Every Story Has a Beginning….

Review: Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void

Written by Tim Lebbon

Published: May 7, 2013 (Audio) Read by January LaVoy

April 1, 2014 (Paperback)

Into the Void was one of the most fun and yet most unusual Star Wars stories I have read (or listened to) thus far. The story takes place long before the Old Republic or the reign of the Galactic Empire. Before Revan, before Darth Bane, before the epic of the Skywalkers. In fact, the story takes us back to the beginning, to the earliest days of the Jedi. That is where things got little strange. First, the Je’daii (the ancient spelling) and the Sith are allies. In fact, there are members of the Sith race on the Je’daii Council. Next, there are no Je’daii “knights” only Masters, Rangers, and Journeyers. And most importantly, there are no lightsabers yet. In its place is a sword that has been forged from the force but is still made of metal and not powered by kyber crystals.

But never fear fans, there are many elements of the Star Wars we all know and love. There is the always present “force” and there are also many species we are familiar with such as Twi’leks. Plus there is the trusty sidekick droid, Ironholgs, which is a must have for any Star Wars story. So, while there are many new and interesting aspects to the Star Wars lore featured in Into the Void, there is enough familiarity to keep fans reading further. And that is a good thing, because Into the Void is a great story that needed to be told.

The story introduces us to Lanoree Brock, a young Je’daii Ranger that has been given a special assignment. To find and kill her brother before he unleashes a power that will destroy everything in the galaxy. That certainly sounds important, and it also brings us a story line that has been the backbone of the Star Wars legacy since the first film in 1977. Pitting two family members against each other creating a struggle within our heroine where she must make the ultimate choice: save the galaxy or kill her own flesh and blood.

Joining her as a liaison for the mission is a red skinned Twi’lek named Tre Sana, a scoundrel (you always have to have a scoundrel in a Star Wars story, am I right?) who has a dark past and an honorable heart. Their progressive relationship makes up a great deal of the story mixing humor and anxious moments of emotional conflict. Lanoree is used to being alone and doesn’t entirely trust the man sent with her, and Tre is only on the mission as part of a deal made with the Je’daii master Dam-Powl, who also recruited Brock for the mission.

Another backdrop to the story is the past relationship that Lanoree had with her rogue brother, Dalien. We discover how their relationship fell apart as they both made their way through the trials of the Je’daii as they follow in their parents’ footsteps.

While Dalien did not turn to the darkside, he did abandon all ideals of the force entirely and sought enlightment in the stars. Believing that the true power of the universe was hidden in the of mystery space. Using dark matter, he would open a hole in the universe and discover the truth that will destroy the force and all that followed it.

The book is filled with the usual action that one would come to expect from a Star Wars tale. Battles with creatures of all shapes and sizes, mischievous characters, and of course starship battles. So, while the Je’daii may not be the ones we have come to know and love, a glimpse into their past will help fans better understand where they came from and why they follow the rules and traditions that have been passed down for generations. The characters are complex and carry the reader from planet to planet facing insurmountable odds all the while maintaining the integrity that has made Star Wars the beloved franchise that it is.

Into the Void is also a tie in for the popular Star Wars comic book series, Dawn of the Jedi, in which Lanoree Brock’s story continues. However, if you want to get into the heart of the character and better understand her, and the path she has taken with the Je’daii, then Into the Void needs to be on your list of must reads.

And May the Force go with you…

Available at: Amazon Shop

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