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rlaferney 's review for:

Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno
3.0

My over all opinion: This is not necessary to read before the film, but gives a very good rationale why Orson Krennic is so villainous. I thought the last two chapters were very compelling particularly. It also shows us Saw's relation to Jyn, which is nice. Personally the more technical things were boring (besides knowing that Kyber Cyrstals were used to construct the Death Star rays). Be warned: There is a lot of information dumping in this book!

Rather, what is compelling about this book is the dynamic between Galcen, Lyra and Krennic, as the book progresses. Krennic attempts to manipulates the couple for his personal gain and to harness the intelligence of Galcen's mind for evil purposes. Lyra acts as the moral voice of the story and it is refreshing to read in a Star Wars book about a couple who are so devoted to each other as Galcen and Lyra are. You can sense their love and their bond. Give me more of the humanity within this story and less of the political/technological mumbo-jumbo.

I liked the book but didn't love it. Parts were slow and not dramatic enough. If you can skim the book at your leisure and still get the basic plot arc, do so.