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Karate Kid Novels #1
The Karate Kid
A boy's friendship with an elderly Oriental man helps the boy build enough self-confidence and strength to overcome the violent resentment he faces from a bully at his new school
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 30, 2020
Read Hard, Read First, No Mercy!!
Where to begin? I owned and reread this mass market pulp novelization of the movie sooooo many times that the cover started to dissolve from the corners in! My childhood best friend and I were obsessed with the movie - yes, we promptly began taking karate at the Y - and with Ralph Macchio in general - who, now at almost 60, finally looks all of 35. While the movie remains burned on my brain, I had completely forgotten about this paperback until I began recently watching Cobra Kai, the former web series, now adopted by Netflix, that imagines the middle-aged life of Daniel LaRusso nemesis and washed-up former golden boy Johnny Lawrence - William Zabka, appropriately and may I say SUBLIMELY aged, like a fine Scotch - about whom I must admit my adult self is having MAJOR FEELINGS.
Those were the days!!
Where to begin? I owned and reread this mass market pulp novelization of the movie sooooo many times that the cover started to dissolve from the corners in! My childhood best friend and I were obsessed with the movie - yes, we promptly began taking karate at the Y - and with Ralph Macchio in general - who, now at almost 60, finally looks all of 35. While the movie remains burned on my brain, I had completely forgotten about this paperback until I began recently watching Cobra Kai, the former web series, now adopted by Netflix, that imagines the middle-aged life of Daniel LaRusso nemesis and washed-up former golden boy Johnny Lawrence - William Zabka, appropriately and may I say SUBLIMELY aged, like a fine Scotch - about whom I must admit my adult self is having MAJOR FEELINGS.
Those were the days!!
May 16, 2019
***One of my favorite books of 2019***
Ahh, The Karate Kid...
Nostalgia smells beautiful, Am I right?
This has to be a favorite movie of mine.
I loved everything about the movie from Pat Morita, karate and bonsai trees.
It was through this movie I learned about bonsai trees and karate.
The book makes me love the movie all the more.
Even if I hadn't seen the movie, I'd still love this book.
My hubby and I have been watching Cobra Kai; the new youtube only show.
We absolutely LOVE it. Its well made and any Karate Kid fan need to watch it pronto.
I will be reading books 2 and 3 very soon.
August 23, 2021
For a book that barely runs past the 100-page mark, the original Karate Kid novelization that came out the year the film was released (1984) was a surprisingly good read . . . and sometimes packs an emotional punch.
Fans need look no further than the scene where Daniel visits Mr. Miyagi after his disastrous trip to the country club and finds Miyagi drunk and in distress over the memory of the fate of his wife and child:
"To Daniel, that had always been a shameful part of America's history, but until that instant, it had been just that--history. With a jolt, Daniel realized that real people like Mr. Miyagi's wife had been interned while their men, like Mr. Miyagi, were battling for America. The irony of the situation cut like a knife."
~p.93
Or this, a few paragraphs later just after Daniel reads the telegram announcing the death of Mrs. Miyagi in childbirth:
"Daniel looked down at the small crumpled figure snoring peacefully on the bed. He reached down and lovingly removed a thread from the old uniform, smoothing the silver hair. Daniel blew out the lantern, throwing the room into darkness, and left."
~p.94
And that's how the chapter ends. Pretty deep stuff for a thin young-adult book based on a popular film.
For the most part, the book follows the events of the film pretty closely, but there are a few notable differences.
There's no "YEAH, GET HIM A BODY BAG!" line. Bobby knocks Daniel's leg out and apologizes, then after he's permanently disqualified from the league, Bobby leaves the room in disgust, dropping his karate belt at Kreese's feet. No overacting going on in the background this time . . . just Bobby's quiet rejection of the Cobra Kai lifestyle. It's a much subtler scene in the book.
Also, the book ends where KK2 begins: with Miyagi pinching Kreese's nose in the parking lot. And this time, ALL of the Cobrai Kai students end up leaving their belts at Kreese's feet in a pile before walking away.
I'm pretty confident this isn't the first time I've read the book, but it's been so long that I didn't remember much of it. The same author wrote the book for KK2, so I'll be looking forward to that one soon, too (it's on its way from the U.K. -- for whatever reason, I had trouble finding a copy from a U.S. seller).
Fans need look no further than the scene where Daniel visits Mr. Miyagi after his disastrous trip to the country club and finds Miyagi drunk and in distress over the memory of the fate of his wife and child:
"To Daniel, that had always been a shameful part of America's history, but until that instant, it had been just that--history. With a jolt, Daniel realized that real people like Mr. Miyagi's wife had been interned while their men, like Mr. Miyagi, were battling for America. The irony of the situation cut like a knife."
~p.93
Or this, a few paragraphs later just after Daniel reads the telegram announcing the death of Mrs. Miyagi in childbirth:
"Daniel looked down at the small crumpled figure snoring peacefully on the bed. He reached down and lovingly removed a thread from the old uniform, smoothing the silver hair. Daniel blew out the lantern, throwing the room into darkness, and left."
~p.94
And that's how the chapter ends. Pretty deep stuff for a thin young-adult book based on a popular film.
For the most part, the book follows the events of the film pretty closely, but there are a few notable differences.
There's no "YEAH, GET HIM A BODY BAG!" line. Bobby knocks Daniel's leg out and apologizes, then after he's permanently disqualified from the league, Bobby leaves the room in disgust, dropping his karate belt at Kreese's feet. No overacting going on in the background this time . . . just Bobby's quiet rejection of the Cobra Kai lifestyle. It's a much subtler scene in the book.
Also, the book ends where KK2 begins: with Miyagi pinching Kreese's nose in the parking lot. And this time, ALL of the Cobrai Kai students end up leaving their belts at Kreese's feet in a pile before walking away.
I'm pretty confident this isn't the first time I've read the book, but it's been so long that I didn't remember much of it. The same author wrote the book for KK2, so I'll be looking forward to that one soon, too (it's on its way from the U.K. -- for whatever reason, I had trouble finding a copy from a U.S. seller).
January 14, 2023
The book arrived in the mail today, the book was finished today :)
It’s a quick read, and the nostalgia I have for the movie bleeds over into the novelization. It’s a fun book, but the movie is certainly the best.
It’s a quick read, and the nostalgia I have for the movie bleeds over into the novelization. It’s a fun book, but the movie is certainly the best.
December 27, 2020
El libro es tan bueno como esperaba, quizá incluso un poco más.
Muchos recuerdos, nostalgia.
Muchos recuerdos, nostalgia.
July 15, 2014
The Karate Kid is an inspirational movie that became a classic due both to the excellent quality of the scrip and the great interpretations of the actors (and all crew involved, of course).
Daniel Larusso comes to sunny California dragged by his mom all the way from New Jersey. He's a skinny, pale and 'not cool' new guy with an attitute (aka 'cry baby'). Daniel's also prone to attract troubles with his impulsive, now and then senseless behaviour and childish sense of humour.
Daniel meets a beautiful girl named Ali Mills, whom his neighbour advises him to stay away from, since she's from 'the Hills'. Not familiar to the expression, he is enlightened to understand she is a wealthy person. However, in all the glory of his 45kg, Larusso decides to stick around and try to win the girl with his charms. Too bad her former boyfriend Johnny Lawrence is # 1 student of the local dojo, and his sensei is not only a Vietnam vet but also a dark master who teaches to have no mercy upon any enemy. Even when you're fighting 5 against 1.
Oddly enough, Laruso expresses the desire to join the fancy Karate Classes, which his mother clearly can't afford. In the meantime, instead of avoiding troubles, Daniel decides to play a prank over his bullies at school, and gives them a shower over the Welcoming Dance while they're not paying particular attention, too busy rolling weed cigars. Has anybody given Daniel a hint of not picking a fight you cannot win? Specially when you know it will be 5 vs 1 and mean guy is really pissed once you're hanging around with his girl? Apparently, not. So just when Daniel is about to be euthanasied by the karate gang, his building janitor, a comic little japanese senior named Mr Miyagi, comes out of the blue in order to defend him. How can a 75 years old defeat 5 teeaner angsted bullies is left for you to understand, though. Mr Miyagi takes Daniel as his pupil and starts his training to defend his honour. Here comes the anthem of the Karate Kid philosophy, a subtle concept hard to catch immediately: "Learn to fight so you don't have to".
I find hard to beleive even a skilled master would be able to teach a skinny guy in one month enough o win the First Place in a Karate Contest, but hey, that's California. Dreamland. Persue your dream and you'll suceed. Nice outfit, also.
Daniel Larusso comes to sunny California dragged by his mom all the way from New Jersey. He's a skinny, pale and 'not cool' new guy with an attitute (aka 'cry baby'). Daniel's also prone to attract troubles with his impulsive, now and then senseless behaviour and childish sense of humour.
Daniel meets a beautiful girl named Ali Mills, whom his neighbour advises him to stay away from, since she's from 'the Hills'. Not familiar to the expression, he is enlightened to understand she is a wealthy person. However, in all the glory of his 45kg, Larusso decides to stick around and try to win the girl with his charms. Too bad her former boyfriend Johnny Lawrence is # 1 student of the local dojo, and his sensei is not only a Vietnam vet but also a dark master who teaches to have no mercy upon any enemy. Even when you're fighting 5 against 1.
Oddly enough, Laruso expresses the desire to join the fancy Karate Classes, which his mother clearly can't afford. In the meantime, instead of avoiding troubles, Daniel decides to play a prank over his bullies at school, and gives them a shower over the Welcoming Dance while they're not paying particular attention, too busy rolling weed cigars. Has anybody given Daniel a hint of not picking a fight you cannot win? Specially when you know it will be 5 vs 1 and mean guy is really pissed once you're hanging around with his girl? Apparently, not. So just when Daniel is about to be euthanasied by the karate gang, his building janitor, a comic little japanese senior named Mr Miyagi, comes out of the blue in order to defend him. How can a 75 years old defeat 5 teeaner angsted bullies is left for you to understand, though. Mr Miyagi takes Daniel as his pupil and starts his training to defend his honour. Here comes the anthem of the Karate Kid philosophy, a subtle concept hard to catch immediately: "Learn to fight so you don't have to".
I find hard to beleive even a skilled master would be able to teach a skinny guy in one month enough o win the First Place in a Karate Contest, but hey, that's California. Dreamland. Persue your dream and you'll suceed. Nice outfit, also.
November 21, 2013
I read The Karate Kid by B.B Hiller. I felt good about myself when I read the book because I could relate to the main character, Daniel. He was training to be a black belt master. The way I can relate to Daniel is that I am training in baseball to get better. The other main characters are Mr. Miagi, and Alia. I liked Mr.Miagi because he was protective of Daniel. He was like a father to Daniel. I liked Alia because she cared about Daniel, as well.
The author made me feel interested to read this book because the main idea was about a kid turning into a black belt in less than 3 weeks.The setting to this story is great making a kid moves from New Jersey to upper San Diego,California. This girl that he met in school named Ali is always looking out for him.
Bottom line is that this book is a great book for its character,setting,plot,and the resolution in this book. I think that this book can be better if the author made it longer to show more details in the novel.
The author made me feel interested to read this book because the main idea was about a kid turning into a black belt in less than 3 weeks.The setting to this story is great making a kid moves from New Jersey to upper San Diego,California. This girl that he met in school named Ali is always looking out for him.
Bottom line is that this book is a great book for its character,setting,plot,and the resolution in this book. I think that this book can be better if the author made it longer to show more details in the novel.
May 22, 2014
A very close translation from visual movie to literary book.
The story feels very much the same, but the characters feel different.
Miyagi feels less mysterious and regal, Daniel more loaded with fear and apprehension, Johnny less a villain and more the standard competitive boy, and Ali some sort of super awesome down to Earth girl.
A lot of the magic and mysticism felt in the movie are missing in this version though and it's one of the rare instances in which the book is artistically lesser than the film version.
The story feels very much the same, but the characters feel different.
Miyagi feels less mysterious and regal, Daniel more loaded with fear and apprehension, Johnny less a villain and more the standard competitive boy, and Ali some sort of super awesome down to Earth girl.
A lot of the magic and mysticism felt in the movie are missing in this version though and it's one of the rare instances in which the book is artistically lesser than the film version.
February 24, 2017
Great story of friendship, struggles and having a dream to be the best you can be.
August 31, 2017
Phenomenal accompaniment of the movie
March 21, 2024
narrated by Timmi Lasley on youtube
December 27, 2024
Preread note, 2/10/23:
In the "readers also enjoyed" section on my Goodreads page for this book:
This is apparently beastiality dinosaur porn... I'm anxious to find out what in The Karate Kid could possibly create a link between these two books. It would have to be one hell of a departure from the movie I know and love. Goodreads also suggested The Queering and Viper (which seems to be about some woman hooking up with some kind of snakeman)... Scratch "anxious." I'm now pretty nervous.
Real review,3/26/24, 3/27/24, 3/28/24, 3/29/24, 3/30/24, 3/31/24 (goddam tax season):
If you're still reading, let me put your mind at ease about the matter mentioned above. There are no triceratops, or dinosaurs, or reptiles of any kind in this, nor is there any pornography. Daniel and Ali kiss a couple of times, once in a shower costume, but not in a real shower, and that's about as steamy as it gets. The "readers also enjoyed" section now lists two of the Back to the Futures and a couple other novelizations, so I guess Goodreads got itself fixed.
B.B. Hiller does it again! (She did it before with Superman IV, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one and two.) She nails writing a novelization for the older elementary/younger middle school age range about as good as anybody, and 10-year-old Pierce would probably give this five stars. Unfortunately, 45-year-old Pierce is writing this review, and he's a grumpy old cuss at this time of year and will be until April 15th, so he's going with three, or perhaps or 3.5 stars, with a bonus due to how much he loves the movie.
As usual, this is just the movie in print based on the screenplay with a few minor changes, and it was fun watching it play out in my head. Daniel's not quite as bratty, and he has a better relationship with Lucille (his mother), or at least he's more understanding with her. He's less of a shit with Miyagi as well. Ditto Ali. However, I wouldn't change anything in the movie. The actors bring an extra dimension to the characters that's kind of missing in the book, especially Martin Kove as John Kreese, one of my favorite movie villains.
Being a knitter, someone with such an abominable attitude naturally rises to the top of my love-to-hate list, but in spite of that, this movie is one of my faves though it didn't start out that way. I've always liked it just fine, but it was just a good flick when I was a kid. The older I got the more it grew on me, and now I love it and always turn it on if I see it on TV. Since they show it all the damn time, I'll run through it a good dozen times a year. It hits me in the feels pretty good, and it's one of the few movies that can make me tear up. I can't explain why. I used to just say it was because the boys were being so mean to Daniel, but that wasn't the reason at all. It's just what I came up with when someone asked me "why" once. However, it's more tears of joy than anything else. At he end I'm just so happy that he made it and then Johnny comes around and gives him the trophy and says "you're alright, LaRusso," and I don't know, I just get misty eyed...
That's actually not the most embarrassing thing, though. I went to see it at the Byrd.
September 2, 2017 at 10AM if you care; I have the ticket stub laminated (along with my parking receipt [$7.00!!!] for my 20th high school reunion which I can't believe was eight years ago), and I use it as a bookmark from time to time. Of course I had to use it for this one.
Anyway, I started getting emotional when this came on the screen:
Yes, the Columbia lady with no music at all (it doesn't start for several seconds) touched the fount of my tears, though I managed to dam them up again before I became a blubbering mess in front of the rest of the audience, WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE ME???!!!
Thankfully the book didn't hit me quite as hard, or really at all, possibly because there's no Columbia lady in it; I don't know. Odd as it may be, the Golf N' Stuff date scene is the big winner for bringing on the nostalgia if not exactly the waterworks. I'm not entirely sure why since I've never been on a date in that kind of setting that I recall. I did used to go to such places, though, and while they haven't gone the way of the dodo just yet, they do seem to be on the wane. Perhaps I'm just pining for my old carefree youth that I didn't know was carefree at the time. I do miss those times with some of my old friends, but I'm from the generation that considered skating in circles while a DJ played music to be a wild night out, and one of the big challenges was to keep pace with the lights on the floor reflected from the disco ball when you went around the curve at the end of the rink... Sorry, I was waxing nostalgic.
No, waxing nostalgic.
NO!
I better wrap this up before I get more invaders. Here are a few songs from the soundtrack which was pretty good. I think Cruel Summer by Bananarama was the only one released as a single, but it made it to number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight in the UK. Aside from Feel the Night, other gems include Young Hearts and The Moment of Truth... Okay, maybe "gems" is laying it on just a little thick, but damn if I don't love them because the sound doesn't get much more 80s than those. However, all of them must stand in awe of Joe Esposito's "You're the Best Around" which is the song you need when you absolutely, positively must kick ass.
The Piercevoodle has spoken.
In the "readers also enjoyed" section on my Goodreads page for this book:
This is apparently beastiality dinosaur porn... I'm anxious to find out what in The Karate Kid could possibly create a link between these two books. It would have to be one hell of a departure from the movie I know and love. Goodreads also suggested The Queering and Viper (which seems to be about some woman hooking up with some kind of snakeman)... Scratch "anxious." I'm now pretty nervous.
Real review,
If you're still reading, let me put your mind at ease about the matter mentioned above. There are no triceratops, or dinosaurs, or reptiles of any kind in this, nor is there any pornography. Daniel and Ali kiss a couple of times, once in a shower costume, but not in a real shower, and that's about as steamy as it gets. The "readers also enjoyed" section now lists two of the Back to the Futures and a couple other novelizations, so I guess Goodreads got itself fixed.
B.B. Hiller does it again! (She did it before with Superman IV, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one and two.) She nails writing a novelization for the older elementary/younger middle school age range about as good as anybody, and 10-year-old Pierce would probably give this five stars. Unfortunately, 45-year-old Pierce is writing this review, and he's a grumpy old cuss at this time of year and will be until April 15th, so he's going with three, or perhaps or 3.5 stars, with a bonus due to how much he loves the movie.
As usual, this is just the movie in print based on the screenplay with a few minor changes, and it was fun watching it play out in my head. Daniel's not quite as bratty, and he has a better relationship with Lucille (his mother), or at least he's more understanding with her. He's less of a shit with Miyagi as well. Ditto Ali. However, I wouldn't change anything in the movie. The actors bring an extra dimension to the characters that's kind of missing in the book, especially Martin Kove as John Kreese, one of my favorite movie villains.
Being a knitter, someone with such an abominable attitude naturally rises to the top of my love-to-hate list, but in spite of that, this movie is one of my faves though it didn't start out that way. I've always liked it just fine, but it was just a good flick when I was a kid. The older I got the more it grew on me, and now I love it and always turn it on if I see it on TV. Since they show it all the damn time, I'll run through it a good dozen times a year. It hits me in the feels pretty good, and it's one of the few movies that can make me tear up. I can't explain why. I used to just say it was because the boys were being so mean to Daniel, but that wasn't the reason at all. It's just what I came up with when someone asked me "why" once. However, it's more tears of joy than anything else. At he end I'm just so happy that he made it and then Johnny comes around and gives him the trophy and says "you're alright, LaRusso," and I don't know, I just get misty eyed...
That's actually not the most embarrassing thing, though. I went to see it at the Byrd.
September 2, 2017 at 10AM if you care; I have the ticket stub laminated (along with my parking receipt [$7.00!!!] for my 20th high school reunion which I can't believe was eight years ago), and I use it as a bookmark from time to time. Of course I had to use it for this one.
Anyway, I started getting emotional when this came on the screen:
Yes, the Columbia lady with no music at all (it doesn't start for several seconds) touched the fount of my tears, though I managed to dam them up again before I became a blubbering mess in front of the rest of the audience, WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE ME???!!!
Thankfully the book didn't hit me quite as hard, or really at all, possibly because there's no Columbia lady in it; I don't know. Odd as it may be, the Golf N' Stuff date scene is the big winner for bringing on the nostalgia if not exactly the waterworks. I'm not entirely sure why since I've never been on a date in that kind of setting that I recall. I did used to go to such places, though, and while they haven't gone the way of the dodo just yet, they do seem to be on the wane. Perhaps I'm just pining for my old carefree youth that I didn't know was carefree at the time. I do miss those times with some of my old friends, but I'm from the generation that considered skating in circles while a DJ played music to be a wild night out, and one of the big challenges was to keep pace with the lights on the floor reflected from the disco ball when you went around the curve at the end of the rink... Sorry, I was waxing nostalgic.
No, waxing nostalgic.
NO!
I better wrap this up before I get more invaders. Here are a few songs from the soundtrack which was pretty good. I think Cruel Summer by Bananarama was the only one released as a single, but it made it to number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight in the UK. Aside from Feel the Night, other gems include Young Hearts and The Moment of Truth... Okay, maybe "gems" is laying it on just a little thick, but damn if I don't love them because the sound doesn't get much more 80s than those. However, all of them must stand in awe of Joe Esposito's "You're the Best Around" which is the song you need when you absolutely, positively must kick ass.
The Piercevoodle has spoken.
December 1, 2022
Try to be best
'Cause you're only a man
And a man's gotta learn to take it
Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it
History repeats itself
Try and you'll succeed
Never doubt that you're the one
And you can have your dreams
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
Fight 'til the end
'Cause your life will depend
On the strength that you have inside you
Ah, gotta be proud
Standing out in the crowd
When the odds and the game defy you
Try your best to win them all
And one day time will tell
When you're the one that's standing there
You'll reach the final bell
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
Oh-oh
Oh, You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
Fight 'til you drop
Never stop
Can't give up
'Til you reach the top (fight)
You're the best in town (fight!)
Listen to that sound
A little bit of all you got
They'll never bring you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
'Cause you're only a man
And a man's gotta learn to take it
Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it
History repeats itself
Try and you'll succeed
Never doubt that you're the one
And you can have your dreams
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
Fight 'til the end
'Cause your life will depend
On the strength that you have inside you
Ah, gotta be proud
Standing out in the crowd
When the odds and the game defy you
Try your best to win them all
And one day time will tell
When you're the one that's standing there
You'll reach the final bell
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
Oh-oh
Oh, You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
Fight 'til you drop
Never stop
Can't give up
'Til you reach the top (fight)
You're the best in town (fight!)
Listen to that sound
A little bit of all you got
They'll never bring you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
You're the best around
Nothing's gonna ever keep you down
January 26, 2024
Pretty decent for a junior novelization. It's honestly better written than the Batman 1989 novelization I just read, despite the fact that this one was targeted at a younger audience. There's a lot of subtext here that you don't get with the movie. A big one is the explanation that Mr. Miyagi's wife was interned at a Japanese internment camp during World War II, something that was only alluded to in the movie. Here, a quick but informative explanation of Japanese internment camps is given. It's interesting to also see how the fight between Mr. Miyagi and Kreese takes place at the end of this book, giving credence to the fact that that scene was shot for the end of the first film, rather than Karate Kid II, where it was ultimately included.
Short and sweet. I can't remember the last time I've seen the movie and this definitely makes me want to watch it again. I might read the TMNT junior novelizations that this author has done now.
Short and sweet. I can't remember the last time I've seen the movie and this definitely makes me want to watch it again. I might read the TMNT junior novelizations that this author has done now.
August 16, 2020
While it can't compare to the movie or even Avildsen's rehearsal footage, I love that you get some information that ended up on the film's cutting room floor or changed between drafts of the script. The part that I loved most was Bobby taking off his belt and dropping it in front of Kreese after being disqualified for injuring Daniel. I wish that had been kept in the film. Although, I do prefer the Kreese attacking Johnny/Kreese v. Miyagi scene at the beginning of The Karate Kid Part II over how it was originally written in the books. It is more traumatic for the young Cobras to see their friend being nearly killed by their sensei and then attacked for trying to help him rather than the mild version of the book leading to the rest of the Cobras to drop their belts at Kreese's feet after his humiliation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
Confession: I read a lot of novelizations as a kid. It made sense for me: My parents would never allow me to watch a movie about fighting, but I could read whatever I wanted, so there I went. I read this one and enjoyed it.
I still enjoyed it as an adult. BB Hiller did a remarkable job of adding enough color and texture to adapt the screen to the page. And the movie script that started it all was stronger than I gave it credit for.
And that's how I gave 4 stars to a novelization. Wait, did that really happen? No way I'll believe it a year from now.
I still enjoyed it as an adult. BB Hiller did a remarkable job of adding enough color and texture to adapt the screen to the page. And the movie script that started it all was stronger than I gave it credit for.
And that's how I gave 4 stars to a novelization. Wait, did that really happen? No way I'll believe it a year from now.
January 29, 2022
I love The Karate Kid. And with my recent discovery of the Cobra Kai web show, I decided to go back and watch all of the movies (with the exception of The Next Karate Kid) again. Despite having grown up in the 90s, I was unaware of these novelizations. So, when I discovered them, I was thrilled. Of course, this wasn't as good as the movie, but it was very well written, and captured the characters perfectly in my opinion. I just wish this had been a bit longer.
September 23, 2019
I never saw the movie so the book is all I have. It is really good! I got emotional three times at the end. I think movie adaptation novels are a real challenge and Miller did a great job.
Now I want to see the movie!
Now I want to see the movie!
October 4, 2019
Book full of strength,hard work...
Do read this book guys irs alovely story with a sad climax and a happy ending...
Karate kid is one of my favourite novel and movie....
Recommend it to both teens and adults!!!
Do read this book guys irs alovely story with a sad climax and a happy ending...
Karate kid is one of my favourite novel and movie....
Recommend it to both teens and adults!!!
January 28, 2020
The Karate Kid is pretty weak even for a movie novelization, but clearly this book is intended for a young audience. Little is added to the story aside from the original ending which became the opening scene of Karate Kid II.
June 21, 2018
2.5 really left a lot out and it is just for children
March 6, 2019
This has a lot of good lessons that are wise to learn. Another good, short read for the book/movie project my sister and I are doing.
March 7, 2019
La película, tal cual, me ha encantado leerla :-D La leí en inglés y el vocabulario me resultó más sencillo de lo que creía así que genial.
Currently reading
November 15, 2019i think this is easy to read
March 20, 2022
surprisingly good for a movie novelization
April 16, 2022
I want to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2023
This was a light, but very good adaptation of the movie.
October 30, 2023
Loved the movie and of course the book is always better. Very good story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 28, 2024
I read this when I was a kid.
November 3, 2025
Fun read if you've seen the movie. Book obviously written for younger audience and meant to capitalize on the movie itself. Still fun distraction.
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