Rating: 
Summary: True to the Movie, With Greater Emotion and Depth
Review: This was a really good summation of the movie, with enough of a look into some of the characters' thoughts to make it enjoyable. Patricia C. Wrede is a great fantasy writer (I adore her novel 'Snow White and Rose Red'), so this doesn't surprise me. She has a great feel for writing beautiful prose that is engaging for children and adults alike. Obviously Wrede had read, or at least heard about the concept of, the two Jedi Apprentice novels, since she refers to them on pages 4 and 5 of the book. At the beginning Qui-Gon is thinking about Obi-Wan, and how they complement each other, and wondering if that was what Yoda foresaw when he "brought Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan together as Master and Padawan apprentice." (4) We also get this line from Qui-Gon's thoughts: "Obi-Wan Kenobi had great skill, no question of that, but sometimes he was so...intense." (4) It was the insight into the thoughts of the characters that really sold me on this novel, especially the thoughts of Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Amidala and Anakin. We read of Qui-Gon groaning inwardly at Obi-Wan's "battle humor", and resigning himself to it, remarking that at least Obi-Wan showed evidence of *some* sense of humor, however dark. We discover that Qui-Gon is most disturbed by the power that the handmaiden Padme seems to have over the Queen, and he is rather curt with the individual he views as the "Queen's favorite." We learn of the despair Anakin felt when he realized he has lost everyone who ever meant anything to him. There's a strange dialog between Padme and Anakin in this book that we don't see in the movie. When he first meets Padme in Watto's junk shop, right after he tells Jar Jar to "Hit the nose!" of the droid, he turns to Padme and calmly states that when he grows up he's going to marry her! Padme is stunned, yet feels a cold chill go through her at the boy's certainty of this.
Shiver! We learn that after their disagreement over Anakin and the Council upon leaving Corscant, there was a coldness between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan on the journey to Naboo. When he walks up to Qui-Gon in the swamps of Naboo to apologize, Obi-Wan is upset that he and Qui-Gon are about to go into battle with a rift between them. He spent most of his time on the journey to Naboo in the cockpit with Ric Olie and Anakin, and recognizes the boy's talents. He's still wary of Anakin, but sees his master's position. Obi-Wan was angry in the Council Chambers when Qui-Gon announced he wanted to take Anakin as his Padawan. He felt like Qui-Gon was chosing Anakin over him - like an only child becoming jealous of a new baby in the house. Perhaps the most poignant new information from the novel is that when he is standing behind the force field watching Qui-Gon and Darth Maul fight, Obi-Wan is overcome by the sensation that everything is wrong as a cold chill runs through him. He seems to see the black figure wearing a black helmet, and knows that *he* should be the one fighting him, not Qui-Gon. He tries to shake off the feeling as he watches the battle. All in all, this novel faithfully relayed the story, and made it more accessable to children, certainly. I found some good insights in it as well. I'd recommend this as a quick reference for the movie. It's not as detailed in dialog as the screenplay, but it certainly tells the story faithfully as a coherent whole, which I don't think you get with the screenplay (Or with the Terry Brooks adult novelization, for that matter).
Rating:
Summary: The Phantom Menace Review
Review: A Wrinkle in Time
By: Patricia C. Wrede
...
P.1
The book Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is a great book. In the beginning of the book, two Jedi knights, Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi travel to a Trade Federation control ship. When they are there, they find out that they are planning an invasion on the peaceful planet of Naboo. They then sneak onto one of the landing ships and inform the queen of the invasion. While they are there, they meet a Gungan named Jar-Jar Binks. The two jedi, the queen, and her maidens barely escape the planet on a Naboo cruiser. They stop on a planet called Tattoine on the outskirts of the galaxy because their hyperdrive is leaking. When they are there, they meet a young boy named Anakin Skywalker. Qui-gon senses that the force is strong with him, so he takes him with them to Courasant, the planet where they can talk to the supreme council about the invasion. After that, they go back to Naboo. They fight a big battle and finally get the planet back.
One reason why I liked this book is because of the good story line. It is a good story because of all the great characters and the setting. I especially liked the Jedi knights and the planet Courasant. It is a planet that is entirely a city.
The second reason why I liked this book is because of the action. In the beginning of the book, Qui-gon and Obi-wan have to fight their way out of a Trade Federation ship, and in the end of the book, there is a battle between the Gungans and the Trade Federation battle druids.
My favorite part of the book was when Anakin was in a podrace. I liked it because it is like racing cars, but with different vehicles. It was very exciting, and in the end Anakin won and was no longer a slave. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Greater Than The Movie!
Review: Did you see the new Star Wars Episode I movie yet? If not, DON'T! Not yet anyways. First you should read the book because it is sooo much better. Not that I'm downing the movie, no way, but it was better to read. Why? Because you get to know what the cherictors are thinking. Also, if you like Star Wars, but want to know more, I suggest reading the books: Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force, and The Dark Rival. Both come before Episode I and explain more about Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn. If you thought they made a good team, then you should know that at first Qui-Gon would not even take Obi-Wan as his Padawan learner. See, you can get more info by reading the books. I really liked Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and can't wait for them to bring out Episode II! See ya in the theater!
Rating:
Summary: this book was the best book I ever read!
Review: episode 1's book was great! george lucas is brilliant! anakin and obi wan were my favorite characters. it was a well thought out book. i would give it 1,000,000 stars if i was able to!the book was a lot more detailed than the movie. it was the best movie and book I have ever seen! you should read this book, it is great!
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of the Star Wars saga...
Review: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the prequel to the original Star Wars Trilogy, tells of the beginning of the Sith, Dark Sidious's plan to topple the Republic and create the Dark Empire. The start of his plan begins with the Trade Federation's invasion of the small peaceful planet of Naboo, which Dark Sidious thinks will be very easy to take over, for the ruler is only a very young 14-year-old named Padme Amidala. However he is in for a surprise... When the two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, negotiations with the Trade Federation fail and Naboo is taken over by the Trade Federation the two Jedi rescue the young queen and try to escape to Corusanct, hoping the Senate would intervene. However mechanical problems cause them to have to land on Tatooine, a remote planet controled by the Hutts who are gangsters. There the Force brings them to a young boy named Anakin, we know the eventual Darth Vadar. It is herre that Padme and Anakin first meet and we know what happens later... Qui-Gon knows there is something special about the boy and when they are finally able to leave Tatooine he takes him with him to Corusant to have him trained as a Jedi and the long saga of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vadar begins. This was a superb beginning to what is to be 3 new movies-novels. I have always loved Patricia C. Wrede's writing style and this didn't disappoint. To see the first interactions with Anakin and Padme was just great. One not to be missed!
Rating:
Summary: It's a novelization!
Review: Four stars only because I haven't yet been able to compare this novelization to the film content. Wrede has a talent for making characters come alive in some very limited space, and with little background supplied. Nicely age-appropriate - thanks Scholastic for getting a good writer to do the book!
Rating:
Summary: This book had much detail and was very fun to read.
Review: I believe this book was well written. It also had a good amount of detail, not too much and not too litle.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Brooks, by far
Review: I have always loved Ms. Wrede's books and after reading her Star Wars novelization I am reminded just how good a writer she is. I read the Brooks version which was a dry retelling with little emotion or interest to it. Ms. Wrede actually had me crying, smiling and at the edge of my seat. I can only hope she writes the rest of the trilogy as well. Yes, it is designed for a YA audience, but I still found it far more enjoyable than the so-called "Adult" version.
Rating:
Summary: READ THE BOOK!!!
Review: I have read the book for the Phantom Menace and I've seen the movie. The books are more in-depth than the movies, but to really enjoy it, you must read the book and see the movie. If you want to be informed when you see the movie, read the book first. If you don't even want a hint though, buy the book before you see the movie, and as soon as you get home from the movies, get on your bed and start reading. I'm not trying to spoil Episode II for anyone, but on "From Star Wars to Star Wars" (it was on FOX 6/15/99), Lucas said that Episode II would be more of a love story than a special effects thing. By the way, I suggest getting copies of the original books for the trilogy (especially the one by George Lucas, 'Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker', which was called 'A New Hope' in the movies), because they will be gone from any store COMPLETELY one day.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I highly recommend it to Star Wars fans. In this book there is action, excitment, love, hatred, and sad parts. I won't tell you much on the book (that part is for you to read) but i will tell you about it. As you know it is based on the movie, but there is twice the times more excitment if you really get into the book. It is my favorite book and I really understand Star Wars now.
|
