Category: Canon Novel Review

Canon Novel Review: Reign of the Empire – Edge of the Abyss

– Mild Spoiler Review –

The Reign of the Empire trilogy returns for its second entry, Edge of the Abyss, with writer Rebecca Roanhorse behind the helm. Whereas the first entry was focused on how a fascist government like the Empire can worm its way into the galaxy, and the vain but noble attempts of those to fight it, the second is more concerned with the efforts the Empire must take to maintain its slipping grasp and what it leaves in its wake. Much like the first, Reign of the Empire: Edge of the Abyss is a political thriller, but it’s much more personal this time around and is all the more riveting and haunting for it. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Reign of the Empire – Edge of the Abyss” →

Canon Novel Review: Eyes Like Stars

 

– Spoiler Review –

While there have been plenty of Star Wars novels with romantic subplots and through lines, it’s Ashley Poston’s Eyes Like Stars that’s been christened the first romance novel. The pull between leads Ardent Quay and Sian is certainly a much bigger focus than ever before in Star Wars, yet how Poston handles the romance amongst an entertaining story in a journey across the stars with a lot to say about the shiny little planet we all live on, makes it a romance worth seeking out. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Eyes Like Stars” →

Canon Novel Review: Legacy

– Spoiler Review –

As the Resistance recovers from their deadly losses on Crait and the galaxy struggles with the First Order’s swift expansion, one Jedi-to-be and her reluctant Master that never was a Jedi must find a way forward from pasts that haunt them both. Star Wars: Legacy by Madeleine Roux doesn’t hold back on exploring the traumas Rey and Leia have faced, and what lays before them still, resulting in an emotional, stunning, and deep character exploration also packing in plenty of heart, humor, and comments on the world we face today. Plus, there’s the added bonus it stitches up more of the sequel trilogy era to make it feel fuller than ever before. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Legacy” →

Canon Novel Review: Outlaws – Low Red Moon

– Minor Spoiler Review –

With its large cast of underworld characters, the video game Star Wars Outlaws was begging to be explored further. Thankfully, publishing felt the same way and our first tie-in for the game was devised. Author Mike Chen returns with Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon, a prequel to the game which dives into the pasts of both Jaylen Vrax and hot droid extraordinaire, ND-5! With a phenomenal droid point-of-view, interesting expansion to the characters and underworld, and a well-paced adventurous vibe, this a book even fans who haven’t played Outlaws will find plenty to enjoy. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Outlaws – Low Red Moon” →

Canon Novel Review: Master of Evil

– Spoiler Review –

A Sith apprentice craves power and Darth Vader, still fresh from his descent to the dark side, grows impatient with his Master regarding the powers he was promised. In Master of Evil, Vader’s search for answers entangles a surprising variety of individuals, each with their own motives tied to what’s uncovered, leading to a compelling and even emotional adventure full of Adam Christopher’s signature ability to tap into the nuances of the dark side without losing the franchise’s theme of hope along the way. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Master of Evil” →

Canon Novel Review: The Last Order

– Mild Spoiler Review –

Jannah and Finn left their lives as stormtroopers of the First Order behind, yet their pasts continue to haunt them even after the Battle of Exegol in Kwame Mbalia’s The Last Order. Find out why the novel is a wonderful character study, as it provides fans more of Finn and expands Jannah, even if it feels drawn out getting there, in my review below. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: The Last Order” →

Canon Novel Review: The Acolyte – The Crystal Crown

– Mild Spoiler Review –

Going viral with catchy hashtags, The Acolyte’s Jecki Lon and Yord Fandar took fandom by storm as they shined bright and far too quick in the show. Instead of reopening the wound, Tessa Gratton’s The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown gives fans more time with the two characters, building them out in ways the show didn’t have the time for, all against an entertaining Hunger Games-esque situation set on an intriguing new planet. Head below for the full review! Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: The Acolyte – The Crystal Crown” →

Canon Novel Review: Sanctuary – A Bad Batch Novel

– Mild Spoiler Review –

While The Bad Batch might be over, there are still adventures to be had and gaps to fill in Clone Force 99’s story, which brings us to Lamar Giles’ Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel! Set towards the end of the show’s second season, the group finds themselves ferrying two fugitives that turns into a far more complex and interesting situation, as what starts as an extension of the series dives much deeper into this unique set of clones than the show usually did, adding depth before their lives change forever. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Sanctuary – A Bad Batch Novel” →

Canon Novel Review by Chris: The High Republic – Trials of the Jedi

– Minor Spoiler Review –

It’s a bit of a daunting task to review a book I’m fairly confident the majority of the readership of this website is already planning on reading. It’s funny, though, because there’s so many reasons we can bank on that. You already know Charles Soule: he’s a mega-talented writer, showing a lot of competency in writing both comics and prose novels; he’s a massive mover in the Star Wars galaxy; and he kicked off this initiative with a bang, so we can know he’ll want to end the initiative with a bang. You already know The High Republic: it’s the mega-popular publishing initiative that has now worked its way into movies and TV; it features a lot of new fan favorite characters (some of whom have found themselves on TV and trading card games); and it’s the fire that was lit under the franchise, and many fans, in terms of rekindling our love for the franchise. But even though I know you’re going to read this novel, the fun part of The High Republic is that we all love it so much we’re going to want to keep talking about it ad nauseum.

Really, I think that there are two major questions that we all had going into this final novel of the entire initiative: was Trials of the Jedi going to be able to hit every necessary character beat we were looking for and was it going to hit every story beat we were hoping for? Continue reading “Canon Novel Review by Chris: The High Republic – Trials of the Jedi” →

Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Trials of the Jedi

– Spoiler Review –

After four and a half years and numerous books and comics along the way, the current storytelling of the High Republic era arrives at its planned ending with Charles Soule’s The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi. Wrapping up the era much like it started, Trials of the Jedi is a thrilling, emotional, and packed finale which should leave fans satisfied, even if they’ll miss the era (for now) even more afterwards. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Trials of the Jedi” →