DVD Corner

Star Wars: The Living Force Book Review

A prequel era novel is always worth celebrating.  Star Wars: The Living Force

Written by John Jackson Miller (best known for “Star Wars: Kenobi”), “Star Wars: The Living Force” is a new novel set before the events of “Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.” Things are changing on certain planets. Jedi outposts are closing, there are food shortages, corporations are closing up shop, people are feeling abandoned, and criminal activities are moving in. Kwenn is one such planet that is a shell of its former self. The Jedi Outpost is in danger of closing there as well. Wanting to show the citizens that the Jedi have not forgotten about this planet, all of the Jedi Council members venture to Kwenn to help the community and put on a bicentennial celebration. 

Meanwhile, on Keldooine, Jedi Master Depa Billaba is investigating both the death of Jedi Xaran and underworld activity involving 5 pirate Gangs- The Riftwalkers (led by the ambitious and fiendish Zilastra), The Poisoned Blades, The Staved Skulls, The Filthy Creds and Vile. Depa goes undercover as a thief named Hotwire and soon discovers that Zilastra is plotting something major against the rival gangs and perhaps something against the Jedi as well. With the help of a pirate hunting Captain Baylo, Mace Windu is set to rendezvous with Depa, but things don’t quite go as planned.

As someone who treasures the world building of the prequel era, it’s always a thrill to see a new novel set in that time period. “Star Wars: The Living Force” is even more captivating in that it sheds light on the Jedi Council members such as Plo Koon, Yaddle, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Saesee Tiin, Eeth Koth, and Yarael Poof (many of whom have never had enough stories even in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”). Given that the Jedi Council is busy on Coruscant with individual responsibilities and their work with the Senate, the Council is rarely all together in a single location. So, it’s refreshing to see them on an adventure helping a planet collectively whether it be teaching, counseling, rescuing an oroko, or finding missing items. Of course, the major characters such as Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi all make appearances as well. Really though, everyone gets their chance to shine, but more importantly, we get to see several Jedi character dynamics that prove to be the highlight of the entire novel (no spoilers as to pairings we see). 

Storywise, the pirate plotline left a bit to be desired. The pirates felt like a poor man’s Nihil and it never felt convincing that they could be worthy opponents to the Jedi Council (especially with the bumbling dopey pirates like Lobber, Ghor and Wungo). Zilastra in particular felt too overpowered. Granted, she had a vendetta against the Jedi and her own power hungry agenda, but things came a bit too easy to her from a story perspective. 

Structurally, the book is rather unwieldy as it floats around to various characters. There isn’t a single narrative that drives the whole book (although Depa and Zilastra have the most pages devoted to them). With that said, the narrative still rather works as we get to see the individual Jedi Council members out in the field whether they feel like they are in their element or not. Additionally, we get some top notch cameos in the third act that will surely have Star Wars fans buzzing.

“Star Wars: The Living Force” may not be a perfect story, but it devotes a much needed story to the underutilized members of the Jedi Council and their connections to the force. Perhaps we’ll get more stories about them in the future?

April 5, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Jedi Council, Mace Windu, Star Wars Books, Star Wars Prequels, Star Wars: The Living Force Book Review, Yoda