Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space The Heist Book Review

SPOILER FREE

The Heist

Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space – Book III

Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space – The Heist was written by Cavan Scott. This book is part three in an ongoing young readers series.

SUMMARY: Lina and Milo Graf, still on the search for their parents, head to the planet Lothal, the source of a rebellious transmission they came across. The children want to find the source of the broadcast in hopes that they can find someone to trust. Once they find the trustworthy party, they will ask for assistance in the tracking down their parents, who were taken by the Empire.

The Imperial, Captain Korda, has hired a bounty hunter to find these pesky children, and bring them to him.

Once the children and their droid CR-8R make landfall on Lothal, they are met by a Devaronion. He overhears the siblings having a conversation and uses it to his advantage. He takes the children to his boss, Rask Odai, who is said to be a powerful man, who can help them find the transmission source. However, once again, events go sour.

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

Captain Shalla Mondatha: She’s the owner of a mobile restaurant, her ship! She’s the cook, dishwasher, and owner. She is kind and helpful. Once she sees Lina and Milo, she sees their grief and wants to help. Long ago, Shalla was actually a smuggler. She uses her past experience to help the children with a local problem.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: This book had a direct tie into Rebels, I only know this because I’m somewhat aware of the main characters in the show. We meet a certain characters parents.

This book was good. In my opinion it’s better than the previous two. It really shows how dangerous the galaxy is. These kids have such a difficult time and their trust for others is quickly fading.

The villains in this book were good, didn’t like the way dialogue was handle among them though. There’s always got to be that idiot bad guy that talks like a moron? I understand it’s a kids book, but don’t kids need to realize that bad guys don’t always talk like idiots?

RATING: I give this book a 3 out of 5

Related Reviews

BOOK ONE: THE SNARE

BOOK TWO: THE NEST

Star Wars: The Weapon of A Jedi Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

Star Wars: Weapon of a Jedi– A Luke Skywalker Adventure, is a junior novel written by Jason Fry. The book was published by Disney Lucasfilm Press as part of the Journey to The Force Awakens in 2015.

SUMMARY: This tale focuses on Luke Skywalker and the first use of his lightsaber in action. Luke is sent off on a mission to gather some intelligence on imperial business. But as the force reaches out to him, it pulls him in, luring him to complete his own personal mission… to become a Jedi.

Luke travels to an old Jedi temple and trains with his lightsaber. He also has some unwanted guests showing up.

CHARACTERS: Now let’s just talk about Luke. He is not a great character in this book. It drives me crazy how Luke is written and portrayed in books, be it legends and canon. Always ignorant and boring. There is one ignorant thing about him I believe is legitimate and it really is sad. He never knew his father, he hasn’t heard the truth about his father. So, he thinks his father was a great Jedi, and Luke wants to be just like him! Oh, Obi-wan and your point of view.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Well, I thought the book was boring. Wild animals are involved in the so called climax. They gather around Luke in protective ring, giving him knowing looks of, we got your back. So bummed by this book.

I think this story would have been more entertaining as a comic. Seeing Luke use the saber would be cooler than reading about it in a junior novel. Between this and Heir to the Jedi, (review link to that posted below) I want to give up on Luke in the books. He’s my favorite character in the movies. Least favorite in the books… canon and legends.

RATING: I will have to give this book a 0 of 5. It was just way too boring.

Star Wars: Moving Target Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

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: Smuggler’s Run Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

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

by Matthew Wilson

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

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

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

Star Wars Adventures In Wild Space: Book Two – The Nest is written by Tom Huddleston

That’s right, this is book two in the Star Wars young reader series! There is something I may have missed in my first review… these books do have an opening crawl. The story takes place during Palpatine’s rule over the galaxy.

Summary: The Graf children flee from Thune and the Empire! Captain Korda of the Empire came pretty close to capturing the two kids, but to his frustration, they escaped. Over the Graf’s ship comm, a signal peaks their interest, a call to revolt against the empire! If they can pinpoint the signal, it’s possible they may find refuge from the Empire!

Their ship Whisper Bird is having hyperdrive issues, so they make a pit stop. On some unknown planet in Wild Space. The kids land the ship and head out on foot to where they spotted a shipwreck not too far from them. They think maybe they can harvest some parts. They leave together, not wanting to split up after their recent run in with danger. They also just want to be sure they aren’t walking into some sort of a trap… it pays to be aware and cautious on unfamiliar turf.

Still, the kids run into trouble. Mercenaries already had dibs on the wrecked ship. Now the children are being held captive be this group. Chaos unfolds involving more than just the crazy mercenaries… there’s nasty creatures and a giant beast that are lurking around.

Characters: Usually I like to talk about two characters, but because there book is under 200 pages and the story isn’t crammed with characters, I’m just mentioning one. I’d have to say the most interesting character in book two was a new character, Gozetta. She is a cocky big game hunter, she’s not to kind to the kids or her own employees or crew. the other characters continuously misjudge the lady. Though I do find her interesting and wouldn’t mind reading a little more about this character.

Overall Thoughts: I liked this book better than the previous book, The Snare. We get a nice break from the empire to enjoy a new terror. The character traits of the children remained the same, no complaints there. However there was one small thing I noticed, a description of a creature changes only paragraphs apart. So the petty silly question is… which is canon, the red or the black eyes?

I like that the story is a continuation of the previous, with that break from the empire, but we still get that feeling they aren’t too far behind. Lina and Milo are still in trouble and we’re still routing for them to find their parents.

There are some really tacky parts, like every line of dialogue from the Graf’s droid CR-8R. Maybe I’m just too critical of droids in most of Star Wars books… does that make me a droidist? Who cares. Once again, I had fun with the book and look forward to the continued adventures in Book 3: The Heist! Oh, side note, there’s actually a Book 0: The Escape. It did not have wide release but it was printed in Europe. I’ve got my physical copy ordered on Amazon! However, it’s available as an ebook here in the US.

Rating: I give this book a 2.5 out of 5