Customer Reviews

The Captive Temple (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, Book 7)

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, I've been hiding the Jedi Apprentice series underneath piles of work, reading (and, yes, rereading) them when I should be working on my dissertation, but #7, The Captive Temple, was so good that I'm finally coming out of the closet (so to speak). Anyone of any age with the remotest interest in the Star Wars universe must read these books. The richness with which Watson draws the characters (not only Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, but the entire supporting cast as well,) in addition to the skillful balance of internal, emotional battles and external lightsaber battles makes these books, and #7 in particular, compelling and immensely satisfying books. Watson also doesn't go for the sitcom-like "wrap the whole problem up in 30 minutes" cop-out the way many children's books do...we are forced to wait, with the same patience that Obi-Wan is frequently reminded he must cultivate. " The Captive Temple" was certainly worth waiting for...Watson gives us enough foreshadowing of events for us to put them together on our own, but not so early that we know the entire course of the story after one page (well, at least I didn't). It was wonderful to see more of the Jedi Temple, as well as some favorite characters from earlier books- Bant, Tahl, and of course, Xanatos. An earlier reviewer is absolutely right, though- don't start with #7- you'll appreciate the story much more if you start with #1...but by all means, just read the book!

I bought this book today, and read it in its entirety on the way home (my husband drove). Yes, I am well over the stated age range (40+) but I LOVE this series! Jude Watson has developed such an intricate plotline, weaving in previous characters and new ones, love, friendship, trust, death, saber battles, it's almost like its own soap opera! You're never sure who is expendable and who's not! Can't wait for the next one to come out!

To quote Yoda - "Patience your ally is." Time and time again, Obi-Wan is rash, somewhat reckless, but Qui-Gon? I expected better from him. I refer to the ending, and oh my goodness, what an ending! (btw - you know the book is good (and well written) when you come to the same conclusion the characters make only two (literally!) sentences before they do!) Excellent Fight scenes, I could smell the ozone of the lightsabers! As for their QGs and OBs relationship - wow! Do they have a rocky road ahead! An excellent continuation of the series. Once again, too short! :) (But what Jude Watson does in those 144 pgs! very very schway!)

I'm a mom of a 9 year old boy. We started witht the JA series last year when he brought the 1st book home from the library. My plan was to start reading it to him and then get "too busy" to finish so he'd have to finish it on his own. Little did I know that the tight writing, intriguing plots and great character development would hook me as well and so far, we've read all the books together. We just finished #7 this morning. This is my son's review of the book: "words can't express my feelings". I'll try to express mine... the books are great and this one in particular. At times, the writing almost brings me to tears. The emotion is that well drawn. I don't know how she (or he?) manages to convey so much action, drama, description and emotion in such a short amount of words. Very well done. We're looking forward to the rest.

Hi all!This is an excellent book. This book is mainly about how someone has been stealing, sabatoging the Jedi Apprentice School and attempting to kill Yoda. While trying to find the culprit Obi-wan Kenobi who is no longer a Jedi but wants to come back to the Jedi Knights and be Qui-Gon Jinn's apprentice again. This book tells about what goes through Qui-Gon Jinn's mind as he tries to let go of the hurt he felt when Obi-wan abandoned him and tries to accept Obi-Wan's trust again. Obi-wan is sorry for abandoning Qui-Gon, he wants things to be the way they were before he left but he knows how he hurt Qui-Gon and lost his trust.*Comments* I just wanted to say that I am so glad I am not the only adult reading this series. I love on going story line about Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi battling their rival Xanatos. The books also deal with the frustrations and acceptance the Force through the eyes of a young adult Obi-Wan. Watson is wonderful in describing the relationship of Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon with his seclusive ways and Obi-wan trying to make Qui-Gon proud of him.She describes their feelings about each other and the way they are bonded to each other very well. The history of the Jedi school and appearances of other Jedi Knights are shown in some of these books, naming other Jedi for example Jedi Knight Tahl and of course the great Yodi.I really enjoy these books and I hope they continue the series!

Sometimes it's too bad to live in a small European country. You have to wait for these books for so long, and all the rave reviews just are killing you. With seven books down, and waiting eagerly for the eighth, you do get your favourites among them, but compared to what I've read in the Star Wars universe so far, this series all get 5 stars. The Captive Temple ranks among the favourites. It was great to get a glimpse into the Jedi Temple once more. I particularly cheered when I found that they were not automatically the lady-Jedi that were left to care for the Jedi babies. Good for you Watson! You can't say too much about the plot without giving away too much (read the rest of the books too), but once again the characters of Obi Wan and Qui-Gon are hit spot-on, several good characters in the previous books make their re-appearance. Some curious plot turns, a death I hadn't expected. And I couldn't believe how hard the Council was on Obi Wan, though I have an idea that they have a different reason behind that than strictly to make the boy feel punished. I sure hope the upcoming books will lead us back to the Temple one day. Tahl needs to be pushed through the mirror. All those scenes were the Jedi are fighting in the dark, or blindfolded, with obstacles all around, and she needs a droid to help her around? Something has to happen where she realises she can see through the Force, not those eyes, and be a full-fledged Jedi-Knight again.

Ria

Embarrassed about buying a book aimed at the 8-12 age group? Don't be. You're in good company -- and for good reason. Pick up "The Captive Temple," the seventh Jedi Apprentice novel, and find out why.

The Jedi Temple is under attack from within. Mysterious thefts and dangerous acts of sabotage are occurring despite the Council's attempts to stop them. And Obi-Wan Kenobi's dream of becoming a Jedi, the goal toward which he's devoted his life, seems father away than ever. Can he heal the painful rift between himself and Qui-Gon? Will the two of them work together to put an end to the destructive attacks, or will the Temple itself be destroyed from the inside?

Well, obviously, it all turns out all right in another fifteen years or so -- but you won't remember that when reading the book. If you're anything like me, you'll find yourself shouting at the characters to do the right thing, groaning when they make the wrong choice, and wishing Obi-Wan would learn to keep his big mouth shut. :-)

Don't let the "juvenile" trappings fool you: this book, like the others in the series, has some very adult themes. Trust and betrayal, angst, suspicion, guilt -- all can be found in abundance here. The characters are, as always, wracked with inner turmoil. None of it is inappropriate for young readers; it's simply presented in a way that keeps the older audience interested without going over the heads of the under-12 fans.

Though laced with some very dark implications for our heroes, the book maintains a good balance between sobering scenes and well-timed humour. Not once do you get the sense that the author is talking down to you; Watson may use shorter words and less complicated sentences than, say, Greg Bear, but she doesn't skimp on the plot and character elements that we've so come to enjoy. "The Captive Temple" will have you on the edge of your seat, racing for the end and simultaneously wishing it would never come. This one is highly recommended.

Obi-Wan Kenobi has decided to return to the Temple after staying on Melida/Daan. But once he arrives at the Jedi Temple with his former Master Qui-Gon, he realizes that things might not go as well as he thought. The Jedi Council is harsh with him and Qui-Gon seems to ignore him. Can he ever regain the trust he had with the Council and Qui-Gon? Also, there's a threat within the Temple. Everyone is being under suspicion, everyone is in danger, and everyone is wary of others. Who could be behind these attacks? As Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan try to solve the mystery, they discover that the attacker might be someone they know, someone they've already encountered...

In this story Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's relationships is being slowly healed though I must stress on the 'slow' part. I can't wait till their problems are resolved and they become the perfect team they become to be in Episode 1. Jude Watson has certainly done an astounding job, the plot and story of the book is so unique and interesting and I couldn't put it down!

This series explains a lot about how Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan first meet. Their beginning is far from simple and all smooth-sailings, which would be pretty monotonous if it was. Though the books are said for ages 9-12, like many other reviewers I agree that the Jedi Apprentice Series are for anybody. Extremely well-written, the emotions, thoughts, and feelings of the main characters are very well put down into words. I also like the different array of humans and aliens which are portrayed, both good and bad; Obi-Wan's friend Bant with her wise ways, Tahl with her many disadvantages of being blind and many more advantages with having the Force, and TooJay, Tahl's annoying navigational droid.

The first Jedi Apprentice book is written by Dave Wolverton while all the rest (19 more books) are written by Jude Watson and are all very highly recommended from me. The books don't really 'end' at all, the books ends in either a cliffhanger or with a little glimpse into the future. Believe me, once you start reading them, you'll want to read the next one... then the next one... I can't wait for Jude Watson's next Star Wars series, The Jedi Quest Series with Obi-Wan Kenobi as the Jedi Master and Anakin Skywalker as the Padawan Apprentice.

Another Star Wars Series I recommend and like a lot are the Young Jedi Knights series. The stories are about Jacen and Jaina Solo (twins of Han and Leia Solo), and their friends as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights. More on the teenager level of reading. For adult readings, a few selections I enjoy reading are "The Thrawn Trilogy", "Rogue Planet", "The Jedi Academy Trilogy", "The Corellian Trilogy", and "The Truce at Bakura".

This book had everything we were waiting for, the heroes all become more human, and we are sharing their emotions and strugles. The insights in the temple life are really satisfying as well. Howver even if I undestand that the relations between the two heroes must be strained in the next book, I hope they will at least be able to develop afather / son relationship. Lat critics: could the books be longer, much longer, and more frequent

This is one of the best books I have read in this series...But I agree that it was too short, although, I always read the books in just a few hours. I can't believe we have to wait until June to get the next one...WOW, that is a long wait...But I am glad to see in the book that Qui-Gon actually does want Obi-Wan around, although I am wondering when he is going to tell him. And it is funny how in Episode 1, that Obi-Wan is the one who wants to live strictly by the Jedi code and he wants to go against it sometimes in these books...Ha Ha