Book review
Written by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry
Del Ray hardback
Release date Out now

The story of the dreaded Death Star, that awesome and decidedly unhidden weapon of mass destruction commissioned by the Emperor to put an end to the Rebel cause once and for all...

With a cast of characters led by Grand Moff Tarkin and featuring cameos by many key players in the Star Wars universe, Death Star is an entertaining read that provides much backstory to the events of A New Hope.

The subplots include characters such as a seasoned gunnery officer who is intimidated by the strength of the weapon he has at his command and who eventually begins to crack after witnessing the destruction of Alderaan. It’s the most powerful part of the book and works in direct conflict to the tone and pace of the films. Princess Leia certainly didn’t react in an overtly distressed way when the planet was destroyed, so it’s nice to see the balance redressed here.

There’s also an interesting strand in which a fighter pilot defends the imperial construction site as the station is being built, but ends up piloting a getaway ship for likeminded deserters who feel that the Empire’s evil methods are unacceptable.

The depth of the book allows the black and white morality of the Star Wars universe to be wrought in more ambiguous shades than George Lucas ever allowed in the movies. What it gains in intricate detail, though, it loses in charm. The films had a whimsical quality, and it is the fairytale aspect of the narrative that is a big part of Star Wars’ success and what this book lacks. We never question where the enchanted castle or the witch’s cottage comes from in Grimm’s Fairytales, we merely accept that they exist; the same can be said of the Death Star.

It’s a strong book, certainly one of the best in the Expanded Universe range, but it falls short of capturing the magic that has kept us all enthralled for the last 30 years. Adam Herman

VERDICT: 7/10
A fine tale that doesn’t quite feel like the Star Wars we know and love.

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