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A review by thepancreas11
Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse
3.0
It feels a little incomplete, just as some of the reviews say it is, but I don't think that's a bad thing, necessarily. Expanded Universe novels can sometimes play the role of the next link in the chain, which is certainly the point here. I don't think it would stand alone, apart from Star Wars, but then, it doesn't really have to. Sure, most of the character development has been done elsewhere, there isn't really an antagonist outside of that great evil in the sky that is the First Order. This book is like a movement in a symphony, a part of something larger that gives it power through context and shared themes.
Plot aside, I love the writing style. I think that Rebecca Roanhorse captures our heroes perfectly, especially Leia. The first chapter felt like a stream of consciousness from Carrie Fisher herself. In general, she does a good job of changing the tone and voice of the story to reflect the point of view character. It's impressive to get one consistent voice; it's a thing of beauty when you can master a half a dozen voices. It's worth the read just to witness that greatness.
If anything bugged me, the lack of specificity did. "A pilot in Phantom Squadron died," for instance. Who? How? What did they fly? When you write in an Expanded Universe, every little detail matters. There are stories for every creature in the cantina because people are curious and hungry for the exposition. That's what makes an expanded universe so appealing. I wish she had named more of these characters so that they could take part in other stories, their threads could be pulled in the future.
I do love the representation in this novel, though. It's nice to see Star Wars embracing diversity finally.
Plot aside, I love the writing style. I think that Rebecca Roanhorse captures our heroes perfectly, especially Leia. The first chapter felt like a stream of consciousness from Carrie Fisher herself. In general, she does a good job of changing the tone and voice of the story to reflect the point of view character. It's impressive to get one consistent voice; it's a thing of beauty when you can master a half a dozen voices. It's worth the read just to witness that greatness.
If anything bugged me, the lack of specificity did. "A pilot in Phantom Squadron died," for instance. Who? How? What did they fly? When you write in an Expanded Universe, every little detail matters. There are stories for every creature in the cantina because people are curious and hungry for the exposition. That's what makes an expanded universe so appealing. I wish she had named more of these characters so that they could take part in other stories, their threads could be pulled in the future.
I do love the representation in this novel, though. It's nice to see Star Wars embracing diversity finally.