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). 

Queen's Peril (Star Wars Disney Canon) by E.K. Johnston

Queen's Peril (Star Wars Disney Canon) by E.K. Johnston-276 pages

I enjoyed reading this novel. It explains how Padme Amidala won the election and became Queen of Naboo and it also explains how her handmaidens were chosen. It susses out the process of her handmaidens becoming interchangeable with her and being trained to play the role of Queen. Padme's early time as Queen is explored leading up to the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and beyond. The book is mostly from the point-of-view of Padme/Queen Amidala, but the handmaidens' voices and a few others are included, additionally.

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.

Queen's Shadow (Star Wars Disney Canon) by E.K. Johnston

Queen's Shadow (Star Wars Disney Canon) by E.K. Johnston-345 pages

I enjoyed reading this Star Wars Disney Canon novel about Padme Amidala. It covers her last days as Queen of Naboo and her early time spent as a Galactic Senator on Coruscant. It was compelling to read about her time after the events of The Phantom Menace (Star Wars: Episode I) and before Attack of the Clones (Episode II). Additionally, I liked learning about Padme's origins and family on Naboo and about how she first struck a friendship with Senator Bail Organa. I would recommend it to any Star Wars fan, especially those who liked the prequel trilogy.

Resistance Reborn (Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) by Rebecca Roanhorse

Resistance Reborn (Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) by Rebecca Roanhorse-295 pages

I started reading this before seeing The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX) in theaters. Obviously, I didn't finish it before going to the film, but I wanted to finish Resistance Reborn anyway. It gives some much needed story about what happened between The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) and The Rise of Skywalker. I enjoyed the fleshing out of some secondary characters, especially ones that are from video games and tv shows or are related to those characters (Zay Versio is one that comes to mind). I also enjoyed the locations visited, such as Bracca, which are from recent Star Wars video games, movies, and other media. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (as much or more as the movie...). I would recommend reading this to anyone who is an avid Star Wars fan. On a side note, I simply enjoy anything Star Wars, if you haven't noticed by my blog posts.

A Crash of Fate (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, #1) by Zoraida Cordova

A Crash of Fate (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, #1) by Zoraida Cordova-348 pages

Galaxy's Edge recently opened at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World and I can hardly wait to visit-maybe next year or sometime soon (also, I can hardly wait for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but that's beside the point). In the meantime, I wanted to read this to get a feel for Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost. I enjoy anything Star Wars and this book is no different. I am enjoying the new locations and characters in the Disney Star Wars Canon. I would recommend this to any Star Wars fan, especially to the younger audience (teens and young adults).

Treason (Star Wars: Thrawn, #3) by Timothy Zahn

Treason (Star Wars: Thrawn, #3) by Timothy Zahn-333 pages

Having read all previous Thrawn novels by Zahn, I really wanted to read this one. I was not disappointed. Zahn continues to build the legend of Thrawn in this new story. I liked how Zahn brought in familiar characters, such as Director Krennic, and wrote them true to character. I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who is familiar with Grand Admiral Thrawn and/or has read Timothy Zahn's previous novels about him.

Master & Apprentice (Star Wars) by Claudia Gray

Master and Apprentice (Star Wars) by Claudia Gray-330 pages

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as Master and Apprentice before the events of The Phantom Menace. It was fascinating to read and learn about their relationship as Master and Padawan and how each grew throughout the mission to Pijal in this novel. Additionally, it was fascinating to read about Qui-Gon as a Padawan to Count Dooku and to learn of a new Jedi named Real Averross. I have enjoyed all of Claudia Gray's Star Wars Disney Canon novels thus far (Lost Stars, Bloodline, Leia: Princess of Alderaan, and this one). I would recommend this to any Star Wars fan.

Inferno Squad (Star Wars: Battlefront #2) by Christie Golden

Inferno Squad (Star Wars: Battlefront #2) by Christie Golden-307 pages

I played Star Wars Battlefront II the video game and this is a prequel to the campaign mode of this video game. I enjoyed playing the campaign and I enjoyed reading this spin-off prequel novel. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Star Wars, especially those who enjoyed playing the Battlefront II campaign. 

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.

Most Wanted (Star Wars Disney Canon Novel) by Rae Carson

Most Wanted (Star Wars Disney Canon Novel) by Rae Carson-348 pages

I watched Solo: A Star Wars Story in theaters and this is a standalone prequel novel to that film. It is a somewhat thrilling look into Han and Qi'ra living on Corellia before the events of the movie. Han and Qi'ra (and a Rodian friend) embark on an adventure related to a Datacube with a shield tech blueprint on it. An Imperial defector, who is an engineer, created the blueprint and is attempting to sell it to the highest bidder. Both Han and Qi'ra are sent on separate missions related to the sale of the datacube. I was a bit disappointed that the story didn't really leave Corellia (it did go to space, briefly). Overall, it was a decent read and worth reading once, especially for a Star Wars fan.

Leia, Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray

Leia, Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray-409 pages

I read this because little had been written or said about Leia's childhood after her adoption by Bail and Breha Organa. I am glad that I read this because it did not disappoint. Claudia Gray has written other Star Wars novels (I have read both Lost Stars and Bloodline) and I really liked them, so that also factored into my reading this. This story is about Princess Leia becoming the official, vested heir to the throne of Alderaan at age 16. It is also about her time in the Imperial Apprentice Legislature and her finding out about her parents' planning/starting the rebellion. She is eventually allowed to join her parents in the rebellion (obviously). Anyway, I liked this book, though not quite as much as Gray's other Star Wars novels. 

Star Wars: Rebel Rising (Star Wars Disney Canon Novel) by Beth Revis

Star Wars: Rebel Rising (Star Wars Disney Canon Novel) by Beth Revis-410 pages

Rebel Rising fills in the years of Jyn Erso's life between her rescue by Saw Gerrera at age 8 and her joining the rebels in her early 20's. It is a filler, but it is so much more than that as it gives more background as to why Jyn has become so jaded and apathetic. Overall, I really liked this book. It does have sad moments, so be prepared, but it is a good read.

Thrawn (Star Wars Disney Canon Novel) by Timothy Zahn

Thrawn (Star Wars Disney Canon Novel) by Timothy Zahn-427 pages

I read the Thrawn Trilogy by Zahn in 2015 in anticipation of The Force Awakens, so when I heard this was being written and released as an "official" Disney canon novel (the original Thrawn Trilogy is a "Legends" or not official Disney canon now) I immediately pre-ordered it. I really enjoyed reading this and Zahn does Thrawn well in his imagining of his rise to Grand Admiral. I especially liked that he included Thrawn's studying the adversary's cultural art as a means to glean patterns of expected behavior, just as Thrawn did in the original trilogy. Thrawn is depicted as a master tactician (although not great at politics) in this novel just as he was in the original trilogy. The fact that Zahn wrote both the original trilogy and this standalone novel helps with continuity and effectiveness. I enjoyed the secondary stories of Eli Vanto and Arihnda Pryce woven throughout this novel as companions to Thrawn's rise. Overall, this was as good, maybe better, than I expected and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Star Wars (especially anyone who read the original Thrawn trilogy).