Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Publication Date: October 11, 2016
Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure
Purchase: Hardcover (Amazon, Books-A-Million), Paperback, Kindle, Audible, iBooks
Author Bio:
Author bio and photo courtesy of GoodReads
E.K. Johnston had several jobs and one vocation before she became a published writer. If she’s learned anything, it’s that things turn out weird sometimes, and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Well, that and how to muscle through awkward fanfic because it’s about a pairing she likes.
Synopsis:
Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance….
Synopsis courtesy of Amazon
Review:
What I Liked:
- Seeing Ahsoka Again – Since I first watched The Clone Wars I have loved Anakin’s apprentice. Since the series was cancelled before her ultimate fate could be shown, it is great being able to learn how she survived Order 66.
- Plenty of Dramatic Irony – Each time Ahsoka mentions not being able to sense Anakin in the Force is heartbreaking. Johnston makes the reader’s knowledge of his fate feel like a burden (in a good way).
- Learning the Purpose/Origins of the Inquisitors – Created for the Star Wars: Rebels animated series, details on these Sith assassins is still a little scarce. Getting confirmation on their training and roles within the Empire was interesting.
- Bail Organa: Senator, Father, Rebel – Seeing Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits’s character in the prequel trilogy) balance being a Senator, a father to Leia, and one of the founders of the Rebel Alliance was beyond gratifying. Also another instance when the reader’s (presumed) foreknowledge tugs at the heartstrings.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Boring Support Characters – Ahsoka’s friends, allies, and enemies in this book (aside from Bail) are rather boring. They are mostly cookie cutter archetypes and lead to a…
- Ho Hum Main Story – Outside of finding out how Ahsoka survived Order 66 and joined the Rebel Alliance, the main story is nothing spectacular. It follows the same basic formula readers have seen in numerous books, especially in the Star Wars series: Hero saves friends from evil threat after friends refuse to listen to hero’s advice on how to deal with said threat.
- Forced Romance (?) – It feels as though Johnston is trying to hint at romantic feelings from one of Ahsoka’s new friends toward her for the sake of having a same-sex romance. It seems forced (especially given Ahsoka’s confused reaction towards the end). Paul S. Kemp did a much better job of creating a homosexual character/romance in his Star Wars novel, Lords of the Sith.
Verdict:
It’s difficult to pass a clear verdict on Star Wars: Ahsoka. It is definitely worth reading if you are a Star Wars fan. However, it is only worth purchasing if you are a big fan of the main character herself. Otherwise, readers would be better served by checking this book out at the local library. If you aren’t a fan of Star Wars coming in, this book won’t change your mind.
