The Hunt for Anakin Skywalker

Star Wars Episode I Adventures #6

by Dave Wolverton

Star Wars Episode I Adventures, #6.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Media Tie In, Gamebooks

100 pages, Paperback

First published February 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 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the sixth book of a series and this series should be read in order. These books are meant for young children. In this one, Anakin and his friends have freed some slaves and now everybody is out hunting for them.

I believe that this offering is the worst one so far. I have stated that these are really not books but more like one scene and that these books should be combined to make a whole story. This book was the worst offender of this scenario. At least the other books up to this point had a finale. Yes, it was a finale to a scene but at least it offered a conclusion. This one didn't and just ended. I had to check to make sure that there wasn't more pages to this book. I wouldn't mind so much if the plot was advanced but we are basically at the same point at the beginning of the book. Anakin and his friends are still wanted for their "misdeeds".

I know these books are for young children so they deserve a little leeway. But I cannot imagine that even children would have enjoyed this one. Instead, I believe their reaction would have been "That's it" and they would have had a feeling of being unfulfilled.

[Robert Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐ A Simplified and Uneven Continuation

The Hunt for Anakin Skywalker is a brief, simplified continuation of the Episode I Adventures series that revisits Anakin Skywalker’s life on Tatooine before The Phantom Menace. The story is easy to follow and clearly written, focusing on familiar characters and situations rather than introducing anything complex or new. As a young readers book, it succeeds in presenting Anakin’s world and the people around him in an accessible way, reinforcing his early compassion and sense of responsibility.

That said, the book struggles with believability and internal consistency. A key example is the portrayal of Pala, who is described as having been trained as an assassin yet fails to demonstrate the level of competence such training would suggest. Her actions often read as hesitant and unfocused, creating a gap between what the narrative tells the reader and what it actually shows. In addition, the introduction of a tracker blocker raises unanswered questions, particularly given how transformative such a device could have been for enslaved people on Tatooine. These ideas are introduced but not meaningfully explored. Character development remains shallow overall, which is largely expected given the target audience. In the end, the novel works best as light background reading for younger Star Wars fans or completionists, but it offers limited depth and is one of the weaker entries in the Episode I Adventures line.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 32BBY

Little Ani get in trouble, in this story that includes some pod racing and some working for Watto and some bullying from Sebulba and all that jazz.

It's an ok story, mostly for the younger audience.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this book even more than the last one. These books are really showing why Sebulba hates Anakin as much as he does in The Phantom Menace. Anakin is such a sweet kid and will do anything to help his friends. Dorn and Pala continue to be awesome. I do hate that Pala was found out in this book, but I do like that Madame Vansitt did try to give her time to cover her bases and get away. I really liked that scene in the classroom where Vansitt uses the slave rescue at Gardulla's palace as a teachable moment in committing crimes. Djas Puhr is slightly more interesting as a character than in the last book. I had no idea he was originally in A New Hope. I felt bad for Gondry when Sebulba punished him. I'm still dying to find out what that cube is. I love that Jira has a good supporting role in this book: hiding the kids, getting them to think about their next moves, and mobilizing the slaves to collect money to save Pala and the Ghostling children. This book as some great action sequences: Anakin trying to get Djas Puhr off his trail, Dorn causing chaos to buy Anakin some time, Anakin and Kitster stealing Sebulba's Podracer and flying it through Mos Espa, and Sebulba chasing Anakin in Brant Rumble's Podracer. I also love that it sets a timeline - it is a week before the Boonta Eve podrace. Obviously, I know it's at least a year prior to the one in Episode I.

[Zuzana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sebulba and his tracker hunt Anakin and his friends through the streets of Mos Espa, leading to wild hijinks, including a podrace chase. Meanwhile, Pala is identified as one of the kids who helped free the Ghostling children from Gardulla’s captivity, prompting a plan to get her off-world with the rest of the escapees. There are some interesting insights into the struggles of Tatooine’s slaves, but overall, this isn’t an essential read - you can skip it without missing much. That said, it’s a fun Star Wars adventure featuring young Anakin, aimed at preteen readers.

2.5 stars

[Kat V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really fun to read. Easily the best so far. Worth reading again some day. Probably should be read with the book before as well

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling instalment from Wolverton. I'm quite enjoying the adventures of Anakin and his friends and I suspect I'll be sad when this arc finishes.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give it to a children's book to get my heart pounding in fear for these kids.

[Barbara Oudová Holcátová · Rating 2 out of 5]

Still decently written, but strains belief a bit too much.

[Gary Varga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without jeopardy there is no adventure.

It's OK though. Especially when considering it just like a chapter in a book that overall is. hopefully, better.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(From the back cover) - Now flashback to the time before Episode 1. Anakin Skywalker and his friends have helped to free a group of Ghostling slaves. Now their owner, Gardulla the Hutt, wants to find out who's responsible. And the Hutt wants revenge. Some of the best trackers on the planet of Tatooine are searching for Anakin. Will he be caught.

This is a fun, suspensful, kids book. It has a companion role playing book that goes right along with the story, but is not necessary if you don't like role playing and just want to read the novel.
I read this to my first grade students and they absolutely loved it. They enjoyed hearing some of young Anakin's adventures and learning about his life and friends on Tatooine before he went off to become a Jedi. The characters created for his friends are fun and engaging. And the bad guys are interesting with their different abilities they display as they try to catch the kids who freed the Ghostlings. This one has a sort of cliffhanger ending that will sweep you right into the next novel :)

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(From the back of the book) Anakin Skywalker and his friends have helped to free a group of Ghostling slaves. Now their owner, Gardulla the Hutt, wants to find out who's responsible. And the Hutt wants revenge.
Some of the best trackers on the planet of Tatooine are searching for Anaking.
Will he be caught?
Fun book for kids. My students love young Anakin and anything that involves his adventures :) There is a role playing book that goes right along with this one (and with the entire series), but it is not necessary to have it to read through these books. I like that the role play books are seperate, so you can read the book and not worry about the role playing part, or do both. Great for kids, but has enough action that an adult won't be totally bored. You will, however, finish this book in less than an hour most likely. Very quick read for adults.
(Spoiler Warning)
Of course Anakin does not get caught, but it is fun reading from the bad guys perspective in this volume. And if you do the role play you get to pick one of the bad guys for your character.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 2 out of 5]

More trivial lets beat the Anakin/Vader storyline horse to death even more.