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Star Wars: The High Republic Mission to Disaster Book Review

Star Wars: The High Republic Mission to Disaster Book Review

Star Wars: The High Republic Mission to Disaster is a young reader/junior reader book set just before the events of The Fallen Star. It was written by bestselling author, Justina Ireland. Thank you Disney-Lucasfilm Press for providing a copy for review.


Summary: The young Avon Starros is kidnapped from Port Haileap, on the mid rim world Kirima by the Nihil. Avon is shocked to learn that the Nihil have been kidnapping children around the galaxy and forcing them to be new recruits in the Nihil. Jedi Vernestra and her padawan Imri go on a mission in hopes to recover their friend, Avon. Chaos also irrupts on Dalna, as world damaging groundquakes break the world. The Jedi need to move quick if they are to successfully evacuate the planet with the help of Starlight Beacon.


Overall Thoughts:I really don’t like being negative… I really don’t, and as I’ve made clear on several other reviews, I want to enjoy the books I spend my time reading. Mission to Disaster is just way too dull. I had some fun with the previous young reader books from wave one and two, but Mission to Disaster was a chore. I’d pick the book up with intentions of reading several chapters, but I couldn’t do it. I could only spend about 20 minutes per reading session.

Many bits of the story are not consistent with previous High Republic storytelling. Certain villain traits that have already been established and well known by the Jedi are completely forgotten and brought up like it’s something new. The previous adult novel, The Rising Storm also suffered from this lack of consistency. If a special story group is not sifting through the books… one is needed. If there is a story group overseeing the books… new members are needed.

The Characters are not interesting, they’re bland. This is supposed to be a children’s book, please stop putting in sexual content/references in these books. I really hate giving a negative review, but it had to happen. I open each book with high hopes and want to have fun. As of this review, two of the three books in the High Republic wave 3 have been extremely disappointing. I really hope this isn’t a sign of more disappointment in the next phase.


Rating for Star Wars: The High Republic: Mission to Disaster: D-

Star Wars: Race to Crashpoint Tower Book Review

Star Wars: Race to Crashpoint Tower Book Review

Star Wars: Race to Crashpoint Tower was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Daniel Jose Older. Older is also writing the Star Wars Adventures High Republic series.


Summary: The Republic is getting ready to celebrate its accomplishments on the planet Valo, at the Republic Fair. Chancellor Soh will be present, along with many Jedi, to celebrate the unity and power of the Republic.

A security alert reaches a young Padawan, Ram, there seems to be an issue at Crashpoint Tower (a communications tower). Ram takes it upon himself to go check out the tower. It’s the Nihil! Ram does his best to fight them off, to see what it was they were doing to the tower.

When Ram attempts to reach his master or any other Jedi to inform them of what he’d witnessed but he has no luck! Somehow, Ram must reach out to Starlight Beacon, to inform them that the Nihil have been spotted on Valo, and have tampered with the communications tower.

Disaster strikes at the Republic Fair!


Characters:
Ram Jomaram is a Padawan in Lonisa City on the planet Valo. He loves tinkering with machinery, breaking them down, understanding how they work, and putting them back together. His love and understanding of machines, such as droids, speeders, etc. really helps him attune to the force. He’s a peaceful young man with hopes of remaining on the quiet and peaceful Valo. He’s slightly fearful and a intimidated by the thought of battle. However, he knows fear is all in the mind, he just needs to learn to control himself.

Lula Talisola, from the High Republic Adventures comic series plays a large roll in this book! She knows that her attachment to things and people are a great weakness. Not only is her attachment a weakness, but she fears it could bring her down, into darker places of the force. Lula wants to break away from her attachments, it’s the only way she could possibly achieve her life long goal of becoming one of the greatest Jedi Masters. Vernestra Rowh becomes somewhat of a mentor to Lula, helping her through this emotional set back.


OVERALL THOUGHTS: Race to Crashpoint Tower was pretty good! I wasn’t a big fan of Older’s previous Star Wars book, Last Shot. But my dislike for that story, will stay with that book, not the author. I open each book with an open mind, ready for adventure. I’m pleased to say I enjoyed this story.

The event that takes place in this book is one that, once again, knocks the galaxy off its feet. The execution of this event was a little muddled down, but after I let it marinate in my brain for a bit, it’s better off that way. After all, this is a kids book and shouldn’t be graphic, besides, the event on Valo is the primary focus of the adult novel, The Rising Storm, I recommend reading that book before this one to get a better understand of what’s happening on Valo. This story doesn’t focus too much on all that is happening during the tragedy. It’s focused on certain characters being pushed to their limits, and the tasks they needed to accomplish to help resolve the tragedy at hand.

I only have a few issues with the story, mostly with the dialogue. Some of the names of people and creatures are far too goofy. The Nihil are a vicious bunch, but the other villains that show up, the Drengir, are just far to silly to be taken serious. However, it is a book designed for kids, so it’s fine, the Drengir are a decent fit for this age group.

It’s quite fun to see familiar characters from the other books and comics weave through the multiple stories in the High Republic era. In this young reader book, we have several characters and locations that make an appearance, and they’re handled so well. I really enjoy how the characters each have a personal conflict or set back that they must overcome. The challenges they face are both interesting and risky.

I highly recommend reading The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott before diving into this book. Race to Crashpoint Tower is a fun junior reader book, and it reads really fast.


Rating: This book receives a B+

Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage Book Review

Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage Book Review

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.

RATING: I give this novel an B-

Star Wars: Lando’s Luck Book Review

Star Wars: Lando’s Luck Book Review

Star Wars: Lando’s Luck Review

Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon – Lando’s Luck


Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon – Lando’s Luck is a junior novel, written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Justina Ireland. Illustrations in the book were done by Annie Wu.

SUMMARY

Lando Calrissian is out on the planet Hynestia, playing a game of sabbacc after doing a bit of smuggling business. He smuggled in some special juice which is highly illegal on Hynestia. Well once this game ends a bounty hunter bursts through the cantina doors and arrests Lando’s sabbacc opponent… her name is Zel. She had something stolen something called the Solstice Globe. Lando attempts to make his way out of the cantina when the Queen of Hynestia comes in and basically says, “Hey… you sit down, you smuggled in some illegal juice!” So while Zel is sentenced to time in the dungeon, Lando is given a death sentence. However, Lando’s hide is saved when Prinecss Rinetta steps up and says “How about we let Lando take the Solstice Globe to the Empire, as our payment to them.” So the Queen agrees. However, what the Queen and Lando don’t know, is that Rinetta was actually working with Zel, to get the Soltice Globe off planet to Livno III, where it came from. Long ago, Hynestians had stolen it from Livno III. So… a bunch of shenanigans ensue and that’s basically the story… A crazy adventure to get an artifact from one place to another, with obstacles needing to be overcome.


CHARACTERS

Lando Calrissian: He’s consistant with who he is in the films, especially Solo: A Star Wars Story. He’s obsessed with himself, his looks, and his ship, He wants to get rich, but he’s got to do it the easy way… by cheating.

Princess Rinetta: She’s defiant against her mother. She’s got a strong will and wants to follow her heart and act on what she believes is the right thing.

L3: I don’t like this droid, the book didn’t make “her” any better for me. L3 is just as annoying in this book as she is on screen. However, L3 did provide some humor.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

It’s an okay read, nothing too special. It’s a quick easy read. Character development was pretty good. The familiar characters were consistent with how they appeared in previous material and the new characters were introduced well. The Flight of the Falcon Series will take the Falcon on several new adventures and I’m looking forward to what else we have in store for the series.

Do I recommend that you read Flight of the Falcon – Lando’s Luck? Sure, read this instead of Last Shot!

RATING: I give this book a B-

Star Wars: Cobalt Squadron Book Review

Star Wars: Cobalt Squadron Book Review

Star Wars: Cobalt Squadron

Written by Elizabeth Wein

SPOILER FREE

Star Wars: Cobalt Squadron, was written by Elizabeth Wein. This junior novel takes place before The Force Awakens.

SUMMARY: Rose and Paige Tico, sisters from the ice planet, Hays Minor. They join the Resistance after the First Order does some heavy damage to Hays Minor. Like the Empire, the First Order is out taking the resources it needs to expand and thrive in the galaxy. Like most of these junior novels, it starts off with the main characters being sent out on a mission to gather intelligence.

The Cobalt Squadron is sent out to drop probe droids on a planet to see whats going on with the First Order. The mission quickly goes sideways once a small ship crash lands into the bomb bay of the resistance bomber with our stars of the book, Rose and Paige. The story then turns into the humanitarian efforts of Cobalt Squadron.

CHARACTERS: I’ll mention one character… Rose. Why not her sister Paige? Because there’s really nothing to talk about… too dull.

Rose: Her world was torn apart by the First Order, so she joins the Resistance. She’s very whiny and too dependent on her older sister Paige. She suffers separation anxiety, understandable, but she’s a grown adult. She created a device used to cover energy signatures from the First Order. We see how useful that was in The Last Jedi… ha! I really dislike this character. Her line in The Last Jedi was flat out stupid. Paraphrasing here, “You win by saving the ones you love, not fighting who you hate.” Umm, in war you destroy your enemies… that’s how you win, moron.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I thought this book was awful. It’s super boring and very forgettable; I did not like this book at all. This book may keep me away from the jr novels moving forward.

After Paige shoots and destroys a few TIE-Fighters, Rose says, “Are you a Jedi or something?” So… is it now common knowledge that Jedi were marksmen or pilots of star-fighters? The statement threw me off. Were Jedi flying around heroically before Kylo Ren or Snoke killed them all off again? Did the history of the Jedi come back to the history books?

So, do I recommend you read Star Wars: Cobalt Squadron? No, stay away from it.

RATING: I will give this book an F. It was dreadfully boring and offered nothing special. I dislike Rose even more as a character.

 

Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space: The Darkness Book Review

Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space: The Darkness Book Review

Star Wars: The Darkness

Adventures In Wild Space: Book IV


Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space – The Darkness was written by Tom Huddleston. This book is part four in an ongoing young readers series.

SUMMARY: Lina and Milo Graf, still on the search for their parents, thought they had found a trustworthy partner, to assist in the tracking down their parents, who were taken by the Empire.

The Imperial, Captain Korda, hadhired a bounty hunter to find the pesky children and bring them to him. Too bad for the kids, the one they put their trust into, happens to be the bounty hunter! Shalla Mondatha is in fact, The Shade.

The children are captured and thrown into a cell on The Shade’s ship. More prisoners are brought on board the ship, making the journey a frightening one for the children, especially when the power is shut off.

Part of the cargo contains big crates marked “Cylo.” A crate containing cybernetic spiders that feed on power-cells broke open. This event causes the ship to go quite, in the darkness. Now the kids have to gamble on which other prisoner will be an ally… or an enemy.

CHARACTERS: Because this young readers novel is very short, I’m only going to mention one character.

The Cylo cybernetic spiders: They are pretty interesting creatures/creations. A bit annoying, but prove to be an ominous threat as they can drain power sources. The Last place they should be roaming, is a ship drifting through space.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: This book was good. In my opinion it’s not as good as the previous book. It really shows how crazy and unpredictable the galaxy can be. These kids just can’t win. Choosing who they can trust has become a dangerous game.

The villains in this book were odd, the Cylo spiders were a cool idea. Really like how this young reader book has a connection to the Darth Vader comic. The other villain is ok, a real trickster. I won’t mention who it is, because I’m reaming spoiler free.

I don’t like the way The Shade was handled in the book, could have made a lot better use out of here. Hopefully she’ll get the spotlight again in one of the other Adventures in Wild Space books.

Do I recommend you read, Adventures in Wild Space: The Darkness? If you’ve read the previous books in the series… yes.

RATING: I give this book a 2.5 out of 5