STAR WARS Catalyst A Rogue one James Luceno

A definite must-read for anyone looking to learn more about the world leading up to Rogue One and A New Hope. This look into the Erso family's lives years before these two films helps lay out an understanding of how the world order changed after the original trilogy, and what that really looked like to the people living out there lives without a side.

Definitely worth checking out if you plan on seeing Rogue One. Orson and Galen's relationship was very interesting to see unfold and I'm glad I have that knowledge going into the movie. Exploring the Kyber history was also interesting; I hope the movies and books continue to explore and expand on the lore.

This book introduces the Ersos and Krennic just in time for Rogue One to debut. It's not a deep stand alone story but does provide interesting history and a creative set up for the movie. I enjoyed it.

Neatly tying together story threads from the original trilogy, prequels, cartoons, and the upcoming film, this book makes the new canon of the Star Wars resurgence feel as one. Luceno writes fun political thrillers and those interested in the personal rivalries, dangerous double-crosses, and intergalactic power plays behind the rise of the Empire and creation of their ultimate weapon will enjoy this!

This Star Wars novel tells the story before the events in the new Rogue One movie take place. While my guess is that it will never be turned into another movie it is written like one. A good one at that!!

This adds depth to the movie Rogue One. It explains the characters relationships that were not shown in the movie. This is an extensive substitute for the lack of the opening text crawl for Rogue One.

Luceno does it again! He's very good at subliminally relieving the political side of events. Sure there's the main arc, but you see the development of the tension between Tarkin and Krennic. After reading TARKIN, I can very clearly see the similarities is writing style and character development. Can't wait for more!

This is back story to flesh in gaps between Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One. It's slow but enjoyable if you're a Star Wars fan. It's interesting to see writers tying together the movies, Star Wars Rebels cartoon, and written fiction from novels.

[minor spoilers]

Catalyst makes for a good set-up to Rouge One; I certainly feel like I will have the upper hand in understanding the chain of events in why things start out the way they do when I see the movie.
The prose is middle grade in order to be commercial, I get that, but there were many times in which I had to restrain the editor within. But if you love Star Wars, you can probably ignore that for the sake of plot and lore. I feel like a lot of emotion was sacrificed in favor of a plot-driven story--but again, that is to be expected from a commercial read. I think the actual Rogue One movie will be much more gritty and emotional than the book could portray.
I wish I would have seen more of Galen and Lyra's relationship. They seemed distant throughout much of the book, and I know that was the point because Galen was so engrossed in his work and so in his own head all the time; but I really wanted Lyra to just go at him way more than she did. Her interactions with others often felt stilted, but her inner dialogue reveals more. On the subject of Lyra, I think she's a great precursor to what we can expect from Jyn: inquisitive, rebellious, and independent.
Being an transition period in the galaxy, it was interesting to learn that everyday citizens didn't really think the Empire was something bad to begin with--much of that is due to the fact that the Empire suppressed a lot of information and sold the narrative that the Emperor was a benevolent being in pursuit of eternal peace. To an extent, the Ersos represent those on the ground, ordinary people who are sold the story that the Jedi rebelled and the Empire only wants peace, but obviously they soon learn the contrary...the hammer of the Empire falls hard and fast.
Orson Krennic is a standout villain due to his deft manipulations of those around him to achieve his ultimate goal of completing "Project Celestial Power." The rivalry between him and Tarkin was to expected given all the power plays within the Empire, so I wouldn't be surprised if Tarkin somehow shows up in Rogue One.
The smuggler-turned-agent Has Obitt seemed a bit pointless at first, but later becomes a convenient plot point. I'm wondering if he might be in the movie as well?
For those who want to know: Yes, we meet Saw in the latter part of Catalyst, and yes, we find out the name of the planet (Iceland) we see the Ersos on in the Rogue One trailer.

Over all, the characters seemed distant and sometimes stilted. This book is much more plot-driven than character-driven, which isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but I appreciate the new Star Wars lore.

Good background info for Rogue One, particularly if you like the Tarkin/Krennic dynamic, but nothing mind-blowing. Story is more politics than action.

Worth noting is that the book looks awesome on display, worth the hardcover just as a shelf piece.

James Luceno writes some of the best novels in the Star Wars universe, this is another one to add to the collection. Perhaps the only issue I have with it is that I didn't want it to end. But I can find solace in the fact that it was just a prologue to the next motion picture space epic.

James Luceno writes some of the best novels in the Star Wars universe, this is another one to add to the collection. Perhaps the only issue I have with it is that I didn't want it to end. But I can find solace in the fact that it was just a prologue to the next motion picture space epic.

Great story that dives deeper into the backgrounds of Galen Erso and Krennic revealing more of their back stories and motivations. I would say only essential though if you've seen and enjoyed Rogue One. Otherwise this won't stand on its own that well. Well written and engrossing enough to allow you to finish fairly quick.

Great intro to some of characters from Rogue One, but ultimately the plot of Catalyst was thin. And while Luceno can write excellent dialogue, his descriptive scenes here were a struggle to get through. I would put this in the bottom tier of the new canon novels.

Krennic struggling against the beauracracy of the Empire was well written, but the subject is boring. Galen and Lyra were flat. Tarkin was probably the best character. It was hamstrung by the ending already being decided and the beginning, where the author had more leeway was uninspired.

This was good to read before seeing Rogue One; added some depth and detail to the movie. If you read it after seeing Rogue One, it is still a good read and will explain a lot of things that couldn't be detailed without expanding the movie to 3 hours. And regardless of the film, I rather enjoyed the book.