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nate_reads's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
I've heard this is one of the best of the Disney era Star Wars books. If this is considered one of the best then the bar is really low. I picked this up mainly because it is about Kanan and Hera one of the best couples in the Star Wars Universe. This book started off strong the characterizations of Kanan, Hera, Skelly and Rae Sloane were all great. Count Denetrius Vidian was the biggest downside of this story he was an okay character not really deserving of his General Grievous status that Miller tried to make him into. He was overly cartoonish and very YA in his characterization. While I understand Star Wars is meant to appeal to all ages the villains should always feel threatening and Vidian never felt threatening. I am really happy I read this book after watching all of Rebels as it is one of my favorite of the Star Wars shows, so there is a certain amount of nostalgia there. Rae Sloane was an okay character I do know that she has gone on to be big thing later on right now she just seems like bargain bin Natasi Daala. When I was reading this I felt that John Jackson Miller was writing kind of the same characters that he wrote in the Knights of the Old Republic comic. The crew in that was very similar to this; Zayne Carrick the jedi, Marn Hierogryph the criminal and Jarael the alien girl. Not a bad thing it just felt like I had read this before and I know that the majority of fans probably didn't feel that. But I feel that when it comes to the Star Wars EU I am going to be a harsher critic as it is a Universe where I have spent a great amount of time. Was this good yes it was, was it as great as some of the other stuff before it no. My main gripe was the character of Vidian, his inclusion in this book puts it on a similar level to Crystal Star for me in terms of quality. I did like the ending and that raised my opinion slightly. Again if I had read this book before watching Rebels I would have been underwhelmed. May the 4th be with you!
viciousfrockery's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
one of my favorite Star Wars books and an essential addition to Rebels. You must.
myrtleturtle613's review
5.0
So I struggle with post order 66 books bc theyre usually (and rightly so) a lot depressing all my friends have just been murdered. Not a great time for jedi. This one handles that pretty great. Enjoyed the character growth
handoftheemperor94's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun Audio book.
Mostly a Kanan story, with only a small piece of Kanan before Order 66. The comics I think are filling in the gap between Order 66 and This novel, which is a nice prequel to Star Wars Rebels. I hope that there will be more stories as well, since this still has a few years pre-Ezra.
On a writing point, John Jackson Miller does a good job in creating that Star Wars feel with his characters and world-building, as well as with the story telling. It is not an easy task to be unique and original in a pre-made world, and still remain true to the form. JJM does a good job of this, and I hope that he gets tasked for a future novel in this universe as well.
Mostly a Kanan story, with only a small piece of Kanan before Order 66. The comics I think are filling in the gap between Order 66 and This novel, which is a nice prequel to Star Wars Rebels. I hope that there will be more stories as well, since this still has a few years pre-Ezra.
On a writing point, John Jackson Miller does a good job in creating that Star Wars feel with his characters and world-building, as well as with the story telling. It is not an easy task to be unique and original in a pre-made world, and still remain true to the form. JJM does a good job of this, and I hope that he gets tasked for a future novel in this universe as well.
presco's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
calbowen's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun Audio book.
Mostly a Kanan story, with only a small piece of Kanan before Order 66. The comics I think are filling in the gap between Order 66 and This novel, which is a nice prequel to Star Wars Rebels. I hope that there will be more stories as well, since this still has a few years pre-Ezra.
On a writing point, John Jackson Miller does a good job in creating that Star Wars feel with his characters and world-building, as well as with the story telling. It is not an easy task to be unique and original in a pre-made world, and still remain true to the form. JJM does a good job of this, and I hope that he gets tasked for a future novel in this universe as well.
Mostly a Kanan story, with only a small piece of Kanan before Order 66. The comics I think are filling in the gap between Order 66 and This novel, which is a nice prequel to Star Wars Rebels. I hope that there will be more stories as well, since this still has a few years pre-Ezra.
On a writing point, John Jackson Miller does a good job in creating that Star Wars feel with his characters and world-building, as well as with the story telling. It is not an easy task to be unique and original in a pre-made world, and still remain true to the form. JJM does a good job of this, and I hope that he gets tasked for a future novel in this universe as well.
ellipsiscool's review
4.0
Great Star Wars story set in the "dark times" when the Emperor ruled supreme. I've really come to love Star Wars: Rebels and the Ghost crew. So many great characters are never in the feature films. "New Dawn" features not only Kanan and Hera, but also Rae Sloane - a fantastically nuanced imperial character.
The best thing about Star Wars are the shades of gray. On the surface everything seems very binary. Dark and light, Jedi and Sith, good and evil. But it's not quite that simple. Every villain has a back story and every hero has temptations and missteps. Imperials are just doing their jobs and even may believe that the order the Empire provides is essential to the health of the galaxy. Rebels are doing what they believe is right and risking their lives to topple a tyrannical government, but how many lives must they sacrifice to realize that goal?
The best thing about Star Wars are the shades of gray. On the surface everything seems very binary. Dark and light, Jedi and Sith, good and evil. But it's not quite that simple. Every villain has a back story and every hero has temptations and missteps. Imperials are just doing their jobs and even may believe that the order the Empire provides is essential to the health of the galaxy. Rebels are doing what they believe is right and risking their lives to topple a tyrannical government, but how many lives must they sacrifice to realize that goal?
skand_prateek's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
boo_the_ghost's review
5.0
Y’all Kanan Jarrus is my favorite Jedi of all time and this book was just him being in love with his wife and damn it was great.