I didn’t have a full post to publish today, so I thought I’d showcase some High Republic comic and fan art that I like. Enjoy!
Here’s a great one of Bell Zettifar with his master, Loden Greatstorm. And of course, Ember. This is a variant cover for High Republic Adventures Annual 2021.
Bell and Loden by Ben Harvey.
I think I’ve shared this one of Avar Kriss before somewhere, lol, but it’s so great I had to share it again.
Avar Kriss by Jake Bartok.
Jake Bartok is one of my favorite Star Wars artists, so I included another one by him. Here’s Ty Yorrick, a Force-sensitive monster hunter, who has ties to the Jedi Order.
Ty Yorrick by Jake Bartok.
Here’s another Jedi of the time period who has a purple lightsaber, Vernestra Rwoh. It can also transform into a light-whip. This was an illustration in the middle-grade book A Test of Courage.
Vernestra Rwoh in A Test of Courage, illustrated by Petur Antonsson
You may know that I recently got an “Inner Jedi” notebook that’s beautiful and super-cool (check it out here if you want). And I thought that maybe once I started writing in it I’d share some insights and entries here. I don’t usually share such personal stuff here, and some of you may not be interested, but I really think it’s a great exercise (and fun, too!).
The Week One journal question is this:
“Jedi are keepers of the peace who act on pure selflessness. As you embark on your Jedi path, what are you hoping to achieve or discover by using this journal? How can seeking peace and acting on selflessness help you reach those goals?”
Good question. My answer was this:
“I want this journal to help me act on my better self–the one who gives money to the homeless, who shovels the neighbor’s sidewalk, who encourages a writer friend online. I like to think I’m a “nice” person, compassionate, understanding–but actions speak louder than thoughts. It’s these little acts of kindness that make a difference in the world–and counteracts the belief that that the world is shit, which is a pretty easy thing to believe right now. It’s easy to get lost in your own bubble and forget these things. This journal will remind me.
I’ve also been wanting to start a meditation practice for a LONG time. I just never “get around to it” or make the time. I think it’s important for a lot of reasons: it will help de-stress and center me, calm my mind, build up patience, and just give my mind a break from all the crappy thoughts that clutter it. I hope it will instill a sense of peace and serenity that I can call upon at any time. Also, perJen Sincero [author of You Are a Badass], it directly links you to Source Energy: the Creator, Universal Intelligence, God, or–yes–The Force. (Okay, not just Jen, but she’s the one who inspired me–as well as the Jedi, of course).
Two things I want to work on are anger and fear. Just watching the news makes these two emotions spike exponentially. Anger tends to come and go and is a quick reaction, and just as quickly dissipates. But fear tends to linger and haunt me. Fear about many things–money (or lack of it), Lilly’s health and happiness [my daughter who has spina bifida], the fate of democracy, lol. It’s more like a gnawing worry that’s an undercurrent of my life. Like a Jedi, I must learn to deal with these emotions and keep them in their proper place.”
Master Yoda by Entar0178 on Devientart.
Yeah, so I’ll never swing a lightsaber like a Jedi or move rocks with my mind and stuff, but, with some practice and commitment, maybe I can achieve the poise and calm that these warriors possess. Life goals, lol.
How would you answer this question? Feel free to give me the long or short of it in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
So I finally finished the High Republic middle-grade novel Race to Crashpoint Tower, by Daniel Jose Older. I generally enjoy the middle-grade novels, especially the High Republic ones, and this one was no exception (although I think I liked A Test of Courage from Wave One a bit more). This one naturally was a story concerning a few Padawans, namely Ram Jamoram and Lula Talisola, doing their part to help during the Nihil attack on the Republic Fair on Valo.
Lula and Ram on Ram’s modified flying droid, V-18.
Ram prefers tinkering with machines and droids and engines, rather than dealing with people; and Lula, though she’s tangled with the Nihil a few times (mostly in the comics), must deal with some jealousy over Vernestra Rwoh (about her own age, but has already made Jedi Knight), and her own courage during the conflict. The story centers on the two Padawans, and Lula’s Force-sensitive friend Zeen, getting to the communications tower on Valo, which has been compromised by the Nihil, to send a message for help. They have to confront the Nihil, as well as the Drengir, to accomplish their goal, and they all do a splendid job. The story takes place concurrently with the events of the adult novel The Rising Storm. I don’t think I’ll do a separate review on it, so just consider this my little mini-review.
So now I’m just waiting for the YA novel Midnight Horizon, also by Daniel Jose Older, which takes place concurrently with The Fallen Star. The book was released February 1st, and it should be coming in any day now. I’ve heard very good reviews about it, and I can’t wait, especially since it concerns my favorite Jedi and Padawan pair, Cohmac Vitus and Reath Silas.
I love this SO much.
The Book of Boba Fett Episode 6, “From the Desert Comes a Stranger,” was fantastic and made this Star Wars fan very happy. If you missed my review of the episode, you can read it here.
In Marvel, I don’t have much news except it seems that Loki Season Two will begin filming this summer, for a release date sometime in 2023. I don’t think I have to tell you how much I’m looking forward to this! (Check out my Marvel Rankings for proof). Luckily there’s enough Star Wars and Marvel stuff going on this year to keep me busy until then, because it seems so far away, lol.
I need more TVA Loki in my life.
And that’s really about it this week. I’ve been trying to get back into journalling (inluding my awesome Inner Jedi notebook), get back into my fanfic idea I keep going on about, and maybe some freelancing ideas. Busy, busy.
What’s been entertaining you lately? Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
Please be warned there are major spoilers for Episode 6 below.
“From the Desert Comes a Stranger.”
#$^*(&%$$^&(*(*^%#@@$%&*()_(&*()_)(*&!!!!!!!!!
That’s pretty much how I feel about the latest episode of BoBF, lol. Whew, what an episode!
I really didn’t think we’d get to see Mando visit Grogu at all in this series; I thought we’d get back to Boba and maybe we’d see the little guy in The Mandalorian S3. It’s a strange decision, but I’m not complaining! Nevermind Cobb Vanth, Luke, Ahsoka Tano, and Cad Bane. Cameo riches!
OMG, these two…!
So backing up, Din makes good on his decision to go see Grogu (I’m not sure how he knows where they are or Luke’s name at all; Luke gave no information on that when he scooped up Grogu, but maybe they’ve been in contact? I don’t see why they would be, though. Any ideas?). He takes the Naboo Starfighter to a forested planet and runs into R2, who leads him to Luke’s new temple that’s in the process of being built. But no sign of Grogu or Luke. The ant-like droids that are building the temple make a bench for him to wait, so he waits.
Meanwhile, we see Luke training Grogu in another part of the forest. They’re meditating, and Grogu gets distracted by a frog (naturally) and nearly eats it. Luke notices, and uses the Force to lift a multitude of frogs from the pond, showing Grogu what he can possibly accomplish–if he focuses and commits himself. (CGI Luke looks great, by the way. I almost thought he was an actor who just looks remarkably like Mark Hamill, lol).
ESB vibes, but cuter.
He talks about Yoda, and helps Grogu remember where he came from. We get a flashback of baby Grogu in the Jedi Temple during Order 66. Three Jedi are defending him against clone troopers who are attacking them. We don’t see how Grogu escapes, however. When he comes to, Luke tells him the galaxy can be a dangerous place, but he will teach him how to protect himself. He introduces Grogu to the training remote, and before long he’s hopping and flipping along, evading the thing. We even get a scene of Luke running through the forest with Grogu on his back, hearkening back to ESB with Yoda. Priceless!
Friend of the family.
Din wakes up from a nap to see Ahsoka standing there. He’s surprised, and she says she’s a “friend of the family.” So obviously Luke and Ahsoka have met, and have talked about Anakin. I would have liked to see this meeting, but maybe we will in the Ahsoka show (please?). They walk to where they can see Luke and Grogu training. Ahsoka implies that Din is there for his own sake, rather than Grogu’s, and that if Grogu sees him it will make it harder. He gives her the gift the Armorer made, and with a heavy heart, he leaves.
He looks a bit vulnerable without the armor, no?
Back on Tatooine, Din shows up at Boba’s palace, and we actually get to see Boba with his team. He has no speaking lines, however. Fennec says they need some ground forces or something, and Din says he might be able to help with that. So he goes to see Cobb Vanth and tries to convince him and the people of Freetown to help. I forgot to mention that the episode opened with a scene of Vanth running off some Pykes from his territory. So he knows that trouble is coming, but hates to get his people involved. He tells Din he’ll see what he can do, and once Din leaves, he notices someone walking into town from the desert (oh, he’s the guy from the title). And guess who it is?
Blue meanie.
Cad Bane, notorious bounty hunter from the Clone Wars (and recently The Bad Batch, facing off with Fennec over Omega). There’s a superb Western vibe as Bane faces off with Vanth, warning him not to get involved in the coming conflict. Vanth stands his ground, but unfortunately his gung-ho deputy gets involved and mouths off. Bane shoots the deputy down, and injures Vanth, then walks away. Pretty sure they’re gonna get involved now, lol.
The last scene is with Luke and Grogu. He shows Grogu the gift from Din, which turns out to be an adorable little chainmail shirt. But before he gives it to him, he also shows him Yoda’s old lightsaber, small enough for Grogu to wield eventually. Basically, he’s giving Grogu a choice: stay with him and train to be a Jedi, or go back to Din and be a Mandalorian. It ends there, with Grogu’s big sweet baby eyes unsure what to do.
I’m pretty sure Grogu will choose to go back to Din. Luke himself observed to Ahsoka that he wasn’t sure if Grogu’s heart was in the training. And of course there’s that Grogu-sized bubble just waiting for the little guy to fill it on the Naboo starfighter. And that’s why Grogu is not at the temple when Ben Solo destroys it. He’s not, dammit.
Oh, and Garsa Fwips’s cantina is blown up by the Pykes in a terrorist act. Luckily it looked like it was Max Rebo’s night off, so I’m guessing he survived–he’s a lucky little blue elephant guy. But Garsa’s character seems a little wasted here.
RIP. It was her prettiest gown, too.
Anyway, all the chess pieces are being placed on the board, and they’ll all come together next week in the finale. I think. I’m guessing The Book of Boba Fett is a one-shot deal and that there will not be a Season Two. I think, lol.
This show has definitely challenged our expectations of what it was ultimately going to be, and be about. Its structure is odd, to say the least, but it’s also given us some wonderful things, and that alone makes it worth watching. I can’t wait to see what happens next week! (Boba better charge out into the battlefield on that rancor, or I’ll be gravely disappointed, lol).
What did you think of Episode 6? Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
The High Republic era is led by Chancellor Lina Soh, who is often flanked by her two targons, Matari and Voru. Named after ancient Coruscanti gods, the targons are pets, comrades, and protectors who can sense Lina’s emotions. It’s probably the coolest thing I’ve seen in the High Republic, among a lot of cool things.
Here kitty, kitty.
Lina is a great visionary for the Republic at this time, and is responsible for the idea of Starlight Beacon, which was meant to be the first in a network of such stations across the galaxy. It is one of her Great Works, meant to bring the galaxy closer together, particularly to bring the Outer Rim into the fold. Lina Soh coined the term “We are all the Republic,” and came up with the theme of The Spirit of Unity for the Republic Fair. She believes the galaxy is stronger if everyone works together. A simple, if idealistic, belief that doesn’t prepare her for the scourge that is the Nihil: mauraders who take what they want in violent, cruel ways, and has no respect for the Republic or the Jedi, or the sanctity of life, for that matter.
Lina has a 17-year old son, Kitrep (“Kip”) who doesn’t always like the limelight of being the Chancellor’s son. But they are close, and he was one of the first at her bedside when she was injured during the Nihil attack on the Republic Fair (she lost part of a leg in that attack).
Here’s a little blurb about her from Starwars.com:
Here is a part of her speech at the dedication of Starlight Beacon:
“You know I envision a galaxy of Great Works — connected and inspiring and filled with peace for all citizens. I believe this is possible, but not because of me, or any special ability of mine. I believe it is possible because of us. Because we can and will work together to achieve it. We are, every one of us, a great work. I see a galaxy where we use our strengths to shore up each other’s weaknesses, where we understand and celebrate our differences and hold them up as valuable. We are a Republic where every voice matters, whether in the Core or on the farthest planet at the edge of the Rim.“
She’s a true foil to the selfish anarchy of the Nihil.
Here’s a lovely rendition of Lina by Ironickdesigns:
So, I’ve never ranked Star Wars movies because, well, it’s Star Wars and I love them all. It’s like ranking your children. Yes, there are some I like slightly better than others, but I don’t want to hurt their feelings by ranking them in writing, lol. I love them all, and I’m sticking to that.
Marvel, on the other hand, is a different story. I fell in love with Marvel last summer, when I decided to catch up on them all when Loki came out. And there are definitely some I love more than others, and I don’t feel particularly bad ranking them. I just haven’t up until now because there’s so many of them, lol, and I hadn’t really thought about it. But I’ve been inspired by other people’s rankings, and thought I might as well add my own to the roster. And it was kind of fun figuring it out; I had to dig a little bit to find out why I liked one more than the other, at least in my own mind. I kept my comments to one line each, trying to make my assessments succinct, and to keep this post from being super long.
Anyway, here’s the list: (first to last)
Top 10: (Superb; always on the rewatch list)
Winner by a long shot.
Loki. Duh, it’s Loki. And every episode is excellent; the story and writing is tight.
Shang Chi. Absolutely beautiful movie, and a wonderful story of a broken family.
Eternals. I can’t help it, I love this movie. Weird and wonderful with interesting characters.
Spiderman: No Way Home. Fabulous third Tom Holland outing; nostalgic, heartbreaking.
Dr. Strange. My favorite origin story, and favorite character besides Loki. He’s just cool.
Infinity War. Thanos’ shenanigans are riveting and our heroes’ response is inspiring. Tragic.
Endgame. Our heroes save the universe but at a cost. Epic.
What If. Surprisingly wonderful foray into alternate realities, and just plain fun.
Thor Ragnarok. Hilarious, fun, a complete joy ride. And Led Zeppelin.
Guardians of the Galaxy. Also super fun, and a wonderful soundtrack (I’m old, lol).
Next 10: (Very good; I’ll probably watch again)
Avengers. Our heroes come together for the first time, and Loki is so good at being bad.
Black Panther. Chadwick Boseman as T’Challah is perfect. Empowering and entertaining.
Thor: The Dark World. Loki being bad, then being good. Then being bad again. Love it!
Thor. This origin story for Thor and Loki is great. The Loki and Odin scene alone is worth it.
Wandavision. Wacky, weird, and wonderful. Wanda is one powerful witch.
Hawkeye. A little uneven, but I love Hawkeye, so there. Good transition to Kate.
Spiderman: Far From Home. Tom Holland as Spidey is just fun to watch.
Spiderman: Homecoming. Same as above, I just liked FFH a little better.
Ironman. Good, solid origin story for Tony, our fearless and snarky leader.
Black Widow. I didn’t expect to like this one so much, but I did. Red Guardian!
Next 10: (Goes from “Good, I may watch again; to “Not great, I probably won’t watch again)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Not as good as Vol. 1, but the music is still great.
Captain America: The First Avenger. Good origin story for our Captain.
Ant Man. Something about Paul Rudd is irresistible. And Scott Lang is just a nice guy.
Ant Man and Wasp. Same as above, but still not a great movie. Not bad, but not great.
Captain America: Civil War. Painful to see our heroes against each other.
Avengers: Age of Ultron. Ultron was kind of weird. At least we get Wanda and Vision.
Captain Marvel. This movie was fine. I just didn’t really care. Alien cat was the best part.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. I love these characters, but this was just boring.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Very boring. Don’t even remember what it was about.
Iron Man 3. Again, boring. At least we got Trevor Slattery, aka The Mandarin.
Least favorite of all time: Iron Man 2. Over two hours of Tony being an a**hole.
Tony is a car wreck in this one.
So that’s it. This being a very subjective exercise, you may not agree with me on any part of this list, lol. But I am interested in what you think. What are your top 5 or 10? Give me a whole list, if you want. Or top of the list and bottom of the barrel. Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
While scrolling through a Star Wars fan group on Facebook one day, I saw some one had posted an ad for this super awesome Star Wars journal called Inner Jedi, and I knew I had to have it! I received it the other day, and it’s beautiful, geeky, surprisingly thoughtful, and I love it.
It has my favorite Star Wars symbol on it.
The journal is meant to be your guide throughout 52 weeks of reflection, meditation, and “daily acts of peace and selflessness” to help you find your inner Jedi. There are pages for every week in a year (no specific dates; just start whenever you want to), words of wisdom, quotes, and even coloring pages to help you along your journey.
A weekly page for keeping track of your selfless acts.
Some added pages for more in-depth soul-searching.
Coloring! Crafts! Yoda! What’s not to love?As a list lover, this kind of page hits the spot with me.
I haven’t started writing in it yet (not sure when I will, maybe at the beginning of next month), but I’m looking forward to filling this gorgeous notebook with my inner Jedi self. It’s the kind of thing I need right now, to calm and center myself in this crazy world and these crazy times. Just breathe, focus, and find the good. The fact that it’s Star Wars is the cherry on top. I might even share some posts inspired by the writing I do in here for something different once in a while.
Honestly, I haven’t done much reading this past week. I finished The Fallen Star (you can check out my review here) and I’m just waiting for Midnight Horizon to come out Feb. 1st. I’ve read a few chapters of Race to Crashpoint Tower, but I can’t seem to get into right now. I’ll finish it eventually, lol.
Me watching Episode 5 of “Return of the Mandalorian.”
The Book of Boba Fett Episode 5, “Return of the Mandalorian” was fantastic, with Din Djarin returning and showing us what he’s been up to since he said goodbye to Grogu. You can check out my thoughts on the episode here.
I noticed on Disney+ there were a few new shorts from Marvel called “Marvel One Shots.” I think mostly they’re just little DVD extras from the movies over the years, but I hadn’t seen most of them. The Thor ones were the best, just hilarious, lol. Or the Daryl ones, I should say, because the one with the Grand Master was pretty funny, too. Jeff Goldblum is just weird and wonderful.
Jean Luc and his new crew (besides the hot Romulan).
Most of my interest this week has been taken up by watching season one of Star TrekPicard. I haven’t visited this franchise for a long while now, and I had an absolute blast catching up with Jean Luc Picard and his cohorts. It’s a wonderful show, completely unlike any Star Trek show I’ve ever watched (and I’ve watched them all, lol, except the new one, Discovery–that’s next, probably). Instead of a starship captain and his crew going on weekly adventures in space, this show focuses on a particular story, a mystery that Jean Luc feels compelled to unravel, propelling him out of retirement on his vineyard (retirement has never set well with Jean Luc anyway, lol). We meet interesting new characters, and get a few familiar faces, too, that warmed my heart. I just loved this show, and have so much to say about it, I’ll probably write its own post sometime soon.
That’s it this week. What’s been entertaining you? Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
(Please be aware that there are spoilers for this episode in this post.)
“Return of the Mandalorian“
He’s back!
So, yeah, we knew Mando was going to be making an appearance in the BoBF, but a whole darn episode?! I was both thrilled and a little puzzled about this, but let’s go on.
We finally get to see what Din Djarin has been up to since Grogu left with Luke Skywalker. Apparently he’s gone back to bounty hunting, but this particular bounty we see at the beginning of the episode is for information rather than money. He’s looking for his people, ie, the Armorer and anyone else left of his old crew. He’s given directions, and finds them on this cool-looking space station.
He and the Armorer talk about the Dark Saber, its history, The Night of a Thousand Tears, Bo-Katan Kryze; she makes a little something for Grogu from the beskar spear Din got from Ahsoka; and she trains him a bit in lightsaber battle. The blade becomes heavy for Din to wield, and the Armorer says that’s because he’s fighting the blade, not his opponent. Then the only other Mandalorian there challenges him for the Dark Saber (he’s an ancestor of Tar and Pre Viszla, and feels he should be the one wielding it). Din wins the battle–though not necessarily with the blade–but then the Armorer asks if he’s ever taken his helmet off in front of others, and he’s busted.
Maybe Luke can give him some lightsaber training when he visits Grogu.
The Armorer casts him out, and Din goes to Mos Eisley in search of Peli. She’s been apparently working on finding him another ship, and she’s got a Naboo starfighter. It’s from the time of the Republic and has definitely seen better days, but she convinces him to help her fix it up. And it turns out kind of great. (I can just see Grogu’s cute little head poking up in that astromech bubble, can’t you?) He takes it for a spin and he warms to the fast little ship. When he gets back, Fennec Shand shows up and asks him to help Boba, who’s in need of some muscle. Din agrees, and says he’ll do it for free. But first, he’s got someone he’s gotta check in with.
That’s basically the episode, and it was fantastic. I think we’re all just missing Mando big time, and it was wonderful to see him again. He’s clearly missing Grogu, and is directionless without him. Grogu was his moral compass, and now that the little guy’s gone, he went right back into bounty hunting. He doesn’t quite know what to do with the Dark Saber, and can barely wield it. It’s obvious he’s reluctant to take on the responsibility of the blade.
The Night of a Thousand Tears has a Terminator vibe.
He wants to go to Grogu and make sure he’s all right (in his conversation with the Armorer, she says that in the Jedi creed, they must let go of all attachments; Din points out that this is the opposite of the Mandalorian creed, which is one of loyalty. I’m curious to see how this will work out for Grogu, who is clearly attached to Mando).
I’m not holding my breath that we will actually see Grogu or Luke in any future episode of the BoBF, and we probably shouldn’t. We need to get back to Boba, especially with only two episodes left; the fact that Din got his own whole episode is another head-scratcher. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. But this is Boba’s show, not The Mandalorian 2.5. Or maybe it is, I don’t know. But I can’t help but feel that The Book of Boba Fett suffers in comparison to anything Mando; it’s inevitable. It’s kind of not fair, lol. But it’s clear that these shows are linked, as I’m sure the Ahsoka show will further link in, so maybe it’s not a big deal.
Someone’s got a new ride.
It’s also interesting to note that these two very different men, who wear Mandalorian armor (but were not born on Mandalore in the way that Bo-Katan was) are trying to find their true identities. Boba is well on his way to redefining himself, but Din, now that he’s broken his creed for the sake of Grogu (who’s now gone) and has been cast out, is floundering and must find his way again. Maybe Boba can give him a few tips, lol.
At any rate, I’m eager to see the next two episodes of the BoBF and how Din will play a part in Boba’s quest to rule Tatooine.
What did you think of the episode? Do you think it hurt or enhanced The Book of Boba Fett? Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
(There may be some spoilers for The Fallen Star in this post).
The Fallen Star, by Claudia Gray, is the third adult book in Phase One of The High Republic series, and it does a great job of wrapping up the “beginning of the end” of the the Jedi and The Republic at their very best.
This trilogy has shown the rise of the Nihil, a group of anarchist mauraders who take what they want, when they want, without regard to the lives of others. In Light of the Jedi, the Nihil cause the Great Disaster; in The Rising Storm, they attack the Republic Fair on Valo; and in this book, they insidiously attack the star of Chancellor Lina Soh’s Great Works, Starlight Beacon. Meant to be a light in the darkness of space across the Outer Rim, the state-of-the-art space station is home to a Jedi contingent, an advanced medical bay, and a place of refuge for people who need help.
Once again, the Republic and the Jedi believe the Nihil threat is nearly over, but they are wrong. They have no idea the Eye of the Nihil, their leader, is Marchion Ro, who has worked in the shadows, and who has sent a secret group of followers to the station to incapacitate it. They’ve also smuggled a creature onboard that somehow affects a Jedi’s connection to the Force. So when things start to go wrong, the Jedi are weakened.
Padawan Burryaga helps during the crisis.
Jedi Master Stellan Gios has stepped in as Marshall while Avar Kriss is on a mission to find Lourna Dee, who the Jedi believe is the Nihil leader. Elzar Mann, his good friend and fellow Jedi Master, has joined following a sabbatical after struggling with the dark side in the previous book. Elzar is accompanied by Orla Jareni, a Jedi who has become a Wayseeker, or one who explores the Force on their own, outside of the Order. Also on the station are Jedi Master Nib Assek and her Padawan, the Wookiee Burryaga, Jedi Master Indeera Stokes and her Padawan Bell Zettifar (along with his charhound, Ember, of course), and a Jedi we haven’t seen yet, Regald Coll (who happens to think he’s hilarious).
Also on board are pilots Affie Hollow, Leox Gyasi, and Geode from the Vessel (all were in Gray’s YA book Into the Dark); Nihil collaborators Chancey Yarrow and Nan, who were brought on board as prisoners; as well as several other pilots who happened to be on the station when things start to go wrong.
The Nihil saboteurs manage to sneak on board, cut communications, disable the escape pods and just about everything else; then blow up part of the station which causes them to move into the pull of the planet Eiram’s gravity (the station had been on a mission to help the planet after a devastating storm). So basically Starlight will eventually fall into the planet’s atmosphere and plummet to the surface, presumably killing all on board and a good portion of a coastal city on Eiram.
Orla Jareni and her white double lightsaber.
The Jedi begin a problem-solving mission, but their efforts are sabotaged by the mysterious creature that is roaming the station–one that instills crippling fear and paralysis in any Jedi who comes near, blocks their access to the Force, and that will literally suck the life out of them, reducing them to dry husks if they don’t get away. Several Jedi fall prey to this creature, whose description is deliberately vague, from the disoriented and terrified Jedi’s point of view.
The entire story takes place on the station (except for the few brief scenes with Marchion Ro on his ship), which leads to a kind of claustrophobic feeling, a feeling of urgency and anxiety.
The most interesting character arc in the book for me is Stellan’s–Stellan is a picture-perfect Jedi, the poster boy for the Jedi Order and the face of the Jedi for the Republic. Now, he’s cut off not only from the Order but from the Force itself, and Stellan is having an identity crisis. He doesn’t know who he is outside of the Order or without his connection to the Force, and it seriously affects his confidence. The very name of the book, in my opinion, not only refers to Starlight Beacon, but to Stellan himself. His friends, Elzar and Avar, had always referred to him as their “polestar,” a moral compass for them both. But now Stellan barely knows which way is up, lol.
Leox Gyasi of the Vessel.
Elzar, too, struggles in this story. When he is on retreat with Orla, he comes to realize his descent into dark-side emotions is a result of his denial of his feelings for Avar. Interestingly, I think Elzar is a foil to Anakin. Anakin struggles with similar emotions, and I think he would have done much better during the High Republic. First of all, when Elzar recognizes the dark side in his emotions and actions, he goes straight to his friends, confident that they will help him. And they do. He gets support, love, tears and hugs, special retreats. He’s taught to deal with these emotions, not bury them, not deny them. It’s a different situation, but I can’t help but think of Anakin’s mishandling when I read about Elzar.
Anyway, Elzar has decided to back off from the Force for awhile until he feels confident he’s dealt with these things properly, and as a result, doesn’t initially feel the disorientation the other Jedi feel on the station. This forces him to step up and become a leader when Stellan is out of commission, something he’s never felt comfortable with, and does a fine job. But Elzar isn’t completely out of the dark side woods yet.
Elzar Mann, reluctant leader.
I wish Avar were more a part of this story, but she’s been featured mostly in the comics, so even though she arrives on the station at some point, her part in this story is told in a comic. This frustrates me a bit–I want more of her, and of other characters that have been exclusively in the comics, like Keeve Trennis and Skkeer, but I can barely keep up with the books, never mind the comics (financially anyway, lol). I’m hoping for an omnibus of the High Republic comics soon, so I can get it all in one place, at once.
But that’s a minor complaint. It’s an excellent book, and ends this phase in a dramatic and foreboding way. I’m sad that we won’t see these characters again for awhile, as Phase Two is going even further back in time, to 150 years before this story. I’m disappointed about that, but have faith that the writers know what they’re doing. At least the next book in this wave is a YA book called Midnight Horizon by Daniel Jose Older, and focuses on Jedi I got to know in Gray’s Into the Dark, Master Cohmac Vitus and Padawan Reath Silas.
I would give The Fallen Star 4.5 out of 5 lightsabers.
Have you read The Fallen Star? What did you think? Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!
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