As exciting as the idea of a fully immersive Star Wars theme park is, the stark reality is not everyone will get a chance to visit one, for a wide variety of reasons, so thankfully there is plenty of tie-in material coming for those who can’t or won’t ever go. But these new titles also benefit those who can visit the parks, enriching the new world and experience. Beyond the already introduced comic miniseries, Galaxy’s Edge, a few new novels were announced today: Black Spire, by Delilah S. Dawson (so glad she’s back!!); A Crash of Fate, by Zoraida Córdova; Myth & Fables, written by George Mann, illustrations by Grant Griffin. Head below for all the details and an excerpt from Myth & Fables!
I hope to make it to Galaxy’s Edge at one point, but I don’t foresee that happening immediately nor within the next few years, so I’m really looking forward to these books/comics and just hearing about it second-hand from fellow fans. Now, for those announcements…
For starters is Delilah S. Dawson’s return to novels, Black Spire! When visiting Galaxy’s Edge, the part of the planet Batuu you’ll be able to explore is Black Spire Outpost, so hence the name of the novel. As for what it’s about: “In this novel, a prequel to the Disney Parks experience, General Leia Organa dispatches her top spy to Batuu in a desperate search for Resistance allies.” The “top spy” is none other than Vi Moradi, a main character in Dawson’s previous novel, Phasma! While it’s not stated in the announcement, noted Saga scholar Star Wars Explained figured it out from the character’s page in the excellent Women of the Galaxy (which came out in October of last year), a copy of which sits in my house, I’ve read, and can’t believe I forgot mentioned Vi takes on a mission to Batuu! While Phasma dove into the backstory of the chrome-plated trooper, a “present” set story (aka the sequel trilogy) dealt with Vi being captured aboard a First Order ship and interrogated by a red-plated trooper named Cardinal, who doesn’t like Phasma taking over his role. To me it was the more intriguing storyline and it ended with quite the surprise regarding both Vi and Cardinal, so I’m actually wondering if this takes prior or after that novel, but judging by the fact that Leia needs allies desperately, I imagine that might mean it’s actually post-The Last Jedi. I could be wrong, but either way it doesn’t matter as it’s a new novel by the fantastic Delilah S. Dawson (who has also contributed to Star Wars Adventures by IDW), and I’ll read it whenever it takes place and who it stars! The novel is out later this year, September 3! (Dawson also announced The Skywalker Saga storybook, which retells Episodes 1-VIII through the Skywalker’s eyes, with art by Brian Rood). UPDATE: Black Spire review is in, and unfortunately, to me at least, it ended up as the most disappointing of the bunch.
Next up is a young adult novel, A Crash of Fate, by Zoraida Córdova. Its current blurb says:
“In this Young Adult novel, Izzy and Jules were best friends until Izzy’s family abruptly left Batuu when she was six. Now she’s back, and Jules, the boy who never left, is unsure what to make of her. While on the run from vengeful smugglers and an angry pirate, the two friends will come to terms with who they are, and what they mean to each other.”
Never write off a novel because it’s YA, especially for Star Wars, as some of the best of the new canon have been labeled as such, like Lost Stars and Leia: Princess of Alderaan. In fact, this sounds a bit like Lost Stars, what with two young friends who go down different paths and then reunite years later, but you can’t go wrong with such a comparison because it’s an excellent book! Córdova’s previous Star Wars writing is “You Owe Me a Ride” in From a Certain Point of View, a story which made my Top 5 list from the novel (outside of the Doctor Aphra story, which this Aphra fan is very biased towards). I enjoyed her work there because of how her writing flowed and how she provided the Tonnika sisters with so much potential, which leaves me intrigued and eager for A Crash of Fate, which is out August 6. UPDATE: Review is in!
Lastly, a book which basically sells itself due to the gorgeous cover due to how it fully embraces the sci-fi fantasy aspect of the Star Wars galaxy, Myths & Fables! Written by George Mann, with illustrations by Grant Griffin, it’s in the same vein as The Legends of Luke Skywalker by Ken Liu, where the stories within are those told by denizens of the GFFA so therefore not canon, but this one deals with myths and fables about the galaxy at large!
“In this middle grade novel, hear the thrilling space tales, fables, and myths that are told in a galaxy far, far away. The book features two stories that take place on the remote Outer Rim world of Batuu, plus many other untold tales from the edge of the galaxy, lushly illustrated in a style that pays homage to real-world children’s classics.”
As the blurb states, two take place on Batuu so there’s your tie-in aspect, but I’m just curious in general to read all of them regardless of where they take place because I can’t wait to hear some extraordinary, bombastic tales set in the world of Star Wars, canon or not! Not every book needs to push forward the story or reveal new details to be exciting and fun, and I relish the chance to hear what people in a galaxy like SW’s would come up with for tall tales when everything they see is considered one here. Plus, if the illustrations are anything like that cover…wow, that alone will be worth it. After reading the excerpt included with the announcement from “The Knight & the Dragon”, dealing with the Sand People and a Krayt dragon terrorizing their village, this book is already living up to my expectations! UPDATE: Here’s my review!
Don’t forget, there was the previously announced Marvel’s Galaxy’s Edge comic miniseries, written by Ethan Sacks with art Will Sliney, centered on tales involving collector Dok-Ondar’s, “rare and one-of-a-kind antiquities,” which is out in April. Also announced was a comic from IDW about the park and, the coolest thing that makes me wonder why it wasn’t more prominent in the site’s announcement: a cookbook! That’s right, the food they’ll be making in the park will be at your fingertips to make at home, “…as well as dishes drawn from the saga’s history, written for home cooks of all ages and skill levels,” which means everyone can cook a little Star Wars food at home! And it’s already on my Birthday/Christmas wish list. It’s written by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel, who previously wrote Game of Thrones and Warcraft cookbooks, which I’ve already ordered the GoT for myself and I’m mad I didn’t know existed until now. Hopefully there’s a recipe for porg-stew in the Galaxy’s Edge cookbook!
Overall, giving the park a generous offering from tie-in material allows everyone to feel in on the big event, whether they go or not, and we’ll get some great new content regardless. And a cookbook…my dreams have been answered.
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
GALAXY’S EDGE PARK RELATED NEWS AND REVIEWS:
Comic News: Galaxy’s Edge Tie-In Comic Miniseries Announced for April
John Williams Recording Score for Galaxy’s Edge Parks, First Look at Rides, Blue Milk Confirmed, and More!
Star Wars Resistance Review: “Fuel for the Fire”
Canon Novel Review: Thrawn – Alliances
2019 is Where the Fun Begins: Celebration Heads to Chicago, Galaxy’s Edge Opening Timeframes Revealed
D23 Expo 2017: Star Wars Land Details, Name, and Immersive Hotel, plus Battlefront II BTS Featurette
It’s a Wrap: Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 Final News Roundup – Remembering Carrie, Star Wars Land Features, and So Much More!
D23 Expo: Rogue One Cast Revealed, Ep. IX Director, Star Wars Land News