Richardson, Nancy
AVERAGE REVIEW SCORE:
3 out of 5
(3 books)
TOP PICK:
Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights - The Golden Globe
Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights - Lyric's World
22 ABY. The second book of the series sees Anakin and his friend Tahiri accompanying a girl named Lyric to her homeworld.
This story is a bit too daft to be credible, to my mind. The Melodies are a species who look like children and then metamorphose into merpeople.
The dangers that threaten the main characters are kind of Saturday-morning-cartoonish (big snakes, big rats, big birds, big spirders etc). Also the plot of the Golden Globe isn't advanced very far here.
Followed by 'Junior Jedi Knights: Promises'
2 out of 5
Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights - Promises
22 ABY. The third book of the series also ends the Golden Globe plotline. Tahiri is called back to her homeworld, Tatooine, to undergo the rite of passage of the Tusken Raiders who raised her and thereby earn the right to learn her own past.
I enjoyed this chance to see inside the culture of the Sand People and I also enjoyed Anakin and Tahiri's quest through the dangerous deserts and wastelands. However, I'm sick to death of Star Wars stories about Tatooine. The planet is supposed to be a galactic backwater and yet every single Star Wars author has their characters visit it at some point or another (Hell, it's in 5 of the 6 films, even).
The other reason that this book didn't score better is that, once she's finished with the brilliant adventures of the two youngesters, Richardson crams the conclusion to the Golden Globe plot in the last few pages, making it feel very rushed and taking away the story pay-off that we deserve.
Followed by Rebecca Moesta's 'Junior Jedi Knights: Anakin's Quest'.
3 out of 5
Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights - The Golden Globe
22 ABY. The first book of this series aimed at younger readers sees Anakin Solo (Han and Leia's third child) begin instruction at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy.
This book's strongest factor and the main point of the story is the friendship that develops between reserved and thoughtful Anakin and the vivacious Tahiri.
The story is what you'd expect of a children's book, telling of Anakin and Tahiri's exploration of the Yavin 4 jungle and its ancient temples. I also enjoyed the slightly mythical overtones of the titular Golden Globe itself.
Followed by 'Junior Jedi Knights: Lyric's World'.
4 out of 5
Read more...
Star Wars (here)