28 year old Star Wars fan. Pretty much anything SW I’m gonna love so obviously this book is on the list. Thanks!

Perfect!

Very well written. I am a HUGE fan of Star Wars. I really never liked the Phantom Menace. This book is definitely an eye opener! I would read it again! 👍🏼

Nearly 17 years after its release, The Phantom Menace is widely seen as one of the two worst entries in the Star Wars film series (though where it falls depends on the fan, usually). So how does the novelization hold up? Considering that it's the same story, the novelization might be the better way to take in the story. It hits many of the same beats as the film, which is understandable, but it's stripped of the wooden performances and largely verbally silent segments of the film. For all the problems of the film, there's a solid enough story, and that's what carries over to the novelization. With the series gaining new fans now and into the future, I'd recommend watching the film first, but for those looking to dive into the literary world of Star Wars, The Phantom Menace is worth reading to help put this part of the saga into a tone that fits with the rest of the Star Wars canon.

While Episode I is far from a great film, Terry Brooks does a terrific job putting this story into words. In comparison with the novelizations of Episodes II and III, it is not quite as strong, but that does not diminish what a joyful experience reading this book can be. It adds depth to the characters (which is much needed due to their stiff portrayals in the film). The novelization also helps put flesh on and reason onto the socio-political conflict that is central to the story (whereas the problem is convoluted at best in the movie). The book’s strongest points are the way it helps the reader get into the heads of the characters–young Anakin and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in particular. Episode I was ambitious in all that it tried to accomplish. Unfortunately, only so much can be achieved in the time-span of the film. The advantage of reading the story in this format is that there is much more time and page-space to work with. Brooks is able to introduce Anakin far earlier in the book, helping establish him as a main character with whom the reader should empathize. Qui-Gon receives his due in this book as well. He is firmly placed as a strong-willed Jedi who sets his own agenda, and his ideological conflict with his apprentice and the Jedi Council works to propel the drama forward. I genuinely smiled throughout the reading of this book, enjoying the story without the cynicism that is difficult to shake when watching the dated CGI. The best part – you can give the characters new voices in your head while you read and put your imagination to work as you enjoy a story that is much better as a book. You can even play Duel of the Fates and the march of the Trade Federation while you read to spice things up if you like.

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is an absolute must for any Star Wars fan. The story of how Anakin Skywalker won his freedom from slavery and began his quest as a Jedi that would eventually lead to his becoming the galaxy conquering Darth Vader is simply amazing. Terry Brooks has successfully adapted a gripping masterpiece and made a book that is a fun and easy read. I could read an entire novel just about Anakin Skywalker going about his life as a slave on Tatooine. Perhaps the very best quality of this novel is that it includes several chapters of great material that wasn't included in the movie. This makes for an interesting read because you never know when something new that you have never before seen might jump out at you from among the familiar. Overall, it's highly enjoyable and pretty easy to read too. I recommend this book to any person who likes Star Wars.

♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔♻✔ THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK! VERY NICELY DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!