Books: Star Wars: Master & Apprentice By Claudia Gray (2019)

"A Jedi must be a fearless warrior, a guardian of justice, and a scholar in the ways of the Force. But perhaps a Jedi’s most essential duty is to pass on what they have learned. Master Yoda trained Dooku; Dooku trained Qui-Gon Jinn; and now Qui-Gon has a Padawan of his own. But while Qui-Gon has faced all manner of threats and danger as a Jedi, nothing has ever scared him like the thought of failing his apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi has deep respect for his Master, but struggles to understand him. Why must Qui-Gon so often disregard the laws that bind the Jedi? Why is Qui-Gon drawn to ancient Jedi prophecies instead of more practical concerns? And why wasn’t Obi-Wan told that Qui-Gon is considering an invitation to join the Jedi Council—knowing it would mean the end of their partnership? The simple answer scares him: Obi-Wan has failed his Master. When Jedi Rael Averross, another former student of Count Dooku, requests their assistance with a political dispute, Jinn and Kenobi travel to the royal court of Pijal for what may be their final mission together. What should be a simple assignment quickly becomes clouded by deceit, and by visions of violent disaster that take hold in Qui-Gon’s mind. As Qui-Gon’s faith in prophecy grows, Obi-Wan’s faith in him is tested—just as a threat surfaces that will demand that Master and apprentice come together as never before, or be divided forever."

The new canon books –which are designed to unify the ever growing Expanded Universe 2.0- tries their best to explain things that happened in the Star Wars film series, minor plot points, and other exposition that would’ve been cut for pacing. This can be a good thing in some ways, as it answers some questions the films brought up.

Star Wars: Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray tries to make Qui-Gon Jinn less a prophecy zealot and more a pragmatic Jedi with different views on how Jedi conduct themselves. The character of Rael Averros seems designed to show what happens when a Jedi spends too much time away from the Council and other Jedi. There’s this idea that too much individuality is super bad, as if they lose their way. And love, this emotion above all, seems to one the biggest flaws within the Jedi. It does get a bit creepy when you start to dissect some of the motivations of Jedi, and it’s here you see where George Lucas begins cribbing from real life religion. Qui-Gon tells Obi Wan that he’s not really believed in the prophecies in a long time, not since he was a young padawan, but he also does not believe they’re meaningless. The book also explains why Qui-Gon never took a seat on the Jedi Council, after being elevated to Master. This offer comes via Mace Windu, who would eventually offer Anakin a seat on the Council without being elevated to Master in the prequel films. Symmetry and retconing all at the same time.

Claudia Gray remains one of the better writers in the tightly controlled Star Wars universe. Her books with Leia are great, and the characters she creates are always good (love Rehara and Pax). However, when it comes to both Obi-Won and Qui-Gon, she falters a bit with them creatively. The “voices” of the two are somewhat…hollow?

With the latest trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker now out, and the acknowledgement that the long thought dead Emperor is coming back, there is some hints here that his return was in the Jedi prophecy a long time ago: “when the righteous lose the light, evil once dead shall return." While I'm certain that we'll not get a direct answer as what happened after the events of Return of the Jedi in the film series, at least here in these novels, we may get a better understanding of how things fell apart after the Rebellions success on the forest moon of Endor.

Plus, we know as far back as The Phantom Menace, writer/director George Lucas was already hinting that the Emperor could survive death. And since the acquisition of the franchise with Disney, the books, comics, and animated TV shows, and the newest film series that have followed have slyly shown the seeds of his return were being carefully planted here and there. For some the faults of Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath series, those three books are perfect examples of the long-term planning most fans didn’t think was possible now that Lucas was not in control.

Books: Star Wars: Thrawn By Timothy Zahn (2017)

“After Mitth'raw'nuruodo –or Thrawn- is rescued from exile by Imperial soldiers, his deadly ingenuity and keen tactical abilities swiftly capture the attention of Emperor Palpatine. And just as quickly, Thrawn proves to be as indispensable to the Empire as he is ambitious; as devoted as its most loyal servant, Darth Vader; and a brilliant warrior never to be underestimated. On missions to rout smugglers, snare spies, and defeat pirates, he triumphs time and again—even as his renegade methods infuriate superiors while inspiring ever greater admiration from the Empire. As one promotion follows another in his rapid ascension to greater power, he schools his trusted aide, Ensign Eli Vanto, in the arts of combat and leadership, and the secrets of claiming victory. But even though Thrawn dominates the battlefield, he has much to learn in the arena of politics, where ruthless administrator Arihnda Pryce holds the power to be a potent ally or a brutal enemy. All these lessons will be put to the ultimate test when Thrawn rises to admiral and must pit all the knowledge, instincts, and battle forces at his command against an insurgent uprising that threatens not only innocent lives but also the Empire’s grip on the galaxy—and his own carefully laid plans for future ascendancy. “

Out of all the books that came out post Return of the Jedi, everything that encompassed what became known as the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command remain many fans favorite series of books (and where the first ones as well). And a lot has to do with Thrawn, who became one of the most captivating villains the EU ever unleashed. But while he was an exciting new character at a time when Star Wars was in need of revitalization, not much of Thrawn’s past was revealed in those three earlier books. And for many fans, that hope was diced when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the Mouse House announced not only a new trilogy of films, but the old Expanded Universe books would be abandoned (though never gone, as they would be rebranded as “LEGENDS”) for a new canon-approved novels that would adhere to a continuity never done before (as with most external media like novels and games associated with franchise, they sat “outside” the TV or movie universe).

But over the years, some elements of the old EU began to pop up in the new canon approved books (or what I call Expanded Universe 2.0). Some situations, some minor elements began to be added and since both animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels were considered canon, this became the perfect arena to reintroduce Thrawn. And so, in the third season opener of Rebels in 2016, Thrawn was folded into the new official Star Wars Canon.

This also allowed Timothy Zahn to revisit and give us an origin story of the Chiss admiral.

Star Wars: Thrawn is a good novel, well paced and very fun to learn of Mitth'raw'nuruodo beginnings. For me, I really never saw Thrawn as villainous –he’s not evil per se, just ruthless in his pursuit of his tactical goals (you can tell Zahn has read many, upon many military tactical books). Yes, he’s deceptive, always a step-ahead of everyone else (and is secretive), but he’s truly more antagonist to both the humans-only Imperial Fleet and the rebels than say a killer. Another words, it forces everyone to bring their A game when dealing with him. This, I think, makes him more relatable. I also liked the idea, though it’s not blatant, the dislike the (and maybe racist) the Imperial army has for Thrawn, who, as noted, is an outsider, blue, and who seems really smarter than anyone else. The fact that his military strategy is unconventional yet successful causes more discourse amongst everyone, from cadets to the Imperial senate itself.

Even though these books –the second one was just released on July 24, 2018- are designed to give readers a backstory to Thrawn and explain his appearance in Rebels, my only issue is with the timeline. It seems to cover about 10 to 12 years of his life, starting sometime after The Clone Wars, but shortly before season three opener of Rebels. It is also mentioned that Thrawn encountered Anakin Skywalker during the events of the Clone Wars, long before he became Darth Vader (this is something that will be explored in the next book, apparently) so how old is Thrawn and exactly when this takes place further muddles the timeline here. And that’s odd, considering how much these EU 2.0 is tied into the current Star Wars movie series and the ones destined to come after episode IX in 2019.

But you really can’t hate Zahn’s prose and this tale. It shines with everything long-time fans of the Thrawn Trilogy have ever wanted, along with Easter Eggs and tying in these tales not only into animated series, but the original novels that were released over 25 years ago.

Books: Star Wars: Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson (2017)

"One of the most cunning and merciless officers of the First Order, Captain Phasma commands the favor of her superiors, the respect of her peers, and the terror of her enemies. But for all her renown, Phasma remains as virtually unknown as the impassive expression on her gleaming chrome helmet. Now, an adversary is bent on unearthing her mysterious origins—and exposing a secret she guards as zealously and ruthlessly as she serves her masters."

While billed as the secret history behind the First Order’s most notorious (and underutilized new character within the movie franchise) Stormtrooper, Delilah S. Dawson’s Star Wars: Phasma seemed designed to help fans get a better glimpse into this new character (a tactic that Disney is now using so they don’t have to bother with characterization on screen) who looked to be a breakout villain. But basically, what we have here is a backstory for Phasma—but told from a third-hand retelling (which is just a horrible way to write a tale). No one, not even the captured Rebel repeating this information onto another high ranking Stormtrooper named Captain Cardinal, even considers that the stories of Phasma’s upbringing are whole truths, lies, or could be given by an unreliable narrator. So if you’re coming to this novel, as I was, hoping to find out more about her personality or discover what makes Phasma tick, then be prepared for disappointment because this book is completely devoid of any kind of real characterization.

The problem with these new canon books is that while they can often offer more clarity and motivations of these new characters, they still need to have an interesting back story. Phasma is still mostly a cipher here, and even the rationale of Cardinal trying to solve a “murder” seems suspect. While the analogy that the First Order is model for the rise of the Nazi’s, Star Wars: Phasma offers no new wrinkle here, they are what you think they are and they have no redeemable value.

 

I’m unsure why Dawson took this route with Phasma, who could’ve been more than the sum of her chrome parts we’ve seen in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. I don't have an issue media of books, comics, and animated TV shows being used by Disney to flesh out certain character’s back story -like Phasma and probably Snoke- but I do want something more interesting, more worthy than what is presented here.