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![[A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...]](../../images/banner.jpg) |
Events
that occur after Episode IV: A New Hope. |
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Heir to the Jedi |
BOOK STORY |
Kevin Hearne |
Del Rey |
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Story published as:
Hardback Book (2015) e-Book (2015) Audio Book (2015)
Paperback Book (2015) |
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Rating:
If you have read this story, please
rate it:
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Reviews:
2 reviews [Average review
score: 2.5 / 5] |
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Synopsis:
Luke Skywalker’s game-changing destruction of the Death
Star has made him not only a hero of the Rebel Alliance
but a valuable asset in the ongoing battle against the
Empire. Though he’s a long way from mastering the power
of the Force, there’s no denying his phenomenal skills
as a pilot—and in the eyes of Rebel leaders Princess
Leia Organa and Admiral Ackbar, there’s no one better
qualified to carry out a daring rescue mission crucial
to the Alliance cause. A brilliant alien
cryptographer renowned for her ability to breach even
the most advanced communications systems is being
detained by Imperial agents determined to exploit her
exceptional talents for the Empire’s purposes. But the
prospective spy’s sympathies lie with the Rebels, and
she’s willing to join their effort in exchange for being
reunited with her family. It’s an opportunity to gain a
critical edge against the Empire that’s too precious to
pass up. It’s also a job that demands the element of
surprise. So Luke and the ever-resourceful droid R2-D2
swap their trusty X-wing fighter for a sleek space yacht
piloted by brash recruit Nakari Kelen, daughter of a
biotech mogul, who’s got a score of her own to settle
with the Empire. Challenged by ruthless Imperial
bodyguards, death-dealing enemy battleships, merciless
bounty hunters, and monstrous brain-eating parasites,
Luke plunges head-on into a high-stakes espionage
operation that will push his abilities as a Rebel
fighter and would-be Jedi to the limit. If ever he
needed the wisdom of Obi-Wan Kenobi to shepherd him
through danger, it’s now. But Luke will have to rely on
himself, his friends, and his own burgeoning
relationship with the Force to survive.
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Chronology:
This story occurs within 6 months of Episode IV: A New Hope. |
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Related Stories (in
chronological order):
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Reviews: |
Review by Darth Kondorr, Poland,
2017: |
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Although
it is not as bad as its reputation, this is at best a very mediocre
book and it's first short coming is the obvious first person
narration. A very strange and very rare artistic decision,
especially with Star Wars books. To even top that, the author had
the balls to try and place us in the head of Luke Skywalker himself.
I was hoping for some twist, or plot development that would require
such a narrative, justify it, but nothing of this sort came to pass.
If someone actually exchanged all the self-referencing into
descriptions in third person, we at least would have been spared
this awkward style, that only managed to drag me out of the
experience and never for once did I feel like I actually was inside
the head and thoughts of Luke. The book itself is not to
substantial. Through a series of events that will probably be never
again referenced in any new canon media, we get to know how our
narrator deals with being untrained in the force... and to some
degree... girls. He has to learn some things, accept other things
and ultimately deal with the loss of people old and new. Overall
a rather skippable adventure, that has its joys but regrettably
drowns in its mediocrity.
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Rating:
2
/ 5 |
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Review by Ewan, Star Wars
Books & Comics, 2015: |
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Set
shortly after the events of
A New Hope,
Heir to the Jedi is a character examination of Luke
Skywalker told from Luke's own perspective. This first-person story
tells of his new journey from hero of the Rebellion to fledging Jedi
in a series of minor missions that lead to the main adventure.
Throughout this story Hearne examines Luke's motives and desires to
follow in his father's and Obi-Wan's footsteps as with each
successful mission he uncovers new information and truths about the
Jedi. And this is the strength of Hearne's writing style and choice
of first person narrative: we really get inside the mind and
thoughts of Luke. From his early trepidation of visiting a fallen
Jedi's grave to the exhilaration he feels when he is presented with
the dead Jedi's lightsaber and his attempts to rebuild it. Then
there is Luke's first attempt at telekinesis - and his subsequent
failure to move anything - and his personal monologue of trying to
decide which actions would be considered use of the Dark Side and
those of the Light. Hearne never forgets that this is a young
Luke, basically a teenager at heart and somewhat naive in the ways
of the galaxy, but Luke blusters through some awkward moments giving
this story its light-hearted moments, because at the end of it all
Luke has actually experienced a lot more than the average teenager:
the violent deaths of his Aunt and Uncle and his best friend Biggs;
witnessing the death of Obi-Wan at the hands of Vader - the man whom
Obi-Wan claimed killed his own father. And herein lies the story's
pathos: when Luke recalls these tragic events - especially during
the story's poignant moment. However, the first person
approach is also this story's greatest weakness: as we must witness
everything through Luke's eyes. For Star Wars fans used to
third-person narratives, this is only the second first-person Star
Wars novel to be published, secondary character development,
especially antagonists, can feel weak as we cannot examine their
motives and drives. To overcome this, Hearne limits the number of
characters Luke interacts with to a minimum and introduces only a
handful of new characters - many of which make only the briefest of
appearances. Although Hearne's choice of first-person narrative
makes this a more personal story for Luke's development, the lack of
a major antagonist for Luke to contend with and only minor
protagonists who assist Luke, meant that this story lacked some of
the excitement, tension and drama that many fans expect in a galaxy
far, far away story. While this story will appeal to Luke fans,
especially those of the Original Trilogy, I can understand why
continuity fans may find themselves disappointed at the lack of
substance. As the third novel in Lucasfilm's new canon, where the
canvas outside the films is completely blank, Heir to the Jedi
unfortunately fails to add anything substantial.
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Rating:
3
/ 5 |
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