2019 Book Wrap Up

I have read 120 books this year and more than 50 of them were Star Wars. That's seems like a lot in retrospect, but it was a big year for Star Wars, so why not? Here are some of the books I read this year...

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell’s Novella “Kindred Spirits” captures a topic that Star Wars fans know well: Line sitting. The book takes place on May on May 18th 1999 as a high school girl named Elena waits in line to see the “The Phantom Menace”. A short read, with enough Star Wars references to please any fan.

Master & Apprentice by Claudia Grey

Claudia Gray has been a Star Wars staple since her novel “Lost Stars” in 2015. Master & Apprentice is Gray’s fourth novel and tells of Qui-Gon Jinn’s attempt to train his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. There are many revelations in this novel including the fact that Qui-Gon was offered a seat on the Jedi Council. Qui-Gon ultimately turns down the opportunity in favor of finishing Obi-Wan’s training. This book also shows us how by-the-book Obi-Wan was in his younger days. Qui-Gon is the one who teaches him to bend the rules and gives the young Jedi the roguish personality that we see glimpses of in “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith”.

Jedi Lost by Cavan Scott

“Jedi Lost” is a Full Cast Audio Play and one of the most fantastic Expanded Universe releases of the year. The story focuses on Count Dooku’s journey from a young noble on the planet Serenno to a Jedi apprentice and Jedi master. It also reveals why Dooku left the Jedi Order. The Full Cast Audio Play is a new concept for Star Wars, which hasn’t been attempted since the original radio plays.

Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston

E.K. Johnston brings the character of Padme into light twenty years after her first appearance in “The Phantom Menace”. This story highlights Padme’s political career after serving as Queen of Naboo and during her time as a Galactic Senator. The book also focuses on Padme’s handmaidens, especially the adventures of Sabé (played by Keira Knightley in the film). This book also sheds light on Padme’s attempt to free Shmi Skywalker from slavery.

Thrawn Alliances by Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn recaptured public interest in Star Wars when he published his original Thrawn trilogy in the early 90s. Now he has returned to his iconic character in a very big way. Thrawn Treason finishes his new Thrawn trilogy. Zahn has always been the gold standard for Star Wars novels and this series is no different.

Yet the end of this series does give us a definitive end for this character and in no way is Timothy Zahn finished with the character of Thrawn. Zahn’s new series of books the “Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy” begins in 2020. These new books will tell the story of the character’s younger days.

Force Collector by Kevin Schinick

“Force Collector” is a refreshing Star Wars read. The audience is introduced to Karr Nuq Sin a kid from the outskirts of the Galaxy who is a gifted with psychometry (the ability to read objects through the Force). Karr is especially drawn to objects that came in close contact with Jedi. He travels the Galaxy collecting the objects and that’s pretty much the whole book. There are no lightsaber duels or big battles. It’s very satisfying.

Resistance Reborn

by Rebecca Roanhorse

Resistance Reborn is the culmination of the Disney Expanded Universe thus far. It wraps up characters and plot lines introduced in the “Aftermath Trilogy”, “Bloodline”, and the “Poe Dameron” Marvel comic series. It takes place in the days following “The Last Jedi” and focuses mainly and Poe Dameron and Princess Leia. Wedge Antilles is also an important character in this book paving the way for his cameo in “The Rise of Skywalker”.

Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed & Tie Fighter by Jody Houser

In the 90s Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston gave fans the X-Wing series of books which followed Rogue Squadron during the days of the New Republic. Fans have been missing the series since its final installment in 2010.

Disney’s answer to this filling this void is “Alphabet Squadron”, a new series which follows a ragtag group of the pilots who fly a whole alphabet of ships (A-Wing, B-Wing, U-Wing, X-Wing, and Y-Wing).

The series also introduces Shadow Wing, an elite Tie-Fighter unit which features as the antagonists to Alphabet Squadron. The tie-in Marvel mini series “Tie Fighter” focusses on Shadow Wing.

The Star Wars Radio Drama by Brian Daley

The Star Wars Radio Dramas were produced by NPR in the 80s and 90s. Many of the original cast (including Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams) return. What’s even more interesting is hearing newcomers Ann Sachs and Perry King try and tackle the characters of Princess Leia and Han Solo. We also get John Lithgow as the voice of Yoda which is a bit fascinating. The audio drama for “A New Hope” is especially interesting because it clocks in at 6.5 hours, expanding the story of the original film quite a bit. If nothing else, give the first chapter a listen (it explores Luke’s escapades on Tatooine before meeting the droids).

Adventures in Wild Space

by Cavan Scott & Tom Huddleston

The seven-part series “Adventures in Wild Space” is a young-readers series that follows the Graf siblings as they attempt to rescue their parents from the Empire. The Graf family is also important to the “Star Wars Adventures” comic series published by IDW.

Lando's Luck by Justina Ireland

Pirate's Price by Lou Anders

Flight of the Falcon by Michael Moreci

The “Flight of the Falcon” is a series of kids books and comics that span the history of the fabled ship. “Lando’s Luck” tells the story of the early adventures of the ship with Lando and L-3. “Pirate’s Price” follows the ship into the sequel era. The “Pirates Price” audio book is especially fun because Jim Cummings narrates the story as Hondo Ohnanka. The one-shot comic “Flight of the Falcon” serves as final chapter in the series and tells of Bazine Netal's attempt to track down the famed vessel.

The Weapon of a Jedi by Jason Fry

The Weapon of a Jedi is a young reader’s book published in 2015. It also received a German comic adaption. The book shows us Luke’s earliest experiments with the Force and his lightsaber after the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Spark of the Resistance by Justina Ireland

“Spark of the Resistance” is a young readers book which brings the characters of Finn, Poe, and Rey together for a fun adventure on the planet Minfar. Like the other young readers book in the “Red Cover” book series (not sure if there is an actual name for this series) this story is short and sweet giving us a tiny trip with the flagship characters of the saga.

The Perfect Weapon by Delilah S. Dawson

The Perfect Weapon is a short story focussing on the character of Bazine Netal. The story highlights Bazine’s ability of disguise and espionage. Benzine is a very paranoid individual and the magnitude of her paranoia is almost evokes the classic story "The Yellow Wallpaper". Maybe that comparison is a stretch.

2018 Star Wars Books