Book info

• Title Star Wars: Light of the Jedi
• Author Charles Soule
• Year 2021
• Genre Science Fiction

It is a golden age for the galaxy. Intrepid hyperspace scouts expand the reach of the Republic to the furthest stars, worlds flourish under the benevolent leadership of the Senate, and peace reigns, enforced by the wisdom and strength of the renowned order of Force users known as the Jedi. With the Jedi at the height of their power, the free citizens of the galaxy are confident in their ability to weather any storm But the even brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms defy any preparation. When a shocking catastrophe in hyperspace tears a ship to pieces, the flurry of shrapnel emerging from the disaster threatens an entire system. No sooner does the call for help go out than the Jedi race to the scene. The scope of the emergence, however, is enough to push even Jedi to their limit. As the sky breaks open and destruction rains down upon the peaceful alliance they helped to build, the Jedi must trust in the Force to see them through a day in which a single mistake could cost billions of lives. Even as the Jedi battle valiantly against calamity, something truly deadly grows beyond the boundary of the Republic. The hyperspace disaster is far more sinister than the Jedi could ever suspect. A threat hides in the darkness, far from the light of the age, and harbours a secret that could strike fear into even a Jedi's heart.

Thoughts

I was a bit dubious about this - it’s always hard going into a Star Wars piece where you don’t know any of the characters yet (although Yoda gets a couple of mentions!) but I should have trusted the process, you’re quite quickly in the zone and cheering on the various Jedi. I like how this starts, with a collision in hyperspace that causes massive chaos and destruction and more importantly, some big questions around why it happened. That’s the problem with using a science that you don’t fully understand! And then the deeper nefarious plot is gradually revealed, and it seems to be setting some seeds for further stories in this new Star Wars timeline. A very enjoyable read.

Rating: 4 / 5