- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: Century; 1st edition (4 May 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0712680578
- ISBN-13: 978-0712680578
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.5 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 463,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
When casting about for an author to novelise the script for The Phantom Menace--the first in a series of three prequels to the eternally popular Star Wars saga--it's no surprise that creator George Lucas chose Terry Brooks. After all, Brooks is a perennially bestselling epic fantasy author whose Sword of Shannara is a classic adventure story, not far removed from the swashbuckling exploits of our favourite Star Wars heroes.
Brooks handles the job of modern mythmaker well. He deftly juggles a hodgepodge of characters: a young stately queen (Amidala) and her handmaidens; a pair of Jedi knights (Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui Gon Jinn); a bumbling amphibious side-kick (Jar Jar Binks); two Sith Lords (Darths Maul and Sidious) who add more than enough menace to the mix; a couple of familiar robots (C-3P0 and R2-D2); a teeming host of Senators, Chancellors, diplomats, warrior droids, and spies, and one young slave boy who aspires to be a Jedi knight (Anakin Skywalker). With cinematic prose, Brooks brings to life a number of epic battles, skirmishes, and dog-fights in space--all the elements that we've come to expect from a rousing Star Wars instalment. The Phantom Menace doesn't stray far from those expectations: there is a clear division between the good guys and the bad; good things come in small (and surprising) packages; heroes lose battles only to emerge victorious on another day. But Phantom does illuminate in ways the other instalments didn't. For the first time, we get a glimpse at the whys and wherefores behind the curtain; at times it reads almost like a socio-political thriller as the emerging Federation shuffles for power with the waning democracy of the Republic. The Force is also further illuminated. Turns out it has something to do with "midi-chlorians"--microscopic life forms that live in the cells of all living things.
The Phantom Menace is a fun read, sure to satisfy Star Wars junkies young and old. And don't forget: turn your lightsaber off before you go into the swamp or you'll fry your energy pack. --Tod Nelson, Amazon.com
Product Description
Every saga has a beginning and this tale reveals the start of the "Star Wars" legend. Young Anakin Skywalker is trained in the mysteries of the force by a dashing young Jedi, Obi-Wan. He eventually turns to the dark side and, in one fateful moment, becomes Darth Vader.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A worthy attempt to convey the imagination of George Lucas,
By A Customer
This review is from: "Star Wars Episode One": The Phantom Menace (Hardcover)
After 16 years, the new installment of George Lucas's space opera unveils itself onto the big screen with the largest (Dolby EX-enhanced) bang the film world has ever seen. I pity the author who, upon taking the screenplay, shooting script and 'Whills' notes from Lucas, attempts to convey the sense of majesty and epic nature of The Phantom Menace without the use of state-of-the-art CGI that so aids the storytelling on the big screen.Brooks has done a good job here, although you feel that he is never happy writing in a fantasy world that is not of his own design. The story is followed faithfully (as checked by reading through the Illustrated Screenplay) with a few deviations, although perhaps not as deep a background to the story as one would hope for in a novel based on such a rich fantasy landscape. The narrative is compelling, and I found myself finishing the book in one sitting, although two possible reasons are : 1. The simplicity of the writing style and 2. My infatuation with the subject material. All things considered, I would therefore strongly recommend this book to all fans of both the film series (it *really is* a new Star Wars episode!!), and of the sci-fi genre in general, although I am convinced that the author would have performed better without the limitations imposed by writing in such a 'franchised' universe, such as Star Wars. To anyone coming to the Star Wars novels for the first time? Yeeeeah, it's not bad....but I'd try Timothy Zahn's books first.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Far better than the movie, but really a 3.5 not 4 stars...,
By
This review is from: "Star Wars Episode One": The Phantom Menace (Hardcover)
Having seen the movie and being more than a little bit disappointed in it, I was loath to read the book. But being a fan of Terry Brooks as an author, and spotting this book in a bargin bucket I decided to buy it.... and I would have to say I was glad I did, it is a good novel just a shame it was based on such a poor film. Terry has worked very hard with the material given to him to insert some grit, emotions and characters into a story that lacked those.... and I would say he has done as good a job as anyone could, whilst keeping it true to the movie. For example Jar Jar is turned from the usless muppet he was, into a scared confused alien, who is way out his depth and struggling to survive. Anakin is given a history in pod racing and also some harder edges, I just wish this could have been carried onto the end of the book.... As for the rest of the characters they are all made more believable except for the "baddies" :(. Its a great shame Terry wasn't asked to work on the screen play before the movie was made... I am sure he would have made the movie better if he had..... If you are a fan of the Starwars universe then this book is well worth reading and if you are a fan of Mr Brooks but not Starwars (thou I find that hard to comprehend) I would give this book a miss.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Meat on the bones,
By
This review is from: "Star Wars Episode One": The Phantom Menace (Hardcover)
Too many cooks spoil the broth, and in the case of the reviews of this book this is certainly true.Restricted by the pre-written screenplay, Terry Brooks does an excellent job of adding depth to the film. Weighting is put on Anakin as a caring and thoughtful boy, as well as his unusual attraction to Padme/Amidala, his soon to become wife. Whilst both the book and the film are putting seeds in place for the following 5 stories, much work has been done to explain the purpose of the Jedi and their long lived history with the Sith. Almost all of the plot is tied up by the end of the book, still managing to leave you with a desperate need for what comes next. Overall a very good read. Don't expect the pod race and lightsaber fights to be as thrilling as their cinematic counterparts, but be prepared for a far deeper, more mindful story.
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