The Rising Force (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, Book 1) (Paperback)

by Dave Wolverton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Just before his 13th birthday, Obi-Wan Kenobi left Yoda and the other teachers at the Jedi Temple. But he wasn't supposed to become a Padawan, a future Jedi Knight, he was assigned to be a farmer! Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force joins the headstrong Obi-Wan a few weeks before he's to turn 13, when he'll be too old to begin training as a Jedi Knight. Trying too hard to become Qui-Gon Jinn's Padawan, Obi-Wan shows his lack of discipline, and that--in addition to Qui-Gon's mysterious past--keeps them apart. But the Force keeps pulling the two together: Obi-Wan resigns himself to the Jedi Agricultural Corps on barren Bandomeer, only to find that Qui-Gon is on a mission to the same planet. Traveling there on a mining ship, the two must work together to forge a truce between the warring Hutt, Whiphid, and Arconan miners on board. The inexperienced Obi-Wan stirs up trouble but gets plenty of chances to redeem himself later--after the pirates attack and after the ship crash-lands on a hostile planet with the crew still at each other's throats. Experienced Star Wars author Dave Wolverton keeps the blasters firing and the lightsabers swinging in this fun, fast-paced adventure. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (May 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590519220
• ISBN-13: 978-0590519229
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113,692 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The start of a terrific series..., April 4, 2002

By	Priscilla Stafford (Yokohama, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Young Obi-Wan Kenobi has waited all of his life for the chance to become a Jedi Knight. With all of his training at the Jedi Temple, he believes himself ready to become a Jedi Master's Padawan. But his 13th birthday is drawing near, and before that time he must become a Padawan apprentice... or leave the Temple to become a healer or a farmer. Obi-Wan is becoming desperate and jumps at the opportunity to show his skills to visiting Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. But Qui-Gon has had a bad experience with his first apprentice and is reluctant to take a new Padawan, especially Obi-Wan whom he sees has a hard time controlling his anger and fear. Obi-Wan must leave the Temple to go to the planet Bandomeer to become a farmer. He is surprised to find that Qui-Gon is also on board the same barge which is also carrying miners. Obi-Wan is suddenly plunged into the middle of a war between the Arcona Mineral Harvest Corporations and the Offworld Corporation. Can Obi-Wan survive the journey to Bandomeer, and can he get Qui-Gon to trust him?

Unlike the rest of the Jedi Apprentice books (Books 2-18 and Special Edition 1 & 2), "The Rising Force" is written by Dave Wolverton, the others written by Jude Watson. Though I cannot complain about Dave Wolverton's marvelous job, I'm also pretty well-pleased about how well Jude Watson has been doing.

The first book 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; the strong-willed, hot-headed Clat'Ha, the faithful Arconan Si Treemba, and more.

Like I said the rest of the Jedi Apprentice books, altogether 20 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...

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".

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book's a children's reader?, June 28, 2000

By	"fenderguy84" (Birmingham, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This book opens up a whole new perspective on the apprenticeship between Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi, and once you read the first book in the Jedi Apprentice series, you'll immediately want to read the second. This is the only book in the series written by Dave Wolverton; the rest are written by Jude Watson. This is also the longest book in the series, and it gives a rare glimpse into the life of a young Jedi trainee. It's the only literature I've read that gives a clear look into what exactly happens to a student before he is chosen to be a Padawan (or, if he's unlucky, a farm assistant or healer). You can also see what Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan were like before their adventures in Episode I. This is truly an interesting book to read, but be prepared to shell out cash for the rest of the series, because each book seems to leave you wanting to read the next.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My wonderings have been answered, February 22, 2000

By A Customer

When I first saw this book come out, I figured I'd give it a chance and see what it was about. Now I am hooked. I loved this book from the first to the last page. I always wondered about the Jedi training, and this book gives you a look into the taining, as do the rest in the series. The young Obi-Wan is also my favorite character. I loved to read about the conflicts that he is trying to solve and his skill in tough situations. I also liked the way that it gave some insight from Qui-Gon's point of view. Even though I'm 13, I found this book very enjoyable and think that anybody intrested in Star Wars in the least, should pick up this book. I only wish it was longer!