176 pages
Published: April 7th 2015
Published by: Quirk Books
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5
The popular, NYT best-selling Elizabethan/sci-fi mashup series continues, with a Shakespearean take on the first Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace. When the best-selling William Shakespeare's Star Wars presented the classic George Lucas film in the form of an Elizabethan drama, the results blew the minds of Star Wars fans and Shakespeare buffs alike. Now the curtain rises once again on that star-crossed galaxy far away, this time revealing the tragedy, hubris, and doomed romance that will lead to the fall of the Republic and the rise of an Empire. The saga starts here with this reimagining of Episode I, a prequel tale in which a disguised queen, a young hero, and two fearless knights clash with a hidden, vengeful enemy. Masterful meter, Shakespearean soliloquies and intricate Elizabethan illustrations will leave more than a few readers convinced that the Star Wars saga sprang straight from the Bard's quill.
Disclaimer: I love these books. I didn't know this series would become a favorite when I picked up the first book but now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one.
I devoured this one really quickly, which is no surprise because IT IS SO GOOD.
Ian Doescher is hilarious. I loved every line, every use of Shakespearian technique, every representation of timeless characters...I just love his ability to make Star Wars feel new and innovative while staying true to its essence.
Now, I have a confession to make. I fell asleep the first time I watched the film AND I've heard terrible things about it. That made me a bit nervous.
If you're in the same situation, you have nothing to fear! I didn't fall asleep once while reading this book. Haha. Doescher makes sure that the story is interesting and humorous throughout. Also, if you've never read one of his books and you're concerned about the "Shakespeare" element, you need to know that they are not difficult to read at all. So give this a go if you're not into The Bard but you love Star Wars! Or the other way around. Basically, drop everything and read this series.
By the way, Quirk is giving away a few copies of this book on Goodreads!
