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samgalanor's review against another edition
3.0
Continues the tradition of additional media filling (minor) plot holes from the movies. Definitely not a must read, but one of the better/good written SW books out there.
(Contains a little Stormpilot if you blink.)
(Contains a little Stormpilot if you blink.)
blankpagealex's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first experience with a "canon" Star Wars book and it was a fun supplement to go along with the movies. The first half, maybe two thirds of "Resistance Reborn" was a lot of place-setting and not a lot of action. Most of the characters are not ones that we are familiar with from the films, and there were too many of them to allow adequate time for character development.
The last third of this book is all action, however, and it more than makes up for the earlier sections. I can't wait to go see "Rise of the Skywalker" this weekend to see how this book fits into to the wider story.
The last third of this book is all action, however, and it more than makes up for the earlier sections. I can't wait to go see "Rise of the Skywalker" this weekend to see how this book fits into to the wider story.
stymieurgeson's review against another edition
4.0
I usually prefer text to audio when it comes to books, but since the audio version of Resistance Reborn was the first to become available from my library, I went with that. I am really glad I did. I was not expecting the production quality to be that good. The audio book includes sound effects, ambient noise, and musical cues. It was almost like watching a Star Wars movie. And Marc Thompson's performance is excellent. He gives each character a distinct and recognizable voice, not a small feat considering how many there are. And some of his impersonations, like those of Poe and Leia, are almost uncannily accurate.
As for the story itself, it's pretty fun. I think the challenge with a novel that's supposed to lead up to a movie is that it can't have anything too exciting or world-changing happen in it because then it would leave nothing for the film. Similar to Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel (which I also enjoyed). But it's interesting to see how the Resistance copes with the devastating losses of The Last Jedi. And, having delved a little bit into the new canon novels, it was fun to see some of the old characters return.
Some of it didn't work for me. The whole Winshur Bratt thread is a little over-the-top. It feels more like thinly veiled social commentary than the story of a real, breathing character. But again I have to hand it to Marc Thompson for making Winshur's voice appropriately over-the-top.
All in all, the book is a fun ride, and it makes me excited for Episode IX.
As for the story itself, it's pretty fun. I think the challenge with a novel that's supposed to lead up to a movie is that it can't have anything too exciting or world-changing happen in it because then it would leave nothing for the film. Similar to Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel (which I also enjoyed). But it's interesting to see how the Resistance copes with the devastating losses of The Last Jedi. And, having delved a little bit into the new canon novels, it was fun to see some of the old characters return.
Some of it didn't work for me. The whole Winshur Bratt thread is a little over-the-top. It feels more like thinly veiled social commentary than the story of a real, breathing character. But again I have to hand it to Marc Thompson for making Winshur's voice appropriately over-the-top.
All in all, the book is a fun ride, and it makes me excited for Episode IX.
audreylovesreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cacrocks1's review against another edition
5.0
SO GOOD. Even as much of a Star Wars nerd as I am, there were references I know I missed. But I love how it tied together so much of the new books, movies, comics, games and more!
theroguerebels's review against another edition
5.0
“The Rebellion is Reborn Today…”
– Luke Skywalker
At the end of The Last Jedi Rey asks “How do we build a Rebellion from this?” A handful of survivors on a battered old freighter. With the shadow of the First Order spreading across the galaxy, intent on snuffing out the last spark of Rebellion. This book by Rebecca Roanhorse jumps into those immediate moments after the film and follows our heroes as they rebuild.
While the story of this book is really focused on Poe learning some hard lessons, this book does something really amazing. It gathers together story threads and familiar characters from many other books, comics, or video games and weaves them together in a brilliant way. For those who follow the canon material, there are many familiar faces.
After watching most of the Resistance decimated at the Battle of Crait, Poe is a man with a guilty conscience. He’s not even sure if he can be the leader Leia needs him to be. Poe’s journey in this book revolves around him finding out what it means to be a leader. And how to cope with the mistakes he’s made, and the blood on his hands. This theme is what makes this book fantastic. Poe and his struggle with the guilt and responsibility that leadership and his choices bring. And Poe finding that no matter what he can always make a choice to be better.
The stormtrooper with the eyes of a man who wants to run. After The Last Jedi, it’s clear he’s finally in the fight and through running. Watching him learn to work outside of the only First Order life he’s known is interesting. There are lots of really great moments where he gets to learn from the others around him. I’m glad to see the lessons Rose taught him weren’t wasted. Finn has become a true friend and hero.
Till the end.
Zay and Shriv are two characters I was so happy to see here. Originally from Star Wars: Battlefront II, Shriv remains the grumpy, sarcastic, and hilarious rebel he’s always been. Zay shines as the young rebel ready to fight just like the rest of her family. Seeing these characters as a major part of this book was one of my favorite things.
There are a lot of characters in this book. We get to meet a lot of new faces and they are all unique. Ex Imperial warlords, Corellian businessmen, Old Phantom Squad pilots, people with the name Stronghammer, and even scrappers on Bracca. We also catch up with some very familiar faces from all over the canon material. From Carlist Rieekan who we all met on Echo Base to Yendor from Lost Stars and many other books. For me, the best thing about this book is seeing so many familiar faces coming together and interacting. For those who enjoy all the canon books, comics, video games, series, and films you will get a lot of extra enjoyment from this story. While it’s easy to find new heroes to join, it’s rarer to find leaders.
This book deals with the aftermath of The Last Jedi wonderfully. It’s a stepping stone towards building and gathering what the Resistance needs. It’s not really a lightsaber dueling, space dogfighting kind of book in the more traditional Star Wars sense. This book is more of a search for friends, and allies, and finding hope across the galaxy… with some spying, stealing, and blaster shooting in between. Both in familiar places, and new ones as well. This was definitely my favorite story from the Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and even after seeing where the journey goes from here, it’s a fun, well-told story. Moments like Squamatan dancing, tag-team gladiators, Skystrike Academy, imprisoned senators, Kade Genti, Ryloth, spa resorts on Ephemera, Orrimaarko, the Collective, Keedee eggs, the Ibdis Maw, pulsar skate dangers, Ikkruhkk, Dross Squadron, and choices to be better!
– Sal P.
“Many of us have dubious beginnings, but it is how we end that counts.”
– Poe Dameron
– Luke Skywalker
At the end of The Last Jedi Rey asks “How do we build a Rebellion from this?” A handful of survivors on a battered old freighter. With the shadow of the First Order spreading across the galaxy, intent on snuffing out the last spark of Rebellion. This book by Rebecca Roanhorse jumps into those immediate moments after the film and follows our heroes as they rebuild.
While the story of this book is really focused on Poe learning some hard lessons, this book does something really amazing. It gathers together story threads and familiar characters from many other books, comics, or video games and weaves them together in a brilliant way. For those who follow the canon material, there are many familiar faces.
After watching most of the Resistance decimated at the Battle of Crait, Poe is a man with a guilty conscience. He’s not even sure if he can be the leader Leia needs him to be. Poe’s journey in this book revolves around him finding out what it means to be a leader. And how to cope with the mistakes he’s made, and the blood on his hands. This theme is what makes this book fantastic. Poe and his struggle with the guilt and responsibility that leadership and his choices bring. And Poe finding that no matter what he can always make a choice to be better.
The stormtrooper with the eyes of a man who wants to run. After The Last Jedi, it’s clear he’s finally in the fight and through running. Watching him learn to work outside of the only First Order life he’s known is interesting. There are lots of really great moments where he gets to learn from the others around him. I’m glad to see the lessons Rose taught him weren’t wasted. Finn has become a true friend and hero.
Till the end.
Zay and Shriv are two characters I was so happy to see here. Originally from Star Wars: Battlefront II, Shriv remains the grumpy, sarcastic, and hilarious rebel he’s always been. Zay shines as the young rebel ready to fight just like the rest of her family. Seeing these characters as a major part of this book was one of my favorite things.
There are a lot of characters in this book. We get to meet a lot of new faces and they are all unique. Ex Imperial warlords, Corellian businessmen, Old Phantom Squad pilots, people with the name Stronghammer, and even scrappers on Bracca. We also catch up with some very familiar faces from all over the canon material. From Carlist Rieekan who we all met on Echo Base to Yendor from Lost Stars and many other books. For me, the best thing about this book is seeing so many familiar faces coming together and interacting. For those who enjoy all the canon books, comics, video games, series, and films you will get a lot of extra enjoyment from this story. While it’s easy to find new heroes to join, it’s rarer to find leaders.
This book deals with the aftermath of The Last Jedi wonderfully. It’s a stepping stone towards building and gathering what the Resistance needs. It’s not really a lightsaber dueling, space dogfighting kind of book in the more traditional Star Wars sense. This book is more of a search for friends, and allies, and finding hope across the galaxy… with some spying, stealing, and blaster shooting in between. Both in familiar places, and new ones as well. This was definitely my favorite story from the Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and even after seeing where the journey goes from here, it’s a fun, well-told story. Moments like Squamatan dancing, tag-team gladiators, Skystrike Academy, imprisoned senators, Kade Genti, Ryloth, spa resorts on Ephemera, Orrimaarko, the Collective, Keedee eggs, the Ibdis Maw, pulsar skate dangers, Ikkruhkk, Dross Squadron, and choices to be better!
– Sal P.
“Many of us have dubious beginnings, but it is how we end that counts.”
– Poe Dameron
telltalepage's review against another edition
5.0
A solid Star Wars book and I'm glad I was able to read it before TROS comes out. Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla were both mentioned and I cried a little bit at that.
I wish there had been a bit more Rey and Leia interactions (I'm desperate for more about their relationship) but the ones we got were fantastic.
The book itself focused primarily on Poe and Leia with a good section of it carved out for the reintroduction of Wedge into the "new" canon of Star Wars. There was a lot of good introspection and self reflection after the events of The Last Jedi which I really appreciated. Bad things happened in that movie and this book has characters picking up their pieces and trying to move forward.
It was solidly written with only a couple typos (I have no idea how EVERY new Star Wars book ends up being published with at least three major typos, but here we are) and a solid grasp on the characters and the world. This takes place pretty soon after TLJ and doesn't give us much time with the characters: a few days, a week tops post-TLJ. I wish it had gone a bit farther to bridge the time-jump gap between the movies, but alas, I was happy with what we got anyway!
I'm super happy I read this and now I'm even more excited to see The Rise of Skywalker in the hopes that the friendships and relationships of these new, younger characters are explored deeply before the conclusion of the new trilogy.
I wish there had been a bit more Rey and Leia interactions (I'm desperate for more about their relationship) but the ones we got were fantastic.
The book itself focused primarily on Poe and Leia with a good section of it carved out for the reintroduction of Wedge into the "new" canon of Star Wars. There was a lot of good introspection and self reflection after the events of The Last Jedi which I really appreciated. Bad things happened in that movie and this book has characters picking up their pieces and trying to move forward.
It was solidly written with only a couple typos (I have no idea how EVERY new Star Wars book ends up being published with at least three major typos, but here we are) and a solid grasp on the characters and the world. This takes place pretty soon after TLJ and doesn't give us much time with the characters: a few days, a week tops post-TLJ. I wish it had gone a bit farther to bridge the time-jump gap between the movies, but alas, I was happy with what we got anyway!
I'm super happy I read this and now I'm even more excited to see The Rise of Skywalker in the hopes that the friendships and relationships of these new, younger characters are explored deeply before the conclusion of the new trilogy.
timgrubbs's review against another edition
2.0
A multimedia tie-in meant to answer questions and fill in some gaps does neither…but does have some oddball plot threads that don’t really seem to go anywhere…
Star Wars: Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse is set in the weeks immediately after The Last Jedi (itself set immediately after the Force Awakens).
Various members of the resistance are sent off to find any potential remaining allies the resistance may have only to get word from Max Kanata about some muguffin list of potential recruits that the first order might target. Wouldn’t the resistance already known who is on their side and liable for recruitment? You’d think that. It does hint at secret prison labor camps (one of many theories on the source of the fleet in Rise of Skywalker), but this plot point is barely touched on.
Finn and Rey get glorified cameos, with Poe having a fairly meaty role. Oddly, his role is smaller than a minor character from the new trilogy, pilot Snap Wexley who was a member of Poe’s squadron (and adopted son of Wedge Antilles). While I’m glad Wedge got a good role in this, he doesn’t do much and isn’t used to his fullest…nor do we get much info about what he’d been up to since the aftermath novels.
As a book meant to bridge the gap between two movies, it’s also an odd confluence of other properties with references to the Poe Dameron comic, Star Aars Battelfront II (the recent one, not the good one), and Jedi Fallen Order. Why they chose to avoid using more characters from the actual movies in significant roles boggles the mind.
Unless you are a Star Wars completist like me…probably not worth checking out…
Star Wars: Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse is set in the weeks immediately after The Last Jedi (itself set immediately after the Force Awakens).
Various members of the resistance are sent off to find any potential remaining allies the resistance may have only to get word from Max Kanata about some muguffin list of potential recruits that the first order might target. Wouldn’t the resistance already known who is on their side and liable for recruitment? You’d think that. It does hint at secret prison labor camps (one of many theories on the source of the fleet in Rise of Skywalker), but this plot point is barely touched on.
Finn and Rey get glorified cameos, with Poe having a fairly meaty role. Oddly, his role is smaller than a minor character from the new trilogy, pilot Snap Wexley who was a member of Poe’s squadron (and adopted son of Wedge Antilles). While I’m glad Wedge got a good role in this, he doesn’t do much and isn’t used to his fullest…nor do we get much info about what he’d been up to since the aftermath novels.
As a book meant to bridge the gap between two movies, it’s also an odd confluence of other properties with references to the Poe Dameron comic, Star Aars Battelfront II (the recent one, not the good one), and Jedi Fallen Order. Why they chose to avoid using more characters from the actual movies in significant roles boggles the mind.
Unless you are a Star Wars completist like me…probably not worth checking out…
mushmysteriesandmore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
robertmorvay's review against another edition
3.0
Strong character work is the shining star of this good-enough Star Wars adventure that ties in the expanded universe to wrap up loose ends regarding The Last Jedi. Sadly, much like the aforementioned Episode VIII, the book meanders throughout its late-first, second, and even a lot of its third act and struggled with its inability to truly develop anything meaningful onto its film-based characters.