Book: Star Wars: Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno
Cover Design by Scott Biel
Edition: Paperback
Description:
Lauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before the Republic’s enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key.
Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Star Wars: Catalyst is a strong story that leads up to Rogue One, this prequel finds brilliant scientist Dr. Galen Erso and his pregnant wife Lyra getting caught in the fight between the Republic and the Separatists. They were on the planet Vallt, it's where Galen and other scientists were conducting research for their employer Zerpen Industries when the planet joined the Separatists.
Attempting to leave Vallt, Lyra and Galen were separately imprisoned due to accusations of Galen being a Republic spy. This couldn't be farther from the truth but they were both held on suspicion regardless. News of their plight reached an old friend, Republic Lieutenant Commander Orson Krennic and with his aspirations of rising through the ranks, he sensed an opportunity to use Galen's intellect for Chancellor Palpatine's secret project.
Krennic devised a clever plan to free Galen, Lyra and their baby Jyn that would benefit him in the long run. Despite gaining the Ersos their freedom, Orson knew he couldn't bring Galen into the plan immediately nor directly because the scientist held a strong belief against the war. So he had to play his cards right and wait for the perfect opportunity to coax Galen into willingly providing his vast intelligence to the project.
With the abrupt ending of the war and the swift demise of the Jedi, the Republic which has become the Galactic Empire was setting itself up to be the great power of the galaxy. Krennic knew that completing Emperor Palpatine's secret project was of the utmost concern and his continued behind the scene efforts of maneuvering Galen was working out perfectly. He needed Dr. Erso's research and expertise on kyber crystals in order to use the information to create the ultimate weapon by figuring out a way to extract energy from the crystals. Galen under the impression that his resource was going to be used for the greater good such as providing sustainable energy, quickly immersed himself into the complex study of the crystals.
Galen was fully captivated by his research and was discovering new things about the crystals. He believed that prior to their demise, the Jedi had restricted anyone else's use of the crystals. His prior research only allowed him the use of synthetic kyber crystals or small test subjects. Meanwhile, Lyra was starting to have doubts and concerns about everything. She felt the Empire was keeping secrets and although she wasn't a Jedi she did have sort of a connection in a way to the Force and she believed that the Jedi had been protecting the crystals and would not have wanted them used in this manner.
I found Galen to be someone who is very analytical and has a strong desire for knowledge, researching and deciphering data but he was very kind, reasonable and compassionate. However, he was starting to buy into Orson and the Empire's way of thinking and was beginning to lose himself. You can see how rational people can become easily swayed and it didn't help that Orson was making great efforts to provide him with everything needed to further his crystal research.
Orson's main goal is the completion of the Emperor's ultimate weapon but Lyra was starting to become a problem. His indirect way of getting Lyra out of the way with an off world project only seemed to increased her concerns about the Empire. After overcoming a bit of tension that had developed between them, Galen and Lyra were beginning to realize their shared growing concerns about the Empire, Orson and Galen's research. They were feeling as if they were being backed into a corner and needing to find a way out.
Catalyst is a very interesting and fast paced story and you get to see how the Empire was expanding and taking over and there's also this moment that feels like the beginning spark of the rebellion. Of course it would be years before the Rebel Alliance is fully organized but I can't help wondering if that small bit of defiance added to the legend of the rebellion. Although the story mainly focused on Galen and Lyra Erso and Orson Krennic there are other characters that are also included such as Mas Amedda, Has Obitt, Saw Gerrera and Wilhuff Tarkin.
Authors of prequels have a difficult task of adding new information for a backstory while keeping the story heading in the right direction. I would say that author James Luceno did a fantastic job of writing this story which shows the start of the Empire's reign and the diabolical ruthlessness of Orson trying to seek more power and command by getting Galen to unwittingly provide the much needed research. This was very a good read that made me want to rewatch the Rogue One movie.
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