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Star Wars Disney Canon Junior Novel
Star Wars: So You Want to Be a Jedi?
Acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author Adam Gidwitz delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like you've never experienced before, infusing the iconic, classic tale of good versus evil with a unique perspective and narrative style that will speak directly to today's young readers while enhancing the Star Wars experience for core fans of the saga.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2015
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Adam Gidwitz
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 432 reviews
February 13, 2017
I still don't understand why this had to be in second person. It was just weird. But it got better as the book went on!
October 27, 2015
This... this is really bad. It was a struggle to finish it. The second-person point-of-view has never been my favorite, but this was made even worse by the simple fact that the author got so many pivotal moments and dialogue flat out wrong. It's almost as if he was writing from memory, after having watched Empire Strikes Back once as a child, thirty-some-odd years ago.
See if you can read these and not cringe. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard:
"This deal gets worse every second," Lando mutters.
"That wasn't a laser!" Han barks. "We hit something!"
And that's just two of about a thousand examples. At first I thought maybe he was just "dumbing it down" for the younger audience, but so many more complex lines are still intact! I just don't get it. Was it too much to ask him to have a copy of the screenplay nearby?
Star Wars geekery aside, the book also has no soul. Empire was the best of the movies, the most emotional by far, but this book was flatter than a pancake.
I'm diving into the Return of the Jedi retelling next. I pray it's a better rendition than this.
Avoid. Even if you're a kid. Especially if you're a Star Wars fan.
See if you can read these and not cringe. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard:
"This deal gets worse every second," Lando mutters.
"That wasn't a laser!" Han barks. "We hit something!"
And that's just two of about a thousand examples. At first I thought maybe he was just "dumbing it down" for the younger audience, but so many more complex lines are still intact! I just don't get it. Was it too much to ask him to have a copy of the screenplay nearby?
Star Wars geekery aside, the book also has no soul. Empire was the best of the movies, the most emotional by far, but this book was flatter than a pancake.
I'm diving into the Return of the Jedi retelling next. I pray it's a better rendition than this.
Avoid. Even if you're a kid. Especially if you're a Star Wars fan.
June 4, 2022
After Alexandra Bracken's amazing retelling of A New Hope, I thought that this version of The Empire Strikes Back would be in a similar vein...but, boy, was I disappointed with this one! While the "second person" narration is fun, it doesn't exactly suit this story; many scenes in the film didn't feature Luke, so telling it from his perspective doesn't make sense. Also, all the Jedi lessons were rather distracting and interrupted the flow of the story. Let's hope the retelling of Return of the Jedi is better than this mess.
EDIT: Reading this book for the fourth time has improved my opinion of it...but only slightly. It's easily the worst in this trilogy, but, when it comes to Star Wars, you can do much worse, both pre-Disney (The Crystal Star) and after the House of Mouse took over: The Last Jedi, anyone?
EDIT: Reading this book for the fourth time has improved my opinion of it...but only slightly. It's easily the worst in this trilogy, but, when it comes to Star Wars, you can do much worse, both pre-Disney (The Crystal Star) and after the House of Mouse took over: The Last Jedi, anyone?
dnf
October 28, 2015Amount read: The prologue and a couple sentences of the first chapter
THIS FUCKING BOOK IS IN SECOND PERSON *hurls book across room (only not really because I don't want to break my iPod*
Alright, I'm calmer now. Perhaps I should have seen this coming, considering that the title is in second person, but I thought that was just an attempt to be funny and get people to buy the book. Nope. You will be asked to believe that you are Luke Skywalker for the entirety of Gidwitz's retelling of The Empire Strikes Back. This might be awesome for the intended audience of little tykes, eager to imagine themselves heroes, but it's not awesome for me.
Beyond just my personal distaste for second person narratives, I have a couple of major problems with this narrative choice.
The first in this series of retellings uses three third person limited POVs: Leia, Han, and Luke. To go from that to a second person POV does not make for a cohesive story. It's surely not the fault of the authors that they weren't given enough direction as to how to write their retellings, but it's still fucking annoying, and it's going to make Gidwitz look inconsistent, even though he and Bracken wrote their books at the same time.
Then there's the fact that Gidwitz has chosen to narrow in on just Luke. The movies do sometimes follow the other characters, but they mostly stay with Luke, meaning that there will be a lot of the movie just transcribed. No thanks. The parts that I enjoyed from the first book in the series were the ones that didn't happen in the movie.
THIS FUCKING BOOK IS IN SECOND PERSON *hurls book across room (only not really because I don't want to break my iPod*
Alright, I'm calmer now. Perhaps I should have seen this coming, considering that the title is in second person, but I thought that was just an attempt to be funny and get people to buy the book. Nope. You will be asked to believe that you are Luke Skywalker for the entirety of Gidwitz's retelling of The Empire Strikes Back. This might be awesome for the intended audience of little tykes, eager to imagine themselves heroes, but it's not awesome for me.
Beyond just my personal distaste for second person narratives, I have a couple of major problems with this narrative choice.
The first in this series of retellings uses three third person limited POVs: Leia, Han, and Luke. To go from that to a second person POV does not make for a cohesive story. It's surely not the fault of the authors that they weren't given enough direction as to how to write their retellings, but it's still fucking annoying, and it's going to make Gidwitz look inconsistent, even though he and Bracken wrote their books at the same time.
Then there's the fact that Gidwitz has chosen to narrow in on just Luke. The movies do sometimes follow the other characters, but they mostly stay with Luke, meaning that there will be a lot of the movie just transcribed. No thanks. The parts that I enjoyed from the first book in the series were the ones that didn't happen in the movie.
October 12, 2022
This one was alright, the first one was certainly better. And this one didn't really add anything to the story of the movie either.
It added a few bits like Yoda knowing about Anakin's visions and that's what lead him to the dark side which was a nice little touch. And Luke knew mid-duel that Vader was his father, but didn't understand until he was told. And it mentioned Vader's sadness when Luke rejected him.
That's about it, however. It's passable.
It added a few bits like Yoda knowing about Anakin's visions and that's what lead him to the dark side which was a nice little touch. And Luke knew mid-duel that Vader was his father, but didn't understand until he was told. And it mentioned Vader's sadness when Luke rejected him.
That's about it, however. It's passable.
January 5, 2016
Disclaimer: I've never watched the movies * ducks from the onslaught of lightsabers *
It feels like this book was written specifically for boys? I hated how he skipped over the "mushy" parts, wrote in second person, and ugh.
Ladies and gentlemen, my oh-so-eloquent review.
UPDATE: I've watched the movies, and holy scruffy looking nerfherders, they were fantastic!!!
It feels like this book was written specifically for boys? I hated how he skipped over the "mushy" parts, wrote in second person, and ugh.
Ladies and gentlemen, my oh-so-eloquent review.
UPDATE: I've watched the movies, and holy scruffy looking nerfherders, they were fantastic!!!
January 2, 2016
At first, I was not a fan of the 2nd person narrative. But, in the end, it works just fine for the story. My 6 year-old was totally into all the Jedi training segments. He has declared himself a "true Jedi master" now.
October 18, 2015
I didn't think there could be a worse translation of
Star Wars
than Bracken's take. I was most assuredly wrong.
I know this is a cash-grab by Disney and that there is a chance that the target age group may not know how unbelievably bad the writing is (which, if we can be honest,is unforgivable given that Gidwitz is telling a story originally and completely written by someone else), but how does it happen that Disney hires authors who simply do not understand the archetypes and imagery used by Lucas and Kershner and reduce them to so much muddled dreck?
This is the first (and I would wager only) book that made me want to write a letter to the publisher requesting that I be given the option of returning it for a full refund.
I know this is a cash-grab by Disney and that there is a chance that the target age group may not know how unbelievably bad the writing is (which, if we can be honest,is unforgivable given that Gidwitz is telling a story originally and completely written by someone else), but how does it happen that Disney hires authors who simply do not understand the archetypes and imagery used by Lucas and Kershner and reduce them to so much muddled dreck?
This is the first (and I would wager only) book that made me want to write a letter to the publisher requesting that I be given the option of returning it for a full refund.
April 19, 2019
I think I liked this one better than the 1st book. The "Lesson Omega" things weren't my favorite and I did end up skipping past them most of the time lol Excited to read the last book and finish the series though :)
Side note: Is anyone else as excited about Ep. IX as I am?? xD CANNOT WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER!!! :D I know some probably aren't, but just curious haha
Side note: Is anyone else as excited about Ep. IX as I am?? xD CANNOT WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER!!! :D I know some probably aren't, but just curious haha
March 5, 2017
Actual review:
Wow that was hilarious and awesome and had all the true spirit of the movie!
I especially love the scenes where we can see Darth Dad reacting to his little boy; his shoulders tensing when the emperor finds out and then seemingly coming up with a solution... and then when Luke runs away him being sad about it is honestly the best thing ever! Dad just wants his son and it make Vader very human which is good to set up the events of the last book.
Amazing book, I think every MG or YA reading Star Wars fan should read it!
While reading reactions and notes:
8pm
Omg the Jedi Lessons in this are HILARIOUS like they're telling you to meditate and communicate with someone using the force but telling them you've wet yourself is a waste of your abilities
8:20pm
OMG NEW FAVOURITE LINE: "It's not clear who put her in charge of the X-wing briefing. But Leia's the sort of gal who doesn't need anyone's permission to take charge."
TOO RIGHT SHE DOESNT! There is so much girl power in this series and I'm in love!
8:21pm
Screw that this whole story is my new favourite line I'm just constantly swapping between laughing and internally cheering from the girl power and feminism and also some pretty epic banter and sarcasm (also Darth Vader cameos because everyone loves them)
9:08pm
"'AAAARRAAARAAGH' An enormous, opera-singing god yodels soulfully beside the Millennium Falcon. No, wait. That is Cewbacca. Never Mind."
Sounds like some words I'd use to describe an art project... crossed with a dad joke... *claps sarcastically for the solid dad jokes while trying not to laugh because they're so bad they're good*
Wow that was hilarious and awesome and had all the true spirit of the movie!
I especially love the scenes where we can see Darth Dad reacting to his little boy; his shoulders tensing when the emperor finds out and then seemingly coming up with a solution... and then when Luke runs away him being sad about it is honestly the best thing ever! Dad just wants his son and it make Vader very human which is good to set up the events of the last book.
Amazing book, I think every MG or YA reading Star Wars fan should read it!
While reading reactions and notes:
8pm
Omg the Jedi Lessons in this are HILARIOUS like they're telling you to meditate and communicate with someone using the force but telling them you've wet yourself is a waste of your abilities
8:20pm
OMG NEW FAVOURITE LINE: "It's not clear who put her in charge of the X-wing briefing. But Leia's the sort of gal who doesn't need anyone's permission to take charge."
TOO RIGHT SHE DOESNT! There is so much girl power in this series and I'm in love!
8:21pm
Screw that this whole story is my new favourite line I'm just constantly swapping between laughing and internally cheering from the girl power and feminism and also some pretty epic banter and sarcasm (also Darth Vader cameos because everyone loves them)
9:08pm
"'AAAARRAAARAAGH' An enormous, opera-singing god yodels soulfully beside the Millennium Falcon. No, wait. That is Cewbacca. Never Mind."
Sounds like some words I'd use to describe an art project... crossed with a dad joke... *claps sarcastically for the solid dad jokes while trying not to laugh because they're so bad they're good*
May 3, 2016
Not really fussed on this one. I shelved this under Childrens in my bookshelves, whereas I didn't shelve A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy there. New Hope felt a lot better done than this one in that it was sort of timeless and could work for any audience - listening to this one, I was very aware that I was listening to a childrens' retelling of Empire.
As with New Hope, sound effects and music and so on were great - the narrator made Luke sound a tad whingier than I expected. The choice to write it in the 2nd person ("You" do this and "you" do that, assuming the listener was Luke Skywalker) sort of fell flat for me, and as it was written in a very child-friendly way, it sort of meant that I saw Luke as a lot more immature and silly than he appears in the film.
Not terrible - if I was much younger I probably would have enjoyed it, but a big let down after New Hope.
As with New Hope, sound effects and music and so on were great - the narrator made Luke sound a tad whingier than I expected. The choice to write it in the 2nd person ("You" do this and "you" do that, assuming the listener was Luke Skywalker) sort of fell flat for me, and as it was written in a very child-friendly way, it sort of meant that I saw Luke as a lot more immature and silly than he appears in the film.
Not terrible - if I was much younger I probably would have enjoyed it, but a big let down after New Hope.
May 3, 2019
I’m really enjoying these. Just the lighthearted fare I needed this past week. I love the way they are re-written with just enough comedy and action for kids, but yet never deviate from the original story we love so much. I especially enjoyed the added Yoda stories and lessons, the for kids Jedi lessons interspersed, and finishing it yesterday just before hearing the news of Peter Mayhew’s passing seemed so...perfect, in a way.
That character he created, and brought to life, was just as warm, feisty, and fierce on audiobook as on film. Who knew so much could be conveyed by growls alone....he will be missed.
That character he created, and brought to life, was just as warm, feisty, and fierce on audiobook as on film. Who knew so much could be conveyed by growls alone....he will be missed.
March 9, 2018
This was delightful. It follows my favorite Star Wars movie of EVER.
The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the BEST. FIGHT ME.
Anywho....
I fully recommend this in Audible format. I think it made the whole story come alive even more. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.
The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the BEST. FIGHT ME.
Anywho....
I fully recommend this in Audible format. I think it made the whole story come alive even more. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.
April 8, 2017
ספר מעולה. בעיקרון מספר את הסיפור של הסרט "האימפריה מכה שנית", אבל לא זו הפואנטה. בין הפרקים שזורות משימות שכביכול מלמ��ות "איך להיות ג'די", אבל למעשה אלו תרגילים שמאוד מתאימים לילדים שסובלים מבעיות קשב וריכוז, ויסות ריגשי, התמודדות עם תסכולים, ובעצם לכולם. אני חושבת שאתן לבנים שלי לתרגל אותם כל יום. הספר מיועד לילדים, דרך אגב.
February 25, 2017
The only reason it got two stars was because the second-person perspective was suuuuuper annoying.
February 8, 2017
2,5 tähteä
Kuten jo nimen perusteella voi olettaa, tämä teos on nuortenkirjamuotoon tehty sovitus Imperiumin vastaisku -elokuvasta. Tartuin kirjaan, koska sarjan edeltävä osa Uusi toivo: Prinsessa, lurjus ja maalaispoika yllätti positiivisesti erityisesti Antti Hulkkosen erinomaisen suomennoksen ansiosta. Siinä alkuperäisen Star Wars -elokuvan tarinaan on onnistuneesti saatu uutta syvyyttä kertomalla tarina ensimmäisessä persoonassa Leian, Luken ja Hanin näkökulmista.
Haluatko jediksi? -kirjassa taas uutta twistiä vanhaan tarinaan on yritetty saada toisen persoonan kertojalla. Lukijan on siis tarkoitus eläytyä Luke Skywalkerin, Star Wars -maailman tylsimmän hahmon, rooliin ja kuvitella itse ryhtyvänsä jediksi. Tarinan lomaan on vielä ripoteltu lukijan itse kokeiltavaksi erilaisia jedikokelaalle sopivia harjoitteita, kuten hengitys- ja keskittymisharjoituksia. Aikuislukijalle sekä kerronta toisessa persoonassa että tarinan keskeyttäminen harjoitusohjeiden takia on rasittavaa, mutta voin kuvitella, että kirja uppoaa kuin häkä erityisesti alakouluikäisiin poikiin. Pyöristänkin arvioni ylöspäin ihan pelkästään siksi, että joku on kirjoittanut hyvän kirjan yleisölle, joka tunnetusti yleensä ei ole kiinnostunut lukemisesta.
Huomionarvoista on varmasti mainita, että sarjan kaikilla kolmella kirjalla on eri kirjailija, joten tason vaihtelu on ymmärrettävää. Jään odottamaan viimeisen osan suomennoksen ilmestymistä, koska se näyttää saaneen kaikista kolmesta kirjasta parhaat arvostelut.
Kuten jo nimen perusteella voi olettaa, tämä teos on nuortenkirjamuotoon tehty sovitus Imperiumin vastaisku -elokuvasta. Tartuin kirjaan, koska sarjan edeltävä osa Uusi toivo: Prinsessa, lurjus ja maalaispoika yllätti positiivisesti erityisesti Antti Hulkkosen erinomaisen suomennoksen ansiosta. Siinä alkuperäisen Star Wars -elokuvan tarinaan on onnistuneesti saatu uutta syvyyttä kertomalla tarina ensimmäisessä persoonassa Leian, Luken ja Hanin näkökulmista.
Haluatko jediksi? -kirjassa taas uutta twistiä vanhaan tarinaan on yritetty saada toisen persoonan kertojalla. Lukijan on siis tarkoitus eläytyä Luke Skywalkerin, Star Wars -maailman tylsimmän hahmon, rooliin ja kuvitella itse ryhtyvänsä jediksi. Tarinan lomaan on vielä ripoteltu lukijan itse kokeiltavaksi erilaisia jedikokelaalle sopivia harjoitteita, kuten hengitys- ja keskittymisharjoituksia. Aikuislukijalle sekä kerronta toisessa persoonassa että tarinan keskeyttäminen harjoitusohjeiden takia on rasittavaa, mutta voin kuvitella, että kirja uppoaa kuin häkä erityisesti alakouluikäisiin poikiin. Pyöristänkin arvioni ylöspäin ihan pelkästään siksi, että joku on kirjoittanut hyvän kirjan yleisölle, joka tunnetusti yleensä ei ole kiinnostunut lukemisesta.
Huomionarvoista on varmasti mainita, että sarjan kaikilla kolmella kirjalla on eri kirjailija, joten tason vaihtelu on ymmärrettävää. Jään odottamaan viimeisen osan suomennoksen ilmestymistä, koska se näyttää saaneen kaikista kolmesta kirjasta parhaat arvostelut.
February 11, 2017
"I am your father."
(Hey, if it were you, could you resist using this?)
So, basically a retelling of The Empire Strikes Back written for kids, filled with funny dialogue and lessons on "how to be a Jedi".
Surprisingly, this was pretty fun.
I noticed that in most of the reviews, people were complaining about the fact that it was told through second person view, not first person.
But, after reading the foreword, and seeing that Mr. Gidwitz wanted to actually put readers in Luke's shoes, I think that telling it through second view was the perfect choice, since the main target audience is for kids.
The "lessons" seemed fun, too, and I'm sure the little 'uns will love 'em.
The writing was nice, fun, easy to read and easy to understand. And also pretty funny.
This would make a perfect gift for a young Star Wars loving padawan.
(Hey, if it were you, could you resist using this?)
So, basically a retelling of The Empire Strikes Back written for kids, filled with funny dialogue and lessons on "how to be a Jedi".
Surprisingly, this was pretty fun.
I noticed that in most of the reviews, people were complaining about the fact that it was told through second person view, not first person.
But, after reading the foreword, and seeing that Mr. Gidwitz wanted to actually put readers in Luke's shoes, I think that telling it through second view was the perfect choice, since the main target audience is for kids.
The "lessons" seemed fun, too, and I'm sure the little 'uns will love 'em.
The writing was nice, fun, easy to read and easy to understand. And also pretty funny.
This would make a perfect gift for a young Star Wars loving padawan.
October 9, 2017
I couldn't finish the book. I know what it is trying to do, but it wasn't working for me. It had too casual a feel to it, and under no circumstances should the words "awesome" or "cool" appear in the Star Wars universe.
I put up with it for a while, but although the story was supposed to be training young Jedi by telling Luke's story, all of a sudden you'd hear the perspective of Han or Vader or something. It didn't make sense.
I didn't finish it, and maybe this one is for you or your kids, but sorry. I got nothing.
I put up with it for a while, but although the story was supposed to be training young Jedi by telling Luke's story, all of a sudden you'd hear the perspective of Han or Vader or something. It didn't make sense.
I didn't finish it, and maybe this one is for you or your kids, but sorry. I got nothing.
August 29, 2018
So You Want to Be a Jedi? gets two stars for the lessons teaching you how to become a Jedi and one star for the art included throughout the book. Everything else should have never been published. Actually, I’m not entirely sure how it got published in the first place.
Before I go any further, I do indeed realize this is a book written specifically for middle grade readers. That doesn’t bother me; in fact, I love middle grade books! They have some of the best stories and characters arcs out there. This book is not one of those books. Even for middle grade, the writing is extremely childish and, to make matters worse, it’s written in alternating third person point of view and second person point of view. That’s right, second person point of view. If you read the author’s note at the beginning of the book, the author states his reasonings for writing part of the book in second person, and it’s a good reason: he wants to put the reader in the shoes of Luke Skywalker. What child wouldn’t want to read a book where they get to be Luke Skywalker? It’s a brilliant idea, but the execution of the idea is less than stellar. Especially because at the beginning of the book the narrator tells the reader they’ll be reading the entire story from Luke’s point of view (second person) but the chapter after that is written from Han and Leia’s point of view (third person). Are you confused yet? Yeah, me too. Add to all of this the fact that it’s supposed to be a retelling of The Empire Strikes Back and you’ve got the perfect recipe for disaster. I don’t mind that the author added scenes that weren’t in the movie; in fact, most of them were fun! The recent Star Wars novels, like the adaption of The Last Jedi, add scenes and dialogue that weren’t in the movies and they make the story better. Here, it just made the story worse. Especially when the author got key scenes and dialogue wrong. Iconic scenes and dialogue. The author recreated some scenes perfectly while others were completely destroyed. How is it even possible to mess up Lando Calrissian’s first encounter with Princess Leia? How is it even possible to mess up Darth Vader telling Luke he’s his father? I don’t know, but it happened.
Maybe, maybe, if I had been my eight-year-old self when I read this book, I would have enjoyed it. But I’ve been obsessed with these movies and I’ve been re-watching these movies for over 12 years now. As my favorite of them all, I know the dialogue and the scenes in The Empire Strikes Back better than a favorite book. This is not a retelling. This reads more like someone tried to write the script for the movie after they watched it, working from memory alone. I’m sure there are a ton of children who will absolutely love this, as they should. They’ll get to learn how to be a Jedi and they’ll absolutely love it! Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me; my favorite part of the book was the art.
Before I go any further, I do indeed realize this is a book written specifically for middle grade readers. That doesn’t bother me; in fact, I love middle grade books! They have some of the best stories and characters arcs out there. This book is not one of those books. Even for middle grade, the writing is extremely childish and, to make matters worse, it’s written in alternating third person point of view and second person point of view. That’s right, second person point of view. If you read the author’s note at the beginning of the book, the author states his reasonings for writing part of the book in second person, and it’s a good reason: he wants to put the reader in the shoes of Luke Skywalker. What child wouldn’t want to read a book where they get to be Luke Skywalker? It’s a brilliant idea, but the execution of the idea is less than stellar. Especially because at the beginning of the book the narrator tells the reader they’ll be reading the entire story from Luke’s point of view (second person) but the chapter after that is written from Han and Leia’s point of view (third person). Are you confused yet? Yeah, me too. Add to all of this the fact that it’s supposed to be a retelling of The Empire Strikes Back and you’ve got the perfect recipe for disaster. I don’t mind that the author added scenes that weren’t in the movie; in fact, most of them were fun! The recent Star Wars novels, like the adaption of The Last Jedi, add scenes and dialogue that weren’t in the movies and they make the story better. Here, it just made the story worse. Especially when the author got key scenes and dialogue wrong. Iconic scenes and dialogue. The author recreated some scenes perfectly while others were completely destroyed. How is it even possible to mess up Lando Calrissian’s first encounter with Princess Leia? How is it even possible to mess up Darth Vader telling Luke he’s his father? I don’t know, but it happened.
Maybe, maybe, if I had been my eight-year-old self when I read this book, I would have enjoyed it. But I’ve been obsessed with these movies and I’ve been re-watching these movies for over 12 years now. As my favorite of them all, I know the dialogue and the scenes in The Empire Strikes Back better than a favorite book. This is not a retelling. This reads more like someone tried to write the script for the movie after they watched it, working from memory alone. I’m sure there are a ton of children who will absolutely love this, as they should. They’ll get to learn how to be a Jedi and they’ll absolutely love it! Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me; my favorite part of the book was the art.
November 8, 2017
Actually Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Okay, this wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either.
The main gripe that I have as well as many other reviewers was the second person perspective. It wasn't really necessary and it confused me a lot.
I did enjoy this book, but not at all quite like the first.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy though.
Okay, this wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either.
The main gripe that I have as well as many other reviewers was the second person perspective. It wasn't really necessary and it confused me a lot.
I did enjoy this book, but not at all quite like the first.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy though.
November 5, 2017
Me gustó: es sobre Star Wars y el episodio V: "El imperio contraataca".
No me gustó: la forma en que el escritor narra esta historia y los apartados que se encuentran al final de cada capítulo, que contienen las lecciones.
Personalmente, no lo recomiendo.
No me gustó: la forma en que el escritor narra esta historia y los apartados que se encuentran al final de cada capítulo, que contienen las lecciones.
Personalmente, no lo recomiendo.
April 17, 2023
It was a play by play of a movie that I don’t really care about with the occasional bit of guided meditation thing. I probably wouldn’t rate it so low if I hadn’t been stuck in a car with it playing, but this is my review and I can rate it whatever I want.
February 6, 2017
Find this review, plus more, on my blog: Booklikes OR Blogger
Basic Info
Format: Audio
Pages/Length: 6hrs
Genre: Young Adult; Sci Fi
Reason For Reading: Continue series
At A Glance
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: No
Cliff Hanger: No
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 4 stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 7
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
World Building: 7
Flow: 7
Series Congruity: 8
Writing: 7
Ending: 7
Total: 7
In Depth
Best Part: Yoda!
Worst Part: Luke gets a bit whiny
Thoughts Had: I need a Yoda
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: Yes
Recommending: Yes
Short Review: I liked this a bit more than the retelling of New Hope, it was more hands on for sure. I don't remember a whole lot from this movie, i know there was snow and he had to crawl into the animal to live, and that's about it. Oh and of course Yoda is involved! Leia isn't, which is a plus for me after listening to her whine all last book. The narrator does a good job of including you in the storm, we did breathing exercisers together! Yoda is my favorite for sure, thou the narrator could have worked his voice a bit more for him.
Misc.
Book Boyfriend: Luke i guess! (Sorry Yoda)
Best Friend Material: Yoda!
Review in GIF Form:
September 15, 2017
So You Want to be a Jedi?
This book is a retelling of The Empire Strikes Back and a guide to becoming a Jedi. It is told through Luke Skywalker's point of view, and follows the original book's story line very closely. In between chapters Gidwitz talks directly to the reader giving lessons on meditation and self-control. Gidwitz tells the reader that he (or she) is Luke, so when he tells some parts of the story he says, "but you know this because you are Luke" (or something like that).
If you read my other review of A Tale Dark and Grimm by Gidwitz, then you might remember he was scheduled to visit our school on September 12th. Well, Irma had other plans for that week. I'm not sure when or if his visit will be rescheduled. But, I really hope it works out; it would be fun to meet him.
Our librarian has been reading the meditation lessons to the students. It is interesting to see how the different children respond. The first lesson involves closing your eyes and counting to 10, while trying to keep your mind blank. It is funny how many students either miss the instructions or can't sit still long enough to even count. And then there are the students who take it so seriously - very cute.
The librarian is not a fan of Star Wars, but she enjoyed the book anyway. (I am a huge fan.) When she tells the students that this book is about the most famous jedi, they almost always guess Yoda, and some of them say they would rather be a sith lord.
I loved the book. I remember reading The Empire Strikes Back (many years ago), and reading this version brought back so many memories. There are three books in this series. I am going to go back and read the first book (A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel and the Farmboy) and then the third (Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side) which are both written by different authors.
This book is a retelling of The Empire Strikes Back and a guide to becoming a Jedi. It is told through Luke Skywalker's point of view, and follows the original book's story line very closely. In between chapters Gidwitz talks directly to the reader giving lessons on meditation and self-control. Gidwitz tells the reader that he (or she) is Luke, so when he tells some parts of the story he says, "but you know this because you are Luke" (or something like that).
If you read my other review of A Tale Dark and Grimm by Gidwitz, then you might remember he was scheduled to visit our school on September 12th. Well, Irma had other plans for that week. I'm not sure when or if his visit will be rescheduled. But, I really hope it works out; it would be fun to meet him.
Our librarian has been reading the meditation lessons to the students. It is interesting to see how the different children respond. The first lesson involves closing your eyes and counting to 10, while trying to keep your mind blank. It is funny how many students either miss the instructions or can't sit still long enough to even count. And then there are the students who take it so seriously - very cute.
The librarian is not a fan of Star Wars, but she enjoyed the book anyway. (I am a huge fan.) When she tells the students that this book is about the most famous jedi, they almost always guess Yoda, and some of them say they would rather be a sith lord.
I loved the book. I remember reading The Empire Strikes Back (many years ago), and reading this version brought back so many memories. There are three books in this series. I am going to go back and read the first book (A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel and the Farmboy) and then the third (Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side) which are both written by different authors.
May 9, 2016
the bad
Все без исключения авторские вставки. Если в начале подтрунивание над персонажами казалось забавным, то по прошествии пары глав стало невыносимо читать пассажи вроде «видите это мохнатое пугало? это вовсе не грязный ковер, это Чуи» или «а эта визжащая мусорка – на деле астродроид R2». Легкий стеб над персонажами, какой мог бы выдать любой почитатель франшизы, быстро превратился в пренебрежение. Если эти моменты призваны познакомить с историей в шутливом стиле – то попытка провалилась.
Повествование от второго лица. Без комментариев.
the ugly
Дяденька Гидвиц взял оригинальный сюжет TESB и добавил к каждой главе свои советы начинающим джедаям, более подходящие для детских глянцевых журналов… если бы это не граничило с тяжелой формой идиотизма. После совета спрятаться в темном и страшном месте, не говоря никому из взрослых, я отключилась и перестала слушать эту ахинею. Такое ощущение, что дядя Гидвиц настолько влюблен в свои собственные советики, что плевать хотел на то, что кто-то особо впечатлительный может серьезно принять его выкидыш как руководство к действию. А еще эти бесконечные повторения бессмысленных действий и превращение джедайства в дешевую религию ._.
Все сцены Леи/Хана безбожно вырезаны или исковерканы под предлогом «они слишком слюнявы и начинающий джедай сможет сам познать радости целовашек без них». Лол. Я бы с радостью вырезала из истории франшизы такое недоразумение как сотрудничество с Гидвицем.
annikeh.net
Все без исключения авторские вставки. Если в начале подтрунивание над персонажами казалось забавным, то по прошествии пары глав стало невыносимо читать пассажи вроде «видите это мохнатое пугало? это вовсе не грязный ковер, это Чуи» или «а эта визжащая мусорка – на деле астродроид R2». Легкий стеб над персонажами, какой мог бы выдать любой почитатель франшизы, быстро превратился в пренебрежение. Если эти моменты призваны познакомить с историей в шутливом стиле – то попытка провалилась.
Повествование от второго лица. Без комментариев.
the ugly
Дяденька Гидвиц взял оригинальный сюжет TESB и добавил к каждой главе свои советы начинающим джедаям, более подходящие для детских глянцевых журналов… если бы это не граничило с тяжелой формой идиотизма. После совета спрятаться в темном и страшном месте, не говоря никому из взрослых, я отключилась и перестала слушать эту ахинею. Такое ощущение, что дядя Гидвиц настолько влюблен в свои собственные советики, что плевать хотел на то, что кто-то особо впечатлительный может серьезно принять его выкидыш как руководство к действию. А еще эти бесконечные повторения бессмысленных действий и превращение джедайства в дешевую религию ._.
Все сцены Леи/Хана безбожно вырезаны или исковерканы под предлогом «они слишком слюнявы и начинающий джедай сможет сам познать радости целовашек без них». Лол. Я бы с радостью вырезала из истории франшизы такое недоразумение как сотрудничество с Гидвицем.
annikeh.net
December 28, 2015
Oh dear god this was awful. I mean, the first of this YA retelling of the trilogy was flawed, but was at least tolerable enough to finish. Unfortunately, a well-executed audio presentation can't save this turkey, and I gave up after about an hour and a half.
This book, rather than just freshening up the story, reads like a Choose Your Own Adventure book, but without R.A. Montgomery's panache, or any choices.
That is to say that it's in the second person, for the most part. Confoundingly, author Adam Gidwitz, can't commit to the second person narration -- of course he can't because it would omit tons of story -- and ends up switching to normal third person to check in on the remainder of the dramatis personae.
So, instead of a new novelization of the finest film in the septology, we get a part-story, part-Jedi trainer, full disaster of a book. Even the dialogue cribbed from the movie has been incomprehensibly changed. I mean, "you look strong enough to pull the ears off a gundark" is gone. How is that possible?
Save yourself. Avoid at all costs.
This book, rather than just freshening up the story, reads like a Choose Your Own Adventure book, but without R.A. Montgomery's panache, or any choices.
That is to say that it's in the second person, for the most part. Confoundingly, author Adam Gidwitz, can't commit to the second person narration -- of course he can't because it would omit tons of story -- and ends up switching to normal third person to check in on the remainder of the dramatis personae.
So, instead of a new novelization of the finest film in the septology, we get a part-story, part-Jedi trainer, full disaster of a book. Even the dialogue cribbed from the movie has been incomprehensibly changed. I mean, "you look strong enough to pull the ears off a gundark" is gone. How is that possible?
Save yourself. Avoid at all costs.
March 9, 2016
Marc Thompson just does such a fantastic job with these audiobooks. The character voices are on point. I liked this one less than the first one though. I'm a big Adam Gidwitz fan, and his signature style was evident throughout, but I would have liked less jedi lessons and more "mushy stuff" with Han and Leia. Then again, I'm not a middle schooler, so it does stay true to its target audience. :) The second person narration takes a little getting used to, but it's not too overly jarring or anything. On to book three! May the Force be with you.
January 13, 2016
This was a fairly accurate retelling. The only thing I have to note, after looking at the other reviews is that this is definitely written for children. Probably low middle grade, and not knowing the author's style going in is probably going to throw some people off. I was familiar with Mr. Gidwitz's style, I've read the first book in his MG series, so I wasn't too surprised. That's the big thing to keep in mind. It is second person, so that makes a little different.
September 30, 2016
I loved this book!!!!! It only took me two days to listen to it! One of my new favorite books! Rtc!(:
May 20, 2017
Ревюто в link: Wanderbook
Първото нещо, което ми направи впечатление, когато отворих книгата, бяха... страхотните илюстрации. Историята е разделена на четири... арки, да го речем така, и началото на всяка от тях е украсено с разкошни цветни илюстрации. Освен тях, има и многобройни черно-бели, по-груби, но все пак изключително симпатични ескизи. Аз по принцип съм фен на книжките с картинки, и тези тук ме оставиха очарована.
Да се върнем обаче към писмената част, която въпреки всичко е по-важната, нали? Оказа се, че „И какво? Ще ставаш джедай?“ не е просто съкратена версия на събитията от „Империята отвръща на удара“. Не само, че има една-две нови сцени на Дагоба – най-интересното в случая бе самият подход към историята. Сцените с Лея и Хан бяха в класическото трето лице. За събитията, засягащи Люк обаче, авторът бе избрал доста рисковата ти-форма на повествованието, олицетворявайки читателя с обучаващия се джедай. И всъщност... беше се получило. Звучеше добре. Сякаш малко по... модернистично, отколкото би ми харесало, но имам чувството, че много читатели няма да се съгласят с мен и горещо ще одобрят.
Може би единственият детайл, който наистина ме накара да негодувам, бяха някои сравнения, особено в началото на книгата. Ако някой ми обясни откъде Люк или Хан ще са запознати с творчеството на Лиман Франк Баум или с географията на Земята, та да разберат връзката с Тенекиения човек или с британски иконом – ще го приема. Но за мен само развали атмосферата на „една далечна галактика“ .
Другото нещо, с което изпъкна книгата, бяха практическите уроци как да станеш джедай (ето тук се връщаме към иначе глупаво звучащото заглавие). Които всъщност... бяха доста разумни. Така де, не знам дали някой десетгодишен ще седне да медитира и да търси Силата (аз сигурно бих, като се знам какви съм ги вършила, особено когато четях УИЧ), но имаше много хубави, много верни неща – и то не само такива, които ще е полезно да прочете някое хлапе. И ако някой запомни, че понякога се налага да вършим неща, които са неприятни без да мрънкаме, че не винаги има един верен избор, че гневът не е сила – е, ами, ти си завършен джедай! А то, движенето на предмети с мисълта идва после.
В обобщение, „И какво? Ще ставаш джедай?“ беше наистина симпатична интерпретация на класическия епизод. Силно се изкушавам да прочета и останалите книжки от тази серия, най-вече за да видя какви допълнения за измислили за IV и VI епизод, и за да се порадвам на илюстрациите. Мисля, че твърдо заслужава 4 звездички.
Та, следващия път, когато се засечете в мола с някое мрънкащо хлапе, което обяснява, че да „Силата се завръща“ бил окей, ама как щяло да гледа старите филми, та те не са чували за специални ефекти, и изобщо поглеждали ли са Йода и Чубака там? Та тогава, дори и да се изкушите да му теглите един по врата – замислете се. Срещу кого е насочен гнева ви? Срещу него или, може би, срещу връстниците му, които само товарят сървърите, а дори не знаят името на друг покемон освен Пикачу? Или още по-зле, опитват се да намерят Синеок бял дракон? И изобщо ще ви помогне ли този гняв? Вдишайте дълбоко, издишайте, и му тикнете (в ръцете, а не по главата), тази книжка. За да разбере все пак, откъде започва Историята.
Първото нещо, което ми направи впечатление, когато отворих книгата, бяха... страхотните илюстрации. Историята е разделена на четири... арки, да го речем така, и началото на всяка от тях е украсено с разкошни цветни илюстрации. Освен тях, има и многобройни черно-бели, по-груби, но все пак изключително симпатични ескизи. Аз по принцип съм фен на книжките с картинки, и тези тук ме оставиха очарована.
Да се върнем обаче към писмената част, която въпреки всичко е по-важната, нали? Оказа се, че „И какво? Ще ставаш джедай?“ не е просто съкратена версия на събитията от „Империята отвръща на удара“. Не само, че има една-две нови сцени на Дагоба – най-интересното в случая бе самият подход към историята. Сцените с Лея и Хан бяха в класическото трето лице. За събитията, засягащи Люк обаче, авторът бе избрал доста рисковата ти-форма на повествованието, олицетворявайки читателя с обучаващия се джедай. И всъщност... беше се получило. Звучеше добре. Сякаш малко по... модернистично, отколкото би ми харесало, но имам чувството, че много читатели няма да се съгласят с мен и горещо ще одобрят.
Може би единственият детайл, който наистина ме накара да негодувам, бяха някои сравнения, особено в началото на книгата. Ако някой ми обясни откъде Люк или Хан ще са запознати с творчеството на Лиман Франк Баум или с географията на Земята, та да разберат връзката с Тенекиения човек или с британски иконом – ще го приема. Но за мен само развали атмосферата на „една далечна галактика“ .
Другото нещо, с което изпъкна книгата, бяха практическите уроци как да станеш джедай (ето тук се връщаме към иначе глупаво звучащото заглавие). Които всъщност... бяха доста разумни. Така де, не знам дали някой десетгодишен ще седне да медитира и да търси Силата (аз сигурно бих, като се знам какви съм ги вършила, особено когато четях УИЧ), но имаше много хубави, много верни неща – и то не само такива, които ще е полезно да прочете някое хлапе. И ако някой запомни, че понякога се налага да вършим неща, които са неприятни без да мрънкаме, че не винаги има един верен избор, че гневът не е сила – е, ами, ти си завършен джедай! А то, движенето на предмети с мисълта идва после.
В обобщение, „И какво? Ще ставаш джедай?“ беше наистина симпатична интерпретация на класическия епизод. Силно се изкушавам да прочета и останалите книжки от тази серия, най-вече за да видя какви допълнения за измислили за IV и VI епизод, и за да се порадвам на илюстрациите. Мисля, че твърдо заслужава 4 звездички.
Та, следващия път, когато се засечете в мола с някое мрънкащо хлапе, което обяснява, че да „Силата се завръща“ бил окей, ама как щяло да гледа старите филми, та те не са чували за специални ефекти, и изобщо поглеждали ли са Йода и Чубака там? Та тогава, дори и да се изкушите да му теглите един по врата – замислете се. Срещу кого е насочен гнева ви? Срещу него или, може би, срещу връстниците му, които само товарят сървърите, а дори не знаят името на друг покемон освен Пикачу? Или още по-зле, опитват се да намерят Синеок бял дракон? И изобщо ще ви помогне ли този гняв? Вдишайте дълбоко, издишайте, и му тикнете (в ръцете, а не по главата), тази книжка. За да разбере все пак, откъде започва Историята.
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