CLASSIC REVIEW: 'THE CLONE WARS - LEGACY OF TERROR' CHILDREN'S BOOK

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

"LEGACY OF TERROR" - PHOTONOVEL and ACTIVITY BOOK

Published in the UK by SUNBIRD

Reviewed by Scott Weller

“That is one ugly bug!”  - Commander Cody

Having just about won their first prior decisive victory of the legendary Clone Wars against the planet Geonosis, and its disgusting insect creature race: greedy and power mad weapons makers that rule their worlds barren, hostile desert wilderness, the Jedi Knights-the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy- are now forced to return to that forsaken location, which previously cost them the lives of almost 200 slain in battle Jedi, with the secret news, obtained from Senator Padme Amidala, that the hideous race have now rearmed themselves with new, even greater technological firepower and droid battalions, moving them into a position that could prove a new threat if re-allianced with the also vast Separatist forces currently in existing conflict within the Republic. With their resources already stretched thin, and only a handful of battle groups to fight alongside them, never has there been a more dangerous time for our Jedi heroes to quash this new insurgence, as witnessed in the superb photostory events of the excellent new SUNBIRD activity book release of LEGACY OF TERROR, comprising the visual excitement of the two very popular CLONE WARS episodes from George Lucas’s worldwide animated hit series: Weapons Factory and Legacy of Terror. Now, fans young and old can relieve the classic action packed moments from the season two tales in this wonderful photo novel, getting totally immersed within it in an all new dimension, and where you can close in on the animation and see all the richness and depth of detail seen on screen, some of which can only be seen on TVs for a few seconds at a time, within the new STAR WARS visual universe, which, thanks to Animation Director Dave Filoni and his technology stretching teams, delightfully expands upon the films created by George Lucas.

And, as well as or returning favourites, like the all-time hero Anakin Skywalker (prior to donning the evil mask of Darth Vader), and his trusty young Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, we also get to see more new Jedi characters introduced into the animated format for readers to enjoy, including the tough but logical Luminara Unduli and her own Padawan learner, who possesses a unique gift for her mental and physical healing skills: Barriss Offee. As the four friends-the ultimate soldiers for peace- work together with their trusty, battle hardened Clone Troopers to initiate a dangerous plan to destroy the stronghold of the Geonosian leader, the slippery Poggle the Lesser, they then join with the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi on a hunt for the insectoid when he evades captures and enters the dark, unexplored underground regions of its world, a convenient place in which to elude pursuit, of which rumours persist holds the dominion of a far greater threat to the Jedi and the Republic at large: the scary Geonosian Queen herself, allied with her unstoppable zombie servants. With Luminara now captured and ready to become one of the undead serving the Queen-her mind ready to be absorbed by the enemy host- can her Jedi friends rescue her in time?

Enjoy the camaraderie and bravura of our heroes, the wickedness of the diabolical villains, the horror of the alien catacombs, the excitement of the lightsaber battles, the Cloone Troopers skilled offensives, and the all round thrills and spills of the Jedi’s ultimate battle to re-take and control Geonosis and its inhabitants once and for all!

And then, beyond the visual excitement, immerse yourself into the fun of play with a whole host of games, puzzles, mazes, word searches and visual tests to hone in your abilities as the next great Jedi. You know you can do it! And when you’ve succeeded, go ahead and award/indulge yourself with the lovely four pages of terrific colourful characters, logo and episode scenes sticker illustrations-eighty in all- within in the books middle section.

Whatever you’re looking for in an activity book to keep you going up until Xmas and beyond, this is the one for you. And keep your lightsabers ready in watch for the Geonosians –they may fly down and try and take this exciting publication for themselves!

AFICIONADO RATING: Great fun for kids and kidults! 3.5 out of 5

CLASSIC REVIEW: 'BREAKOUT SQUAD - DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK'

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK

A BREAKOUT SQUAD adventure by Ryder Windham

Published in the UK by SUNBIRD books

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Its double duplicity from the evil Dark Lords of the Sith-Darth Sidious and his apprentice, Darth Tyranus-when they hatch and unleash a bold and destructive dose of death and deceit against their turmoil stricken Republic opponents in the evocatively titled DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK, the next book in author Ryder Windham’s series of THE CLONE WARS: BREAKOUT SQUAD spin-off adventures for SUNBIRD books in the UK .

And it seems the only Jedi who might be able to quash these dark plans is that young Padawan with a mysterious past yet to be revealed: the blue skinned, fiery red eyed alien Nuru Kungurama (a hero who more than makes up for the fact that Grand Admiral Thrawn, another one of his Chiss born species, will later become an absolute monster in the HEIR TO THE EMPIRE saga…), whose motley and diverse crew of Breakout Squad continue to help him on his missions for the Republic far, far out into the galaxy-including his loyal four man commando squad of Clone Troopers, trusty lady space pilot Lalo Gunn (and her ship, the Hasty Harpy) and the adapted Separatist commando droid, Cleaver.

On the planet Vaced for a rendezvous with the important representative of the Kynachi peoples- Langu Sommiar- about to signify his planets vital association with the Republic, Nuru is unaware that Dooku has dispatched a top assassin from the Mandalorian Death Watch, Hudo Shiv, to stop it at all costs. And if he succeeds in his attempt, it will send the Republic into further shock waves of distress and chaos, especially within the already fractured Galactic Senate…

As the enjoyable plot strands continue to brew further across the series, our heroes still have a spy and saboteur within Breakout Squad to be revealed and dealt with, plus the return of the green skinned, armoured Separatist baddie, Overseer Umbrag, who escaped their grasp at the end of the previous novel. And the danger continues on a more personal level for Nuru, as his prior captured Jedi Master, Ring-Sol Ambase, is being manipulated by Dooku into a carefully controlled situation in the hopes that he we will turn against his Padawan.

The adventures of Nuru, the young Padawan, out in the most hostile and treacherous quarters of the galaxy, away from the protection of his Jedi comrades, works well as a book series and author Windham works hard in capturing the early to mid-age readerships with his teen lead creation, born in the best traditions of the early heroism of Anakin Skywalker and his son, Luke, with whom we can identify and share in their epic and often dangerous journeys. Also in the best STAR WARS tradition, the bold fantasy spirit will surely become tragically darker with ongoing books, what with Nuru’s origins/Chiss birthright yet to be revealed, and obviously its ultimate revelations being something that the Sith plan to use for their own purposes against the Republic and his Jedi masters (tapping his Dark Side potential, a la Anakin Skywalker?).

As has been the case with Lucas opus, and its subsequent spin-offs, where would the adventures be without many new interesting and diverse creatures and peoples to both help and hinder our heroes, as Windham introduces a new, giant sized alien named Grizz- a bulky criminal and talented swoop rider with an always hungry stomach- to help Nuru and his team out. I look forward to seeing how this character develops in the ongoing story.

There’s also further strong use of iconic STAR WARS Prequel universe characters (look out for some fun cameos from lethal assassin with the hair aversion, Asajj Ventress, and the duplicitous Durosian, old red eyes himself, Cad Bane, who kicks the book off with a an action packed start by confronting the latest slimy member of the Hutt clan: Drixo), and it’s all highly readable fun, zipping along at an enthusiastic pace perfect for young STAR WARS fans/readers. There’s also some much welcome unexpected twists and surprises in the last section of the book which should keep readers guessing about what will happen with the next adventure.

Above all, though, the climactic duel of the title, between Mandalorian and Nuru, is certainly the books highlight section and credit to the artist Wayne Lo for his great cover painting depicting this key sequence. One little glitch: a continuity problem arises from the return of Death Watch- it states that EPISODE II’s Jango Fett was a Mandalorian Warrior, but this is something that has been contradicted and shot down by THE CLONE WARS animated series, which, in the episode THE MANDALORE PLOT (regarded as official story cannon by Lucas himself), states that Jango was not from Mandalore and that his armour was acquired through unknown means. With the Expanded Universe and THE CLONE WARS at occasional friendly odds over the origins of certain characters, this is surely an accidental slip-up that managed to get through the publishing cracks.

Overall, DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK is a book that’s highly accessible and a good immersion into the Prequel universe at the same time. With his fine ability to write enjoyable, well-plotted and fast paced adventure stories for the younger audiences, I’m surprised Mister Windham hasn’t been asked yet to contribute ideas for THE CLONE WARS series. Perhaps they will…

AFICIONADO RATING: 3.5 out of 5

AFICIONADO REVIEWS - AUGUST 2011

Brave young Jedi Nuru Kungurama must face up to a deadly Mandalorian assassin in Ryder Windham's third book in his young readers BREAKOUT SQUAD series: DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK. Check out our review here: DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK

Also, for the younger ones on THE CLONE WARS front is the recently released BATTLES OF THE FORCE storybook. Check it out here: CLONE WARS 2010/11 BOOKS

THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR!

The UK's SUNBIRD and PENWIZARD children's book publishing companies have joined forces to create a lovely new idea for STAR WARS publishing: the first personalised tale for THE CLONE WARS, where you, the reader, can become a major part of the action and adventure in both visuals and text, either as a hero or baddie (see the above image examples of personalised covers). The book is now available online in the UK and will be available to the US very soon.

Head over to our AFICIONADO review for more information:

http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/wayofthewarrioravatarbook.html

Or visit www.penwizard.co.uk/clonewars

STAR WARS: YEAR BY YEAR - A VISUAL CHRONICLE

If you haven't already got this exciting new book, published by DORLING KINDERSLEY, its certainly worth tracking down. Here's our review:

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CLASSIC REVIEW: 'STAR WARS - YEAR BY YEAR'

And, for the younger fans, here's a link to reviews of three new THE CLONE WARS releases:

http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/clonewars2010books.html

OUT NOW: "LEGACY OF TERROR" PHOTONOVEL / ACTIVITY BOOK

Anakin Skywalker and Luminara Unduli, two Jedi of complete diversity yet both strong in the Force, are the cover stars for this lovely new release from the UK's SUNBIRD children's book release linked to the classic THE CLONE WARS Season Two episodes featuring the spectacular second Battle of Geonosis, full of colour art and imagery for newbie young fans of the animated STAR WARS universe, and plenty to keep them active during the holiday seasons- prepare to have character stickers all over the house!

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Legacy of Terror Comic and Activity Book with Stickers: Amazon.co.uk: Sunbird: 9781409390220: Books