shadarogue13's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
saguaros's review
3.0
I didn't like this as much as I wanted to, but I also enjoyed a lot of it. I read in a review somewhere (I can't remember where) that this felt like a very long prologue and I have to agree. Obviously, it makes sense. It's tasked with introducing a whole new era unknown to anyone else who's a fan of Star Wars, and frankly, I think it does a good job it. It... just wasn't my type of book.
It's a very plot driven book. The first third of it is spent covering an immense disaster, the catalyst for the whole new series. We flit from group to group grappling with it, not staying long with any of them too much (though we do come back to the same set of characters eventually). It felt more like watching a movie if that makes sense. Then the last two-thirds are spent on people trying to figure out what happened and establishing the new Bad Guy etc. The whole thing does paint a pretty good picture of the political situation in the Galaxy, what's going on, what's trying to be done, and the place the Jedi Order has in it. There are seriously cool moments, and some places where I was pretty stressed about what would happen as the author made it clear he wasn't above killing characters.
I'm just more the type to prefer character driven stories. I wanted to stay with some of them and I couldn't. I especially cared about Padawan Bell Zettifar and his Master Loden Greatstorm--the Jedi always the more interesting element of Star Wars for me, and especially the Padawan/Master dynamic.
I didn't dislike this at all, but it wasn't the kind of book I truly, deeply enjoy. It has no conclusion to speak of either, it's very much open ended, which is fine in a book that's opening a whole series but I still wish it had brought a bit more closure. I'm glad I read it, because I do feel like I have a solid grasp of the playing field now, and am looking forward to the next novels in the series.
(and I hope we see Bell and Loden again)
It's a very plot driven book. The first third of it is spent covering an immense disaster, the catalyst for the whole new series. We flit from group to group grappling with it, not staying long with any of them too much (though we do come back to the same set of characters eventually). It felt more like watching a movie if that makes sense. Then the last two-thirds are spent on people trying to figure out what happened and establishing the new Bad Guy etc. The whole thing does paint a pretty good picture of the political situation in the Galaxy, what's going on, what's trying to be done, and the place the Jedi Order has in it. There are seriously cool moments, and some places where I was pretty stressed about what would happen as the author made it clear he wasn't above killing characters.
I'm just more the type to prefer character driven stories. I wanted to stay with some of them and I couldn't. I especially cared about Padawan Bell Zettifar and his Master Loden Greatstorm--the Jedi always the more interesting element of Star Wars for me, and especially the Padawan/Master dynamic.
I didn't dislike this at all, but it wasn't the kind of book I truly, deeply enjoy. It has no conclusion to speak of either, it's very much open ended, which is fine in a book that's opening a whole series but I still wish it had brought a bit more closure. I'm glad I read it, because I do feel like I have a solid grasp of the playing field now, and am looking forward to the next novels in the series.
(and I hope we see Bell and Loden again)
chappellmw90's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
dparty6's review
5.0
An absolutely amazing Star Wars story. I need more in this era, ASAP. Such an exciting part of Star Wars history!
thopolok's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
whatiskendall's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thebooklandprincess's review
4.0
I really liked Bell, Loden and Avar even tho i was struggling a bit with recognizing all of the characters. The beggining and the end were the best parts of the book and it got me exciting to continue on with the rest of the High Republic series. Also i would like to add that i love the way Charles Soule writes about Star Wars.
ona_mission's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
pleaseinsertpun's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0