|
"This
final volume of the Boba Fett series
provides an insubstantial and unsatisfying conclusion to what has
been a mediocre and inconsistent set of young reader's books.
"This story sees Boba finally pursuing his vendetta against
Mace Windu, the man responsible to cutting his father's head off. As
with the previous books written by Elizabeth Hand, there are many
things that just irritate, despite this being a children's book.
Again, we suffer the "Xamsters", as well as mention of
Boba Fett's inappropriate cloaking device, and again the
characterisation of Boba himself is jarring, with the bounty hunter
constantly making immature comments to himself rather than
displaying some of the measured professionalism that surely would
have begun to reveal itself in one who has been working as a bounty
hunter for nearly three years, in spite of Boba's meagre years. This
is particularly annoying during a scene in which Boba attempts to be
stealthy, and yet continues to talk to himself - surely he should
have an internal monologue instead. There are many other examples of
poor characterisation: utility droids who make small talk with one
another; Mace Windu being overwhelmed by a boy (albeit an
experienced one); Anakin Skywalker being taken out...by a rock.
"In defence of the book, there were several cameos that were
quite entertaining, such as Elan Sleazebaggano and the Space Slug,
but they were only small glimmers in an otherwise unedifying read.
The series overall is fairly bland with some serious plausibility
issues that will put off fans of the Expanded Universe and whilst
children will probably ignore such flaws, the best children's novels
are those that can be enjoyed by adults and young readers equally,
which sadly is a definition that does not encompass this
series." |