Beware the Power of the Dark Side!

Angleberger, of Origami Yoda fame, follows Alexandra Bracken (The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farmboy, 2015) and Adam Gidwitz (So You Want to Be a Jedi, 2015) to close out the trilogy of novels retelling the three original Star Wars films. In the longest of this trilogy, Angleberger appears to relish packing in as many details as he possibly can. In fact, in places where the extra information he wants to insert doesn't fit in the narration, he uses footnotes. The book opens with a classic "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." scroll-style introductory recap before launching readers into the complicated scheme to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt. Once all players are safe, they must deal with a bigger problem-the Empire is building "a new and improved" Death Star. If the Rebellion can't stop Emperor Palpatine now, then future resistance may be impossible. Luke also grapples with the revelation that Darth Vader is his father, and he's desperate to find goodness buried somewhere in the emperor's right-hand man. The emperor, for his part, sees Luke's potential and wants him as a Sith apprentice. The final showdown, both on the ship between Luke and Vader and between everyone else on Endor, is action-packed. Early in the book the footnotes sometimes come too frequently and with content that doesn't add much, but as the book goes on the notes are better spaced and frequently hilarious. While the novel doesn't add much to expand on the film, it is far better than the average movie novelization; Angleberger's intrusive narrator adds pleasant texture to the story proper as well as footnotes. As intended, a great way to prepare for Disney's new Star Wars film. (Science fantasy. 8-12) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-Middle grade "Star Wars" fanatics as well as those new to the franchise will find plenty to enjoy in Angleberger's take on Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. As in the film, readers are quickly brought up to speed with three brief paragraphs of exposition. Angleberger sticks closely to the source material, moving through the film scene by scene and including much of the original dialogue. At the same time, he adds plenty of background, drawing on his familiarity with the canon to incorporate character thoughts and motivations, insight into the intergalactic politics at play, and the essentials of the various planets and moons that serve as setting. Occasional footnotes provide quick, often humorous asides on a wide range of trivia and facts, from the importance of the Death Star's elevators to the difference between bowcasters and blaster rifles. Angleberger's enthusiasm for and deep knowledge of the "Star Wars" universe is evident, but he exercises restraint, balancing obscure details that will only interest hard-core fans with more general context needed by those new to the story. Spot illustrations and cinematic descriptions make it easy for readers to visualize the action. VERDICT Those familiar with the classic movie will find this to be a faithful adaptation with the bonus of Angleberger's distinctive and amusing narrative voice. New fans will be inspired to seek out the original, and won't be spoiled by having enjoyed this version.-Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2015
Grades 3-6 Tying up the loose ends of the original Star Wars trilogy was a big job for the filmmakers. So it is, too, for Angleberger, whose approach is like a dog's to a lake: dive in belly first and go nuts. An author's note warns readers of his enthusiasm ( I wanted to give you a story overflowing with crazy details ), and indeed the book weighs significantly more than the other volumes. As promised, Angleberger follows the movie's every beat, including plenty of word-for-word dialogue. But a dry novelization this is not. Angleberger comes off like a breathless eight-year-old recounting the film to a younger sibling, bubbling with playground-friendly descriptions (Jabba is a giant evil space slug ), swooping aside for motormouthed tangents (often delivered in footnote form), and never missing a chance to Use! Tons! Of! Exclamation! Points! Besides a few pages beefing up characters who were sketchy in the film, like the Emperor or Mon Mothma, this isn't deep stuff. But, whoa, is it broad: from Salacious Crumb to Moff Jerjerrod to Chief Chirpa, the gang's all here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)