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kibbles15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was an enjoyable summary of the story of Star Wars: A New Hope from the point of view of multiple different characters, some well know others obscure. Obviously, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but overall it was a good read. Below are my reviews of each story included. I listened to the audiobook for the majority of this book. Some of my reviews are related to the narration as well as the story itself. Note: If you are not familiar with the story of Star Wars: a New Hope, there may be some Spoilers in the review.
Raymus by Gary Whitta -5 Stars
A Good Start to the Star Wars Saga from the Point of View of Captain Raymus Antillies
The Bucket by Christie Golden - 4 Stars
The Capture of Princess Leia from the Point of View of A Stormtrooper
The Sith of the Datawork by Ken Liu - 4 Stars
What do you do when you are the one responsible for two important droids escaping? Go to the Sith of the Datawork.
Stories in the Sand by Griffen McElroy -3 Stars
This one was a bit long for my taste, but it was creative way to work in some of the events from the prequel trilogy.
Reirin by Sabaa tahir - 2 Stars
I didn't really follow this one at all. I think it was a Tuskan raider wanting something from the Jawas Sandcrawler. We never really get to know the significance of what she took.
The Red One by Rae Carson - 5 Stars
I loved this. I like the personality they gave the red 5 unit.
Ritesby John Jackson Miller - 2 Stars
A whole bunch of stuff about Tuscan Raiders that I never needed or wanted to know.
Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray - 5 Stars
I love Claudia Grey! She did not disappoint with this short story which includes a a surprising guest Star as Obi-Wan Waits for Luke Skywalker.
Beru Whitesun Lars by Meg Cabot - 4 Stars
A Very Touching Tribute from Beru about raising Luke Skywalker
The Luckless Rodian by Renée Ahdieh - 3 Stars
I didn't like the Audio on this one. But the story itself gave Greedo a bit more of a personality than is presented in the movie.
Not For Nothing by Mur Lafferty - 4 Stars
Written as a memoir of one of the Bith Musicians, this story covers the events in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
We Don't Serve Their Kind Here by Chuck Wendig - 3 Stars
Another Story about the events in the Mos Eisley Cantina from the point of view of the bar tender. I liked the view presented by the Bith Musician better (See "Not for Nothing"), but it was still a good story.
The Kloo Horn Cantina Caper by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Matt Fraction - 2 Stars
Seriously, another story from the Cantina? I am so ready to move on at this point. This is an unnecessary long story about the whereabouts of a certain Kloo Horn. Most of the characters are annoying and don't really draw you into the story. Not to mention, some of the voices in the narration were very grating and difficult to listen to.
Added Muscle by Paul Dini - 5 Stars
Good Ol' Boba Fett. It was fun to listen to his thoughts as Jabba the Hutt Confronted Han Solo.
You Owe Me a Ride by Zoraida Córdova - 3 Stars
Another point of view for the Jabba the Hutt/Han Solo Confrontation. It is told by two sisters that are bounty hunters, who decide the best way to get Han is to try to steal the Millennial Falcon. The story is okay, but it feels like a bit of a stretch in order to get more witnesses to Jabba and Han's conversation.
The Secrets of Long Snoot by Delilah S Dawson - 3 Stars
Who knew the Long Snooted Spy had a decent backstory?
Born in the Storm by Daniel José Older - 3 Stars
An interesting Point of view from one of the Storm troopers looking for the Droids on Tatooine.
Laina by Wil Wheaton - 3 Stars
A father's touching tribute to his daughter.
Fully Operational by Beth Revis - 3 Stars
I honestly don't remember much about this one. I don't think I had any particular emotions about it good or bad. It was just meh.
An Incident Report by Mallory Ortberg -4 Stars
This made me laugh in a macabre sort of way. Can you imagine writing an incident report to HR about Darth Vader almost choking you to death?
Change of Heart by Elizabeth Wein - 5 Stars
This is one of the good ones. I felt for the Stormtrooper that told the story.
Eclipse by Madeleine Roux - 4 Stars
This is a touching story about Princess Leia's parents just before the destruction of Alderan. That being said, it was a bit slow moving and long.
Verge of Greatness by Pablo Hildalgo -3 Stars
Subtle hint to a feud between Wilhoff Tarkin and Orson Krennic. Nothing about the story really stood out to me.
Far Too Remote by Jeffery Brown - 5 Stars
This Cartoon is Hilarious! If you read the Audio version make sure to check out the print version just to see it.
The Trigger by Kieron Gillen - 2 Stars
This one bored me. Sorry.
Of MSE-6 and Men by Glen Weldon - 1 Star
I could do without reading this one ever again. Ninety percent of the story is the MSE-6 going through computer functions (I actually started skimming it because I got tired of reading command lines.) The parts that were not computer code where not really that interesting. Mostly just a rendezvous between an officer and a stormtrooper with lots of fade to black if you know what I mean. There are small references to the events on the Death Star but overall, I do not feel it added anything to the overall plot of "A New Hope".
Bump by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker - 3 Stars
A stormtrooper realizes that he was tricked on Tatooine and recognized R2D2 and C3PO on the Death Star.
End of Watch by Adam Christopher - 3 Stars
The events on the rescue of Princess Leia from the point of view of an administrator on the Death Star. Interesting point of view.
The Baptist by Nnedi Okorafor - 3 Stars
This a fun little side story about the swamp monster in the trash compactor. It got a little more sensual than I prefer, but overall was a good story.
Time of Death by Cavan Scott -4 Stars
I liked this one a lot. But I did not Love it. It got a bit confusing when Obi-Wan kept going from the present to the past in his mind. It does give a little insight into how he became more powerful after his death.
There is Another by Gary D Schmidt - 5 Stars
Another surprising guest star. I will leave it at that. I highly recommend reading this story.
Palpatine by Ian Doescher - 3 Stars
Palpatine gives a monologue Shakespeare Style. A Little hard to follow, but still a good one to read.
Sparks by Paul S Kemp - 2 Stars
This one was very slow moving. I felt like it went through the battle of Yavin Shot by shot like it was report verses the events actually happening.
Duty Roster by Jason Fry -3 Stars
This one moved a little better than "Sparks". But once again, we were told about the action going on rather than getting to experience it.
Desert Son by Pierce Brown -3 Stars
This Story does provide more experience in terms of what happened during the battle of Yavin. That being said, it moved very slowly and despite the use of dialog from the movie, lacked the excitement and tension of the battle. It was a good attempt, but it just didn't work for me.
Grounded by Greg Rucka - 3 Stars
A Touching account of the Crew Chief of the Rebel Alliance concerning the Battle of Yavin. It moved a bit slow, but I felt the author expressed the emotion of the situation well.
Contingency Plan by Alexander Freed - 2 Stars
I found this story presents several possible futures and then goes back to the present in a confusing way.
The Angle by Charles Soule - 5 Stars
This was my favorite story about the battle of Yavin. Which is weird, because it is from a point of view that was not actually involved in the battle.
By Whatever Sun by E K Johnston and Ashley Eckstein - 4 Stars
A nice story about the awards ceremony at the end of the battle of Yavin.
Whills by Tom Angleberger - 5 Stars
This made me laugh so hard! It is about the authors of the blurb at the beginning of the movie and their discussion of the right way to present the history of the events of Star Wars.
A Good Start to the Star Wars Saga from the Point of View of Captain Raymus Antillies
The Bucket by Christie Golden - 4 Stars
The Capture of Princess Leia from the Point of View of A Stormtrooper
The Sith of the Datawork by Ken Liu - 4 Stars
What do you do when you are the one responsible for two important droids escaping? Go to the Sith of the Datawork.
Stories in the Sand by Griffen McElroy -3 Stars
This one was a bit long for my taste, but it was creative way to work in some of the events from the prequel trilogy.
Reirin by Sabaa tahir - 2 Stars
I didn't really follow this one at all. I think it was a Tuskan raider wanting something from the Jawas Sandcrawler. We never really get to know the significance of what she took.
The Red One by Rae Carson - 5 Stars
I loved this. I like the personality they gave the red 5 unit.
Ritesby John Jackson Miller - 2 Stars
A whole bunch of stuff about Tuscan Raiders that I never needed or wanted to know.
Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray - 5 Stars
I love Claudia Grey! She did not disappoint with this short story which includes a a surprising guest Star as Obi-Wan Waits for Luke Skywalker.
Beru Whitesun Lars by Meg Cabot - 4 Stars
A Very Touching Tribute from Beru about raising Luke Skywalker
The Luckless Rodian by Renée Ahdieh - 3 Stars
I didn't like the Audio on this one. But the story itself gave Greedo a bit more of a personality than is presented in the movie.
Not For Nothing by Mur Lafferty - 4 Stars
Written as a memoir of one of the Bith Musicians, this story covers the events in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
We Don't Serve Their Kind Here by Chuck Wendig - 3 Stars
Another Story about the events in the Mos Eisley Cantina from the point of view of the bar tender. I liked the view presented by the Bith Musician better (See "Not for Nothing"), but it was still a good story.
The Kloo Horn Cantina Caper by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Matt Fraction - 2 Stars
Seriously, another story from the Cantina? I am so ready to move on at this point. This is an unnecessary long story about the whereabouts of a certain Kloo Horn. Most of the characters are annoying and don't really draw you into the story. Not to mention, some of the voices in the narration were very grating and difficult to listen to.
Added Muscle by Paul Dini - 5 Stars
Good Ol' Boba Fett. It was fun to listen to his thoughts as Jabba the Hutt Confronted Han Solo.
You Owe Me a Ride by Zoraida Córdova - 3 Stars
Another point of view for the Jabba the Hutt/Han Solo Confrontation. It is told by two sisters that are bounty hunters, who decide the best way to get Han is to try to steal the Millennial Falcon. The story is okay, but it feels like a bit of a stretch in order to get more witnesses to Jabba and Han's conversation.
The Secrets of Long Snoot by Delilah S Dawson - 3 Stars
Who knew the Long Snooted Spy had a decent backstory?
Born in the Storm by Daniel José Older - 3 Stars
An interesting Point of view from one of the Storm troopers looking for the Droids on Tatooine.
Laina by Wil Wheaton - 3 Stars
A father's touching tribute to his daughter.
Fully Operational by Beth Revis - 3 Stars
I honestly don't remember much about this one. I don't think I had any particular emotions about it good or bad. It was just meh.
An Incident Report by Mallory Ortberg -4 Stars
This made me laugh in a macabre sort of way. Can you imagine writing an incident report to HR about Darth Vader almost choking you to death?
Change of Heart by Elizabeth Wein - 5 Stars
This is one of the good ones. I felt for the Stormtrooper that told the story.
Eclipse by Madeleine Roux - 4 Stars
This is a touching story about Princess Leia's parents just before the destruction of Alderan. That being said, it was a bit slow moving and long.
Verge of Greatness by Pablo Hildalgo -3 Stars
Subtle hint to a feud between Wilhoff Tarkin and Orson Krennic. Nothing about the story really stood out to me.
Far Too Remote by Jeffery Brown - 5 Stars
This Cartoon is Hilarious! If you read the Audio version make sure to check out the print version just to see it.
The Trigger by Kieron Gillen - 2 Stars
This one bored me. Sorry.
Of MSE-6 and Men by Glen Weldon - 1 Star
I could do without reading this one ever again. Ninety percent of the story is the MSE-6 going through computer functions (I actually started skimming it because I got tired of reading command lines.) The parts that were not computer code where not really that interesting. Mostly just a rendezvous between an officer and a stormtrooper with lots of fade to black if you know what I mean. There are small references to the events on the Death Star but overall, I do not feel it added anything to the overall plot of "A New Hope".
Bump by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker - 3 Stars
A stormtrooper realizes that he was tricked on Tatooine and recognized R2D2 and C3PO on the Death Star.
End of Watch by Adam Christopher - 3 Stars
The events on the rescue of Princess Leia from the point of view of an administrator on the Death Star. Interesting point of view.
The Baptist by Nnedi Okorafor - 3 Stars
This a fun little side story about the swamp monster in the trash compactor. It got a little more sensual than I prefer, but overall was a good story.
Time of Death by Cavan Scott -4 Stars
I liked this one a lot. But I did not Love it. It got a bit confusing when Obi-Wan kept going from the present to the past in his mind. It does give a little insight into how he became more powerful after his death.
There is Another by Gary D Schmidt - 5 Stars
Another surprising guest star. I will leave it at that. I highly recommend reading this story.
Palpatine by Ian Doescher - 3 Stars
Palpatine gives a monologue Shakespeare Style. A Little hard to follow, but still a good one to read.
Sparks by Paul S Kemp - 2 Stars
This one was very slow moving. I felt like it went through the battle of Yavin Shot by shot like it was report verses the events actually happening.
Duty Roster by Jason Fry -3 Stars
This one moved a little better than "Sparks". But once again, we were told about the action going on rather than getting to experience it.
Desert Son by Pierce Brown -3 Stars
This Story does provide more experience in terms of what happened during the battle of Yavin. That being said, it moved very slowly and despite the use of dialog from the movie, lacked the excitement and tension of the battle. It was a good attempt, but it just didn't work for me.
Grounded by Greg Rucka - 3 Stars
A Touching account of the Crew Chief of the Rebel Alliance concerning the Battle of Yavin. It moved a bit slow, but I felt the author expressed the emotion of the situation well.
Contingency Plan by Alexander Freed - 2 Stars
I found this story presents several possible futures and then goes back to the present in a confusing way.
The Angle by Charles Soule - 5 Stars
This was my favorite story about the battle of Yavin. Which is weird, because it is from a point of view that was not actually involved in the battle.
By Whatever Sun by E K Johnston and Ashley Eckstein - 4 Stars
A nice story about the awards ceremony at the end of the battle of Yavin.
Whills by Tom Angleberger - 5 Stars
This made me laugh so hard! It is about the authors of the blurb at the beginning of the movie and their discussion of the right way to present the history of the events of Star Wars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Genocide
Minor: Sexual content
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is launching another star wars phase. I just wanted to read about gay tarkin and now i'm crying, repeatedly. Star Wars is so full of hope that you forget how tragic it is sometimes. Obviously the stories varied in quality but overall I liked it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Genocide, and Death
krogancuddler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this so much. Many stories made me wanna gently cradle them and share them with the world, and the ones that didn't inspire that feeling were still pretty damn good. Griffin McElroy's story, Nnedi Okorafor's, Will Wheaton's all were so good. Many others too I just don't have the book nearby to check.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death and Genocide
ehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What an extremely fun read. Even when the stories weren't my favorite (dear god, I forgot how much people love the Cantina scene. So many Cantina stories here), it was still so much fun to get the alternative perspectives from so many characters. And some were so emotional and just reminded me so much why I love these silly space stories for children. Also, so many of my favorite authors are in here and they did not disappoint. Honestly, I liked that the varied so much in tone, and we had everything from a Day In The Life of the people of the cantina to a Mon Mothma's contingency plans if Yavin-4 had been destroyed. It also, thanks I think to following a familiar story, was easier for me to read than most anthologies usually are. It just flowed well together.
The Genocide in my warning refers to Alderaan, of course. And some of the stories in here really give it the mournful treatment that is missing in the original trilogy.
The Genocide in my warning refers to Alderaan, of course. And some of the stories in here really give it the mournful treatment that is missing in the original trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Genocide
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