Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

By: Sean Williams

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

The overthrow of the Republic is complete. The Separatist forces have been smashed, the Jedi Council nearly decimated, and the rest of the Order all but destroyed. Now absolute power rests in the iron fist of Darth Sidious - the cunning Sith Lord better known as the former Senator, now Emperor, Palpatine.

But more remains to be done. Pockets of resistance in the galaxy must still be defeated and missing Jedi accounted for...and dealt with. These crucial tasks fall to the Emperor's ruthless enforcer, Darth Vader. In turn, the Dark Lord has groomed a lethal apprentice entrusted with a top-secret mission: to comb the galaxy and dispatch the last of his masters' enemies, thereby punctuating the dark side's victory with the Jedi's doom.

Since childhood, Vader's nameless agent has known only the cold, mercenary creed of the Sith. But his future beckons with the ultimate promise: to stand beside the only father he has ever known, with the galaxy at their feet. It is a destiny he can realize only by rising to the greatest challenge of his discipleship: destroying Emperor Palpatine.

The apprentice's journeys will take him across the far reaches of the galaxy. And he will be tested as never before - by shattering revelations that strike at the very heart of all he believes and stir within him long-forgotten hopes of reclaiming his name...and changing his destiny.

©2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM.

Audiobook Unleashed

After listening to this audiobook, I was very pleased with the quality of the audiobook itself. It was clear and had some terrific sound effects making this listen very enjoyable. What makes this audiobook even more astounding is the level in which Williams wrote this story. It was moving and energetic making it very difficult to stop listening. I give this a five-star rating.

Good story, great narration!

I'm impressed by the quality of Randomhouse Star Wars productions and this one is not the exception. Though the story may not be as fantastic as other tales in the same universe, is a compelling one and well written.

But it is the great narration by Jonathan Davis that made me keep listening through the audio book... it certainly is a pleasure. Consider having this book in your library.

Integral to Hear/Read before playing the game

I listened to this book on the way down to Florida from Virginia before I played the X-Box 360 version of the game. If I hadn't, I would have felt the game was sub-par. The story given in the game is nowhere near as complete and epic as the audiobook/book. Now that I have heard the story, though, playing the game is very fun. The game's cutscenes are very short on dialogue and story, but the gameplay, ironically, is what feels most like the book I listened to.

My suggestion is to listen to or read the book before you play the game. You will enjoy the game a lot more if you do.

Too short...

This was as always a great book. The only thing I believe would even better is if Star Wars Audiobooks were NEVER EVER abridged again

Canon or not, it's a great story

The fact that this is the 3rd time I have listened to this production and that I have read the novel should tell you how much I love it. It has great character development, characters you care about, and action all the way. This story may or may not be canon but it fits perfectly within the movie narratives. I only wish that it would have been the full version and not abridged. PS: it totally makes me play the game every time!

"Star wars: The Force unleashed"

Star Wars out did themselves with this book. It is very exciting and I was so glad to see a character from Star Wars a New hope presented in this book. It gives new insight to how the Rebellion waas born and where they got their symbol for the rebel alliance This book is a must to buy and I hope the game is as good as the book.

Love this book.

If you are a star wars fan this is a must read. The story takes place between Revenge of the sith and A new hope. It ties up a few loose ends between the movies. Also a good stand alone story if you have never watched the movies. Just all around good writing. A very entertaining story. Jonathan Davis does and excellent job of narrating to boot. I really enjoyed this book.

Good, but still many holes

It's a good listen and the narrator does an admirable job. I only had 1 issue with the voice acting and that was of Juno. Obviously a male trying to sound timid and feminine doesn't work well. I almost cringed every time Juno had dialog.

The story had a lot of potential. Yes it abridged and I have not read the book, so maybe there's more to it. Obviously after Episode III and before Episode IV, there's a whole lot missing. This book tries to bridge it and succeeds in some places and fails in others. The premise and story probably should have been a Trilogy itself to sort out the missing pieces and questions between III & IV. But, as is, The Force Unleashed is a decent listen and and intriguing view from the dark side and other Jedi Knights.

I despise abridged books.

I've said it before and I'll say it again I hate abridged books. I just don't understand why they need to bridge the book for the audio version when there are so many other books out there that are unabridged

The Force Unleashed

I heard about the game and thought I might give the audiobook a listen to get more insight to Darth Vader's secret apprentice. The book is very good and the narration is pretty good as well. It's a great compliment to the recently released video game.

As good as it gets...considering it's abridged!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, this has become part of the Star Wars "canon" and there are some nice little nods to the original trilogy.

What did you like best about this story?

I'd rather not spoil it :D

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Voice acting was great :) Female voices are a little weak, but they're hard for a guy to do. The rest of the voice work was good.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Unfortunately not. I would like to point out, I have now listened to the Force Unleashed 2 which is not abridged and the whole story is much better. I believe that the love interest story would have been much better had they not released this as an abridged version.

If you have the time to read the novel, I would suggest that for a fuller experience. If you can only enjoy books while driving nowadays, this will do :)

Any additional comments?

The love story lacked so much substance, but the second book did convey more emotion. I think I was only aware of the love interest because I was expecting it from the beginning.

I wish people would stop butchering books to save a few pennies ;)

A Star Wars Story, done right

Played the game first, loved it
Heard the story read, adored it

A gripping tale on the dark side of the force and its ideals woven into a character driven story filled with charm and nods to series continuity.

It made an excellent game, and as a book its incredible hearing this makes you pine tor the completion of the Force Unleashed Trilogy that never was.

The narrator does an excellent job of not only painting the picture being described, but making you feel the emotions and conflicts of each of the characters, droids, aliens and humans alike.

A must read/play/listen for ANY Star Wars fan casual or hardcore, young or old.

Worst Star wars book yet.

lacking any real depth or character development. such a disappointment. the narration is fine but the story is lacking, could have been so much better. listened to this after the darth bane trilogy and the whole old republic series, they are so much bettsr.

The Autistic Nerd review.

I absolutely loved this audio. Loved the Darth Vader voice especially thought that was a nice touch. To me the Force Unleashed is one of the Greatest Star Wars games ever.

Takes me back

Wow! This is how you do a Star Wars story! Took me right back to when I used to play the games as a kid. I absolutely loved The Force Unleashed on my PlayStation all those years ago and this book put me firmly back in the action!
Davis does a superb job of bringing all of the characters to life and I couldn’t stopped listening!

Well worth it if you’re a Star Wars fan and a fan of the games! Well done!

Excellent

A very good Star Wars audible book, set in, the dark side, with sound effects.

Very enjoyable

Very enjoyable, music was great and the performances were amazing from one guy! Good feeling!

Narration only kept me listenibg

Could have been an excellent sci fi adventure. If you have played the games I wouldn't bother with this one really, it is more or less just the script of the games cut scenes nothing much more than that. The narration on the other hand was top notch couldn't fault it.

Got to this at last!

Great story that expands the story from the game, well read as always by Jonathan Davis.

childhood memories

loved this book it dove deeper into the starkiller story much more to it and detail than in the game