Ezra’s Gamble via Disney Publishing
Today marked the release of the Star Wars: Rebels tie-in, Ezra’s Gamble. Ezra’s Gamble, written by Star Wars author Ryder Windham, is junior novel that serves as a prequel for Rebels, coming in October. This is our first real look into the people and places of Rebels, and while only a junior novel, did have several expectations. It easily accomplished those goals and then some. Ezra’s Gamble is an exceptionally well-crafted book that gives readers a detailed look into life on Lothal and provides an entertaining adventure for our protagonist, Ezra.
The book opens up in a spaceport on Lothal and instantly replicated the same feeling and vibe of the “Original Trilogy.” First off we have the location of Lothal and its easy to remember capital, Capital City. Capital City is a bustling hub that was modeled after Cloud City on Bespin. It’s full of life, commerce, and entertainment. We also see some seedier places in Capital City that are reminiscent of of the Mos Eisley Cantina. Outside of the capital however, we see sparse farm lands that harken back to Tatooine. Lothal is a perfect mix of all the iconic locations from the “Original Trilogy,” but also feels very original. It would be all too easy to fall into the trap of just making a carbon copy of something we have already seen. Instead we get an environment that is obviously inspired by past locations, but still a fresh setting.
The story itself is also very exciting. Ezra instantly made me think of a young Han Solo. We see him pick-pocketing and taking advantage of tourists. He is a very street-smart kid who was probably forced into this way of life. We find out Ezra, at only fourteen, is an orphan. Living alone, under Imperial rule, its apparent that Ezra must rely off of wits just to stay alive. We also see he is a highly skilled pilot. While this is a trait I think we see a little too often, I am interested in how he will intereact in the with Hera (an ace pilot from Ryloth) later this year in Rebels.
We also see a familiar face from The Clone Wars: Bossk. Bringing him back is a useful tool that acts a a bridge between the two eras. He is written well and acts as an anchor to assure readers of this new story. We see him teaming up with Ezra, as the two fight their way though Imperials to uncover a ring of corruption. The two actually make a good pair and play well off each other. Both have a different set of skills and must learn to work together to survive. I wouldn’t go as far as to say they become friends or anything close to it, but they both learn much from each other and a mutual respect grows. It’s interesting to see how the Bounty Hunters Guild interacts with the Imperials and how Bossk plays the system. It will be interesting to see if Bossk becomes a regular on Rebels, as we have been told a familiar face from The Clone Wars will be present in the upcoming series.
Overall, Ezra’s Gamble is an enchanting story that keeps readers engaged. While written for the target audience of Rebels, it’s something even adults will find captivating. There is something in this book for everyone. It’s a great novel that will serve to get fans excited for Rebels. If this book is any indication of what awaits us later this fall, we are in for one exciting ride!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and highly recommend it for kids and adults alike. After all, it’s the child inside us all that still allows us to have love for that galaxy far, far away. You can pick it up for only $6.29 on Amazon, here. Join us on Twitter and share your thoughts! You can follow Alex Rybak at @arybak89 and Yoda’s News at @YodasNews.