Rescue in the Core

Star Wars Episode I Adventures #9

by Ryder Windham

Jar Jar Binks is in trouble. He is clumsy, and he just caused a big accident. He is being taken to the Quarry, a spooky fortress that few prisoners have survived. Along the way, the bongo carrying Jar Jar is attacked.

Can Jar Jar save himself…and save the day?

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Gamebooks

91 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Ryder Windham is an American sci-fi author who has written over sixty Star Wars books, including novels, comics, reference books, and so on. He has also written junior novelizations for Indiana Jones movies. Since 1993, he has been working on Star Wars projects either by himself or with other authors. His reference book Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide had been on the New York Times Best Seller list for three weeks in 2005. Although he has written lots of books, accepted interviews, and appeared at several fan-conventions, little is known about his personal life.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is part of a series but with this book we start off a new story arc. You can use this as a starting point if one is inclined to do so. In this one, we visit Gungan City as Jar Jar Binks is in trouble once again and is sentenced to serve time at the quarry. This is a remote isolated place and the thinking is that Jar Jar cannot cause any harm there.

This series is aimed for children and this story arc is really aimed towards that age group. Seriously, is there anyone out there besides children that is really interested in Jar Jar and Gungans? I did think this book was a step up from previous books in the series in its story telling. My biggest gripe in this series is that each book is more of one scene than an actual story. This one is a story. Essentially this book has really one basic scene and it just repeats the same scene with different variations. At least it does have a beginning, middle, and end.

This series isn't the greatest and I would probably quit it but my stubborn completionist self will not allow me to quit. This is really for children especially with the Gungan language which can get irritating. The only reason to read this is if you are attempting to read all available offerings in this universe.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set in 32BBY

Mesa think disa sucked. Disa sucked so mui mui!

[Robert Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐ A Thin Jar Jar Rescue Story

Rescue in the Core is another very thin entry in the Episode I Adventures line. Like the other books in this series, it moves quickly and can be read in a single sitting. The pacing is efficient, and the plot is easy to follow. There is no real tension, and the outcome is never in doubt. This is clearly written for young readers, with a simple rescue structure and a very narrow focus.

The main problem is Jar Jar. He dominates the text, and the repeated use of Gungan speech quickly becomes irritating rather than charming. Characterization is shallow across the board, and the book offers little beyond two small pieces of background information about Jar Jar's life. As with the other Adventures books, this is best suited only for young Star Wars fans who are already comfortable with the character. Adult readers working through Legends will likely find it predictable, noisy, and unenjoyable.

[Lexu · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm going to review the whole series on the last book but I had to stop here just to say that Jar Jar ruined his own back story. I'm not part of the "Jar Jar ruined Episode 1" camp but the character got this one. The concept of being your own worst enemy can be interesting...unless you're Jar Jar. Moving on.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this Jar Jar-centric story. It was so refreshing to see Jar Jar as more than an accident-prone side character, who many (characters and fandom alike) think is an idiot. I loved seeing him as a brave hero who was just trying to fix what he messed up and saving Boss Nass and others. This book also demonstrated his resourcefulness. It was nice to see Jar Jar having a job, even if it wasn't for long. I liked Boss Nass in this story. I'm so glad that I got to meet Major Fassa and read what led to the life debt that I read about in The New Essential Guide to Characters over twenty years ago. This was such a fun book. I only hope that I can find and read the other Episode I Adventures books that cover Jar Jar's story arc.

[Zuzana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a lighthearted Jar Jar Binks adventure set before The Phantom Menace. The story follows Jar Jar as he bumbles his way through a Gungan research facility, accidentally unleashing a handful of dangerous exotic creatures. True to form, his clumsiness causes chaos - until, in a twist of comedic fate, he ends up saving Boss Nass and recapturing most of the escaped animals. It’s silly and slapstick-heavy, clearly aimed at a very young audience. Older readers may find it a bit much, but kids might enjoy the humor and wild antics.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my God. How am I going to survive three more of these? I vowed to read all of the Legends books and comics that I own... I'm regretting that decision now. Jar Jar is okay(ish) in small doses, but this entire book is full of Gungans talking the same way as him. It was so painful to read.

[Kat V · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Better than the first four. Not as good as the next four. Kinda hard to read a book where everyone speaks like Jar Jar.

[Barbara Oudová Holcátová · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean. It's a book about Jar Jar, a character whose entire point is slapstick comedy, and...it's a book. I don't know who thought it was a good idea, but they were wrong.

[Gary Varga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little adventure of little to no consequence. A story arc opener.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why not take one of the most despised SW characters and make a rambling and pointless story line about him? Jar Jar's importance begins and ends in Phantom Menace, there is no more need to expand on him even in a kids world.