The Cavern of Screaming Skulls

Star Wars Adventures #2

by Ryder Windham

great book

Genres: Star Wars, Fiction, Gamebooks, Science Fiction, Childrens

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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 3 out of 5]

This is the second book of a series and the first one should be read before this one. In this one, Anakin is still stranded on a planet where he encounters a child whose parents are in trouble. Obi-Wan learns of the situation and has to delve into a cavern to retrieve gems to rectify the situation.

This was a nice little offering from this universe. The aspect I really like is that we are seeing a more mature Anakin. I actually could have used a one line summary for this book. It would have been "This is the one where Obi-Wan becomes Indiana Jones". That is this book. Obi-Wan has to retrieve an artifact while avoiding various booby traps. Tell me that doesn't sound like an Indiana Jones movie. In the adventure he has a female companion and she is attracted to Obi-Wan. I am interested at how this will play out.

This was a nice quick read. This one was much better than the opening book. I like the maturer Anakin as well as the developing story line that will likely cross several books.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 23BBY

This one was ok. Quick read with a forgettable story. Adds nothing to the lore.

[Kat V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 2.5 stars. This book needs to be read with the other books in the series but it really doesn’t need to be read at all. None of them do. If you’re looking for good Star Wars kids’ books I suggest finding something by Jude Watson instead. It’s one of the better books in the series but not great.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good book, some of the adventuring is a little fast paced, but since it's meant to be read alongside a game book where you actually play out the scenes I'm not upset about that at all. It stands quite well as it's own enclosed book, and the story is quite enjoyable.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Obi-Wan-centric adventure. My only complaint is that it was too short. I loved the Skull Queen flirting with Obi-Wan and then she and her daughter fighting over who would marry him in the last few pages.

[Brian Washington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars: Cavern of the Screaming Skulls feels more like a classic Clone Wars entry. The story picks up right where Hunt for the Sun Runner leaves off Anakin and Obi Wan are heading to a planet that’s got problems from the jump.

What’s interesting here is that there are real stakes early on. Anakin’s already worn out from the last mission, so Kenobi and another Jedi are left to handle more than just diplomacy. There’s tension, complications, and that familiar sense of something about to go sideways.

This one reminds me of other Star Wars stories where divided worlds are forced to work together warring factions, that kind of thing. It’s a quick read, but it had more weight and fun than I expected going in.
3/5.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This continuation is much the same as the first book - not brilliant but good fun, aided by moments of humour that aren't forced or too cringey. Obi-Wan's predicament at the end made me chuckle out loud.