Rating: Summary: Plain and Simple FUN Review: Remember reading the "Star Wars" novelizations back when you were a kid? Remember how fun that was? Well, this book will take you back to those fun days!This book is very well-written for a tie-in. There are some awkward writing tics that could have been edited out (people seem to spend a lot of time "patting" their hands "in the air" in this book, Padme's "baby rabies" is a bit much, and there are some confusing sentences), but all-in-all this book is a Saturday-afternoon delight! I especially enjoyed the parts of the book where we get to learn more about Shmi. Hey, you need a dose of fun! See the movie, then buy this book! You won't be disappointed!
Rating: Summary: The bad writing side of the Force... Review: To begin with, ATTACK OF THE CLONES is a novelization. That is, a book based on previously created material, a screenplay in this case. It is therefore incumbent upon the reader to realize at the outset that this is a tome which was never meant to exist in such format; the adaptation was formed solely for the purpose of capturing ancillary revenue opportunities. Do not misconstrue this opening as an exercise in overbearing pedantic lecture- rather, take it as a necessary prologue which will hopefully provide explanatory evidence towards the blocks which form the foundation of this review. Novelizations are notorious lightning rods for such epithetical evocations as "hack job" and "juvenile scribbling" and "pseudonymous dribble." Sometimes the coarse blurbs are warranted, other times they are not (great example: INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE was a skilled execution of the genre, both extending and amplifying the experience of the film). It is beyond the scope of taste for this commentary to delve into any vitriolic utterances, so here there be no "juvenile dribble" proclamations. Having said that, CLONES must still be called on for its decided lack of substantive delivery. The main identifiable deficiency is centered on the construction of the prose. R.A. Salvatore's syntax neither possessed nor communicated any predilections towards either utilitarian functionality or metaphorical elegance; in other words, it wasn't competent, and it wasn't graceful. Positioning of prepositions, use of conjunctions, placement of pronouns- a thorough rewrite was certainly in order. However, in ample fairness to the author, it is entirely conceivable that he wasn't given a lot of lead time on this project; one would imagine that he did not have the usual amount of days he personally needs to write a book, whatever that would be (one can also take into account the possibility that whomever was in charge of the editing process dropped the ball). One particularly annoying habit that manifested itself at times was the repetitive use of the same word. On page two, "crystalline" is used twice, with only a couple paragraphs to separate the occurrences (another form of the term- "crystallized"- is thrown in between, within those very paragraphs). There's nothing inherently malevolent about utilizing words more than once- I obviously just did so- but it must make sense, the context and conditions must obligate such acts. Turn to page fifty, take a look at the last four paragraphs- three of them begin with the name "Palpatine." Is this nitpicking? To a certain extent, it is. But when such grievances multiply like bunnies throughout the course of an entire book, the act of reading becomes reduced to a monotonous chore. (Besides repetition, many of the sentences could have used complete truncating overhauls. Once again, on that same page, the penultimate paragraph: "Palpatine simply continued to stare at the man, a center of calm, the eye of the storm that was raging all about him." Bit verbose and unwieldy, wouldn't you say? How about this: Palpatine just stared at the man, a center of calm, the eye of the storm?) The real reason anyone reads CLONES is to absorb the story, not to use it as an English project, so let me discuss this aspect. The majority of the tale itself was pleasing, but you have to be a sycophant of the STAR WARS mythology to truly get its strengths. Obi-Wan Kenobi's dealings with the Jedi Council, his interaction with Yoda, his sleuthing into the mysterious disappearance of a planet and a planned force of cloned soldiers- all of it was ace material. As was the climactic battle scenes and other various incidences of action. Alas, the burgeoning infatuation between Senator Amidala and Anakin Skywalker did not stoke my interest's hearth; Salvatore's handling of these pivotal moments just didn't grab me, as they were presented with lackluster composition. The dialogue throughout, however, was engaged properly and provided the proceedings with a useful rhythm. If you are indeed a fan of the universe George Lucas spun into existence a long time ago, reading the novelization will prove worthwhile- that's why I've rated it three stars. But, complying with one of Yoda's pithy teachings- be honest, at all times, you must (well, I can't say for certain that he ever actually said that, but hey, he's got to agree with the sentiment, right?)- I felt compelled to point out some of the negatives as I saw them. To equivocate would be to risk intrusion of the dark side, and I wouldn't want to do that.
Rating: Summary: Episode II fleshes out the movie Review: I just finished this book last night, and I really enjoyed it. Salvatore is a suberb action writer, but balances action with character development very well. If you've seen the movie, great, but now you should read the book. There are scenes in the novel not shown in the movie which flesh out the relationship between Padme and Anakin, and also the relationship with Jango Fett and Boba. I recommend this book to any Star Wars fan, or anyone who enjoyed the film and wants to read the deeper story.
Rating: Summary: Salvatore's ponderous style is terrible Review: I saw Attack of the Clones before reading the novel and I am certainly glad that I saw the movie first. The novelization, in a word, is dreadful. R.A. Salvatore's writing style is ponderous repetition at its worst as it continuously pounds home points that have already been addressed numerous times. He bogs action sequences down needlessly (the opening speeder chase through Coruscant's skies is particularly agonizing to read). To give you an idea, this novel is 353 pages long. The chase sequence ends about 20-25 minutes into the movie; in the novel it ends around page 110. Nearly a third of the novel gone, but still nearly 2 hours of the movie left to cover? Believe me, it's not pretty, nor is it a fast read (imagine the entire Indianapolis 500 being driven under a yellow caution flag). Salvatore seems to gloss over elements that could benefit from more detail while prolonging scenes that need little or no meat added to them. If you want a good writer (of Star Wars and other stories), check out Aaron Allston or Mike Stackpole. They seem to have no problem making action sequences fly while at the same time developing good, solid characters. R.A. Salvatore should take a lesson or two from them. See the movie, skip the novel.
Rating: Summary: Star Wars Episode II Attack Of The Clones Review: Star Wars Episode II Attack Of The Clones written by R.A. Salvatore has got everything a Star Wars fan could want and more. This book has action, suspense, and drama. When I was reading the book I could not set it down. The book pulled me in and brought me to a Galaxy far, far away. Suprisingly, the movie is different from the book ,and I liked the book a lot more than the movie. The book contained a lot of extra detail the movie did no go into. For instance, the book goes into detail about how Anakin's mom ,Shmi, goes out every night and looks at stars hoping Anakin comes back one day. The author also goes into to detail how she is captured by sand people and how all the town's people come to rescue her. I felt the book allowed you to use your imagination to see the characters. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone. Who would not like lightsaber action and laser beams blasting all around. So, if you want a thriller read Star Wars II and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: Attack of the Clones Review: Star wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones By R.A. Salvatore is very different then the movie created by George Lucas. In this book, many things are added that weren't in the movie. Before everything at Coruscant happened, this book talked about Shmi Skywalker and her being freed by Creig Lars. Then, the occurence on Coruscant happened starting with Padme's death, which was really her bodyguard, Corde. Then, Anakin finaly meets Padme after ten years. He is assigned with Obi-Wan to guard her, but Anakin and Padme turn out to go to Tatoinne to free her mother, but she turned out to be caught by tusken raiders and gets freed by Anakin, but dies while trying to escape in the hands of her son. Later, Anaking fights beasts with his master and padme, which then lead to over one-hundred jedis appearing in the scene to rescue them, but the Clone troopers seem to really save the day. Not soon after, Anakin and Obi-Wan face off agains't Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyrannus, who eventually escapes after yoda appears and fights him a bit. I liked this book because of how the Author vividly describes the battles that the heroes had to face. Fights such as Obi-Wan Kenobi was described from the first step, the a blow that could finish someone off. Another battle that the author describes well is the hundred Jedi's versus thousands of droidekas. I also like this book because of the surroundings which the author describes almost as well as the battles. He describes them as if he were able to see it through his eyes. It almost feels like I am really there. The part I liked most about book was the battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Darth Tyrannus. Tyrannus was being chased, but was soon caught by the jedi and padawan. Tyrannus was first facing Anakin, but beat him with ease using his Force Lightning capabilities. He soon defeated Obi-Wan, but had to face Anakin again. After a few minutes of fighting, Anakin falls to his knees, grabbing onto the part where part of his arm was missing. Right after, Yoda comes in and defects a Force Lightning attack and almost defeats Count Dooku, but the clever Sith lord sent a huge chunk of the station and threw it at Obi-Wan and Anakin, which forced Yoda to help them, which gave Tyrannus the chance to escape.
Rating: Summary: Episode II, Attack of the Clones Review: This book was actually a bit different then the actual starwars episode II: attack of the clones. A lot of the part in this book was added on, or deleted from the movie. many things were added on such as when Obi-Wan Kenobi analized the poison dart shot by Jango Fett to kill the changeling. This book starts off with a naboo ship traveling through space to coruscant with it's escorts, but it was attacked by an unknown entity. Later, Anakin and Padme meet once again and get transported by freighter, flew a royal naboo ship, attempted to save obi-wan, and anakin ends up losing part of his arm. Obi-wan had quite an adventure to. He starts out as padme's bodyguard, then ends up fighting Jango Fett, then fighting Count Dooku (former Jedi). The thing I liked about this book was that instead of just hearing what the characters say in the movie, you can know what they are thinking too. I also like the fact that in the book, you find out what happened before the royal naboo ship was attacked by something in coruscant. Knowing what the characters are thinking will help you have an idea of what's going to come up while reading. This way, nothing will be too unpredictible which is actually good in a way. In the movie, many parts were probably left out from the original script, and this book may have those "extras" in it. knowing that Captain typho told padme about the dangers would explain a lot of why she had to travel by a naboo starfighter. It makes this book (and movie) more easier to understand to me. My favorite part in this book however is when the author vividly describes the lightsaber battles. It almost seems like you can picture in your mind of what is happening during anakins fight with count dooku. You can even imagine what is happening between Jango Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi when they fight. Every little detail the author tells in this book helps you imagine all that is happening. Also, I like the way the author describes the surroundings they are in, such as the island padme and anakin were on. I was able to picture what that island looked like.
Rating: Summary: starwars episode 2 Review: I enjoyed the little stories not in the movie. The dreams /visions that anakin had about his mother. The joy she was having by being freed and married. To the pain she is having do to being captured and beaten. The toughts going through her mind when captured. The history of her finishing C3PO body coverings. Then cliegg Lars story of being worried about seeing bantha's. Then doing scouts to make sure the farm was safe. Then loosing her to the raiders and trying to get her back with all the rest of the farmers. Only to loose most of the farmers by rushing in on speeders and loosing thier heads do to wire around the raiders camp. Lars loosing his leg do to the wire. I liked it when anakin meet padme's family. Right off the sister and mother saw the love and want that anakin had for padme. The little extra stories that gave insight that the movie couldn't expand on do to time.
Rating: Summary: Preety good Review: Ok think of Star Wars without all the hocky computer generation and lame acting by a certain Canadian actor (who shall remain nameless). This book while it may not be a pulitzer prize winner also helps you understand what is going on BEHIND the sceans. This can be seen in the case of Anakin's mom who we don't see for very much of the movie or Owen Lars and his father. If you read this book before you see the movie, the movie will make much more sense.
Rating: Summary: Worth Reading! Review: This book was a perfect adaption to the moviebut it also offers things that the movies does not. For example it gives more insight on Anankin's mother and how she feels anout her son Anakin. It also covers little bits and pieces of information that helps explains some parts of the movie that are a little confusing at times. Do i recommend this product to you? Yeah its a good book, R. A. Salvatore did a good job. I was happy to add this wonderful title to my Star Wars collection.
|