Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars by Sam Maggs

 Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars by Sam Maggs-304 pages

Cal Kestis and the rest of the crew of the Stinger Mantis are rebelling against the Empire and trying to take down the Haxion Brood. They meet Fret, an Imperial Technician/Engineer who supposedly wants to leave Imperial service, on a mission against the Haxion Brood. Fret says she has a prospective mission for them and they agree to go to Hosnian Prime and meet her contact, Qeris. He wants them to get the plans for the Shroud, which is a kind of cloaking device. They agree to take on the mission but things quickly unravel when they arrive to collect the Shroud. Cal and his Jedi mentor, Cere, end up fighting against the Fifth Brother, an Inquisitor. This was a decent read. I liked it, but not nearly as much as playing the video game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This is set between that video game and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor which is being released next Friday. 

Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 3: Jedi's End by Cavan Scott et al.

 Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 3: Jedi's End by Cavan Scott et al.-192 pages

Marshal Avar Kriss, Keeve Trennis, and Keeve's Master Sskeer believe they have captured the Eye of the Nihil, Lourna Dee. However, Lourna is not the Eye, as the Jedi will soon find out. She is merely a Tempest Runner. Marchion Ro is the Eye. He pulls all the strings and commands the Nihil. He has a new weapon to fight the Jedi. It's a "Nameless" beast and it instills fear in the Jedi and all who are force sensitive. Marchion Ro and the Nihil destroy Starlight Beacon and send the Republic in disarray. After this part of the story, the reader learns of Marchion Ro's origins and where his people came from. The reader also learns how Marchion Ro obtained the "Nameless" beasts. Marchion Ro is out for one person: himself. He cares not about the Nihil or anyone else. That is what his people learned over the years. They learned to care only for themselves. I have enjoyed reading this series of comics/graphic novels thus far and I eagerly await more volumes being published.

Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2: The Heart of Drengir by Cavan Scott et al.

 Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2: The Heart of Drengir by Cavan Scott et al.-120 pages

I read the first volume recently and I enjoyed it. I want to continue reading through this series. These comics/graphic novels are supplementary stories to the novels set during the High Republic era of Star Wars. In this one, the Jedi (including Keeve Trennis and her master Sskeer) are allied with the Hutts to rid the galaxy of the Drengir (dark side force sensitive plant-like creatures bent on the destruction of the Jedi). The Jedi, led by Marshal Avar Kriss, are trying to find the "Heart of the Drengir" also known as the "Great Progenitor" because if they destroy it, then they destroy the Drengir. The Jedi also continue to encounter the Nihil, who are a sworn enemy. I continue to enjoy reading through these and look forward to reading the third volume. 

Star Wars: The High Republic - Trail of Shadows by Daniel Jose Older, et al.

Star Wars: The High Republic - Trail of Shadows by Daniel Jose Older, et al.-112 pages

The Jedi are concerned about a new "weapon" the Nihil have been using to fight and kill them. A wise Jedi named Emerick and a private investigator team up to find answers about this new "weapon." While on this mission, Starlight Beacon is attacked and destroyed by the Nihil. I enjoyed reading this and I've enjoyed reading everything I've read of "Star Wars: The High Republic" thus far.

Out of the Shadows (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Justina Ireland

 Out of the Shadows (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Justina Ireland-423 pages

I really enjoyed reading this book set during the High Republic. It seems the Nihil are going to be the major threat throughout this time period and these books. Familiar characters appear in this book including Reath Silas and Master Cohmac. The story begins at Starlight Beacon but spans many familiar and new locales. Vernestra (Vern) Wroh and her Padawan Imri are called to Coruscant by her former Master, Stellan Gios. They are given a mission that seems inconsequential at first. However, the mission turns out to be much more than they bargained for. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I liked this book. 

Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray

 Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray-425 pages

Reath Silas, Padawan to Jedi Master and Council member Jora Malli, is enthralled with studying for endless hours in the Jedi Archives on Coruscant. He loves reading stories of past adventures and travels, but is not keen to go on adventures of his own. He has travelled, but does not find it very enjoyable. When his Master, Jora Malli, informs him that she has accepted a post on the Outer Rim at the newly completed Starlight Beacon Reath does not take it well. However, events unfold and Reath and other Jedi (Cohmac Vitus and Orla Jareni) inadvertently encounter a new enemy on the Outer Rim that will test their limits. The Nihil (who were introduced in "Light of the Jedi") are in play in this story, also. Reath's Master, Jora, dies during the events of "Light of the Jedi" and Reath must deal with her loss. Will he thrive or will he wither? Who will he choose as his new Master? I really liked the ending of this book. Claudia Gray is my favorite author of new Disney Can Star Wars novels. 

Light of the Jedi (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Charles Soule

Light of the Jedi (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Charles Soule-380 pages

 

This is the first book in the new "High Republic" series of Star Wars. It is 200 years before the events of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace." The Chancellor, Lina Soh, has a saying that she wants to become synonymous with the Republic: "We are all the Republic." A new threat has revealed itself to the Republic and to the Jedi. It is called the Nihil and it is a group of marauder pirates who have access to hyperspace routes/paths that no else does. A disaster occurs in the Hetzal system related to the Nihil that threatens billions of lives. However, the Republic soon learns that it could be billions or trillions more lives at stake if the Nihil are not stopped. New Jedi and other characters are introduced in addition to Chancellor Soh (including Jedi Master Avar Kriss, Jedi Knight Elzar Mann, and others). This book is a good introduction to this new series/era of Star Wars. I eagerly await the rest of the new books in this series coming out soon. In fact, I am now reading "Into the Dark," which is the next book in this series and it is written by Claudia Gray (author of several previous Star Wars novels that I enjoyed). 

Ahsoka (Star Wars) by E. K. Johnston

Ahsoka (Star Wars) by E. K. Johnston-368 pages

I recently watched Star Wars: The Clone Wars the animated series and I have watched Star Wars Rebels, also. Ahsoka has become one of my favorite Star Wars characters. I really enjoyed reading this novel set shortly after Order 66 and the near extinction of the Jedi. Ahsoka must now hide who she once was and calls herself Ashla to hide her identity. Soon, though, she realizes the Empire is everywhere and she must make a decision to continue hiding or fight back. New and familiar characters are woven into this story. I would recommend this to anyone who has watched The Clone Wars and/or Rebels.

Rule of Two (Star Wars Darth Bane #2) by Drew Karpyshyn

Rule of Two (Star Wars Darth Bane #2) by Drew Karpyshyn-320 pages

This is the second novel in the Darth Bane trilogy and a direct continuation of the first novel. Darth Bane has taken on an Apprentice, Darth Zannah, and is training her in the ways of the Sith. He is trying to sew deceit and destruction slowly among the Jedi and the Republic from the shadows. However, one Jedi Knight, Johun, is convinced that the Sith still exist and is determined to hunt them down and destroy the Sith once and for all. This is a good read, as was the first. I am ready to read the third and final novel in the trilogy and learn the ending.

Path of Destruction (Star Wars: Darth Bane #1) by Drew Karpyshyn

Path of Destruction (Star Wars: Darth Bane #1) by Drew Karpyshyn-389 pages

The Darth Bane trilogy is written by the same author as Revan. It is set 3000 years after the events of Revan and the video game Knights of the Old Republic. This is the first novel in the trilogy and serves as Darth Bane's origin story. It chronicles how he journeyed from lowly miner on Apatros to Sith foot soldier to Dark Lord of the Sith and to destroying the Brotherhood of Darkness so that he could take the Sith in a new direction. He believes he has found the key to Sith dominance, which is that there should be a master and an apprentice. Two Sith. One to have power and one to crave it. Bane starts the tradition of the Sith that lasts all the way down to Sidious and Vader. 

Alliances (Star Wars: Thrawn #2) by Timothy Zahn

Alliances (Star Wars: Thrawn #2) by Timothy Zahn-342 pages

I have read the original Thrawn trilogy and the first Disney Canon Thrawn novel, so when I saw the pre-pub ads for this I knew I had to read it. I enjoyed reading this novel, especially the flashbacks to Thrawn helping Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. Timothy Zahn captured the conflict within Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker well. I was slightly disappointed in his portrayal of Thrawn because he seemed a bit weak compared to his portrayal in Zahn's other novels. I also thought the plot was a bit thin, yet still good. Overall, I enjoyed reading Zahn's latest Thrawn novel and would recommend it to anyone interested in Star Wars.

Revan (Star Wars: The Old Republic (Chronological Order) #1) by Drew Karpyshyn

Revan (Star Wars: The Old Republic (Chronological Order) #1) by Drew Karpyshyn-289 pages

I played Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) on XBOX and I played KOTOR 2, also. I really enjoyed playing the games (KOTOR is one of my favorite video games ever), so I was curious to read about the rest of Revan's story in this novel. Revan is a complicated character as he is both hero and villain at different times. I feel that Karpyshyn did Revan justice with this novel and gave him a worthy ending to his story. I also liked his explanation for why Revan and Malak attacked and tried to dominate the Republic in the original KOTOR game. Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel and I wish more Star Wars video games like KOTOR would be made.

Star Wars: Coruscant Nights- Street of Shadows

308 pp. The continuing adventures of rogue Jedi Jax Pavan as he attempts to solve the murder of a popular artist, while evading the relentless bounty hunter Aurra Sing.

Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller

367 pp.

Set a few years before Star Wars: A New Hope, this novel is a prequel to the new animated tv series Star Wars: Rebels. Former Jedi Kanan Jarrus has managed to escape detection from the Empire by keeping his head down and not sticking his neck out for others, but all of that changes when he meets the rebellious Twi'lek pilot Hera. I had a hard time putting this one down.

Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force by Dave Wolverton

176 pp.

This kids series follows the adventures of young Obi-Wan Kenobi as he becomes an apprentice to Qui-Gon Jinn and trains to be a Jedi Knight.

Star Wars: Knight Errant by John Jackson Miller

400 pp. Set a thousand years before the Star Wars films, this expanded universe novel follows the exploits of young Jedi Knight Kerra Holt as she makes her way through war-ravaged Sith space. Her misadventures take her from one power-mad Sith Lord to another as she attempts to find her way back to Republic-controlled space.

I'm not sure why I keep reading Star Wars novels, because they all have such terrible endings. They just end, with no real sense of closure for any of the characters. It's very frustrating. But Kerra is a likeable character, and the various Sith Lords are entertaining.

Star Wars: The Old Republic- Revan by Drew Karpyshyn

Star Wars: The Old Republic- Revan by Drew Karpyshyn, 368 pp.

Set after the events of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game. Revan, now a hero of the Republic and happily married to fellow Jedi Bastila, senses an evil presence at the far reaches of the galaxy, waiting for a chance to strike a the Republic. Meanwhile, the Sith Lord Scourge is placed on special assignment by the Sith Emperor.

The story starts out well enough, but by the second half things fall apart and the fate of the hero feels unfulfilled and confusing.

Star Wars: Crucible by Troy Denning

Star Wars: Crucible by Troy Denning, 336 p.

This is a a brand new adventure post Fate of the Jedi featuring Han and Leia primarily.  It's not a requirement for readers to have read all of the previous Fate of the Jedi series because the major plot points are mentioned in this book.  However, there are references to the Mortis episodes in the Clone Wars tv series that would be useful to have watched for things to make total sense.

I have very much enjoyed the post Return of the Jedi books that extend out what happens in the Star Wars universe.  Crucible is nice because it focuses on an emotional journey for Han Solo and we get to be privy to more of the thought processes going on in his head in emotional situations instead of him just being portrayed as the wisecracking sidekick.  It's also nice that Denning acknowledges that the characters are aging and not forever young.  I'm not 100% on board with the metaphysical elements of the Force that have been introduced in the past few books but I'm reserving judgement until I see how it all plays out.

Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse by Troy Denning

Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse by Troy Denning - 496 pages

There can be no surrender.
There will be no mercy.
It’s not just the future of the galaxy at stake—
It’s the destiny of the Force.

The finale of the 9 book Fate of the Jedi series does not disappoint.  Jedi and Sith face off—with Coruscant as their battlefield. The Sith fight to regain leadership of a galaxy that left them behind and forgot them.  For Luke Skywalker and the Jedi, it is a fight to eradicate the Sith's new monstrous master Abeloth and to restore balance to the Force along with preventing galactic war. If you've only seen the movies, there is a wide world of Star Wars books out there and the Fate of the Jedi series is some of the best.  For a full list of Star Wars books: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Star_Wars_books#Fate_of_the_Jedi