A review by seanrreid
Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
4.0
I've not been a huge fan of the Star Wars books or comics, I reserved my canon to the films (primarily the original trilogy). However, thank in large part to a local book club (shout out to Avid Books in Athens, GA!), I gave this one a shot.
I really enjoyed the book overall, and I think it's a great addition to the Star Wars universe. In many ways it continues the tradition that started with the original Star Wars film (aka A New Hope). Star Wars has always been derivative. The original films are essentially a love letter from George Lucas to Akira Kurosawa (and the American westerns he inspired). The Force Awakens brings this full circle, being a derivative work of its derivative predecessor. Lost Stars is, like all Star Wars films, a common story given a "soft" sci-fi gloss. At its core, the story is another version of Romeo and Juliet. It could just as easily become historical fiction and take place during the United States Civil War by simply by changing the names of the weapons and locations.
However, that's far from a slight or a criticism of the book. Star Wars has always been strongest when it stands on stories that are familiar. The plot is derivative, but it's proven. This freed up Claudia Gray to tell a story that, in spite of taking place in a universe that most people know, still felt fresh and came from a perspective that many fans haven't examined in depth.
I don't think that familiarity with the films is necessary to appreciate this book. It would certainly make the scope of a few scenes easier to comprehend, but I don't think it detracts from the overall story in any way.
Star Wars is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence. It seems like there is new media coming out on a weekly basis. As a fan I'm always a bit worried that we'll get too much of a good thing. Thankfully, this has yet to be the case, and Lost Stars is absolutely a great addition to the mythology.
*edited for typos or grammar problems
I really enjoyed the book overall, and I think it's a great addition to the Star Wars universe. In many ways it continues the tradition that started with the original Star Wars film (aka A New Hope). Star Wars has always been derivative. The original films are essentially a love letter from George Lucas to Akira Kurosawa (and the American westerns he inspired). The Force Awakens brings this full circle, being a derivative work of its derivative predecessor. Lost Stars is, like all Star Wars films, a common story given a "soft" sci-fi gloss. At its core, the story is another version of Romeo and Juliet. It could just as easily become historical fiction and take place during the United States Civil War by simply by changing the names of the weapons and locations.
However, that's far from a slight or a criticism of the book. Star Wars has always been strongest when it stands on stories that are familiar. The plot is derivative, but it's proven. This freed up Claudia Gray to tell a story that, in spite of taking place in a universe that most people know, still felt fresh and came from a perspective that many fans haven't examined in depth.
I don't think that familiarity with the films is necessary to appreciate this book. It would certainly make the scope of a few scenes easier to comprehend, but I don't think it detracts from the overall story in any way.
Star Wars is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence. It seems like there is new media coming out on a weekly basis. As a fan I'm always a bit worried that we'll get too much of a good thing. Thankfully, this has yet to be the case, and Lost Stars is absolutely a great addition to the mythology.
*edited for typos or grammar problems