Manga: Star Wars Lost Stars

Star Wars: Lost Stars
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

The Empire can be seductive, particularly if you're an aspiring young pilot...

Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree both know this very well when they enroll Imperial Academy, eager to pursue their dreams. When Thane discovers the darker side of the Empire, though, and defects to the Rebellion, the pair's lifelong friendship will be put to the ultimate test.

Will Thane and Ciena's relationship -- or even they themselves -- survive this galactic conflict...?

For those of you who don't know, this is adapted from a book by Claudia Gray, which I haven't actually read, but I have read one of her other series so I was expecting big things from this and I wasn't disappointed! 

Lost Stars starts with action as we enter on a X-Wing/TIE Fighter battle, chase kind of thing, before we head off to Hoth where things crossover with the movies and we get to briefly see Han and Leia which had me squealing! 

Our MC Thane smoothly slots in with them, he's out to rescue and save Ciena, his old friend...but she's with the enemy and she's kind of out to kill him. Awkward. They make their declarations pretty early on and it's almost comic, the contrast. You know "I'm going to save her" "I'm going to kill him". 

Interestingly, we jump back in time for most of the volume, seeing Thane and Ciena's friendship, how it started, their education and training at the Imperial Academy and so on. They and the other cadets don't really scream evil so it kinda changed how I looked at them. I didn't look at them and thing "Wow the Empire, they're terrible characters". I even momentarily looked at the Empire a little differently. Momentarily. Like for a few seconds. 

Nash intrigues me, he's Thane's old friend and he's from Leia's planet Alderaan and you can't tell me he's cool with what went down. I'm interested to see if he joins Thane or if he sticks with the Empire. He's a fun supporting character though! 

The story is paced nicely, there's a good amount of world building and building up of the characters as we go back in time to get to see how they became friends, how they ended up working for the Empire and in Thane's case...how he came to end up leaving. This volume shows us what sparks all of that off, and gets us ready for what's to come next because this is just the first part...the first little chunk actually, I think! 

Lost Stars smoothly ties in to the Star Wars original trilogy, and I squealed whenever I saw Leia or Han! I also particularly liked the art work, not just the OC's to the story, but Han and Leia are brilliantly drawn too and there's a lot of attention to detail to make sure it matches up with the canon! This is definitely going to be an interesting and fun story!

Review: Star Wars Junior Novelisations

Star Wars A New Hope
Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Return of the Jedi
Star Wars The Force Awakens

Ratings: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy!
Source: Copies courtesy of the publisher! 

2017 sees the 40th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: A New Hope, the film that launched the greatest space fantasy epic in history. To celebrate this, Egmont are publishing a set of junior novel adaptations of the original trilogy.

Follow the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca and the Rebel Alliance as they fight against the evil Emperor Palpatine, and his sinister agent Darth Vader!

As I'm sure you guys are aware, I'm a huge fan of Star Wars! Except for the prequel films. I like to pretend those don't exist. Thanks to the publisher, I got to read these gorgeous junior editions of the books and I loved them! They're going to be so brilliant for getting books interested in Star Wars! 

You get some great insight in to the characters and events while keeping it short and sweet! There's not as much detail as I imagine there is in the adult novels, but it's enough for kids and to pique their interest without giving anything away! 

I really feel like these capture the essence of the movies, there's some elaboration on certain character actions and feelings, but not enough to bog down the book and keep it from being short and snappy. The characters personalities are perfectly captured as is the action and adventure and the pace is perfect. 

For Star Wars fans wanting to get the kids they know interested in the movies...these are perfect! They've given me such an urge to watch the movies again now...it's been a while! 

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Review: Star Wars Catalyst

Star Wars Catalyst 
Rating: 4/5 
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Lauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine's top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic's, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. Galen's energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic's debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor's tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic's web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself. 

I'm sure I'm not the only person who's ridiculously excited for Rogue One!? I have a friend who worked on it, doing something techy with editing, and I was so insanely jealous because hello getting to watch the raw footage! Who among us wouldn't sell a spare internal organ to get to work on Star Wars? I love the original Star Wars trilogy, the prequel trilogy not so much. Sometimes I pretend it doesn't exist, I might try re-watching them another day, but the originals are my ultimate favourites! I loved Episode Seven, probably because it was quite similar to A New Hope! I've been so curious about Rogue One, it's set before A New Hope, and all the trailers look so damn good, and this book has made me even more excited for it! 

I love how all of these books fill in gaps in the Star Wars universe and give you more in depth looks at the films, and this one sets up Rogue One for us nicely. It introduces us to Jyn, gives us her backstory, her parents story, gives us the political climate, what's been going on, and if you've seen the trailer......the scene with Young Jyn in the field type place, with her dad...that now makes so much sense. I'm 99% sure I know what that's all about now! This won't spoil the film for you, and you don't need to read it before you see it, but if you do read it, I think it'll flesh out the film more and give you a better understanding of everything, you get a better feel for the characters and the events! 

Catalyst is hugely character driven, the book focuses on Galen Erso and his family, as well as Galen's relationship with Krennic. Who I totally hated. So much. You read about Galen and how stoked he is about his work but you also have Krennic's POV so you know what he's up to and what's really going and I really loved that effect. I think my favourite characters was Lyra however, and I'm not at all worried about her lack of presence in the Rogue One trailer, (someone tell me she's there and I missed her!). I loved how she was questioning Krennic, I loved how well she and Galen worked together, I loved how they complemented each other personality wise. 

I liked that we got to see how Galen came to be working for the "bad guys" as it where. I liked seeing how you could end up working for the wrong side, thinking you where doing the right thing, and I enjoyed watching Galen's thought process on it but I also love how he immediately believed Lyra and heard her out. I'm so intrigued to see what Jyn will be like, right at the end we get her POV and it's made me so excited to see what she's like. I've got kind of an idea of what she may be like, but yeah! I'm loving getting excited for Rogue One and going in to it with this additional information! 

Feature: Take Away Treat Company

Hey guys! 

How's everyone doing? In the mood for some bookish items perhaps? Good! 

My very good friend Rebecca over at The Brunettes Bookshelf is not only very creative herself, but she has a very creative mum! Rebecca and her mum run Take Away Treat Company which is full of handmade goodies of the cute persuasion! There's also some bookish goodies on there too! Each item is made to order and seriously you guys....so. freaking. cute. You should check out the mermaid tails they're so awesome. They'd make brilliant presents or you know...treats for yourself because everyone needs a treat now and then! Previously mentioned mermaid tails, apple cosies, mug/cup cosies, bags, pillows, baby gifts like blankets, crochet baskets, lavender bags to make your draws smell fresh and much more! 

Rebecca sent me a couple things and honestly....they're brilliant! Fantastic quality and beautifully made! I'm always looking for things to include in my photos and so I had a lot of fun taking the photos for these! 

Okay so first up is the crocheted Golden Snitch! Honestly this is perfect! I love having little things to have on my bookshelf and in my photos and this is perfect! I know a few of you have themed bookshelves, and I know a few of you have a Harry Potter shelf like I do full of the books, pop vinyls, and any other Harry Potter bits you can get your hands on! This is totally perfect!  

It sits well on a shelf, and in a photo, and I'm certain that you could probably hang it from the ceiling or something if you really wanted and asked Rebecca's mum really nicely to attach some hangy thing to it! Like that clear wire stuff...you know what I mean. I'm just in love with this little Snitch okay. It's perfect, no lie! 

Keeping the Harry Potter train rolling and I have this bag made by hand by Rebecca and for any Mortal Instruments fans she has a totally awesome TMI bag up on the website RIGHT NOW! So the bag is sturdy, and it's water resistant to an extent, but then no-ones going to go dunking their bag in to a lake or something are they!? I love the simple design with the Deathly Hallows and Always. Just.....always *ugly sobs* 

Us bookish folk love a good tote bag, let's not lie and while Rebecca has HP and TMI totes, she also has some other cute designs, and she'll do a custom bag for you if you ask her nicely and tell her what you're after quote-wise etc! She legit hand paints them, you guys like...hot damn! You guys know you need a new tote for all your books when you go shopping...

Okay so I can hear you all shouting at me that Star Wars isn't a bookish item BUT there are Star Wars books so HA. Meet cup warmer Yoda. He's ridiculously adorable. Look at his little hands! I cannot even. I'm in love. He's crotchet as you can see, and seriously...SO CUTE! Yoda does up at the back with a nice, easy to button, button and he fits round a mug, a cup, a glass, any drinking receptacle that I have in my house basically. You need him in your life, he'll keep your drinks warm for you! 

Want a Yoda, you know you do! 

His little face, look at! 

Buy it now, you will! 

Do or do not, there is no try! 

I will stop now. Before someone punches me. 

So.....you all need to go check out Take Away Treat Company, have a little nose around, I guarantee you'll find something you like! Or you know, think of something you'd like to have made! I think these will just make really brilliant gifts for family and friends, as well as treats for yourself, they're hand made so you know they're good quality and they're unique! 

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Review: Star Wars Bloodlines

Bloodline
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

When the Rebellion defeated the Empire in the skies above Endor, Leia Organa believed it was the beginning to a lasting peace. But after decades of vicious infighting and partisan gridlock in the New Republic Senate, that hope seems like a distant memory.

Now a respected senator, Leia must grapple with the dangers that threaten to cripple the fledgling democracy — from both within and without. Underworld kingpins, treacherous politicians, and Imperial loyalists are sowing chaos in the galaxy. Desperate to take action, senators are calling for the election of a First Senator. It is their hope that this influential post will bring strong leadership to a divided galaxy.

As the daughter of Darth Vader, Leia faces with distrust the prospect of any one person holding such a powerful position — even when supporters suggest Leia herself for the job. But a new enemy may make this path Leia’s only option. For at the edges of the galaxy, a mysterious threat is growing… 

So, I'm still very new to Star Wars books, I haven't read as many as other reviewers, but this is one of the best that I have read! Honestly, I'm a fan of Claudia Gray's anyway, but if Lost Stars is as good as this book then I need to pick it up immediately! This book is set about 5 years before Episode 7 (I think) and shows us how the First Order rose to power, and how the Resistance was born. 

Bloodlines is all about Leia, as expected, she is older and more weary. She's thinking of retiring from politics and being done with it all and just flying around the galaxy with Han. She's not entirely the Leia we all know, but there are still glimpses of the old Leia from A New Hope and so on. Jaded as Leia may be when it comes to politics, she will still fight for peace with everything she has. I liked seeing this new Leia, it gave insight in to her in The Force Awakens and how she came to be where she was when we saw her in that film. It was also interesting to see her struggling with the knowledge that Darth Vader was her father, with how to tell her son and so on, and I can't say more because of spoilers, but it was very interesting and very well done to see how it effected other relationships. 

There's a lot of politics in this book, Leia is a Senator on The New Republic senate, and when Mon Mothma left the New Republic it descended in to stagnation. Everyone arguing about everything, nothing getting done, and in the midst of all of this, two factions have emerged. Populists (Leia) and Centrists. An idea is brought before the Senate to appoint a First Senator, spearheaded by the Centrists who want things to change and who think some things from the Empire where correct. This First Senator would be given a lot of power, and that's something that really doesn't sit well with Leia after everything she's been through, although she is her parties obvious choice for leader, being a celebrated war hero and you know....Princess. 

Just as Leia is thinking of retiring, she's offered the chance at one last mission when the Senate is made aware of a criminal organisation run by a shady kingpin, that's filling the void the Hutts left. But Leia's dream mission turns in to a babysitting job when a Centrist Senator volunteers to go with her. 

This Senator is Ransolm Casterfo and boy did I have an interesting relationship with this character. Princess Leia is my favourite okay, and so I really didn't care for how he was in the beginning and how he spoke to her and so on. They're both on rival parties and they definitely do not get off to a good start, but Gray shows you both sides of the argument. Both characters view points, so it's not long before you can see that Casterfo has a point or two, that despite his questionable taste in decor he doesn't truly mean any harm. It's not long before you find yourself liking him, much like Leia does. I really enjoyed reading about the friendship forming between the two and the end of the book broke my heart, I was so disappointed. It's a complex friendship, right up until the end and it was one of the best parts of the book to read about! 

There's other new characters, or at least ones that are new to me, okay! We have Greer, one of the pilots who Han took under his wing, and who is now working for Leia for mysterious reasons. And we have Joph, who's a bit of a Han Solo fan boy if I do say so, and it made him incredibly endearing when we first meet him. I really liked both of the characters, Joph made me laugh and I liked watching the relationship between the two grow, I'd love to read more about them! 

I think that Gray captures the essence of the characters perfectly and brings them to life for this story with absolute perfection. She writes compellingly, and gives you intrigue and adventure. She gives you a complex relationship that's interesting to read and explore. She fills in the blanks and answers questions I'm sure some of us had after watching The Force Awakens. She gives us the historical and political context that the film was lacking, and it rounds out the film and our knowledge of what happened after Return of the Jedi and how after everything, the First Order could be allowed to rise. We see only a bit of the First Order, how it was being set up and started to rise to power but it was enough. Gray shows us how the Resistance was formed, and I'd love to read more about what happened before The Force Awakens with the Resistance! I just loved getting questions answered and getting to see more of the universe. 

Like I said, there's a lot of politics in the book, we spend a lot of time with the Senate getting to grips with what the political climate is at the time of the book. I found it all to be easy to understand, Gray writes so that while it's complex, it's not too easy and it's not too complicated. We also spend time getting to know more of the galaxy, as we hang out in the criminal underworld on various different planets, and try to work out what the hell they're up to and why! 

Honestly the book is completely brilliant, and the final line sent a shiver up my spine, it was the perfect ending for the book. I realise I'm not as widely read in the Star Wars universe as others so it probably doesn't mean much when I say it's the best one I've read, but it's true! I also need to fangirl about Han in this book, because he and Leia gave me so many feels. SO MANY. 

Wishing For Wednesday #87

It's Wednesday again! 
Not surprising seeing as it's a weekly occurrence ya know! I'm really excited for this week's reads, I mean I'm excited every week but yeah. 
First up is the next book in a series by one of my favourite authors ever! I'm so excited to see what happens to the characters next, and I'm anticipating pain and angst! Although I'm not sure if this is the right cover! 
Second is a book for all you fellow nerds! It's a new Star Wars book by yet another of my favourite authors, and I'm so excited to read it! I still need to read her other Star Wars book though! 

Soldier

A fighter dedicated to saving humankind from dragons in strictest secrecy.

That was what Garret Xavier Sebastian thought he was part of as a soldier of the Order of St. George. What he learned from a fiery dragon hatchling twisted all he believed in and set him on a collision course with certain death-but not without a chance to put things right.

Betrayed and on the run again, Ember and rogue dragon Riley discover an unthinkable truth about Talon and St. George. They'll need Garret's skills and insider knowledge of the Order to negotiate an impossible deal-and if they fail, there will be no way to stop all-out war.

Soldier is out May 5th, pre-order your copy....here! 
Add it to your TBR....here! 

Star Wars: Bloodline

From the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Lost Stars comes a thrilling prequel to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, set roughly six years before the events of the film.

That's legit all I can find about it! But ya know....Star Wars and Claudia Gray so it's gonna be awesome!

Bloodline is out May 5th, pre-order your copy....here! 

Add it to your TBR....here!

TBR Bites!

Hey guys, what's up!? 
Welcome to my new feature! Each week or so I'll be bringing you a couple of books from my TBR shelf! I'm fairly certain this hasn't been done before, but I could be wrong! I'm picking them at random at the minute, but if you want to see what I have from a specific genre, let me know! Not sure how much you guys are gonna like this, so this is experimental for now! If it does well, I'll keep it up, if it doesn't I may not! 

Anyway, this week I've got three for you and I picked three that I'm eager to get round to...eventually....hopefully....I mean...I am aiming to clear my TBR this year? 

Jackaby

I've heard such good things about this, and I had actually ordered the hardcover of this but Book Depository sent me the paperback! Jackaby is an investigator of the unexplained, and Abigail ends up being his assistant! Their first case? A serial killer roaming about, and Jackaby's convinced the killer isn't human. 

Seraphina

Um...I'd love to give you guys a really awesome reason for picking this up...but I actually went for it because of the cover I mean, it's purple and there's a dragon and it's pretty! It does sound awesome though! Humans and Dragons live in a fragile peace but the anniversary of the treaty draws near and a member of the royal family is murdered in a suspiciously draconian fashion! 

The Princess, The Scoundrel and The Farm Boy

Star Wars and Alexandra Bracken...need I say more?! I totally need to get the other two as well! As far as I'm aware, Alexandra Bracken has re-written the classic Star Wars A New Hope, which means it's going to be completely awesome! 

Review: Star Wars The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Set years after Return of the Jedi, this stunning action-packed adventure rockets us back into the world of Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2,and Luke Skywalker, while introducing a host of exciting new characters. Darth Vader may have been redeemed and the Emperor vanquished, but peace can be fleeting, and evil does not easily relent. Yet the simple belief in good can still empower ordinary individuals to rise and meet the greatest challenges.

So return to that galaxy far, far away, and prepare yourself for what happens when the Force awakens. . . 

Okay so I'm not going to expand on the synopsis from GoodReads because I don't want to spoil it because some people may still have not seen it and ya know...just spoilers in general! 

So, I completely love Star Wars, I'm a Star Wars nerd, I got to see the movie on Christmas Eve and I was so excited to read the book and get to re-live the movie, I mean I could practically hear the opening theme music as I was reading the beginning! But then I sing the opening titles to the tune of the theme song soooo.....

ANYWAY. There's a few scenes that I don't remember being in the film, that where nice additions and helped to expand on the movie a bit more. There where scenes that where extended from what I remember of the movie, and a few changes here or there. Because of all of this, you get a lot better understanding of what's going through the characters heads in the movie, what their motivations are, what the history of the places featured are and so on. You also learn more about the situation with the New Republic and what went wrong and the problems with it and how the New Order rose up. 

I thought the book translated perfectly from the book in that it retained it's cinematic values. If that makes sense, like I've read book versions of films that where so dull and boring, but this was very cinematic, even if you haven't seen the film I would think it would be easy to picture the scenes and the settings and get a feel for the places. The beginning did go on for a while, and all of the bits at the end did feel a little bit rushed in comparison, so I think the book could have been longer, or the beginning cut down perhaps, but other than that I really enjoyed it and getting to go back to the movie! 

There where so many bits in the book that I wished had been in the film, but then the film probably would have been like a million hours long, but then....would any of us really care? Nope not really! The dialogue was great, the action scenes translated well on to the page, you got a feel for the characters, especially Kylo Ren! It also helps you to spawn even  more theories! I just loved reading the movie, as it where, because it added so much more insight! I mean BB-8...I loved BB-8 in the movie but you actually get to understand him a bit more! It's definitely worth a read whether you've read the books or not guys! 

I can't believe I've never read a Star Wars book before!