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[Aaron, Jedi Master]

I think many people have noticed that the novel doesn't add much to the story we saw in the film. What it did add was some extended scenes and dialogue. What were some of the most interesting additions you came across?

[Darren]

The line from the first teaser trailer where Snoke says 'The dark side, and the light' was not used in the movie. I liked how it was used in the novel where Snoke is telling Kylo Ren what a great prodigy he is because he has roots in both the dark and the light.

When next Snoke spoke there was an intimacy in his voice, a familiarity that stood in sharp contrast to the commanding tone he had used with Hux.
“I have never had a student with such promise—­before you.”
Ren straightened. “It is your teachings that make me strong, Supreme Leader.”
Snoke demurred. “It is far more than that. It is where you are from. What you are made of. The dark side—­and the light. The finest sculptor cannot fashion a masterpiece from poor materials. He must have something pure, something strong, something unbreakable, with which to work. I have—­you.”

I also enjoyed how the additional Snoke/Ren dialogue provides context to Ren's motives for killing his father, Han Solo.

The historians have it all wrong. It was neither poor strategy nor arrogance that brought down the Empire. You know too well what did.”
Ren nodded once. “Sentiment.”
“Yes. Such a simple thing. Such a foolish error of judgment. A momentary lapse in an otherwise exemplary life. Had Lord Vader not succumbed to emotion at the crucial moment—­had the father killed the son—­the Empire would have prevailed. And there would be no threat of Skywalker’s return today.”
“I am immune to the light,” Ren assured him confidently. “By the grace of your training, I will not be seduced.”
“Your self-belief is commendable, Kylo Ren, but do not let it blind you. No one knows the limits of his own power until it has been tested to the utmost, as yours has not been. That day may yet come. There has been an awakening in the Force. Have you felt it?”
Ren nodded. “Yes.”
“The elements align, Kylo Ren. You alone are caught in the winds of the storm. Your bond is not just to Vader, but to Skywalker himself. Leia . . .”
“There is no need for concern.” Despite the Supreme Leader’s cautioning, Ren’s assurance remained unbounded. “Together we will destroy the Resistance—­and the last Jedi.”
“Perhaps,” Snoke conceded. “It has come to our notice that the droid we seek is aboard the Millennium Falcon , once again in the hands of your father, Han Solo. Even you, master of the Knights of Ren, have never faced such a test.”
Ren considered his reply carefully. “It does not matter. He means nothing to me. My allegiance is with you. No one will stand in our way.”
Snoke nodded. “We shall see. We shall see.” It was a dismissal.

While it would have been great to get this dialogue in the movie, I feel it would have swayed the audience to realise too early (and hence diminish the shock when it happens) that Ren's internal struggle when confronting Han was overcoming sentiment for his family in order to fully embrace the dark side.

[Julie]

I liked seeing how Poe was saved from Jakku by the Blarina, Naka Iit.

I tried to Google "Blarina", wondering what this creature looks like, and a Blarina is actually a real shrew on Earth.

[Julie]

I found 2 more things I enjoyed about the novel that wasn't featured in the movie.

First, Kylo Ren's dark light side conflict was much more pronounced when he killed Han, especially his thoughts afterwards , saying how he thought he would be stronger , but he felt weaker.

Second, some rumors were going around that Poe was gay because the actor said there was a small love triangle, and it was said that he liked Finn , however the last chapter reveals that it's Rey that likes Poe when he introduces himself to her. Hello triangle .

[Corey (grimdark_dad)]

The two things that really jumped out at me:

-Chewie and Han got to have more of a "moment" before the end, and that was nice. Obviously, if they had that long lingering look in the movie, they would've telegraphed Han's death and minimized the shock. But in the book, it was great for Han and Chewie to have a slightly more meaningful exchange.

-After Kylo kills Han, in the movie, that moment where Han touches his son's face is pretty emotionally devastating. But it doesn't happen in the book, and there's a description of Han looking into his son's face and seeing something totally alien, and that all signs of his son have been erased (going on memory, don't have the book in front of me to quote). Quite a striking difference, tonally.

[Darren]

Following up on Corey's comment about Han's death. I like how the book explained how Kylo Ren expected to feel stronger afterwards but instead felt weaker.
I was also taken back how Rey heard a voice in her head after she overpowered Ren which the audiobook hints at it being Snoke:
Kill him , a voice inside her head said. It was amorphous, unidentifiable, raw. Pure vengeful emotion. So easy , she told herself. So quick . She recoiled from it. From the dark side.

[Louis]

Corey, I forgot about that. Han seeing "something alien." I wonder if they originally had him have with eyes after killing Han.

[Christine]

I really preferred the Han death scene in the book, mainly because they made use of their ability to use Han's thoughts instead of just the visual action. "...lost in an instant, like the one he would never again be able to hold in his arms." I thought his was a much more fitting end to the Han we know.

And lets not forget the part of the Ren/Rey battle that was left out of the movie...."It is you." In the movie, there doesn't seem to be a connection at all between Kylo and Rey other than them both using the force. This line implies he knows who she is in some way. I think this could be significant to the story later on.

[Kerry]

Christine wrote: "This line implies he knows who she is in some way. I think this could be significant to the story later on. ..." I think it could.

[Kerry]

Darren wrote: "Following up on Corey's comment about Han's death. I like how the book explained how Kylo Ren expected to feel stronger afterwards but instead felt weaker.
I was also taken back how Rey heard a vo..."I think Snoke my feel she is more powerful than Ren. Pure guess. Ren and Rey, how can names like that not be related, like Luke and Leia.

[Ajay]

Jeffrey wrote: "Ren and Rey aren't related in name like Luke and Leia because Ren's actual name is Ben. "

Exactly! I also believe Ren is more of a title or signifies a member of a group, hence the Knights of Ren.

[Corey (grimdark_dad)]

One of the things I keep coming back to (also saw TFA again yesterday, so it was fresh in my mind): In the book, not only does Rey consider selling BB-8 to Unkar Plutt, she actually bargains quite aggressively for more portions. In the film, obviously she is tempted, and you see that flash in her eyes when she thinks how much food she stands to gain in the deal. But I like how it plays in the movie so much better, and Rey comes off way more sympathetic in that moment.