Libby's 100 Book 2015 Challenge

[Libby]

So I've been doing this most of this year, but only just joined the group - hi! My goal is 100 books - whether I will reach it is another story...

(I made this when I had read 20 books - after the first 20, I'm going to start adding comments with reviews when I finish a book)

Books read so far: 21/100

1. Hard Contact
2. Whispers Underground
3. Labyrinth of Evil
4. Broken Homes
5. The Approaching Storm
6. Extras
7. Triple Zero
8. Star Wars: Republic Commando - True Colours
9. Revan
10. The Wind Singer
11. Slaves of the Mastery
12. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
13. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
14. Order 66:
15. No Prisoners
16. Communion
17. North Child
18. Kenobi
19. The Book of Sith: Secrets From the Dark Side
20. Sabriel
21. A New Dawn

[Libby]

A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller

Read - 2nd June

Review:

As the prequel to the new animated TV series Star Wars: Rebels, it's not necessary to have seen the show before reading this. This book introduces us to the younger selves of two of the show's protagonists, Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla, and explores their first meeting.

Overall, this book is very entertaining. What's interesting is that this story doesn't focus on big, galaxy-changing events; it is far more focused on the personal, small-scale but still devastating effects the Empire has on its general populace. This was a nice touch, as it's a real thematic link to the TV series. Like in the other Star Wars book of his I've read, John Jackson Miller creates believable, fleshed out original characters who have central importance to the narrative. He also takes us to both sides of the fight, and creates nuances and conflicts within each side. To anyone who has watched the series, the main characters' characterizations will seem very on point, as well.

The only criticisms are fairly minor. The pacing was a little odd in places, causing it to lag slightly, and the plot at points seemed overly convoluted. The main villain, Count Vidian, was somewhat in the realm of campy-evil - but then, this is Star Wars.

Despite these minor flaws, A New Dawn is action-filled and engaging, and certainly a must-read for any fan of the show.