You know, I’m starting to think that the fate of Star Wars books really lies in the YA and middle grade books. This one was fantastic, and part of a series of three, focusing on Han Solo, Princess Leia and of course, Luke Skywalker.
In this book, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO are sent on a mission by Mon Mothma. Along the way, they are forced to land on a mysterious world called Devaron. But the planet isn’t all it appears to be, and Luke can sense the call of the Force from some nearby ruins. This book does an excellent job of bridging the gap between episodes IV and V, giving us a glimpse into how Luke Skywalker began his journey as a Jedi, and of course, his first lightsaber battle.
The book is meant for Middle Graders, but I think it has enough to hold the attention of Adults as well. The book was short, and was mostly character driven. Speaking of characters, it was nice to finally read a Luke Skywalker that seemed consistent with the movies, not just a random hero with the name Luke Skywalker. Every action he took felt authentic and real. R2 and 3PO’s banter was also a highlight.
I don’t think I’ll be returning to the ‘adult side’ of the Star Wars publishing world any time soon. I like it here with the YA and MG books where characters are genuine, stories are filled with adventure and suspense, and I never feel like the story is forced.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jason Fry is the author of The Jupiter Pirates, a young-adult space-fantasy series published by HarperCollins, and has written more than 30 books and short stories set in the Star Wars galaxy. Besides fiction for adults and young readers, he writes essays and articles about technology, sports, online media, music, travel, history, and anything else that interests me. He also keeps an eye on the world of digital publishing, with a particular interest in sports and sportswriting. Visit at http://www.jasonfry.net/
book2bookblog.wordpress.com 