Between Books - Star Wars The High Republic: The Eye of Darkness

Yeah, I just can’t stop. Call me a completionist! Call me stubborn. Or just call me a bit loony, because Star Wars: The High Republic is back with a book and I chose to read it so you don’t have to…unless you want to.

Star Wars: The High Republic The Eye of Darkness by George Mann brings us back to the later High Republic after Lucasfilm publishing had moved us to earlier in the period for several books. We need a printed info graphic timeline to track this thing! In those books we learned why Marchion Ro hated the Jedi so much. Though, I am not buying it! Now, Mann brings us back to the original High Republic time frame and story line that Disney introduced to us. There’s just a lot of confusion here as we jump between different stories in different times in a Star Wars era we’ve not spent a lot of time in. For example,e, I found myself confusing characters between the two phases of the High Republic.

Back to Star Wars: The High Republic The Eye of Darkness! The Nihil led by Marchion Ro are at the heights of their power after the fall of Starlight Beacon. Ro’s forces has claimed a portion of the galaxy, with the Nihil establishing the Stormwall, a buried that Republic forced cannot pass. Within Nihil space, the chaos of the Nihil causes disorder and death. Outside the Stormwall, the Jedi hide from Ro’s ultimate weapon, the Nameless, animal force user hunters. Mann follows a few key Jedi as they struggle to stay alive within Nihil space or seek to crack the Stormwall to bring freedom to the Nihil captives.

It is getting better? A little bit! There are fewer characters to keep track of which helps a lot. Honestly, the first volumes had so many Jedi and other characters it was difficult to remember who was who. At this point, the cast has been weeded down enough that really we are focusing on a few characters like Avar Kriss. It just makes the plot easier to follow. And it also brings stakes as we have seen so many of them reach the end of their stories in their past. The basic plot of hostages and hopelessness also creates a lot of internal stress. I will admit, there are stakes as we don’t know where these heroes and villains end.

Mann’s writing provides an adventure tale that holds attention. However, it does feel like it rushes to an ending. I kept looking at how much needed to get at least partially involved and it felt like a lot for me, especially reading in Kindle and knowing there was a small percentage of the book to go.

Yet, I still have thoughts.

I don’t believe that the added earlier phase of the New Republic is needed to enjoy this story. The story within this phase focusing on Starlight Beacon is the best preread for this story. The idea that the Ro family has complaints about the Jedi doesn’t give me more depth to Marchion Ro. No, just let him be a horrible terrible person. That’s enough. And we could have avoided the literary flashback that none of our characters asked for.

I’ve had concerns about the Jedi, starting with the prequel trilogy forward. When I was a kid, Yoda was a hero, mentor, and someone to look up to. Now knowing that he worked closely with a Sith Lord and allowed him to groom his future apprentice under his watch my thoughts have evolved. The earlier phase of the High Republic makes it even worse for me. Yoda we now know was aware of the Nameless, had seen Jedi die to the Nameless, and seemed committed to learning how to combat the Nameless. Now generations later, he seems to have done nothing. Yoda quite simply does not come off as the hero that young me needs and wants him to be.

I recently saw a TikTok that declared the High Republic to be a failure. I’m not that far yet. I may say the High Republic isn’t the most interesting or what I want! But that did get me thinking. Disney and Lucasfilm have a history of scraping projects. We have all heard of movies and Disney+ offerings that were canceled, never made, and walked away from. I mean I would still like to see Star Wars: Rouge Squadron. If fans are not loving the print offerings on the High Republic, why hasn’t Disney done so here? I get that publishing is a lot cheaper than movies and television. I understand how comics and books can be trial balloons to gauge interest. And if this is a pilot, well I think interest is low. Personally, I think that it’s time to revise what the High Republic could be or should be. If I was the architect, I would revise the plan for this era to follow one Jedi, I vote for Porter Engle, who is longed lived, like Porter Engle, has some mystery behind him, a Porter Engle type, and some drama, such as Porter Engle, and is respected by others, much like Porter Engle. They’d probably need to create an entirely new character! You could have this one Jedi travel the galaxy and have adventures. Then this one Jedi’s journey could give us the backstory for the High Republic if Disney really wants us to enjoy stories in this era.

Star Wars: The High Republic The Eye of Darkness by George Mann shows us that Marchion Ro is a bad bad man. He holds millions hostage and the Jedi are helpless. If one can look at this story as one of good versus evil in the Star Wars universe, the tale works. But as something that is part of a larger framework, it does not connect as well as Lucasfilm might hope.

Oh yeah, remember when I said I felt like Mann had to rush to an ending? As those who have read books before might guess, the story doesn’t end here. So everyone can look forward to more Marchion Ro and his hatred of the Jedi.

Will I try to read it? Well, there is no try, only do or do not!

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Path of Deceit

 

Welcome to Star Wars: The High Republic!

Okay, we have actually been here before. Welcome to earlier in the Star Wars: The High Republic than we have ever been before!

There are Jedi!

There are lightsabers!

There is a lot of talk about the Force!

There are some young ladies with a name we have seen before in Star Wars: The High Republic!

And look over here, there is a ship that will become important later!

Yoda is not in the building!

Star Wars: The High Republic Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland opens up a new chapter within Star Wars: The High Republic. Years before the creation of Starlight Beacon space station and the attack of the Nihil on the Republic, a Jedi, and her Padawan Kevmo Zink are tasked with finding stolen artifacts rich in the Force. They believe that on the planet Dalna, a group called the Path of the Open Hand is connected. The two investigate with Kevmo meeting the young Path member Mardo Ro who brings brightness to Kevmo’s life and challenges his beliefs about the Force itself. Kevmo and Mardo navigate the tension between the Path of the Open Hand, Jedi, and a plan that is greater than two young people.

Star Wars: The High Republic can be hard for me. I am convinced that Star Wars is best when visually presented. The mind needs visuals to see the whole magnificent picture. So, as we are invited into a tale that has no characters we have seen on the screen or in comics, LucasFilm is asking the authors to take on a hard task. They have to provide us information about where we are, hints to what is to come, and characters that we need to care about…and quickly. And they need to deliver the request at a young adult reading level. And I am a Disney adult, which I am sad to say only really means young at heart. This meant that Star Wars: The High Republic Path of Deceit did not work the best for me. The authors complete their charge, a young adult novel earlier in the High Republic than we have gone before. But I found myself asking the bigger questions; first, why did they not continue from the end of the last major event publishes in the High Republic instead of jumping backward? Second, I have friends who question the distribution of television series as they do not want to watch every episode of Star Wars: Rebels to understand what is occurring on Disney+. Is it possible by not giving us familiar characters in publishing that some of the hardcore readers may be turning away as the non-core asks this question?

Star Wars: The High Republic Path of Deceit has some familiar story threads. And the text has concepts that tell you that you are in Star Wars. And the authors clearly completed their assignment. But perhaps Disney executives should be reviewing their strategy in greater detail.

I mean, I will still read what is next! 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence

Not that Jedi!

Not that desert planet!

Not those star-crossed lovers!

Not that droid!

Not that handsome rouge!

Welcome back to the High Republic!

Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence by Zoraida Cordova continues the Disney/Lucasfilm experiment of giving us Star Wars without a Skywalker. Star Wars’ books can be hard for me as this is a visual universe, yet I can’t stop reading them. I blame the collector in me. I just wondered if this would fare better for me than my last outing in an era before the Clone Wars!

Somewhere on the edge of the Republic, two planets that we have never seen in the Star Wars universe are in an endless war. The Republic and the Jedi send aid and attempt to end this conflict. But it is really the role of a royal from each planet to solve this problem and help these worlds move forward into peace. Outside of this resolution, a threat we’ve seen before in the High Republic lurks in the shadows hinting of more schemes and conflict to come.

I have intentionally left the names of the worlds, Jedi, royals, and other details blank. To be honest, other than name-checking Yoda, Coruscant, and Jedha there is not a lot of detail that ties this book to the rest of the Star Wars universe. I prefer to think of this as a standalone story that does not rely on Star Wars details to make it work. To me, the central characters are the royals and their struggles for peace and everyone else including the Jedi are really set decorations. Now that being said, I think that this book is attempting to move forward the struggle between the Jedi and a threat that we have seen elsewhere. But other than the Jedi and the antagonist who hates the Jedi, there is not a strong connection to other High Republic books.

I will admit, this was a hard story for me to get into. And it could have been in the first 20-30% of the story I was trying to slot the tale into Star Wars and the High Republic. Once I made it a story of the two young Royals who by this time in the book were better fleshed out, it was a more enjoyable read. But the struggle with the whole High Republic concept is trying to create new Star Wars without the figures we know at least in support. And it may also be lacking in the fact they are not or cannot use the figures from comics and books that fans love and are no longer considered canon. I feel like they are attempting to not overexpose Yoda during this timeframe, and maybe it’s best to toss him into the center of a story.

Overall, Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence by Zoraida Cordova did better for me than the last outing in the High Republic. But that is because I focused on the two completely new characters who were not Jedi and had literally the least to do with anything Star Wars that I read before. I’ve heard Marvel and DC authors state that the key to pitching a story is not to make it a Spider-Man story but make it a story that functions with a hero who may remind you of Spider-Man. In the end, that’s how I chose to read Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence. The Jedi became wise warrior wizards to me. The Republic was an outside intrusive and also helpful government. And the unseen antagonist…I just tried to push them out of my mind. Because I think without the baggage of Star Wars I would have gotten into this story faster and more intense.

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Between Books - Star Wars: The HIgh Republic Beware the Nameless

I promise I am not trying to hate read the High Republic!

Star Wars: The High Republic Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Córdova is a book for ages 8 to 12, which brings me to some questions about the architecture of the High Republic blueprint. These questions range from who is the intended audience and when and how you reveal important plot points.

Star Wars: The High Republic Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Córdova is a straightforward mid-reader adventure tale. Padawan Ram Jomaram, who we’ve met before, is given the mission to capture some of the Nihil’s Nameless. It appears he has been successful enough in the past to get an important mission but not enough to be promoted to Knight. His mission team is a group of young padawans and the daughter of the senator. Boom, we get a switch-up and the youngsters of this group are separated from Ram and go on their own adventure where they meet a young inquisitive Hutt, fight the Nameless, and attempt to save survivors of a Nihil attack.

Overall, the story is meant for high elementary and middle school readers, and the action revolves around them in a story that has plenty of adventure targeted to that age range. So I won’t hate review this! I did leave the book wondering about what the kids are reading and the line between adolescent and adult. When I was in Middle School, I tended to read adventure stories, so I think Córdova’s story is mostly appropriate to the age range. But it also felt like it was right on the line as a tense and brutal story. We’ve seen the Nameless in adult-aged books kill Jedi and it is harsh. This harshness does return here, spoiler not everyone you meet will make it. So I did question if the level of violence was a good fit for the intended audience. But this is from someone who was this age before books like The Hunger Games with it’s fill of even more horrific violence. When I place it in that light, it does seem like something one would find for this reading group. I will say as an older reader, it felt more straightforward without twists and turns than the stories targeted for older readers.

Let’s focus on the book for just one more moment. I do think that one of the hardest things to do in the High Republic is introduce new characters. Córdova is really successful with the introduction of Churo the Hutt. Churo has a name every Disney fan will love. He also is a character that is one of the easiest aliens to imagine in your mind. He is highly likable and easy to cheer for, he has a lot of anxiety, more than a Hutt should have. Córdova in this story provides Churo a complete arc that tells a whole chapter of his life here, while also making us want to turn the page and see what the next chapter of his book is titled. For a project that overall has failed to make me like more than a character or two, it was refreshing to have one new entry stand out.

Yoda takes a seat and chats with the kids.

Let’s get away from the book for a second. I learned a lot about the Nameless in this book. I feel like there were aspects of what the Jedi know about the Nameless, the impacts of the Nameless attacks, and even how the Jedi see the Nameless that while hinted at in the adult High Republic books were clarified more strongly in this text. I found myself wondering if this text, outside of the main adult story line, was the place where readers should be looking for these clarifications. Are there going to be adults who never read this book due to the listed age range? Maybe Córdova hoped to give clarity to a youth reader, but I kept thinking shouldn’t Avar Kriss be discovering this? Even the fact there was a Nameless hunt felt like it should have been placed in the main story. And then the newest High Republic threat the Blight showed up, and I felt yet again I was getting more information than I got in the adult books where we watched heroes study the infection. Good on you Córdova, but the architects may have missed some of their strongest impact points.

Star Wars: The High Republic Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Córdova is a fine youth adventure story. I think the younger you are the better you will enjoy it. Córdova does give us a young new hero that I think is easy for readers of all ages to understand and enjoy. But I did walk away with more questions about how the High Republic is designed and more clarity on the Nameless. 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Tempation of the Force

The world has changed! Star Wars: The Acolyte has introduced scores of new eyes to the High Republic. It is rumored that the series won’t be coming back for a season 2, largely due to honestly toxic Star Wars culture and not due to story pacing or plot concerns. We’ve now seen Vernestra Rwoh in the flesh, and even rightfully I will argue been too obsessed with birthdays. So it’s a perfect time to jump back into the High Republic Between Books, and maybe even reflect on if the High Republic show changes my thoughts on the literature.

Star Wars: The High Republic Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton continues the epic space battle (or star war) between the Republic and the Jedi versus warlord Marchion Ro and his Nihil forces. Much of the focus of the book is Jedi Masters Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann as they seek a way to save those trapped within the Occlusion Zone ruled by the Nihil. They seek to combine technology and the Force to better understand hyperspace and how they can free the captive. Meanwhile, a new blight is visiting planets and leaving death in its wake. Marchion Ro and Jedi Knights Bell Zettifar and Burryaga seek to understand the relationship the blight has with the Force, the Jedi killing Nameless, and another almost forgotten adversary. Also, Jedi Master Porter Engle focuses on his own mission of…revenge? All of these events move forward to a stopping point that allows us to face all these problems in a future book.

First and foremost, some of these books have just exhausted me. Out of all of the High Republic books this has likely been my favorite. We have spent enough time with Avar, Elzar, Marchion Ro, and the rest of the supporting cast that we have enough knowledge to follow along with them and have some investment. I just had the feeling that this is a story that is pushing forward to conclusion. But there are so many elements that I feel many of them take from the rest of the story. This is a story laid out by a committee! I wonder if Gratton had permission to just create an Avar and Elzar story if it may have had better pacing and been a little more satisfying. We’ve seen so many characters culled from the story since Light of the Jedi, that I really wonder if less is showing to be more.

It does feel like there is so much story to serve. I thought Gratton had us on a path to a conclusion for the whole arc. But she’s not able to get there due to all of the elements. Those elements include an adversary that was introduced in the first phase of the project and then largely disappeared. Also, in this book, we begin to see the pay off to why the time jump backward was written. But even then, I don’t find that connection to matter much to me. Honestly, I think Marchion Ro is a really villainous villain. What I would like to see happening is the Jedi focussing on fighting him. I also could use a little more time with him and less with his subordinates. If we were given a High Republic arc that was basic Marchion Ro is bad, Jedi are good, Jedi need to stop him… we could have a pretty fun adventure. George Lucas is famous for “faster, more intense” and this principle could have helped the whole High Republic instead of building a lot of lore and worlds. Just give us Jedi are good, villains are bad, let's throw them against each other. I often tried to read this book in that light, which helped me as the pace seemed to slightly build up.

Gratton does give us a piece that I really enjoyed, Jedi in love! We have seen many times how love is seen by Jedi as a road to attachment. Avar and Elzar have a strong, long-standing relationship that is really complicated among the Jedi. This gives them moments to discuss love, and if it is a road to the Dark Side. They, for the first time, discuss how love can be freeing, love can be a road to the Light Side, and it does not need to be a prison. I’d agrue that Kanan Jarrus was the best of all Jedi, and he pushed into love. I appreciate that Gratton’s view of love aligns better with what I think many of us feel than the horrible tragic quality many other Star Wars books treat love as being. I love, it makes me better! It seems a few Jedi may actually agree.

So, I’ve seen Star Wars: The Acolyte which for this book likely mostly impacts my take on Vern. Vern is older, much older, and a little more cynical and political as a leader among the Jedi. So while Vern bounces around the sides of this story, I do see her less youthful and more hard-edged. I’m judging her for some of the opinions she’s expressing in glances. I think the writers would prefer I see these moments as how she got to that point on the show. But…due to recency bias, she’s already changed on the page.

Yoda appears in a fancy robe! I mean, Yoda is sprinkled lightly into the story.

Star Wars: The High Republic Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton is a fast-paced mostly adventure novel that moves quickly to the conclusion of this battle. The best portions of the story focus on Jedi seeking to defeat the villain. But sadly, the weight of the entire High Republic and the lore has slowed the pace. And overall, for a Star Wars project that I have been somewhat critical of…for story reasons…Temptation of the Force is likely my favorite offering yet. There is a nice little adventure in here. 

 

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Between Books: Star Wars: The High Republic Into the Light

Once again we dive into The High Republic…and it was fine!

Star Wars: The High Republic Into the Light by Claudia Gray works towards resolving the B plot of The High Republic. Jedi Knight Reath Silas leads a crew of Jedi, allies, and enemies to Kasshyyyk to investigate the spread of the Blight on this forest world. The potential devastation could be devastating to the Wookies. Reath’s team faces a number of adversaries from the Blight, the Nihil, the Drengir, and more! The story is very action-heavy as Reath’s team moves from uncovering secrets about the Blight, alternating with small-scale battles. While some secrets are revealed, there is also a cost!

Claudia Gray is a good writer. And we have characters with Reath, Avon Starros, and even the villainous Nan that we have had time to learn about and in some cases are invested in. Gray places most of the story on a world that anyone claiming they are a Star Wars fan will enjoy. But it has the story negative of we know that it can’t be completely destroyed! Gray alternates well between action and story development, though we do know with this being the B storyline that there will be no resolution with the main plot.

There are still some stakes here, largely due to character investment. As a reader, we will struggle yet again with Nan and whether she can be redeemed by Reath. And I will ask yet again, what does redemption mean? Redemption is not a loss of justice. Also, going back to the early volumes of the High Republic, Gray does take some big swings with characters that at times can rock the reader.

They say the High Republic is coming to an end. I mean, I am looking forward to Darth Arms and his origin, even if that’s via comics. Star Wars: The High Republic Into the Light by Claudia Gray helps bring the main B story closer to an end, but not quite there yet. I’m left as a reader to wonder if The High Republic will be tied up in one volume for all storylines, or are there still 18 volumes to go so the architects can conclude the 6 stories.

Yoda makes his appearance and drops some wisdom. 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Cataclysm

 


In Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence stuff happened. Star Wars: The High Republic Cataclysm launches from the earlier book’s stuff with worlds we don’t know, heroes we’ve just met, Jedi we barely know, and an enemy that we’ve never seen on film or tv.

Star Wars: The High Republic Cataclysm by Lydia Kang continues the second phase of The High Republic. Newly married Phan-tu Zenn and Xiri A'lbaran hope for peace for their warring worlds of Eiram and E’ronoh. Still, an unseen enemy works against the young heirs to the thrones of their worlds and they are separated after an attack against the potential peace. Xiri and a group of Jedi travel to Dalana to confront the Path of the Open Hand for their role in the potentially world-killing threat. We of course know that the Path of the Open Hand are really the big bad. On Dalna, numerous Jedi, politicians, and lost young people coverage for a massive battle where the Jedi may not have the advantage.

I did like this volume more than the earlier offering. I think there were numerous reasons. First, I had met the main cast before and had developed feelings about them. And with them being all newer cast members they were all at risk at every moment, so we have the tension that Kang likely wished to create. Second, Kang was able to avoid a trap other authors have been asked to take on, mentioning Yoda without actually showing Yoda. And in this case, we are able to see actions from both Yoda and Yaddle, two Jedi that are well-known to Star Wars fans. And I really do believe that having some familiar characters who we know will escape this battle is beneficial to the entire story

Also, this story is action packed It feels like the whole second half of the book is action. This fact provides a payoff for Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence. It is finally faster more intense action.

Honestly, I am still not in love with The High Republic! Sorry, it’s not for me. But this installment is likely my favorite volume to date. I do feel like Kang in Star Wars: The High Republic Cataclysm did succeed in providing a book that was packed with action and generally kept my interest.

Maybe I am a sucker for Yoda doing a thing instead of being talked about as a wise warrior who is so far off-screen that we know we will never see him swing a lightsaber. I have a feeling I am not the only one with that opinion.


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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Tempest Breaker

War crimes are not cool. I’m sorry if you find that controversial, but they are horrible, truly evil, and require justice. Did Star Wars decide that redemption is more important than justice?

Star Wars: The High Republic Tempest Breaker by Cavan Scott is an audiobook with production to really provide a radio play. There is a script version available for those who prefer to read. The story follows forearm Nihil leader Lourna Dee as she works with a group of Jedi to track down a possible cure to the Blight. The story is full of adventure and danger, while we witness Lourna Dee transform from truly evil to at least gray.

I’m sorry. Lourna Dee has been a participant in truly evil mass casualty events. Scott allows us to dive deep into her personality, with the hope of finding sympathy from the reader, allowing us to accept a character transformation and redemption. But the fear for the reader is that the Jedi and the Republic will forget the horrible, atrocious acts of terror she has at times masterminded. I just need to remind everyone, Anakin Skywalker was redeemed, but he died before the next steps. Could he have moved forward with no punishment? Also, Lourna Dee isn’t even the most evil character that Scott builds sympathy for. I get that it’s enjoyable to redeem villains, but let’s not go so far as to make them heroes. Lourna Dee is not Han Solo! Their crimes were not at the same level of terror.

I also continue to struggle with the High Republic setup. Here in this book, I keep being told that Marchion Ro promised to cure the Blight. But I can’t remember when and where in everything I’ve read so far. There is a section that is a recap of other books and comics in the series. There is a pretty large plot point that I keep thinking, well, we can’t resolve this here because how many readers have picked up this audio first volume? And here, this is the moment where the High Republic attempts to more fully connect the different phases of the High Republic? I just think there are too many moving pieces, it’s too big, and disconnected in a way that keeps readers from being connected.

Okay, I like radio shows. So I love the production elements of this audiobook that makes it feel like I am listening to an action-packed story.

Yoda gets a moment.

I still can’t get past the fact that war crimes and many other horrendous acts cannot be ignored. Star Wars: The High Republic Tempest Breaker by Cavan Scott frames Lourna Dee in the language of Star Wars as a Han Solo type. Perhaps, we need to acknowledge that redemption and regret do not mean one can escape from judgment and justice.

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic A Valiant Vow

Star Wars…YEAH.

The High Republic…MEH!

But, hey I can be kind towards a book not meant for Sith adults…right.

Due to time and my past engagement, I have been trying when I can to complete High Republic books through audiobooks. Spoiler, I feel like this plan has been solid for me.

Star Wars: The High Republic A Valiant Vow, a book meant for young adult readers, by Justina Ireland, follows two groups on the planet Eriadu. The first group, a pair of Jedi knights including Imri Cantaros, support the planet’s population as the Nihil Stormwall is opening, allowing refugees to flee if they want. They must balance the weather, the creeping Gray, and a crooked government. Meanwhile, three young friends in Jedi young Tep Tep, Churo the Hutt, and Zenny, a Senator’s daughter, try to stop a Hutt plot and free Churo from the clutches of his family. The two groups may meet together for a big climax.

I have to admit, I read an earlier volume with Tep Tep, Churo, and Zenny, and I wasn’t a fan. I found there was too much going on, too many characters, and the story failed to fill my imagination. But in this case, narrator Todd Haberkorn helps the reader by providing engaging voices and clear transitions between his narration and characters. I think that element helped keep me engaged, even if the story is not the big set-piece battle one would expect for a book written for a different audience, angry Star Wars fans. The story, actions, and character growth opportunities are all appropriate for the audience age group, and I think engaging for the intended group.

It’s Imri Cantaros that most interests me. We really get to spend time here with Imri and see his character develop. We saw in Ireland’s most recent Star Wars story that Imri is remembered nearly a hundred years later as a great Jedi thinker. We even have time for Imri and Vernestra to spend time together, putting him on that journey. Readers come to enjoy a Jedi who believes in compassion and empathy. And this makes it clear to us that the fan casting of Imri as Darth Arms just can’t be true! Ireland has been spending a lot of time thinking about Imri, and wow she’s putting out books quickly.

Science should be ethical. I like Churo, not spelled Churro, and his desire to be a scientist. But I do think that his science mentor is a little quesitionable in standards. And I think we would do a little better in showing kids that science and ethics should go hand-in-hand.
 

Star Wars: The High Republic A Valiant Vow by Justina Ireland is a young adult adventure, filled with moments of friendship and empathy. It’s a book that helps us learn our lessons by watching fictional characters on an adventure. And I think that narration by Haberkorn improves the experience, and keeps this grumpy old man from going negative.

Yoda…where are you at pal?

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for Planet X

 

Tessa Gratton continues the tween reading program for Star Wars: The High Republic with a follow-up to Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for the Hidden City. I hoped this time, new author, new setting, and mostly the same teen heroes would create a less gloomy situation.


Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for Planet X by Tessa Gratton tosses a Jedi Padawan and a young hyperspace prospector from the earlier book into the Hyperspace Chase, a race to find new hyperspace lanes. The duo joins a third youngster, a member of a powerful prospecting family member with an agenda of their own. They make their target Planet X, a world of great promises for all three of them. But their agendas and the Path of the Open Hand may stop the trio from obtaining their prize.

Gratton’s offering fits what is wanted for a tween book. There is action. There is adventure. There are crossovers to adult books from the High Republic. If anything, that is a little frustrating to me as here in the non-adult book we get part of the origin of the Leveler. And I’m even more frustrated as Yoda in other books makes the Leveler’s existence a Jedi secret, yet here we have a Padawan who fully knows of its presence, origin, and even name.

Where Gratton excels over some of the other authors in this round of stories is making members of the Path of the Open Hand more rational and intelligent than we have typically seen. They are not all brainwashed. They are often nice people. But they have gotten themselves caught in something bad by sincerely believing. Sadly, that’s more common than we might think in this world.

If anything I at times find myself asking, who is letting these children run wild through the galaxy? It’s dangerous out there for heaven’s sake. The funny thing is of the three young people, it’s really only the Jedi who don’t seem concerned that a youngster is unsupervised. Does this mean the Force is an acceptable emergency contact?

Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for Planet X by Tessa Gratton does what it’s asked. It provides growing readers with some fun and adventure from their viewpoint. I think I just wish it did not rely so heavily on the books in the series that may be a stretch for some readers who enjoyed this offering. Do those readers have somewhere to go next? It definitely was not as gloomy as the last quest book.

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for the Hidden City

Welcome to Gloom, a world of ruins and monsters.

I mean, welcome to Gloam, a world of ruins and monsters.

Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann is part of the second High Republic story campaign, which chronologically is before the first wave. This volume is for older child/young teen readers. In short, bad things are happening on the gloomy planet of Gloam. On this world a Jedi unit of Pathfinders, a father/son pair of hyperspace prospectors, and monsters all intersect for an adventure during the High Republic.

Yeah, my summary is short, It’s a pretty straightforward story of getting different groups onto Gloam and then pushing them all together. The story has a horror element, which I am not a fan of, but I didn’t get too scared. It reminds me a bit of the now non-canon Star Wars: Death Troopers or Star Wars: Red Harvest meant for older audiences but also giving a feeling of creeping doom.

I scratch my head about how this is all to come together. There are mentions of the Forever War and Jedha which are found in other books or mentioned. But all of the Jedi and non-Jedi characters are new. I am finding it very difficult to create a literary relationship with any new characters. Mann’s writing is fine and very much at the reading level of his audience. I just wonder if we replaced the word Jedi with Wizard if some of these books would be better off on their own without a Star Wars label.

Oh, do not worry! I am not done with these Star Wars: High Republic wave two books. Star Wars: The High Republic Quest for the Hidden City like it’s predecessors failed to be the key to open up this new chapter of Star Wars literature for me. But maybe the next offering will get a less gloomy opinion from me.

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Between Books - Star Wars: The High Republic Defy the Storm

The High Republic publicity machine continues!

Star Wars: The High Republic Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland continues the story of the Republic’s attempt to free citizens from behind the Nihil Stormwall. This installment focuses on a handful of characters, which we have seen in other installments, but not the most recent book in the series. A group including a Jedi, a young scientific savant, a crass businessman, and a law enforcer find a way to sneak behind the Stormwall and enter Nihil space. Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh returns from a year of self-exile to save her former Padawan from the Nihil. Avano Starros attempts to overcome her mother’s betrayal and misuse of her technological innovations to destroy the Stromwall, even if she has to become a killer. Xylan Graf seeks a good haircut, freedom for his dog, and expanding his self-interests. And Jordanna Sparkburn hopes to save those she left behind the wall. The four unlikely allies go on an adventure to learn more about the Stormwall, the secrets of the Nihil’s greatest weapon against the Jedi, and themselves.
 

Yoda joins us for around 2 pages of this addition to the story.

I did not hate Defy the Storm. In fact, I found myself having a good time. While this is not my favorite Star Wars book, Gratton and Ireland give us mostly a self-contained adventure. We can focus mostly on just these four, their relationships, and their struggles. I think the small cast is in fact a positive as it allows character development. We find ourselves with an adventure with stakes, all but Vern who will be live-action soon, can be killed, which also gives us character development moments. Mentally the majority of main-cast are humanoids and the Nihil can give us mental images of anything we want since they are meant to be chaotic. The story by itself worked for me, but it also led me to earn for a new classic Star Wars cast story. 

I am not a fan of the High Republic. But I like what Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland give us in Star Wars: The High Republic Defy the Storm. The authors give us an adventure tale with character development. While I want more Yoda and connection to what happened in the last story I do think and hope that this series is heading to another major climax like we found in the fall of Starlight Beacon. 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The Halcyon Legacy

Synergy!

I love it!

It may not be for everyone, but I generally am a fan. And with something as big as the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser it’s all departments on deck as Marvel supports an ambitious new hotel experience!

Star Wars: The Halcyon Legacy written by Ethan Sacks with art by Will Sliney takes readers on a historic journey on the fictional galactic starcruiser. We join a grandfather and granddaughter on a voyage when it is stopped by pirates. The space pirates are seeking out a spy for the Resistance, and they hope to be rewarded by the First Order for turning over the agent. During this crisis, the Halcyon’s logistic droid Deethree Ohnine tells the family stories of past events, including one that involved the grandfather. These tales also give Star Wars fans moments with The High Republic, Aurra Sing, Asajj Ventress, Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, Lando Calrissian, Hondo Ohnaka, and many more. The stories together paint a picture of a cruise liner with a long history of intrigue and adventure.

Overall, the story is what you expect for a comic book tale. And it is written clearly and approachable especially for younger fans. I assume that Disney and its subsidiaries did require that the story include a large number of tie-ins…for synergy. The art is well done and gives you the visual reference you need to enter the Star Wars universe.

Huh, so you want to open with a story about the High Republic? I get that the High Republic is a massive Disney publishing program. But do you really want to open with that? To me, this comic has a purpose. Okay, I will agree that Sacks and Sliney had the purpose of creating an enjoyable story. So two purposes. Purpose two, as likely seen by Disney as purpose one, is to get guests excited about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. I’d also argue that kids are a great target for the comics format. I am not convinced that kids really know anything about the High Republic publishing effort. I’m not convinced as a Disney adult that the High Republic, especially wave two, is successful also. So while I get the references to the newest trilogy, especially how it aligns with Batuu, I scratch my head with the inclusion of an era of Star Wars that is really only on the page at the moment.

To continue to overstep myself, I think if Disney Parks, Lucasfilm, and Marvel wanted to really use synergy this story should have gone a little differently. First, we only get to see Captain Keevan in the story from the actual park experience cast. I think they could have added more current crew to the story. That would have better prepared you for who you will meet on the Halcyon. We really don’t get to see as much of the ship as I wanted. And I still scratch my head that anyone can do lightsaber training after tv has shown us they are super hard to use (nerd alert). Second, I would have rolled into the moments that older Star Wars fans may really have wanted, the original trilogy cast on an adventure. I think this would have been a perfect moment to adapt Princess Leia’s and Han’s honeymoon into comics. They’ve adapted entire Thrawn novels into comics. And this would have been a great moment to give that story some visuals. Now that is synergy and maybe help get Disney some bookings. And spoiler, younger fans like that first group of heroes too!

Star Wars: The Halcyon Legacy written by Ethan Sacks with art by Will Sliney is a fine representation of a comic book that can be enjoyed by numerous audiences. I just see the ability to better apply synergy. I think that Disney could have better used this opportunity to get bookings by making guests feel both informed and excited about a vacation of a lifetime. I would have simply recommended sprinkle in more of who we know and who we will see.

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown

 

Hunger Games meets The High Republic is not what I want to see on the back of a book. So clearly, I won’t care about anyone’s Crystal Crown!

Star Wars: The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown by Tessa Gratton provides a young adult prequel to the Disney+ show Star Wars: The Acolyte. The story follows Jedi Padawans Jecki and Yord Fandar as they join their masters on a mission to support an investigation into the failing negotiations with a potential new member of the Republic. The Silinese people appreciate strength, and to soothe relations, they invite Jecki and Yord to join their finest young warriors in their ritual contest, the Crowning Convocation. The three-part event includes a duel, a survival journey, and a wild hunt, with only the finest warriors passing to the next event. Jecki and Yord use this opportunity to learn about the young Silinese, make some friends, and have some fun, all while being restricted from using the Force. As the two Padawans participate, they find themselves pulled into a crisis as participants seek to make their name in this coming-of-age ritual.

You all know that the High Republic and I don’t always get along. But honestly, I really liked it. I found that Gratton gave a very character-focused story, which was founded on adventure. Now, I’m not a hunter or duelist or survivalist, but the fact that we got to meet other youngsters through Jecki’s and Yord’s eyes allows us to see a new world and people. As an audience, we know that the Padawans will make it to Star Wars: The Acolyte. But the new characters give us real stakes, because we get to know these youngsters, but have no idea what’s next for them. And this provided me, tension…Yes, I was tense.

One of the things I like about this story is that it’s what in the comics world we would label street-level. The scope of the threat is really Jecki, Yord, and their newly made friends. Sure, there are repercussions for the Republic. And I think Siline as a world may have some cultural stakes. But it’s a High Republic story that doesn’t feel like the entire galaxy, and its fate is dependent on this story.

As you know, one of my complaints is that sometimes Star Wars gives us new worlds and aliens that we don’t have a foundation of understanding for. This can be really harsh when they drop like 5 on us! The nice thing here is we have mental reference for Jecki, Yord, and Master Sol. So we really only have to weave images for Siline and the new young Silinese characters introduced in this adventure. We also get to know Jecki and Yord more, and maybe come to appreciate and see their interactions in a new light.

I don’t like The Hunger Games and a lot of The High Republic. But I do really like Star Wars: The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown by Tessa Gratton. It’s a character-based adventure that gives you plenty of time to get to know two characters that we’ve seen on Disney+. Best of all, it’s a street-level space adventure that allows our minds to visit new worlds and peoples.


Yoda, who’s Yoda?

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The Acolyte Wayseeker

Many people didn’t like Star Wars: The Acolyte.

I thought it was mostly fine with me being the most tripped up over ties to The High Republic, and leaving me wanting to know more about Darth Arms and his connection to Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh.

I guess some people like the bigger High Republic concept. I keep struggling with it and still just have questions.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Wayseeker attempts to connect these two Star Wars “periods” and answer some questions in one book.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Wayseeker by Justina Ireland is a prequel to the Disney+ program with an action story focused on the first meeting between Rwoh and young Jedi Knight, later master, Indara. The two are pushed together in an investigation to find the source of lightsaber nullifiers, which have their origin in The High Republic. The two Jedi meet as Indara is pulled out of the Jedi Archives to retrieve Wayseeker Rwoh, who has failed to communicate with the Jedi Order for several years. The two go on an adventure where each has to see how they can change to become better, fuller members of the Jedi.

I am going to stay away from a big plot overview. The two Jedi are really the focus of the story. Ireland for me helps bridge a gap between the young and optimistic Rwoh to the crafty Jedi politician we see in the show. She seems to have become more cynical after a bad experience with a padawan, Darth Arms perhaps, and has lost much of her optimism due to the rough galaxy she has experienced. Additionally, Indara fails to be the confidant Jedi master we see on Disney Plus, perhaps too confidant. It is Rwoh who puts her on a path to better understand her competence and make her the Jedi we see in the show. Sta

Honestly, this book kept me engaged with its adventure. It is not galaxy-shaking, and doesn’t need to be. What Star Wars: The Acolyte Wayseeker by Justina Ireland gives us, a character-focused adventure tale. With its focus on just two characters, which we have some background on, we can dive in, go seeking, and not get overly lost. It also helps to give nods to The High Republic in a way that makes me feel like those characters other than Rwoh are important, and even in some cases, spoils a future we don’t know yet.

Yoda has words to say! They are words that do not spoil a light, breezy, summer read! 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha

 

Nope!

That’s how it started. I opened up the Kindle edition of Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha and saw it was a script, not a book and I could not do it. I returned the book immediately and requested the audiobook immediately! This was a good choice.

Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha by George Mann provides us with a narrative of a moment from the High Republic that other books have hinted at. The battle was a moment where the Path of the Open Hand challenged the Jedi’s ability to make peace in the Forever War, many Jedi were lost, and the Order was at a low point. The audiobook provides a dramatic account of the incident, complete with total audio production. The story covers a few days on Jedha as the Republic attempts to sign a major peace agreement, and the Path of the Open Hand attempts to strike silently at the prestige of the Jedi. The manipulations of the Path create a full-out battle on the world that we best know from Rogue One. There is a lot of action and fighting to keep the listener entertained.

No Yodas appear in this adventure.

I grew up loving audio shows. I had a volunteer experience where I could listen freely to old-time audio shows like The Shadow. And while I had read a script version of a Star Wars book/audio presentation in the past, I simply could not do it again. I needed the version as it was intended to be, an audio presentation with all its narration, acting, audio cues, and sound effects. And I was happy that I went to the story as it was meant to be. It was entertaining. It did its job, even being a tale from the High Republic which I am not in love with.

I do grumble a little bit about the Forever War…it’s lasted all of five years! That oddly does not feel like forever. Even in our world, the Forever War seems to have lasted a natural amount of time. I would have preferred a name like the War of Water and Sand! I just think the name was a little misplaced especially in a galaxy where the creators could have made it last 100 years or more.

This story also shows the Jedi to not be all the powerful and beloved space wizards we may expect. At Jedha, the Jedi are just one of many brands of Force users. Not everyone trusts the Jedi. This makes the manipulations of the Path even more believable. This is likely my favorite story point as we see Jedi vulnerable to galactic opinion.

I am a fan of audio productions. And Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha by George Mann is produced well with a professional cast and plenty of sound effects to keep a listener engaged. The voice actors help you care about these Jedi who you know nothing about due to voice inflection and acting. I support not reading this book and listening instead as the actors and production allow you to hear the script notes versus reading them and imagining what it should like instead. This entry is likely my favorite of the early High Republic stories, due to the well-executed production of the sound team to support Mann’s writing.

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Oswald Opines - Star Wars: The Acolyte First Trailer

 

Everyone gets an opinion right, and I find myself with mixed thoughts about Star Wars: The Acolyte.  While I don't want to be negative, I do feel a mix of emotions that makes we worry that this series against other Star Wars' offerings.

 

 

The good stuff!

• We see red and blue/green lightsabers:  The trailer makes it clear that we are going to get some Jedi/Sith fighting action.  I really think visually that for non-super fans this is really appealing.  Lightsaber battles to me are an iconic image from my childhood, and I think that those who have not read 85 comics and watched 63 cartoons about the High Republic will consider this series despite not walking in with the backstory of Starlight Beacon.  
• We see a respected action star:  I wasn't fully aware of Carrie-Ann Moss and her casting in the series.  I think this is a win.  Non-Star Wars fans will recognize her and have I think positive feelings about her and see Moss as a trusted action star.  She brings a level of extra validity to this series for me.  So a second win for this series is going to be action packed!
• It's visual:  I think visuals are the best way to tell a Star Wars tale.  It really needs images to show off all the various species, backgrounds, ships, and whatever lightsaber variant is going to be unleashed.  And the trailer does show a Jedi who will have a very cool variant.   
• Yoda!:  While we don't see him in the trailer, the books have established that Yoda is a respected Jedi Master during this timeframe!
  
• I like Star Wars!:  Seriously, I want and like good new Star Wars. Who is that grown adult who watches Star Wars: The Bad Batch every week?  This guy!
  

 

The questionable thoughts!

• Who cares about the High Republic?:  I know that Disney and LucasFilm have unleashed a massive publishing program, but I don't personally feel it has worked well.  I know that as a fan I've at times been interested in earlier Jedi and Sith, but maybe we've been told too much now.  The books have just not worked to sell this period.  I worry that despite this show being years after the books, that non-readers will feel intimidated since they are not aware of backstory that may not be needed.
• Who's that?:  One of the Jedi featured in the trailer is Vernestra Rwoh.  This Jedi was introduced in books, books I've read.  But I failed to catch this in trailer glimpses.  And while I think Rwoh is interesting in the books, and maybe I can be intrigued what happened in the decades between books and live-action...I just didn't catch her presence or her very cool lightsaber!
  
• Do I need to watch that?:  When watching Star Wars: Ahsoka a friend pointed out references to Star Wars: The Young Jedi Adventures.  Now I've not watched this truly kid directed program.  With this being the other show that exists for the High Republic, will some feel like they need to watch an entire cartoon series, for kids, to find this show accessible?
  

I worry.  I am the only one in the Between House that watched Star Wars: Andor, which is a great show all the way around!  And while Star Wars: The Mandalorian is a must watch under this roof, I've heard some grumbles about how complex the story is getting.  I've also heard this thought stated out loud about the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the tapestry that is being woven there.  I'm pretty sure that nothing here will be needed for the future enjoyment of the Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu saga, which is likely where many will put their Star Wars enjoyment at the moment. 

So, here's my newest crazy theory taught to me by James Bond!  I think that the Daniel Craig Bond movies are fine.  But the problem is to fully enjoy the last one, you need to know everything that came before from the first moment he joined the screen.  That's not James Bond.  Bond adventures work best when we get a brief moment of adventure to reintroduce Bond, we get a world-threatening villain, Bond gets his toys, Bond meets a girl, Bond gets captured, and Bond saves the world.  And then the next time we meet, none of that matters!  My hope for Star Wars: The Acolyte is a Bond story.  I want something that is action packed and maybe unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not all connected to the rest of the galaxy far far away! 

I'm not sure that Deadpool will be able to bail Disney out of audience loss if non-super fans are not willing to enjoy a regular Star Wars diet along with me!

Between Books - Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss

Yeah Star Wars!

It’s the phrase that wakes up my kids in the middle of the night as I scream it at the top of my lungs.

Now, with many recent Star Wars’ books it’s been “sure I guess Star Wars”. The High Republic has given us a bunch of new characters, new places, new villains, new problems, and not really new reasons for me to care. Get off my lawn High Republic! And in the middle of my growing acceptance that the High Republic storylines just won’t end, Star Wars gives me a book with a character that I want to read about!

Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes is what I need from Star Wars right now. It’s a fast-based adventure story that uses a character I have seen and can picture, with enough pages to help build out the character even more within the approved canon space. But it also comes with stakes that can be limited to just the book itself, especially since we already know Windu’s final adventure.

In the aftermath of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Jedi Master Mace Windu receives an unexpected inheritance from the late Qui-Gon Jinn. Windu must fulfill a favor owed to the late master. Windu travels to the planet Megatos, where Jinn assigns him the task of throwing off planetary control by two competing criminal empires. Megatos is a world ravaged by an environmental disaster but also the sole source of the galaxy’s strongest silk for cables. Windu befriends the innocents of Megatos while also infiltrating the competing crime lords as he pretends to be “The Solver.”

The book really starts out well with it having a clear set up in the days after Jinn’s death, which we saw on screen. Barnes also gives us something we really want as fans, proof that Jinn and Windu were friends! So we have a setting to start the book and a time period that we are familiar with…and a Jedi hero who we know and fans want to see in more action.

From this setup, Barnes can give us the new. We get a new world, new friends, and new creatures. And the fact that we have the familiar as a jumping-off point allows us to share our goodwill with the new characters we want to cheer for even if they are only ever in these pages. And since we have a familiar character, Barnes can give us new canon tied to Windu’s image as the prototype Jedi warrior and his motivations and history with the Jedi. We get several flashbacks to Young Windu that help us understand him and if he is allowing himself some swagger in a purple blade! We also get to see how he can deeply care for others while holding to his Jedi vows. This serves as an interesting contrast to how we observe Anakin Skywalker’s lack of relational balance. Barnes also gives us an interesting new villain in Chulok, a crime lord who has menace and makes us feel like he could be a Jedi killer through their skill and biology!

Yoda has wise things to say about life! It’s exactly what we want from him!

Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes is a breath of fresh Star Wars. The story is a straight adventure but still gives us new canonical insight. Barnes provides us planet-wide but not galaxy-impacting stakes! Finally, we best of all get to join a character in an exciting moment and escape our real world for a few hours. 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: Crimson Climb

 

Am I the bad guy in fandom? Star Wars High Republic titles have failed me. It’s left me feeling like I’ve been sitting on my front porch yelling at the kids to get off my Star Wars front yard! For Pete’s sake, I’ve been reading Star Trek books! Can my Grumpy Dwarf attitude ever find relief?

Star Wars: Crimson Climb by E.K. Johnston starts right where the movie Star Wars: Solo ends. Han Solo’s first love Qi’ra has made her move to take the leadership of the criminal organization Crimson Dawn. We enter the immediate moment after, right at the top of the syndicate. What happens next is not the question that Johnston explores! Instead, this book answers a question that we may have had when we watched the movie, how did Qi’ra move from a human scumrat in the White Worms of Correllia, where she met Han, to the right-hand of the leader of a powerful crime family? Star Wars: Crimson Climb moves the readers from Solo’s escape from Correllia and the impact it had on Qi’ra’s standings in the White Worms. From that moment, we follow her as she ages, leaves the White Worms, and matures from the savvy girl to the wise and powerful woman that Han meets again years later. Johnston takes us into Qi’ra’s mind as she navigates the capers and obstacles in her way, and we better understand the character's depth.

I liked it. But why?

I think a big piece of it is simply, it’s well-written. Johnston does a great job of giving us a story with tension, action, internal struggle, and emotional depth. Could this book work outside of the Star Wars galaxy? I think a lot of it could and would. It does help that we already have an introduction to Qi’ra and unanswered questions, but maybe that just allowed for some shortcuts for setup. But honestly, I was tense and stressed, and Johnston even gives us the ending of the book by having the start and end align with Star Wars: Solo and I’ve read comics that go beyond that moment.

I also think that using Qi’ra who moviegoers have already seen as smart and conflicted and tied to one of the big three Star Wars heroes helps a lot. We may never get a sequel to payoff events on the screen for Star Wars: Solo but the movie left us with questions and maybe a desire to know more. Now with Marvel Comics, who have featured an older more powerful Qi’ra, and this book which fills in gaps with the movie, we can find some satisfaction in open questions. Additionally, having seen her and supporting characters and settings on screen, I think it really helps to settle the mind by providing mental images that help tell not distract from the story.

Confession time! The High Republic brought me to a point where I also didn’t read this volume but listened as an audiobook. Narrator Olivia Hack does a wonderful voice of changing voice tone, dialect, and volume to the extent that you sometimes forget it’s unjust one narrator. Additionally, the production includes a soundtrack and audio cues that make this a super enjoyable audio adventure.

Yes, I do like Star Wars, see how I feel about Star Wars: Crimson Climb by E.K. Johnston. It’s a story full of tension, especially emotional, set in the high-paced Star Wars criminal element! I enjoyed the adventure, especially as an audiobook full of audio production elements that supported a solid story. 

 

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Between Books - Star Wars: The Living Force

The Star Wars literary world has recently moved us from one prequel, The High Republic, to another. It’s been 25 years since Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. This prequel was criticized by fans and general audiences, much like I feel about The High Republic. But now, decades later and after stories like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this period is beloved by many fans.

Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller is two storylines that merge together in an action-packed conclusion. In the first storyline, the Jedi find themselves closing outposts as trade and population centers move in the galaxy. With those movements, crime fills the vacuum. The Jedi Council decides to leave their temple before closing the beloved outpost on the planet Kween in The Slice region of the galaxy. Many Masters have a history with this location, and they realize that the criminal element has increased as Jedi outposts nearby close. The Jedi Council Master plan to hold a session in person on the planet and celebrate publicly the history and legacy of the outpost. Readers follow the members of the Jedi Council as they interact with the citizens of Kween and follow the Force’s urgings to aid groups and individuals. The second storyline follows Jedi Master Depa Billaba who has gone undercover into a criminal ring to help one young girl escape a life of crime. Master Mace Windu, her former Master, stops on his way to Kween to ensure she makes the meeting and if needed provides aid. Both stories meet on Kween as all 12 Masters influence the book’s conclusion.

John Jackson Miller knows science fiction and Star Wars. He has written several prose Star Wars books, though he had taken a decade's leave from this universe…with him writing some Star Trek books during that time. He has written even more Star Wars comic tales, especially for the Dark Horse era. So while we honestly won’t get many revelations, he weaves a tale that will keep the reader’s attention as someone who has completed the assignment before. While it’s not a full-on giant battle piece, I think he does a good job of showing the personal failure of the Jedi Council. They had removed themselves from the people. So to the people, they were merely rumors. And for the Jedi Council, the needs of the people were abstract. They have lost connection with the reality of the galaxy. For me, this shows how a Sith Lord could manipulate a galaxy Jedi leadership knew nothing about in a practical way.

Miller also allows us to use familiar mental images and a hook to bring in readers of other Star Wars media. First, most moviegoers have seen the majority of Masters on the screen. So we have general images for most of them. Miller is then able to use his space to give us a story that we never knew and lacks conflict with other stories as most of them are enigmas to us. Let us also not forget we have Yoda as a Master, who is very active in this book and invites us to get to know the others better, and their faults. Along with him we also get Mace Windu though his interactions with the other Masters are limited. Second, we have a halo effect for Master Billaba. She is the Master of a character not found here, Kanan Jarrus. I personally think that Jarrus may be one of the most effective Jedi found in Star Wars stories, and definitely, he is beloved. Billaba has been seen just a little bit in comics and television. This story allows us to see her in more fullness and we want to see her personality in view. While she challenges herself to help just one person, we can see a moral compass that she passed down to Jarrus. 

Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller is refreshing. It is a standalone story, that has a clear beginning and end that really only needs the basic understanding of the prequel trilogies. One can get in, enjoy, and move on to their next read. I think the publishing program can use a little more of this, a stand-alone adventure that serves to just provide adventure while also reinforcing the action we saw on the screen.

 

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