Book Review: Star Wars: The Weapon of a Jedi by Jason Fry and Phil Noto

Hello, Fellow Book Worms,

  As you have seen in my latest reviews I have been on a Star Wars kick that has left me immersed in a galaxy far, far away. Disney-Lucasfilm has done a wonderful job taking their new canon material, and have managed to keep it very tight. Many elements of Lost Stars and Aftermath can be seen on the big screen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And new stories will be appearing between the films, such as next year's Rogue One. This new trilogy of young (adult) reader novels shows us some of what occurred between episodes of the original trilogy.

  The new, strong canon is very evident in Star Wars: The Weapon of a Jedi by Jason Fry with art by Phil Noto and is published by Disney-Lucasfilm press. This book takes elements mentioned and seen in The Force Awakens and elaborates further on them. 

  The Weapon of a Jedi begins before the events of The Force Awakens with pilot, Jessika Pava, meeting up with C-3PO. Upon hearing that he knew the Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker, Jess drops her tasks to hear a story from Threepio about Luke's search for an ancient Jedi temple. 

  On a mission for the Rebel Alliance, set shortly after A New Hope, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2 and C-3PO end up on the planet of Devaron after being chased by the Empire. It is there that Luke begins to have a series of feelings and visions about a sacred place. The Jedi Temple of Eedit is said to be located there, and Luke believes that the Force is calling for him to find the temple. In the city of Tikaroo he meets up with Kivas, a Devaronian ship repairman when docking his Y-Wing for repairs. Kivas also has a feisty daughter named Farnay, who is determined to prove herself to the Rebel pilot. But danger lurks as a notorious bounty hunter and scavenger, named Sarco Plank, offers to bring Luke to the temple. And the Empire is not too far behind.

  What I enjoyed about this book was that it presented direct links to The Clone Wars and The Force Awakens:

• Sarco Plank- currently a resident on Jakku, he can be seen briefly in the new film.
• The Jedi Temple of Eedit- from the sound of what Threepio says at the book's end, this could be where the next generation of Jedi were being trained before the Knights of Ren intervened.
• Jessika Pava- this rebel pilot can be seen in the new film's final battle as X-Wing pilot Blue Three.
• Imperial propaganda- the Temple of Eedit has been marked off limits to all by the Empire. When Luke goes to the temple he sees that Emperor Palpantine had ordered the temple defaced and razed, wiping away any history of the Jedi Order.
• Jedi Master Halsey and Knox- the Clone Wars-era Jedi and his Padawan are mentioned by a description in a vision that Luke has.

  I found this book very easy to get through. I enjoyed its depiction of the characters, and I was relieved that Jason Fry's writing was entertaining and fast-paced. I liked the character development and world building it presented. Phil Noto's art is utilized many times throughout, and is very dynamic to the story. I give this book five out of five stars. It is a thrill-filled read with plenty of the characters you know and love from the original trilogy. I am currently reading the Princess Leia story called Moving Target. Review to follow.

Because there is always time to read,
Xepherus3

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All written content (c) Copyright 2015 by Thomas Bahr II 

Book cover (c) Copyright 2015 by Disney-Lucasfilm