The Buzz...About Books

Today, December 18th, the most anticipated film of year – Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens – is finally opening. This new movie in the Star Wars series takes place approximately 30 years after the adorable Ewoks helped the Rebels to defeat the evil Empire in Return of the Jedi.  Returning in this new film are the beloved characters Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca. Also returning are my personal favourites, R2D2 and C3PO.  

If you have never watched the first six films, or if it has been a few years, you can catch up by borrowing the DVDs. Here they are in story order:

1. The Phantom Menace
2. Attack of the Clones
3. Revenge of the Sith
4. A New Hope
5. The Empire Strikes Back
6. Return of the Jedi

Another way to refresh your memory is to read through Ian Doescher brilliant Willliam Shakespeare's Star Wars series. They are a humorous retelling of the six Star Wars films as Shakespearean plays. "In a time long ago begins our play/ In a star-crossed galaxy far, far away". Very enjoyable.

William Shakespeare's Star Wars:

1. The Phantom of Menace (eBook only)
2. The Clone Army Attacketh (eBook only)
3. Tragedy of the Sith's Revenge also in eBook
4. Verily, A New Hope also in eBook
5. The Empire Striketh Back also in eBook
6. The Jedi Doth Return also in eBook

After the films and the parody Shakespearean plays, if you still want more Star Wars, there are many books about the movies:

• Star Wars in 100 Scenes by Jason Fry
• Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know by Adam Bray
• Star Wars : Complete Vehicles by David West Reynolds
• Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide by Ryder Windham
• The Ultimate Star Wars by Tricia Barr, Adam Bray, Daniel Wallace and Ryder Windham

In addition to non-fiction books, the Star Wars films have inspired many novels over the years since the first film was released in 1977. Here are just a few :

Star Wars, Aftermath by Chuck Wendig 
This story takes place during the period of time between "Return of the Jedi" and the "Force Awakens" and follows the Rebel Alliance as it works to defeat the last pieces of the defeated Empire. It is also available in audiobook.

Darth Plagueis by James Luceno.
This story takes place during the Old Republic Era, thousands of years before the events of the movies. Darth Plagueis, a Sith Lord, joins forces with his apprentice, Darth Sidious, to try to dominate the whole galaxy. It is also available in eBook. 

Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams.
This is the first book in the Old Republic series. In this book, an auction is drawing attention from representatives of both the Republic and the Sith Empire. They plan to steal the treasure  as it may hold the key to the wealth of an entire world. Also available in eBook and eAudiobook.

Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn.
Set during the period after events of "Return of the Jedi", this story follows the Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker as well as Hans Solo and Princess Leia as they battle against Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has taken over command of the remains of the Imperial fleet.

Razor's Edge by Martha Wells.
In this first book of the Empire and Rebellion series,  Princess Leia and Hans Solo lead a delegation to negotiate a deal for supplies on behalf of the Rebel Alliance when they run into marauders from Leia's recently destroyed home planet of Alderaan.  

Finally, if you are planning on seeing The Force Awakens and you don't have time to watch the previous films, or read the Shakespearean-style plays, you can catch up on the story in this 3 minute summary, Star Wars so far from the Eclectic Method YouTube channel: