Review by Booklist Review
This franchise doesn't suffer from a soggy middle: this adaption of The Empire Strikes Back packs just as much of a punch as the original film. The conceit here is to create a Jedi-in-training manual by telling the story through Luke Skywalker's second-person narration. The rest of the crew is not forgotten: Han Solo is the same old stuck-up, scruffy nerf herder, and tough-as-nails Princess Leia matches him jab for jab. Gidwitz cheekily but lovingly re-creates what's considered by many to be the strongest of the films, down to exact dialogue (James Earl Jones practically narrates the Vader sections), though he does embellish in a few places, primarily where Yoda and Luke's training is concerned. Luke's story is emphasized, while Han and Leia's is slightly diminished (this is not a kissing book), and various asides address the reader with lessons on meditation and self-control. Though occasional line drawings depict stills from the film, this is less a direct translation and more of one author's enthusiastic conversation with a beloved story. Brace for a brand-new crop of Padawans.--Reagan, Maggie Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-In this adventure, readers take on the persona of Luke Skywalker. Following the events of the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back, readers fight in the Battle of Hoth, get frostbite, meet Yoda, battle against Darth Vader, and save Leia and Chewbacca. At the end of each chapter is a hands-on exercise for readers to try and harness the energy of the Force. Illustrations, both interspersed throughout the text and full-page spreads at the beginning of each part, are well done and reminiscent of the original characters and scenes. The plot is true to the original movie while offering a new and unique perspective. The narrative style, told throughout in the second person, may prove difficult for some but also serves to lighten the mood and draw in more reluctant readers. Lessons provided are fun and will appeal to anyone who has ever wanted to be a Jedi. VERDICT Hand this to "Star Wars" fans as well as lovers of space-based science fiction.-Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
These adaptations--published in advance of the 2015 release of the seventh Star Wars movie--assume readers are familiar with the franchise and the plots of the original trilogy. The authors bring their own unique, fresh takes to elements not explained or mentioned in the movies. The novels include black-and-white halftone illustrations and full-color section-opening paintings by Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston. [Review covers these Star Wars titles: Return of the Jedi, A New Hope, and The Empire Strikes Back.] (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Gidwitz turns to second-person narration in his retelling of The Empire Strikes Back. In an author's note, this reteller of fairy tales explains that a certain type of protagonistLuke, for instancehas a fairly empty characterization, enabling readers to "inhabit" the hero. This sets up the novel's proper introduction, in which the narrator directly addresses readers who wish to become Jedis, explaining that simply telling Luke's story isn't enough and that they "need, for the duration of this story, to become Luke." Substituting "you" for Luke, Gidwitz proceeds with his story. After fleeing a discovered rebel base, Luke follows a vision of Obi-Wan Kenobi to the swamp planet Dagobah, where the Jedi Master Yoda lives. There, Gidwitz takes advantage of the novel's format to allow readers to share Luke's frustration with Yoda's emphasis on patience. Meanwhile, in conventionally narrated chapters, Leia, Han, and the gang engage in daring exploits to evade Darth Vader only to be betrayed by Han's old friend, Lando. Vader uses them to set a trap for Luke, who, still so early in his training, is not ready to face the full force of the dark side, resulting in a major blow to the heroes. In between chapters, the narrator instructs readers in various Jedi training meditation exercises; sometimes they detract from the story's rhythm, but generally they're decent fun. An enthusiastic, mostly successful experiment to make old new again. (Science fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
