‘The Jedi Doth Return’ via Quirk Books

In July of 2013, Quirk Books began an experiment. They announced a brand new retelling of the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy unlike anything seen before. The journey ends with the release of ‘The Jedi Doth Return’ on July 1st, 2014. The trilogy of books, penned by Ian Doescher, would attempt to re-imagine the ‘Star Wars’ story through the pen of William Shakespeare, arguably the greatest author in English literature.   It was a risky and bold move, so this Yoda’s News Staff Writer set off to see if it would pay off.

A bit of background, I have never been an avid reader of Shakespeare. It’s not for a lack on interest in the material itself, but rather the style of writing that I find abrasive. Most of us read fiction, primarily ‘Star Wars’ books, as an escape and form of enjoyment. Shakespeare’s works have always felt more like homework, as the reader is forced to decipher the true events taking place. I am a bit late to the party with this series, not reading the first two installments, ‘William Shakespeare’s Star Wars’ and ‘William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back.’ In this regard, I can hopefully present an unique perspective to readers of Yoda’s News: That of someone who isn’t normally inclined to read this novel.

Expectations for this novel were somewhat high. ‘Return of the Jedi’ would arguably be the most difficult for Doescher to tackle with scenarios like Jabba’s Palace, the final confrontation on the Death Star, and complex space battles all posing a real threat. Any one of these events could seriously jar the reader from the material and unravel the foil of a Shakespearean story, if not handled correctly. While Doescher faced a lot of challenges, he handled them with true skill and craftsmanship.

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via Del Rey Books Facebook page

‘Crucible’ first came out almost a year ago today on July 9th, 2013. It was arguably one of the most highly anticipated installment in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise in recent memory. Publisher, Del Rey Books, advertised the novel as being the beginning of the end for the “Big Three” as they reached their rightfully deserved retirement years:

“Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia have spent a lifetime fighting wars, bringing the Jedi back from extinction, raising families, and saving the galaxy more times than they can count. They’ve earned the right to rest on their laurels and let the younger generation shoulder the burden–but fate has another adventure in store for our heroes, a quest only they can tackle and hope to survive…”

Troy Denning, a veteran ‘Star Wars’ novelist, seemed like the perfect choice to tackle one last great adventure for Luke, Leia, and Han. ‘Crucible’ is Denning’s thirteenth installment in the galaxy far, far away that is cherished by fans across the globe. He first joined the ranks as a ‘Star Wars’ author back in 2001 with his entry in ‘The New Jedi Order’ series, ‘Star by Star.’ For twelve years, Denning delved into the adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han in bestselling series such as ‘The Dark Nest,’ ‘Legacy of the Force,’ and ‘Fate of the Jedi.’ He has been at the forefront of the ‘Star Wars’ expanded universe and clearly has an innate understanding of the true personas behind the beloved characters from the ‘Original Trilogy.’ If anyone could tackle this trailblazing story, it was Denning. And he delivered.

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