Star Wars: Ahsoka

Star Wars: Ahsoka is a technically a young adult novel set in the new Star Wars canon universe. It was written by E.K. Johnston and this marks her first full Star Wars novel. The story begins with Ahsoka Tanon operating under the alias Ashla on the planet Raada. She had previously left behind a shipping family on Thabeska after the Imperial presence became uncomfortable. Here on Raada she presented herself as mechanic and offered to fix people's gadgets in exchange for food and other favors. The whole time she did her best to avoid using the Force and stay away from Imperials there in the Outer Rim. The story is intercut with flashbacks to her time on the run and her last big mission on Mandelor. It's also where she officially "died" in order to make hiding all the more plasible. Thus Ahsoka does her best to find a new life for herself as she battles with survivor's guilt over the rest of the Jedi who had perished during Order 66. She has no idea if everyone else is alive and she can't even count herself as a full Jedi. But of course with the Empire growing in strength no planet is is truly beyond their reach even in the Outer Rim and soon she'll need to decide how to deal with them once more. What I Loved: The book is highly introspective as it was written from Ahsoka's perspective. And there's a heck of a lot to unpack there from leaving the Jedi Order, faking her death, and surviving Order 66, to name a few things. And with her efforts to hide her presence in the Force, it also becomes a chance to reflect on her role in the greater scheme of things, especially when it comes to the Force. And given the failings of the Jedi that allowed the Emperor to seize power, she's pretty set on forging a new path. And you also have to love how she can't help but be a hero, which is what makes her a hero of course. She knows that she's supposed to lie low and avoid Imperial attention but she also can't stand idly by while people suffer under Imperial abuse. It makes for great complex character moments as she puzzles through things and figures out how to balance all the demands placed on her. I never felt like this was a young adult novel. And I oddly liked her tendency to speak to no one in particular as she repeatedly finds herself missing her old companions like Rex and other clones or even R2-D2. It was a nicely humanizing trait. And oh man that ending was perfect. What Could Have Been Better: I didn't fully get the back and forth Ahsoka had mid-way through the book in terms of the planets she had been hiding out on. I understand it was sort of part of her emotional journey but on the whole it felt more than a little odd. And given how drab and uneventful both of these planets were depicted to be, it didn't exactly make for an interesting change of scene either. I also didn't fully get some of the Imperial scenes involving how the Empire came to Raada. While it was interesting background fluff, it wasn't all that necessary in the greater scheme of things. Maybe the part about the Inquisitors are still pertinent and relevant but the other guy not so much. TL;DR: Star Wars: Ahsoka is a great Star Wars books for fans of all-ages and nicely gives us more insight into Ahsoka Tano and her personal journey to find meaning after all the tragedy that had befallen the Jedi. It may not have as much action as some of the other Star Wars novels out there but it hits all the right notes.

+++Warning, this contains spoilers for the Animated Rebels and Clone Wars series, but no major spoilers from the book itself+++ This book was actually my introduction to the character of Ahsoka Tano. She was, as most people know, the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars, between Episodes II and III. She was framed for a murder that she did not commit and was almost kicked out of the Jedi order only to be proven innocent by Anakin, yet ended up leaving the order. This book tells the story of what happened after Order 66 and the fall of the Jedi and tells how she was recruited by Bail Organa into the Rebellion, which would play out in the animated series Rebels, which is set a handful of years before the events of A New Hope. In this novel, Ahsoka has taken up the name Ashla, and hiding in a farming settlement on a moon called Raada in the Outer Rim, trying to stay off the Empire's radar. The Empire ends up coming to the moon in order to strip the moon of its resources, and Ahsoka builds a mini resistance against the local troops. She eventually gets on the radar of the local Imperial Bureaucrat, Bail Organa, and one of the Inquisitors. The novel does outline some of the details of Ahsoka's storyline in the final season of The Clone Wars, which was resurrected after this book was written and the Rebel series had ended. Also, a portion of the storyline in the novel is shown in the new Animated Series, Tales of the Jedi, which is a collection of short animated stories that heavily feature Ahsoka. While the book is enjoyable even if you have not seen the Clone Wars animated series, it is definitely better if you have that background and context as her past is only lightly touched on in the book, mostly through flashbacks. Overall, it is a very good story, for a character that was somewhat divisive when she was first introduced but has become more and more beloved as she has been fleshed out in the animated series and in live-action. It is definitely one of the canon novels that I would include on a must-read list. It is a fairly easy read, and despite being a young-adult novel can easily be enjoyed by adults. It is definitely worth the time to read.

***Possible spoilers for Star Wars: Rebels*** Show of hands, folks: When The Clone Wars first premiered in theaters and on Cartoon Network, who hated Ahsoka Tano? I always liked her (or at least, didn’t have strong feeling against her) but I was on the internet and saw how fan vilified her and considered her one of Star Wars’ low points. (Can anyone remember if comparisons were made to Jar-Jar? I thought so, but I can’t remember clearly) Anyway, almost twelve years later and, of course, she’s one of the most beloved characters to come out of the Star Wars saga. Props have to be given to Dave Filoni and crew for developing Ahsoka and showing how Jedi training and the Clone Wars changed her from the movie to her departure from the Jedi Order in the season five/first series finale, to the point people were excited for her coming back in Rebels. Of course, any Star Wars fan knows there's amazing stories between movies and shows (heck, this is the franchise where the bar patrons in Mos Eisley each have a story) and that Ahsoka going from Jedi to Fulcrum has to be good. Thankfully, E. K. Johnston has taken the reins and filled in some gaps in the story of everyone’s favorite Togruta. Ahsoka is living her life in secret, keeping a low profile after the events of Revenge of the Sith. After leaving one home, she finds the farming moon of Raada and starts open up to the inhabitants, especially to Kaeden Larte and her sister Miara. Unfortunately, the Empire comes to Rada to grow a crop and, despite Ahsoka’s secret efforts, she has to leave the world to the Empire’s devices when her heritage is discovered until she can come up with a plan to liberate the farmers. Simply put, this was a well put-together story that illustrated Ahsoka’s struggles in the early years of the Empire and how the Jedi purge affected her. You feel her loneliness, grief at losing her extended family and especially her former Master (SPOILER: Rebels’ viewers will know Ahsoka doesn’t realize that she only lost her Master “from a certain point of view" until after this story) and basically trying to survive in a galaxy where she’s no longer welcomed. Her journey to become the hero she was before was well told and a great ride for the reader, with nothing seemingly out of place character-wise from the Ahsoka readers already know from the TV series. The new characters are a welcomed lot, ranging from the farmers to the Fardi Clan, a family behind a shipping business with cargo you may or may not expect. The villains are also great. Of course, there’s hasn’t been a villain to top Vader or the Emperor, but the Sixth Brother and Imperial bureaucrat are the despicable creatures Star Wars fans love to hate. My personal favorites are the little Fardi girls and Kaeden, escpecially when she becomes a slightly dorky love interest for Ahsoka. Through the course of the book, you feel for almost all the characters as much as the title character, who has the benefit of being introduced in The Clone Wars and Rebels so kudos to E. K. Johnston. One particularly great part was Ahsoka’s trouble in getting the farmers to get a “bigger picture” view as they prepare to fight the Empire. Both sides are shown to be right AND wrong, with Ahsoka not understanding the farmers’ worries about growing on their world again and the farmers not trusting Ahsoka, along with the issue of whether Ahsoka could be trusted (which the reader might be biased towards after seeing what she’s done on TV but the viewers couldn't have known). My favorite part is basically how the story show Ahsoka at her lowest point and climbing back up. Granted, any number of Star Wars books and media depict that. It's just powerful to see someone who was first introduced as a optimitic, naive, a little cocky Padawan be forced to live through the Jedi Purge with nothing left. Obi-Wan and Yoda had a mission to guide Luke and Leia, Vader had his hate and regret, but all Ahsoka had was just needing to survive. The books shows why Ahsoka needs to be a hero and help people and the story guides her to that realization to become the Rebel secret agent and hero viewers meet again on the Rebels TV show. That said, this good book isn’t perfect. There’s a section where we get a summary of Ahsoka’s time delivering supplies which could’ve been the basis for another book. On that account, this could’ve been an awesome two-book miniseries. The book as-is is a great story, but it does lag slightly because we leave Raada for a bit. That said, there’s barely a dull moment. I originally bought the Audible version simply so I could listen at work (it’s unfortunately easier to listen at work than to make time after to read for me), so I didn’t realize WHO the narrator was until I got ready to hit Play. It was great to hear Ashley Eckstein play Ahsoka again and was a great choice. Not perfect, mind you. No, not because Morgan Freeman has a more soothing voice. I just mean that, since Ashley’s real voice is so close to Ahsoka’s, it sounds like Ahsoka narrating her own experience until she says “Ahsoka did such and such” or “Ahsoka said”. You get used to it quickly but it’s a little crazy at first. In any case, it’s hard to argue against Ashley narrating a book starring the character she helped immortalized. She does an equally great job as the other characters, especially as the Larte sisters on the farm world and Fardi sisters in the family. As I mentioned in my review for Dark Disciple, Star Wars music and sound effects are a great touch but I felt that Kevin Kiner's Clone Wars score would've been better. That said, John Williams' music is always welcomed :) All-in-all, this is a great addition to the life story of the once loathed, now beloved former Padawan. After such a great book, you wish Disney would go ahead on more Ahsoka since we don’t know what happened between Rebels and The Force Awakens (SPOILER: the end of Rebels has Ahsoka set up for more adventures). This book is proof at how great a character Ahsoka, mis-steps in 2008 nonwithstanding (and who’s to say the filmmakers didn’t PLAN of Ahsoka being annoying at first to show her growth? :) ). Fans of Ahsoka should read or listen to this missing chapter and the story of how a hero regained her inner strength.

Having fallen in love with The Clone Wars series, I was pretty disappointed to have watched the last episode, so was thrilled to hear about the release of Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston. The book shares a secret hidden side of Ahsoka which was not evident in the animated series. While she was overall portrayed as clever and brave, I always felt she was a bit clumsy, always getting into trouble--of course, one expects that of a Padawan Learner, especially with a stubborn minded Master like Anakin! The book takes away the clumsiness, and shows how independent she has become. No longer desiring attention, she now walks in the shadows, revealing only pieces of herself to new friends to avoid being discovered by the Empire.She is now a leader seeking not only her own survival from the harsh rulership of Stormtroopers, but the survival of those who have warmly welcomed her into their lives. It was interesting to learn in depth what an Imperial takeover of a planet looks like--beginning with censorship and imposed curfews and laws, to the forced labor of a planet's inhabitants who must grow only the crops which best benefit the Stormtroopers. While there is humor in the book, there is beautifully technical writing and the writing gives Ahsoka a powerfully organized mind, tremendous drive, and shows the advanced level of creativity which Force-sensitives are known to possess. I enjoyed the story, the author's writing style, and the overall presentation of the book. I also like very much that it is a good quality hardcover book costing the same as many paperback books, and for those reasons, I will be giving this book out as gifts to others. I look forward to future Star Wars novels by E.K. Johnston! As a side note--if you enjoyed this book or like Ahsoka as a character, The Ahsoka Black Series 6 inch figure is a must have. It is a fancy detailed figure, which stands tall, and has all of the glitter and shine of the Ahsoka on this book cover!

*MILD SPOILERS ALERT* - This is by far the best novel to come out of the new canon. E.K. Johnson weaves together the background, settings, and emotions of the characters in such a way that the reader feels fully immersed. This takes place approximately 2 years after the events of RotS and Ahsoka has lost her sense of identity and purpose as the novel opens. We follow her through her journey to a remote planet on the Outer Rim for refuge, which unfortunately the Empire decides to use for their own resource. What makes this book so unique and a MUST READ is that E.K. Johnson was allowed to explore and voice the characters in a way that doesn't feel so constrained as in TFA novelization or Bloodlines. On the side of the book you'll notice that some pages have gray edges; I thought before I started reading that this was decorative. However, each gray section is either a flashback from a different perspective than Ahsoka, or insight into what is happening in the present time across the galaxy. Through these gray sections, we notably get to have a few pages with Anakin's Skywalker's (flashback) and Obi-Wan's (present time) thoughts. *MILD SPOILER ALERT HERE* - Bail Organa and Leia also come into this book, and the character of Bail is further developed with mentions of his nightmares of the ones he couldn't save during Order 66, and how his love for his daughter ties into his formation of the Rebellion. We also get little tidbits here that answer some lingering questions, and it's so well woven into the story that it doesn't feel like a 'here we'll throw you a bone and answer this to tie up some loose ends with the canon'. For example, we now know how Leia ends up with R2D2 in ANH, and Obi-Wan's premature aging between RotS and ANH is explained in a very brief one line sentence. Even without the other major characters being brought into this novel, Ahsoka's story could well stand on its own. It's a page turner and I read it within 48 hours. The only criticism I have is that maybe on the 2nd or 3rd page, Ahsoka's headpieces are referred to as lekku, as are other Togruta's headpieces. This continues until about 3/4's of the way through when we finally have the author switch to calling them montrals.

Hmmm it's hard to write a review of this book in isolation. I think first one must understand how I have appreciated the Star Wars universe. After having been burned by just how bad Ep7 and Ep8 were... I was leery to touch anything Star Wars ever again. But after a ton of encouragement from my brother, I reluctantly started watching the Clone Wars, and it was tough. I was like this Ahsoka Tano character is annoying! She is almost more annoying than Jar Jar Binks, REY AND FINN! I powered through and finally this Ahsoka Tano character grows on you... and by the time I had consumed Rebels... she is probably my most favorite character in all of Star Wars land. So much so I wanted to see a Sabine/Ezra/Tano post Ep 6 pre ep7 continuation (dream?). So I searched to see if there was anything describing Tano's adventure between CloneWars/ep3 and Rebels... and this book popped up. Now, I have never read a Star Wars book before... and after Disney's vomit land of Episode 8... I didn't have a lot of trust in Disney anymore. But it was Ahsoka Tano! I had to check it out. And I was not disappointed. The author supremely delivers the Ahsoka Tano story in every way you could possibly dream of. It was perfect and seamlessly reading that you can't put down. In one day, I had sadly consumed the whole thing and wished I had made my enjoyment last longer. You won't regret picking up this book. It's the only Star Wars book I've read and I don't think another one could compare. Okay, I find it a bit strange that there is no way to reach the author which is unusual. I checked the book for her email and her website doesn't have a contact her form... I was hoping to write to say thank you for this work. But that aside, I have no complaints! Very satisfied customer!

Between "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series and "Star Wars: Rebels," there's a fifteen year time skip in which many were asking: "What happened to Ashoka Tano?" This book provides some of those answers. Specifically, it shows how Ahsoka came to the attention of Bail Organa (Leia's adoptive father) and became the agent known as Fulcrum. We see how the New Order of the Empire affects the regular, rural people of the galaxy and Star Wars: Ashoka takes time to show us how nasty the Empire is to everyone who isn't part of their very narrow view of "acceptable." Without giving too much of the plot away, I will say the book is tight; it moves quickly and I was never lost or confused. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and, in fact, would rank it near the top of all the Extended Universe novels and thus far, the best of the new EU continuity. While I appreciate what some other authors bring to the EU, I didn't have to fight against the writing style (which is a completely subjective judgment), and it certainly made reading more pleasurable. My only real criticism is I felt the climax was a bit rushed, particularly Ashoka's confrontation with her nemesis, an Inquisitor (fans of Star Wars: Rebels will be familiar with the type). Still, I suppose it is good to occasionally show the bad guys getting curb-stomped because they underestimate their opponents, and it is a known flaw of the Empire. For too long, and with few exceptions, EU novels focused on the exploits of the Skywalkers and Solos we came to know and love in the films. With seemingly every event in the galaxy revolving around Luke, Leia, and Han, it made the universe feel very small. Expanding the cast of characters novels can focus on helps with that tremendously. For all the awesome things about Star Wars, there's really very few role-models for young women and the franchise sorely needed more. Ashoka Tano is a good one. She's witty, strong, competent and self-sufficient. She's not shown to need help to accomplish the most basic tasks and when she does need help, she recognizes it, formulates a plan, gets the help she needs and gets things done. Without a doubt, Ashoka Tano continues the tradition of strong female characters in sci-fi and fantasy and is a fine addition to the heroes of Star Wars.

I am a big fan of the Ahsoka character, and I was very happy to hear she was getting her own Novel. I would love to see her get her own stand-alone animated feature film as well, but I digress... To be more accurate, I would probably rate the book 2.5 stars. I really didn't want to, but that's where I ended up after reading it. In this review, I will try and keep it non-spoilery for anyone considering purchasing the book... Overall the story was believable, but - flat. For the first half of the book, it was very slow, plodding, and overall pretty boring. **I watched an old Star Wars panel discussion from Dave Filoni, creator of the Ahsoka character, on YouTube a while back and he mentions that George Lucas taught him that Star Wars storytelling was three things: Fast, Clear, and Original. The author did hit these traits at times, but very sporadically throughout the book. The term "disjointed" kept popping into my head as I read the book describing how some of the plot elements, action, and character development were unveiled. It just didn't "feel" like a Star Wars story to me - the pace of most of the book wasn't "fast" enough. Having watched the Clone Wars TV series, and now Rebels, I just didn't feel like the pace that Ahsoka takes and her personality matches who she was in the Clone Wars series. There were flashes of it, but again, sporadic and very few. The insights into Ahsoka's character were well done, and sufficiently thorough. I did get a "clear" sense of what she was dealing with following all of the terrible things that she had experienced prior to the Novel. However, the supporting characters introduced in the story didn't get much exploration at all. Little bits here and there, and by the end of the book, I had no real interest or investment in them. Also, the author seems to go off on brief tangents of information that aren't necessary for the plot as well as bringing up a plot element repeatedly in a VERY vague manor that didn't pique my interest as she probably intended. She also frequently misses great opportunities to delve into certain plot points and characters more deeply but just moves on. In addition, she will stop to have long moments of dialogue or thoughts that don't match with the story's pace or situation. (Again, disjointed) The descriptions of some of the violence that takes place are a bit grotesque and unnecessary. It seemed as though she was trying to imply a sense of danger, but then only a little while later the danger is easily dealt with or avoided altogether. Lastly, at times I took the book in from the perspective of a reader who has a VERY limited knowledge of Star Wars or none. I felt that the book made far too many assumptions about how much the reader knows about this particular character. While I was able to get many of the easter egg references she includes in the book, another reader with little to no exposure to Ahsoka would get lost or frustrated. Overall I believe the author is a genuine fan of Star Wars. She obviously is very invested in Ahsoka and her character. However, I think Star Wars needs an Author who is truly an "Enthusiast". Someone with at least an above average knowledge of the Star Wars universe. She herself admits that her spelling of Star Wars terminology and knowing the basic alien species is bad. That shows throughout the book. There isn't really any "original" takes on established Star Wars lore. The terminology used is generic and repetitive even just flat out nondescript. I know that she worked closely with Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo and character creator Dave Filoni, so I don't know how much she had to stay within their rules since this Novel is Canon within the overall Star Wars universe. But it was pretty easy to tell when she was building the story off their notes, and when she wasn't. As a personal aside, I was also annoyed by the author's need to form the supporting characters counter to social norms and make them almost exclusively female. It wasn't a deal breaker, just annoying. My recommendation is that if you are a fan of Ahsoka, buy the book and read it. It is a good (Canonical) piece to the puzzle of her story between Clone Wars and Rebels, but that's about it. If you are a newcomer to Star Wars or Ahsoka as a character, there are other, better media out there to get you hooked on Star Wars.

I adore Star Wars and the various novelisations, some are well written and some are not. However this is one I really enjoyed and devoured it in 2 days! I have tried watching all the animated stuff but it’s not my thing so Ahsoka Tano was a bit of an unknown person for me. However I loved this and what a great writer the author is- so much so that I’ve already ordered more of her SW’s books! If you are more familiar with AT then you will really enjoy this book!

i finished the book yesterday and i must say that this book is really really good! i loved the simple yet articulated writing style. i will surely buy queen's shadow and queen's peril. i also love the fact that ties perfectly between the clone wars and rebels. i really liked the story, simple yet not trivial, i loved that many things about the force are explained. how a crystal pass to the dark side and how it can return to the light, how the force sensitives sense a presence, and also the fact that every force sensitive kid has a particullary developed power before training. Hedala Fardi has the ability of feeling dangers, Ahsoka had the ability of sensing others's emotions. i really liked how Johnson alludes to Ahsoka's sexuality: Kaeden is in love with her, and i felt since her first meeting that Kaeden felt something special for Ahsoka. of course this doesn't mean that Ahsoka feels the same, but..... her reply; "oh, well, thank you", is enigmatic. also Ahsoka came back on Raada because of Kaeden, because she didn't want to leave her friends again. the books sais friends, but i had the feeling that Kaeden is something more than a friend to Ahsoka. of course Ahsoka doesn't know much about romance, and he could have never discovered her ipothetical bisexuality/pansexuality/whateverisexuality. he flirted with Lux, but here was different, was more armonic, and hidden. my theory is that Ahsoka doesn't know that she likes girls so he doesn't act towards Kaeden in a special way. but she does, so somehow she act in a different way, just she doesn't do it on purpose, so it is less accentuated and evident.

Genial para fans

I loved this book. When I first started watching The Clone Wars, I wasn't really a fan of Ahsoka and found her downright annoying. However, by seasons 4 and 5, I actually grew to like her. And I really loved her in Rebels. Then I learnt that she was getting her own novel and was excited. The book is good when it comes to the plot but the final antagonist was just unimpressive and bland. The book does keep things overall interesting enough that you simply keep on reading without putting the thing down. It does this by way of interesting characters, nice character interactions and decent character development, some nice action every now and then, interesting departures from the main plot to Ahsoka's time during the declaration of Order 66 and even one which covers a bit of Obi-Wan's time on the hell hole he now calls home, and you just can't help but keep wondering what is going to happen next to these characters. The book draws to a conclusion I found overall satisfying (disappointing antagonist aside) and does answer a lot of questions. All in all, this is a good Star Wars book and with my only problem with it being the final antagonist. And it is especially a nice treat for fans of the character of Ahsoka herself. As far as Star Wars Disney canon books go, I wouldn't rank it up there at the top but it's still high up.

新品、綺麗、素晴らしかった。