justthatstarwarsbookgirl's Reviews (117)

I believe as a kid I remember I attempted to read this book and may have actually gotten through it, but wasn’t very successful finishing it and reading it steadily as I usually would because the boxed set belonged to my little sister and she wouldn’t let me read them (even though she never touched them and in the end the original book of Episode 1’s junior novelization got damaged and the cover almost got ripped off from being stepped on on her room floor), I now have that copy and the old set in my collection but I also have a new set for me which I’m reading. I remember being very enthralled with the first sentences of this book, and never being able to get through the rest. Now that I have finally been able to read this book all the way through on my own time as an adult, I  really, REALLY enjoyed this book! It’s a most likely reread in my opinion, which is rare for me. But I think it’s a likely reread for me because it is so relaxing of a read, it’s an extremely casual and comforting book to read, summarizing as a novelization (one of the most clear novelizations that followed the movie the best exactly with the events shown in the movie from A to B) of a story that I know and love by heart from watching the movie so often and so much. I love how easy the book is to read and how soothing it was for me to get through and accomplish reading and finishing the book so quickly and fast, I love how many pages I could get through in one sitting while never getting bored, I love how simplified some of the events were compared to the other novelizations of Episode 1 due to this being the junior novelization, I didn’t really want to put it down and I actually took this book to bed with me and stayed up and awake to read it past my bedtime, which makes this the first book I’ve done this with of 2024. This definitely seems like a book that I can pick up again just to soothe and relax me as a casual Star Wars related read when I want a familiar story and I don’t want to read a new Star Wars story or book. I loved flying through the pages of this book, finding similarities and differences to other novelizations I’ve read of Episode 1, new likes and dislikes of how scenes were described in my mind, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the junior novelizations series just based off of this book being the start. I desperately hope that the later junior novelizations are just as good if not better than Episode 1’s junior novelization, and that it isn’t just a freak thing that the Episode 1 Junior Novelization is better than all the rest of the Star Wars Junior Novelizations. Now for my review details:  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. I didn’t like how Ric Olié was portrayed as not believing they could make it past the Blockade, not once in the movie was he portrayed in that way or has spoken a line like that even in the official novelization or other Episode 1 related written works. The explanation about what Podracing means to Anakin (and making his own decisions and fate vs his owners) makes a lot of sense and is a great explanation for why he races. The great detail in the book explains some events that aren’t explained explicitly in the movie, such as why Obi-Wan didn’t fight off those STAPS and Battle Droids in the Naboo Swamp in the intro (because his lightsaber was shorted out due to getting wet). I thought the Neimoidians skin color description was somewhat inaccurate in coloring. I like the entire opening scene and introduction with Jar Jar Binks in the Naboo swamp, I believe it was all very well written as well as Jar Jar’s character. I also liked learning the names of other Naboo native swamp creatures and animals. I still get highly annoyed on average about Padmé’s actions and reactions towards Qui-Gon and his actions as a handmaiden and her major disapproval of his actions, I believe she truly doesn’t have any right to feel that way as such a young Queen especially parading around as a handmaiden as it is, plus he is her protector and he’s there to serve and protect her and save her life and she isn’t even willing to trust him and his actions, like does she have a better idea? I don’t like also in this version of the book that Qui-Gon doesn’t seem aware that she is truly Queen Amidala and only seems to know she is an outspoken handmaiden who has too much influence over the Queen. I know based off of Qui-Gon’s character as shown in the movies and any other works involving him that he would be able to figure out that she was actually the Queen based off of those two above observations. In this way the book seems to make Qui-Gon not seem as intelligent as he truly is portrayed in other Star Wars works. Once again, the premonitions of Anakin suddenly saying strange and odd things to Padmé when they first met at the very moment in the shop, such as telling her he is going to marry her someday, is slightly odd and comes off as strange to me and probably would to anybody. I don’t think they needed to make the foreshadowing so obvious in this book even if it’s for younger readers, it didn’t need to be laid out so clearly. Also, telling her she must be an angel and just not know it sounds extremely and extraordinarily silly, like she doesn’t know she is a human herself and has been her whole life. But I guess if you want to make it into a positive you can say that the line about marrying Padmé shows Anakin’s foresight into the future using the Force. I also however found it slightly creepy, especially to a 14 year old girl like Padmé,  when Anakin pointed out “I won’t always be a 9 year old boy.” The line where Padmé thinks she, as a Queen of Naboo, is too good to ever someday marry a Slave Boy is extremely far off from Padmé’s entire character description in legitimately every single work she is in (the Prequel movies, all written works involving her) for me. Her personality is nothing like this and she would never say anything like that, even in her thoughts. When Anakin says he’s been a pilot his whole life, Padmé imagines a baby in the cockpit of a Starfighter. I don’t necessarily like this scene directly, but I’ve noticed it also takes place (or something extremely similar) in another Star Wars Episode 1 work, so the continuity is there. I don’t really like or enjoy the entire “fear attracts the fearful” concept as expressed during the near-fight between Sebulba and Jar Jar. I also don’t very much enjoy the descriptions of Anakin’s fear and pushing down/shoving down his fear to hide it. It just proves Anakin is too old to begin Jedi training as Yoda thought, because Anakin specifically says a line is that he has a fear that has been around as long as he can remember due to being a slave, and he’s hidden it so well by now that nobody senses it. I believe the whole fear scenes and explanations/concepts were unnecessary to the story/book. I never really liked the explanation and lie that Jar Jar was connected to the Hutts as an outlander to save him from Sebulba in case that ever fell through, but that’s just me personally in my opinion, I know this explanation is a constant throughout most Episode 1 related Works and even the movie. I majorly disliked how Shmi treated Anakin and the party/“his friends” when they walked in her door. I understand the surprise but the rudeness and standoffishness, sharp tone and hurtful expressions were completely unnecessary and didn’t/don’t match Shmi’s character literally AT ALL, as shown in the movie and any other Episode 1 Books I’ve read so far. This is the first I’ve read where Shmi is slightly rude. It’s explained later that the reason is because she didn’t have enough food to make everybody, and she is nicer after Qui-Gon gives her food capsules. I like that that is included as a fact and a scene because it explains a TON and is a very realistic scene and scenario/worry and fear for Slaves, but I don’t like how that is explained away to cause her to be rude unnecessarily. I don’t think that is a good enough reason to be rude and insult/embarrass in a way the fact that her son was only kind to people. She’s also kind of rude when Anakin’s going to bed. It just doesn’t seem in her character to me. Anakin notices again Qui-Gon taking his blood sample for his midichlorian count, and that is mentioned in other Episode 1 works that he notices it is for something other than “testing his blood for infections”. I like that consistency between Episode 1 written works. I like how it is expressed and explained that Anakin uses both other Podracer’s mistakes he can witness as he sees their pod remains and crash site and remembers his past mistakes on the same route and directly where they occurred and use them to make himself do better this time!! I found that super interesting and amazing and I loved that detail. I really like how this book includes what I have also read was originally in George Lucas’s Episode 1 Script, a fight between Anakin and a Rodian (in the Episode 1: Anakin Skywalker Journal book it is Wald, however according to my sources in the script it potentially was a young Greedo) after the Podrace due to the Rodian accusing Anakin of cheating at the Podrace due to being human. It was taken out of the movie’s Final Cut because Lucas didn’t want to show Anakin showing such early signs of anger so soon in his life. The Episode 1 Journal book also explains part of the reason Anakin fought so hard wasn’t due to anger at Wald, but rather anger inside of himself at Padme leaving his planet and therefore leaving him. I enjoyed this scene being included as an extra fact and understanding as well as an information/explanation in the Star Wars universe to learn more that officially could’ve been. Also to note is Qui-Gon explaining to Anakin that he cannot change the Rodian’s opinion of him cheating, so there was no point to fighting. It is amazing that this fight was also in the Episode 1: Anakin Skywalker Journal for the consistency of the Star Wars Universe. I think Qui-Gon should’ve taken Anakin with him to sell the Podracer, or at least asked him first before selling it, but in this book he did not bring him with him. The Podrace is easily understandably written and the events take place in a solid list from Point A to Point B that are super easy for readers to follow, which is especially good for the Younger Readers that this book is designed for. A scene like the Podrace would usually be difficult for writers to write and translate into something easily understandable for the reader, but this writer did great. I like how it is included here (unlike in the movie) and other Legends Episode 1 Source Material I’ve read, that Qui-Gon tells Anakin and Shmi that there is a chance that Anakin may NOT become a Jedi due to the Council’s tests. In the movie and I believe even the novelization it is a certainty and given according to the way Qui-Gon/Liam Neeson words it, that Anakin will certainly become a Jedi. I like how the scene when Qui-Gon announces that Anakin has been freed and is no longer a slave is told and witnessed from Shmi’s Point of View and expressing her feelings and emotions about it directly right away. I have heard the term “Mighty Blasters” used before in other Star Wars written Legends material and I believe it is made up (not Canon like “Karabest”) but is meant to be an exclamation of surprise and shock/even potentially a swear word. I personally don’t really like the term “Mighty Blasters” but it’s interesting to see again in another Star Wars Written Novel as I already have seen it in a previous one. I don’t like how in the scene after Anakin has been freed Qui-Gon is stated and takes some of Shmi’s direct well-known lines from the movie. There was emphasis on those lines being spoken by Shmi in the movie for a reason. I like the line where Shmi acknowledges “he was in my life for such a short time” because it truly emphasizes the sadness of the fact that at the end of the day, a mother and her son, Shmi and Anakin were separated so early on in his life. She never got to see him grow up like normal, or all of the major events of his life. The last thing she gets is to see a glimpse of him as a grown man right before she dies. They never get to speak, talk, or update each other on what they missed in their lives or anything.  It makes it feel more heartbreaking, especially for mothers. The entire scenario is just very sad overall and not ideal for either side except Anakin’s overall future. I like how Padmé cited that Tatooine and the Podrace had taught her something about taking risks and suddenly gave her the courage and boldness to propose her plan for teaming up with and allying with the Gungan Army on Naboo. It was a lovely addition of the inclusion of Anakin’s friend Kitster in the ending of the Tatooine leaving scenes, their goodbye and hearing what a good friend Anakin was to most of these kids, but especially Kitster. I, and I know probably many of us, wondered what happened to Anakin’s friends later on, and if he ever said Goodbye to them/how the situation was resolved with them. How abruptly Anakin left left it unclear with moviegoers whether or not his friends ever found out what happened to him, and if they did, left us feeling sad that they never got a face to face goodbye like they deserved. It is sad to us that through this book we learn that the rest of Anakin’s friends never got a goodbye, but I’m glad Kitster is given a proper resolution as a character. I like that these scenes work well and are consistent with other Star Wars Episode 1 Written Works, whether Legends or Canon. I think the extra additional scene of the encounter with Qui-Gon slicing the Probe Droid on Tatooine. Overall the book seemed highly repetitive in a lot of scenes but that is only because I have just read and finished the Episode 1 Journal: Anakin Skywalker and most if not all of the events are the exact same or very similar to that novel. At the same time that’s a very good thing because it shows consistency in the Star Wars universe and within the Star Wars novels and written works (whether Legends or Canon). But definitely don’t read this book if you just read that one (or Vice versa). It’s a little annoying and confusing to read the same things over again to me, but again, that’s my fault. I like how there was a short expression of Obi-Wan being worried and anxious for Qui-Gon during and after the first duel with Maul. I disliked how little emphasis (less than one sentence) was put on Anakin feeling lonely without Qui-Gon on the Naboo Royal Starship, I feel like it sort of diminished the importance of their relationship and how much he relied on him and cared about him. Coruscant, and it’s buildings, being described as similar to a pincushion with needles sticking out of it is a decent analogy to me, it just doesn’t seem to sit right within my Star Wars mind and universe, but I think it’s even better and easier to understand to kids, middle grade and the younger readers who will usually be reading this junior novelization. However a Pincushion is becoming rather outdated in 2024 (I know this book is older), so I’m unsure if kids nowadays will even know what one is, unless they possibly saw them at their Grandma’s house or something, etc. so they might be unable to use this comparison in their minds as intended. I think when they introduced Valorum on the landing platform and called him explicitly the “Current” Supreme Chancellor, that gave away a later detail of the book fairly obviously, and I didn’t really like that. Valorum is described as having an air of “nervous tension”, but based on watching the movie and reading other books about Valorum (such as Cloak of Deception, a Legends Prequel to Episode 1), I don’t think that expression and description of Valorum is even close to being slightly true. I believe Valorum may have slight anxiety if you really reach for it, but in my opinion especially in the movie, he seems very calm, just as Palpatine is described. I also think Valorum’s main emotion described should be seriousness and resolve. I LOVE how they actually explain WHERE Queen Amidala was staying and discussing politics in the Senate building as being “more than half” of Senator Palpatine’s living quarters. That makes a lot of sense and actually answers a question that previously I had unanswered in my mind that had occurred to me. Valorum’s Betrayal at Padmé’s hands to be driven out of the position of Supreme Chancellor was given a lot of exaggeration and importance and I really enjoyed reading and seeing how important the betrayal was, how hurt Valorum was personally after supporting the Naboo for so long and how bad Padmé felt for her betrayal. This betrayal was given more importance in this book in particular than any of the other Star Wars Episode 1 Written Works or even the movie that I have witnessed or read. I think the extra emphasis on this scene was beautiful and completely necessary, and added great depth to Star Wars overall for fans. The Senate scene’s emphasis on not even allowing Amidala to finish her sentences and speech about the Federation and their invasion really show how dire the situation is and why Amidala felt she had to take such extreme action, like it was her only way to save her people/her only way out to get rid of Valorum. The fear (attracts the fearful) scene with Sebulba and Jar Jar and Anakin’s description of always having had a deeply hidden fear in him as long as he can remember, and then the anger scene with the Rodian child and Anakin fighting over Anakin being accused of cheating at the Podrace already show just as Yoda describes later in the book “Fear leads to Anger…” that is the first step (obviously we all know the next lines are Anger leads to Hate and Hate leads to Suffering), we have already witnessed just within and through the events of this book Anakin having fear and then later, anger. Yoda was correct in sensing that the path had already started to Anakin leading to the Dark Side even as early on as 9 years old. Amidala explaining that “no wonder the Senators are more interested in playing political games than helping people” due to the city being all cold, hard, gray steel and metal, with no patches of green grass or other plants and forestry, completely makes sense. To the real humans on Earth, in my mind it is completely understandable that you’d get wrapped up in the burdens of doing a Senatorial job or throwing fancy parties, wearing fancy clothes, and debating issues that you know nothing about because you aren’t there in the midst of the situation and don’t know truly what is going on, you’d quickly forget the true beauty of your home planet with blue waters and green grass, the wild animals and nature, of course if you stayed away on Coruscant due to your job long enough and didn’t travel back to your home planet you’d forget the true wonders and natural beauty of it all. That would easily steal away your appreciation for the places you used to love, as well as the people living there. It would easily create a situation of you just wanting to advance yourself in your career and politically. I don’t recall and remember Sidious ever giving the order explicitly kill the Queen outright instead of just make her sign the treaty, but he does in this book when she’s on her way to Naboo. The panic the Neimoidians felt when they realized it’s far too late to break ties with Darth Sidious is sort of funny and ironic, but at the same time fully real and serious. I absolutely LOVE how they explain that in Obi-Wan’s mind after they made the voyage to Naboo that he had begun to know Anakin better and had come to see his true potential (in the time he spent with him in the starship cockpit with Ric Olié), even if he couldn’t say it aloud in his explanation and apology. I love how the book explains and states this, I never would’ve guessed this in the movie as to why Obi-Wan apologized, I always thought it was more Qui-Gon centered (such as wanting to make up with his Master) rather than truly realizing he was wrong. I also like how he is grateful Qui-Gon says he is ready for the trials. I loved how as early as the first few pages of the book Qui-Gon states this in his head and how he just hasn’t told Obi-Wan this, and I’m super glad Obi-Wan realizes he didn’t just say this because he wanted to get rid of him for Anakin, but that he truly believes it. I like how willingly Jar Jar walks off to lead everyone to the Gungan’s sacred place even though he’s risking literally everything and disobeying all laws of his people, but because the Naboo Humans accepted him more he helps them instead against his people’s wishes at first. I like how in this book Panaka’s line about the Gungans and where they might be is worded gentler and more understanding instead of as sharp as it was in the movie and other works. Anakin’s negative sounding thoughts, such as “I never should’ve left home” and “I’m not even going to be a Jedi” exactly explain why he shouldn’t be a Jedi. He is not thinking positively at all, about all of the possibilities and chances out there for his future, he is not open or even serene as Jedi are trained to be early on as children. Boss Nass assuming all the Human Naboo are going to die was blunt and bleak, but realistic and true. It’s also expressed in another Episode 1 work (I believe the Anakin Skywalker Journal) so it is consistent throughout the Star Wars universe. I like how his line about being ready to do his part with his people potentially losing their lives is worded very well in this book and novelization in particular. I believe this is the first time ever it is mentioned that the Maroon uniform that Padmé and her handmaidens wear into the Battle of Naboo is the burgundy battle uniform or the Naboo rulers. I really like that little detail and extra fact. Padmé stating she’d never forgive herself if something happened to Anakin, as well as how Anakin and Padmé both felt upon first meeting like they’d known each other their entire lives and could tell each other anything, is a really good description of their early on inexplicable connection. I like how it is explicitly noted that this is, quite memorably, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first ever time in a lightsaber vs lightsaber battle (with a Sith Lord), the first of many lightsaber vs lightsaber battles with Sith Lords and the like that he will take part in over the years after this first one. I don’t really understand what is meant by Maul clouding Obi-Wan’s estimation and guessing of his moves and dueling, that seems more of a Sidious power to me, not something Maul was consciously capable of doing and performing in the Force. The early scenes of the Duel of the Fates are very clearly and pointedly accurately described methodically in every way by the author laid out scene by scene from Point A to Point B, I thought that was really great and easy for younger readers (like the book was designed for) to understand. The laser walls and that entire concept in the Theed Power Generator as well as the catwalk falling scenes were described especially well and understandably for younger readers to grasp as an idea. Different than some of the other Episode 1 written material I’ve read, this junior novelization determines and states that Anakin’s Starfighter is overheated in the hangar, just like in the movie. I believe Anakin’s Episode 1 Journal states it MAY be overheated, or another issue as described. I never knew in the movie that Anakin’s Starfighter was shot at two points in time before skidding into the Trade Federation Droid Control Ship. It is stated that that happens both in this junior novelization and, I believe, Anakin Skywalker’s Episode 1 Journal. The part described where Obi-Wan senses that Qui-Gon’s opponent is “wearing a black helmet” (I assume much like Darth Vader, and this is somehow meant to be foreshadowing) doesn’t really make sense to me at all, especially since it’s involving Qui-Gon and Anakin isn’t even present. The seeming fact that a “second voice” also echoed his cry of denial at Qui-Gon’s death seems wrong and also far fetched to me, but is less far fetched than the helmet, because it could be explained away as Anakin’s voice crying out denial through the Force somehow. I really like and think it makes sense that Amidala was able to make it across the room to her throne because she pretended she was “sinking down in depression over her “failure”, and it definitely fooled Gunray and proves how gullible and unintelligent he truly was in the end compared to Padmé that she was able to trick him in the very last THAT close to him in the end. I like how Artoo claims to the Battle Droids that HES the pilot of the ship, but that is also included in other Episode 1 written works, such as Anakin’s Episode 1 Journal. However, not included in any other work I’ve read so far, I especially liked that Anakin talked back to the Battle Droids when they demanded he surrender. I’m not sure if I like the fact that Obi-Wan claims Yoda also taught him with the “Do or Do Not” line as spoken in the original trilogy’s Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back to Luke Skywalker. I’m not sure why I feel odd about it being reused over the generations of Jedi being trained and taught by Master Yoda. Technically, the line “he felt the tremor in the Force as he (Maul) died” is made inaccurate and non-canon due to the canon 2008 The Clone Wars animated TV Series and all of Maul’s appearances there as well as the animated show Star Wars: Rebels and even the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story at the very end. There could be a possible explain-away explanation for the tremor Obi-Wan felt, but I cannot come up with anything at this time. I like how it’s mentioned briefly how Qui-Gon was like the only father Obi-Wan had ever known just the exact same way as Anakin had felt that, even if he doesn’t know that or sense they both share this trait and feeling. Padmé catching Palpatine/Sidious’s satisfaction and even slight smirk/smile at the fact that Valorum had been voted out as Supreme Chancellor and he had been nominated was surprising due to the fact that it hasn’t been mentioned in any other books, written works or even the movie but it makes total sense to me because in my opinion she should’ve caught it all along, she is far too intelligent to have not noticed Palpatine trying to propel himself along in his career (among other motives). I don’t like how Padmé didn’t explicitly reach out to Anakin as a friend to explain everything about her revealing herself as Queen, it seems like she kind of left him in the dust while at the same time he meant so much to her previously. Anakin at least deserved an explanation and to be told that things weren’t different between them, I know some other Episode 1 written works and such explain or have Padmé at least give Anakin a look, or even pull him aside to speak to him about it and the entire situation. Since she didn’t do this, he felt very alone at the funeral, like he’s lost almost everybody. I noticed that the scene where Anakin arrives at the Queen’s chambers to tell her he was leaving for his (hopeful) Jedi Training wasn’t included in this novelization, I didn’t think it was correct not to be included as it’s included in the movie itself.I don’t really like the line where Obi-Wan tries to soothe Anakin about Qui-Gon being one with the Force, it’s a personal preference that I don’t like how the line is worded but I know it’s included in other Episode 1 works like the Anakin Skywalker Episode 1 Journal almost legitimately exactly as that scene was worded in that book, so I guess for consistency purposes that’s good for the Star Wars Universe overall. Overall, again, I’m extremely excited to read the rest of the Star Wars Junior Novelizations, even if they all aren’t by the same author, and I’d definitely reread this book if I wanted a casual and non-pressure Star Wars read. The cover art and photo collages and modifications on this book are beautiful as well. 

I think this book is a great and concise account of all of the events of Episode 1 directly from Anakin’s perspective described in great detail, while not being overexaggerated or extended into too much detail to make the reading unpleasant. I really like how ALL key moments in Episode 1 were present in one way or another, even if they weren’t directly witnessed by Anakin (such as Sebulba sabotaging his Podracer) it is mentioned that Sebulba was walking AROUND his Podracer (when he does it) and even the Ric Olie piloting scene where he teaches Anakin the different controls (rather, Anakin identifies them himself) on the way to Naboo in the Royal Starship is present. I love the little personable details in the book, such as Anakin wearing a hand-sewn by Shmi jumpsuit for the Podrace, things that weren’t mentioned in the movie or novelization but are included in this adaption. Those details are truly necessary and really cute and add great depth and explain the love (if you can ever explain love itself) imbedded into Anakin and Shmi’s relationship. I really, REALLY liked how Anakin noticed all of the little things as shown in the background of the movie, such as Shmi and Qui-Gon speaking as he works on his Podracer (and him noticing their individual facial expressions) and Watto and Qui-Gon arguing before the Podrace in the hangar, as well as him also noticing things that weren’t shown in the movie explicitly but were implied, such as Anakin quickly noticing Qui-Gon not having a farmer’s rough hands or Padmé not looking like a farm girl when they walked into Watto’s shop, I think the fact that Anakin noticed these things really added a lot of detail and information to his character and showed successfully his intelligence level, especially for how far advanced and ahead of others that he was for a nine year old boy. I love every moment and scene with Jira, the old woman who sold the Pallies fruit. I love how we are explained in this short book that Anakin was looking out for a cooling system/unit for her as she sells her fruits from his work at the shop (and how he had just found one as he was going through his usual junk pile when he was called into the shop due to Qui-Gon and Padmé arriving), and how she is described as being elderly is so sweet and cute and sounds just like she would be described by a good and kind average nine year old boy (possibly as he would describe his Grandma if he had one). I believe the information with the cooling system is also included in the official movie’s novelization by Terry Brooks. I love how Anakin went out of his way to even leave some of his winnings from selling the Podracer to Jira so she can purchase the cooling system herself because he will be leaving and no longer be there to get her one as planned. The book does such a great job presenting Anakin as a young, innocent and kind nine year old boy as he is described by Shmi “he knows nothing of greed” in the movie, which was the entire point of Episode 1, to show just how far the innocent young Anakin Skywalker can fall into the evil and ruthless Darth Vader in Episode 3. The innocence and kindness was very apparent and clear to me in the line described where Anakin wanted to go out of his way to communicate and warn a fellow Podracer during the race about Sebulba. It’s a super unique and clever way the author came up with to show these traits of Anakin’s character. The book really exaggerates, more even than witnessing the explosions on the TV or movie theater screen, that most of the time when you Podrace, if you crash, you die. The book truly highlights just how dangerous Podracing is even better than the movie and novelization do in my opinion. The book puts emphasis on how even if you don’t win, but you live through the race, you’re still technically a winner because you’re alive still. All of the events of the Podrace, such as being thrown onto the service ramp, etc., as shown in the movie, are laid out in clear detail and a great and understandable order, which might usually (or for another author) have been harder to make clear in writing/book form. I really like how this journal includes what I have also read was originally in George Lucas’s Episode 1 Script, a fight between Anakin and a Rodian (in this book it is Wald, however according to my sources in the script it potentially was a young Greedo) after the Podrace due to the Rodian accusing Anakin of cheating at the Podrace due to being human. It was taken out of the movie’s Final Cut because Lucas didn’t want to show Anakin showing such early signs of anger so soon in his life. This book also explains part of the reason Anakin fought so hard wasn’t due to anger at Wald, but rather anger inside of himself at Padme leaving his planet and therefore leaving him. I enjoyed this scene being included as an extra fact and understanding as well as an information/explanation in the Star Wars universe to learn more that officially could’ve been.  I really thought it was cute how even potentially if it had been too late young Anakin rushed in his boy like way to quickly carve that Japor Snippet in a rough but lovely little item to give to Padme to remember him by. I thought it was adorable and dedicated that even if he didn’t finish it in time for Qui-Gon to give it to her before they left that he spent all that time on it carving it in such detail, and I thought it was also cute how he’d willingly trust Qui-Gon with the charm to give to Padme instead of being able to give it to her directly like he most likely would’ve preferred. I like how it is included here (unlike in the movie) and other Legends Episode 1 Source Material I’ve read, that Qui-Gon tells Anakin and Shmi that there is a chance that Anakin may NOT become a Jedi due to the Council’s tests. In the movie and I believe even the novelization it is a certainty and given according to the way Qui-Gon/Liam Neeson words it, that Anakin will certainly become a Jedi. This book represents one of the best things and aspects about being a Legends book and author: the small amount of creative freedom that these authors have. The authors respect and love the universe enough to keep most everything in the parameters of what we know our characters and the places, etc. that we all know and love would do. But they also have a little bit of creative licensing where they can make up little bits here and there, such as small/short stories, explanations, items, sayings, or events. One of these is in this book, when Anakin climbed the “Great Dune” to save a small herd of Banthas from a group of hunters. Most, if not at all of the times you come across or read these stories in the Legends Community/Timeline, they add extra depth and detail to the characters we love, and the stories told are so relatable and understandable in the ideas of the characters that do them or are the subjects of them that we wonder why we had not thought about them first! It was a lovely addition of how much inclusion of Anakin’s friend Kitster was in this book, especially including their goodbye and hearing what a good friend Anakin was to most of these kids, but especially Kitster. I, and I know probably many of us, wondered what happened to Anakin’s friends later on, and if he ever said Goodbye to them/how the situation was resolved with them. How abruptly Anakin left left it unclear with moviegoers whether or not his friends ever found out what happened to him, and if they did, left us feeling sad that they never got a face to face goodbye like they deserved. I’m glad this matter is resolved in this book, even if it is a Legends book. I like how Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi is described physically (such as his hair being in the Padawan style with the pigtail and braid, although Anakin does not know that is why/what it is) as well as his apparent attitude towards Anakin as a character, and how Anakin felt the aura and feelings of how Obi-Wan felt towards him. I think the extra additional scenes of both the encounter with Qui-Gon slicing the Probe Droid on Tatooine and Qui-Gon instructing Anakin and Jar Jar on etiquette before meeting the Senators and Supreme Chancellor (such as bowing) were very clever and smart to include, and added extra depth and enjoyment to the book, as well as extra background information. I like how they note especially Anakin’s reaction and first ever time in Space even if it was brief due to them escaping Maul. I loved how they addressed Anakin’s worries about what would happen to him if something happened to Qui-Gon and his feelings of loneliness on the ship after Qui-Gon went to his quarters. It truly expresses how to Anakin, Qui-Gon feels like the only person that he has now in his mind since he left his mother, the only one he can truly trust and rely on, the one person to take care of him, the man he gambled everything on. A minor dislike, but I didn’t like how the words chosen to describe her discussions with the Senators on Coruscant after her arrival included that she was sitting on a “Throne”. It seems completely inaccurate. First, at no time was this “Throne” shown in the movie or expressed in the novelizations. Plus, the Galactic Senate building would not have a room with a spare throne in it, especially just for temporary visitors such as Queen Amidala. I thought it was very understandable that Anakin, as a nine year old (previously) slave boy; would be blown away by the Queen’s appearance and the Queen in general. The author seemed to know and understand the scientific facts of Tatooine having two stars vs. Coruscant having one, using it to explain Anakin’s chill. If that was found out through extra research before writing this book to prepare, props to the author. It definitely makes the book seem more real. The Jedi Code above the door being dismantled into pieces by the child Anakin as to why he was the exact opposite of any of those mantras or sayings due to his Slave Upbringing definitely makes you realize the only reason he had a Slave Upbringing was because of his age, the fact that he grew up like that, out in the world, and if he had been identified and brought to the Temple at an early age he wouldn’t have all of those extra issues to deal with that were eventually his downfall, much as he is explaining here. It also shows his intelligence and thinking skills in an example. The tests of the Council really went into detail and put emphasis on how badly Anakin misses and does not want to lose his mother, as well as how devastated she’d be to lose him as well. It was also expressed earlier in the book in another line that she’s his “only living relative”.  More emphasis is placed on Shmi’s importance to Anakin here than in the movie or novelization in my opinion, even in Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. I like the inclusion of the mention of the Old Spacer who had once “flown into battle with Jedi”, because although the fact related to this Spacer’s tale is different, this same exact Old Spacer was featured in a scene in the official movie novelization by Terry Brooks, sharing stories, facts and details about the Jedi, albeit different ones than were presented in the novelization. I like that both books back each other up, even if in different ways, that at some point Anakin talked to an Old Spacer about the Jedi Order. I believe it was very clever and again, taking that liberty I explained above with being a potential Legends book and author (I believe this book is canon but I’m not positive), with how the author explained how Anakin has heard of Sith and somewhat understands what they are due to that old Holograph and the inquiry with another Spacer. It is completely understandable and possible that an old droid who had witnessed a battle involving Sith (whether between Sith vs Sith or Sith vs Jedi) had ended up somehow in Watto’s junk heap, especially if the person who owned it WANTED to get rid of it, that would be a great way to anonymously get rid of it. The old Spacer knowing so much about the Sith, however, was rather puzzling, and doesn’t seem much as likely. I never thought the general public, even an Old Republic Pilot, would know much of anything about the Sith Order overall. But I like how panicked he expressed feeling, and I like how there was a rumor that one survived, however that rumor must’ve never reached the Jedi, because if it had their number one priority in everything should’ve been to find that one Sith. Or at that point the Jedi were so arrogant they didn’t believe one Sith had escaped and believed it was only a rumor among the people/population of the Galaxy. The book does a great job breeding early-on mistrust of Obi-Wan for Anakin. Before Anakin even speaks to Obi-Wan, he senses Obi-Wan strongly dislikes him. It is described in great detail Obi-Wan trying to hide contempt for Anakin in the Council Chambers Scenes, how he tried to hide looks and glares at him, how he tried to hide his feelings of shock, surprise and mistrust. Later we learn also that Anakin overheard (using the Force) that Obi-Wan told Qui-Gon he believes he was dangerous (and cited the entire Council thought so as well). As a nine year old boy, this is all very overwhelming, and would seem to have the entire world against you. This is especially heartbreaking and confusing when that entire world is made up of strangers you had wished to impress. So, as it comes up later on, even if Anakin and Obi-Wan become like brothers after he is assigned his Padawan, I don’t believe those initial distrust issues ever really go away between them. I like the emphasis and all the explanations put out there and described how different the Naboo Swamp felt to Anakin compared to living his entire life on Tatooine. I love everything little detail that is given to compare the two places and different aspects of them. I disliked the one DEBATABLE spelling mistake I found, at one point nearing the end of the book Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were referred to as “Jedis” and not “Jedi” as a plural. I know this is debatable among fans (in face, in this movie itself they are referred to as “Jedi” and not “Jedis” by the Neimoidians) but “Jedi” as a plural seems more proper and makes more sense (and sounds more normal, appropriate and formal). The ending of the book really exaggerated Anakin’s maturity and understanding of how desperate the Battle for Naboo really is, the terrible odds and desperation as well as how the people involved are suffering and dying. He seemed very mature sounding for a nine year old boy, especially more than he did in the movie, where some of his lines were silly and childish. He really seems to understand the importance of the battle in this book. I thought Artoo pretending he was the pilot of the N1 Starfighter instead of Anakin (ducked down, and only able to do that because he was a small child) was a really cute addition. I think one of the best moments and aspects of this book was that Anakin sensed Qui-Gon’s death at Maul’s hands (even though he didn’t know at the time) and involuntarily felt sad over it within and using the Force and using his connection to Qui-Gon through the Force. I never even would’ve thought of something like that but now that it’s stated here (like I said, I love those Legends author’s creative license), it fits PERFECTLY with everything we know in the Star Wars Universe overall, including and going all the way back to the Original Trilogy’s Episode 4: A New Hope with Obi-Wan sensing Alderaan’s destruction and all of those deaths. Of course somebody as strong in the Force/with as many midichlorians as Anakin would sense the death of somebody he cared so much for and looked up to so much, if he’s only in the Space above the Planet. Even as early on as this book, the afterlife and keeping your consciousness alive in the Force is discussed. Here, Anakin senses a “shadow” of Qui-Gon compared to what he felt before, but he was still there. Qui-Gon was the first to pioneer and discover this ability. This fits perfectly and makes perfect sense in the Star Wars Universe, even and especially the Canon Universe, although this book is not a part of it. Even if this topic isn’t really expanded into in this book, it’s a good intro and really clever to mention it and the topic this early on at this stage, long before any development in the Star Wars Universe was really made on it (way before the Kenobi Series on Disney+). I like how at the end for the first time we hear and see the line “Obi-Wan and Me” used for the first time ever, since we know later on they become like “brothers” and literally inseparable. I like how Anakin references Qui-Gon as being like a father figure to him more than anybody he’s ever known at his funeral, and how Anakin actually was expressed to have cried over Qui-Gon at the funeral. I didn’t really like how Obi-Wan expressed how Anakin should let go of Qui-Gon and has suddenly turned “caring, nice and kind” since being strapped with Anakin as his apprentice due to Qui-Gon’s death. I like how the scene in Shmi’s home where Qui-Gon said he wished no Jedi could be/were able to be killed was referenced/brought back up in the end at his funeral as very apparent foreshadowing laid out clearly for the reader. I like how the last page overall wraps the entire book up as a journal style novel and gives hope and excitement for the future of other Star Wars related writings and works, including potentially the follow ups for this series. I thought the book could’ve used the celebration on Naboo in the ending to truly wrap up the events of the movie of Episode 1, but it is fine as a complete book without it as an ending and wrapped resolution. This is my first book of 2024 I am rating 5 stars because it is already my first ever reread. I truly enjoyed this book beyond all the rest I’ve read so far. The events in this book truly bring great joy to my heart as a Star Wars fan in the way they are described and portrayed. I’d highly recommend this book!! 

I find it almost sacrilegious for me to be writing a bad review for a Star Wars book. It wasn’t that I hated this book and can’t stand it/hate the author and want to leave a bad review, I just didn’t ENJOY it whatsoever, it actually caused me feelings of minor annoyance at some of the characters and their actions and at the end of the book the last few pages sort of redeemed it in one scene but at the end of the day the rest of the book was not very memorable unless you remembered the bad aspects/parts, which weigh the entire book over on the scale of not being a good read overall. I actually LOVE almost every single one of Jude Watson’s Star Wars works, I truly loved her Jedi Apprentice Series as my first introduction to the EU Community, but one of her Jedi Quest books was my first ever DNF! So I guess it just varies with her works, but as a whole I love her works mainly, so this is sort of weird that I didn’t enjoy this book whatsoever really. The book left me with feelings of incompletion and that I may or may not have wasted my time reading all of it. Along with having nearly no feelings for the book, while I could be feeling expressions of happiness or joy, I felt annoyance at multiple times when reading scenes of this book. Overall in the book, everything seems very repetitive overall of the different events of Episode 1, like they weren’t told specifically from Amidala’s POV but from an overall outside viewer’s perspective as a summary of the different conversations and information displayed in the movie. I especially noticed this during the scene where the group eats dinner in Shmi and Anakin’s home. The author’s depiction of Padmé hardly seems accurate to me. It seems as if Jude Watson was attempting to lean more into the age factor of her being a 14-year old girl with high-running emotions and easily frustrated feelings. She seemed to behave very childishly, or at least her inner thoughts were. She appears far too fidgety as described in this book compared to her composure in the movie and novelization. I thought her relationship with Qui-Gon being so poor and the contempt she expressed feeling for him was highly overexaggerated, their relationship was nearly never this bad in the movie and novelization. The reason for this could possibly be due to how his death affected her in the end, the author could’ve been going at an attempt to make it a larger deal than it was between them for the time they spent as Guardian and Handmaiden on Tatooine. I thought the whole Queen vs Padme/handmaiden role difference was also extremely overexaggerated, with Padme believing she’d have so much more respect as a person if she was just in the Queen’s outfit. I thought that was extraordinarily silly, the royalty role and outfit would not have that much of a difference on how she was treated as a person and young girl. I thought Padmé’s character was more self-centered, outspoken and selfish than she ever was in the movies or books, as well as being far too concerned about things she shouldn’t be. I believe this book was definitely changed and made fairly overall inaccurate by the Canon Queen’s/Padmé Amidala Trilogy by E.K. Johnston published from 2019-2022, especially for the handmaiden’s basic understanding and scenes including and involving them, especially Sabé and Padmé’s swap scene early on in the book, and the explanation of the program of Panaka’s. I believe personally the Queen’s Trilogy explains these subjects much better and in fuller understanding. I think the lines with the foreshadowing between Shmi and Padmé, such as the ones mentioned where Shmi is “giving” Anakin to Padmé, is extremely odd to be written so early on, even if we know the ending of the story I thought the lines were unnecessary and weird to read. The book definitely put too much emphasis on the supposed fact that Padme relied so much on the Galactic Senate to fix things and never had a backup plan or belief that the Senate might not side with her. In the book she seems completely reliant on the Senate alone to fix all of her problems, it didn’t seem completely that way in the movie. However two pluses/positives from this book that I can seek out include: the book having beautiful images from the movie chosen for some of the appropriate chapters that were enjoyable to see and I loved the excerpt explaining that Padme did not want to have a Victory Parade due to Qui-Gon’s death, but Obi-Wan convinced her it was what Qui-Gon would’ve wanted. That part of the book was quite possibly the best part of the book overall and the most relatable to those who have ever dealt with recently deceased relatives, such as myself recently. That section of the book was extremely touching and a beautiful tribute to the character of Qui-Gon Jinn, to have  Padme and Obi-Wan have that little sensitive chat due to his passing. Overall, this book was my least favorite out of the Star Wars: Episode 1 Journals Trilogy. 

This book is an enjoyable Star Wars read. It, and the information presented in it, ties in very well with information also presented in Ryder Windham’s Wrath of Darth Maul about Maul’s early upbringing and the explanation of how he became an official Sith Lord, including details on his training. The book follows a clear course from Point A to Point B from the beginning of his intro in Episode 1: The Phantom Menace right up to the part where he cuts out of the movie, with the book being wrapped from a different outsider POV in a summarized ending. The events are easy to follow and understand/read in relation to their occurrences in the movie and novelization of Episode 1. The book is definitely more of a Legends read due to the information, certain pieces of it especially (such as Maul’s home planet) being different than the later-released Canon version of this information mainly presented in the 2008 Clone Wars Animated TV Series. Some of the facts also relate very well and are directly referenced to other Star Wars Legends material, such as the Jedi Apprentice Series, also by the author Jude Watson, about Jedi healing techniques and methods. The book also does Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn a great honor with their explanation of his fighting and dueling skills, diplomat skills and life overall as a Jedi Master, whereas it hasn’t really been mentioned or honored much overall in other stories and books in the Star Wars Universe, especially with him only being in Episode 1 as a movie. Overall the book was highly intriguing and interesting as a short, summarized reading of Episode 1’s events from the Sith’s perspective.

I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed this book!! It was very fun and exciting to read, I didn’t want to put it down/couldn’t put it down even though it’s a nonfiction science book, and I’m not very big into science itself as a topic. The book had a lovely introduction page written and explained very clearly how this book mainly if not always focuses on the material from the movies alone, which completely made the book more understandable. The book is a good, average length, not too daunting and overwhelming, not providing too much information but providing at the same time an abundance of facts and information to enjoy reading and think about the subjects. The book had a clean looking cover beautifully and simply laid out with bright and darker contrasting colors. I immensely enjoyed the related quotes at the beginning of almost every section, however some of the quotes I don’t remember so I’m thinking they were assumptions of lines potentially spoken because usually I remember every line spoken and if I don’t remember one that’s highly unusual for me. The book was extremely concise, with the information and facts laid out clearly and easy to understand the concepts presented. I like how the book was separated into different sections of information, with the darker toned pages separating each section urging you forward with the reading, and with a clear chapter list. The book made the subjects and topics of Physics easy to understand and easy to grasp even for those who haven’t studied Physics on a larger scale/level. I enjoy how even when a subject/topic and aspect of Star Wars is explained that it won’t work in real life as depicted in the films, the author attempts to explain a way or method that that aspect of Star Wars could work in real life. I also like how the author is completely down-to-Earth and realistic about each topic in the book and its possibility of existing here on Earth. The author writes in a very personable and relatable way and tone of voice. The appendix’s of both Star Wars and Physics terms were explained very clearly and in great detail to foster better understanding of terms, places or things you aren’t familiar with. I liked how there were two separate appendix’s for both of them each. I enjoyed how most of the terms were described beyond just a couple of sentences. Some of the only criticisms I have include: that where it explains where each subject/topic takes place in the Star Wars Movies some of the descriptions of the scenes and characters are inaccurate/far too broad and could be worded differently and include more characters and specification to focus more on a specific scene that the topic/subject represents, as well as that some of the character’s last names weren’t included in snippets where they were featured and I thought to be thorough they should’ve been written, but overall the book is very extremely thorough for the subject (Physics) which it is based on. Lastly, some of the subject’s names and descriptions, such as the name of The First Order and New Republic, weren’t mentioned/laid out as clearly as they should’ve been, or referenced properly in their wording. Overall I REALLY enjoyed this book, it was one of the first in a long while that I truly couldn’t seem to put down even with the subject matter not being my usual type as described, I was thrilled to purchase this book from the thrift store and take it home to read. It’s a beautiful book inside and out and I flew through the pages, absorbing the information quickly. Others on Bookstagram would call this book a “guilty pleasure” for me, one of my first of those within the books I’ve read lately. I LOVE this book. Only rated 3 stars due to the probability that I won’t pick it up again to reread, but will definitely keep as a very unique book in the range of Star Wars books in my large collection. 

As soon as I started this book I noted glaring flaws inside of it. I really enjoyed the first Volume of Star Wars: Episode 1 Manga so I couldn’t understand why I enjoyed this book so much less and found so many more flaws within it, I’m unsure if possibly the illustrator or author just got bored with the project and rushed to finish or not, or something else as another reason to why this book was such lesser and lower quality of writing than the first. However there were still many items to enjoy in this book, including: the depiction of Jabba the Hutt and the gong scene in the beginning of the Podrace, the slight alteration of Qui-Gon’s line to Shmi about Anakin’s chances of becoming a Jedi, the depiction overall of Shmi’s outfit from head to toe, the depiction of the scene where Obi-Wan Kenobi meets Anakin for the first time, the way the Jedi Council’s scenes were laid out to feature each known member of the Council at that time including lesser known members such as Yareal Poof, Oppo Rancisis, Even Piell, Depa Billaba, Eeth Koth, and Yaddle, including the large panoramic scene of the Council featured in the center of the two page span, Yoda’s character depiction, the Senate scenes with Queen Amidala and Palpatine looking just like the movie’s scenes, the artwork of the scene when Queen Amidala calls for a vote of no confidence in Valorum,  Sidious’s hologram depictions, Captain Panaka’s character depiction/design, the design and detail of the Queen’s white outfit with the pearl accents, all of the variety of Amidala’s outfits and the details put into them, the female characters (especially Padme) and also Anakin’s eye design, Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi’s character depiction and hair/eyebrow design, Boss Nass’s outfit design, the “textured” look of the skin of all Gungans, Captain Tarpals, Jar Jar and Boss Nass’s character depictions, Sabé’s red and black outfit’s contrasting colors, the maroon handmaiden outfit depiction, the scene art of the group kneeling before the Gungans, the Gungan Kaadu’s designs, all of the main character group shot scenes, the depictions of the Droid Tanks and Battle Droids, the Lightsaber Blade Thinness and Hilt Depictions, the Duel of the Fates scenes (especially the facial expressions of the key players), Obi-Wan’s facial expression reaction to Qui-Gon’s death, how child Anakin looked in piloting goggles, and the design of the Jedi Robes worn by Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Some of the things I did NOT enjoy, however, included the fact that Anakin’s Podracer’s Sabotage scene with Sebulba was left out, the depiction of Senator Palpatine’s face seemed inaccurate to me, the face was far too aged and the chin and nose too large, Mace Windu’s depiction looked too young for his character at this time, some of Obi-Wan’s facial expressions, such as surprise, were too far overexaggerated, there were too many face close-ups as scenes used in this book (such as eye or mouth close ups), and some of the depictions of Maul make his face and head look fatter than they should be. I also thought lots of text in the bubbles in larger portions and servings compiled together made it more difficult and harder to read, as well as some of the lines were missing and skipping details and large sections/portions of the dialogue making it harder to understand and hard to read if you know the movie by heart. Also there was major confusion/unclearness about Qui-Gon’s death scene, and the book barely, if at all depicted Qui-Gon’s funeral scene, the images shown barely if at all made it clear that that was a funeral they were showing. Other times things are made so obvious that they’re captioned with words like “grab” but other times inconsistently the scenes are so unclear and confusing (2 occasions I can think of this happening on) that you can barely understand what has happened/what is happening. Especially the Battle Scenes are difficult to follow. However the book amazingly and phenomenally conveyed all of the sensitive emotions and great sadness and emotional pain over Qui-Gon’s death within, to me, only the one depiction/image of Padawan Obi-Wan holding Qui-Gon’s body. That one scene conveyed it all for me, even better than the movie somewhat. The ending scenes of the Naboo Celebration felt very brief and greatly shortened, with little to no emphasis put on the ending and overall resolution of the story. I did like how each main character for the ending was put side by side in panels in the depiction of the Celebration though. I did not like how the book ended with the last two panels being of the planet Naboo as seen from space. I thought the black coloring of the starscape did not represent the happy and hopeful ending of the story or even the mysterious aspect of it if that was what the designer was going for possibly. The book overall definitely seemed based around, assumed and appeared to be designed around expecting there to be Sequels to these Volumes (such as Episodes 2&3 in Manga like Episodes 4, 5 & 6 were made) but as far as I’m aware they were never made, even with the open-endedness of this book. 

This was my first Star Wars Manga book that I have read. I thought the Manga was easy to understand and easy to read as a whole. I enjoyed the artwork, although it takes some getting used to the style. Two of the characters depictions in the style of the artist that I was slightly critical of were one of my favorite characters, Qui-Gon Jinn (as played by Liam Neeson), in my opinion it didn’t really look like him or even the actor, the nose was too large and long with the eyes (especially the eyes) and facial hair (mustache and goatee) too small and thin. I also had trouble identifying Shmi from her depiction on the cover art, she looked more like a male character to me, possibly like Obi-Wan, and her age was overexaggerated in her facial lines, her character was given a lot more depressing of an aura and vibe as compared to her character played in the movie by the actress. The other thing I was critical of in the artwork was some of the expressions were WAYYY overexaggerated, such as anger or excitement, such as with the depictions showing a large row of teeth or the face being scrunched up. Overall this book got me excited to read the other half of the Manga but it took me a day to write this review and pick up the second book, so I was able to wait if that speaks to anything. I’m excited to read further Star Wars Manga from the other artists of the Original Trilogy Volumes. Basically this book was a good depiction and adaption of the original film and Terry Brook’s official novelization of Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, and fits well with other Phantom Menace related works fitting for telling the origin story of a young Anakin Skywalker, depicting him as a young and adorable child, especially as I recall in the scene where he purchased the Pallies. 

This book was an interesting, fun and enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed the way the facts and information contained in the book were laid out in different sections such as Do’s and Don’t’s, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Step by Steps, Key Phrases, At a Glance, and more. I also enjoyed how the book’s different sections were laid out by subject using the different chapters and overall headings of the different topics and their relation to one another, making it easier to navigate. The book was a nice hardcover edition and I really enjoyed the full color illustrations and images included in the book. The book was cleverly worded and artistically laid out, with a bright and eye catching cover design. Would definitely recommend, but rated 3 stars due to the fact that I most likely won’t pick it up again. A great addition to any Star Wars fan’s collection and an informative compilation of information from facts of the Star Wars Universe.  

This book was a medium-paced read for me, not too fast but not too slow. I was able to finish the book within one night after picking it up the same day. It’s a beautiful book, with an intriguing and clever layout and illustrations on the pages, a great arrangement of the different facts being presented here so as to change it up once in a while instead of just being the same page layout with facts over and over again. The small illustrations are cute. It’s worth every cent spent on it, although many if not most of the facts I already knew or had heard before. It was interesting to hear the facts again to be presented for fans who may have not known them or know less than I did. Some of the facts were unknown to me though, and some of them were so unbelievable to me that I’m not sure if they’re true still, a day after reading the book. There was never a fact repeated and each fact had enough consistent backstory and explanation that you wouldn’t be lost if you hadn’t seen the Star Wars movies recently/was unable to replay their exact events in your mind. The ending was a bit blah to me, it just ended off with another simple fact and not even a goodbye message, it would’ve been nice to have led up to some super large or shocking fact or a send off message. I really enjoyed reading through the book, making quick and achievable progress, and was very happy to have received it as an Easter present. Well pleased, rating an A+. The 3.0 rating is only due to the fact that the book doesn’t appear to be one I will reread. I highly recommend this book for a casual read for any Star Wars fans. 

This book wasn’t as fast a read through as your average children’s book due to being a DK reader. I read the end pages describing accurate and really wonderful ways parents can interact to help their children to learn to read, sound out and learn the different and new words, and use the different fact files as well as supportive commentary and compliments to help boost their child’s confidence. That entire section is definitely research tested and from the point of view of a girl who was a large reader from early on due to great encouragement from my parents, I think some if not all of those key strategies would work great on todays kids, and we definitely need more parents willing to do those things to actually help their children rather than ignore them. Some of the strategies may be overkill to me or would’ve been when I was a kid but that’s just me personally and does not reflect every other kid out there, especially kids nowadays. I like the gloss of the pages and I think they smell great. The pages have beautiful full color designs with pictures and images directly from the various Star Wars movies and shows including the animated series Star Wars: Rebels Seasons 1-4, the Original Trilogy Episodes 4-6, Rogue One: A Star Ware Story and the Sequel Trilogy’s Episode 7: The Force Awakens. The book included a great variety of the many different eras of the Star Wars Rebellion and later the Resistance, traveling in timeline order, each section/era having a major mission as a part of their section. beginning with the Rebels 2014 Animated Show Era (taking place after Episode 3: The Revenge of the Sith and before Episode 4: A New Hope), introducing each member of the Ghost Crew, from Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren to Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Zeb and Ahsoka Tano, smaller fact files for lesser-known allies, including Clone Captain Rex, and introducing their more well-known and significant mission, such as the Sith Temple on Malachor. The next stop in the timeline for the different eras of the Rebellion is the team for the Scarif Mission of stealing the Death Star Plans, led by Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, flanked by Bohdi Rook, Chirrut and Baze Malbus in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The next era is the Original Trilogy Era, Episodes 4-6, where Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Chewbacca and Han Solo are introduced, as well as the Battle of Hoth at Echo Base being mentioned, and the second mission being mentioned as the Destruction of the Death Star. Luke’s two Jedi Mentors, Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi and Yoda each have their own fact files. Rebel Leaders Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar are also briefly mentioned. The Millennium Falcon has its own 2-page layout of interior blueprints, there is also a layout of all of the different Rebel Starships, including A-, B-, U-, X- and Y-Wings, and the lineup of Rebel Pilots has its own 2-page spread. A layout of all of the previously known Rebel and Resistance Bases is also spread across 2 pages, and all Rebel/Resistance Droids, such as K-2SO, C-3PO, BB-8, Chopper (C1-10P), R2-D2 are on a layout as well with little fact blurbs. The last portion of the book is dedicated to the Sequel Trilogy’s new Resistance, and highlights the characters of pilot Poe Dameron, Finn “FN-2187”, and Rey of Jakku, as well as the mission of Starkiller Base. The book was produced before the last 2 movies of the Sequel Trilogy, and so does not contain any information from the last two movies (Episode 8: The Last Jedi and Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker), only including information about events from Episode 7: The Force Awakens. I also liked about the book that it included an informative index, glossary and question section, the questions were easy enough for me to answer off the top of my head and were worded wide and broad enough that any general combination of words related to the direct answer is a good and correct answer. I also like how the answers to these questions were not simply on the next page so that you may accidentally see them and flip to them before finishing all the questions in your head rather they were placed many pages after and in a small, unnoticeable box at the bottom of the page. The answers were general enough as well so that with any combination of related words you had come up with in your head as your answer was correct and made you feel accomplished for answering them correctly off the top of your head. I also like how DK books are separated by level, I think that makes them great for sorting into categories on a bookshelf or collection, especially with the colored spine versions of them. The rows of the same levels look nice and organized in a straight line. I think accomplishing all the levels of Star Wars books would be a great goal for anybody, including me. I have rated this book 3 stars only due to the fact that I would not like to pick it up again for a full reread. I think it’s a one time read for me, however I will be keeping it in the collection for certain.