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cyris_reads's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jaredkwheeler's review
3.0
Star Wars Legends Project #94
Background: The Changing of the Guard was written by [a:Jude Watson|11912|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403530689p2/11912.jpg] and published in March 2004. It is the eighth book of the Jedi Quest series, following [b:The Moment of Truth|359825|The Moment of Truth (Star Wars Jedi Quest, #7)|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328869633s/359825.jpg|349942] (my review).
The Changing of the Guard is set the year after The Moment of Truth, 24 years before the Battle of Yavin, when Anakin is 17. Obi-Wan and Anakin are the main characters, along with Siri and Ferus Olin, and returning villain Jenna Zan Arbor.
Summary: Obi-Wan's old enemy Jenna Zan Arbor has resurfaced and he is anxious to apprehend her before she can do any more damage. Unfortunately, she has taken refuge on Romin, a sovereign world that provides refuge to the galaxy's worst. Posing as a notorious criminal gang, Obi-Wan and his team infiltrate the planet to attempt a forced extradition, but soon find themselves ensnared in a complex political situation.
Review: You can tell we're ramping up to a big finale now with the reintroduction of Zan Arbor as a major antagonist. Unfortunately, her reappearance also heralds a story that feels largely recycled. We've seen Jedi (Siri in particular) go undercover posing as criminals before. We've seen Ferus hem and haw about bending the law to do the right thing. We've seen the Jedi debate whether to get involved in a regime change when they see injustice all around. And there isn't anything particularly new about how Watson draws from these wells again.
Still, the twists and turns, though predictable, keep things moving, and there are some exciting action scenes. The most memorable bit, though, is a quiet moment that comes right in the middle of the book. Ferus and Obi-Wan have a conversation about Anakin and their relationship that finally gives Ferus the dimension I've been waiting for since his character was introduced several books ago. We finally get a glimpse inside his head and some insight into his perspective on the tension between him and Anakin. It's the stand-out moment in this story, and easily the most significant thing that happens (along with, presumably, the set-up for the next book).
C+
Background: The Changing of the Guard was written by [a:Jude Watson|11912|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403530689p2/11912.jpg] and published in March 2004. It is the eighth book of the Jedi Quest series, following [b:The Moment of Truth|359825|The Moment of Truth (Star Wars Jedi Quest, #7)|Jude Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328869633s/359825.jpg|349942] (my review).
The Changing of the Guard is set the year after The Moment of Truth, 24 years before the Battle of Yavin, when Anakin is 17. Obi-Wan and Anakin are the main characters, along with Siri and Ferus Olin, and returning villain Jenna Zan Arbor.
Summary: Obi-Wan's old enemy Jenna Zan Arbor has resurfaced and he is anxious to apprehend her before she can do any more damage. Unfortunately, she has taken refuge on Romin, a sovereign world that provides refuge to the galaxy's worst. Posing as a notorious criminal gang, Obi-Wan and his team infiltrate the planet to attempt a forced extradition, but soon find themselves ensnared in a complex political situation.
Review: You can tell we're ramping up to a big finale now with the reintroduction of Zan Arbor as a major antagonist. Unfortunately, her reappearance also heralds a story that feels largely recycled. We've seen Jedi (Siri in particular) go undercover posing as criminals before. We've seen Ferus hem and haw about bending the law to do the right thing. We've seen the Jedi debate whether to get involved in a regime change when they see injustice all around. And there isn't anything particularly new about how Watson draws from these wells again.
Still, the twists and turns, though predictable, keep things moving, and there are some exciting action scenes. The most memorable bit, though, is a quiet moment that comes right in the middle of the book. Ferus and Obi-Wan have a conversation about Anakin and their relationship that finally gives Ferus the dimension I've been waiting for since his character was introduced several books ago. We finally get a glimpse inside his head and some insight into his perspective on the tension between him and Anakin. It's the stand-out moment in this story, and easily the most significant thing that happens (along with, presumably, the set-up for the next book).
C+
hstapp's review
3.0
Quite an interesting adventure. We see more into the mind of Ferus. He is autistic possibly? And we see Anakin start coming into his power a little more.
The plotline itself is interesting. Though I don't like the implication that inside every woman, even the ones with a gruff exterior that there's a little bit of slut.
Not that Women can't be sexy or enjoy being sexy. Being Scantily clad and manipulating men, and then having the teenagers comment that they think she likes it and pretends she doesn't is a little much though. Especially since this is a children's book.
The plotline itself is interesting. Though I don't like the implication that inside every woman, even the ones with a gruff exterior that there's a little bit of slut.
Not that Women can't be sexy or enjoy being sexy. Being Scantily clad and manipulating men, and then having the teenagers comment that they think she likes it and pretends she doesn't is a little much though. Especially since this is a children's book.
agleamofgrace's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
janebby's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
sabrinas_shelves's review
4.0
uncover is always absolute peak. loved anakin and ferus finally getting along and loved obi wan and anakin also getting along. siri also was so perfect and mace had peak “tired of dealing with qui-gon’s kids” vibes. and anakin got a flamethrower so obviously great all around
verkisto's review
4.0
In their search for Jenna Zan Arbor, a mad scientist featured all the way back in the Jedi Apprentice series, Obi-Wan and Anakin travel to Romin, a planet where criminals can find refuge. The two of them must go undercover, since they otherwise wouldn't be welcome on the planet, so they pretend to be a group of thieves on the run. Once on Romin, they, along with Siri and Ferus, have to infiltrate the government and make plans to remove Jenna from the planet. Of course, things won't be easy for the four of them.
The series improves here, as Anakin appears to take on more responsibility for his actions. There's even a tenuous peace between him and Ferus, which makes his character more likable. Once it becomes clear that there's a resistance on the planet to replace the tyrannical ruler, of course Anakin wants to get involved, while the other Jedi feel like they shouldn't interfere. A large part of the theme here is the idea that what the Jedi do may be right or wrong, and they won't know until they see how what they do affects those who remain. All they can do is their best at a given moment. The problem is that what Anakin sees as their best is usually at the cost of everything else.
The Changing of the Guard does a good job of capturing Anakin's immaturity, while also capturing his strong sense of justice. It shows how his convictions are at odds with his other Jedi, but the series has been progressing to show how Anakin is learning to work with others instead of making all of the decisions himself. We already know where his character will go, though, so any headway made in this book will be temporary. How Watson winds this up in the next two books should reveal a lot about his character.
The series improves here, as Anakin appears to take on more responsibility for his actions. There's even a tenuous peace between him and Ferus, which makes his character more likable. Once it becomes clear that there's a resistance on the planet to replace the tyrannical ruler, of course Anakin wants to get involved, while the other Jedi feel like they shouldn't interfere. A large part of the theme here is the idea that what the Jedi do may be right or wrong, and they won't know until they see how what they do affects those who remain. All they can do is their best at a given moment. The problem is that what Anakin sees as their best is usually at the cost of everything else.
The Changing of the Guard does a good job of capturing Anakin's immaturity, while also capturing his strong sense of justice. It shows how his convictions are at odds with his other Jedi, but the series has been progressing to show how Anakin is learning to work with others instead of making all of the decisions himself. We already know where his character will go, though, so any headway made in this book will be temporary. How Watson winds this up in the next two books should reveal a lot about his character.
toggle_fow's review
4.0
Yes! Obi-Wan and Anakin communicated last book!
That sets the stage for this book, in which they are actually in sync! There's plenty of undercover insanity. Also, we get Siri and Ferus, and we get to actually look at Ferus's personality. I must tell you that he is my own dear child whom I love. And he's right.
He was right in this book, when everybody else was wrong. He spoke to Obi-Wan in confidence about what he fears for Anakin, and he was right. *tears open button-up to reveal FERUS WAS RIGHT T-shirt underneath*
That sets the stage for this book, in which they are actually in sync! There's plenty of undercover insanity. Also, we get Siri and Ferus, and we get to actually look at Ferus's personality. I must tell you that he is my own dear child whom I love. And he's right.
He was right in this book, when everybody else was wrong. He spoke to Obi-Wan in confidence about what he fears for Anakin, and he was right. *tears open button-up to reveal FERUS WAS RIGHT T-shirt underneath*
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