- Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Del Rey Books (Mar 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345434110
- ISBN-13: 978-0345434111
- Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 2.6 x 17.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,414,277 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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, an evil legacy long believed dead is stirring. Now the dark side of the Force threatens to overwhelm the light, and only an ancient Jedi prophecy stands between hope and doom for the entire galaxy.
On the green, unspoiled world of Naboo, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, arrive to protect the realm’s young queen as she seeks a diplomatic solution to end the siege of her planet by Trade Federation warships. At the same time, on desert-swept Tatooine, a slave boy named Anakin Skywalker, who possesses a strange ability for understanding the “rightness” of things, toils by day and dreams by night—of becoming a Jedi Knight and finding a way to win freedom for himself and his beloved mother. It will be the unexpected meeting of Jedi, Queen, and a gifted boy that will mark the start of a drama that will become legend.
This special edition features a brand-new Darth Maul short story by New York Times bestselling author James Luceno!
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First Sentence
Tatooine. The suns burned down out of a cloudless blue sky, washing the vast desert wastes of the planet in brilliant white light. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
Tatooine. The suns burned down out of a cloudless blue sky, washing the vast desert wastes of the planet in brilliant white light. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
Format: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.
Format: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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Oh dear. What a shame!
From the man who brought us such epics as the Shannara series comes a book to deflate even the most ardent fan. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 1999
Tedious beyond belief
I'm sorry, but the story is weak weak weak! The characters are two-dimensional, and I really honestly did find myself falling asleep when trying to read this turgid tome. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 1999
An Awesome Book!!!!
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time.I could visualise all the characters although I have yet to see the film. Read more
Published on 27 July 1999
A well written and exciting book
Terry Brooks has definately captured the magic of Star Wars here in a top class novelisation of the film. Read more
Published on 26 July 1999
Better than the film?
This book is, believe it or not, better than the film. This is mainly because it deals with the characters background. It gives useful insights into the characters thoughts. Read more
Published on 26 July 1999
The BEST book to buy if your a STAR WARS fans for sure!
The book was stunning and explained everything in total detail just as if you were in the cinema wathing it you don't need illustrations to see whats going on you can imagine it... Read more
Published on 21 July 1999
Better then the Film?
Having read this book before I saw the film, the film came a disappointment. This book is one of the best Starwars related titles that I have read, it is an easy read but never... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 1999
Stunnig Visual Effects... In your Imagination
A couple of days ago, I was reading this book, when a friend came in, and upon noticing what I was reading said "Would you like to know how the new Star Wars film... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 1999
'MasterPiece'
This book is brilliant.It answers alot of unanswered questions.Can't wait for Episode II!
Published on 19 Jun 1999
Outstanding contribution to the Star Wars line....
Having placed an order for the Phantom Menace on a Saturday, received it on the following Tuesday and finished it on the Wednesday as well as having to go to work what can I... Read more
Published on 10 Jun 1999
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