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Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel

(Star Wars Disney Canon Novel)

James Luceno

3.73 · Rating details · 14,378 ratings · 1,622 reviews

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 brillian ...more

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Hardcover, 330 pages

Published November 15th 2016 by Del Rey

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Nov 27, 2016 Alejandro rated it liked it

Shelves: novel, military, star-wars, espionage, politics, media-tie-in, science-fiction

Pointless prelude to “Rogue One”.

ONE ROLL CALL OF ROGUES

Without a quick victory, the galaxy could die a slow death.

This canon novel is the prelude to the events in the Rogue One incoming film.

The story is set in the last days of the Clone Wars.

Here, you meet for the first time some of the characters:

Galen Erso: A brilliant civilian scientist and the leading one in the investigation about appliance of crystals into energy sources. He is pacifist and doesn’t support any side the Clone ...more

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Dec 21, 2016 Sean Barrs rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: super fans and not those wanting a slice of Star Wars action

Shelves: sci-fi, 3-star-reads

I’m going to see the new Star Wars film tomorrow (Yay!) so I’ve been storming through this to get myself ready for it. Has anyone seen it yet? Is it any good?

Here, though, James Luceno has done wonders at situating the film in relation to the Star Wars timeline. This book tells the lives of the characters from it, depicting the events leading up from the Clone Wars up until the events of the film- just before A New Hope. So it’s very much a prequel that allows us to see where these characters h I’m going to see the new Star Wars film tomorrow (Yay!) so I’ve been storming through this to get myself ready for it. Has anyone seen it yet? Is it any good?

Here, though, James Luceno has done wonders at situating the film in relation to the Star Wars timeline. This book tells the lives of the characters from it, depicting the events leading up from the Clone Wars up until the events of the film- just before A New Hope. So it’s very much a prequel that allows us to see where these characters have come from, and what they’ve been through. And it isn’t pretty.

Galen Erso is a fantastic scientist; he is also an advocate of peace and conducts deep research into the potential power of energy, especially that harboured from the Kyber crystal- the very same thing that powers a lightsabre. His research is driven entirely from an altruistic standpoint; he wants to do some good with his work and genuinely benefit all species. He is a good man, a driven man who could change everything. But with all energy in the galaxy also comes risks; it can be either used for the light side of the force or the dark. It’s a case of who gets to it first.

Let the grooming process begin

description

The Empire wants him, badly. He is the only person capable of arming the Death Star. His ethics get in the way of his usefulness to the Empire; he could never be actively swayed into producing such a weapon. So the best solution is to lie to him, let him think he is doing his “good work” when in reality his research is being exploited by those that pretend to be his friends. It’s all about power, and Erso has the potential to create the most powerful thing in the Galaxy. He is an asset, one that needs to be wielded for Palpatine to realise his dream. Without him the Death Star will never function.

Much of the novel is about Orson Krennic trying to manipulate him. He twists him around his finger and allows him to believe want he wants. He believes Erso is his ticket into command, one Tarkin also sets his sights on. The rivalry between Krennic and Tarkin gave the novel a bit of tension, but other than this it was a little flat. It’s all very science driven without much action or excitement. This is less about the “Wars” element of Star Wars and more about technological advancement, so it became dry in places. For the right reader, this added depth may be interesting but I do expect a few things in a Star Wars novel, a few laser battles for one!

So this is only recommended for super fans, not those wanting a slice of Star Wars action; it’s a good set up for the film, but not a very thrilling read so approach it with caution.
...more

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Jun 29, 2020 megs_bookrack rated it liked it · review of another edition

Admittedly not my favorite, but still good. I can appreciate all the fine details this story adds to the larger picture.

It's probably my fault for picking this up directly after, Dark Disciple, which I loved!!!

Full review to come...stay tuned!!! ...more

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Dec 14, 2016 Sr3yas rated it really liked it

Shelves: starwars-universe, book-series-ongoing

How to make a Death star : The Beginning

A prequel novel to the prequel movie to the original star wars trilogy... Wait, what?

“Science doesn’t take sides"

The science behind everyone's favorite weapon of mass destruction was originally conceived for an energy project by a brilliant scientist, Galen Erso. This is the story of deception and recruitment of him and his family by emperor's finest, Lieutenant Commander Orson Krennic.

This is a well written as well as a character driven stor ...more

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Nov 21, 2016 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it liked it

Shelves: media-tie-in, audiobook, science-fiction, star-wars

3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/12/01/...

It’s no secret I’m very excited for Rogue One this winter. While the movie can’t come soon enough, in the meantime I thought I would whet my appetite with the prequel novel that’s meant to portray events that take place in the preceding years. In case you’re wondering whether you need to read Rogue One: Catalyst before seeing the movie though, the answer is: Only if you want to. Like most Star Wars novels in the expanded 3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/12/01/...

It’s no secret I’m very excited for Rogue One this winter. While the movie can’t come soon enough, in the meantime I thought I would whet my appetite with the prequel novel that’s meant to portray events that take place in the preceding years. In case you’re wondering whether you need to read Rogue One: Catalyst before seeing the movie though, the answer is: Only if you want to. Like most Star Wars novels in the expanded universe, I would not consider it required reading, and might even recommend against making this your first Star Wars novel if you’ve not read any before. But if on the other hand you’re the kind of “big picture” reader who appreciates a good background story, then this book will likely put some of the movie’s events into context and enrich your experience when you watch it.

Opening soon after the end of Episode II: Attack of the Clones and into the early years of the Clone Wars, Catalyst tells story of Galen Erso and Orson Krennic, both of whom will be featured in the upcoming film. A long and complicated history exists between the two men, and James Luceno seeks to explore this relationship by putting strong emphasis on the characters. First, there’s Galen, an energy scientist working on harnessing power from crystals. He and his wife Lyra are soon expecting the birth of their daughter (Jyn Erso, the lead of Rogue One) when Separatists take over the planet they are settled on, imprisoning Galen because of his refusal to work for them. However, the family is soon rescued by Orson Krennic, an old friend of Galen who appears to have made quite a name for himself in Palpatine’s new government. Krennic is now on a team working on a top secret weapons project codenamed “Celestial Power”, which of course is the Death Star.

Years pass, and with the fall of the Republic, work on the project Celestial Power has become more crucial than ever to the burgeoning Empire. Hoping to recruit Galen to the program and win favor from the Emperor, Krennic is not above manipulating the scientist by offering him a brand new research facility and the promise of kyber crystals. Dedicated only to his work, Galen is uninterested in taking sides in the war (which incidentally was how he ended up being imprisoned years before), but long has he wanted to use kybers for his research. Because the crystals had been under the purview of the Jedi, obtaining them had been an impossible feat, but now that the Jedi Order has been destroyed, they no longer pose an obstacle. Wary of Krennic and the Empire, Lyra fears that Galen might be heading down a path he’ll regret. Her husband is too blinded by his obsession with research to see what his old “friend” is trying to do, and it is tearing their family apart.

Primarily centered on the construction of the Death Star, Catalyst is heavily focused on the logistics and science behind putting together the huge space station. We’re also given more information than we’ve ever had before about the mysterious Force-attuned kyber crystals that Jedi use to build their lightsabers. If you’re interested in details like that, great! If not, then all of this will probably feel a bit dry. The info dumping was especially noticeable in the first half of the book, which unfortunately is when strong pacing is needed the most. The story takes a while to get started, and even as we move through the various developments in the novel, the tone of it remains relatively understated. This is in contrast to some of the more adventurous, action-oriented novels in the new Star Wars canon which might serve as a better jumping on point for newcomers to the books. Catalyst with its themes of intrigue, machinations and plotting might feel a little too slow and underwhelming in comparison.

That said, they couldn’t have tapped a more perfect author to write this novel. I’ve always felt that Luceno excels when it comes to the more low-key Star Wars stories due to his attention to detail and thoughtful approach to writing about darker, more subtle themes. From reading Darth Plagueis and Tarkin, I know that he is also fantastic with his characterizations, and of course he is once again at the top of his game with Catalyst. For this story to work, the reader had to be convinced of the unique and complex dynamic between Galen and Krennic. In spite of the other side plots involving Lyra, Jyn and Dressellian smuggler Captain Has Obitt, the book’s main conflict always came back to the relationship between the two men. To make sense of it all, we first had to understand what made each of them tick, and Luceno did an excellent job in that regard.

In the end, I thought Catalyst was good but not great. If you’re just starting to check out Star Wars fiction, there are probably better books in the new canon to read first, and unless you have a pressing need to learn all you can about the construction of the Death Star, you could probably put this one on the lower priority pile. That said, it’s still worth reading if you plan on seeing the Rogue One movie, if nothing else to gain a better understanding of the characters and story.

Audiobook Comments: I do love my Star Wars books in audio. No other kind of production gives me that epic experience complete with music and sound effects, and other than maybe Marc Thompson, I can’t think of another Star Wars audiobook narrator who is as fun and amazing to listen to as Jonathan Davis. If you’ve ever heard him do his Darth Vader voice, you’d understand. Too bad he doesn’t get the chance to do so in Catalyst, but he nevertheless delivers a fantastic performance, giving every character a unique voice. I never turn down the chance to listen to a Star Wars book, and this was another great one. ...more

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Dec 21, 2016 TS Chan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

Update: I really liked the movie. It's thematically appropriate and makes A New Hope and the Battle of Yavin so much more meaningful and poignant.

----------------------------------
Good enough to warrant a ‘like’ from a Star Wars fan, Catalyst is a background story to Rogue One which mainly focussed on the characters of Galen Erso and Orson Krennic. One being a victim of his prodigious mind and the other of his prodigious ambition (this dude actually thought he can take on Tarkin and Darth Vader ...more

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Nov 13, 2016 Bria rated it really liked it

Lyra Erso is the hero we all deserve and someone should just stab Krennic.

Full review on Tosche Station: http://tosche-station.net/review-cata... ...more

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Jan 13, 2017 Jessica Halleck rated it it was ok

Shelves: sci-fi, reading-challenge-2017, star-wars-new-canon, ebook

Imagine, if you will, a movie comprised mostly of scenes that start in some present moment, a Now, and skip from Now moment to Now moment, relying on either dialogue between characters in the Now to explain the events that led up to the Now--moments that the film hopped right over and sound like they might have been exciting to experience in real time--or some disembodied third person POV narrator to summarize while the Now action sits on pause. Then resumes. Then ends and hops a day, a week, ev ...more

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Dec 20, 2017 Gavin rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi

This turned out to be an OK prequel to the Rogue One movie. It set the scene for the movie and provided a bit of background for characters like Orson Krennic and Jyn's parents. It also did a great job of telling the story of how the Death Star came to fruition and what life was like for people in the days of the war between the Republic and Separatist forces and then into the early days of the Empire.

Luceno has a talent for writing background histories and intrigue. The problem with his writing ...more

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Dec 08, 2016 Lata rated it liked it

Shelves: scifi-fantasy, x2016-read

In preparation for the movie, I decided to check this book out. This book is primarily about the construction of the Death Star and the engineering behind a key system in this battle station. There is a lot of information in this book on kyber crystals, which the Jedi used to power their lightsabers. Galen Erso is researching these crystals in an effort to develop an energy source for the galaxy. Galen is a brilliant guy, whose math and engineering ideas are way above the heads of even his peers In preparation for the movie, I decided to check this book out. This book is primarily about the construction of the Death Star and the engineering behind a key system in this battle station. There is a lot of information in this book on kyber crystals, which the Jedi used to power their lightsabers. Galen Erso is researching these crystals in an effort to develop an energy source for the galaxy. Galen is a brilliant guy, whose math and engineering ideas are way above the heads of even his peers. His pregnant wife, Lyra, is on this team and transcribes his ideas and thoughts into coherent form for others on his research team. (More on her soon.)

When the story opens, the two are on a planet testing some of Galen's ideas on a massive kyber crystal. The Clone war is still in progress, and Galen and Lyra are captured by Separatist-friendly planetary authorities, and the two are are imprisoned. An old engineering colleague of Galen's, Orson Krennic, eventually extricates them from prison and brings them back to Coruscant.

Krennic has been tasked with managing the engineering of the major weapon on Palpatine's new massive battlestation. Krennic has got the whole evil plotting thing down pat; he's willing to lie, to cheat, to murder, anything, to make his way up Palpatine's military food chain. Krennic recognizes that Galen's research can be applied for use in the battlestation, and proceeds to woo Galen.

Meanwhile, Lyra has given birth and is spending all her time taking care of their daughter, Jyn. (Yup her.) Lyra is an interesting woman, and is smart and caring. Lyra had her own career previously, and travelled to many planets, exploring, and, incidentally, has a soft spot for the Jedi and their use of kyber crystals.

While the focus of the story is on the efforts behind a specific aspect of the Death Star, I found much of the time I spent with Galen to be kind of tedious. He wasn't terribly interesting, and I just never felt sufficiently sympathetic towards him. I cared about Lyra and Jyn, and felt increasingly worried about them as the story progressed. Krennic is a bad guy, and nothing he did really surprised me.

I've never read anything else by James Luceno, but I didn't find this to be a particularly quick read, where you are devouring words and desperate to find out what happens next. Not sure if that's because we already know that the Empire figured how to destroy planets with the Death Star, or because the guy with the big brain we're supposed to be caring about is kind of dull. I wanted to hang out with Lyra, who has a much more practical bent, and puts pieces of information together to protect her family.
...more

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Nov 17, 2016 Lady*M rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4+ stars

Review written for Star Wars News Net.

Review contains spoilers.

Catalyst has already been labeled by others as “essential reading” for those planning to see Rogue One in theaters next month. That being said, the first thing you need to know about James Luceno’s Catalyst (as with all of the Star Wars novels) is that you won’t need to have read the book to enjoy Rogue One, nor would reading the book or this review spoil the film for you. It is my estimate that the novel would greatly enrich ...more

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Oct 02, 2017 Chad rated it liked it

Focuses on Galen Erso and his family while filling in the gaps between the Clone Wars and Rogue One. We also see how Orson Krennic manipulates everyone over the course of several years to get the Death Star built. This is not an action oriented book at all but still worth a read for fans of the EU.

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Jan 31, 2017 Ashley rated it liked it

Shelves: space-opera, professional-fanfic, audiobooks, star-wars, sci-fi

This is probably half me, half the book. Not in the mood for this right now, also it wasn’t great. There’s nothing objectionable about it. I just did not care. Not the outcome I was hoping for, especially since I’ve liked all the rest of the books so far in the new Star Wars canon. I suppose this was going to happen eventually, statistically speaking. Ah, well. No harm done. Moving on with my life.

I don’t recommend this book for anyone who isn’t more than a casual Star Wars fan. Casuals, move al ...more

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Dec 31, 2016 RJ from the LBC rated it liked it

Serving as a prologue to the movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, this book expands on the characters of Galen Erso, his wife Lyra Erso, and Galen's friend/colleague/boss/adversary Orson Krennic. The book feels as though it was written in a hurry and not thoroughly re-written. The 330 page length actually feels too long, and much of the story feels like filler with unforgivably dull stretches lurking around every corner. Still, as a Star Wars fan, I did enjoy the parts of the book that enhanced t ...more

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Dec 19, 2016 Michael *Windrunner* rated it liked it

Read in anticipation of Rogue One. The movie was awesome, this book was... fine. Naturally, you don't need this book to provide context for Rogue One. But I do think it helps to show the relationship between Krennic and Galen and Krennic and Tarkin. Also, Lyra is a highlight.

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Dec 11, 2016 Paz R.M. rated it liked it

Shelves: non-ya-reviews, books-read-or-reread-in-2016, star-wars

3.5 Stars
Meaningless prequel to Rogue One? No, not at all.
Listen, I'm here reviewing this book after watching Rogue One for the first time (don't worry, no spoilers for the movie) and I gotta say, I so underestimated the value of this book. After finishing it, it was barely a 3 stars read for me. I didn't think it provided much to the backstory, because well... we knew the plot of the movie, right? Consequently, we knew exactly what this book was about. ~~(Please tell me you're one of the people w~~ ...more

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Dec 05, 2016 Holly (The Grimdragon) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, may-the-force-be-with-you

I'm encouraged to learn that your brain remains in working order.

Okay. OKAY. As if I wasn't excited enough already for Rogue One, then you have to throw in a novel that just so happens to be the prequel to said soon-to-be-badass-new canon-anthology Star Wars movie? Released prior to the movie coming out? YOU MEAN WE GET ACTUAL SOLID BACKSTORY BEFORE SEEING THE EVENTS UNFOLD ON THE BIG SCREEN?! TAKE ALL MY MONEY! This is not necessary to read ahead of time, but it certainly helps to set the stage I'm encouraged to learn that your brain remains in working order.

Okay. OKAY. As if I wasn't excited enough already for Rogue One, then you have to throw in a novel that just so happens to be the prequel to said soon-to-be-badass-new canon-anthology Star Wars movie? Released prior to the movie coming out? YOU MEAN WE GET ACTUAL SOLID BACKSTORY BEFORE SEEING THE EVENTS UNFOLD ON THE BIG SCREEN?! TAKE ALL MY MONEY! This is not necessary to read ahead of time, but it certainly helps to set the stage for some quality storytelling to flesh out these characters we will see come to life in Rogue One!

Krennic, Galen, Jyn.. I pictured them so vividly, mainly because of who will be playing them. But I liked that. There was something cool about having the characters burned into my brain (from having watched the trailers & promotional material no less than 159367496.5 times) already without any prior knowledge heading into the book. Before a word had been read. Much different than if you start a book series & then it gets made into a television show, but you aren't finished the series, so you avoid the television show because OMFG! WHAT IF THESE CHARACTERS LOOK NOTHING LIKE I HAD IMAGINED?! Well folks, no need to worry about that here! Orson Krennic is pretty much THE character for me in this & I am psyched as hell to see Ben Mendelsohn in this role. Krennic is going to be one of the craziest villains in the Star Wars universe. I CAN SENSE IT IN THE FORCE!

If you couldn't tell from the cover, this story mainly focuses on the construction of the Death Star. THAT'S NO MOON! It gives us a bigger picture of what went on logistically for this space station to become what it was & why it took so long to build. If you are just beginning your new canon Star Wars fiction journey & are not all that fussed about the Death Star (WHAT?!) then I wouldn't put this at the top of your priority list. It is, however, a quality Star Wars novel & one that introduces us to at least two solid characters that I personally cannot wait to see more of.

Please excuse me while I continue to flail for the next 10 days! BRING ON ROGUE ONE!

4 solid Death Stars! ...more

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Dec 02, 2016 Chuck rated it did not like it

Shelves: star-wars-disney-canon

The author makes a fatal mistake at the beginning: he assumes we know his characters already and are invested in their struggle, as if they've been the heroes of books, comics or movies all along. That's something that can go a long way in the author's favor with established, franchised characters. But not when you are tasked with introducing new faces and stories to the series and giving them meaning. This book is supposed to lay the groundwork for the upcoming movie Rogue One but man, this alm The author makes a fatal mistake at the beginning: he assumes we know his characters already and are invested in their struggle, as if they've been the heroes of books, comics or movies all along. That's something that can go a long way in the author's favor with established, franchised characters. But not when you are tasked with introducing new faces and stories to the series and giving them meaning. This book is supposed to lay the groundwork for the upcoming movie Rogue One but man, this almost sinks the movie hype for me.

Characters speak and act as if they already have our sympathies and are no strangers to the excitement of Star Wars. OK fine maybe. But then we are bombarded with DUMP loads of lazy exposition, flatly telling us everything about a character's past, his motivations, hopes and fears. They are awkwardly inserted segments that beat over the head ideas that could be more deftly worked into the story otherwise. The action is sudden and confusing. Who is attacking who? Don't worry about it, you'll never know. He writes characters like a geology textbook writes about life. Paradoxically, the author also has an infuriating habit of keeping descriptions vague and unfocused. Almost as if he is REFUSING to allow concrete places or images to form in our minds. What's it look like on planet Vallt? There's snow. What's a taqwa? Something you ride? What are these aliens like? Large bugs. Pick places or planets from any other EU or Disney work and you will find more to remember. Anywhere. Hell, the bathroom on the engineering deck of the Starship Enterprise is a more convincing location to me than anything in this book, that's how poor the immersion is--and they definitely have better reading material than this in the stalls.

So who is Galen Erso anyway? He's smart because he studies magic Jedi crystals and is apparently the only one capable of unlocking their potential now – and here is where, even more disappointingly, the story moves: the quiet manipulation of this guy to keep studying these magic crystals so that the Big Badguy (Krennic) can develop the Death Star's super laser. Back and forth we go from fretting and worrying with his wife, playing with their baby daughter and negotiating the seemingly good graces of Krennic. Towards the climax it becomes apparent that Lyra Erso, the wife, is somehow nemesis number 1 for Krennic in a totally laughable, domestic drama way that somehow has GALACTIC IMPORTANCE. This is because she adores and respects the Force and Jedi history because... plot. You'd think Krennic was secretly gay and trying to woo Galen Erso away from his wife the way he carries on – and frankly that would have been a more interesting angle.

Then we get treated to Tarkin blasting some poor fool planets to waste as a distraction and my God you would think that would be exciting but no.

The story finds itself about midway through and gets more readable with less info-dumping exposition but I had long since ceased caring about the protagonists. They exist. At least Orson Krennic has some sense of purpose, one-dimensional as it is. Past all the horrible, clunky prose and flat lifeless people and places I get the sense (dare I say, hope?) that nothing from this book will be remotely important to the movie. ...more

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Dec 21, 2016 Maria Dimitrova rated it liked it

Shelves: star-wars, sw-new-canon

Buddy read with Michael *Windrunner*

I though a lot about how many stars to give this book. I'm honestly unsure whether I liked it. Most of the times I was extremely bored. The book is basically pointless. Sure it gives some dept to the Ersos and Krennic but I personally would have preferred if the story was told in another format. A collection of short stories would have been best. Because there was so much filler. Even a hard core fan like me would find most of the book redundant. It basically ...more

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Nov 18, 2016 Shane Phillips rated it really liked it

Listen don't read this book. Every Star Wars book has fantastic sound effects. Do the audiobook with headphones to get the most out of them. Catalyst is a great prelude to the movie, opening Dec 16, 2016. I can't wait.

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Dec 22, 2016 Holden Johnson rated it liked it

Shelves: star-wars

Great prequel novel to Rogue One the movie. James Luceno is a master at writing in the star wars universe.

My rating of 4/5 stars is solely for two reasons. The writing and characters. The story itself is all but assumed and known by everyone. We all know what happens. The death star was built and though this book points out some small details and the leading up to it, I felt that it was unecessary. Some of these new Canon novels just feel entirely filler. I understand there are small stories th ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Jerry rated it it was ok

I much prefer the original Expanded Universe, thank you.

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Apr 18, 2018 Eva rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018-books

Sci-fi is my jam. <3 ...more

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Nov 23, 2016 Neil R. Coulter rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: every Star Wars fan

Shelves: star-wars, fiction

(There are some spoilers in this review. The short version: This is a really excellent Star Wars novel, which is a rare thing.)

I've read all of the new Star Wars canon novels, and most of the graphic novels. For the most part, they are disappointing. The two bright spots are James Luceno and Alexander Freed, the only authors who seem completely comfortable writing in the Star Wars universe, and who are also capable of writing fiction that is not embarrassing for a grown-up to read. So I've been ...more

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Nov 29, 2016 Ryan Michael rated it liked it

This book wasn't by any means bad, but it wasn't quite what I thought it could have been. Don't get me wrong, I am stupid excited to see "Rogue One" (so crazy that I was one of those people who was Fandango at 12:01am on Monday morning waiting for the site to un-crash so I could buy tickets to the first viewing in a few weeks). However, I thought this book would be a little more than, what seemed to me to be, a purely background story leading up to the film.

The writing is something that kept me This book wasn't by any means bad, but it wasn't quite what I thought it could have been. Don't get me wrong, I am stupid excited to see "Rogue One" (so crazy that I was one of those people who was Fandango at 12:01am on Monday morning waiting for the site to un-crash so I could buy tickets to the first viewing in a few weeks). However, I thought this book would be a little more than, what seemed to me to be, a purely background story leading up to the film.

The writing is something that kept me going. I am sure there are those out there that thought the writing was a little heavy at times with Star Wars fantasy technology jargon, but the truth is is that a lot of the curiosity around the Death Star is how it came to be, and how it's power was created. This book had to go into depth about how it's destructive powers came to be, on on that, I give this book 5 stars. James Luceno does a terrific job showing the progression of Galen Erso's research and how it eventually lead to the Empire harnessing it has a huge power int eh galaxy. The only problem was, that's mostly what this book was about. It's true that there was some good character development, and the relationship between Orson Krennic and Galen was very interesting and will continue to be interesting in the film. However, I felt like it wasn't enough to really get me excited about reading this book. I would have liked to see more Characters from the movies show up (though the stuff with Tarkin was great, which is not a surprise since Luceno wrote an entire book about the Grand Moff) but in the end, the back and forth between Krennic and Erso just wasn't interesting enough to carry the whole story.

When I read a Star Wars novel, I want to feel like I get more nuggets about characters and the universe as a whole, and although I liked getting more background of the years just after the Clone Wars, it left me wanting a little more. The upside is, at the very least, this book has me that much more excited for the movie, which I suppose it one big reason to put it out in the first place. One other admission is that I enjoy the mythology surrounding the Sith and Jedi and the force as a whole, and, outside of the short parts of the book that discussed the kyber crystals, this book had little of that. I knew it wouldn't going into it, but I guess I didn't realize how much it would affect me liking it or not. So I admit that this is on me and not on the book that I was looking for something that I should have assumed would never be there. For a fan like me, it'll be really, really interesting to see if a film, so devoid of that mythology that we are used to in Star Wars films, will impact my enjoyment of it.

In the end, I enjoyed reading more about the back story leading up to "Rogue One", it did leave a little something to be desired for me, but it's hard for me to walk away from a book like this (that has anything to do with the Star Wars universe) and not be at least somewhat glad I heard. ...more

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Jan 06, 2017 Donna rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi

I listened to the audio and I say this every time when I listen to a Star Wars audiobook (and I'll say it again).....I love the sound effects. This is kind of fun, even though most of sounds were of a ship powering up and down. This book is a prelude to Rogue One (the movie). I think there was a huge leap in what could/would be accomplished in 6 or so years. I liked the first half of this. I liked the way Lira was depicted in this book and not the stupid woman she was portrayed to be in the movi ...more

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Dec 14, 2016 Michael of Solace rated it liked it

It wasn't the action packed saga that we are all used to with Star Wars books and movies but more of a cerebral journey into a previously unknown facet of Star Wars lore. Not the best book I've ever read but definitely a good into for Rogue One.

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Dec 30, 2016 Scott Rhee rated it liked it

Shelves: movie-tie-in, star-wars

Without giving a rather lengthy explanation, I have not seen “Rogue One” yet. I have every intention to see it in theaters, but I simply haven’t had the opportunity: I'll just leave it at that. So shut up about it already. Yes, I have heard it is the best of the “Star Wars” films. Yes, I am aware of the surprise cameos, which, by the way, cease to be surprises when you tell me about them. You do realize that’s why they call them “spoilers”?

In the meantime, I was excited to read James Luceno’s co ...more

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Nov 24, 2016 Michael Hicks rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bought, sci-fi-fantasy, media-tie-in

Catalyst, a prequel novel to the upcoming Star Wars: Rogue One film, is a tightly-focused character piece revolving around the dreaded Empire's initial steps in constructing the moon-sized weapons platform, the Death Star (Note: that's no moon!).

James Luceno focuses his narrative on the Erso family and the Empire's engineer Orson Krennic. After Galen Erso and his wife, Lyra (pregnant with their baby girl, Jyn, who will be the all-grown-up lead heroine in Rogue One), are jailed, Krennic begins a Catalyst, a prequel novel to the upcoming Star Wars: Rogue One film, is a tightly-focused character piece revolving around the dreaded Empire's initial steps in constructing the moon-sized weapons platform, the Death Star (Note: that's no moon!).

James Luceno focuses his narrative on the Erso family and the Empire's engineer Orson Krennic. After Galen Erso and his wife, Lyra (pregnant with their baby girl, Jyn, who will be the all-grown-up lead heroine in Rogue One), are jailed, Krennic begins a long-game of strategy and manipulation to bring Galen, an energy systems researcher and pacifist, into the Empire's employ.

While the Erso's are a sympathetic bunch, this is really Krennic's book, in my opinion, and he's the most interesting and dynamic figure in the novel. Luceno draws on various characters from the Clone Wars animated series and prequel trilogy, with this book overlapping Episodes II and III, some of whom I had to Google to figure out why they were important. Not having seeing any of Clones Wars and having blanked out most of the prequel stuff, I had to do a little bit of research while reading to sate my curiosity, but it's hardly mandatory. But, again, Krennic is really star of the show, here.

Krennic is a classic Empire villain through-and-through. He's a bold chessman, duping and moving those unfortunate enough to orbit him into executing his larger plans, oftentimes unknowingly, and I really appreciated the level of subterfuge and guile this dude's capable of. He's cold, cunning, and calculating, and demonstrates exactly why the Empire is a supreme power to be feared and fought. Using the on-going battles against Separatist forces, Krennic all but gaslights Galen into working for the side of evil, and Catalyst demonstrates how easy it could be for otherwise good men to be swayed into the employ of fascism through domineering propaganda and the normalization of hate and corruption.

Star Wars has always been political, but to read this book so soon after the Electoral College appointed Donald Trump - a man who campaigned on a platform of racism and fear, and who lost the popular vote by at least 2 million ballots at the time of this writing - President of the United States hit a few still-raw nerves for me, but Catalyst is certainly a timely read given all that. Set firmly within the burgeoning fascistic Empire, the manipulation of good by evil, and the various degrees of in-fighting within the Empire, make for nicely dark subject matter, but Luceno keeps things light enough to prevent his story from being overwhelmingly dark. There's room for hope, particularly as Lyra scrappily fights to save her marriage and family. As Jyn states in the Rogue One trailer, rebellions are built on hope, and, frankly, I'm with her. ...more

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May 30, 2017 Khurram rated it liked it

This book I think suffers from the curse of the prequel. I think James Luceno was given the brief of writing this book without giving anything away from the upcoming movie. Which is difficult enough proposition however I think this book would have benefited from a good injection of action. There are that many battles in this book, but it is almost the read like it is really the battle of for a mans soul. This part of the book is done quite well. As part of a safeguarding team we are shown differ This book I think suffers from the curse of the prequel. I think James Luceno was given the brief of writing this book without giving anything away from the upcoming movie. Which is difficult enough proposition however I think this book would have benefited from a good injection of action. There are that many battles in this book, but it is almost the read like it is really the battle of for a mans soul. This part of the book is done quite well. As part of a safeguarding team we are shown different model of the grooming process of how the predator will take their time luring, enticing and finally alienation their victim from there friends and family, till the person is so dependent on them or so far in their is not way out for the,

I don't think that I will be breaking any spoilers by saying that I think Jyn is going to be the main character in Rogue One, this is the story of her parents. This story starts towards the end of the Clone Wars, and finishes a couple of year into the Empire. The two main characters in this book are Galen and Krennic. Darth Vader and the Emperor are mentioned but are not in the book.

Krennic is an up and comer in the Imperial military and political ranks. He see and opportunity to quicken his progress by bringing his former collogue/friend Galen in to solve the energy problem for the Imperials biggest construction so far. The trouble is Galen is as brilliant as Galen is he and his wife oppose the war and are determined to stay neutral helping neither side but continuing their research for a private company instead. Krennic sees his opportunity when Galen and his family are in a bit of trouble as the world they are on is captured by the Separatists. The other big name in this book is Moff Tarkin whom Krennic sees as a rival, and whom Tarkin might have possible underestimated. There are possible side characters that will make an appearance in the movie, but this is the background to Jyn's family connection to Deathstar, as well as a possible hint a connection to something else as well.

This an ok Star Wars story, apart from that fact that it was a prequel to the movie there was not really anything in the book that grabbed me as a must read. I am looking forward to the movie but I am guessing that this will take place atleast a decade after this book their might be flash backs but I can't really see much insight from this will not be in the movie. A little disappointing for me but an ok story, more political and mental maneuvering (grooming), then actual fighting. ...more

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About James Luceno

James Luceno

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James Luceno co-wrote a lot of books with Brian Daley as Jack McKinney.

He is a New York Times Best-Selling author currently living in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child. ...more

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“There is no one truth.” — 3 likes

“The Jedi were certainly aware of the tremendous potential, but they restrained themselves.”
“Precisely what they did with the Force, as some have said. If they had made use of their full powers, the war would have ended in a heartbeat. And the galaxy would be in a different state entirely. For all their purported objectivity, they weren’t scientists, they were mystics. For a thousand generations that sufficed. Notions of right and wrong can no longer be dictated by a select group to safeguard some personal vision of the truth.” — 2 likes

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