Star Wars Heir to the Jedi is set in time between the original Star Wars movie and The Empire Strikes Back and is told from the perspective of Luke Skywalker. The first Death Star has been destroyed, and Luke is sent on a mission to retrieve a cryptologist from Imperial clutches, as she wishes to join the Rebellion. At the same time Luke is coming to terms with the loss of his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and trying to figure out how the Force works and how to become a Jedi, with no one to train him. He teams up with Nakari Kelen, an attractive pilot who accompanies him on the mission, and they buzz around the galaxy on some side missions before going after the cryptographer.
The action starts quickly with Luke and Artoo heading out to secure supply lines (read smuggling) for the Alliance. I liked how it was stated that the Alliance couldn't survive without smuggling. The story careens from planet to planet as Luke and Nakari make their way into the Core worlds, conduct their operation, and then get her to safety. Along the way they run into TIE fighters, Imperial cruisers and pirates- and also have to bargain for repairs on a windswept planet.
"She's a wanted ship now," I reminded her, but Leia shrugged it off.
"The Millennium Falcon is wanted everywhere. We just change the transponder codes and it's fine."
I haven't read a lot of Star Wars book but this one was a blast. I like the first person perspective of Luke. His transformation from farmboy to the last Jedi was of course the whole point of the story. So to see him here in the early days of the saga, trying to find his way without Ben, was a treat. He doesn't have a clue how to utilize the Force, something that hasn't really been examined before in much detail.
The only real issue I have is it seemed unrealistic that Luke would go around using his real name and no one sold him out to the Empire. But other than that I really enjoyed this story, the narrative voice felt like Luke, and it was fun to gallivant around the galaxy. There's some nice humor in this one as well.
Gosh, I am utterly enamoured of that Luke learning from those movies. I know we're way past that, but I have such a soft spot for him,.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of the Star Wars books, I may have to try some one sometime as this one sounds really fun
ReplyDeleteI do want to try a SW one
ReplyDeleteI remember watching the first movie when I was a kid. I didn't watch any of the prequels but I did watch the last two movies and liked them.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of the prequels, and while I'm not crazy about the most recent ones it's nice to have them, and lots of people do like them.
DeleteI think that Hearne wrote it intrigued me as well as when it was set in the SW universe. I think your review sealed me wanting this one. Brilly review.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first book by Kevin Hearne, and I thought he captured the Star Wars feel pretty well.
DeleteI really enjoyed this one too. Probably my only complaint was that it didn't really "feel" like a Star Wars novel, and like you, I didn't think Luke was acting like himself. None of that affected how I felt about the story itself though, which I thought was really entertaining.
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I thought so too, it was a fun Star Wars novel.
DeleteI love the StarWars books - they were the first books that got me hooked on SciFi/Fantasy (and the first "adult chapter books" I read as a kid!)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read very many, but I LOVED this one!
DeleteI haven't even thought about reading a Star Wars book but this sound pretty good. Glad you enjoyed it, Greg!
ReplyDeleteI think I would like this book. I don't even know what the one ebook I have is about. XD
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Star Wars books are the Thrawn trilogy novels by Timothy Zahn but this sounds like a lot of fun. I like that it kind of explores things that were kind of glossed over in the movies. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I need to start reading the Star Wars novels. I always say I'm going to but then I get distracted. This one sounds quite good too.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great! I have been wanting to start reading some of the Star Wars book and need to add this one to my wish list. Great review!
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