Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark REVIEW SPOILERS

 

Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray is the latest of the High Republic storyline. Every few weeks since January 5^th has seen new material released about the High Republic, a time a few centuries before Anakin Skywalker is even born. The Outer Rim doesn’t want to join the Republic. The Expansion Region remains a dangerous place and everything in between tends to be worse. Each novel build on the one before it so if it feels like you’re missing something, that’s why. How does Into the Dark measure up?

All of the authors picked for this project have prior Star Wars experience. Gray has written several novels, including Lost Stars which proved that Star Wars could have a Young Adult Romance. If only the characters had been seen again. Alas, the romance is set to a bare minimum here although it’s nice that Leox Gyasi is Asexual. Gray does excel at people discovering their lives might not be what they thought they were. Perhaps that’s an overarching theme of Star Wars in general, from Luke Skywalker to Din Djarin. The inner angst and turmoil is exquisite especially when it comes to the Force and how Jedi are trained. Most fandom knowledge comes from Luke or Kanan Jarrus, training from limited knowledge. This book and others give firsthand insight into the training before Palpatine can corrupt it.

Into the Dark is one of the fastest paced Star Wars novels. Every five to ten pages is a new twist. The turns are great, but at times, it suffers from too many character perspectives. It’s hard to keep track of everyone even though Gray does try to give each a distinctive voice. On first reading, the excitement and eagerness overpowered reading it carefully and two characters had been confused as one character called different names at different times. The second reading revealed the mistake and others made in that first reading. The published version probably makes all of this easier by having the proper format to chapters and Point of View changes while the Advanced Reader Copy contained the book in one large file.

The main character, Reath, is the typical teenage male, even with a lightsaber. Way more interesting is Leox Gyasi, who is sure to become a fan favorite. Gray always reveals who she bases characters on, and Gyasi was inspired by young Matthew McConaughey. Imagine him in Sahara, but more allergic to clothing. Along with the secretly sweet disposition, Gyasi speaks in a manner that could confuse even Gatalentans. ‘That sounds like Master Yoda on spice,’ complains another character in their head, which has to be one of the funniest lines ever written in a Star Wars book. He also smells like spice for a very good reason. In this earlier time, it seems that spice is more like marijuana than the harder versions that appear later.

There are far too many fandom questions to list them all. The Star Wars universe feels like it was composed of contemporary literature before a sudden discovery of a treasure trove of 19^th century manuscripts. Now fans get to study how their beloved universe came to be. Also planned for the High Republic line along with the books are comics and at least one television series. Hopefully, some of Gray’s characters will appear especially Gyasi. Star Wars High Republic: Into the Dark is an enjoyable read that whets the appetite for the other related material.

8 out of 10

Buy your copy TODAY at any bookstore or here:

https://books.disney.com/book/into-the-dark/

Wonder Woman 1984 FILM REVIEW

 

Wonder Woman 1984 was an eagerly anticipated release. The sequel was first scheduled for release in November 2019. It also comes at a tumultuous time for DC’s Expanded Universe. Aside from the underperforming Birds of Prey, WW ’84 was the first of those films to come out since Shazam! in spring 2019; almost an entire lifetime ago in Covid time. On top of that, the film was a sacrificial lamb of sorts to test out their new plan of releasing films in the theatre and their streaming platform, HBO Max. Was it worth it? Did the film benefit from those extra months in post-production?

Patty Jenkins returns as director as well as working on the story and screenplay with Geoff Johns and David Callaham. None of them were credited with the story or screenplay for the first film. Considering both films bragged about the number of women involved with the production, it’s amazing they couldn’t come up another female writer anywhere in Hollywood. This film is less disjointed than the last one. The final battle doesn’t feel like a sudden chore that has to be done for a superhero film. WW84 is much more ambitious. While the commercials advertise two villains, the real villain is less able to spot and far more sinister; greed especially greed fueled by capitalism. Perhaps they were two ambitious. Brief flashes of Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) suffering racism and lightening his hair to blend in hint at what could have been a deeper sympathetic story. Barbara Ann Minerva (Kristen Wiig) suffers even more from missed opportunities.

Minerva is a standard trope in this film; “From Nobody to Nightmare” as TvTropes calls it. She’s an over-achieving lonely scientist who just wants a friend. Of course, anyone would want to emulate Diana (Gal Gadot). She appears to be perfect; the total opposite of Minerva even while claiming otherwise. However, many viewers, even those not familiar with Minerva’s relationship with Etta Candy (Lucy Davis) in the comics, thought they saw more between Minerva and Diana, a palpable chemistry. In the source material, Diana is a confirmed bisexual with at least one girlfriend. The films appear less true to her roots. While it’s fun to see Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) again and it does provide motivation for Diana’s most selfish desire, it also feels like the biggest No homo moment since Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduced a random ex-girlfriend for Poe Dameron.

WW84 ignores some glaring consent issues in bringing Trevor back. Instead of a magical new body or reanimated corpse, Trevor’s soul is using the body of someone else without their consent. Thus, that person has no say in how Trevor is using their body, including sex with Diana. The issue has been laughed off by some, including Jenkins, as the lovable body swap trope from the 1980s. Not everything from the ‘80s is still lovable or should be bought back. Modern audiences more attuned to the rape aspect of non-consensual body swap are a big reason that Lady Loki was changed from using Sif’s body to changing her own male body into a female form. How can DC be that clueless?

The ‘80s was picked for its link to greed and consumer consumption. This makes sense. However, most of the audience has been spoiled by Stranger Things, the Netflix series excels at making the story feel like it’s fully in the ‘80s at all times, including lingo, music and pop culture references. WW84 can feel more like a middle schooler’s history project at times, guessing at what that decade was like. The '80s aren’t fully integrated into the story and characters as it is with Stranger Things.

Despite all of this, the charges of racism and the computer effects that look like 2004, WW84 is quite fun. It’s not as fun as Birds of Prey, but it works for an afternoon. It’s definitely a throwback to decades ago when Wonder Woman ruled the television screen. It even features a couple of appearances by that Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, as Asteria, another Amazonian. Hopefully, she’ll become a major character in the rumored Themyscira HBO Max series or Wonder Woman 3 already confirmed as people debate whether this one was even worth it. The film is worth it even though the tone is too retro for modern audiences.

7 out of 10

The Raybearer REVIEW SPOILERS

 

The Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is a book that deserves more attention. There are times when people proclaim that Young Adult novels are dead or even worse, superfluous. The worst written of the genre can leave a bad taste in the mouth and brain while inspiring dozens of imitators. Then, there are times when when the book you're reading is nothing less than magic itself; a spell that makes one nothing else than being immersed in the story while also not wanting it to end. Ifueko's tale is such a book. 

Jordan Ifueko has crafted a world in The Raybearer no less thought out or conceived than Tolkien or Martin. There are over twelve realms. Each has its own language, culture, geography and motives. Many online have analyzed them trying to find which countries Ifueko borrowed from as though they assumed her work to be like the Black Panther film; lovingly borrowing from all of Africa. Her own biography mentions her collection of Black Panther Funko Pops. However, the Nigerian-American uses an entire lifetime of influences in her work as well as her historical research into pre-colonial West Africa. When Fatima on Goodreads asked, "Is Kirah's religion (People of the Wing) based on Islam? That's where my thoughts went when the book said she wears a prayer scarf over her hair", Ifueko responded, "No, not at all, actually! People of the Wing, along with their head coverings, are loosely inspired by a sect of Christianity that I grew up with as a kid. Many in this sub-sect believed in covering their heads with prayer shawls (due to some verses commanding that they do so in the New Testament). As a fun side fact, Kirah's struggles with her family's gender roles are directly based on my own struggles with the conservative Evangelical sect I grew up in. All of the religions in RAYBEARER, however, are mostly fictional, with occasional inspirations from my life experiences."

The most incredible world building on this planet would be worth nothing if the characters were boring or unlikable. The Raybearer excels at its characters as well. The main protagonist is Tarisai. As with the best title characters, she has been raised apart; starved of affection and knowledge about herself. Her quest will take the length of the book and, like the rest of us, still not be fully done. Kirah, mentioned above, becomes one of her closest confidantes. It's also refreshing to have her natural hair described in all its various braids and forms until it's as free as she has become. Although super-powered, Tarisai escapes the Mary Sue trope by making mistakes and subverting the "liking" requirement. How can you know who to trust if people liking you turns out to be one of your superpowers? How far does people liking you really get you in politics and centuries old feuds? This isn't a superficial book. The environment might be rooted in the past yet many of the debates are grounded in today. Can females be accepted alongside men as rulers? How far should a ruler go in the name of peace? Can a world truly be united if they're forced to let go of what makes them unique? 

Tarisai is supposed to kill Ekundayo, the future prince coddled from birth. He suffers from the same power of everyone liking him so even if they go against his wishes, he's not told why. Dayo doesn't travel and meets few others unless they're destined to be on his council. Unlike other fictional royalty, he's not commanded to excel in everything. His birth, powers and an heir are all that's required of him. The rest will be accomplished by his council. Ignorance makes it easier for Dayo not to question things, but he still finds a way. It's intriguing to think what might happen with his character in the future. Also, he's Asexual. Yay, representation! Plus, take that YA gods who demand a love triangle in every series.

The Raybearer is divided into four parts, similar to a run in a comic book series featuring a specific plot. Ifueko's love of comics is evident. Each part not only adds to the reader's knowledge, but also the momentum until the fourth part demands full attention and bated breath at what could happen next. It feels like anything could happen and it usually does; not just creating more conflict but more puzzle pieces about what's going on except the puzzle is about a thousand pieces. It is a relief that the book ends on a satisfied note. However, the pain of reaching that last page still demands searching for a sequel release date: sometime this year. 

Have you read The Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko? If not, you've missed out on one of the best books of 2020. It's definitely one of 2020's redeeming factors. Already, the temptation to start it all over again calls to me. There should be visual adaptations, maybe even a graphic novel. It can be found at any bookstore along with many libraries and Hoopla!

9.5 out of 10

Read more about Jordan Ifueko at We Need Diverse Books 

Q&A With Jordan Ifueko, Raybearer (diversebooks.org)

Damnation

 Trying something different, let me know what you think. 

Six Days of Knowing Me

 

Star War: The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark FULL REVIEW WITH SPOILERS!

 

You've seen every episode, none of this should be spoilers, but just in case SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Star War: The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark was released today. Each story has a character who’s the narrator or the main focus. At the start of each one is a drawing of the main character by Ksenia Zelentsova. There’s a good chance your favorite has one since there are eleven different tales. As Zelentsova’s beautiful cover attests, clones are an important part of this anthology right from the very first story, “Sharing the Same Face” by Jason Fry. However, that one is from Yoda’s point of view.

“Made for war these children were. Made by the millions. Disposable their makers consider them.”

One of the more important issues raised by The Clone Wars are the moral implications of the clones themselves. They were the same shared embryo grown over and over in a rushed fashion that denied them a childhood; just for the purpose of being soldiers in battle. Is it right to consider living beings no different than a battle droid? Yoda doesn’t think so. He makes a point to learn their individual names and point out how different each appears when seen with the Force. This is later contrasted by “The Shadow of Umbara” by Yoon Ha Lee. A different Jedi general, Pong Krell, leads Rex and his brothers. Krell calls each clone by their designation instead of their name and doesn’t care that his command always has the highest mortality rate. When some of the clones carry out insubordination in order to save others, Krell wants them executed. It’s a relief to have him revealed as a Sith. This means that most Jedi are like Yoda, right?

Children taken away at an early age. Maybe they don’t even remember their biological family. Their clothing is identical. The classes are identical. All are working toward the same destiny. It sounds like the First Order, but it’s also Younglings under the Jedi. Yet Yoda spoke highly of children and showed such care to the Clones who reminded him of the younglings, were things really that bad? “Almost a Jedi” by Sarah Beth Durst proves that children in the Jedi temple were raised to be individuals. Her protagonist, Katooni, thinks of Ahsoka as her hero. She’s drawn posters of her and put them on her walls. This simple reveal lets the reader know that Jedi children were allowed leisure and that they made decisions over their quarters. Are there any novels that delve into this more? It would be nice to learn more about the padawans and their lives before being chosen for that role in current canon.

Fry’s story is a rare treat. Despite being one of the most popular characters, Yoda is rarely laid bare in prose despite the possibilities. Here’s a character alive for centuries, but without the moral ambiguities of a vampire.

“Raucous and impatient creatures humans are. And too brief their lives are. End they do just as maturity and wisdom becomes possible.”

It’s these new insights into the characters everyone thinks they know so well that’s the best part of the book. Other stories focus on pacing and curt descriptions by terse characters. It’s fun, but also a disappointment when new information could be so easily inserted. This is the same franchise that revealed that Hux lost favor with the First Order in books related to their newest theme park land. The opening of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was confusing to all but Fortnite users. Greg Grunberg didn’t even know his character was married in the comics and novels. They can’t come up with some little something new about Cad Bane?

“Maybe it was the end of the Republic, maybe she would lose everything else, but she would not lose her soul.”

Padmé Amidala is a personal favorite and the “Pursuit of Peace” by Anne Ursu met expectations. It’s always a pleasure to see her in action, both defending herself and as senator. However, it’s also sad. She fought so hard to protect the galaxy from a fate that now seems inevitable. Then, her daughter followed in her footsteps so completely that she also fruitlessly tried to protect the republic from hostile forces, only to have others finish what she started. Both plans hatched by Palpatine even. So many of their friends died. At least there’s the fun of Ahsoka palling around with Padmé. Did Ahsoka ever realize who Leia really was?

It’s funny how Hondo Ohnaka has evolved from a random villain to anti-hero to person Chewbacca would trust with the Millennium Falcon on Batuu. He’s one of the few characters to be found in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels and novels during the Resistance. He pops up often in these stories from the Clone Wars. Some readers already know that his ship on Batuu is named Katooni, just like the Jedi youngling he once knew. Did he meet her later as a woman? Or did their brief time together in the Clone Wars make that much of an impression. One hopes the answer will be revealed one day.  Other questions remain. Will other anthologies address them? The Mandalorian? The Bad Batch? In the meantime, there are multiple re-reads of Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark at your favorite bookseller or library. It’s worth it.

*”Bug” by E. Anne Convery wasn’t included in preview copy

8.0 out of 10

Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall FULL REVIEW SPOILERS

SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS BIGGER THAN JABBA THE HUTT!!!

Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall by Alex Segura, with cover art by Phil Noto, answers many of the questions we’ve been asking since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker or even before. How did Shara Bey die? Why wasn’t Shara Bey’s A-Wing in the final battle? How come Kes Dameron hasn’t been involved like Wedge Antilles? When did Poe learn that “shifty stuff”? Who is Zorii? Does Poe being a Spice Smuggler retcon his time in the New Republic Navy established in Star Wars: Before the Awakening? When will Poe and Finn kiss already? All of these questions are answered in the new book except that last one which continues to only happen in our hearts and imagination.

The fourth moon of Yavin has lush jungles, exotic creatures, and mysterious temples, but even less friends Poe’s own age than Luke had on barren Tatooine. Shara Bey’s A-Wing came with her from the Rebellion. It was where Poe learned how to fly by sitting on his mother’s lap. Now eight years after her untimely death, it’s the only place where he can feel like she’s still around and he’s destroyed it in a crash that should have killed him as well. His almost death isn’t as important as his mother’s A-Wing or his argument with his father over flying. Of course, Kes doesn’t want to lose him the same way he lost Shara. Poe has too much of his mother in him to be a farmer…a gender-bent plot that’s all too familiar to original fans of the series. Lacking an old Jedi Master, Poe heads for the local equivalent of Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina and accidentally agrees to be a pilot for the Spice Runners of Kijimi.

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Amilyn Holdo declared of Poe, “That one’s a trouble-maker. I like him.” She spoke for most of the audience, too. This book gives us the chance to see him progress from that grieving, yearning sixteen-year-old to a wiser, experienced eighteen-year-old. Segura does an excellent job characterizing who Poe was and what made him into the person we know while also incorporating those tidbits that the last film dropped about Zorii and Babu Frik. Zorii could have fallen into a Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope that so many assumed she was with her mysterious gold helmet and scenes that furthered Poe’s backstory more than anything. Segura lifts her above that. She’s just a teenager, about the same age as Poe, with her own motives and her own decisions to make about her future. It’s almost a shame that we already know how it’ll turn out, but it doesn’t kill the suspense of the story. Just to warn you, if you’re looking for romance, this isn’t your book. Go read Star Wars: Lost Stars again. Zorii and Poe kiss, they hug. They kiss. Whether they have sex seems to be ambiguous.

 Kes Dameron may not have that many pages to himself. However, he's a constant presence in the book driving Poe’s actions just as much as Shara even if Poe doesn’t want to admit it. Kes doesn’t often receive the same fandom love as Shara since he’s not a pilot or known for special skills. He’s not even confirmed to be on-screen on Endor with the rest of the Pathfinders like Lucasfilm did with Rex. What Kes does have is tremendous love for his son even if he can’t show it the way Poe wants. It’s a very lovely moment later in the book when they’re reunited again and makes one all the more curious about what happens to him after that and when Poe joins the Resistance. He doesn’t appear to lose his Pathfinder skills or prowess. There are lots of wonderful details to expand on previous canon knowledge of Yavin IV, the Rebellion, the New Republic and these characters. On first reading, they can blend into the story so well as to be overlooked, but less casual fans will to take their time discovering all this new information like what Shara did after the Rebellion, Zorii’s parentage and that Poe once had a fear of droids. It’s been almost three months since I received my Advanced Reader Copy and it’s been hard to keep the spoilers to myself. Well, there’s my mom, but even she has her limit of how much I can discuss Poe being with Zorii compared to Poe being with Finn. Pick up your copy today at any bookseller!

9.5 out of 10

https://books.disney.com/book/poe-dameron-free-fall/