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cloneknight's review against another edition
3.0
7/10 (3.5 stars)
What I appreciate most about Star Wars Visions as a whole is its premise of taking the Star Wars universe and its most defining aspects and putting it into new scenarios and contexts to tell a story that feels both fresh and distinctly Star Wars. Following the first episode of the animated anthology show, titled "The Duel" this book expands on one of those universes.
It's a universe that sees Jedi not as the more closed off monks we are used to, instead opting to make them more like Samurai following one Jedi Lord. Only the highest ranking of the Jedi get a lightsaber. These Jedi directly serve the Empire and the rule of its princes. On the opposite side we of course have the Sith, though they aren't depicted as straight up evil. They're more-so a rebellion. Both groups are depicted in a positive and negative light, but it feels like there is quite a bit of context missing that could help with our understanding of why the Sith broke off from the Jedi.
In this book we specifically follow the titular Ronin, whom we've met in the Visions episode I mentioned before. He's an old dark-side warrior who's seeking out a Sith Witch, but there's more to it than he initially lets on. My biggest gripe with the book is probably that The Ronin's motivations are never really clear. It feels like he's basically just going along with anything that's happening and all the decisions his companions are making.
That group of companions is an interesting bunch as well. Some get more time to shine than others, and some of them keep their secrets and mysteries just a bit too long for the pay-off to really be satisfying in my opinion. But they get some genuinely interesting arcs that helped me stay engaged with the book when the slow pace and unclarity started setting in. (I'm also giving bonus points for the inclusion and representation here, it made me quite happy to read.)
Overall I think Ronin is a fine book that sometimes seems to forget it isn't set in a universe we're familiar with, rather one that's just very much like it. That paired with a slightly confusing place and kind of emptily motivated protagonist do hold it back from being especially great, but I'm sure if you are fine with all the changes to the lore and just love Star Wars as a whole, there will be plenty to enjoy. I certainly had a good time with it!
What I appreciate most about Star Wars Visions as a whole is its premise of taking the Star Wars universe and its most defining aspects and putting it into new scenarios and contexts to tell a story that feels both fresh and distinctly Star Wars. Following the first episode of the animated anthology show, titled "The Duel" this book expands on one of those universes.
It's a universe that sees Jedi not as the more closed off monks we are used to, instead opting to make them more like Samurai following one Jedi Lord. Only the highest ranking of the Jedi get a lightsaber. These Jedi directly serve the Empire and the rule of its princes. On the opposite side we of course have the Sith, though they aren't depicted as straight up evil. They're more-so a rebellion. Both groups are depicted in a positive and negative light, but it feels like there is quite a bit of context missing that could help with our understanding of why the Sith broke off from the Jedi.
In this book we specifically follow the titular Ronin, whom we've met in the Visions episode I mentioned before. He's an old dark-side warrior who's seeking out a Sith Witch, but there's more to it than he initially lets on. My biggest gripe with the book is probably that The Ronin's motivations are never really clear. It feels like he's basically just going along with anything that's happening and all the decisions his companions are making.
That group of companions is an interesting bunch as well. Some get more time to shine than others, and some of them keep their secrets and mysteries just a bit too long for the pay-off to really be satisfying in my opinion. But they get some genuinely interesting arcs that helped me stay engaged with the book when the slow pace and unclarity started setting in. (I'm also giving bonus points for the inclusion and representation here, it made me quite happy to read.)
Overall I think Ronin is a fine book that sometimes seems to forget it isn't set in a universe we're familiar with, rather one that's just very much like it. That paired with a slightly confusing place and kind of emptily motivated protagonist do hold it back from being especially great, but I'm sure if you are fine with all the changes to the lore and just love Star Wars as a whole, there will be plenty to enjoy. I certainly had a good time with it!
younghexagon's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
luc_3's review against another edition
4.0
Oooooh this one was good. Very good.
Premise: I began reading SW novels last year because I’ve been doing some catching up with the comics and the cartoons, and wanted to see how they’d expand on some characters I was enjoying. When Visions came out I liked most of the shorts but The Duel didn’t really stand out to me, it was a fun premise and some nice animation, didn’t think much more of it, so when this novel came out I didn’t think about reading it. But then, I was done with the Thrawn novels and was in the mood for some self contained story, and I came across this again, and some people whose tastes I vibe with were giving it glowing reviews, so I decided to give it a try… and loved every page.
Firstly, it is BEAUTIFULLY written, the prose is fantastic and melodic and has some poetic moments that light up your imagination. The alternating POV was smooth and clear and never handled clumsily, and it had nice touches like the style changing slightly depending on whose PoV we were following and the nicknames for some characters being different in the various PoVs.
Then, the characters are fantastic. They are painted with such vivid strokes where you can really get a sense of them, have interesting motivations and drives and are a delight to follow. Big chunk of the cast is queer and it’s not left to subtext and it’s handled beautifully, including the nonbinary and trans characters, which was a very nice surprise.
Lastly, story is very good! The reimagining of the SW universe is interesting and inventive, seamlessly blended with feudal Japan, and leaves you wanting to find out new infos about how things work here. Especially Jedi and Sith are given such an interesting spin.
So in conclusion, it’s a very good read and I highly recommend it!
Premise: I began reading SW novels last year because I’ve been doing some catching up with the comics and the cartoons, and wanted to see how they’d expand on some characters I was enjoying. When Visions came out I liked most of the shorts but The Duel didn’t really stand out to me, it was a fun premise and some nice animation, didn’t think much more of it, so when this novel came out I didn’t think about reading it. But then, I was done with the Thrawn novels and was in the mood for some self contained story, and I came across this again, and some people whose tastes I vibe with were giving it glowing reviews, so I decided to give it a try… and loved every page.
Firstly, it is BEAUTIFULLY written, the prose is fantastic and melodic and has some poetic moments that light up your imagination. The alternating POV was smooth and clear and never handled clumsily, and it had nice touches like the style changing slightly depending on whose PoV we were following and the nicknames for some characters being different in the various PoVs.
Then, the characters are fantastic. They are painted with such vivid strokes where you can really get a sense of them, have interesting motivations and drives and are a delight to follow. Big chunk of the cast is queer and it’s not left to subtext and it’s handled beautifully, including the nonbinary and trans characters, which was a very nice surprise.
Lastly, story is very good! The reimagining of the SW universe is interesting and inventive, seamlessly blended with feudal Japan, and leaves you wanting to find out new infos about how things work here. Especially Jedi and Sith are given such an interesting spin.
So in conclusion, it’s a very good read and I highly recommend it!
rcrikkit's review against another edition
Listening to on audio and it just didn't suck me in. Maybe I'll try again later, but not right now.
astricker28's review against another edition
Wasnt holding my attention. Was hoping to come back to it but was never in the mood. I may still try again at a later time.
meliemelo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.25
Having loved the <i>Visions</i> episode, I was delighted to find out that a novel had been inspired by it.
Unfortunately, it isn't canon, and thus, as I later found out, took a lot of liberties with the lore - that said, I can appreciate the author's goal of making the mythology her own, using her culture, which had inspired Star Wars to begin with. Furthermore, I really liked the Sith history as it was presented, hence my disappointment when I finally looked up the canon. I also enjoyed how the Jedi and Sith morals are examined in this version.
The characters are interesting (though perhaps a tad too numerous to be used properly), the story as well (although the pacing was a bit slow at time). All in all not a bad read and I'm glad I picked it up.
Unfortunately, it isn't canon, and thus, as I later found out, took a lot of liberties with the lore - that said, I can appreciate the author's goal of making the mythology her own, using her culture, which had inspired Star Wars to begin with. Furthermore, I really liked the Sith history as it was presented, hence my disappointment when I finally looked up the canon. I also enjoyed how the Jedi and Sith morals are examined in this version.
The characters are interesting (though perhaps a tad too numerous to be used properly), the story as well (although the pacing was a bit slow at time). All in all not a bad read and I'm glad I picked it up.
corimii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The basic idea of this book is so cool but I found the execution a bit confusing and slow at times.
catparroll's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
psyco12_2000's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0