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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Road to the Death Star…
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno is a novel that serves as a partial prequel to Rogue One, focusing on the activities of Galen Erso and Ordon Krennick.
The events of the book cover from the clone wars to a few years before Rogue One’s opening scene. While Erso and Krennick are the two leads, there are a wealth of other character that fill various roles throughout (including a dresselian smuggler whose arc I really liked).
This is very much a story of two men, one who was a dedicated research scientist and the other who was an overly ambitious planned that wanted to create something incredibly powerful.
Parts of the story, as they discuss the various elements of the death star’s construction, felt similar to Oppenheimer as the novel name drops and has cameos by various scientists involved with the design (though none heavily involved enough to know the bigger picture).
Meanwhile, the story also showcases the changing landscape of the galaxy as the Empire stretches its authority to look for suitable provocation to “secure” various worlds necessary for their security (and resources for Death Star construction).
I was a little disappointed that Saw Guerra (who has essentially an expanded cameo during the last half) and other characters didn’t have much of a part, but i understand the preference to focus on the two main characters.
In addition, regarding my comment as an “oddity”, this is in the gray area when the old EU was tossed out the window and the new Star Wars canon started replacing it. This novel is written by an established Star Wars writer who made sure to take time to drop a wealth of old EU references that fills by nerd heart, since it kind of makes them “count” in the new canon.
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno is a novel that serves as a partial prequel to Rogue One, focusing on the activities of Galen Erso and Ordon Krennick.
The events of the book cover from the clone wars to a few years before Rogue One’s opening scene. While Erso and Krennick are the two leads, there are a wealth of other character that fill various roles throughout (including a dresselian smuggler whose arc I really liked).
This is very much a story of two men, one who was a dedicated research scientist and the other who was an overly ambitious planned that wanted to create something incredibly powerful.
Parts of the story, as they discuss the various elements of the death star’s construction, felt similar to Oppenheimer as the novel name drops and has cameos by various scientists involved with the design (though none heavily involved enough to know the bigger picture).
Meanwhile, the story also showcases the changing landscape of the galaxy as the Empire stretches its authority to look for suitable provocation to “secure” various worlds necessary for their security (and resources for Death Star construction).
I was a little disappointed that Saw Guerra (who has essentially an expanded cameo during the last half) and other characters didn’t have much of a part, but i understand the preference to focus on the two main characters.
In addition, regarding my comment as an “oddity”, this is in the gray area when the old EU was tossed out the window and the new Star Wars canon started replacing it. This novel is written by an established Star Wars writer who made sure to take time to drop a wealth of old EU references that fills by nerd heart, since it kind of makes them “count” in the new canon.
I've never managed to get quite invested in any of the Star Wars books starring characters from the movies (except the OT trio) but this was still a pretty interesting read about the motivations and backstory for the Ersos.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Much better than the awful movie it’s a prequel to. Fleshes out characters both beloved and newly introduced, and explores two characters that were underutilized in the film itself. Great read.
This Star Wars novel is neat for fleshing out the backstory between Galen Erso and Orson Krennic (and to a lesser extent Grand Moff Tarkin), but it gets bogged down in a few too many viewpoint characters and far too heavy a focus on Erso's incremental research into the kyber crystals that will ultimately power the Death Star. It's overall a tepid affair, lacking much of the space action and soaring emotion of the Star Wars franchise at its best.
Pretty good lead up to what's going to happen in the Rogue One movie. Wasn't a great Star Wars book but it was an interesting read.
A solid prequel to a very good movie. This book does a deep dive into the relationship between Galen (Jyn's father) and Krennic. Things that are only hinted at in Rogue one are covered in great detail. It not only is a good book in itself, but allows for a deeper appreciation of the movie, which is what a good tie-in does. Recommended.
Excellent. Catalyst completely succeeded at enhancing my anticipation for Rogue One. James Luceno is one of my favorite Star Wars authors and he delivered his best work since Darth Plagueis.
The rich background the novel explores is packed with intensity fascinating world building and character building that has shaped and enhanced my expectations for what we will see in the film. Commander Orson Krennic being the best example of this. Luceno has painted a picture of an absolutely devious and manipulating man willing to bend situations, people, and even whole worlds to his needs. Not since Palpatine himself has such a well crafted puppet master been seen in this universe. I cannot wait to see more of him on screen. Galen and Lyra Erso also proved to be very compelling and I hope both play a strong role in Rogue One, Lyra especially. Her character was very strongly written and I hope she doesn't die in the film's prologue.
As the canon development of the Death Star is explored, Catalyst details a much more satisfying history for the battle station and it's origins than we had in the old Expanded Universe. It's origins as a weapon to supposedly end The Clone Wars and the "arms race" with Dooku to complete such a weapon was an immensely fascinating concept that tied well into the Star Wars mythology. Even more interesting was how Kyber crystals were brought into the plot and how they were explored. Previously, Kyber crystals and their nature had only been hinted at, but Catalyst delved deeply into what they are and their relationship to the Force. The concepts introduced definitely stay true to the aspects of space fantasy that Star Wars needs to remain true to itself.
I have the highest of hopes for Rogue One and I truly feel that it may surpass The Force Awakens. Catalyst gives us a tantalizing taste of the very rich backstory of the film and gives fans the best possible lead in to the film. If this is what we can expect of the Lucasfilm Story Group I as a fan cannot wait for more. Bring on the movie!
The rich background the novel explores is packed with intensity fascinating world building and character building that has shaped and enhanced my expectations for what we will see in the film. Commander Orson Krennic being the best example of this. Luceno has painted a picture of an absolutely devious and manipulating man willing to bend situations, people, and even whole worlds to his needs. Not since Palpatine himself has such a well crafted puppet master been seen in this universe. I cannot wait to see more of him on screen. Galen and Lyra Erso also proved to be very compelling and I hope both play a strong role in Rogue One, Lyra especially. Her character was very strongly written and I hope she doesn't die in the film's prologue.
As the canon development of the Death Star is explored, Catalyst details a much more satisfying history for the battle station and it's origins than we had in the old Expanded Universe. It's origins as a weapon to supposedly end The Clone Wars and the "arms race" with Dooku to complete such a weapon was an immensely fascinating concept that tied well into the Star Wars mythology. Even more interesting was how Kyber crystals were brought into the plot and how they were explored. Previously, Kyber crystals and their nature had only been hinted at, but Catalyst delved deeply into what they are and their relationship to the Force. The concepts introduced definitely stay true to the aspects of space fantasy that Star Wars needs to remain true to itself.
I have the highest of hopes for Rogue One and I truly feel that it may surpass The Force Awakens. Catalyst gives us a tantalizing taste of the very rich backstory of the film and gives fans the best possible lead in to the film. If this is what we can expect of the Lucasfilm Story Group I as a fan cannot wait for more. Bring on the movie!
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A