Light of the Jedi

Light of the Jedi is an enjoyable Star Wars book. With its plentiful Jedi and optimism, the look into the High Republic era is an interesting setting. There are very many characters, perhaps so many as to make them a little hard to keep track of or care about. That said, some recur enough to build a relationship - such as the Padawan Jedi Bell and his Master Greatstorm, or Avar Kriss.

A few of the decisions made in the book are a little questionable to me. Especially in later chapters, the timing is hard to understand. The book's chapters rotate between characters. That gives the impression that events depicted are happening concurrently (and to add to this, it is often that transitions move to another character in the same setting, perhaps on an opposing side). A situation unfolds on a relatively remote planet, for example, which is ongoing for many chapters. While that rather fast-paced thing is happening, it seems that other characters are crossing huge distances, doing big tasks, etc. I don't want to give away any of what happens, but it seemed like bizarre timing, which somewhat took me out of the story.

Further, the writing at times is repetitive. To emphasize some things or thoughts of characters, the author repeatedly repeats lines or writes lines with similar ideas. This is a little tiresome, especially at the start of the book. About 1/3rd of the way through, this became so tiring I stopped to consider if this was written for a younger audience that might need things restated so frequently.

Towards the end, this line shows up: “I wouldn't call it a plan. It's more like five impossible things in a row.” And I wonder - would the Jedi Master that said this actually say it? While the padawan references the Master being demanding of “impossible tasks” - that's a padawan. Throughout Star Wars, it's made clear that all things are possible through the force, so that a Master (or even a Jedi Knight) is approaching things this way is a little strange. Just a small trifle.

In the end, the book is worth a read, but be prepared to set some small irritants aside.