Star Wars: I, Jedi (Star Wars)

WHAT'S GOOD:
This is a truly unique book for two main reasons; it's the first (and so far only) Star Wars novel to be written in first person and it's the first whose plot runs parallel to that of another Star Wars novel (or in this case three others - the Jedi Academy trilogy). This book genuinely shows the character developing by leaps and bounds as he attempts to balance his life experience against the teachings of the Jedi. I liked the fact that Corran's Force-powers are handicapped, giving the story a little bit of an edge as he has to deal with this issue. I enjoyed the interworking with the JA trilogy, giving a very different perspective on familiar event (I particularly liked his investigation into Exar Kun). My favourite part of the book is where Mara Jade gives Kun a thorough dressing-down, saying how pitiful he is compared to Vader and Palpatine. Another simple plus is that this is a nice long book, not the 300 page stuff that's been churned out since. Look out for plenty of familiar characters from all across the expanded universe, including Leonia Tavira (from the X-Wing comics) and Brakiss (from 'The New Rebellion' and the Young Jedi Knights series), to name just two.

WHAT'S BAD:
To be honest, I've never really liked Corran. He's just a bit too self-righteous and preachy. He goes beyond even himself in this book as he decides to lecture Luke about how to train Jedi, which I thought was frankly ridiculous.

Exar Kun: Who dares!?
Mara Jade: 'Who cares?', more accurately.


good story, fits in well with the star war universe   May 3, 2003
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Good book this is. Enjoyed the story and how the characters interact with each other.
Has lots of sub plots and themes within the main story line. Characters are explored with greater depth. Corran Horn is a pretty good addition to the star wars universe. All the main characters are there, with Luke being one of the main chracters in the story. New jedi pupils are also introduced. Kyp Durron has a bad event, which is also written in one of the small, but good stories in Tales from the New Rebublic Book, ( Mara Jade, Hal Horn, Isard etc are in this one as well).
I, Jedi is a good adventure which I think star wars fans will definately enjoy.


Brilliant!   June 20, 2002
 0 out of 2 found this review helpful

A Brilliant book, with a wonderful plot, and a book which gives you a very good understanding of the jedi and how they employ the force, and, of course, the standard star wars action. A fantastic read.


The best Star Wars novel that's been written as yet   November 13, 2001
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I borrowed this book from the library ages ago and read the first chapter or so and found it not to my liking.

But later on (about 2 years ago) I thought, hey why not buy it just to complement my huge Star Wars book collection (almost all of them aside from the most recent New Jedi Order books and most of the Rogue Squadron books). I had a half term holiday and so I read the book.

You will not believe how much I love this book.

From near the start, right until the end this book is impossible to stop reading. I finished it in about 5 days which is quite a feat considering how thick it is, because I didn't want to put it down. People say that about a lot of books but I mean it here.

Why is it that good? Firstly it's from the perspective of a character who's not that important (unless you read the Rogue Squadron books, which I didn't. Anyway he becomes more important in later books). Corran Horn is a Republic pilot with the Force, and when his wife is kidnapped, he goes for Jedi training from Luke. This is written in the first-person, which allows us to understand what's going through his head all the time.
The sheer genius of this book can't be done justice to. It's gripping and deep, while at the same time there are absolutely hilarious parts in the book. I love it.

And if you only read one Star Wars book, don't buy one of those film tie-ins (if you must, get Episode I by Terry Brooks because it rocks) and don't just pick anything with a picture of Luke, Han and Leia on it. Get I, Jedi, because it's just brilliant.

Mike Stackpole is undoubtedly the best Star Wars author (yes he's better than Tim Zahn), and this is undoubtedly the best book with the Star Wars name on it, if not the best book I've ever read.