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Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space The Heist Book Review

Star Wars: Adventures In Wild Space The Heist Book Review

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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: Aftermath Empire’s End Book Review

Star Wars: Aftermath Empire’s End Book Review

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Star Wars: Aftermath Empire’s End

Star Wars: Aftermath Empire’s End was written by Chuck Wendig, a New York Times Best Selling Author. It is the third and final installment in the Aftermath trilogy.

SUMMARY: All the characters from the previous Aftermath novels are present in this tale. Our team of heroes are on the search for Grand Admiral Sloane. They desperately want to find her, and bring her in, so justice can be served.. if they don’t decide to kill her first.

The antagonist, Sloane, is on a mission of her one to find out more about the mysterious Gallius Rax. She want’s to find out what his plans are for the Empire. She’s desperately wants to seize control for herself.

Finally, the Battle of Jakku takes place! This confrontation is the last desperate attempt for the Empire to recover, to heal its wounds before the rebellion/new republic takes them completely out.

CHARACTERS: Gallius Rax was interesting, in the previous book. In Empire’s End he remains mysterious, until the end. His character and his plans were a major let down.

The other characters were consistent and honest to who they were in the previous Aftermath books. They were just so boring, dramatic, or gay.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Thank you Lord, this trilogy is over. I was really hoping this book was better than the previous books. Life Debt was better than the first book, this one sinks right back down to the crap of the first book.

The best part of the book was that it was fast paced. The rest of it, an intense build up to a major… major let down.

RATING: I will give this book a 0 of 5

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World of Warcraft: Traveler Book Review

World of Warcraft: Traveler Book Review

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SPOILER FREE

Traveler Series – Book One

World of Warcraft: Traveler is written by Greg Weisman. The art within is done by Samwise Didier and Stepane Belin.  Traveler is a junior novel based on the online fantasy game World of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment. It was announced in 2016 that this book is the first in an ongoing series. Though as of this review, I have found no details regarding a release for book two.

SUMMARY: Aramar Thorne aka Aram, is a boy who’s forced to spend some unwanted time with the father he could care less about. Greydon Thorne, the father of Aram, made the choice of abandoning his family while Aram was just a small child. Now Greydon is back, with permission from Aram’s mother and stepfather to take the boy with him, to spend six months at sea.  Greydon is the captain of his own boat and contractual crew, traveling the sea as a merchant, trading goods from coast to coast. Aram is to learn the ways of the sea, how to trade, wield a sword, and understand various cultures.

The ship is targeted by a sinister group known as The Hidden. They seek a compass possessed by Gredyon. As the crew of Greydon’s ship is separated, Aram obtains the compass, his father tells him to protect the compass, at all cost.

We follow Aram and his companions through tough times, unfamiliar terrain, and dangerous situations in a desperate attempt to avoid The Hidden.

CHARACTERS: I’d like to mention three characters; Aram, Makasa, and Murky.

Aram is just a boy, an artist, putting to paper people and places. He keeps his sketchbook and pencil in his pocket, handy for when the urge to draw strikes. He doesn’t want to become his father, doesn’t want to spend time with, not even talk to him. But, a piece of Aram wants to learn. He’s innocent but angry, kind and adaptable.

Makasa is a young lady, pretty much adopted by her captain, Greydon. Greydon had saved her when she was young so she’s owes him a life debt, as her culture requires. She’s strict and disciplined, brave and honorable. Makasa has the spirit of a warrior but has a soft spot, but keeps up her guard. She doesn’t want attachment and definitely doesn’t want to be drawn in Aram’s sketchbook.

Murky is a murlock, a young fisherman murlock who lost his family. That’s sad… but I hate this character so much. That is all.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this book. Blizzard Entertainment had announced in 2016 that this junior novel will be the first in a series. However, as of this review, I have not heard of any updates on when book two will be released.

All the characters were great. The dialogue and interactions between most of the characters was enjoyable. The one major complaint I have for the book, is the stupid murlock character, Murky. Don’t give a creature that can’t talk a big part a story. The pages with Murky on them, I wanted to rip out.

The book was fun and adventurous. Aram character was really fleshed out and has a great backstory. Aram and Makasa actually have a character arch that’ left me satisfied. I can’t wait to read more on the adventures of Aram Thorne and what obstacles he will face.

RATING: I give this book a 3 of 5

Star Wars: The Weapon of A Jedi Book Review

Star Wars: The Weapon of A Jedi Book Review

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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: Battlefront II Inferno Squad Book Review

Star Wars: Battlefront II Inferno Squad Book Review

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Star Wars: Battlefront II Inferno Squad

SPOILER FREE

Star Wars Battlefront II: Inferno Squad is written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Christie Golden. This story takes place after the events of A New Hope.

SUMMARY: Inferno Squad is an elite group of imperials who were placed together to weed out some “bad eggs” in the Empire. The elite group was put together after discovering, that an imperial scientist was ultimately responsible for creating the very weakness that caused the Death Star to be a vulnerable target. Therefore, the Empire needs to clean house, and that’s exactly what Iden Versio and her team will do.

The team is tasked with a dangerous mission, different than their previous missions., Inferno Squad is to infiltrate the extremist rebel group known as the Dreamers. This particular cell has direct ties to Saw Gererra’s Partisan group. With their intelligent/elite minds, they devise a risky plan to be naturally adopted into the rebel cell. If successful, they will put an end to the extremist rebels and save many within the Empire.

CHARACTERS: As always I like to briefly mention a character or two. For this novel, I’ll mention three.

Iden Versio: The leader of Inferno Squad. She was a military child from Vardos, now grown, we meet her as a senior lieutenant in the Empire. She’s smart and tactic, that’s why she holds such high rank and climbing, for such a young woman. Iden is loyal and hard edged. She won’t hesitate to complete her task.

Gideon Hask: He’s an imperial, also a part of Inferno Squad. He’s always been a good friend to Iden. In the past, they would challenge each other in many areas, to excel, to become the best of the best. Gideon’s roll within the Dreamers is pivotal to Inferno Squad’s success or failure. He must instill doubt within the cell, to turn them against each other.

Staven: He’s a Dreamer, determined to bring drown the Empire. He’s aggressive, fueled by the passion of the loved ones lost. His quest for justice against the Empire is cruel and extreme. Is tactics would be seen as vile to both the Rebel Alliance and the Empire.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Wow… this book is a must read. Christie Golden, just knocked it out of the park! The book is a tie in to the upcoming video game, Battlefront II. Inferno Squad sets the new bar in Star Wars literature. It’s so captivating… so surprising! This novel is reminds of some mafia/FBI films. It’s Star Wars meets Donnie Brasco, or Star Wars meets The Departed.

Why is this novel so short? I want more! There are some time jumps that I think could have been fleshed out, to add a few pages. The characters were outstanding, the chemistry between them, outstanding. I was so invested in the story and the characters. This novel made my heart race. I haven’t stayed up late to read in a long time… I was up past midnight reading this treasure.

Thank you DelRey and Christie Golden for putting this story out. I honestly didn’t expect that much. I’ve learned to tame my expectations with the Star Wars books. We’d get one good book, followed by some mediocre books, a stinker, and then another decent read. This novel is top notch! I highly recommend you pick up this book. It’ll keep your blood pumping and keep you on the edge of you seat!

Battlefront II – Inferno Squad was an absolute treasure. A must read for anyone who enjoys Star Wars.

Rating: I give this book a 5 of 5

 

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.