Jeff

This was my second time reading this book, this time, I re-read it along with a friend who gifted me this book for Christmas. It had been over a decade since I read this book the first time, and I had forgotten most of the story. This meant I fell in love with the book again, almost like it was my first time reading it. I really need to re-read it more often, as Sanderson packs a lot into this novella. There are just so many philosophical statements he drops, yet he leaves it up to the reader to come to his own conclusions on how we feel about the topics he brings up. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's an especially good entry-point book if someone just wants to sample a Sanderson book.

Mr. Bradbury had a significant impact on the world through his fiction writing and his work on films, TV, and more. I remember growing up being enthralled by his work. Specifically, Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fahrenheit 451. The latter book is especially relevant in today's social landscape.

These interviews took place from 2010 to 2012, during Bradbury's last three years of life. Bradbury shares some interesting stories and ideas through the interviews, and the book certainly made me want to learn more about his life. I hope to read one of his biographies in the future, which I know the editor of this book has written about Bradbury.

If you have never read Bradbury, don't start here, but with some of his works. If you're a fan of his, you will truly enjoy these interviews. I know I did.

Great book. I loved the stories, the art, and the subject matter. We've adopted two shelter dogs over the years, and they have each been wonderful. Forever in our hearts. A Labrador Retriever and a Great Pyrenees. This book was my first from this author. I like his art style and will now be tracking down more of his collections.

Short (Geode-sized) Review. Buy this book. Claudia Gray has spun another fun filled Star Wars Adventure. Highly recommended.

Expanded (Reath-sized) Review. When Disney and Lucasfilm Press announced the Star Wars: High Republic concept I was immediately intrigued because of the creative talent they were bringing together. From authors such as Claudia Gray and Charles Soule to concept artists like Iain McCaig (Designer of Darth Maul) and Phil Noto. Then I heard this new time period was set 200 years before the Skywalker saga and focused on the Jedi. On top of the talent and the time period we have a shared universe concept that crossovers novels, comic books and magazines. This sounded exciting and so far the everything is hitting on all cylinders for me including Claudia Gray's Star Wars: The High Republic: Into The Dark.

This novel continues with events taking place around The Great Disaster. While there are several books and comics weaving stories that take place around The Great Disaster the stories can all be read independently as they stand on their own. Although reading them all gives you a better sense of The New High Republic era. The references to characters from other stories is fun in the individual novels and comics for those reading all the stories you still get a complete story in this novel without reading any of the other books or comics. People can really pick up any comic or book and jump right into The High Republic.

What I want to start with for this novel is the characters. Claudia Gray does an excellent job of introducing us to and filling out a list of new characters. If us, as readers, don't care about and fall in love with the characters then the novel just won't work. We have to buy in and care about them for a novel to be memorable. Standouts for me where Orla Jareni; A Wayseeker Jedi. She's wise, independent and struggling with a second storyline that involves her past. Affie who gives us a human angle to the story. Reath Silas a Jedi I could relate to with his love of books and history. I have to commend Claudia Gray on how she writes Geode. How the other characters talk about Geode gave me several laugh out loud moments. 

The next element is story that's always moving forward. The novel doesn't drag because she always has the characters on the move. What I also love about these new stories is the atmosphere of the era. After reading stories in the dark times of the Empire it's refreshing to read about a time period that's hopeful. The villain's are also unique and mysterious. The Drengir and The Nihl are wonderful new additions to the Star Wars Rogue's Gallery. 

Lastly, I realize this is billed as a Young Adult novel but it doesn't feel that way. It reads to me like an adult novel but with a more narrow focus of characters and locations. Honestly if someone hadn't told me it was a Young Adult novel I wouldn't have known it. I hope you have as much fun reading this novel as I did. I was provided an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic book. I loved how the book was so honest with its storytelling. Brian May honestly shared his thoughts and reflections on the chronicled events. I also loved how he highlighted and credited so many people's work in this book. Not just his fellow band members but also kinds of people from assistants to security guards to numerous tech and production people, interpreters, family members, and the list goes on and on. I've never read a biography book where the author truly credited so many others who helped with their success. Lastly, the Sterocopic images are amazing. I highly recommend this book.