Star Wars: A Test of Courage was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Justina Ireland. This is the second tale within the High Republic and Era. A Test of Courage is a young readers book and is published by Disney-Lucasfilm Press.
SUMMARY: A few members of the Nihil are at Port Haileap, with a plan to infiltrate the luxury liner ship, the Steady Wing. They want to cause chaos, to instill fear in the republic, and most importantly, to make a name for themselves and impress one of the Tempest Runners, which is one of the leaders in the Nihil.
There are many people on the Steady Wing, all headed to the Starlight Beacon’s opening ceremony. When the Nihil’s plans for the Steady Wing come to fruition, a young group of survivors find themselves alone on a moon, far off from space lanes. The group consists of two young Jedi, the son of the Dalna Ambassador, and another child with the familiar name in the Star Wars comic line, Starros. The group must figure out how to survive on the terrifying moon, and somehow reach out to someone among the stars to rescue them.
Will the youth survive? Will the young Jedi stray from their path and give into fear? What more does the Nihil have planned? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
CHARACTERS: We have a few characters to talk about, I’ll mention one character I found a little interesting and another I was annoyed by.
Vernestra Rwoh is a green skinned Mirialan. She’ a prodigy within the Jedi Order, passing the Jedi trials at the age of just 15, one of the youngest Jedi Knights around. She’s not too thrilled with her first mission as a Jedi Knight, spending time on the planet Dalna. She’s keeping an eye on an ambassadors daughter, making sure she’s kept safe. She’s good with a lightsaber, but still a little unsure of herself. She’s young for a Knight, and must face some difficult decisions when she’s thrust into an unexpected disaster.
Honesty Weft, son of the Dalna Ambassador. Honesty does not want to be on the Steady Wing, he’d much rather find out what vocation would suit him best, he’d like to be a warrior, to join the Dalna military. Even though the planet hasn’t had a full scale war in a century. But, his father wants Honesty with him, to witness diplomacy first hand as they attempt to join the Republic. Honesty is a very emotional young man. Who cry’s about absolutely everything.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: This book was fine. It’s a young readers story, and for some reason I find the young reader books pretty tedious. The story isn’t bad at all, it’s just very simple and straight forward. The book definitely has a mature theme, with a lot of death and some violent moments. For a kids story, I’d think if it were a film, it would still have to be PG-13. There are some really dark moments.
The characters are written well. Honestly, I found only two characters interesting, the others I could have done without. The idea that one of the young Jedi is a prodigy was a bit silly, I think the story would have been more interesting if the cast contained not 1 Padawan, but 2 or maybe even 3. The Nihil didn’t seem to intemidating in the book, of course they did a dark deed, but they were just dumb villians, I would say that’s most likely due to the targeted age group for the book, then again… the book was packed with death and other dark points.
The dialogue was well written. Some of the plot points were really interesting as one of the youth turns toward a darker path. We get a good tease at some of the lore of the Jedi, and their conflict with the Sith. Like I said, the book was fine, it wasn’t bad at all, but I wouldn’t say it was great.
Do I recommend you pick up Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage? If you are a completest, yes. If you could care less about young reader books, I think you could pass on this one.
The Remaking is a novel by Clay McLeod Chapman and published by Quirk Books. Thank you, for sending a copy for me to review!
The Remaking is a 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist.
SUMMARY: Only the old trees know the true tale of mother Ella Louise & her daughter Jessica Ford, alleged witches. On October 16th, 1931, Ella and Jessica were burned alive in the woods of Pilot’s Creek Virginia. What was left of the bodies were buried, in separate locations. Ella Louise Ford’s gravesite is unknown to this day, but Jessica’s body is buried in the Pilot’s Creek Cemetery. The story of Ella and Jessica is passed on through ghost stories. That is until 1971, when the story was adapted into a film, Don’t Tread On Jessica’s Grave. Amber Pendleton, a young girl scores the roll to play the preteen witch, Jessica Ford. The film is made, but not without trouble, lots of trouble. A supernatural event happened on set, pushing the film to cult statues immediately.
Years go by, it’s 1995, Amber Pendleton’s acting career is stagnant. She makes the rounds at all the horror conventions, forcing a smile across her face. She hate’s the circuit, all the fans are all the same. However, she needs the money. So she’ll autograph items and take the photos with the fans, with a little help from pills and alcohol. One day, she gets an unexpected call from her agent. I Know What You Did On Jessica’s Grave is in the works, a remake of the 71 cult classic, Don’t Tread On Jessica’s Grave. The director wants Amber in the film, this time… to play the mother, Ella Louise Ford. The film enters production, but too much trouble, familiar trouble disrupts the movie.
Years go by, it’s 2016. The truth still isn’t clear about what happened on the production of I Know What You Did On Jessica’s Grave. Amber is sought out by podcaster, to pull the truth from her. Is Amber Pendleton crazy? Did Ella Louise come back from the grave to take the young Amber in 1971? Did Amber fall to heavily into her roll as Ella Louise in 1995 and commit murder? learn the truth, read The Remaking.
CHARACTERS: I’m only going to pick one character to mention.
Amber Pendleton: She’s had a rough life. Her mother pushed hard for Amber to be an actress. When Amber scored her first real acting job for a movie, her mother was so happy, Amber was just a nervous child. The event that took place during her first film job left her scared, emotionally and mentally. She absolutely hated the convention life, but because her acting days were pretty much not a reality, she had to do the signings and photos. Her life turns out to be pretty sad. Since that first job, people have always associated her with that one roll as Jessica Ford, the little witch girl. She feels in her heart, that her life is forever tied to the Ford witches.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: I enjoyed the book. The author takes a unique approach at writing this story, The novel is a story, about a story remaking a story, based on origin story, followed up by a new type of storytelling. It sound’s complicated, but it really isn’t. I didn’t find the book to be scary, (I can’t recall a book ever really freaking me out) but it has all the elements a spooky story would have. Clay Chapman did a wonderful job structuring the story.
The writing style wasn’t my favorite. The way some things were written I just got plain annoyed with. Some elements felt rushed. Some moments lacked detail, while others went into excellent detail. I’m not quite sure how to explain this next thing, but some of the writing felt like the author was in a mode, writing immediately what came to mind and ran with it, leaving in the hesitations and mind stutters. Here’s an example of what I’m trying to say, this isn’t from the book, I don’t want to put copy what’s in the book, but this is the flow in some areas:
I’m writing so fast because thoughts are coming into my brain! My brain… My brain… Brain hurts… If I slow down the writing will stop and I’ll be so far behind on my schedule. Schedule schedule schedule… I think about the schedule so much my brain hurts… hurts..
That’s my only issue with it. Again, I think the author did a good job with the structure, it’s a cool way to tell a story and how it evolves over time with both the storytellers and the form of story telling. The story is more than a horror, it’s a tragedy.
Do I recommend you pick up The Remaking? Yes, Chapman wrote a spooky story in a unique way.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, was written by Charles Soule. He’s written stories for the Star Wars Comics, and he’s written his first Star Wars Novel.
This novel kicks off a brand new era in Star Wars canon, going back 200 years before the events of the Skywalker Saga.
SUMMARY: The galaxy is peaceful, war is a thing of the past. The Republic is strong. The Chancellor, Lina Soh coined the phrase, “We are all the Republic.”
Peace is tested when an unforeseen event that stems from a hyperspace lane branching out to the outer rim brings destruction and death on a massive scale. Tensions rise throughout as hyperspace lanes are closed off throughout the galaxy. The chancellor calls upon the Republic Defense Coalition (RDC) and the Jedi to investigate what exactly happened in hyperspace, what has the ability to cause planet wide devastation. The Republic was to open up a new outpost station called Starlight Beacon. It will be a Republic embassy, to serve as a fortress, security, medical facility, and even host the largest Jedi outpost outside the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The Chancellor wants the RDC and the Jedi to resolve the mystery that caused such chaos before the grand opening of the Starlight Beacon.
A large group of killers, kidnapers, and raiders called the Nihil, have unintentionally put the spotlight on their regional shenanigans in the outer rim. The organization has a unique hierarchy, with three individuals that rule, and one that has the ability to provide secret pathways of hyperspace lanes, uncharted space-ways to sneak around throughout the outer rim. The Nihil wear masks to appear intimidating and remain anonymous. Their tactics are harsh and cruel, but the group must figure out a way to evolve into something more vile, more disturbing, to survive.
Wild events will test the Jedi, the Republic, and even the Nihil in the High Republic Era. Will the Jedi retain their peace and tranquility? Will the Republic stand strong? Will the Nihil overpower all that is good and conquer the galaxy? You should read the novel to find out.
CHARACTERS: There are so many wonderful characters I could pick from to talk about; Avar Kriss, Te-Ami, Bell, Lourna Dee, & even Chancellor Soh. But, I will only pick three characters I found most fascinating.
Elzar Mann is a Jedi Knight, who sees the force as a deep sea. Its depths are endless. Elzar doesn’t approach the force the same way twice. He experiments with the force, diving into the sea of its expansive presence differently each time. Many Jedi are content with the way the force works and the way they can manipulate it. Elzar constantly wants to test its limits, He believes so much can be tapped into that no one else had ever thought possible. He’s doesn’t intend to be difficult, but always open to new ideas with how to call on the force. He believes his views have held him back from achieving the title, Jedi Master.
Marchion Ro is the Eye of the Nihil. The Keeper of the paths in which the Nihil use to creep through the galaxy. He’s not quite the leader of the organization, but without him, the Nihil wouldn’t be anything special. They’d have to use the same hyperspace lanes as everyone else. Marchion has his secrets. Some that would most certainly bring about an untimely death had the high ranked Nihil called the Tempest Runners, had they found out his big secret. Marchion’s past is also shrouded in mystery. So much more could be said about this character, but after-all, this is a spoiler free review.
Porter Engle, (once known as the Blade of Bardotta) – He’s an Ikkrukki, who’s served in the Jedi Order over 300 years. He’s held many positions in the Order. Now, with old age, he likes to cook in the small outpost of the planet Ephrona. He’s wise, skilled, & cocky. He is ready and willing to give his spirit over to the force when his time is up.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this book I thought it was a good story to tell to kick of a new era in Star Wars. Charles Soule does an excellent job writing new characters, planets, and planting a few little easter eggs throughout the novel.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi expands the Force and the Universe in the most impressive way.
The villains are complex and very interesting to read about. There are many layers to some of the characters, both hero and villain. I love that there are established characters in the book that aren’t invincible. Many aspects of the story including character outcomes and plot points are unpredictable. But yes, there are a few things that are easily predicable. Still, the character development was extraordinary. I can’t wait to read more about some of the Jedi we were introduced to in this book as well as what comes of some of the villains.
Light of the Jedi reveals new layers of the Force and adds Character’s you’re not going to get enough of!
Some story elements came across a little cheesy, but overall, it was really good. While Charles Soule does a great job with descriptions, dialogue, and character development, there are a few minor things that took me out of the Star Wars universe. This is me just being petty, but the use of words like gun & drugs, shouldn’t be used. Let’s just stick to blaster & spice. However, Soule had many poetic ways of saying things that I found most impressive.
Do I recommend you pick up Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi? Yes. A great way to introduce a new era in Star Wars!
Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendency Chaos Rising, was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Timothy Zahn.
This tale takes place after the events of Attack of the Clones, however there are memories sections in the story that that reach further back in time to significant moments in our characters lives.
SUMMARY: A ship is discovered on the outskirts of the Chiss Ascendency, its crew, dead. There was also an attack on the Chiss capital, but it was a quick attack that led to nothing but curiosity and confusion. An investigation of the discovered ship leads General Ba’kif, of the Chiss Ascendency to believe the attack on the Chiss world was a distraction from the root cause of the drifting, dead ship. Further investigation, leads to the discovery of the Nikardun. The Nikardun are ruled by Yiv the Benevolent, they travel from world to world in the Chaos, adding new allies to their Nikardun Destiny.
Thrawn is not too impressed by Yiv’s tactics, but is displeased by the conquers treatment and manipulation of other worlds. Thrawn takes it upon himself to expose Yiv for what he is, a coward and a a user. In this story, Yiv the Benevolent is trying to persuade the Vak, citiziens of the world Primea, to join his rule. What the Vak don’t know, is that if they don’t join the Nikardun Destiny, that death will reign down upon them. Thrawn believes the Chiss need to stop the Nikardun, but the Synidcure, or Chiss government, disagrees. Well, Thrawn is no politician, but will take whatever means necessary to fulfill his mission, whether the Chiss Ascendency is with him, or against him.
Will Thrawn defeat The Nikardun? Will he be cast out from the Ascendancy? You’ll need to pick the book and read it to find out!
CHARACTERS: Zahn delivers a great tale with rich characters and edge of your seat action! The story gives us a great full cast of characters. Some are familiar to Star Wars readers, while most, are introduced for the first time.
Admiral Ar’alani: She’s a successful Admiral of the Chiss Ascendency. She’s loyal to her people and protective of Thrawn. She uses her rank to help shield some of Thrawn’s reckless yet brilliant tactics from the Syndicure’s (Chiss government’s) wraith. She will do what’s right for her people, even if it means a slap on the wrist.
Yiv the Benevolent: He’s a pretty mean dude, he is wrathful of those who stand against him or deny him. He craves power and puts on a front of peace to lure new systems into his Nikardun Destiny. Once he has made his treaties, he bends the cultures and systems to his will.
Thrawn: He’s the man with the plan. He always remains calm and level headed. He doesn’t really care what others think of him. While he’s an expert in military warfare tactics, he’s not the best politician. He likes art, a trait we’ve seen remain consistent in other Thrawn stories, by studying a cultures art, he can learn that cultures defense tactics, not quite sure how that’s possible, but, whatever. Thrawn is highly intelligent and can’t seem to just be still, he’s got to be on some mission, authorized or not.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: This novel, while treading on familiar ground with a character that was introduced first in the Star Wars Expanded Universe or Legends canon, then given a trilogy in the current canon, ended up being a breath of fresh air. The social agendas that many of us fans pick up on in many of the new novels is absent in this book, and it’s so refreshing. Finally, a book without some real world political stance. The real Star Wars EU vibe has been restored in this novel.
Zahn brings the Expanded Universe heart back to canon.
I’m going to be honest. When I first started reading I was pretty hyped. Then I was hit with a touch of boredom, I started thinking too much about Star Wars as a whole and how fandom is so divided, and wanted to put the book down. Then, the book hit the gas, and I had to buckle up for one heck of a ride.
The characters names can be a little too difficult to grasp, I don’t like how complicated they are. I can make up a way to say the names in my head, but can’t actually speak them. Yet, the characters were written very well. We get a good sense of what makes these characters tick. We understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Zahn delivers a great tale with rich characters and edge of your seat action!
The memories sections were important to the stories main timeline. However, it would have been cool if instead of having these “memories” chapters in the book, that a short novella had been printed, a short Thrawn prequel novel about his youth. It would have made some things less predictable, as many of the memories foreshadow many actions or events that take place in a following chapter for the current story timeline.
I enjoyed the book overall, the political and familial aspect of the Chiss culture is elaborate and unique, we haven’t fully explored an alien culture in Star Wars to this extent. I love it. Hopefully we dive even deeper into it in the next Thrawn novel.
As this is book one of a new trilogy, the ending leaves it open, as it should. I would have appreciated something a little more nail biting at the end, but I’m pleased with the ending we did get. It gets the mind going with theories, which is also a fun way to end a book.
Do I recommend you pick up Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendency Chaos Rising? Yes, I do. Like I said, there’s no social agenda that I picked up on this story, it’s a true Star Wars tale.
By clicking these links and buying the products you are helping to support my channel. There are no additional costs to you. I use these products and stand behind them. I appreciate the support!
Lokte was written by self published Author KJ Bryen. Lokte made the list of top selling books in Oklahoma City, where the author is from.
WATCH THE REVIEW
SUMMARY: Its a tale of light versus the dark. The spiritual realm is more physical than we ever expected in this supernatural thriller. Agents of the devil roam the earth with demons on their back, fulfilling dark deeds to please their master. Logan Lokte is such an agent, set with a task of finding those down on their luck and tempting their poor souls to make a deal with the devil.
Marianne Garcia is on her own, living the big city life, trying hard to fulfill her dream of being a successful actress. One day a charming man crosses her path and the two find attraction for each other. She confesses her dreams and he promises her the world, after a little paperwork of course, to close the deal.
Will Marianne make the deal with devils agent and live the life she’s wanted? Or will she remain faithful to Christ and accept God’s will in her life? You’re going to need to pick up the book and find out the outcome for yourself!
CHARACTERS: As usual, I’m going to mention only two characters. Logan Lokte and Marianne Garcia.
Lokte: When he was at his lowest, he struck a deal with the devil. The bad end of the deal leaves Lokte as an agent of Satan. To wonder the streets and lure more souls to the devils will. He’s a fighter, his will begins to conflict with that of Satans, which is pretty terrifying.
Marianne: She’s a go getter, trying to live out her dream in the big city. She wants to be an actress so bad. She tries hard, doing what she can to make her dreams come true. In the meantime, she works at a daycare. When a strange man reveals to her how she can have all her dreams come true, her faith is shaken.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this novel, I thought it was pretty good! It’s almost a retelling of sorts, yet, completely different, of the of the legends of Robert Johnson. back in the 1930’s Robert Johnson was a horrible guitarist, being thrown from bars for his lousy playing. It’s been said, and referenced in a few of his songs, that he went down to the crossroads, and sold his soul to the devil in exchange for a guitar lesson that would change his life. The devil collected his soul when Johnson was 27 years old. You’ve heard of the 27 club, famous musicians dying at age 27, interesting stuff. Maybe the members of the 27 club, truly did sell their soul to the devil.
Bryen did an excellent job with character descriptions, explaining in great detail what the characters looked like and what they were feeling. The story is really about the test of someone’s faith. Just like in real life, people are weak, and yet some are strong. I was shocked by the outcome of the story, and that’s what I really like! The story really reiterates that old saying, if something is too good to be true… it is.
At the end of the book there is a short story that serves as a prequel to the book, and that was excellent as well. I would have preferred the short story to actually be part of the novel and not separate. I truly believe it would have served best as a prologue before taking us into chapter one. It has some pretty creepy moments that play into the overall novel and set up little things that pay off later in the book.
So, do I recommend that you read Lokte? Yes, it’s a wild supernatural spirtual fantasy that’ll keep you on edge.
