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Star Wars: Rebel Rising Book Review

Star Wars: Rebel Rising Book Review

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SPOILER FREE

Rebel Rising was written by Beth Revis. It was published by Disney Lucasfilm Press. It is the third YA novel in canon.

SUMMARY: The life of Jyn Erso, it’s her prequel story to Rogue One. When the Empire splits up the Erso family, Saw Gerrera comes to her rescue. He raises her as his own, to be a warrior and a weapon against the Empire. She’s an expert when it comes to forging imperial codes. Sadly the day came when Saw abandons Jyn and she’s forced to figure out how to survive on her own at the age of 16. We meet new characters that she comes to call family. We follow her transition of working against the Empire… and with the Empire. The cat and mouse game is ever present in this entertaining biography of Jyn. The story leads up to her introduction in Rogue One.

CHARACTERS: There are several characters in the book, a few from Rogue One, most that aren’t. I’m going to talk about Jyn Erso and Hadder Ponta. I was going to mention Saw, but I’ve talked about him on previews reviews and his character has remained consistent.

Jyn: She isn’t really the person I thought she was when we meet her in Rogue One. She’s had a rough life since childhood after her parents were torn from her by the Empire. She keeps her guard up and her identity secret. She’s an exceptional fighter yet she’s pretty hesitant. Jyn’s broken, yet she’s most certainly a survivor.

Hadder Ponta: He’s the son of a cargo pilot. He’s not allowed to fly, because his mother fears he may become sick with Bloodburn. He’s a lonely teen, until Jyn shows up. He’s a good kid with good intentions. He’s a little pushy through when it comes to the flirting. He desperately wants off his home world, but with restrictions, all he can do is dream and hope for a way to get off the blasted world of Skuhl.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: This book wasn’t that bad, I enjoyed it. I believe this is the first character in Star Wars in which we have their entire life story. Jyn Erso was in Catalyst, Rebel Rising, Rogue One. Her full arch completed. I think now, after this YA novel, we won’t be getting anymore Jyn for a while. I don’t know what else they can cover with her.

I’m a little disappointed in her character though. We meet her for the first time in Rogue One, she’s an excellent fighter and doesn’t hesitate. In this book, even though she’s raised as a warrior… she can’t bring herself to do certain things involving violence. Is this to make her seem more compassionate just for some political correctness agenda? Why can’t she just be compassionate for the ones she loves? Why can’t she be cold and strong against her enemy? She doesn’t have to have compassion for everyone, I didn’t get that from Jyn in the film, or the novelization of Rogue One.

It was cool getting to see how her life did play out in her younger years. Can’t say that I’m interested in reading a novel based on the entire life of another character from the films.

RATING: I give this book a 3 out of 5.

 

Star Wars Book Review: The Classic Newspaper Comics

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Star Wars: The Classic Newspaper Comics

Star Wars: The Classic Newspaper Comics by Russ Manning, with Alfredo Alcala and friends. This book was released by IDW Publishing.

This amazing book is the first volume published, with two more volumes hitting stores soon! This first volume is loaded with 600 newspaper comic strips, beginning with their first appearance on March 11th, 1979. The book ends with the comic released on October 5th, 1980.

I was surprised to see that the first several pages are loaded with the rich history of early Star Wars literature. It’s crazy, that in this current time we have so much Star Wars content. We’ve got books, comics, cartoons, 7 movies (as of this post), magazines, and more. As a fan today, I can’t imagine what it must have been like in 1977, to have just one movie with so very little other material! Before the newsprint comics in 1979, the only books available were the Novelization, Splinter of the Mind’s Eye, and Han Solo’s Revenge. In the comic realm, issues #1 and #2 were available from Marvel Comics.

The newspaper comics are truly a delight. It’s fun to read these great stories and definitely a treat to gaze at the amazing artwork! A goofy observation, but I am a huge fan of the attached ribbon bookmark! That little detail was fantastic. I’m going to grantee you, that any Star Wars fan will love The Classic Newspaper Comics. Volume 1 is fun, a collectible, and it’ll look really cool on your coffee table and/or bookshelf.

I highly recommend you pick up Star Wars: The Classic Newspaper Comics Volume 1 for yourself, for the favorite Star Wars fan, or comic book collector in your life!

 

 

Star Wars: Moving Target Book Review

Star Wars: Moving Target Book Review

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SPOILER FREE

Star Wars: Moving Target – A Princess Leia Adventure, is a junior novel written by Cecil Castellucci and Jason Fry. The book was published by Disney Lucasfilm Press as part of the Journey to The Force Awakens in 2015.

SUMMARY: General Leia is recalling events from the old days to a droid. Specifically an event that takes place after The Empire Strikes Back, before Return of the Jedi.

The rebel alliance has obtained important information, the intelligence is so important, it’s kept classified among the alliance high command. The Empire is constructing a new Death Star.

Leia comes up with a plan to distract the Empire while the alliance can regroup and prepare for a massive assault on the new Death Star. Leia wants to lead a decoy mission on the opposite side of the galaxy. The plan is to place recruitment beacons on various worlds with codes that will attract the Empire.

The alliance command approves the mission, calling it Operation Yellow Moon.

CHARACTERS: Kidi Aleri: She’s the communications expert in Leia’s crew. Never before have I been so annoyed with a character… well maybe a few, she’s on par with a few others. She’s the Jar Jar Binks of the prequels, the Mr. Bones of the Aftermath trilogy. She’s smart when it comes to remembering codes, but she’s the most ignorant, sensitive, space hippie in the galaxy. She’s so surprised that people actually die in war… she’s so stupid! Someone should have disposed of Kidi through the airlock!

Princess Leia Organa: I’m really starting to think that only one author should be allowed to write for Leia. She’s written in this book like she has in a few others, even in Legends canon. A mean, bitchy, all about herself princess. Leia gives classified information to her team… she was ant supposed to do that.

Overall Thoughts: A quick read doesn’t mean a great read. I thought the best thing about the book are the planet descriptions. The snowy mountainous planet, the tropical planet with giant lilly-pads for ships to land on, kind of silly but neat. Other than that, I found no enjoyment reading this book. The characters are boring or irritating. I’m frustrated with the misuse of character, especially Leia. The mission that Leia and her team go on, Operation Yellow Moon, doesn’t even make since for the movie timeline.  Awful books make me angry… all that time invested for nothing, geez… sometimes it feels like a weekend in Vegas, reading is gambling. I’m so glad I didn’t read this right after its release back in 2015. I really hope the upcoming Leia book set to release in September for Journey to The Last Jedi, is much better.

RATING:  I give this book a 1 out of 5

 

Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia

Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia

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Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia is written byTricia Barr, Adam Bray, and Cole Horton. It was published by DK Publishing. There is a forward by Dennis Muren, the Senior Creator and Director at Industrial Light and Magic.

This Visual Encyclopedia is loaded with amazing images and information. On the opening pages you’ll find the contents, which will show you how the book is organized. There are five sections: Geography, Nature, History, Culture, and finally Science and Technology. The history section would be my favorite. There’s a breakdown of the timeline, deep explanations of the galactic politics, and a who’s who in the Jedi Order and the Sith. It’s insane how much this book covers! helmets, clothing, accessories, pod-racers, furniture,and even food!

If you like Star Wars, you’re going to love this book. It’s a great reference while reading the novels, some characters and planets appear in this book. I think this is a must have for any Star Wars fan.

 

Star Wars: Smuggler’s Run Book Review

Star Wars: Smuggler’s Run Book Review

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SPOILER FREE

Star Wars: Smuggler’s Run – A Han Solo and Chewbacca Adventure is written by Greg Rucka. This junior novel was published by Disney-Lucasfilm Press as part of the Journey to The Force Awakens.

SUMMARY: The Shrikes, a special Rebel Alliance team that’s tasked with scouting new locations for the rebels to set up bases. The Shrikes have a run in with the Empire! One member is on the run while the rest of the team is gunned down. The Imperial Security Bureau learns of the escapee, and is now searching for the rebel.

Leia asks Han Solo and Chewbacca to retrieve the only surviving member of the team. He holds all the secrets about where the Rebel Alliance’s next destination will be. Han is reluctant to take on the mission, the system he’d be going to is in Hutt territory… and that’s not where Han really wants to be at the moment. He puts aside his personal issues for the greater good of the galaxy and will do what he can.

CHARACTERS: Alecia Beck: She’s one of the few women that holds a high rank within the Empire. She’s a senior commander in the ISB, which is the Imperial Security Bureau. She’s the antagonist, definitely deserving of that title. She is one mean lady with a bad attitude. Beck is cruel and will stop at nothing to bring her subject into custody on the charge of treason. She has a distinctive look, she’s got short blond hair and a cybernetic eye. She lost her real eye in a fight against her former superior… who was trading secrets for credits. Maybe her attitude comes from that confrontation.

Han Solo: Such popular characters like Han, Leia, and Luke are always difficult to write, those are the characters everyone is going to pick apart because we know them too well. Han was written pretty well. He really comes off as a scoundrel, thinking only for himself. His copilot and friend Chewbacca, kind of acts as his conscious.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: This book was actually pretty decent. The dialogue wasn’t too childish. The plot was simple and didn’t stray into weird places. Han was written great, the character was written very well. The book was a quick and easy read. The antagonist was an interesting character, very harsh. I wouldn’t mind reading more stories with her character. The Shrikes are an interesting concept, It’s something that seems legit.

If you’re wanting a short decent canon book. I’d suggest you pick this one up. It takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back.

RATING: I give this book a 3 out of 5.

Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills Book Review

Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills Book Review

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SPOILER FREE

Guardians of the Whills is a junior novel, Written by New York Times Best Selling Author, Greg Rucka. He’s a comic book writer and has written other books for Star Wars such as Before the Awakening.

Summary: Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus where Guardians of the Whills at the Kyber Temple in the holy city of Jedah, then the Empire came. Some had abandoned their faith, fled the city, or even became a thorn in the empires side. The more the citizens stood up against the Empire, the tighter their imperial grip became. 

In this tale, Chirrut and Baze take it upon themselves to take care of a local orphanage. They steal from the empire and give to the children; food and medicine. They are approached by some individuals and are asked to join a local resistance group against the empire. Turns out, this group is lead by Saw Gerrera.

Chirrut and Baze do what they believe is the right thing to do, take care of the orphanage… and fight the Empire.

Characters: Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus were Guardians of the Whills at the Kyber Temple. They are both honorable and humble.

Chirrut’s faith remains strong. His senses are in overdrive, making up for his blindness. He’s focused and calm.

Baze’s faith is lost. He’s angry at what has come of his home. He puts up a good fight and prefers a big gun. 

Overall Thoughts: The story was well told. Rucka certainly captured the voice of each character we saw in Rogue One. However, toward the end of the book, their voices shifted a bit, not really coming across as they do in the film. Jedda felt like a war zone, it was set up nicely. I was very disappointed that we didn’t get to really see what the Guardians of the Whills actually means… what they were like in their prime. It’s the books title, but it’s all during the imperial rule.

Rating: I give this book a 2.5 out of 5