Books Star Wars: Before the Awakening

I was making a Finn was named after Ahsoka joke but teh fail.

 

No, I gotcha, I just think it must not be a coincidence that Finn's number begins with "FN" ...

 

I think Finn's an alias, so that we fans don't find out he's secretly a skywalker before the film is released, similar to how Rey doesn't have a last name. (Note this post was speculation)

 

I think that problem is inherent with most of the Journey to The Force Awakens Literature.

 

Actually, the overwhelming majority of the JTTFA literature is just a brand name with very few real spoilers.

This one, though... yeah, you have a point.

 

Just a little bit longer until we know everything.

 

Everything?

 

TFA wise at least

 

So this comes up today???

Any info about it?

 

I just finished the first section, which is the Finn section. I'll post my full thoughts and some spoilers when I'm completely finished but so far it's pretty good.

 

Despite my now zero interest in TFA, I suspect I'll still enjoy my pre-bought copy of this greatly.

Why?

Rucka.

Man doesn't know how to write duff stories.

 

I haven't got my copy of this book in the post yeah but I remember reading some synopsis somewhere saying Finn was a stormtrooper with potential......BUT for those of you who saw TFA

Spoiler

He was kind of a pansy on the battlefield and according to him he worked sanitation detail at starkiller base, not the kind of duty you'd give to an accomplished and renowned stormtrooper....

 

Spoiler

The TFA Visual Dictionary says that he volunteered for sanitation detail; he wasn't assigned there. It was by choice because, I can't remember the exact wording, but he basically wanted to get the full run/experience/whatever of being a part of the First Order.

Uh, did we watch the same movie? Finn was a great shot. He was a bit cowardly but that was what made him relatable, and by the end he'd faced his fears and stood up to Kylo Ren. So I don't really see the problem. Plus Finn had never been on a true battlefield before, the movie said that, so it's to be expected that it's a little different than training for him.

 

I liked Finn in TFA but I'm getting the impression that he's going to turn out to be one of those characters who are way stronger/useful/prominent in EU stories like Princess Leia, Boba Fett, Chewbacca

 

Okay, I've finished it. I really enjoyed it. The Poe story was by far the best, followed by Rey, and then Finn. Not to say Finn's story wasn't good, just that the others were better. More detailed thoughts below.

Finn:

Spoiler

Finn's story deals with the tail end of his training right up to the events of TFA. He's in a squad with three other troopers and he constantly goes out of his way to assist the weakest of his teammates. This earns the ire of Phasma who instructs Finn to let his teammate succeed or fail on his own. One of the reasons I felt this story was the worst of the three was because it keeps going out of its way to show the reader how much of a good guy Finn is. It even ends with Phasma knowing that he is empathetic because Finn is the only one of his squad to not fire on some unarmed enemies. This contradicts the movie and novelization in which Phasma states that there was nothing prior to suggest his defection (although I guess it could be argued she's covering for herself).

It does give us a pretty decent look at what members of the FO believe. It seems they are brainwashed and under the impression that the Republic is a failure and that only the FO can bring peace and prosperity to the galaxy.

Rey:

Spoiler

Rey's story is a fairly straightforward tale of her discovering a crashed freighter and repairing it. We get some details of her life on Jakku, including the fact that she had found and repaired a computer containing a flight simulator that she spends most of her free time practicing with. Overall it's a good story and we get to see some more of her motivations. I kept being reminded of Jaina Solo repairing the crashed TIE fighter on Yavin 4, which was an interesting parallel.

Poe:

Spoiler

Poe's story was the best. It begins with him reminiscing about his mother (who died when he was nine) and his life back on Yavin 4. He's a Commander in the Republic Navy and he leads Rapier Squadron. We find out quite a bit about the Republic and the Navy and after one of Poe's missions he is recruited into the Resistance which at least at first is a splinter group of the Republic. There are a bit more plot details about the Resistance and the First Order laid out in this story. We find out that Leia coaxed Ackbar out of retirement to join the Resistance. The ending consists of Poe and his squadron (who also joined the Resistance) carrying out a mission to capture a ship belonging to a Senator that they believe has ties to the First Order. They carry out the mission posed as pirates in Z95 Headhunters in order to provide deniability for breaking the treaty. All in all its an excellent story that alone makes the book worth reading.

All in all, I definitely recommend this book especially if you enjoyed these characters in TFA.

 

*hugs book/kindle* My babies. The movie broke me though. Broken. Vodka everywhere. + Pizza.

 

Clearly not drank, well that or there's no trace of booze in your posting!

 

I will second Monopoly. Rucka does some great work in this book. He clearly "gets" all three characters, and all of their stories tie in with and flesh out their personalities and motivations from the movie without being overly explanatory. Poe's section reads like a snippet from a new-wave X-Wing book, Finn's section reminds me of Freed's work on Twilight Company, and Rey's is all her own. It's really great, a breezy and fun read with plenty of meat to it.

 

I had already wanted a new X-Wing novel but this really sealed the deal for me. New X-Wing novel with Poe now, please.

 

I'm imagining Poe as a bizarre hybrid between Wedge and Wes, and it is awesome.

 

How "spoilery" would this book be to someone who has not seen TFA yet?

 

Got this today; can't wait to read. And yes, a Poe X-wing series needs to happen.

 

It's not too spoilery. It doesn't give away any big twists. The most it gives away is characterization and some mild general starting plot details but depending on how in the dark you are about TFA it could be more of an issue.

 

does it say how his mom died?