Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Verily, A New Hope, The Empire Striketh Back, and The Jedi Doth Return by Ian Doescher


Verily, A New Hope Synopsis:
Inspired by one of the greatest creative minds in the English language—and William Shakespeare—here is an officially licensed retelling of George Lucas's epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearsome Stormtroopers, signifying...pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter—and complete with twenty gorgeous Elizabethan illustrations—William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for.

The Empire Striketh Back, and The Jedi Doth Return Synopsis:
Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork, these two plays offer essential reading for all ages. Something Wookiee this way comes!
(Both Synopsis from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
At first, I wasn't entirely sure how to write a review for these books without the reviews sounding the same. That's what took me so long to review these books. Finally, I decided to combine them and turn my review into a review of the whole trilogy. This review will encompass Verily, A New Hope, The Empire Striketh Back, and The Jedi Doth Return.

I took a Shakespeare class in high school, and ever since then I've been obsessed. I've read most of his plays and sonnets. My favorite is Twelfth Night. I've also read a lot of retellings that are based on his works. I just can't get enough Shakespeare in my life. When that is combined with one of my favorite nerdy things of all time, Star Wars, the result is pure epicness.

I loved the William Shakespeare's Star Wars trilogy. It stayed very true to the plot of the Star Wars movies while incorporating writing that was very similar to the bard's. Ian Doescher did a wonderful job with that. If it wasn't for the Star Wars subject matter that came out after Shakespeare's time, I would have almost been able to believe that I was reading an authentic Shakespeare play. It had me cracking up laughing quite a bit. I especially loved the witty banter between C-3P0 and R2-D2. Another one of my favorite things about the book were the illustrations. They were drawn fit in with the theme of the book really well. It definitely added something special to the story.

I think William Shakespeare's Star Wars might be my favorite Shakespeare parody yet. I loved everything about the trilogy. I can't wait to read the prequel trilogy. I didn't care for the prequel movies, but if the books are anything like this trilogy was, I'm sure I'll love them. I already have the first one, which I should have a review up soon. I recommend this trilogy for anyone who likes fun, nerdy things.


I give Verily, A New Hope: 5/5.
I give The Empire Striketh Back: 5/5.
I give The Jedi Doth Return: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.iandoescher.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoriandoescher
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iandoescher

I received all three of these books from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

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