A review by dylanhenning
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel, by James Luceno
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don’t give a lot of books 5 stars but I feel like this one deserves it.
Catalyst is not your typical Star Wars story. There isn’t any Jedi, there isn’t any major action set pieces either.
This book is entirely about politics and how the Empire uses and manipulates people (in this story the Erso family) to get what they want.
I was already a big fan of the Rogue One film so to get this prequel gave me exactly what I wanted. It gave me more of Galen and Lyra who don’t get very much time in the film. I got to know them as individuals, as a couple, and as parents. It added more weight to where they are when we see them in the opening moments of Rogue One.
Orson Krennic is one of my favorite Star Wars villains and this book gave me exactly what I wanted with his schemes and manipulations motivated by his own aspirations of power and fame in the Empire.
There are also some great moments here with Tarkin who is always a delicious villain.
Catalyst is not your typical Star Wars story. There isn’t any Jedi, there isn’t any major action set pieces either.
This book is entirely about politics and how the Empire uses and manipulates people (in this story the Erso family) to get what they want.
I was already a big fan of the Rogue One film so to get this prequel gave me exactly what I wanted. It gave me more of Galen and Lyra who don’t get very much time in the film. I got to know them as individuals, as a couple, and as parents. It added more weight to where they are when we see them in the opening moments of Rogue One.
Orson Krennic is one of my favorite Star Wars villains and this book gave me exactly what I wanted with his schemes and manipulations motivated by his own aspirations of power and fame in the Empire.
There are also some great moments here with Tarkin who is always a delicious villain.