Capture Arawynne

Star Wars Episode I Adventures #7

by Dave Wolverton

Jabba the Hutt is angry. Princess Arawynne and the rest of the Ghostling children are missing. They have been hidden, and Jabba wants them found . . . at any cost. He sends four of his most fearsome trackers into the pleasure garden of Gardulla the Hutt's fortress in order to catch the slaves.

But Arawynne and her friends aren't going to be captured without a fight!

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Gamebooks

91 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

About the author

Dave Wolverton (born 1957) is a science fiction author who also goes under the pseudonym David Farland for his fantasy works. He currently lives in St. George, Utah with his wife and five children.

(Wikipedia entry: Dave Wolverton)

Reviews

[Jim C]

This is part of a series and should be read in order. In this one, the Ghostling children are still in hiding as Selbulba and company are still hunting them. They want to return the children back to their owners so they can be sold as slaves.

There is nothing new here for this series. It is a children's book that is a quick read. I really could copy and paste any of my reviews for this series. It is a quick scene and then basically ends which the story continues in the next book. This series really should be available as an omnibus and the whole story might be more enjoyable.

I am halfway thru this series and that is basically the only reason I will continue. This is aimed for very young children and maybe they would enjoy it more than I am.

[Dimitris Papastergiou]

Set in 32BBY

This one might be the worst of this line of reads. I mean, sure, it's for kids, but man, do you really have to make it about dumb kids? Give them a break bro.

Definitely takes the cake from the Episode I Adventures.

[Robert Alexander Johnson]

⭐⭐ A Fast but Very Thin Episode I Tie-In

Capture Arawynne is a short, fast-paced entry in the Episode I Adventures series that reads quickly and moves efficiently from scene to scene. Like the other books in the line, it is clearly written for a younger audience and keeps its focus on simple action and forward momentum rather than depth. As a light Star Wars story, it is easy to get through and does not overstay its welcome.

That said, the same issues present in the surrounding books apply here as well. The characters are thinly drawn, and while there are some interesting moments involving Sebulba, Anakin is not explored as fully as he could have been. The story feels functional rather than engaging, existing mainly to fill space in the Episode I era rather than to add meaningful insight. Overall, Capture Arawynne fits the timeline well enough but remains very basic, making it best suited for young Star Wars readers or completionists working through the series.

[Zuzana]

The chase continues as Anakin and his friends unwittingly lead Sebulba and his gang to the Ghostlings' hiding place in Gardulla’s pleasure gardens. The story plays out like a Home Alone scenario, but in a forest filled with traps and alien creatures. Just when it seems like the children might escape, Sebulba captures them - leaving only Anakin to slip away. The book ends on a bit of a down note. Overall, it feels like a rinse-and-repeat of the previous installment, just in a different setting and with the Ghostling children thrown into the mix. Now onto the conclusion.

[Kristi]

I was glad to revisit Anakin and his friends trying to save the Ghostling children. Dorn was given a tempting offer, but I knew he wouldn't give up his friends. All of these kids are clever and resourceful. This short novel was 99% action. The kids setting traps for Sebulba and his goons in Gardulla's garden was very Home Alone. I can't wait to read the next story, which concludes this story arc.

[Alyce Caswell]

Not as good as the previous two entries - the book is mostly taken up with kids trying to evade adults in a killer garden. Silly would be an understatement. But it's still well written, for the intended audience that is.

[Kat V]

These books are definitely getting better! I really enjoyed this one. Needs to be read with the last two.

[Barbara Oudová Holcátová]

Again with straining credibility, plus the characters fluctuate wildly between overcompetent and incompetent and the whole book ends up being pretty much pointless...

[Gary Varga]

This felt much more adventurous than the last two installments.

[Ruth]

(From the back cover) - Now flashback to the time before Episode I. Jabba the Hutt is angry. Princess Arawynne and the rest of the Ghostling children are missing. They have been hidden, and Jabba wants them found ... at any cost. He sends four of his most fearsome trackers into the pleasure garden of Gardulla the Hutt's fortress in order to catch the slaves. But Arawynne and her friends aren't going to be captured without a fight!

This novel has a role playing companion book that follows the same story line, but isn't necessary if role playing isn't your thing.
So far this is my least favorite of the series. I didn't like the ending at all. I'll be reading this to my class over the next week and I don't think they will enjoy that the bad guys seem to get the best of the kids here.
I am looking forward to what happens in the next book... hopefully it will have a happier ending for the Ghostlings and their would be rescuers!

[Ruth]

(From the back cover) - Jabba the Hutt is angry. Princess Arawynne and the rest of the Ghostling children are missing. They have been hidden, and Jabba wants them found ... at any cost. He sends four of his most fearsome trackers into the pleasure garden of Gardulla the Hutt's fortress in order to catch the slaves. But Arawynne and her friends aren't going to be captured without a fight!

This novel has a role playing companion book that follows the same story line, but isn't necessary if role playing isn't your thing.
So far this is my least favorite of the series. I didn't like the ending at all. I'll be reading this to my class over the next week and I don't think they will enjoy that the bad guys seem to get the best of the kids here.
I am looking forward to what happens in the next book... hopefully it will have a happier ending for the Ghostlings and their would be rescuers!

[Shawn Fairweather]

The intent is to get youngsters to read...I get it, but perhaps a little more effort in a pointless storyline would help? Again, why make every Star Wars character be important at all points in their life? It isn't necessary.