Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .

Bestselling Star Wars veteran James Luceno gives Grand Moff Tarkin the Star Wars: Darth Plagueis treatment, bringing a legendary character from A New Hope to full, fascinating life.

He’s the scion of an honorable and revered family. A dedicated soldier and distinguished legislator. Loyal proponent of the Republic and trusted ally of the Jedi Order. Groomed by the ruthless politician and Sith Lord who would be Emperor, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin rises through the Imperial ranks, enforcing his authority ever more mercilessly . . . and zealously pursuing his destiny as the architect of absolute dominion.

Rule through the fear of force rather than force itself, he advises his Emperor. Under Tarkin’s guidance, an ultimate weapon of unparalleled destruction moves ever closer to becoming a terrifying reality. When the so-called Death Star is completed, Tarkin is confident that the galaxy’s lingering pockets of Separatist rebellion will be brought to heel—by intimidation . . . or annihilation.

Until then, however, insurgency remains a genuine threat. Escalating guerrilla attacks by resistance forces and newfound evidence of a growing Separatist conspiracy are an immediate danger the Empire must meet with swift and brutal action. And to bring down a band of elusive freedom fighters, the Emperor turns to his most formidable agents: Darth Vader, the fearsome new Sith enforcer as remorseless as he is mysterious; and Tarkin—whose tactical cunning and cold-blooded efficiency will pave the way for the Empire’s supremacy . . . and its enemies’ extinction.

As the second novel released in Disney's new Star Wars Expanded Universe, Tarkin has a lot riding on it. While A New Dawn - the first book in the new canon - acted as a prequel to Rebels, the new cartoon series, Tarkin takes place in the run up to A New Hope, giving us a glimpse into  the mind of a favourite character and using a lot more well-known characters than that first book, not the least of which are Darth Vader and the Emperor himself. As such, Tarkin was going to give us much more of an idea what the Star Wars new canon would look like and how much of what had gone before was being done away with.

Beyond that, though, Tarkin obviously had to be a good story. And it delivers, in spades! Telling a story of fledgling rebels playing a game of cat and mouse with Tarkin and Vader, both of whom are far from the established figures in Imperial power that they will become, Tarkin also delves into the titular character's history, much as Darth Plagueius did in the old canon. With lots of little nods to that former canon, proving that the new Story Group is going to do exactly as promised - delving into the old stories for inspiration and elements while not allowing themselves to get bogged down in minutiae - Tarkin tells a compelling story. Full of double crosses, surprises, Force powers and space battles, Tarkin is Star Wars done well, while also giving a nice depth to this man we love to hate.

I said at the end of my review of A New Dawn that I hoped the upcoming novels would do more to ignite this new expanded universe. Tarkin does that. I for one can't wait for Heir to the Jedi, a Luke Skywalker starring novel told in first person written by Kevin Hearne, one of the greatest urban fantasy writers working today!

I gave Star Wars: Tarkin 4 stars.

Star Wars A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller

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Disclaimer: This electronic copy was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

In the aftermath of the Clone Wars, the Republic has fallen, replaced by the Empire. The Jedi were betrayed and slaughtered, leaving only a handful of survivors to eke out a quiet existence on the fringes of galactic power. But as the Emperor tightens his grip, even those fringes have begun to fall under the iron rule of the Empire. Hidden amongst those who live in the outskirts are those whose lives were destroyed by Palpatine's plans, those who have begun to question his means and motives. On the far off world of Gorse, a handful of such people, including Kanan Jarrus, a former Jedi padawan and Hera Syndulla, an agent provocateur with plans of her own, will stand together against one of the Empire's most fearsome enforcers... with the fate of an entire world in the palm of their hands. 

Few people interested in pop culture will have failed to notice the intense discussion that broke out a few months ago when Disney announced that the Star Wars Expanded Universe - the vast collection of novels, short stories, comics and games that had so far formed the unofficial canon of the galaxy far far away - was being wiped clean, replaced by a brand new canon that would be just as official as the movies. Starting with the Clone Wars cartoon, this new canon would also include new novels, the first of which - A New Dawn - sets up the cartoon series Rebels. 

A New Dawn does a nice job of setting up the main characters of the series, while also telling an interesting, exciting, but slightly disappointing story involving mining, terrorism and the fight for freedom. Centered around two main characters - both of whom are featured on the cover - A New Dawn is no revolutionary new beginning for the Star Wars galaxy. While it does manage to keep your attention thanks to a race against time plot and a reluctant Jedi forced to embrace his powers once again, it is hard to hide the fact that this is designed to get the characters into their positions ready for Rebels to begin in October. The addition of a handful of secondary characters, including a very well realised villain, does add some spice to the story, but it is difficult to develop any real interest in Kanan and Hera. Hopefully the upcoming novels, one of which will centre on Grand Moff Tarkin, will do more to ignite this new expanded universe. 

I gave Star Wars: A New Dawn 3 stars