Book Review – Catalyst, a Rogue One Novel

Article by Dookie

Book Title : Catalyst, a Rogue One Novel

Author : James Luceno

Genre : Science-Fiction

ISBN : 9780345511492

Ebook ISBN : 9781101967010

Article by CL6 Dookie

The Republic is building a mobile battle station, but one critical element is missing.  The super weapon.  One man’s research will change the fate of the entire galaxy.

Let’s go into a little history lesson.  If you remember in Star Wars Episode 2 and 3, how Palpatine has been manipulating everyone since episode 1.  He created the separatist faction to fight the Republic and declare independence, to wage war, to manipulate the public opinion and to control the Senate and gain special powers.  Palpatine then dissolved the separatist movement when Count Dooku was killed by Anakin Skywalker and instructed Darth Vader to kill the other separatist leaders and take control of their armies and bank accounts.  A project of such importance as the Death Star costs a lot of money, but it was missing one key element.  The super weapon. 

This book is about political intrigue and backdoor deals and shady politics.  All the manipulations that has enabled the Republic to publicly build and fund this enormous project.  It’s almost a how-to about building a super weapon such as the Death Star.  Palpatine doesn’t just snap his fingers and conjure up a Death Star.  He needs a man to head this project.  Lt. Cmdr. Orson Krennic is that man. He’s the bad guy in this story.  Thing is, he doesn’t really know he’s a bad guy.  He’s so caught up in his project, his vision and his devotion to the Republic that it hides his dark and evil side.  This is how he justifies the bad and evil things he does in the name of the greater good.  He’s the puppet master pulling the strings and overseeing everything.

The other hero of this story is very brilliant man with unparallelled intellect and mind.  A pacifist, a genius, a scientist, a husband and a father.  Galen Erso is a man torn between worlds.  He has to weigh providing a bright and stable future for his family, baby daughter, Jyn Erso and his wife Lyra Erso. While satiating his desire to further his research and be true to his pacifist beliefs and not get involved in the War.  He has been away from the Core for so long that he has trouble coming to grips with the way the galaxy is now and finding his place in the world.  He is not a man who can stand idly by and wait out the war and resume his research at his convenience.  He has to feel useful and feel that he is providing for his family.

 This isn’t your typical Star Wars novel where the hero goes off to battle and survives by the skin of his teeth against unsurmountable odds.  It’s not what some say a « must read », but if you’re at all interested in the hype, the trailers and the buildup to Rogue One then this book is interesting.  If you were intrigued by the story of the Clone Wars, the rise to power of Palapatine and the rise of the Galactic Empire then this book is good for you.  Also if you have previously read Star Wars Tarkin by the same author then you need to pick up this book.  Tarkin returns and Krennic and Tarkin are bitter enemies.  I also think that James Luceno is an excellent Star Wars writer. Any Star Wars fans that appreciates Star Wars novels should definitely pick up this book or grab it at your local library!

Happy Reading!