Rating: 
Summary: I'd hate to have this one on my resume...
Review: Another case of bad writing. Skip the book and see the movie
Rating:
Summary: It's trite. It's just a composite of the original trilogy
Review: I feel sad for Terry Brooks. It's obvious that he had no creative control in this book. It was all done for him. All he had to do was transfer the story from film to pulp. I will say, however, that it is poorly edited. There are syntax errors and redundancies. There are a few trite attempts at foreshadowing that probably should be attributed to Mr. Brooks. There are also some sentences constructed so as to make it difficult to determine a pronoun's antecedent. Although there were a few riviting moments in the book, most of it was a rehashing of various scenes in the first trilogy albiet with new characters. To anyone who has seen or read the original, the scene with Palpatine was a waste of type. I preach "suspension of disbelief" but I just couldn't accept little Anakin in the space battle scene regardless of his "midi-chlorian" blood count. The character Jar Jar Binks may work well on screen as comic relief, but he can't hold a candle to See-Threepio and Artoo Detoo in the original. Having read all of the previously authorized Star Wars books, I was concerned that this one would be what it was: a disappointment. My recommendation- reread either of Timothy Zahn's Star Wars series.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: After reading this book twice, I feel that this book is just good but not great. I disliked the fact that there is very few action sequences, Jar Jar Binks and the other Gunguns sometime hard to understand dialect, and little talking or work down by Qui Gon Jinn, Obi Wan, and Darth Maul. For most I feel the book will be worthy only if you want to see most of the scenes from Anakin's view. If you can stand some of these minor problems you will find an enjoyable book.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Star Wars prequel-foundation for original trilogy
Review: Thourohgly enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down. The story has the same level, pizaz, and story line of episode 4 - the original Star Wars movie. The only real down side to the book (and presumably the movie) is that episode one is the foundation for the next eight stories, including episodes 4, 5, and 6 - the original movies. By definition, a SEQUEL ups the emotional ante in the series, and that was what I was looking for. But, also by definition, a PREQUEL is a foundation upon which the subsequent story is built - and, thus, it is very difficult to up the emotional ante - truly a "catch 22". Episode 1 also defines what is going to happen in episodes 2 and 3. Young Obi-Wan becomes the Jedi Master and trains young Anakin to become a Jedi Knight, and - I will leave the rest of that mystery to the reader's imagination. Also, I kind of figured out the plot regarding Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia - but I will also leave that mystery to the reader's imagination.Perhaps the most interesting part of the story was the development of the Sith Lord who is to become the grand master of the universe - it was nice to fill in that piece of the Star Wars mystery.As a baby-boomer who saw Star Wars on Opening night some 20 years ago, I look forward to seeing the movie for development of the story line and the special effects which must be the vast majority of the scenes. No, I do not plan to jostle the millions of people standing in line for opening night, but I will see the movie after the initial crush of fans back off a little bit.I originally bought the book to be able to anticipate the movie a little better, and, to that end, the book met all my expectations. I wish the book might have had a little more excitement in it. I also hope the movie's special effects make up for the less than spectacular story line.
Rating: 
Summary: Alot of Fun
Review: The magic that is Star Wars continues throught his book. We get introduced to many new characters but all in all, it feels like Star Wars and best of all, it is Star Wars. Can't wait to read Episode II. Terry Brooks did a fine job and I will buy more of his books now.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: Excellent write-up from one of the most underated masters of modern fantasy. There are serious creative limitations in translating screenplay to prose which Terry Brooks mostly copes with pretty well, though the characterization is a little superficial in places. I doubt this will spoil your enjoyment of the film, and if anything enhance it. I know I will enjoy comparing my imagination with George Lucas's. John May (author of "Baccarat for the clueless")
Rating:
Summary: Anticipation grows . . .
Review: Being both a Brooks fan and a Star Wars fan (much more the former than the latter), I simply couldn't resist reading the book to see how Terry Brooks fared in novelization of a movie. The last time I talked to him, he seemed to have a great distaste for doing movie novelizations--remember Hook? Besides this, Mr. Brooks normally writes about high fantasy, not science fiction. So all of this was a surprise to me. I feel he did a good job. Maybe not as well-written as his original stories, but what can be expected? He had to draw upon script and descriptions not his own. I was pleased. I am anticipating the movie, yes, but moreso, I am anticipating the SECOND part of the story! All I wish for are better character physical descriptions. It was difficult to visualize them, even the human characters.
Rating: 
Summary: might be nice if you are a Star Wars fan
Review: This book is nice if you are a Star Wars fan, but it isn't a really strong novel. It has it's moments but the lack of overall structure makes it unsophisticated and weak. If you love everything Star Wars though, this might be just the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: A recommended quick read
Review: I have enjoyed Terry Brooks books in the past and I believe he has done an outstanding job portraying a story that Star Wars fans have been eagerly anticipating since Return of the Jedi. The book shares some "facts" that I can't see how the movie will share with the viewer. The story moves fairly fast and you can be done reading this book in about 4 hours. I just pray that the film doesn't let me down as many having after have read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: As a novel, hum-drum. As a look ahead to the film, wonderful
Review: Terry Brooks' novelization of The Phantom Menace is certainly a page-turner - I read it in just a few hours, while my students were being treated to (surprise) the "Star Wars" special edition video. The book, as a book, is forgettable. Brooks' writing is very clear, very competent, but, because of the nature of the project, the narrative lacks the dept of meaning most fans (and general readers) would probably like to see. The nature of the Sith Lords is given in a very general way, but their inner workings and motivations are left to the reader's imagination. Not bad - I had fun imagining - but I was really looking for something more complex. I do not think reading the book before seeing the film will have any detrimental effect on me. Quite the opposite, in fact: now I'm even more excited than before! In short, read the novel, enjoy the plot, but don't be disappointed if the waters don't run quite as deep as you might have hoped.
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