Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne

When Disney bought Lucasfilm and announced the production of new Star Wars movies, they didn't want to feel obligated to fit the new content in between the novels of the Expanded Universe, many of which told stories taking place after Return of the Jedi. To keep the fictional planets, plot points, and characters consistent, from now on the Star Wars story group will consult with authors, screenwriters, and game designers regarding the new canon. One of the first novels included in this reboot is Heir to the Jedi, by fantasy author Kevin Hearne in his first foray into the Star Wars galaxy.

The fact that this is the first novel told in first person in the voice of Luke Skywalker was enough to get me intrigued. But a little more research into the development of the book made me wary. This was not originally meant to be a standalone story OR to be the start of the new canon, so in a way it belongs to neither era. Heir to the Jedi had been intended to be the capper of the thematic trilogy Empire and Rebellion, the other two installments having been narrated by Leia Organa and Han Solo. This made it more clear why Han is said to be elsewhere at the time of Hearne's book.

Taking place after A New Hope, in this book we find Luke is still getting used to his role as hero of the rebellion and shaken by the recent death of his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi whose posthumous voice gave Luke advice before the destruction of the Death Star. Soon after Luke borrows the ship of pilot Nakari Kelen, she joins him and becomes a romantic interest. Luke and Nakari are tasked with finding a slicer (hacker) named Drusil who belongs to an alien race known for their prowess with mathematics. I do have to give Hearne credit for introducing two unique female characters in a universe that sorely lacks them, but since Nakari doesn't feature in any of the movies you'd be safe to assume her relationship with Luke isn't meant to last. Fortunately the confidence she gives Luke to practice his Force abilities will sustain his self-teaching until he meets Yoda.

Due to the first-person perspective, the story of Heir to the Jedi is a lot more straightforward than other Star Wars novels I've read. Most of the book consists of the trio hopping through hyperspace between planetary systems, avoiding the Empire and bounty hunters. The plot really isn't much deeper than that. This was not by any means an essential book in the new Star Wars canon, but it's competently written and I enjoyed reading it. When we start getting novels that fill the three decades between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, I will feel a little more compelled to see what the story group has planned.

For more information about Kevin Hearne and his Iron Druid Chronicles, check out his website. To purchase Heir to the Jedi or other Star Wars books go to... almost any bookseller.