Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne Review
Reviewed by John Milnes
Kevin Hearne, author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, writes his first book of the Star Wars franchise. His book, ‘Heir to the Jedi’ explores Luke Skywalker’s life in the aftermath of destroying the Empires dreaded ‘Death Star’. The book covers the time period between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
As Luke has not yet fully mastered his Jedi powers, Luke struggles to come to terms with the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi (aka Ben Kenobi), his trusted friend and mentor. Luke never had a chance to get to know Ben, before Ben met his demise at the hands of Darth Vader while aboard the Death Star.
Luke has to find his own path without a usual Jedi Master to guide and to train him in the ‘Ways of the Force’. All Luke knows is, Luke thought he heard Ben’s voice, just before Luke managed to destroy the Death Star in the Battle Yavin. This is explained by Luke himself mid-way through the book.
The opening sentence says it all as far as Luke is concerned: “There’s no one around to answer all questions now that Ben’s gone”. Luke knows it is his destiny to one day become a Jedi, but who, when and where is he going to his training. Luke has a connection to his Father through his Light-sabre, but is where the connection ends. Luke knows the Force is real even if Han doesn’t yet believe in it. The story is narrated through Luke’s experiences and his exchanges with the books characters. Luke does not have many exchanges between Han and Chewbacca as they are off on their own adventures after losing all the money they got through gambling, which was a reward for returning Princess Leia to the Rebellion on Yavin 4.
Luke manages to acquire a second Lightsaber to study how they are constructed. It highlights that Luke is still new to the Force and his inability to fully control or master his new abilities. Luke even tries the same Jedi mind trick as Ben did back on Tatooine, by waving his hand and bending his will upon others. Luke fails miserably to the amusement of his sidekick in this current adventure known as Nakari. A wealthy female pilot and well trainer sniper.
After completing his opening mission, a debrief with Admiral Ackbar and Princess Leia; Leia asks a question where C3PO gives a comical response.
Leia asks, “3PO… What’s more likely, reliable cash flow for the Alliance or Han behaving rationally?” 3PO responds, “While both have very little chance of occurring, Princess, reliable cash flow is far more likely.”
This is typical of some of the whit you can expect from Star Wars characters, it is very good to see some of this humour being used. The story does hold little comical gems and exchanges which keeps the reader engaged. However, if you are wanting the same type of pace in the story for first original movie, Episode IV: A New Hope, then you are in for a disappointment. The story is slow but does have excitement spread throughout the book.
Luke has clearly inherited his father’s piloting skills and his reflexes, because this is how Luke is clearly defying all the odds with sheer luck and skill as a pilot. Nakari promises Luke that when they have completed their mission, she will help Luke in finding someone who can teach Luke in being able to properly study the ‘Force’. Heir to the Jedi, tries to fill-in some the missing wholes left behind, where ‘A New Hope’ ends and ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ begins. The book could have done with a little more action sequences, however, as Luke is narrating the adventures himself; it makes the book more interesting to read and thoroughly enjoyable. I would give this book 4 out 5 stars and a ‘Must Have Read’ book for Star Wars fans.
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £8.99 (paperback)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
