A Star Wars tale that successfully reflects the series’ madcap spirit of adventure.
On the eve of the Republic Fair, an unexpected threat looms over the planet of Valo.
As dignitaries and far-flung guests arrive at Lonisa City, Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram learns of a potential breach at Crashpoint Tower. Heading over to investigate, Ram fends off an attack from mysterious intruders who have sabotaged the comms tower. The incident seems to promise even more problems, so the young Padawan rushes back to the city to alert the local Jedi. Meanwhile, Padawan Lula Talisola joins revered Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh to search for clues as to the whereabouts of the Nihil, havoc-wrecking marauders who orchestrated a great hyperspace disaster, ending up on a trail that leads them directly to a Nihil base. There Lula and Vernestra witness a Nihil fleet departing to commence an attack on Valo. As Lula and Vernestra head to Valo to halt the oncoming onslaught, Ram must rush to Crashpoint Tower to fix the comms hub and alert the far-off Republic and Jedi. A brisk read, the novel moves at a breakneck pace, presenting a vast and diverse cast of intergalactic characters in broad strokes. Ruminations on the Force and characters’ backstories mostly recede to the background in favor of zippy action sequences and cool foes for the young Padawans to face, and this installment’s all the better for it. Final art not seen.
A Star Wars tale that successfully reflects the series’ madcap spirit of adventure. (timeline) (Science fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 29, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-368-06066-0
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
File under “laugh riot.”
A rogue spell-check program’s bid to transform all life-forms into that eminently useful office item, the paper clip, touches off a fresh round of lunar lunacy.
Predicated on the entirely reasonable premise that eliminating all spelling and grammar errors everywhere would logically lead to the necessity of exterminating carbon-based life in the universe, this third series entry combines high stakes with daffy banter and daring exploits. CheckMate—a chipper, jumped-up editing program—has invented the Transmogratron, a giant laser that will fulfill its ultimate goals in both the cyber world and “meatspace.” Facing challenges as random as prankster lunar unicorns and a disarmingly motherly Motherboard, scowling First Cat joins a motley crew of diversely carbon- and silicon-based allies, led by the pearlescent Queen of the Moon. They’re in a race to the finish—diverted occasionally by, for instance, a relentlessly punny comic-book interlude featuring a pair of literal and figurative Pool Sharks. They ultimately triumph thanks to teamwork and moxie. Following a celebratory party and toasts to “new friends…and steadfast comrades” (and, of course, “MEOW”), the story’s energetic, brightly colored panels close with a reveal of the next volume. (“I always hate it when comics end by announcing a sequel. SO CRINGE!” declares an authorial stand-in.) It can’t come too soon.
File under “laugh riot.” (Graphic science fiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2024
ISBN: 9780063315280
Page Count: 272
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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