Star Wars, Vol. 8: Mutiny at Mon Cala by Kieron Gillen

Star Wars, Vol. 8: Mutiny at Mon Cala by Kieron Gillen-144 pages

I really enjoyed reading this comic/graphic novel. Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewie, R2-D2, and C-3PO set out on a mission to rescue the King of Mon Cala from an Imperial high security prison. The goal is to get him to authorize the Mon Cala fleet to aid the Rebellion since the regent (who is in the King's place) won't. They will have to kidnap the Moff of the Mon Cala region and replace him with a being who can replicate him. First, they have to rescue said being from a prison. Will Leia and the gang succeed? Will Mon Cala's fleet aid the Rebellion or not?

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (Star Wars: Canon Miniseries) by Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney

 Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (Star Wars: Canon Miniseries) by Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney-112 pages

This is a short graphic novel set in the Black Spire Outpost at Galaxy's Edge on Batuu. Dok-Ondar is the Ithorian owner of an Antiquities shop at Black Spire Outpost and this story heavily involves him and his shop. The first part of the story involves Han Solo and Chewbacca procuring a young Sarlacc for Dok-Ondar and is the highlight of this graphic novel. Overall, this graphic novel is okay. It's a short, fun read, but is a bit lacking in story. 

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.

Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes (Star Wars Disney Canon Graphic Novel #1) by Jason Aaron

Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes (Star Wars Disney Canon Graphic Novel #1) by Jason Aaron-160 pages

Set in the immediate aftermath of the events of A New Hope (Episode IV), Luke, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 are on a Rebel Alliance mission together. After this successful (albeit clumsy) mission Luke feels less than a Jedi and seeks out Tatooine and Ben Kenobi's dwelling hoping to find some answers. Meanwhile, Princess Leia and Han go on another mission for the Rebel Alliance. Overall, this was a good read as I enjoy both Star Wars and graphic novels. This graphic novel is well done.

Aftermath: Empire's End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig

Aftermath: Empire's End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig-423 pages

I liked this the best of the three. It is as good an ending as one could ask/hope for with what came before in the first two books of the trilogy. Overall, I thought the trilogy was okay and it did shed some light on the end of the Empire and beginning of the New Republic and even a hint of the start of the First Order, but it's not as good as Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy (and I am excited for Thrawn, as an aside). I thought that Han, Leia, and many of the other original characters were much more "true to character" in this novel than in the previous one, also. Overall, I enjoyed reading Aftermath: Empire's End, as I do any Star Wars novel I read (at least any I've read thus far). 
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Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath #2) by Chuck Wendig

Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath #2) by Chuck Wendi-430 pages

I like this better than the first in the trilogy as the prose and plot are better, but still not great. The writing is not as choppy, but is still not top notch, by any means. I do enjoy that Han Solo, Leia, and Chewbacca are included in this story with the liberation of Kashyyk, but these characters are not quite what they are in the movies or in other books written about Star Wars. Overall, I enjoyed reading this second book in the series well enough to want to finish the series. The third book's anticipated release is sometime next year, so I look forward to that.

Lost Stars (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray

Lost Stars (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray-551 pages

I read Bloodline, also by Claudia Gray, and enjoyed it quite a bit and I had read many good reviews of this so I wanted to read it. It was very interesting to see the events of the original Star Wars trilogy through the eyes of those who were in the lower positions and worked their way up. I also enjoyed the plot of this novel and Gray's prose is high quality. I enjoyed Lost Stars much more than Aftermath by Chuck Wendig (although I am not as harsh on Aftermath as some) as the plot and prose are so much better and more professional. Overall, I enjoyed reading about a boy and a girl from the same planet who both initially join the Imperial Fleet happily, but eventually take two different paths only to be reunited in the end.

Star Wars: Bloodline (Star Wars Canon) by Claudia Gray

Star Wars: Bloodline (Star Wars Canon) by Claudia Gray-341 pages

I enjoyed reading this more than I enjoyed Aftermath, although I did enjoy Aftermath. Bloodline is set a few years prior to The Force Awakens and follow's Princess Leia's last months as a member of the Galactic Senate of the New Republic. Additionally, it uncovers some of the origins of the First Order and shows how Leia came to be leader of The Resistance. The political climate is eerily similar to that of today in that there are two main parties, Populist and Centrist, that distrust each other and, for the most part, will not work together. However, Leia (a Populist) and another senator named Ransom Casterfo (a Centrist) are able to get past their partisanship and work together for a while. Han is in the book, as well, though in more of a cameo role. Luke and Ben are only mentioned, so as to not reveal the mystery behind the beginnings of Ben's downfall to becoming Kylo Ren and the founding of the Knights of Ren. I am sure we will find out more in Episode VIII, although I can hardly wait. Overall, Claudia Gray makes an intriguing, captivating book with what she was given to work with. I would definitely recommend it to fans of Star Wars, especially those who enjoyed The Force Awakens.

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.