First in the Star Wars Series (based on movies)
324 pages - Released: April 21, 1999
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: Bought from Sam's Club
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis:
When casting about for an author to novelize the script for The Phantom Menace--the first in a series of three prequels to the eternally popular Star Wars saga--it's no surprise that creator George Lucas called on Terry Brooks to novelize the biggest science fiction movie of all time. After all, Brooks is a perennially bestselling epic fantasy author whose Sword of Shannara is a classic adventure story, not far removed from the swashbuckling exploits of our favorite Star Wars heroes.
Brooks handles the job of modern mythmaker well. He deftly juggles a hodgepodge of characters: a young stately queen (Amidala) and her handmaidens; a pair of Jedi knights (Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn); a bumbling amphibious sidekick (Jar Jar Binks); two Sith Lords (Darths Maul and Sidious) who add more than enough menace to the mix; a couple of familiar robots (C-3P0 and R2-D2); a teeming host of Senators, Chancellors, diplomats, warrior droids, and spies; and one young slave boy who aspires to be a Jedi knight (Anakin Skywalker). With cinematic prose, Brooks brings to life a number of epic battles, skirmishes, and dogfights in space--all the elements that we've come to expect from a rousing Star Wars installment. The Phantom Menace doesn't stray far from those expectations: there is a clear division between the good guys and the bad; good things come in small (and surprising) packages; and heroes lose battles only to emerge victorious on another day. But Phantom does illuminate in ways the other installments didn't. For the first time, we get a glimpse at the whys and wherefores behind the curtain; at times the book reads almost like a sociopolitical thriller as the emerging Federation shuffles for power with the waning democracy of the Republic. The Force is also further illuminated. Turns out it has something to do with "midi-chlorians"--microscopic life forms that live in the cells of all creatures.
The Phantom Menace is a fun read, sure to satisfy Star Wars junkies young and old. And don't forget: turn your light saber off before you enter the swamp or you'll fry your energy pack. --Tod Nelson
From Goodreads.com
Review:
I've heard many great things about novels that Terry Brooks has written and due to my obsession with the Star Wars saga, I finally got around to reading this series.I really liked how in the beginning of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Mr. Brooks took a turn and wrote about the Podrace that happened a couple weeks before the one shown in the movie. He wrote about Sebulba's cheating methods and Anakin's ventures with his friends afterward to buy their ruby bliels (a special gooey drink) where they bump into an old "spacer." The spacer tells Anakin and his two friends the stories of his adventures and the many places he has visited.
After this, the novel reaches the points that are first seen in the movie. For those who have not seen the movie, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi go to speak with the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. I don't want to spoil too much for those who have not seen the movies, but they are there for a period of time before they wander out and come upon a swampy area, where Qui-Gon meets an amphibious creature.
Jar Jar Binks. Ah yes, if you've heard things from others, you'll find that they hated the prequels. One of many reasons people hate the prequels is this Gungan. Jar Jar. Sure the Gungan can be a rather obnoxious little guy, but he is rather helpful to the others over the course of the prequels. Maybe it's just me, but I found Jar Jar to be kind of cute and funny. I'm also one of those people who doesn't hate the prequels. I love all six movies and decided to read the books to learn the story behind scenes that weren't shown in the movies, or parts that were cut from the movies. I enjoyed reading the extra scenes and tid-bits that Terry Brooks threw in.
When Anakin Skywalker, my favorite character in the prequels (besides Obi-Wan) met with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, I was quite happy. I couldn't wait to see what things Qui-Gon would keep tellling his apprentice to get him to see that the training of young Skywalker had to happen. That this boy really was special and had to undergo the Jedi training even though he was far too old. The Council, of course, wouldn't hear of it; they didn't want Anakin to be trained, for things in his past were too strong and would interfere with his training. The Council probably knew that Qui-Gon would try with all his might to get them to allow him to train the boy. To his dying day even.
I really enjoyed this novel, but I felt that it moved a little slow. Maybe it's because I've seen the movies quite a few times (like, 5+ times). I was at the point where I could read the dialogue in the character's voice. I look forward to reading many more works of Terry Brooks and recommend this one to Star Wars fans especially. Overall I'd give this book a 8/10; this is a really great read. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, and you're a science fiction fan, or even a Terry Brooks fan, you should give this book a try. I enjoyed the detailed explanations of Podracing scenes, the fight scenes and extra scenes. I hope you do too if you choose to read it.
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