The Bongo Rally

Star Wars Episode I Adventures #12

by Ryder Windham

The festival arena outside Otoh Gunga is under attack. An evil pirate and a renegade pair of droids are speeding toward the big Bongo Rally to cause mass destruction. Only one Gungan can warn Boss Nass in time.

His name is Jar Jar Binks.

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

107 pages, Paperback

First published January 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 1 out of 5]

This is a part of a series. One doesn't have to read the entire series as it is broken into several story arcs. This is the conclusion of one of the story arcs. In this one, the Gungans assumed that the pirate who wanted to steal their artifacts was out of their lives. He isn't.

This series is meant for children and I haven't been a big fan of this series. So it isn't really a surprise that this series ends in a whimper. There are three more books but I guess they are just a retelling of The Phantom Menace. This book was lackluster and I could say that about this entire story arc. It probably didn't help that this story arc was about Gungans who are not my favorite species in this universe. This book jumped from one scene to another with its story telling by then this happened, then this happened. There wasn't a natural flow and when the finale happened I was more relieved that it was over because I was so done with this story.

I know I am being harsh on books that are meant for younger children. The problem is that I believe these books would even insult them unless they are really young children and experiencing Star Wars for the first time. Basically, this is not a good book or series.

[Robert Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐ Motion Without Meaning

The Bongo Rally is another dreadful entry in the Episode I Adventures series. The pacing is fast, and the book can be finished in almost no time, but that is its only positive feature. The plot is thin, predictable, and built entirely around movement rather than substance. Nothing feels developed, and the story exists only to rush from one scene to the next without tension or payoff.

The reading experience is actively irritating. Jar Jar’s name and Gungan speech are repeated endlessly, overwhelming the text and making it unpleasant to read. Once again, Captain Tarpals, a character who could have carried the story, is reduced to a minor and wasted role. The book offers no meaningful theme, no character growth, and no reason to care. This is suitable only for very young Star Wars fans. For adult readers working through Legends, it is another empty and forgettable stop.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set in 32BBY

At first, it was fun to read Gungans tryin to speak basic, but then, there's so much fun reading again and again the same thing for 3-4 books one after the other, that it becomes tedious and a chore to read.

Story was also nothing to write home about.

Meesa tinks isa bad bad ya?

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hurray! The ghastly arc is over - and I don't think we ever needed to see Jar Jar and Tarpals in a love triangle. I don't own any of the other books in the series, because I have enough versions of The Phantom Menace, thank you very much.

[Barbara Oudová Holcátová · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one even has good pacing! Shame about the ending, which sucks. And there's still the Gungan speech, of course. Plus the wasted potential of having there be droids in Otoh Gunga and not have them connect to the Federation in any way is just out of this world.

[Gary Varga · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn't feel like very much happened in this adventure. Neither story-wise or in terms of character development (until the last two pages).

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book for kids that explains why Jar Jar was banished from Otoh Gunga. There is a companion role play book that goes right along with this adventure, but it isn't necessary to read the novel.
In the novel the festival arena outside Otoh Gunga near Lake Umberbool is under attack by the evil pirate Captain Swagg as well as his droids. He is upset that his plan to steal artifacts from the Gungan's sacred place was foiled (in the previous book of this series) and is trying now to exact his revenge.
Through a series of events Jar Jar finds out about the droids being released once again to cause destruction in the underwater Gungan city. The Gungan's are all assembled for the Bongo Rally and the communications from Otoh Gunga to the Rally arena have been knocked out. It is up to Jar Jar to get word to Boss Nass and the other authorities before anyone gets pasted.
Kids will really enjoy Jar Jars wacky, bumbling anticks as well as the odd Gungan language. A fun look at events that took place shortly before The Phantom Menace.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a kid's role playing book where you take the role of a Gungan warrior. In order to complete this book you need a 6-sided and a 12-sided die as well as character, weapon, vehicle, and power cards. There is a companion novel that gives the beginning and ending of the adventure, but you don't have to read it to complete the role play.
As a Gungan warrior you have to stop the pirate Captain Swagg and his droids. The droids have stolen a bongo and are attempting to destroy the Otoh Gunga lab and then they work to destroy the arena where over 20,000 are in attendance to watch the annual bongo races. You accumulate points (or lose points) as you go along in the adventure.
This book, as well as the others in the series, are great for improving kid's math and reading skills. They will enjoy the Star Wars adventure as they learn :)

[Kat V · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very sad end. It’s not terribly written minus the way the gungans speak but it’s just not a great book. Looking forward to reading something else. Also it seems to contradict the relationships between Jar Jar and Captain Tarpals and Boss Nass in Episode I.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 1 out of 5]

More non sense set out to give more background to Jar Jar Binks's character even though it is far from needed.