’m more powerful than any of you!” When denied the level of Mastery is overexaggerated for the circumstances and definitely would’ve gotten Anakin in way more serious trouble. I did like that it’s mentioned how Padmé and fellow Senators are beginning to distrust Palpatine and try to find something to do with his power, just like in the official novelization, when we see this is Padmé working with Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, even if they aren’t explicitly mentioned here as the collaborators. I really liked how Anakin thinks the baby is a girl whereas Padmé thinks it’s a boy, and they have one of each. I like that little fun disagreement, it’s so simplistic and happy within such a larger storyline that it’s worth mentioning for sure in my mind to bring some lighthearted joy back to the reader’s mind. I however did wish the photo inserts of the book were at the back of the book because some of the photos are of events that take place AFTER where the inserts are currently placed that you haven’t read yet in the book. I also thought this book’s captions for the photo inserts were far too simplistic and basic unnecessarily, even compared to the first two junior novelizations of Episodes 1&2 by the same author. I thought they made the reader feel silly and stupid, as if were being treated as having basic to little or low intelligence. Also the pictures definitely seemed more movie-event based, with a lot of them including events and such that weren’t even described in this junior novelization, which therefore makes no sense as to why they’d be included here in this book. The captions definitely seemed more kid-oriented and sarcastic to me overall, but an even lower age range than this book is meant for in my opinion. I did like the reference in the Opera scene back to how when Shmi died Anakin sensed there was a way in the Force to save her but he just didn’t know it, because the ability to save others from death is shown to be canon and real, especially in the Sequel Trilogy. To me, Palpatine’s emphasis and widely apparent disappointment in how Vader’s abilities will be diminished by the result of the duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi and the fact that his limbs will all be metal now is a great detail to include. I like how it’s mentioned that when he touches his forehead (just like in the movie) that’s him directly channeling the Dark Side of the Force into his body to preserve him and keep him alive by touch. To me, the detail of baby Luke having his eyes closed but baby Leia having her eyes wide open to partially attempt to explain why Leia has “memories, just images really” of her mother is a super awesome tidbit and fact included. I also like how it’s mentioned that that’s the last thing Obi-Wan can do for Anakin. I like how apparent it is that Obi-Wan went from thinking of Anakin from one person into two at the end, with Darth Vader being a separate person altogether. I like how the first gender Padmé asks if the baby is a girl like Anakin wanted rather than her own hopes of it being a boy. To me, Order 66’s explanation of how the Clones explicitly only follow orders from the Republic and not their Jedi Generals and the fact that they were SO obedient and that was why they obeyed Order 66 is inaccurate and doesn’t make any sense at all to me, I much rather like the inhibitor chip method which is explained in multiple  other Star Wars works and is now an integral part of the Star Wars galaxy. In my opinion, the changing of the line “Unlimited Power” to “Absolute Power” was highly unnecessary and doesn’t make much sense at all when you truly think about the definition and meanings of the words. I didn’t like that part. For me, Padmé telling Anakin in the Force “Before I die I want you to know” makes it seem almost certain she will die which will only increase and make worse his fears and worries. I didn’t like that part of the book. I did like how when Palpatine reveals he is a Sith Lord his side of the conversation with Anakin is explained in detail, what he says, why he says it, taking it slow and not pushing him too hard, and explaining all his hard work through all the years preparing Anakin for this moment. However, I thought the revelation that Palpatine was a Sith Lord was very sudden, almost too sudden in this novelization. It seemed like one second we were talking about and focusing on something else and suddenly boom! Palpatine’s a Sith Lord. I did like how Obi-Wan’s scene of leaving for Utapau is portrayed. I like how Obi-Wan seems to realize this is his last goodbye with Anakin, but trying to reassure himself they can talk when he comes back, and I like the emphasis put on Anakin now feeling unhinged and lonely, like he has nobody left, and he never got to speak with Obi-Wan in depth about his problems. Trust me, I know how horrible that feeling is to have to try to remember and bottle up those thoughts and personal issues until you have another chance to speak to that special person. Lastly, I like the detail of how Anakin expressed feeling so at home in Padmé’s apartment and even the little temperature tidbit fact. Overall, I really loved this junior novelization of Episode 3, I thought it was a thorough summarization of both the movie and other Episode 3 works, I really enjoyed reading it and it brought me great joy as a fan with how well it stuck to the facts of Star Wars, including the extra tidbits of information, and I loved it and had major happiness as a result of reading and finishing it. I honestly flew through it, I took the entire last half portion of it and powered straight through it with no breaks for about an hour until I finished it. The book was extremely fulfilling as an overall story and plot and I loved the expressions and accurate portrayals of the character’s feelings and actions, just like shown in the movie. I thought the book was a great summary of Episode 3 and I’d definitely read it again to give myself a happy and joyful mood and create positivity in my mind, although a sad story the ending is meant to be hopeful and that’s what I’m taking it as an overall phenomenal read and hopeful/happy book. 

This book was an okay read. If I had to choose whether it was a good read or bad read I’d lean more towards the bad. I really loved the Episode 1: The Phantom Menace Junior Novelization as written by this same author, Patricia C. Wrede. However if this is what the rest of the Star Wars Movie Junior Novelizations will be like I’m strapped in to endure a lot of disappointment. I had hope the following books would be as good if not better than Episode 1, but if this sequel is anything to go off of, they definitely won’t be much to hope for any longer. I wouldn’t recommend this book to kids or newer fans of Star Wars due to its inaccuracies and misconceptions, both in spelling and also the confusion and brevity of scenes that deserved more time and expansion. The reason I say not to read this book if you’re a new fan is because this book doesn’t exactly resemble, represent or scream Star Wars or the Star Wars galaxy as a whole to me, it doesn’t do the beloved galaxy or even the Episode 2 movie justice. I’d suggest watching the movie or reading the official novelization to introduce yourself as a fan to this portion of the Star Wars saga and timeline. I also won’t be rereading this book. Here are some of the more particular and in depth things I enjoyed and disliked about this junior novelization, I hope they give you some insight into my opinion about why I did not enjoy the book overall and why it would be better for more simplistic readers rather than lifelong Star Wars fans: I liked how in the beginning of the novelization, when Padmé’s Starship blows up, she does not only address the death of Cordé in this novelization, but also the pilot, the ship’s crew, and her other bodyguards and handmaidens who were killed. I like how she vows to not let their sacrifice be in vain, and how badly it truly affected her being expressed a lot more than it was shown in the movie. I also liked how the Senators who are voting against Amidala are listed by name and their planet, it provides a lot of detail not given in the movie. I didn’t like how the alien species of Twi’lek is misspelled as “Twi’leck” when describing Senator Orn Free Ta in the Senate Chambers. Obi-Wan having to remind Anakin not to focus on negative thoughts again is a direct relation to lines and information in the Junior Novelization of Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, especially near the ending. I honestly can’t believe they misspelled “Mandalorian” into “Mandoralian”, which sounds and looks nothing like the actual term. The term is fairly well known so I’m not sure why the author would have an issue with it. It’s kind of really irksome actually for such a big fan of Mandalorians like myself. I didn’t like that it’s expressly stated by Obi-Wan that particularly Anakin’s senses aren’t that attuned, when in the movie it’s stated a lot more casually and less direct at targeting Anakin. I did like all the extra added details and specific scenes added into the speeder chase with Zam, but I didn’t like how after the crash Anakin states Zam must be “almost as good a pilot as him”. I find it very hard to believe Zam was almost as talented a pilot as Anakin Skywalker himself. When Anakin told Obi-Wan directly “I love you” as they walked into the nightclub, I thought that was too soon and too obvious to be spoken aloud like that as such a tender subject. I noticed the difference and slight change in the line about “Jedi Business” like in the movie to “Official Business” in this junior novelization and I think Jedi Business was the more appropriate and accurate version of the line personally, but either version of the line works overall as a whole. I did like how it was stated explicitly and outright that the Jedi Council sits in a circle to emphasize the equality level of all members. I think that’s the first time in any written works I’ve read so far that that was stated as a fact, even if this book is technically Legends. I wasn’t very fond of the entire scenes with the Council assigned Anakin and Obi-Wan their missions, as well as Anakin and the Chancellor’s praise of the assignment. I’m also not very fond of the scenes overall with Obi-Wan’s doubt of Anakin’s mission and his talk with Yoda and Mace Windu, there are tons of tiny facts and little details I didn’t like from that entire bundle of scenes but I will only put in this review that I wasn’t very fond of these scenes overall as a whole altogether. Padmè bringing up so often how Anakin was an “ex-slave boy” and a child when he met her seems highly unfair and uncalled for, and way out of her character to me, but I really like the overall moments of the goodbye scene before traveling to Naboo with Padmé and Anakin to Dormé, Typho and Obi-Wan. I thought the scene with Dexter Jettster in the Diner on Coruscant in this junior novelization is too short compared to the movie’s version of the scene, and I thought that the Kamino Archive scene was thorough with the basic events and facts presented but not overly or under descriptive. I liked that it was mentioned that the Trade Federation’s droid armies were rumored to not have been reduced (which is correct I believe). It was nice to mention that fact and rumor. The description overall of the scenes of Yoda’s training of the four year old Jedi younglings, including their age, Force abilities and strength, and training lightsabers and helmets are all a very beautiful scene and moment overall. I love the descriptions and little details that are described by Yoda in the junior novelization. Yoda’s acknowledgment of Obi-Wan’s foresight and strength with the Force is super interesting and great to note as knowledge. Obi-Wan’s joking and sarcasm about Kamino’s weather was a nice, lighthearted addition to this junior novelization. In any novelization of a movie, even a junior novelization, you usually expect to see and hear MORE behind the scenes facts, extra descriptions, details and information that isn’t shown in the movie. Here they completely eliminated the scenes of Padmé’s family visit with Anakin, which were deleted scenes in the movie, and were actually included in the official novelization. Quite a few times it is mentioned of Yoda’s ears twitching up and down due to his deep thinking and such, I like this detail because usually in behind the scenes information for Yoda’s species it is mentioned how he is done with the ears as a puppet or animator. I wish the photo inserts of the book were at the back of the book because some of the photos are of events that take place AFTER where the inserts are currently placed that you haven’t read yet in the book. Padmé and Anakin’s romance seems far too simplistic as portrayed in this junior novelization. In other works, it is explained why the romance worked even with it being such a short time they spent together. It is not explained here because the reasons would be far too difficult for young readers to understand. Padmé realizing and having slight fear over the fact that she affects Anakin’s actions and mood so much just with a few short words and actions by her was a really great idea to mention in this junior novelization. In this junior novelization it is stated that C-3PO has coverings as Anakin and Padmé were arriving. That means this book recognizes the explanation that Shmi purchased them and put them on to complete Anakin’s droid for him as an act of love, rather than the other well-known explanation that was almost in the movie itself (the scenes were filmed and it was written as part of the script of Episode 2) where Padmé attaches the coverings she finds “lying around” the Lars homestead while Anakin is away searching for his mother. I liked how it is mentioned as a tiny detail how Anakin’s adjusted to the climates of other worlds vs Tatooine. Twice it is mentioned that “Ardees” is served to drink (first at Dex’s Diner with Obi-Wan, later at the Lars Homestead with Beru and Owen), but it is never explained what exactly this drink is made of, which is an inconsistency in this book and kind of sad we never get to hear what the drink is although it is mentioned so many times throughout the book. Anakin claiming that Owen Lars had a better understanding than the rest of the party (Cliegg, Beru and Padmé) about Shmi and her situation (enough for Owen to lend Anakin his speeder bike) is possibly because in other works I’ve read Shmi talked a lot to Owen about Anakin and how much she hoped he’d come back some day.Obi-Wan exclaiming “Padmé was right!” When he found out that her assassination attempts were by Count Dooku and Nute Gunray doesn’t exactly make sense because he wasn’t there in the scene where she declared she believed Count Dooku was behind the attempts (in the Chancellors office in the Senate). He and Anakin were just getting back from the border dispute on Ansion (as expressed by Mace Windu) so Obi-Wan wouldn’t know Padmé had guessed and expressed this fact to say that she was correct. I think the line “My Anakin killed them all..” as spoken by Padmé shows she already unconsciously thought of him as and referred to him as hers, belonging to her through a romantic relationship not yet consciously acknowledged. I think the line was fitting for the moment and her thoughts, expressions and feelings after hearing that Anakin murdered all of the Tuskens. But it also contradicts something she said about bounty hunters and how she couldn’t understand how they killed intelligent beings for a living. Tuskens may have been of lesser intelligence but were still humanoid intelligent beings by Star Wars galactic standards. Although brief, the mention of Cliegg Lars losing his leg trying to find and save Shmi was a nice inclusion, although described much better in other works it allows us to know the injury was not from something previous. The explanation in Padmé’s mind that Anakin had just lost his mother, and had previously described Obi-Wan as being like a father to him, as a strong motivational reason for her to push so hard for them to go and rescue him for Anakin’s behalf, is a great reason that I wouldn’t have thought of before for why Padmé pushed so hard to go to Geonosis to save Obi-Wan. Anakin’s worrying and desperation to reach Padmé when she is in the vat in the droid factory is expressed very well from the way his lines and thoughts were worded in this junior novelization. Anakin’s negative thinking, which he is so known for (Obi-Wan states in the book he is constantly reminding Anakin about it) is SO apparent in this part of the book, when he claims he “failed to save Obi-Wan, failed to save his Mom, and brought Padmé right to the people who wanted her dead. I’ve failed at everything”. That seems like a really big generalization, especially for a “Jedi”, as Anakin is supposed to be.  The use of the word “Groping” when Padmé is searching for words to describe her love for Anakin seems inappropriate in today’s day and age. I like how the scenes of Anakin and Padmé’s trial were included, regardless of their brevity overall. The explanation about how if Padmé chose to join the Separatists as Naboo’s Senator would confine their entire planet and Queen to go along with her decision doesn’t really make sense to me as portrayed in other works of the Star Wars galaxy, with planets, their rulers and Senators, plus the People’s dealings with the Separatists and choosing sides. The Queen definitely should be able to do something if something like that happened, or even the people should be able to vote out the Senator who did that. This seems to make absolutely no sense to me. The Banking Clan being stated as the “Intergalactic Bank Clan” should be stated as the “Intergalactic Banking Clan” as is said many times in the animated 2008 Clone Wars series. That is an inaccuracy in this book. The Geonosians laughing about war and being prepared for it as well as the fact that they were weapons manufacturers doesn’t seem exactly accurate to the way the Geonosians speak and are described in the movie, but I liked this small part and thought it was rather funny. For a lot of the lines and sentences in this book, things are worded or stated incorrectly/inaccurately for their appropriate grammar, such as this line “the other trade and commercial delegates”, to me it should be “the other trade and commerce delegates” if it was worded correctly I believe. This creates a lot of annoyance as I attempt to read this book. Other terms, including terms from the Star Wars universe, such as alien species, are even spelled inaccurately. The acklay being described as a lizard definitely seems incorrect from the way he looks like an insect in the movie. The word “picador” is used to describe the Geonosians who escort the beasts into the arena, but I’m 19 years old and I don’t understand and have never heard of that word (and therefore have no clue of the appropriate definition) so I hardly believe a younger reader (as intended for this book being a junior novelization) would know what that particular word means either to describe those aliens. It hasn’t been portrayed in any works I remember reading so far/I didn’t know that Obi-Wan gave Anakin instructions on what particular beast to take on, and that he knew different facts about the Reek and Acklay that helped him fight the Acklay in particular. I knew from the movie in general that one beast was given to each character (Padmé being the Nexu, Anakin being the Reek, and Obi-Wan being the Acklay) but I never thought it was on purpose or planned as expressed here as an idea. I think it’s fairly brilliant. Of course Obi-Wan would know some facts about the beasts due to his time spent in the archives and training to be a Jedi. Obi-Wan being able to identify Mace Windu in the box from so far away due to his purple lightsaber (being the only one who carries one) is ironic, because the only reason Windu received that special color of lightsaber was due to Samuel Jackson requesting he stand out in the Geonosian arena fight, as is a well-known fact among Star Wars fans Windu’s insistence that “the Geonosians aren’t warriors” is proven completely incorrect by both the movie itself and The Clone Wars animated 2008 TV series, in legitimately every single way. This is an inconsistency and incorrect fact in this book. I like Obi-Wan’s small acknowledgement of Boba Fett after Jango’s death, wondering what would happen to him (it turns out they’ll have to deal with him and his quest for revenge in The Clone Wars animated 2008 series). I like how it’s mentioned that Obi-Wan has understanding in his eyes about Anakin wanting to lower the ship to get Padmé back after she fell, because we later learn that Obi-Wan had a love once too (if we are talking Canon that is Satine Kryze, Duchess of Mandalore who is featured in the animated 2008 Clone Wars series, if we’re talking Legends that is Siri Tachi, fellow Jedi introduced in Legends Chapter Books by author Jude Watson) Anakin claiming that charging early on Dooku kept him from showing his uncontrolled hate and rage (like he felt against the Tusken Raiders) to Obi-Wan seems completely inaccurate and makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. Obi-Wan always seeming to be the one with the plan and the battle strategy, the lectures and instructions all seems very redundant and if I was Anakin I’d be frustrated too, being talked to like a child all the time and being told what to do in everything including battles for your life. The short duel between Anakin, Obi-Wan and Dooku is described swiftly and summarized briefly. I noticed a lot of the scenes in this book were very brief and didn’t add much or even describe the story as accurately as it should’ve, or even come close to the scenes in the movie. I like how Obi-Wan’s skills at the fight are described, but I dislike immensely the change in one of Anakin’s lines of conversation with Dooku. I like the line leading into this conversation but not the conversation’s subject, lines and ending overall. I like the emphasis placed on how Yoda realized Dooku had turned to the Dark Side and how sad he was due to him being his former apprentice, but I also thought that was too long and too far dragged out whereas other scenes should’ve been more emphasized due to being more important to the plot and story overall. Learning that the swing that Dooku performs with his lightsaber before dueling Yoda was a formal salute was awesome as a little detail and highly interesting. It was also very sad to learn Yoda himself had taught him this salute which he now uses against him. I like how in the Queen’s/Padmé Amidala trilogy by E.K. Johnston it is described how Padmé’s dress was made and its significance to the storyline. Here the entire wedding scene is brief, concise and short, with little to no emphasis put on it or any of its details. I didn’t like that very well. Overall, although this Junior Novelization of Episode 2 makes many good points with extra facts and details, a lot of the book was filled with scenes that were too brief, inconsistencies and misspelled words, as well as presenting the feeling that the author was trying to “explain away” too many unexplained events and facts in the book. That is why I have rated this book 2 stars, and the only reason it has received 2 stars instead of 1 is because other, less dedicated fans or simplistic and casual readers who don’t know the real storyline like the back of their hand might enjoy this book and tale as a separate entity than being apart of the Star Wars universe.