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Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights #1
The Golden Globe
Anakin Solo is now eleven - and headed for the Jedi Academy! The Force is very strong with him - he can feel it. And his uncle Luke thinks it is time for him to start his training...
On his first day at the Jedi Academy, Anakin makes a new friend named Tahiri. The Force is with her too. Soon they find out that together they can accomplish feats that suprise even their teachers!
But the teachers don't know what else Anakin and Tahiri do together. Every night, they both have the same dream of going down the river by the academy on a raft. In the dream, they are drawn by the Force...but for all they know, it could be the dark side!
There is only one way to find out for sure. They have to go down the river all by themselves - for real!
116 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 10, 2020
Ah, the old expanded universe. Not great, but miles better than what has been done to the franchise by Disney. I love Anakin, Jaina and Jacen so much. Anything with them in it gets a high rating from me. The fact that they have been erased from existence (or so says Disney. To which I say 'screw you') is so disappointing. It has its faults, but the overall arc from these stories over the years is truly something special.
This is just a short fun book. If I ever have children some day, there is no doubt I will be reading them the expanded universe stories. They will know of Anakin and Tahiri.
This is just a short fun book. If I ever have children some day, there is no doubt I will be reading them the expanded universe stories. They will know of Anakin and Tahiri.
October 19, 2026
I’ve finally started reading the books about Anakin Solo and Tahiri Veila.
بالاخره شروع کردم به خوندن کتاب‌های مربوط به آناکین سولو و تاهیری ویلا.
I absolutely adore these two as friends who eventually become a couple. Their relationship spends most of its journey in that innocent stage before the bond between them changes into something romantic. These are two people whose connections through the Force had an extraordinary effect on each other from the time they were children.
من به‌شدت عاشق این دوتا دوست و بعدا کاپل هستم؛ کاپلی که بیشتر مسیرشون با معصومیت گذشت و بعد، اون رابطه‌ی بینشون تغییر کرد و عاشقانه شد. دو فردی که فورسشون از همون کودکی به طرز فوق‌العاده‌ای روی هم تأثیر می‌ذاشت.
Out of all of Han and Leia’s children, Anakin and Tahiri’s romance is the one I’m absolutely obsessed with. Maybe it’s because their story was left unfinished and ended in tragedy, and it will remain that way forever. It’s like a story that was cut short, with all the blank pages where the rest of it was supposed to be written having gone up in flames.
بین فرزندان لیا و هان، رابطه‌ی عاشقانه‌ی آناکین و تاهیری به‌شدت من رو ابسسد نگه داشته. شاید چون ناتموم و تراژدی باقی موند و تا ابد هم همین‌جوری می‌مونه؛ مثل این‌که یه داستان نصفه مونده باشه و بقیه‌ی برگه‌های سفیدی که داستان باید روشون نوشته بشه، آتیش گرفته باشن.
The story begins with Anakin saying goodbye to his parents as he heads off to his uncle Luke Skywalker’s academy.
داستان از این‌جا شروع می‌شه که آناکین داره از پدر و مادرش خداحافظی می‌کنه و به آکادمی دایی‌ش، لوک اسکای‌واکر، می‌ره.
I can relate to Anakin so much. He tries to sneak out of the room, but they stop him and bring him back to the dining table, telling him not to be shy.
آناکین رو به‌شدت درک می‌کنم. آناکین می‌خواست یواشکی از اتاق بزنه بیرون که نمی‌ذارن و برش می‌گردونن پشت میز غذاخوری و بهش می‌گن خجالتی نباش.
And Anakin thinks to himself that even his own family sometimes gets it wrong. He isn’t shy; he just wants to go somewhere quiet where he can be alone with his thoughts.
آناکین هم با خودش می‌گه حتی خانواده‌ام هم گاهی این اشتباه رو می‌کنن. من خجالتی نیستم، فقط می‌خوام برم یه جایی که تنها باشم و فکر کنم.
And maybe that’s why I love Anakin Solo so much: because I understand him.
و شاید برای همینه که آناکین سولو رو این‌قدر دوست دارم، چون درکش می‌کنم.
I spend some of my own hours just being quiet and thinking, too. There’s something incredibly comforting about that silence and solitude.
منم بعضی از ساعت‌های شبانه‌روزم رو پای سکوت کردن و فکر کردن هدر می‌دم. خود این سکوت و تنهایی به‌شدت آرامش‌بخشه.
And then, out of nowhere, the bomb that is about to turn Anakin Solo’s life upside down enters the story: Tahiri!
بعد یهو بمب زندگی آناکین سولو وارد داستان می‌شه: تاهیری!
A lively, life-giving girl with bright blonde hair who hates wearing shoes and never stops talking.
یه دختر پرانرژی و زندگی‌بخش با موهای بلوند روشن که دوست نداره کفش پاش کنه و مدام حرف می‌زنه.
And she explains why, too. Tahiri grew up on Tatooine, the same planet where Anakin Skywalker—Anakin Solo’s grandfather—was born, and where Luke Skywalker, Anakin’s uncle, grew up.
خودش هم می‌گه چرا. تاهیری توی تاتوئین بزرگ شده؛ همون سیاره‌ای که آناکین اسکای‌واکر، یعنی پدربزرگ آناکین سولو، توش به دنیا اومده و لوک اسکای‌واکر، یعنی دایی آناکین، توش بزرگ شده.
Tahiri grew up among the Sand People, who are known for their brutality, their ability to survive the harshest conditions, and all that. Now imagine a girl as full of life as the sun growing up among these harsh, quiet people. Staying silent was so difficult for her that now, even after leaving that place behind, she constantly talks to herself. It’s just part of who she is, and it genuinely puts a smile on your face.
تاهیری بین مردم صحرا بوده و خب، مردم صحرا به بی‌رحمی، دووم آوردن توی بدترین شرایط و این چیزها معروفن. حالا فکر کنید، تاهیری که به اندازه‌ی خورشید زندگی‌بخشه، بین این مردم خشن و کم‌حرف بزرگ شده. و حرف نزدن اون‌قدر براش سخت بوده که الان، وقتی دیگه اون‌جا نیست، مدام برای خودش حرف می‌زنه. این حرف زدن جزو شخصیتشه و قشنگ لبخند به لبت میاره.
Anakin and Tahiri become BFFs within seconds, like little kids at a playground. Honestly, it feels more like Tahiri has tucked the introverted Anakin under her arm and claimed him as her friend. 🤣
آناکین و تاهیری مثل بچه‌های توی پارک، در عرض چند ثانیه بی‌اف‌اف می‌شن و بیشتر شبیه اینه که تاهیری، آناکین درون‌گرا رو زده زیر بغلش و به دوستی گرفته. 🤣
Anakin himself admits that his best friends are his siblings and the droids back home, and that he doesn’t have any other friends. So, in a way, Tahiri is his very first friend.
خود آناکین هم می‌گه بهترین دوستاش خواهر و برادرش و ربات‌های توی خونه‌شون هستن و دیگه هیچ دوست دیگه‌ای نداره. پس تاهیری اولین دوستش محسوب می‌شه، یه جورایی.
Night falls, and Tahiri has another vision—the same one she’s always been having: a river, a storm, drowning.
شب می‌شه و تاهیری دوباره ویژنی رو می‌بینه که همیشه می‌دیده: یه رود، طوفان، غرق شدن.
But here’s the thing: until quite recently, Tahiri had never even seen a river. So how could she have dreamed about a river on Yavin 4 while living on a planet covered in sand?
ولی موضوع اینه که تاهیری تا همین چند وقت پیش نه رود دیده بوده و نه چیزی. پس چطوری توی یه سیاره‌ی پر از شن، خواب رودی رو دیده که توی یاوین ۴ئه؟
And this time, there’s a difference: Anakin is in her dream, too.
و این دفعه فرقش با قبل اینه که توی خواب، آناکین هم هست.
The next day, she tells Anakin about it, and the two of them get into this sort of childish little argument that’s honestly adorable.
فردا این رو برای آناکین تعریف می‌کنه و یه جورایی یه بحث بچگونه بینشون درمی‌گیره که بامزه‌ست.
But that very same night, Anakin has the same dream, only from his own perspective.
ولی همون شب، آناکین هم همون خواب رو می‌بینه، ولی از دیدگاه خودش.
Dark circles appear under his eyes because he’s been losing sleep, and for the next few nights, he’s the one having the dreams instead of Tahiri. Tahiri can finally sleep peacefully, while Anakin is left struggling with the visions.
و زیر چشم‌هاش تیره می‌شه، چون بی‌خوابی کشیده و تا چند شب به‌جای تاهیری، آناکین خواب می‌بینه. تاهیری حالا راحت می‌خوابه، ولی آناکین درگیر این خوابه.
It’s pretty obvious that the Force has tied these two together.
قشنگ مشخصه که فورس این دوتا رو به هم گره زده.
Later, they sneak out of the academy and set off on their own strange little adventure.
بعدا یواشکی از آکادمی می‌زنن بیرون و پا به ماجراجویی عجیب خودشون می‌ذارن.
Why strange? Because, as I mentioned just a few paragraphs ago, Tahiri has never seen a river before. Tatooine is an incredibly arid planet, and the people who farm there use special machines to extract the moisture from the air to get the water they need for their work. They do this early in the morning, when the humidity is at its highest. Otherwise, the planet is extremely dry.
چرا عجیب‌وغریب؟ چون همین چند خط پیش گفتم تاهیری تا حالا اصلا رود ندیده بوده. تاتوئین یه سیاره‌ی به‌شدت خشکه و افرادی که اون‌جا کشاورزی می‌کنن، آب موردنیازشون برای کار رو با یه نوع ماشین‌های خاص از رطوبت هوا می‌گیرن. این کار رو صبح زود انجام می‌دن، وقتی رطوبت هوا بالاتره. وگرنه اون‌جا سیاره‌ای به‌شدت خشکه.
For example, if equipment gets abandoned there or some machine is left out in the open, it takes a long time to deteriorate because there’s no moisture around to damage it. It’s dry, bone-dry, and most of the planet consists of vast seas of sand, with Sand People and the like roaming around.
مثلا وقتی وسایل اون‌جا سقوط می‌کنن یا ماشینی چیزی اون‌جا هست، خیلی دیر خراب می‌شه، چون رطوبتی وجود نداره که بخواد اون چیزها رو خراب کنه. خشکه، کاملا خشکه و بیشترش دریای شن و افراد رازن و این‌جور چیزهاست.
And the river Tahiri sees in her dreams is on Yavin 4, the moon where Luke Skywalker’s academy is located.
و اون رودی که تاهیری توی خوابش می‌بینه، یه روده که توی یاوین ۴، قمری که آکادمی لوک اسکای‌واکر توش وجود داره، قرار داره.
Luke Skywalker’s academy is actually an ancient temple, parts of which have been restored. The building wasn’t constructed by Luke himself; it was built by people who lived long before him.
آکادمی لوک اسکای‌واکر در واقع یه معبد قدیمیه که اونا فقط یه قسمت‌هایی ازش رو بازسازی کردن. وگرنه ساختمونش ساخته‌ی دست خود لوک اسکای‌واکر نیست و افراد قدیمی‌تری اونو ساخته بودن.
There’s something else, too. The second strange thing is that Anakin starts hearing voices in his head. When Tahiri says, “Let’s go tell Master Skywalker about this,” Anakin suddenly shouts, “No!” Then he explains that he didn’t mean to say it. A voice in his head had suddenly yelled the word, and he’d blurted it out without thinking.
یه چیز دیگه هم وجود داره. دومین مورد عجیب اینه که آناکین توی ذهنش صداهایی می‌شنوه. وقتی تاهیری می‌گه «بریم این رو به استاد اسکای‌واکر اطلاع بدیم»، یهو آناکین داد می‌زنه «نه!» و بعد می‌گه من این رو نگفتم؛ یه صدایی توی ذهنم بود که این رو یهو بلند گفت و من ناخودآگاه این رو گفتم.
There’s a voice in his head, and, well, Anakin Solo was named after his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, the character from the movies who’s much more widely known.
یه صدا توی ذهنشه و خب، آناکین سولو از روی اسم پدربزرگش نام‌گذاری شده؛ آناکین اسکای‌واکر، که توی فیلم‌ها هم وجود داره و برای همین معمولا بیشتر شناخته‌شده‌ست.
Anakin Solo is always afraid of falling to the dark side. What if he turns out like his grandfather and ends up serving the darkness? What if he becomes a murderer? What if he turns into an evil person?
آناکین سولو همیشه این ترس رو داره که به دارک ساید سقوط کنه. نکنه شبیه پدربزرگش بشه و به تاریکی خدمت کنه؟ نکنه قاتل بشه؟ نکنه آدم شروری بشه؟
And that voice in his head makes those fears feel a little more real. What if it’s the darkness calling out to him, controlling him, and telling him to break the rules?
و اون صدای توی ذهنش این ترس رو یه جورایی یکم به جونش می‌ندازه؛ نکنه این تاریکی باشه که صدام می‌زنه و من رو کنترل می‌کنه و داره بهم می‌گه قوانین رو زیر پا بذارم؟
Because, first of all, he’s there to study and learn how to use his abilities—the Force within him. Second, Luke is his uncle, and he really shouldn’t be sneaking out of the academy. If his uncle finds out, his mother will find out, too, and then he’ll be in serious trouble!
چون اون‌جا اولا رفته درس بخونه و آموزش ببینه که چطوری از قدرت‌هاش استفاده کنه، از فورسی که درونشه. دوماً، طرف دایی‌شه و نباید از آکادمی یواشکی بزنه بیرون، چون اگه گوش دایی‌ش خبردار بشه، گوش مامانش هم خبردار می‌شه و در کل داستان می‌شه!
But what does the voice tell him? That he has to do this on his own—that the two of them, just a pair of kids, need to venture into danger alone.
ولی چی؟ اون صدای توی ذهنش می‌گه که تو خودت، تنهایی، یعنی شما دوتا بچه، باید بزنین به دل خطر.
And so they find themselves wondering: how are they supposed to cross the river? The voice in Anakin’s head tells him there’s a boat. And, sure enough, there’s a boat waiting for them. They climb aboard and cross the river.
و این‌جوریه که خب، ما الان با چی از رود عبور کنیم؟ اون صدای توی ذهن آناکین گفته که یه قایق هست. و آره، یه قایق آماده هست و اینا می‌رن سوار قایق می‌شن و از رود می‌گذرن.
They take Artoo-Detoo with them, too.
آرتو-دیتو رو هم با خودشون می‌برن.
Artoo was the droid that belonged to Anakin Solo’s grandmother, Padmé Amidala. When Padmé and Anakin Skywalker got married, they exchanged droids. Anakin had another droid named Threepio, whom he gave to Padmé, while Padmé gave Anakin her droid, Artoo.
آرتو همون درویدی بود که متعلق به مادربزرگ آناکین سولو، یعنی پدمه آمیدالا، بوده. موقعی که پدمه و آناکین اسکای‌واکر با همدیگه ازدواج کردن، درویدهاشون رو جابه‌جا کردن. در واقع آناکین یه دروید دیگه داشت به اسم تریپیو که اون رو داد به پدمه و پدمه هم دروید آرتو رو داد به آناکین.
They couldn’t wear wedding rings back then because their marriage had to remain a secret. So they exchanged droids instead. It was a kind of symbol of their marriage, something they could share without anyone finding out what was going on between them.
اون موقع نمی‌تونستن حلقه داشته باشن، چون یواشکی ازدواج کرده بودن. پس درویدهاشون رو با همدیگه جابه‌جا کردن. این یه جور نماد بود و کسی خبردار نمی‌شد که بینشون چه خبره.
And so the three of them head straight into danger and make their way toward a temple.
و سه‌نفری می‌زنن به دل خطر و می‌رن سمت یه معبد.
As I mentioned earlier, the temple where Luke Skywalker teaches children to use the Force wasn’t built by him. It was constructed by people from a much older era who were powerful in their own right—but they’re long dead now.
همون‌طور که گفتم، معبدی که لوک اسکای‌واکر داخلش به بچه‌ها درس می‌ده که از فورس استفاده کنن، ساخته‌ی دست خودش نیست و توسط افراد قدیمی‌تری ساخته شده که اونا هم قدرتمند بودن، ولی خب، دیگه مردن.
They discover another temple. On their way there, Tahiri nearly drowns, but Anakin comes to her rescue, pulling her up and using the Force to help her.
یه معبد دیگه پیدا می‌کنن که در راه رسیدن بهش، تاهیری واقعا نزدیکه غرق بشه، ولی آناکین بهش کمک می‌کنه و اونو بالا می‌کشه و از فورسش استفاده می‌کنه.
They reach a dark, eerie-looking temple and go inside. They come to a wall and pass through a narrow passageway, where they find a skeleton. They feel around and touch the skeletal hand in the darkness, trying to figure out what it is. Then one of them asks, “What is this? Don’t you want to know what it is?” And, well, it turns out to be a skeleton.
به یه معبد می‌رسن که یه حالت تاریکی داره و می‌رن داخلش. به یه دیوار می‌رسن و از یه گذرگاه عبور می‌کنن که داخلش یه اسکلت پیدا می‌کنن؛ یه اسکلت دست و دست می‌زنن. تاریک بوده، ولی وقتی بهش دست می‌زنه، متوجه می‌شه این چیه. بعد می‌گه: «این چیه؟ نمی‌خوای بدونی چیه؟» و در واقع اسکلت بوده.
They enter a room and spot a golden sphere. It was a really interesting scene, and the two of them annoy each other a little while trying to solve the puzzle built into the wall in front of them.
اینا می‌رن توی اتاق و یه گوی طلایی می‌بینن. خیلی جالب بود و یکم هم روی اعصاب همدیگه می‌رن و شروع می‌کنن به حل کردن معمایی که در واقع دیوار جلوشون قرار داده.
Eventually, they realize that something needs to be inserted into a particular spot. They go back for the skeletal hand, bring it over, and insert it. And the wall actually opens—it slides aside!
بعد متوجه می‌شن که این‌جا باید یه چیزی وارد یه قسمتی بشه. می‌رن اسکلت دست رو میارن و واردش می‌کنن و واقعا در باز می‌شه؛ یعنی اون دیوار کنار می‌ره.
And behind it, they discover a golden sphere, with a furry, rabbit-like creature sleeping beneath it.
و به یه گوی طلایی برمی‌خورن که یه موجود پشمالوی خرگوش‌مانند پایینش خوابیده.
The creature turns out to be Ikrit, a Jedi Master who has been sleeping there for four hundred years.
این موجود اسمش در واقع ایکریت بود؛ یه استاد جدای که چهارصد ساله اون‌جا خوابیده.
The Jedi Master explains that the puzzle was meant to be solved by two children—two clever kids who were strong in the Force. It was meant for the two of them, and that’s why they’re here now.
یه استاد جدای می‌گه دو تا بچه باید، دو تا بچه‌ی قوی توی فورس و باهوش، این معما رو حل می‌کردن. برای شما دوتا بود که الان این‌جایید.
But they don’t actually solve the mystery here. Instead, they turn around and find Luke Skywalker standing in the doorway, looking at them.
و این‌جا معما حل نمی‌شه. در واقع فقط برمی‌گردن و لوک اسکای‌واکر دم در وایساده و داره بهشون نگاه می‌کنه.
And instead of immediately blaming each other—which, as we all know, is what kids tend to do, going, “It wasn’t my fault! It was theirs!”—Tahiri says, “No, it was my fault.” Then she sort of awkwardly repeats, “No, it was my fault,” even though she doesn’t really mean it. Eventually, it’s basically like, whatever, let’s not make a big deal out of this.
و این‌جوریه که به‌جای این‌که گردن همدیگه بندازن، چون می‌دونید بچه‌ها ذاتا این‌جورین که «تقصیر من نیست، تقصیر اونه»، این‌جا تاهیری می‌گه: «نه، تقصیر من بود.» بعد الکی می‌گه: «نه، این تقصیر من بود.» بعد این‌جوریه که اصلا ولش کن، اصلا به این چیزها نیست.
Luke is impressed, because Tahiri genuinely demonstrates intelligence and resourcefulness.
و لوک تحت تأثیر قرار می‌گیره، چون تاهیری واقعا هوش و ذکاوت از خودش نشون می‌ده.
Luke can clearly sense the deep emotional bond between his nephew Anakin and Tahiri. The two have grown close as friends, and their connections through the Force are incredibly strong.
لوک کاملا متوجه می‌شه که بین خواهرزاده‌اش، آناکین، و تاهیری یه پیوند عاطفی عمیق وجود داره. این دوتا به‌عنوان دوست به هم نزدیکن و فورسشون خیلی قوی با همدیگه پیوند خورده.
So he tells them that he isn’t going to expel them or anything like that, but they absolutely must not pull a stunt like this again or sneak out of the academy.
برای همین می‌گه نه، من اخراجتون نمی‌کنم و این داستان‌ها، ولی دیگه از این کارها نکنید و یواشکی نزنین بیرون.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if these two gave Luke a few new gray hairs over the course of this book series, because they’re constantly getting themselves into danger!
قشنگ می‌شه گفت توی این مجموعه‌کتاب، فکر کنم چند تا تار موی سفید از دست این دوتا درآورده، چون این دوتا همش توی خطر بودن!
It was such a fun, sweet little book. I really loved it. It felt a bit like Harry Potter, except as if Harry Potter had been condensed into a much shorter story, because this book was only sixty pages long. Just sixty pages! I wished it had been three hundred pages instead, because everything felt so condensed and brief.
و خیلی کتاب بامزه و عزیزی بود. خیلی دوستش داشتم. می‌شه مثل هری پاتر بود، ولی انگار هری پاتر خیلی کوتاه باشه، چون این کتاب کلا شصت صفحه بود. کلا شصت صفحه بود و آرزو می‌کردم سیصد صفحه بود، چون خیلی خلاصه‌طور و کوتاه نوشته شده بود.
I really wish it had been longer. The story is generally written for children, but to me, it wasn’t just a children’s story. I’m getting to know these characters from the very beginning of their lives, from when they were little kids, and that makes this book really important to me.
ولی آرزو می‌کردم کاش بیشتر بود، چون داستان معمولا برای بچه‌ها نوشته می‌شه، ولی برای من، برای بچه‌ها نبود. من دارم با شخصیت‌ها از بچگی‌شون آشنا می‌شم، برای همین خیلی برام مهمه.
Even when Anakin Solo was still an embryo, growing inside his mother’s womb, he was already showing some incredibly strong signs of his abilities—in other words, signs that he was extraordinarily powerful.
آناکین سولو حتی دورانی که جنین بوده و توی شکم مامانش بوده، از خودش یه نشونه‌های خیلی قوی نشون می‌ده؛ در واقع نشونه‌هایی از این‌که به‌شدت قدرتمنده.
And that’s hardly surprising, considering that his grandfather was the Chosen One and that his family is incredibly powerful. Incredibly powerful!
و عجیب نیست، چون پدربزرگش چوزن وان بوده و خانواده‌اش به‌شدت قویه. به‌شدت!
And when Palpatine reaches toward Leia’s belly, Anakin Solo somehow helps his mother. It’s as though the Force of the unborn Anakin Solo, still inside Leia’s womb, connects with Leia’s own Force, allowing them to resist Palpatine together in some way.
و زمانی که پالپاتین دستش رو به سمت شکم لیا دراز می‌کنه، آناکین سولو یه جورایی به مادرش کمک می‌کنه. یه جورایی فورس آناکین سولوی جنین توی شکم مادرش و لیا با همدیگه پیوند می‌خوره و به یه شکلی در برابر پالپاتین مقابله می‌کنن.
And that’s incredibly fascinating.
و این به‌شدت جالبه.
And then we move on to the second book.
و بعد می‌ریم سراغ کتاب دوم.
بالاخره شروع کردم به خوندن کتاب‌های مربوط به آناکین سولو و تاهیری ویلا.
I absolutely adore these two as friends who eventually become a couple. Their relationship spends most of its journey in that innocent stage before the bond between them changes into something romantic. These are two people whose connections through the Force had an extraordinary effect on each other from the time they were children.
من به‌شدت عاشق این دوتا دوست و بعدا کاپل هستم؛ کاپلی که بیشتر مسیرشون با معصومیت گذشت و بعد، اون رابطه‌ی بینشون تغییر کرد و عاشقانه شد. دو فردی که فورسشون از همون کودکی به طرز فوق‌العاده‌ای روی هم تأثیر می‌ذاشت.
Out of all of Han and Leia’s children, Anakin and Tahiri’s romance is the one I’m absolutely obsessed with. Maybe it’s because their story was left unfinished and ended in tragedy, and it will remain that way forever. It’s like a story that was cut short, with all the blank pages where the rest of it was supposed to be written having gone up in flames.
بین فرزندان لیا و هان، رابطه‌ی عاشقانه‌ی آناکین و تاهیری به‌شدت من رو ابسسد نگه داشته. شاید چون ناتموم و تراژدی باقی موند و تا ابد هم همین‌جوری می‌مونه؛ مثل این‌که یه داستان نصفه مونده باشه و بقیه‌ی برگه‌های سفیدی که داستان باید روشون نوشته بشه، آتیش گرفته باشن.
The story begins with Anakin saying goodbye to his parents as he heads off to his uncle Luke Skywalker’s academy.
داستان از این‌جا شروع می‌شه که آناکین داره از پدر و مادرش خداحافظی می‌کنه و به آکادمی دایی‌ش، لوک اسکای‌واکر، می‌ره.
I can relate to Anakin so much. He tries to sneak out of the room, but they stop him and bring him back to the dining table, telling him not to be shy.
آناکین رو به‌شدت درک می‌کنم. آناکین می‌خواست یواشکی از اتاق بزنه بیرون که نمی‌ذارن و برش می‌گردونن پشت میز غذاخوری و بهش می‌گن خجالتی نباش.
And Anakin thinks to himself that even his own family sometimes gets it wrong. He isn’t shy; he just wants to go somewhere quiet where he can be alone with his thoughts.
آناکین هم با خودش می‌گه حتی خانواده‌ام هم گاهی این اشتباه رو می‌کنن. من خجالتی نیستم، فقط می‌خوام برم یه جایی که تنها باشم و فکر کنم.
And maybe that’s why I love Anakin Solo so much: because I understand him.
و شاید برای همینه که آناکین سولو رو این‌قدر دوست دارم، چون درکش می‌کنم.
I spend some of my own hours just being quiet and thinking, too. There’s something incredibly comforting about that silence and solitude.
منم بعضی از ساعت‌های شبانه‌روزم رو پای سکوت کردن و فکر کردن هدر می‌دم. خود این سکوت و تنهایی به‌شدت آرامش‌بخشه.
And then, out of nowhere, the bomb that is about to turn Anakin Solo’s life upside down enters the story: Tahiri!
بعد یهو بمب زندگی آناکین سولو وارد داستان می‌شه: تاهیری!
A lively, life-giving girl with bright blonde hair who hates wearing shoes and never stops talking.
یه دختر پرانرژی و زندگی‌بخش با موهای بلوند روشن که دوست نداره کفش پاش کنه و مدام حرف می‌زنه.
And she explains why, too. Tahiri grew up on Tatooine, the same planet where Anakin Skywalker—Anakin Solo’s grandfather—was born, and where Luke Skywalker, Anakin’s uncle, grew up.
خودش هم می‌گه چرا. تاهیری توی تاتوئین بزرگ شده؛ همون سیاره‌ای که آناکین اسکای‌واکر، یعنی پدربزرگ آناکین سولو، توش به دنیا اومده و لوک اسکای‌واکر، یعنی دایی آناکین، توش بزرگ شده.
Tahiri grew up among the Sand People, who are known for their brutality, their ability to survive the harshest conditions, and all that. Now imagine a girl as full of life as the sun growing up among these harsh, quiet people. Staying silent was so difficult for her that now, even after leaving that place behind, she constantly talks to herself. It’s just part of who she is, and it genuinely puts a smile on your face.
تاهیری بین مردم صحرا بوده و خب، مردم صحرا به بی‌رحمی، دووم آوردن توی بدترین شرایط و این چیزها معروفن. حالا فکر کنید، تاهیری که به اندازه‌ی خورشید زندگی‌بخشه، بین این مردم خشن و کم‌حرف بزرگ شده. و حرف نزدن اون‌قدر براش سخت بوده که الان، وقتی دیگه اون‌جا نیست، مدام برای خودش حرف می‌زنه. این حرف زدن جزو شخصیتشه و قشنگ لبخند به لبت میاره.
Anakin and Tahiri become BFFs within seconds, like little kids at a playground. Honestly, it feels more like Tahiri has tucked the introverted Anakin under her arm and claimed him as her friend. 🤣
آناکین و تاهیری مثل بچه‌های توی پارک، در عرض چند ثانیه بی‌اف‌اف می‌شن و بیشتر شبیه اینه که تاهیری، آناکین درون‌گرا رو زده زیر بغلش و به دوستی گرفته. 🤣
Anakin himself admits that his best friends are his siblings and the droids back home, and that he doesn’t have any other friends. So, in a way, Tahiri is his very first friend.
خود آناکین هم می‌گه بهترین دوستاش خواهر و برادرش و ربات‌های توی خونه‌شون هستن و دیگه هیچ دوست دیگه‌ای نداره. پس تاهیری اولین دوستش محسوب می‌شه، یه جورایی.
Night falls, and Tahiri has another vision—the same one she’s always been having: a river, a storm, drowning.
شب می‌شه و تاهیری دوباره ویژنی رو می‌بینه که همیشه می‌دیده: یه رود، طوفان، غرق شدن.
But here’s the thing: until quite recently, Tahiri had never even seen a river. So how could she have dreamed about a river on Yavin 4 while living on a planet covered in sand?
ولی موضوع اینه که تاهیری تا همین چند وقت پیش نه رود دیده بوده و نه چیزی. پس چطوری توی یه سیاره‌ی پر از شن، خواب رودی رو دیده که توی یاوین ۴ئه؟
And this time, there’s a difference: Anakin is in her dream, too.
و این دفعه فرقش با قبل اینه که توی خواب، آناکین هم هست.
The next day, she tells Anakin about it, and the two of them get into this sort of childish little argument that’s honestly adorable.
فردا این رو برای آناکین تعریف می‌کنه و یه جورایی یه بحث بچگونه بینشون درمی‌گیره که بامزه‌ست.
But that very same night, Anakin has the same dream, only from his own perspective.
ولی همون شب، آناکین هم همون خواب رو می‌بینه، ولی از دیدگاه خودش.
Dark circles appear under his eyes because he’s been losing sleep, and for the next few nights, he’s the one having the dreams instead of Tahiri. Tahiri can finally sleep peacefully, while Anakin is left struggling with the visions.
و زیر چشم‌هاش تیره می‌شه، چون بی‌خوابی کشیده و تا چند شب به‌جای تاهیری، آناکین خواب می‌بینه. تاهیری حالا راحت می‌خوابه، ولی آناکین درگیر این خوابه.
It’s pretty obvious that the Force has tied these two together.
قشنگ مشخصه که فورس این دوتا رو به هم گره زده.
Later, they sneak out of the academy and set off on their own strange little adventure.
بعدا یواشکی از آکادمی می‌زنن بیرون و پا به ماجراجویی عجیب خودشون می‌ذارن.
Why strange? Because, as I mentioned just a few paragraphs ago, Tahiri has never seen a river before. Tatooine is an incredibly arid planet, and the people who farm there use special machines to extract the moisture from the air to get the water they need for their work. They do this early in the morning, when the humidity is at its highest. Otherwise, the planet is extremely dry.
چرا عجیب‌وغریب؟ چون همین چند خط پیش گفتم تاهیری تا حالا اصلا رود ندیده بوده. تاتوئین یه سیاره‌ی به‌شدت خشکه و افرادی که اون‌جا کشاورزی می‌کنن، آب موردنیازشون برای کار رو با یه نوع ماشین‌های خاص از رطوبت هوا می‌گیرن. این کار رو صبح زود انجام می‌دن، وقتی رطوبت هوا بالاتره. وگرنه اون‌جا سیاره‌ای به‌شدت خشکه.
For example, if equipment gets abandoned there or some machine is left out in the open, it takes a long time to deteriorate because there’s no moisture around to damage it. It’s dry, bone-dry, and most of the planet consists of vast seas of sand, with Sand People and the like roaming around.
مثلا وقتی وسایل اون‌جا سقوط می‌کنن یا ماشینی چیزی اون‌جا هست، خیلی دیر خراب می‌شه، چون رطوبتی وجود نداره که بخواد اون چیزها رو خراب کنه. خشکه، کاملا خشکه و بیشترش دریای شن و افراد رازن و این‌جور چیزهاست.
And the river Tahiri sees in her dreams is on Yavin 4, the moon where Luke Skywalker’s academy is located.
و اون رودی که تاهیری توی خوابش می‌بینه، یه روده که توی یاوین ۴، قمری که آکادمی لوک اسکای‌واکر توش وجود داره، قرار داره.
Luke Skywalker’s academy is actually an ancient temple, parts of which have been restored. The building wasn’t constructed by Luke himself; it was built by people who lived long before him.
آکادمی لوک اسکای‌واکر در واقع یه معبد قدیمیه که اونا فقط یه قسمت‌هایی ازش رو بازسازی کردن. وگرنه ساختمونش ساخته‌ی دست خود لوک اسکای‌واکر نیست و افراد قدیمی‌تری اونو ساخته بودن.
There’s something else, too. The second strange thing is that Anakin starts hearing voices in his head. When Tahiri says, “Let’s go tell Master Skywalker about this,” Anakin suddenly shouts, “No!” Then he explains that he didn’t mean to say it. A voice in his head had suddenly yelled the word, and he’d blurted it out without thinking.
یه چیز دیگه هم وجود داره. دومین مورد عجیب اینه که آناکین توی ذهنش صداهایی می‌شنوه. وقتی تاهیری می‌گه «بریم این رو به استاد اسکای‌واکر اطلاع بدیم»، یهو آناکین داد می‌زنه «نه!» و بعد می‌گه من این رو نگفتم؛ یه صدایی توی ذهنم بود که این رو یهو بلند گفت و من ناخودآگاه این رو گفتم.
There’s a voice in his head, and, well, Anakin Solo was named after his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, the character from the movies who’s much more widely known.
یه صدا توی ذهنشه و خب، آناکین سولو از روی اسم پدربزرگش نام‌گذاری شده؛ آناکین اسکای‌واکر، که توی فیلم‌ها هم وجود داره و برای همین معمولا بیشتر شناخته‌شده‌ست.
Anakin Solo is always afraid of falling to the dark side. What if he turns out like his grandfather and ends up serving the darkness? What if he becomes a murderer? What if he turns into an evil person?
آناکین سولو همیشه این ترس رو داره که به دارک ساید سقوط کنه. نکنه شبیه پدربزرگش بشه و به تاریکی خدمت کنه؟ نکنه قاتل بشه؟ نکنه آدم شروری بشه؟
And that voice in his head makes those fears feel a little more real. What if it’s the darkness calling out to him, controlling him, and telling him to break the rules?
و اون صدای توی ذهنش این ترس رو یه جورایی یکم به جونش می‌ندازه؛ نکنه این تاریکی باشه که صدام می‌زنه و من رو کنترل می‌کنه و داره بهم می‌گه قوانین رو زیر پا بذارم؟
Because, first of all, he’s there to study and learn how to use his abilities—the Force within him. Second, Luke is his uncle, and he really shouldn’t be sneaking out of the academy. If his uncle finds out, his mother will find out, too, and then he’ll be in serious trouble!
چون اون‌جا اولا رفته درس بخونه و آموزش ببینه که چطوری از قدرت‌هاش استفاده کنه، از فورسی که درونشه. دوماً، طرف دایی‌شه و نباید از آکادمی یواشکی بزنه بیرون، چون اگه گوش دایی‌ش خبردار بشه، گوش مامانش هم خبردار می‌شه و در کل داستان می‌شه!
But what does the voice tell him? That he has to do this on his own—that the two of them, just a pair of kids, need to venture into danger alone.
ولی چی؟ اون صدای توی ذهنش می‌گه که تو خودت، تنهایی، یعنی شما دوتا بچه، باید بزنین به دل خطر.
And so they find themselves wondering: how are they supposed to cross the river? The voice in Anakin’s head tells him there’s a boat. And, sure enough, there’s a boat waiting for them. They climb aboard and cross the river.
و این‌جوریه که خب، ما الان با چی از رود عبور کنیم؟ اون صدای توی ذهن آناکین گفته که یه قایق هست. و آره، یه قایق آماده هست و اینا می‌رن سوار قایق می‌شن و از رود می‌گذرن.
They take Artoo-Detoo with them, too.
آرتو-دیتو رو هم با خودشون می‌برن.
Artoo was the droid that belonged to Anakin Solo’s grandmother, Padmé Amidala. When Padmé and Anakin Skywalker got married, they exchanged droids. Anakin had another droid named Threepio, whom he gave to Padmé, while Padmé gave Anakin her droid, Artoo.
آرتو همون درویدی بود که متعلق به مادربزرگ آناکین سولو، یعنی پدمه آمیدالا، بوده. موقعی که پدمه و آناکین اسکای‌واکر با همدیگه ازدواج کردن، درویدهاشون رو جابه‌جا کردن. در واقع آناکین یه دروید دیگه داشت به اسم تریپیو که اون رو داد به پدمه و پدمه هم دروید آرتو رو داد به آناکین.
They couldn’t wear wedding rings back then because their marriage had to remain a secret. So they exchanged droids instead. It was a kind of symbol of their marriage, something they could share without anyone finding out what was going on between them.
اون موقع نمی‌تونستن حلقه داشته باشن، چون یواشکی ازدواج کرده بودن. پس درویدهاشون رو با همدیگه جابه‌جا کردن. این یه جور نماد بود و کسی خبردار نمی‌شد که بینشون چه خبره.
And so the three of them head straight into danger and make their way toward a temple.
و سه‌نفری می‌زنن به دل خطر و می‌رن سمت یه معبد.
As I mentioned earlier, the temple where Luke Skywalker teaches children to use the Force wasn’t built by him. It was constructed by people from a much older era who were powerful in their own right—but they’re long dead now.
همون‌طور که گفتم، معبدی که لوک اسکای‌واکر داخلش به بچه‌ها درس می‌ده که از فورس استفاده کنن، ساخته‌ی دست خودش نیست و توسط افراد قدیمی‌تری ساخته شده که اونا هم قدرتمند بودن، ولی خب، دیگه مردن.
They discover another temple. On their way there, Tahiri nearly drowns, but Anakin comes to her rescue, pulling her up and using the Force to help her.
یه معبد دیگه پیدا می‌کنن که در راه رسیدن بهش، تاهیری واقعا نزدیکه غرق بشه، ولی آناکین بهش کمک می‌کنه و اونو بالا می‌کشه و از فورسش استفاده می‌کنه.
They reach a dark, eerie-looking temple and go inside. They come to a wall and pass through a narrow passageway, where they find a skeleton. They feel around and touch the skeletal hand in the darkness, trying to figure out what it is. Then one of them asks, “What is this? Don’t you want to know what it is?” And, well, it turns out to be a skeleton.
به یه معبد می‌رسن که یه حالت تاریکی داره و می‌رن داخلش. به یه دیوار می‌رسن و از یه گذرگاه عبور می‌کنن که داخلش یه اسکلت پیدا می‌کنن؛ یه اسکلت دست و دست می‌زنن. تاریک بوده، ولی وقتی بهش دست می‌زنه، متوجه می‌شه این چیه. بعد می‌گه: «این چیه؟ نمی‌خوای بدونی چیه؟» و در واقع اسکلت بوده.
They enter a room and spot a golden sphere. It was a really interesting scene, and the two of them annoy each other a little while trying to solve the puzzle built into the wall in front of them.
اینا می‌رن توی اتاق و یه گوی طلایی می‌بینن. خیلی جالب بود و یکم هم روی اعصاب همدیگه می‌رن و شروع می‌کنن به حل کردن معمایی که در واقع دیوار جلوشون قرار داده.
Eventually, they realize that something needs to be inserted into a particular spot. They go back for the skeletal hand, bring it over, and insert it. And the wall actually opens—it slides aside!
بعد متوجه می‌شن که این‌جا باید یه چیزی وارد یه قسمتی بشه. می‌رن اسکلت دست رو میارن و واردش می‌کنن و واقعا در باز می‌شه؛ یعنی اون دیوار کنار می‌ره.
And behind it, they discover a golden sphere, with a furry, rabbit-like creature sleeping beneath it.
و به یه گوی طلایی برمی‌خورن که یه موجود پشمالوی خرگوش‌مانند پایینش خوابیده.
The creature turns out to be Ikrit, a Jedi Master who has been sleeping there for four hundred years.
این موجود اسمش در واقع ایکریت بود؛ یه استاد جدای که چهارصد ساله اون‌جا خوابیده.
The Jedi Master explains that the puzzle was meant to be solved by two children—two clever kids who were strong in the Force. It was meant for the two of them, and that’s why they’re here now.
یه استاد جدای می‌گه دو تا بچه باید، دو تا بچه‌ی قوی توی فورس و باهوش، این معما رو حل می‌کردن. برای شما دوتا بود که الان این‌جایید.
But they don’t actually solve the mystery here. Instead, they turn around and find Luke Skywalker standing in the doorway, looking at them.
و این‌جا معما حل نمی‌شه. در واقع فقط برمی‌گردن و لوک اسکای‌واکر دم در وایساده و داره بهشون نگاه می‌کنه.
And instead of immediately blaming each other—which, as we all know, is what kids tend to do, going, “It wasn’t my fault! It was theirs!”—Tahiri says, “No, it was my fault.” Then she sort of awkwardly repeats, “No, it was my fault,” even though she doesn’t really mean it. Eventually, it’s basically like, whatever, let’s not make a big deal out of this.
و این‌جوریه که به‌جای این‌که گردن همدیگه بندازن، چون می‌دونید بچه‌ها ذاتا این‌جورین که «تقصیر من نیست، تقصیر اونه»، این‌جا تاهیری می‌گه: «نه، تقصیر من بود.» بعد الکی می‌گه: «نه، این تقصیر من بود.» بعد این‌جوریه که اصلا ولش کن، اصلا به این چیزها نیست.
Luke is impressed, because Tahiri genuinely demonstrates intelligence and resourcefulness.
و لوک تحت تأثیر قرار می‌گیره، چون تاهیری واقعا هوش و ذکاوت از خودش نشون می‌ده.
Luke can clearly sense the deep emotional bond between his nephew Anakin and Tahiri. The two have grown close as friends, and their connections through the Force are incredibly strong.
لوک کاملا متوجه می‌شه که بین خواهرزاده‌اش، آناکین، و تاهیری یه پیوند عاطفی عمیق وجود داره. این دوتا به‌عنوان دوست به هم نزدیکن و فورسشون خیلی قوی با همدیگه پیوند خورده.
So he tells them that he isn’t going to expel them or anything like that, but they absolutely must not pull a stunt like this again or sneak out of the academy.
برای همین می‌گه نه، من اخراجتون نمی‌کنم و این داستان‌ها، ولی دیگه از این کارها نکنید و یواشکی نزنین بیرون.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if these two gave Luke a few new gray hairs over the course of this book series, because they’re constantly getting themselves into danger!
قشنگ می‌شه گفت توی این مجموعه‌کتاب، فکر کنم چند تا تار موی سفید از دست این دوتا درآورده، چون این دوتا همش توی خطر بودن!
It was such a fun, sweet little book. I really loved it. It felt a bit like Harry Potter, except as if Harry Potter had been condensed into a much shorter story, because this book was only sixty pages long. Just sixty pages! I wished it had been three hundred pages instead, because everything felt so condensed and brief.
و خیلی کتاب بامزه و عزیزی بود. خیلی دوستش داشتم. می‌شه مثل هری پاتر بود، ولی انگار هری پاتر خیلی کوتاه باشه، چون این کتاب کلا شصت صفحه بود. کلا شصت صفحه بود و آرزو می‌کردم سیصد صفحه بود، چون خیلی خلاصه‌طور و کوتاه نوشته شده بود.
I really wish it had been longer. The story is generally written for children, but to me, it wasn’t just a children’s story. I’m getting to know these characters from the very beginning of their lives, from when they were little kids, and that makes this book really important to me.
ولی آرزو می‌کردم کاش بیشتر بود، چون داستان معمولا برای بچه‌ها نوشته می‌شه، ولی برای من، برای بچه‌ها نبود. من دارم با شخصیت‌ها از بچگی‌شون آشنا می‌شم، برای همین خیلی برام مهمه.
Even when Anakin Solo was still an embryo, growing inside his mother’s womb, he was already showing some incredibly strong signs of his abilities—in other words, signs that he was extraordinarily powerful.
آناکین سولو حتی دورانی که جنین بوده و توی شکم مامانش بوده، از خودش یه نشونه‌های خیلی قوی نشون می‌ده؛ در واقع نشونه‌هایی از این‌که به‌شدت قدرتمنده.
And that’s hardly surprising, considering that his grandfather was the Chosen One and that his family is incredibly powerful. Incredibly powerful!
و عجیب نیست، چون پدربزرگش چوزن وان بوده و خانواده‌اش به‌شدت قویه. به‌شدت!
And when Palpatine reaches toward Leia’s belly, Anakin Solo somehow helps his mother. It’s as though the Force of the unborn Anakin Solo, still inside Leia’s womb, connects with Leia’s own Force, allowing them to resist Palpatine together in some way.
و زمانی که پالپاتین دستش رو به سمت شکم لیا دراز می‌کنه، آناکین سولو یه جورایی به مادرش کمک می‌کنه. یه جورایی فورس آناکین سولوی جنین توی شکم مادرش و لیا با همدیگه پیوند می‌خوره و به یه شکلی در برابر پالپاتین مقابله می‌کنن.
And that’s incredibly fascinating.
و این به‌شدت جالبه.
And then we move on to the second book.
و بعد می‌ریم سراغ کتاب دوم.
March 16, 2015
I LOVED these books when I was young. To this day, Ikrit is one of my top 5 favorite Jedi Masters.
January 1, 2025
Would have loved this when I was about 8-9.
November 23, 2015
I first ready this book 20 years ago. Reading it again today, I was filled with the same sense of wonder that I had when I was a kid. It's not super complex or a great work of literature by any means, but it's a nice little story that I really enjoyed.
August 24, 2024
anakin solo öz evladım
June 16, 2020
4 stars only because after what just happened to Tahiri in Fate of the Jedi, I NEED happy, innocent baby Tahiri.
Well, Jude Watson’s a much better writer. The writing in this book was very simplistic, even for a children’s book, and it seemed like Nancy Richardson wrote it with the assumption that her readers wouldn’t be super familiar with the Original Trilogy, Jedi, or the Force. Don’t know why you’d be reading it if you weren’t, but whatever.
Anyway, I read it because I wanted to see Tahiri before Anakin died and Jacen ruined her life, and I wanted to actually get to know Anakin Solo in the flesh, so for that it’s good. And I want to wrap my babies in bubblewrap and protect them from everything that’s coming. Because apparently if you’re a part of the Skywalker clan or associated with them, you’re not allowed to be happy.
Oh, and I’m sad these and Young Jedi Knights were written before Hand of Thrawn because that means I probably won’t be seeing any of Aunt Mara. But I like the Solo kids (well, not Jacen) and Tahiri. Even if their lives later on break my heart.
Well, Jude Watson’s a much better writer. The writing in this book was very simplistic, even for a children’s book, and it seemed like Nancy Richardson wrote it with the assumption that her readers wouldn’t be super familiar with the Original Trilogy, Jedi, or the Force. Don’t know why you’d be reading it if you weren’t, but whatever.
Anyway, I read it because I wanted to see Tahiri before Anakin died and Jacen ruined her life, and I wanted to actually get to know Anakin Solo in the flesh, so for that it’s good. And I want to wrap my babies in bubblewrap and protect them from everything that’s coming. Because apparently if you’re a part of the Skywalker clan or associated with them, you’re not allowed to be happy.
Oh, and I’m sad these and Young Jedi Knights were written before Hand of Thrawn because that means I probably won’t be seeing any of Aunt Mara. But I like the Solo kids (well, not Jacen) and Tahiri. Even if their lives later on break my heart.
December 22, 2017
I liked these books, but I got bored part way through. And when a book is this small, it's kind of a big deal! I also read these as a kid and recent returned to them, but I only ready two of this series. I will most likely return to them to finish the series.
March 18, 2024
I already love Anakin and Tahiri so much!!! If anything happens to them I will cry
December 19, 2020
I love Tahiti and Anakin Solo. I reread NJO book Conquest. I wanted to go back to a time where the characters personalities were being explored. Also, I wanted to put a little bit more rereading these books before Star by Star.
March 31, 2026
Solid start, even though it spends 30% of its page time recapping the movies and other books and is an unsatisfying setup to a series.
May 23, 2022
The first in the Junior Jedi Knights series, The Golden Globe features all-new adventures for Anakin Solo and his new friend Tahiri, a Force-sensitive girl from Tatooine. In this first junior novel, Nan Fischer begins a mystery for younger fans of Star Wars to dig into and begin their journey into the broader fiction of the franchise's extended universe.
As far as youth novels are concerned, The Golden Globe doesn't really manage to accomplish very much. The one prominent theme in the book is a question of lineage and destiny versus choice and individual action, and while the book plays at these themes through Anakin Solo, it doesn't offer much by way of plot to keep a narrative hook moving forward. The book's central mystery, which has to do with a series of precognitive dreams Tahiri and Anakin have together, is not settled by the conclusion of this thin volume, and even the story's other questions aren't resolved until the final three pages of the book. The story itself feels less like a fully-contained adventure and more like an hour of aggressive throat-clearing before it can effectively set the stage.
I don't think it's fair to judge a book by the merits of a general audience novel when the primary audience is children in middle grades, but I do find this book to be structurally imbalanced and deeply repetitive in spite of being fairly short. Its main premise--the plot driving the story forward--feels too anemic here, with not nearly enough action to get the story moving forward. The creative hook to sell the series doesn't come until the last chapter, which just feels way too late.
If I weren't reading all Star Wars in order of publication, I likely wouldn't even bother to track down the rest of this series, but I do hope that future volumes provide a more fleshed out adventure than this first story. As a preamble to a larger series, it might serve its purpose, but as a stand-alone adventure, it fails to capture much imagination.
As far as youth novels are concerned, The Golden Globe doesn't really manage to accomplish very much. The one prominent theme in the book is a question of lineage and destiny versus choice and individual action, and while the book plays at these themes through Anakin Solo, it doesn't offer much by way of plot to keep a narrative hook moving forward. The book's central mystery, which has to do with a series of precognitive dreams Tahiri and Anakin have together, is not settled by the conclusion of this thin volume, and even the story's other questions aren't resolved until the final three pages of the book. The story itself feels less like a fully-contained adventure and more like an hour of aggressive throat-clearing before it can effectively set the stage.
I don't think it's fair to judge a book by the merits of a general audience novel when the primary audience is children in middle grades, but I do find this book to be structurally imbalanced and deeply repetitive in spite of being fairly short. Its main premise--the plot driving the story forward--feels too anemic here, with not nearly enough action to get the story moving forward. The creative hook to sell the series doesn't come until the last chapter, which just feels way too late.
If I weren't reading all Star Wars in order of publication, I likely wouldn't even bother to track down the rest of this series, but I do hope that future volumes provide a more fleshed out adventure than this first story. As a preamble to a larger series, it might serve its purpose, but as a stand-alone adventure, it fails to capture much imagination.
May 26, 2024
Nothing like going back to the original EU (or “Legends”) to see how far Star Wars has fallen off the map while under the iron fist of the House of Mouse.
In no way, shape or form is The Golden Globe great reading, but it highlights that at a time, way back before Disney came in and destroyed the franchise, there were some original ideas in the novels (or at least some kind of heart).
The Golden Globe shifts readers from the twins of Han and Leia to Anakin Solo, their 3rd and final child. This takes place long before he is killed in the Yuzhaan Vong invasion of the New Jedi Order timeline so he’s just an innocent 11 year old fledgling Jedi, navigating his way through the Jedi Academy and trying to avoid getting into trouble with his uncle who now runs the place. Since his is a Solo, it’s only a matter of days before he’s off in the jungle, with a new found cohort, finding abandoned ruins and discovering there is still the dark side’s presence on the planet.
I suppose I have to be partial since this was written for younger fans that weren’t quite ready for Kevin J. Anderson’s Young Jedi Knight Series, so from that lens, there isn’t really anything terrible about this book. It’s juvenile and has some silly moments that would only really appeal to a 8 or 9 year old fan of Star Wars, but honestly, it’s readable and accessible. It also places an actual emphasis on story instead of the modern Disney tales, which try their hardest to cram identity politics into every thing.
Obviously this book, and the entire series, are not requisite reading to fully understand the universe of Star Wars after Return of the Jedi, however if you want a taste of what things were like before Bob Eiger and Kathleen Kennedy decided to torch the legacy of Star Wars, well, this is a decent place to start.
In no way, shape or form is The Golden Globe great reading, but it highlights that at a time, way back before Disney came in and destroyed the franchise, there were some original ideas in the novels (or at least some kind of heart).
The Golden Globe shifts readers from the twins of Han and Leia to Anakin Solo, their 3rd and final child. This takes place long before he is killed in the Yuzhaan Vong invasion of the New Jedi Order timeline so he’s just an innocent 11 year old fledgling Jedi, navigating his way through the Jedi Academy and trying to avoid getting into trouble with his uncle who now runs the place. Since his is a Solo, it’s only a matter of days before he’s off in the jungle, with a new found cohort, finding abandoned ruins and discovering there is still the dark side’s presence on the planet.
I suppose I have to be partial since this was written for younger fans that weren’t quite ready for Kevin J. Anderson’s Young Jedi Knight Series, so from that lens, there isn’t really anything terrible about this book. It’s juvenile and has some silly moments that would only really appeal to a 8 or 9 year old fan of Star Wars, but honestly, it’s readable and accessible. It also places an actual emphasis on story instead of the modern Disney tales, which try their hardest to cram identity politics into every thing.
Obviously this book, and the entire series, are not requisite reading to fully understand the universe of Star Wars after Return of the Jedi, however if you want a taste of what things were like before Bob Eiger and Kathleen Kennedy decided to torch the legacy of Star Wars, well, this is a decent place to start.
December 31, 2020
Fun to reread this as an adult. It’s crazy that I still remember some of it. Hoping to pick up the rest of the series one day
August 19, 2021
It was a short fun story about Anakin Solo.
April 10, 2022
A re-read from my childhood. It's a solid little adventure novel which was my introduction into the Star Wars EU. Probably the best way for young readers to be introduced into the EU.
May 26, 2026
Well, that was weird.
How nobody ever mentions this massive coincidence that Anakin Solo, genius mechanic and close friend of a sand person, has such a strong thematic contrast with prequel Anakin Skywalker, five years before The Phantom Menace even released, is beyond me. This book even has a "I hate sand" paragraph! Tahiri, raised by sand people, convinces Anakin that he doesn't have to be like his name sake who is known for killing sand people. George didn't read this! Attack of the Clones wasn't released for another seven years! What are the odds of that!
Anyway, I was drawn to this book because I find very little media featuring Anakin Solo, and the idea of portraying various characters as children through young reader novels is interesting and kinda cute. I enjoy when a story uses its medium in a fun way for story telling.
But yeah, this book is extremely boring. Despite its short length. A surprising amount of the text recounts the OT and most of the plot consists of the main characters trying to replicate a bad dream where one of them seems to drown... okay.
There are highlights of characterization. The description of their classmates does well to explore their diversity, Ikrit is a much better character than this book deserves (I'm shocked he wasn't explored more later), Tahiri and Anakin have a cute little relationship, and the last chapter twist is the highlight of an otherwise unremarkable story.
How nobody ever mentions this massive coincidence that Anakin Solo, genius mechanic and close friend of a sand person, has such a strong thematic contrast with prequel Anakin Skywalker, five years before The Phantom Menace even released, is beyond me. This book even has a "I hate sand" paragraph! Tahiri, raised by sand people, convinces Anakin that he doesn't have to be like his name sake who is known for killing sand people. George didn't read this! Attack of the Clones wasn't released for another seven years! What are the odds of that!
Anyway, I was drawn to this book because I find very little media featuring Anakin Solo, and the idea of portraying various characters as children through young reader novels is interesting and kinda cute. I enjoy when a story uses its medium in a fun way for story telling.
But yeah, this book is extremely boring. Despite its short length. A surprising amount of the text recounts the OT and most of the plot consists of the main characters trying to replicate a bad dream where one of them seems to drown... okay.
There are highlights of characterization. The description of their classmates does well to explore their diversity, Ikrit is a much better character than this book deserves (I'm shocked he wasn't explored more later), Tahiri and Anakin have a cute little relationship, and the last chapter twist is the highlight of an otherwise unremarkable story.
September 13, 2021
Even for a juvenile book, this novel feels very basic. Richardson repeats a lot of details, like she's not sure the readers will understand them unless they're beaten into the brain, and there's almost no story here. She's setting the stage for this six-book series, sure, but so little happens here that it's hard to stay engaged. Plus, what EU details there are were already covered in previous books, so there's a lot of rehashed histories for anyone who's reading the books in order.
Speaking of that, I've been reading these books in chronological order instead of publication order, which has sometimes proven to be the wrong choice. That's the case here, since Tahiri, Anakin's friend who joins him for this adventure, is a prominent character in the New Jedi Order series, which is a bit later in the chronology. I think I'd understand her better had I read that series first; here, she just seems to be defined by her overpowering personality.
I think this book would be fine for young readers, but there are better series in the EU for this target audience. I suppose the writers can't all be as good as Jude Watson, though....
Speaking of that, I've been reading these books in chronological order instead of publication order, which has sometimes proven to be the wrong choice. That's the case here, since Tahiri, Anakin's friend who joins him for this adventure, is a prominent character in the New Jedi Order series, which is a bit later in the chronology. I think I'd understand her better had I read that series first; here, she just seems to be defined by her overpowering personality.
I think this book would be fine for young readers, but there are better series in the EU for this target audience. I suppose the writers can't all be as good as Jude Watson, though....
December 20, 2023
Another Star Wars middle-grade nostalgia trip so soon after reading the Jedi Prince series? I may have made a grave error. While the story telling seems more competent here than in Jedi Prince, this also feels like it might have been aimed at a much younger audience than even those books. I think I originally read these when I was eight, but I could be way off.
Very little happens in this first book. Honestly, what I thought was my memory of this book might actually be remembering the course of the entire series. I do appreciate the more reasonable scope of this series in opposition to the sprawling story of the Jedi Prince series. This seems like a manageable story to tell with proportionate stakes even if it is a bit slow.
Very little happens in this first book. Honestly, what I thought was my memory of this book might actually be remembering the course of the entire series. I do appreciate the more reasonable scope of this series in opposition to the sprawling story of the Jedi Prince series. This seems like a manageable story to tell with proportionate stakes even if it is a bit slow.
May 4, 2020
The first in a series of six starring Anakin Solo and Tahiri Veila about their time as new Jedi Padawans at Luke's Praxeum, it's a fun introductory to characters that go on to have much importance down the line. The writing is a little amateurish even for its target audience; just because it's a story for younger readers doesn't mean it has to be watered down to such a degree, people often underestimate their comprehension abilities. Nevertheless, there's an interesting theme of Anakin Solo dealing with carrying the name of Anakin Skywalker and is a fun little character exploration.
Four out of ten sparkly Sith globes.
Four out of ten sparkly Sith globes.
October 18, 2025
My favourite parts of the recent Jedi Academy book have been Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin.
So an entire book series about young Anakin? A middle-grade book at that? I love these series so you know I'm in!
I enjoy how episodic these books feel, and this felt like a very fun first chapter, with a very tight focus on Anakin and his new friends on a very grounded and small adventure.
A very fun start to this series.
So an entire book series about young Anakin? A middle-grade book at that? I love these series so you know I'm in!
I enjoy how episodic these books feel, and this felt like a very fun first chapter, with a very tight focus on Anakin and his new friends on a very grounded and small adventure.
A very fun start to this series.
July 18, 2026
This was nice, it’s a children’s book obviously but with Anakin Solo being a favorite EU character I wanted to give it a read and I enjoyed it. I liked the companionship of Anakin and Tahiri. The idea of Anakin struggling with his namesake was also good. The age target and the length obviously limit the depth the book can go to but for a one sitting Star Wars book I can’t complain at all. A good little read.
March 14, 2018
Brought back memories. Not a good book, but not bad, and I loved it when I was younger.
Anakin Solo, the son of Han and Leia and the youngest of three, heads to Yavin 4 where his Uncle Luke is the headmaster of a Jedi School. He befriends Tahiri, and they soon become friends and go off on an adventure together.
Anakin Solo, the son of Han and Leia and the youngest of three, heads to Yavin 4 where his Uncle Luke is the headmaster of a Jedi School. He befriends Tahiri, and they soon become friends and go off on an adventure together.
October 27, 2021
I broadly consider the Legends young reader series to be better than the canon ones, so I was excited to start this one. It's nothing special, but it's still fun. I think it's adorable that Tahiri is characterized by being a chatterbox and that Anakin befriends her anyway and is always willing to listen.
July 21, 2024
Incredibly simple, of course, but I would imagine great for kids. Since I did spend quite a bit (of both time and money) tracking these books down, going to blaze through these in the run-up to NJO. But a decent start to the series, all things considered.
Don't think there'll be much of 'Holy Bantha!' from Tahiri in her later years though...
Don't think there'll be much of 'Holy Bantha!' from Tahiri in her later years though...
November 3, 2025
This is the second Star Wars YA series I've read in my overall plan to read through every Star Wars book and comic. I'm going to review the whole series at once.
Considering this series was written for eight-year-olds, it's ironic that these books are better-written, more creative, and contain more interesting characterizations than a significant percentage of the Star Wars adult novels I've read -- especially from the Bantam era. They're still written for eight-year-olds so, in the end, they're a bit light-weight, but I though this series was a very charming read.
This series switched authors half-way through, and there's a pretty sharp divide between the first three books written by Nancy Richardson and the last three three written by Rebecca Moesta. Moesta's books are probably better overall -- she widens the cast and includes more details about the Jedi Academy, focusing more on how the characters learn about the force.
But my single favorite book in the series was #3, Promises. With the first two books, it felt like Richardson was still finding her footing, but with the third, she knocked it out of the park. It was easily the emotional high point of the series and contained some genuinely fantastic moments of writing. Richardson also didn't shy away from putting the two young protagonists in serious danger, which I appreciated. One thing I didn't like about Moesta's books is that they felt a little unserious. Book #6 ends with a giant action scene, but, since we know none of the characters (even the bad guys) are in in any danger, I mostly found it tedious.
Richardson's books are also more interesting in terms of aliens and sci-fi concepts. Book #2 is literally about mermaids, which was a lot of fun. It's a shame that it felt like she had to rush the ending of her Golden Globe plotline, shoving it in at the end of book #3. I would have been interested to see how that would have progressed over the other three books had she continued.
Tahiri was hands-down my favorite part of the series. She's loud and opinionated, which could have easily gone wrong and come across as annoying, but, somehow, she ends up coming across as charming and likeable, and basically being the heart of the series. Most of the supporting characters, Ikrit and Ulfric and Tionne, were great as well. It's a shame that Anakin Solo himself is such a wet blanket, by contrast. It's not that he's bad -- there's just very little there. He gets very little personality.
Like I said, these book are pretty light-weight, but for what they are, I thought they were fun. 7/10.
Considering this series was written for eight-year-olds, it's ironic that these books are better-written, more creative, and contain more interesting characterizations than a significant percentage of the Star Wars adult novels I've read -- especially from the Bantam era. They're still written for eight-year-olds so, in the end, they're a bit light-weight, but I though this series was a very charming read.
This series switched authors half-way through, and there's a pretty sharp divide between the first three books written by Nancy Richardson and the last three three written by Rebecca Moesta. Moesta's books are probably better overall -- she widens the cast and includes more details about the Jedi Academy, focusing more on how the characters learn about the force.
But my single favorite book in the series was #3, Promises. With the first two books, it felt like Richardson was still finding her footing, but with the third, she knocked it out of the park. It was easily the emotional high point of the series and contained some genuinely fantastic moments of writing. Richardson also didn't shy away from putting the two young protagonists in serious danger, which I appreciated. One thing I didn't like about Moesta's books is that they felt a little unserious. Book #6 ends with a giant action scene, but, since we know none of the characters (even the bad guys) are in in any danger, I mostly found it tedious.
Richardson's books are also more interesting in terms of aliens and sci-fi concepts. Book #2 is literally about mermaids, which was a lot of fun. It's a shame that it felt like she had to rush the ending of her Golden Globe plotline, shoving it in at the end of book #3. I would have been interested to see how that would have progressed over the other three books had she continued.
Tahiri was hands-down my favorite part of the series. She's loud and opinionated, which could have easily gone wrong and come across as annoying, but, somehow, she ends up coming across as charming and likeable, and basically being the heart of the series. Most of the supporting characters, Ikrit and Ulfric and Tionne, were great as well. It's a shame that Anakin Solo himself is such a wet blanket, by contrast. It's not that he's bad -- there's just very little there. He gets very little personality.
Like I said, these book are pretty light-weight, but for what they are, I thought they were fun. 7/10.
April 26, 2018
1.5* Disappointing even for it's age group. The story has no real conclusion.
July 7, 2021
This series is a fun read, good characterisation for Anakin and a good prelude to NJO.
December 24, 2021
3 stars - very short Legends story
February 17, 2022
This made me cry especially since i read this AFTER njo
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