DVD Corner

Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon Book Review

“Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon” is in need of a tune up.

Author Mike Chen  (best known for the fantastic prequel era novel “Star Wars: Brotherhood”) returns to the Star Wars universe with a tie-in to the “Star Wars Outlaws” video game dubbed “Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon.” The story begins with the Barsha family during the Clone Wars era and moves into the Age of the Empire. The parents who run the Barsha Corporation (which deals with propulsion technology) want their son Jaylen to take over the business as CEO. They see their half-son Sliro as essentially a half-member of the family and are quite cruel to him. Jaylen is the only one who actually cares about Sliro. Eventually Jaylen does take over the business while Sliro works with Imperial Intelligence. Things go south when Jaylen learns his parents are corrupt and they are all soon busted by the Empire. The family (minus the missing Sliro) is initially banished but is later pardoned. Alas, someone wants them all dead and sends a commando droid (ND-5) to wipe them all out. Jaylen is the only one who manages to make it out alive. He manages to repurpose ND-5 as it were, but he’s unsure of what to do next given that he is presumed dead after the massacre. He survives by doing odd jobs, but is left with many burning questions. Where is Sliro? Who sent ND-5 after the Barsha family? What is the mysterious clue Low Red Moon and is it a place or a person?

Nine years pass and Jaylen (who changes his name to Jaylen Vrax) is still searching for answers. With the help of several allies and his now damaged, evolved, but loyal droid ND-5, he just might find the intel he has been looking for on the dangerous trail he has been going down.

Even if you have no knowledge about the “Star Wars Outlaws” video game, you can pick up “Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon” and easily immerse yourself in it. In fact, readers and Star Wars fans can expect to see several familiar faces and get a few exciting references along the way (including one that will please Star Wars Legends enthusiasts). As for the story itself, it’s a bit all over the place. After an intriguing set-up, the novel settles into a rather humdrum middle act where Mike Chen reiterates far too much and gets too caught up on the inner workings of ND-5. A few minor edits really could have helped smooth the book out. Granted, it is curious to get ND-5’s POV and learn how he operates, but not at the expense of the story moving forward. Thankfully, the final third of the book takes off and makes up for the lull in the middle. Yes, the telegraphed plot twist in the end might just be the most obvious thing ever written, but looking past that, the final act is at least eventful.

In terms of the characters, Jaylen and ND-5 are both well written. Seeing how Jaylen’s life changes completely and how he adapts is a major part of the narrative. Likewise, ND-5 is another main character whose arc changes throughout given that he was an assassin droid who is now working with a man he was once assigned to kill. There are a few other characters along the way (some I won’t spoil) with Lorel (a splicer) being a standout.

Whether you are a fan of “Star Wars Outlaws” or love Star Wars literature, “Star Wars: Low Red Moon” has enough to warrant a read. It’s rough around the edges, but delivers when it counts.

February 3, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Mike Chen, Star Wars, Star Wars Books, Star Wars Outlaws, Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon Book Review