I have a real soft spot for books associated with movies and TV shows. I like to read novels made into film (usually before seeing the film). I like novelizations of films. I like tie-in books. This goes back at least as far as 1977 when, after going to the theatre to see Star Wars the first two times, I bought, devoured and enjoyed the novelization of it, attributed to George Lucas, but actually written by Alan Dean Foster.

Flash forward (mumble) years and there's a new Star Wars movie and a new novelization by Mr. Foster. I had to read it. I had to get it as soon as it came out. But something's wrong here. Everything from the screen is on the page, but not much more. And it's written so clumsily and sloppily that it's almost a chore to get through. Granted, the author was not working from the final cut of the movie and probably didn't have a lot of time. But he has some experience with tie-in novels of all sorts. I expected much more.

I also expected a bit more editing. Consider this gem, which is definitely not even the most egregious: "Hurrying to the cockpit as BB-8 rolled into the copiloting position, he hurriedly activated the controls." That's a lot of hurrying. There's also a lot of "as so-and-so does this, such-and-such does the other thing." Also, a lot of fancified language used for both narrative and dialog that does nothing to enhance the story, but often knocks the reader out of it. Why "aural receptors" or "bipedal shapes"? Is "raptorish" a word?

But the biggest gripe I have with the writing is the uninhibited head-hopping and viewpoint jumping that takes place. This is third-person omniscient at its worst. We are inside Finn's head, even when he is supposed to be the anonymous "trooper". In the next sentence, we are inside Kylo Ren's head, behind "preternaturally intense" eyes (hidden by the mask) considering "the trooper". It's just too much.

All in all, I am disappointed. If you've seen the film, skip the book. You already know everything. The one, tiny tidbit that I got from the book that was hinted at even more lightly in the film is the barest insinuation that other characters begin to recognize that Rei might be someone they have heard of before. Consider, '"It is you" Ren murmured.' (when Rei takes up the light saber). Otherwise, you have been warned. 3 stars. Because… Star Wars. ( )

fills in a lot of info from the movie.

Muchas cosas que faltan de la pelĂ­cula y otras tantas que no suceden en la pelĂ­cula.
No me gustó mucho como está contado. Me gustaría que tenga mas detalles.
( )

Before I go too far, I'm a Star Wars fanatic, one since 1977, saw ANH 77 times (!) in a theater, ESB 18 times, even RotJ 6 times, and TPM, well around 20, so don't tell me I don't know my Star Wars. Played the CCG fanatically, had a decent number of the better toys. However, at the same time, I'm a fan of quality. I've read several SW books that were just plain bad and I'm not such a fanatic that I'm obsessed with the entire SW expanded universe, the bit I know well only coming from the CCG. So basically it's the septilogy (is that a word?) of films and beyond that the bits and pieces that grabbed my interest for other reasons that interest me. Others know I am a bit of a literary snob at times, a sort of greaseball intellectual, and overall rather geeky too. Enough preface.

I bought this strictly because I thought, IMHO if you will, the The Force Awakens is finally the film Star Wars disciples deserved. It sits firmly behind ESB and ANH for me and far above AotCl etc. Where I'm going is I only bought this because the quality of the reboot piqued my interest in gleaning a little more detail about this fascinating reboot and the fact that the movie is quite a gem in itself. That said, for giving me more of a good thing, a one star boost. On the other hand, I have to say, the writing is only about pre-YA level and the metaphor about worthy of C grade pulp. Knowing a little about [a:Alan Dean Foster|11735|Alan Dean Foster|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1207233026p2/11735.jpg] this didn't really surprise me.

I know they want to keep this accessible for the kiddies too, but as little as I'm enamored with Harry Potter, the level of writing there is pretty good and still accessible to, and enchanting to, children. I've read [b:Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace|34941|Star Wars, Episode I The Phantom Menace (Star Wars, #1)|Terry Brooks|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349115978s/34941.jpg|3304766] by [a:Terry Brooks|9629|Terry Brooks|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1280785812p2/9629.jpg] and this is a much better book with much weaker source material to work with. So only two stars for the writing here.

Space opera with pre-set dopey dialogue can be tough to work with but other authors have done a better job and certainly a few of the SW books where the requirement wasn't the slavish subordination to a pre-existing film have risen above the rabble. Not here though. A shaky three stars.

But still, hey it's Star Wars, how can that be all bad? ( )

5 Stars, It seems quite relatable

THE FORCE AWAKENS (STAR WARS: NOVELIZATIONS, #7)
by Alan Dean Foster

For some reason, these last three Star Wars movies and books appeal to me more than any others in the series. I was delighted to find that this book is almost word for word exactly the same as the movie. They seem quite relatable to me, even though I'm a woman in my 50s.

The Force Awakens brings in new players to the Star Wars franchise, Rey, an orphan girl from the planet Jakku; FN-2187 renamed Finn, a former Stormtrooper who has defected; Poe Dameron, the best pilot in the Resistance, and his beloved droid, BB8.

We revisit several of our old friends, Han Solo, and Princess Leia Organa, a General in the Resistance; our favorite Wookie, Chewbacca, Chewie as he's known, and the original droids R2D2 and C3PO make an appearance.

I like to watch the Star Wars 7, 8, and 9 movies at least once a month. I decided to purchase the book versions, to give my poor husband a break from watching the films all the time. He's said he doesn't mind, but I know he must tire of them.

I thought it was hilarious how the names of the droids were sounded out, showing that a computer probably played a part in the writing of the books. Artoo (R2D2), Seethreepio (C3PO), Beebee-eight (BB8).

I am happy to have found and that I was able to purchase the Star Wars 7, 8, and 9 books. ( )