Category: Canon Novel Review

Canon Novel Review by Chris: Inquisitor – Rise of the Red Blade

In Charles Soule’s Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith, we spend a lot of time with Darth Vader after he was defeated on Mustafar. Part of spending time with Vader was seeing how he interacted with the Inquisitors, who were (mostly) fallen Jedi, who were commissioned by the Emperor to track down Jedi who survived Order 66 and eliminate them. In one of the story arcs, we meet two unnamed Inquisitors, whom Vader chases across Coruscant after he suspects them of treason. This story, in the comic, was the motivation for Palpatine to give Vader Mustafar, where he built his fortress. Delilah S. Dawson, author of Phasma and Black Spire, took these characters and built an entire novel around them, hoping to expand their stories a bit. This novel was birthed out of that desire, and it comes years after the comic. The question is: was it worth the wait? Is this a story worth telling? And, ultimately, I’m leaning toward: maybe it was worth being told, but this novel made me wish that it hadn’t been. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review by Chris: Inquisitor – Rise of the Red Blade”

Canon Novel Review: Inquisitor – Rise of the Red Blade

– Spoiler Review –

Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson charts a more unusual path for a Jedi…how one falls and joins the deadly organization known as the Inquisitors! Picking up in thrills once Iskat Akaris finds herself in the Inquisitorious halls, which comes far too late in the novel, Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade’s fatalistic attitude, repetition, brushing over certain aspects, and concerns over character coding holds it back. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Inquisitor – Rise of the Red Blade”

Canon Novel Review by Chris: The High Republic – Path of Vengeance

The Path of the Open Hand finds itself at a decisive moment after the Battle of Jedha. But cousins Marda and Yana Ro cannot decide where they fit in the future of the Path, and their choices and relationship may alter the course of the future…forever. Join us as I review The High Republic: Path of Vengeance!

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Canon Novel Review by Chris: The High Republic – Quest for Planet X

As the age of hyperspace exploration grows, prospectors are hungry to find new planets and moons to explore – and claim for their own. But a young group of pilots is going for the biggest catch of them all: the fabled Planet X! Can the help of a Jedi, and the opposition of a member of the Path of the Open Hand, move them closer to their quest? Join us as I review The High Republic: Quest for Planet X.

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Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Path of Vengeance

– Spoiler Review –

As one of The High Republic’s Phase II final acts, Cavan Scott’s The High RepublicPath of Vengeance is a tome packed with revelations, fantastic character work, and a riveting final act as he’s been known to deliver, marking this as an ending you don’t want to miss, even if some things feel too little too late. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Path of Vengeance”

Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Quest for Planet X

– Non-Spoiler Review –

Connecting to the previous Phase II middle grade book with some familiar faces, The High Republic – Quest for Planet X by Tessa Gratton doesn’t just share characters, it also delivers an entertaining and layered story where the characters take precedence over the plot. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Quest for Planet X”

Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Cataclysm

– Spoiler Review –

Lydia Kang makes her The High Republic debut with the second adult novel and beginning of the end for Phase II, Cataclysm. Picking up after the disastrous events of The Battle of Jedha, the Forever War reignited between Eiram and E’ronoh, Cataclysm sees the Jedi and Republic searching for answers, leading them to a confrontation with the mysterious Path of the Open Hand cult. And what does the disgraced son of one of the Chancellors have to do with it? Many of Phase II’s threads collide in this packed yet eventful novel, where humor, heart, well-written characters, and a dazzling display of this era’s interesting aspects intertwine with a memorable final act. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: The High Republic – Cataclysm”

Canon Novel Review by Chris: The High Republic – Cataclysm

After the Battle of Jedha, the Forever War between Eiram and E’ronoh continues to rage. The Jedi, believing the mysterious Path of the Open Hand is behind the war, travel to Dalna to get to the bottom of recent events. Join me as I review The High Republic: Cataclysm! Continue reading “Canon Novel Review by Chris: The High Republic – Cataclysm”

Canon Novel Review by Chris: Hunters: Battle for the Arena

Rieve, a young woman making her way in the world, finds herself on the planet Vespaara, home of the ever-popular Hunters! Will Rieve make it in a new arena, or will her past doom her and her new teammates? Read our review of Mark Oshiro’s Star Wars: Hunters: Battle for the Arena! 

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Canon Novel Review: Jedi – Battle Scars

– Spoiler-Free Review –

After the success of Jedi: Fallen Order and the way fans connected with the crew of the Stinger Mantis, a sequel seemed like a no-brainer. While Jedi: Survivor is on its way April 2023, the first sequel is instead the novel Jedi: Battle Scars, out March 7, which bridges the 5-year gap between the first and second game. Written by Sam Maggs, Battle Scars provides a fast-paced, winding adventure exploring the game’s main crew, as their goals change and character arcs resolve lingering aspects from the first game, leaving interpersonal drama a highlight of Maggs’ work, though overall the book can’t escape certain interquel traps. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Jedi – Battle Scars”