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Star Wars Disney Canon Reference Books
Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Updated and Expanded
A New York Times bestseller and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award winner, this updated and expanded encyclopedia explores more than 200 characters from the complete Star Wars™ saga.Star Wars Character Updated and Expanded, the definitive guide to the people, aliens, and Droids™ of the Star Wars galaxy, is back, bigger and better than ever before, and packed with new Star Wars characters.Want to know how tall Darth Vader is? Or where the ferocious Nexu comes from? Look no further than the Star Wars Character Updated and Expanded. With profiles on heroes, villains, and everyone in between, this handy guide is full of fun facts and intriguing information guaranteed to enthrall fans for hours on end.© & TM 2016 LUCASFILM LTD. Used Under "...sharp, snappy...stunning." - StarWars.com
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 18, 2016
5 stars
Nice to have profiles on the characters from the Star Wars universe. Wish there was more information on the characters though.
Can't wait to read more Star Wars books!!! Excited for the movies coming out!!!
Nice to have profiles on the characters from the Star Wars universe. Wish there was more information on the characters though.
Can't wait to read more Star Wars books!!! Excited for the movies coming out!!!
May 30, 2016
Really informative and fun. DK always does a nice job, as in their "Visual Dictionary" style. I'm not going to lie, I would've rated this higher if not for one thing:
Why do lame characters like "Buzz droids" or each of the backup singers in the RotJ special edition Jabba's palace song and dance thing get their own full length pages when Wedge and Biggs get a mere portion of a page on the "X Wing Pilots" page?
Wedge? Really? You get two lines to describe who you are with a small picture while the pink haired dancer gets a full bio complete with height and home planet details. Way to downplay one of the characters who actually was in three movies and helped take down the two Death Stars. And Biggs? Luke's old time friend from Tatooine who used to fly through Beggar's Canyon with him? No, let's focus on the Rodian Greeta and how amazing she is at dancing in Jabba's palace.
Why do lame characters like "Buzz droids" or each of the backup singers in the RotJ special edition Jabba's palace song and dance thing get their own full length pages when Wedge and Biggs get a mere portion of a page on the "X Wing Pilots" page?
Wedge? Really? You get two lines to describe who you are with a small picture while the pink haired dancer gets a full bio complete with height and home planet details. Way to downplay one of the characters who actually was in three movies and helped take down the two Death Stars. And Biggs? Luke's old time friend from Tatooine who used to fly through Beggar's Canyon with him? No, let's focus on the Rodian Greeta and how amazing she is at dancing in Jabba's palace.
June 9, 2019
It's a nice book. The format of one character on the page is quite limiting, and various wikipedia-like sites offer already much more information and many more characters, with links!
To note, this list is limited to the canonical story line.
To note, this list is limited to the canonical story line.
August 15, 2016
Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded.
While books like character encyclopedias are never an unwelcome addition to my bookshelf, I must admit that I had never expected to receive this one. In fact, it surprisingly arrived on my doorstep (quite literally) alongside another book. And, seeing as to how I am a huge Star Wars fan I welcomed the opportunity to give it a good perusal.
Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded, is a 224 page book published by DK Books and authored by Pablo Hidalgo. Its intended audience is readers ages 7 to 17. The book is, as the name suggests, an updated version to include new entries that include characters from The Force Awakens.
First, let me begin by establishing that I can understand what they were trying for here. Believe me. I get it. The whole design was clearly focused on being a fun little collection of info for kids/young readers.
With that in mind, it is understandable that this would not be a comprehensive dossier on all the complex figures that inhabit a galaxy far far away. It also means that an older reader can expect some simplification as to wording, grammar and yes – the information itself.
But here is one of the key problems that I found with this book; they go too far in this aspect of the book’s design. When benign aspects are repeatedly highlighted such as; ‘this is a belt/belt buckle’ things get monotonous even to a kid. You can write simple fact based entries for fictional characters without highlighting things in terms of; look, they have boots! I mean, come on. Just because your target audience is children doesn’t mean you have to insult their intelligence.
Furthermore, the art in this book also causes me an issue. When there is an untold wealth of images and art to draw on from character sketches, comic panels all the way up to digital artist renderings I have to question the logic behind decades old grainy vhs screen shots. Because that is what some of the artwork looks like to me. This is just sad.
I hate speaking ill of any book, especially one that covers a beloved brand. But this was one that I just found far too many short comings to ignore. I can applaud the attempt, I really can. However things were poorly worded at times to be clear to a younger reader, the art was cheap and honestly things were just way too watered down to retain the inherent value and appeal that Star Wars has.
I’d have to rate it 2/5 with one point for the effort and another for the range of material covered. Better art, tighter wording/editing and a more systematic approach to how the various entries were described would have gone a long way. A lot of kids will read about one creature and want to know where it is from etc and then question why the next doesn’t even mention such information. The devil is in the details and that makes this feel more like cheaply produced cash grab. This is disappointing given the quality I am beginning to expect and admire from DK Books.
While books like character encyclopedias are never an unwelcome addition to my bookshelf, I must admit that I had never expected to receive this one. In fact, it surprisingly arrived on my doorstep (quite literally) alongside another book. And, seeing as to how I am a huge Star Wars fan I welcomed the opportunity to give it a good perusal.
Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded, is a 224 page book published by DK Books and authored by Pablo Hidalgo. Its intended audience is readers ages 7 to 17. The book is, as the name suggests, an updated version to include new entries that include characters from The Force Awakens.
First, let me begin by establishing that I can understand what they were trying for here. Believe me. I get it. The whole design was clearly focused on being a fun little collection of info for kids/young readers.
With that in mind, it is understandable that this would not be a comprehensive dossier on all the complex figures that inhabit a galaxy far far away. It also means that an older reader can expect some simplification as to wording, grammar and yes – the information itself.
But here is one of the key problems that I found with this book; they go too far in this aspect of the book’s design. When benign aspects are repeatedly highlighted such as; ‘this is a belt/belt buckle’ things get monotonous even to a kid. You can write simple fact based entries for fictional characters without highlighting things in terms of; look, they have boots! I mean, come on. Just because your target audience is children doesn’t mean you have to insult their intelligence.
Furthermore, the art in this book also causes me an issue. When there is an untold wealth of images and art to draw on from character sketches, comic panels all the way up to digital artist renderings I have to question the logic behind decades old grainy vhs screen shots. Because that is what some of the artwork looks like to me. This is just sad.
I hate speaking ill of any book, especially one that covers a beloved brand. But this was one that I just found far too many short comings to ignore. I can applaud the attempt, I really can. However things were poorly worded at times to be clear to a younger reader, the art was cheap and honestly things were just way too watered down to retain the inherent value and appeal that Star Wars has.
I’d have to rate it 2/5 with one point for the effort and another for the range of material covered. Better art, tighter wording/editing and a more systematic approach to how the various entries were described would have gone a long way. A lot of kids will read about one creature and want to know where it is from etc and then question why the next doesn’t even mention such information. The devil is in the details and that makes this feel more like cheaply produced cash grab. This is disappointing given the quality I am beginning to expect and admire from DK Books.
April 29, 2016
Very interesting if you don't have the previous release from 2011, still interesting enough to get it when you already have. There are 41 new profiles, some others have been updated with TFA info and 23 entries have also been deleted (mostly prequel related). Some original entries have been updated (Legends material has gone and has been replaced with info from TCW or the new comics). A lot of heights of characters has been altered. Worth checking out, although it remains a curious publication. Some entries from 2011 are exactly the same as in this book, but the entries from 2011 are Legends and the same ones from 2016 are canon ...
December 21, 2017
This is by no means a comprehensive character encyclopedia. I was expecting it to be more like the old essential guides. I fully expected the characters from "legends" to be removed, but I was unhappy with the lack of coverage of Rebel Alliance fighter pilots, such as Wedge Antilles, Biggs Darklighter, Zev Senesca, Hobbie Klivian, etc. There are also a ton of cantina patrons and Jabba's Palace characters who are missing from this book. And I was confused by a contradiction in descriptions: Adi Gallia is described as having "long, fleshy tendrils" that "descend from (a) scaled cranium." However, on Stass Allie's page, it is described as a "Tholoth headdress." They are the same species, so which is it?
Overall, I would say it's a good starter book for kids and I do like all of the color photos. I also enjoyed getting more background on new characters, such as Poe Dameron and Snap Wexley. Just don't count on getting a comprehensive history of all canon Star Wars characters.
Overall, I would say it's a good starter book for kids and I do like all of the color photos. I also enjoyed getting more background on new characters, such as Poe Dameron and Snap Wexley. Just don't count on getting a comprehensive history of all canon Star Wars characters.
Read
May 21, 2020This is by no means a comprehensive character encyclopedia. I was expecting it to be more like the old essential guides. I fully expected the characters from "legends" to be removed, but I was unhappy with the lack of coverage of Rebel Alliance fighter pilots, such as Wedge Antilles, Biggs Darklighter, Zev Seneca, Hobbie Klivian, etc. There are also a ton of cantina patrons and Jabba's Palace characters who are missing from this book. And I was confused by a contradiction in descriptions: Adi Gallia is described as having "long, fleshy tendrils" that "descend from a scaled cranium." However, on Stass Allie's page, it is described as a "Tholoth headdress." They are the same species, so which is it?
April 24, 2021
Very interesting if you don't have the previous release from 2011, still interesting enough to get it when you already have. There are 41 new profiles, some others have been updated with TFA info and 23 entries have also been deleted (mostly prequel related). Some original entries have been updated (Legends material has gone and has been replaced with info from TCW or the new comics). A lot of heights of characters has been altered. Worth checking out, although it remains a curious publication. Some entries from 2011 are exactly the same as in this book, but the entries from 2011 are Legends and the same ones from 2016 are canon ...
March 2, 2021
While I am a fan of Star Wars, I felt this book got a little repetitive after a while. (I am not sure why it is so important to point out everyone's utility belt.) If you are going to read it straight through keep that in mind. If you are looking at the book out of interest in specific characters, treat it like an encyclopedia and only read the entries that interest you. Also if you are not familiar with Star Wars Cannon...expect a few spoilers in this book. Overall, it was a okay overview of many characters...but I think they could have done more.
June 1, 2017
An okay book, except this version put in characters that were seen in only 1-2 scenes in the movie, when they could've added other characters that had more significance. Still, it was a very informational book in which you can learn more about each character.
January 22, 2017
Scanned through most of this book. It did not have the main characters from Rogue One in it, but it did have Star Wars 7 characters in it.
July 15, 2017
there are a couple of Clone Wars characters I would've liked to see, but all in all good
September 6, 2017
3.5 stars
It gives a solid overview of most of the named characters from the films, with some notable exceptions, but they are short, impersonal entries. A good starter book.
It gives a solid overview of most of the named characters from the films, with some notable exceptions, but they are short, impersonal entries. A good starter book.
December 12, 2017
Great value
With so many Star Was characters, this is a great book to help even the lights fan understand.
Need a family chart to go with this
With so many Star Was characters, this is a great book to help even the lights fan understand.
Need a family chart to go with this
December 16, 2017
Something for the grandkids to keep them quiet.
January 17, 2018
I love SW. But the quality of image and text correction was bad :(.
August 5, 2018
Read this book for a week to 5-year old twin grandsons. They wanted to take it home they loved it so much. Done! So many details. So easy to pick and choose age-appropriate parts.
March 14, 2019
Really great reference book for the characters and creatures in the galaxy.
April 19, 2019
Simple and informative in a way the kids love.
May 16, 2020
Where's Dengar?
August 5, 2020
A very useful book, even though it can be more complete, it has most of the principal characters, and one whole page for most of them!
March 19, 2023
LOL, so funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
5/5📚 0/5🌶️
September 5, 2023
I miss the characters they took out. If your new to star was Rey is not a skywalker .But over all your should read it .
October 25, 2024
It’s known as a critics sin to review books as the way YOU would write them,
And not by how well it told the story it wanted to tell, which is the way how it should be done.
Which is something that I always keep in mind when I’m interacting or reviewing.
This is an encyclopedia intended for kids, it’s not intended to be complex, and I think that it works for what it is.
But I hated this book.
The encyclopedia had one page for each character, including all the background characters that appear for three seconds. Some of the information was interesting, but that means that Luke Skywalker had the same amount of details as a dancer from Jabba the hut’s palace.
They were also very picky and choosy with the info that is given as if they were trying to be spoiler free. Anakin and Darth Vader have separate pages, and it doesn’t tell you how most of the characters die.
I know it’s aimed at kids, but as a kid who was super into encyclopedias, I think they deserve the books being intricate and detailed. And this wasn’t it. Rant over.
And not by how well it told the story it wanted to tell, which is the way how it should be done.
Which is something that I always keep in mind when I’m interacting or reviewing.
This is an encyclopedia intended for kids, it’s not intended to be complex, and I think that it works for what it is.
But I hated this book.
The encyclopedia had one page for each character, including all the background characters that appear for three seconds. Some of the information was interesting, but that means that Luke Skywalker had the same amount of details as a dancer from Jabba the hut’s palace.
They were also very picky and choosy with the info that is given as if they were trying to be spoiler free. Anakin and Darth Vader have separate pages, and it doesn’t tell you how most of the characters die.
I know it’s aimed at kids, but as a kid who was super into encyclopedias, I think they deserve the books being intricate and detailed. And this wasn’t it. Rant over.
June 30, 2023
Disappointing. Most details are minutiae that are irrelevant to the movies. Many of the approx. 215 characters are very minor ones that you hardly notice in the movies (several of the characters are band members and dancers). I hoped to learn a lot more that would enhance my enjoyment of the movies.
The book covers Episodes I-VII, Rogue One, and the Clone Wars TV show, but there's a heavy emphasis on anything newer than the Original Trilogy. You can tell this just by glancing at the cover. For characters that appear in the Original Trilogy and newer movies, it's weighted toward the newer. For example, the main photo of Leia is from The Force Awakens, and the main photo of Tarkin is the CG version from Rogue One.
Notes
The book covers Episodes I-VII, Rogue One, and the Clone Wars TV show, but there's a heavy emphasis on anything newer than the Original Trilogy. You can tell this just by glancing at the cover. For characters that appear in the Original Trilogy and newer movies, it's weighted toward the newer. For example, the main photo of Leia is from The Force Awakens, and the main photo of Tarkin is the CG version from Rogue One.
Notes
May 2, 2016
This book is heavy on droids, storm troopers and Jedis. It covers almost all of the character found within Jabba’s palace, but leaves out a bunch of Mos Eisley cantina (New Hope) or Maz’s palace (Force Awakens.) I found it humorous in the character images how often the character’s books, gloves and belts were pointed out.
This book definitely could have used an editor with some Star Wars universe knowledge. Under appearances, it says Boba Fett is in a New Hope and Tauntauns are in Jedi. What the what? And there definitely needs to be a better photo of Grand Moff Tarken – he looks like a wax statue.
One thing that I did notice was how bad/primitive some of the costuming was in the original series versus the over CGI of Episodes 1-3. The still photos let you study a close up of some characters you only see a glimpse of in the background.
Overall, if you are looking for the end all, be all encyclopedia for Star Wars characters … this is not it. But if you are looking for random facts and close of up images of a boatload of characters from all of the movies, this book does a decent job – especially if you are child with a beginner’s interest.
This book definitely could have used an editor with some Star Wars universe knowledge. Under appearances, it says Boba Fett is in a New Hope and Tauntauns are in Jedi. What the what? And there definitely needs to be a better photo of Grand Moff Tarken – he looks like a wax statue.
One thing that I did notice was how bad/primitive some of the costuming was in the original series versus the over CGI of Episodes 1-3. The still photos let you study a close up of some characters you only see a glimpse of in the background.
Overall, if you are looking for the end all, be all encyclopedia for Star Wars characters … this is not it. But if you are looking for random facts and close of up images of a boatload of characters from all of the movies, this book does a decent job – especially if you are child with a beginner’s interest.
October 30, 2021
Alphabetically outlined, this was a compendium of Star Wars characters, droids, clones and even various creatures. Beginning with one of the numerically named droids, and ending with Zuckuss the bounty hunter, many major and minor individuals were discussed in this entertaining and informative book.
The timeline of the characters included covered through The Force Awakens. Each character had one page devoted to them that contained a short description, notable accomplishments, connections to other characters and locales, a data file outlining pertinent information such as their homeworld and height and more.
Each character page had a full length photo of the character, or creature. Accompanying that were text boxes, arranged at various angles, intermingled with other photos such as screenshots of them. The layout of each page was interesting, and made it easy for your eye to travel from one text box to another. I also liked that well known characters, as well as those only briefly seen made an appearance.
A really fun book to flip through and just read about your favorites, or to read from cover to cover.
The timeline of the characters included covered through The Force Awakens. Each character had one page devoted to them that contained a short description, notable accomplishments, connections to other characters and locales, a data file outlining pertinent information such as their homeworld and height and more.
Each character page had a full length photo of the character, or creature. Accompanying that were text boxes, arranged at various angles, intermingled with other photos such as screenshots of them. The layout of each page was interesting, and made it easy for your eye to travel from one text box to another. I also liked that well known characters, as well as those only briefly seen made an appearance.
A really fun book to flip through and just read about your favorites, or to read from cover to cover.
February 3, 2017
Asher (10yo) read. "This was super cool. We've read one like it before but without The Force Awakens characters. It doesn't include Supreme Leader Snoke, even though on Kylo Ren profile it says 'See also Supreme Leader Snoke.'"
Dexter (8yo) read.
Dexter (8yo) read.
December 26, 2016
This book gives an overview of some of the Star Wars characters from movies I-VII. No rebels or clone wars exclusive characters here! Parents of young children be warned, some of the twi'leks are dressed in revealing clothing. I'm a little confused at the character they chose to include, but whatever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews