blacksentai's review
3.0
I love Vi Moradi. She's great. The villain in this story is so bad it drags everything down. I do think the author does a decent job of working within the confines of writing a book that's also a high key commercial for a theme park attraction.
e_flah's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
5.0
Black Spire was an unexpected delight. I instantly fell in love with Vi Moradi when I read Phasma earlier this year so it was very fun to see her figure out how to move on from what happened on the Absolution. The story did an excellent job balancing character growth and external action. I absolutely raced through the audiobook so I could find out what was going to happen to this cast of characters that won me over.
At its core, this was a story about a queer found family with the added bonus that it was set in a galaxy far, far away. I really enjoyed Black Spire. Delilah Dawson is becoming one of my favorite Star Wars authors.
At its core, this was a story about a queer found family with the added bonus that it was set in a galaxy far, far away. I really enjoyed Black Spire. Delilah Dawson is becoming one of my favorite Star Wars authors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence and Suicidal thoughts
thomasw21's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
a_chickletz's review
2.0
Do you remember the movie Mac n Me? Let me refresh your memory, aka Wikipedia:
"the film flopped at the box office and was universally panned by critics for the film's imitations of numerous concepts from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and elaborate product placement for McDonald's and Coca-Cola"
Or, perhaps, The Wizard, aka Wikipedia:
"The Wizard is famous for its extensive product placement of video games for the Nintendo Entertainment System"
Both were flops at the Box-Office because they catered to product placement.
This book, this book was more than 50% product placement. I kid you not.
The story is a lack luster, juvenile tale of Vi Moradi (who was last seen in Phasma) sent on a mission by General Organa to Black Spire to start a new base. She is paired with her reformed captor, Captain Cardinal (also from Phasma). They land on the planet (well, crash on the planet) and end up needing to adapt to Black Spire.
Let me tell you, I have no idea if the author was being paid by the dollar for each item, each store, each damn thing that was in the new park, but boy, she made sure to list it off to the point where you ask: 'why do I care what so and so is eating, is this relative to the plot'. Why, yes, yes it most certainly is! Because, you, dear reader, need to understand what these fictional characters are eating so that when you get the money, you too can eat a Ronto Burger or one of the many drinks that are found in Olga's Cantina. There was literally a girl who showed up and was never seen again through the rest of the book who literally became your walking tour guide of the park.
After about half-way of reading endless page after a page of product placement, a real plot starts taking place. It's weak and it involves the First Order landing on the planet and of of Capt Cardinal's old friends from the Academy is after Vi. So you have him looking for Vi. Vi has to wrangle the people of Black Spire up to get them to cover her ass because now she has brought the First Order to their backwater planet. Gee, thanks Vi.
This book made Phasma (which I gave so-so reviews) look like a shining star.
I took a gander at all the good reviews and I can't tell if these are reviews for the park or reviews for the book? Because the park on all standpoints is exactly as you read in the book, but for a story? Come on, you got to be kidding me if this is 5 star material.
"the film flopped at the box office and was universally panned by critics for the film's imitations of numerous concepts from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and elaborate product placement for McDonald's and Coca-Cola"
Or, perhaps, The Wizard, aka Wikipedia:
"The Wizard is famous for its extensive product placement of video games for the Nintendo Entertainment System"
Both were flops at the Box-Office because they catered to product placement.
This book, this book was more than 50% product placement. I kid you not.
The story is a lack luster, juvenile tale of Vi Moradi (who was last seen in Phasma) sent on a mission by General Organa to Black Spire to start a new base. She is paired with her reformed captor, Captain Cardinal (also from Phasma). They land on the planet (well, crash on the planet) and end up needing to adapt to Black Spire.
Let me tell you, I have no idea if the author was being paid by the dollar for each item, each store, each damn thing that was in the new park, but boy, she made sure to list it off to the point where you ask: 'why do I care what so and so is eating, is this relative to the plot'. Why, yes, yes it most certainly is! Because, you, dear reader, need to understand what these fictional characters are eating so that when you get the money, you too can eat a Ronto Burger or one of the many drinks that are found in Olga's Cantina. There was literally a girl who showed up and was never seen again through the rest of the book who literally became your walking tour guide of the park.
After about half-way of reading endless page after a page of product placement, a real plot starts taking place. It's weak and it involves the First Order landing on the planet and of of Capt Cardinal's old friends from the Academy is after Vi. So you have him looking for Vi. Vi has to wrangle the people of Black Spire up to get them to cover her ass because now she has brought the First Order to their backwater planet. Gee, thanks Vi.
This book made Phasma (which I gave so-so reviews) look like a shining star.
I took a gander at all the good reviews and I can't tell if these are reviews for the park or reviews for the book? Because the park on all standpoints is exactly as you read in the book, but for a story? Come on, you got to be kidding me if this is 5 star material.
jarichan's review
3.0
Der zweite Teil der Reihe um Vi liest sich ganz gut weg, kommt aber nicht an "Phasma" heran. Die Charaktere werden weiterentwickelt und wie immer gefiel es mir, wie sich eine Gruppe zusammenrauft, um eine gemeinsame Mission zu lösen. Vor allem Kriki habe ich ins Herz geschlossen.
Handlungsmässig bietet dieses Buch die übliche Star Wars-Kost, die aber nicht verachte. Hier kommt vor allem der Vergleich zum ersten Teil zum Tragen, sodass die Handlung an Punkten verliert, da sie einfach sehr viel gewöhnlicher ist.
Trotzdem hat mir das Buch zugesagt, da Dawson ein gutes Händchen für ihre Figuren hat. Das macht für mich oft einen schwachen Plot wieder wett.
Handlungsmässig bietet dieses Buch die übliche Star Wars-Kost, die aber nicht verachte. Hier kommt vor allem der Vergleich zum ersten Teil zum Tragen, sodass die Handlung an Punkten verliert, da sie einfach sehr viel gewöhnlicher ist.
Trotzdem hat mir das Buch zugesagt, da Dawson ein gutes Händchen für ihre Figuren hat. Das macht für mich oft einen schwachen Plot wieder wett.
deralorae's review
4.0
I started reading this before a family trip to Florida because I liked the idea of getting more backstory on the "world" I'd be visiting in Batuu. Overall it was also a good read, slightly less family friendly, but not as much as the book before it, Phasma. And if you're a Star Wars fan getting ready to visit the park I think you'll enjoy all the references, even if it can feel like a bit of a promotional at times, the heart of the story is all about the rebels doing their part.
ectracy's review
4.0
What was that cliff hanger ending?????
Possibly 3.5 stars - a little slow going but I’m eager to see how it fits in with the cinematic universe, at least I assume it does??
Possibly 3.5 stars - a little slow going but I’m eager to see how it fits in with the cinematic universe, at least I assume it does??
creditsandcanon's review
2.0
Black Spire is what happens when you try to sell a theme park instead of a good story.
An entire book advertising Galaxy's Edge with weak conflict and mostly one-dimensional characters. The motivations and actions of the main character also make little sense because they serve the purpose of exposition so readers can learn about the theme park. Vi Moradi is an incompetent spy because characters in Black Spire have to teach her how to act and say things like "Bright Suns" because that's what employees/citizens in the Galaxy's Edge theme park do. Nevermind that a spy would act completely different and not be so easily found out. There is a lot of time spent in shops and bars that exist in Galaxy's Edge instead of moving the plot forward or character development. Reading this novel was to constantly suspend disbelief as everything seemed so forced.
There are a few good things about the novel. I do like that it touches on the importance of taking care of your physical body but also taking time to heal from traumatic events. I don't think it stresses this enough with regards to Vi and she almost goes through too much (is it necessary to have one of the few black female characters take this many punches and hits to the face, especially from male characters?). The saving grace is the likeability of a few of the morally grey characters like Oga (the crime boss who runs Black Spire and with whom Vi comes to an understanding) and Archex's arc, formally Captain Cardinal.
Overall, the story is stifled with having to place certain characters on Batuu so that their existence in the theme park can make sense...but it does not. Even with the events that occur it makes zero sense for Kylo Ren or General Hux to be on Black Spire. I really did love the characters of Vi Moradi and Archex/Captain Cardinal (two BIOPIC characters) and I wish that they got a sequel novel that was not beholden to advertising a theme park.
Like Galaxy's Edge itself, the story is at the mercy of merchandising. Pass on this one.
An entire book advertising Galaxy's Edge with weak conflict and mostly one-dimensional characters. The motivations and actions of the main character also make little sense because they serve the purpose of exposition so readers can learn about the theme park. Vi Moradi is an incompetent spy because characters in Black Spire have to teach her how to act and say things like "Bright Suns" because that's what employees/citizens in the Galaxy's Edge theme park do. Nevermind that a spy would act completely different and not be so easily found out. There is a lot of time spent in shops and bars that exist in Galaxy's Edge instead of moving the plot forward or character development. Reading this novel was to constantly suspend disbelief as everything seemed so forced.
There are a few good things about the novel. I do like that it touches on the importance of taking care of your physical body but also taking time to heal from traumatic events. I don't think it stresses this enough with regards to Vi and she almost goes through too much (is it necessary to have one of the few black female characters take this many punches and hits to the face, especially from male characters?). The saving grace is the likeability of a few of the morally grey characters like Oga (the crime boss who runs Black Spire and with whom Vi comes to an understanding) and Archex's arc, formally Captain Cardinal.
Overall, the story is stifled with having to place certain characters on Batuu so that their existence in the theme park can make sense...but it does not. Even with the events that occur it makes zero sense for Kylo Ren or General Hux to be on Black Spire. I really did love the characters of Vi Moradi and Archex/Captain Cardinal (two BIOPIC characters) and I wish that they got a sequel novel that was not beholden to advertising a theme park.
Like Galaxy's Edge itself, the story is at the mercy of merchandising. Pass on this one.
r3adingrainbow's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5