The Snare

Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space #1

by Cavan Scott

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...When the parents of Milo and Lina Graf are abducted by agents of the evil Empire, the children must undertake a perilous journey across the unknown reaches of Wild Space to rescue them - and to discover hope for the future. In this first full-length adventure, Milo and Lina look for allies on an ancient frontier world - but the cruel Imperial officer Captain Korda has prepared a trap...Look out for the other titles in this series: The Escape and The Nest.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Novels

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2016

About the author

is a freelance comic writer and author. He is best known for his work on a variety of spin-offs from both Doctor Who and Star Wars, as well as comics and novels for Vikings, Pacific Rim, Sherlock Holmes, and Penguins of Madagascar.

Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Goodreads has this listed as #1 in a series, there is a prequel which I recommend reading first. This series is meant for young children. In this one, Milo and Lina are have made it to the planet where their parent's friend resides. The problem is that The Empire is also there.

Enjoyment of this book and series depends on how you view this book. Like I said it is meant for the younger audience and it shows. Children will enjoy these adventures as we follow two children and their droid evade The Empire. Children will be able to identify with the two main characters. They are just regular children fighting off evil and searching for their parents. If this is read through adult eyes you will have problems with this book. Sure it doesn't make sense that two kids can keep evading The Empire or you can see the deception coming from miles away. That being said, it does evoke the spirit of this universe as the small guy can fight against the larger opponent.

This book isn't meant to be serious. It is meant to be fun and for children and let them continue with adventures within this universe. I recommend reading this with your children as both you and your children can experience the joy of this universe.

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight]

Full RTC

[Chris Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so it wasn’t John Steinbeck, but this was fun and delightful! And there was a cameo from Darth Vader 🤤!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced, fun first installment in a series aimed at younger readers. It has the same mix of action, drama and humor that we expect from a Star Wars story, featuring younger protagonists with whom younger readers can identify. Continuing on from an e-book prologue, this is less a complete story in its own right as it is an episode in a longer story, but it comes to an end at an effective "pause" moment, while whetting the appetite for the next book in the series. While adult Star Wars fans may be more satisfied with the novels written for them, I found this to be a fun, quick read that fulfilled my need for a Star Wars story one evening. I plan on reading the next book in the series, because I want to see what happens to these characters, and the answers to the mysteries this book sets up.

[mytaakeonit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series, and it was a really fun read! Great for those wanting to read some Star Wars literature, but don't want to read a longggggg book. It did end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but the first four or five books are already out. Look for it in the classroom library soon! :)

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad addition to the story but didn't offer as much as the first one. This book has changed my opinion about kowakian monkey lizards, though :)

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are very juvenile, but I can see how they'd be fun adventures for kids to read. It's like a middle grade version of the movies.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milo and Lina travel to Thune in their search for their missing parents.

Scott has written a nice opening to this adventure.

[Jeremiah Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun to read aloud to my daughter. We read it in one sitting. It has thrills and peril but suitable for an 8 year old

[Mary Caserta (readsbymary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dicen que son libros infantiles, pero no es tan así y, además, yo los estoy disfrutando como loca.
Esta segunda parte me gustó muchísimo más y espero con ansias poder leer los siguientes libros muy pronto.

[JJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventures in Wild Space: The Snare is a worthy addition to the Star Wars universe. Labelled the first book in the series, Adventures in Wild Space really starts with prequel story The Escape -- released as an e-book in the United States and as a half-length physical book in the United Kingdom. I'd highly recommend reading that story first, as it introduces you to the characters, sets up the plot nicely, and filled me with a sense of wonder and adventure that this book couldn't quite recapture.

Once you finish The Escape, though, The Snare is a solid continuation of Lina and Milo's story. They're generic spunky children, Lina with an interest in machines and Milo with an interest in biological creatures, who manage to out-wit the Empire by the skin of their teeth. It's not highly sophisticated art or beautifully-written prose or anything like that -- adults will see all the twists and major story beats coming a mile away -- but author Cavan Scott makes the action move at a quick pace and I remained hooked enough in the story to plow through the 12 short chapters in a couple sittings.

This is very much a middle chapter in the story, and there's not much set-up of what's going on or resolution to anything. But if the first two Adventures in Wild Space books are anything to go by, this is a great series for kids -- and even a good one for adults with the right mindset and expectations to enjoy.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely written for a younger audience, but even so, Cavan Scott has filled the short book with as much action as you'll find in most adult Star Wars novels. Spaceship crash, tense standoff, and a boat/speeder bike chase all come fast and furious as our two protagonists stumble through danger on a quest to find their kidnapped parents and escape the Empire.
The 'Book 1' is a bit misleading though, as there are a lot of references to the previous (Book 0 - The Escape) that really hints readers should start there.
If you're looking for a middle grade level book for a Star Wars fan to read, this should serve pretty well. Adults won't be quite as impressed with it, but it does manage a Star Wars feel in its limited length.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is proving that you can tell a good Star Wars story, even if it’s intended audience isn’t exactly “mature” enough to grasp its implications.

Unlike some more “adult” oriented Star Wars stories, Wild Space: The Snare, is actually pretty fun. It tells a story that makes sense, it’s action packed enough, it’s main protagonists are relatable, and overall, there’s some decent moments that can keep even the most jaded of Star Wars fans entertained. It’s short and to the point (which helps cut down on pointless exposition), so it makes for a quick read.

Looking forward to see where this series takes us.

[Brian Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just for kids

Even though it's clearly written for kids, the story itself was fast paced and enjoyable. Not too short and not too long. As much as I like reading, I personally don't like long reads anyway. It gets right to the point and sets your up for the next book, which I plan on reading as well. I can actually picture these stories being a live action or animated tv show. The characters are not dumbed down but rather toned down just a smidge for kids while still remaining believable and enjoyable enough for adults. Overall it was fun read.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in the Adventures in Wild Space series. After the abduction of their parents and escaping the Empire, the adventure continues. Lina and Milo approach a planet named Thune hoping to find a lead on finding their parents. Unfortunately, they find a trap involving an old friend. How they get out of the snare is highly entertaining. January LaVoy handles the audiobook narration beautifully. Audio fans, please note, the audio version is not a Random House audio production (they handle the adult Star Wars books) so no sound effects or music.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This picks up right after the previous book (the #0 prequel), but you don't need it to know what's going on. Overall it's a bit predictable and not very deep. The droid, CR-8R, has grown on me. He's fussy in the C-3P0 mold but with a super sarcastic biting edge. The book ends on a cliffhanger (on purpose again?) which is super annoying.

I will say that the cover art for this series is A+. Love the vibrant colors.

[Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a library book, which I read to my son as his bedtime story. He’s into Star Wars. So when we saw this at the library we knew we had to get it. It’s really short, but it’s filled with so much action. I really like the two kids, Lina and Milo. It was a nice balance of them knowing what to do The and being lost. Put that with a robot and a bit of luck and you have a great story with near misses and daring escapes. We’re going to go back to the beginning and read them all!

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really not feeling this series so far. :/ It's middle grade and it just feels so simplistic and juvenile. I get that I'm not the target audience, but I've read some well done middle grade stories especailly for Star Wars. But other than a cool looking villain, there's nothing here. It's fluff. It's a brother and sister on the run and there's no stakes because they're children and this is just skimming the surface of potential.

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my 12 & 9 year old boys , just enough world building and character development for the younger audience and my boys thoroughly enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next one, adds in a good amount of humour and some Rebels connections to keep them amused and I have to admit I quite enjoyed it too ;)

[Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still not feeling the Star Wars Saga connection with these Wild Space junior novels and will stop with this one. With only slight reference changes, these stories could easily be any other generic science fiction story. The compelling nature of the Star Wars Saga is missing. Even though Vader's hologram shows up in the last chapter, it's a purely mechanical appearance.

[Gabriel Benitez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una aventura interesante para jovencitos, donde una pareja de hermanos (ella y él) que viajan con sus padres biólogos por la zona conocida por el espacio salvaje, ven a sus padres secuestrados por el imperio. Para recuperarlos tendrán que escapar antes de situaciones mortales. De chico me hubiera gustado leerlo. O sea ahora también pero de chico me hubiera gustado más.

[Jair Cursiol Filho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let's make it clear: this is excellent for kids. For adults, however, it's hard to accept it as canon. Two under-10 kids being able to skip imperial blockades and Vader himself caring about two escaping kids is a little too much to accept as happening in the same universe as the rest of the canon (even if we do have Ewoks defeating the Empire).

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

There was some sibling squabbling, but at the end of the day, Milo and Lina love one another and will work hard to take care of each other.

I liked their resourcefulness and quick thinking.

[Boots LookingLand · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure i like Milo and Lina (and i'm positive i don't like Morq), but i'm willing to continue giving this a chance; as a kids' book it feels a bit forced. the characters are a bit cardboard at the moment and the danger seems a bit cookie-cutter.

[DarthVixReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun little read! I enjoyed it so much and can't wait to continue. I think traveling Wild Space with these siblings is going to be such an adventure. If you love Star Wars or have a kid who does, this is great.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, a great junior reader. The chapters were the perfect length, and the adventure lived up to the title. I loved the narrative's locations as it gave me Italian Job or any other action film set in Venice vibes.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so good! I'm kicking myself for not buying them when they were available. Milo and Lina remind me a bit of Zak and Tash from the old Galaxy of Fear series in the Legends canon, actually. The Snare is well paced and has an exciting climax.

[A Meneses · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.

So much better than the first one. Action packed and full of adventures, I think this is perfect for kids.

[Luce · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a pretty fun ride! Might only continue with this series if my library gets the others in, though.

[A]

Has unexpected subtlety and character development.