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Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clones Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance...
353 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2016
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22632 people want to read
About the author
E.K. Johnston
23 books2,668 followersE.K. Johnston had several jobs and one vocation before she became a published writer. If she’s learned anything, it’s that things turn out weird sometimes, and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Well, that and how to muscle through awkward fanfic because it’s about a pairing she likes.
You can follow Kate on Twitter (@ek_johnston) to learn more about Alderaanian political theory than you really need to know, or on Tumblr (ekjohnston) if you're just here for pretty pictures.
You can follow Kate on Twitter (@ek_johnston) to learn more about Alderaanian political theory than you really need to know, or on Tumblr (ekjohnston) if you're just here for pretty pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,508 reviews
May 28, 2025
A good and nice story. I get the feeling this was aimed at younger readers. The story is well-researched and thought out. It does fill in a few blanks on how and why Ahsoka became Fulcrum. This is more of a companion book to the Rebels series, I would recommend reading this before watching season 2 of the series, simple as I am hoping a lot of the questions or blanks I have will be filled in there.
This is setting up the background to season 1 of Rebels. I am glad a couple of the side characters in this story got their well-deserved credit for what will become the rebellion. This is Ahsoka on the run from the Empire, as well as looking for a purpose for herself.
This story does not start with Ahsoka leaving the Jedi temple. This starts a few years later when Palpatine has set himself as the Emperor, and the few surviving Jedi now know how badly they had been deceived. Now, just being Force-sensitive is a death sentence at best or possibly an even darker destiny awaiting them. There is no real mention of how Ahsoka survived Order 66 or what she was doing after leaving the order in the years between the fall of the Republic and the raise of the Empire. I am also not a fan of the extracts dotted around the story jumping back in the past, I would have preferred the past stories together, then the main story moving forward on its own.
This was a good book, I think it could have been better. What made this from OK to Good for me was the last battle that I call the main event of the story. I do think that the language was a bit simple, aiming at younger readers, but I did like the book in general.
This is setting up the background to season 1 of Rebels. I am glad a couple of the side characters in this story got their well-deserved credit for what will become the rebellion. This is Ahsoka on the run from the Empire, as well as looking for a purpose for herself.
This story does not start with Ahsoka leaving the Jedi temple. This starts a few years later when Palpatine has set himself as the Emperor, and the few surviving Jedi now know how badly they had been deceived. Now, just being Force-sensitive is a death sentence at best or possibly an even darker destiny awaiting them. There is no real mention of how Ahsoka survived Order 66 or what she was doing after leaving the order in the years between the fall of the Republic and the raise of the Empire. I am also not a fan of the extracts dotted around the story jumping back in the past, I would have preferred the past stories together, then the main story moving forward on its own.
This was a good book, I think it could have been better. What made this from OK to Good for me was the last battle that I call the main event of the story. I do think that the language was a bit simple, aiming at younger readers, but I did like the book in general.
April 20, 2018
I would probably sell my soul for the Clone Wars series. Yes, it's low-budget and silly at times, but I love it to bits. Honestly there was a time where if anyone mentioned Rex and Order 66 I would instantly tear up. Trust me when I say I'm a HOE for Clone Wars.
(Credit: djinn-world)
Ahsoka Tano is easily the most dynamic character in the series. She is given so much screen time and character development, probably because she doesn't show up in the movies and thus the writers had far more freedom to take her character in any direction. As it is, Ahsoka develops from a reckless, energetic child into a badass commander but keeps that incredible determination.
A couple of things about this book.
1. It's a transition story - it follows Ahsoka's life after Order 66 is long past but before she joins the Rebellion.
2. Background knowledge is vital - you can't read this book without understanding some key events from the prequel trilogy and the Clone Wars. The author does not take the time to explain some of the characters and events she brings up during the story, like Ahsoka's relationship with Anakin and Obi-Wan and the clones, her history with Rex, and what happened with Barriss, for example. The book also references events that will come to fruition later in the original trilogy, like Anakin's children with Bail and Obi-Wan on Tatooine.
3. The content is pretty dark - This book focuses mostly on the Empire and its early effects on the galaxy. Corruption, violence, torture, and oppression are big themes. I tentatively marked it as YA since it involves many young characters, but I wouldn't give say the book is targeted at the same group that the Clone Wars TV series targets.
4. Johnston does a fabulous job translating Ahsoka from screen to paper - Johnston's take on Ahsoka's thoughts and feelings was very far from the way I imagined her based on Clone Wars. She is much more reserved, calm and calculative than the boisterous, brave girl I was familiar with. But her transformation makes sense; she is burdened by everything she has lost because of Order 66 and is reluctant to engage in impossible fights. However, as the book progresses Ahsoka slowly reveals the hopeful and heroic nature that defines her character.
5. Ahsokamay or may not be is 100% gay - the author kind of sort of hinted at this. The main other character of the book, Kaeden, develops a lesbian crush on Ahsoka and the author's tone on their relationship seemed to be... let's say open to developments. Which means I'm calling it right here and now, I am 20,000% behind the direction the story is to be pointing towards.
So maybe you're thinking, "She says she's a hoe for all things Clone Wars and Ahsoka Tano. Why not a five star rating?" Or maybe you aren't, but I'll answer anyway.
Despite all the love I have for Ahsoka, this book didn't draw me in right away. The first half moves slowly, with lots of introspection, descriptive language, and setup. The action took a very long time to kick in. Also, there were interlude chapters here and there describing either Ahsoka in a different time of her life or another character's point of view. They were distracting and often completely unrelated to the plot. So those two problems were the reason I had to knock one star off the rating.
tl;dr : A darker, more serious take on Ahsoka's character set between Revenge of the Sith and Rebels. Watch Clone Wars and the prequels before reading so you know what's going on.
(Credit: djinn-world)Ahsoka Tano is easily the most dynamic character in the series. She is given so much screen time and character development, probably because she doesn't show up in the movies and thus the writers had far more freedom to take her character in any direction. As it is, Ahsoka develops from a reckless, energetic child into a badass commander but keeps that incredible determination.
A couple of things about this book.
1. It's a transition story - it follows Ahsoka's life after Order 66 is long past but before she joins the Rebellion.
2. Background knowledge is vital - you can't read this book without understanding some key events from the prequel trilogy and the Clone Wars. The author does not take the time to explain some of the characters and events she brings up during the story, like Ahsoka's relationship with Anakin and Obi-Wan and the clones, her history with Rex, and what happened with Barriss, for example. The book also references events that will come to fruition later in the original trilogy, like Anakin's children with Bail and Obi-Wan on Tatooine.
3. The content is pretty dark - This book focuses mostly on the Empire and its early effects on the galaxy. Corruption, violence, torture, and oppression are big themes. I tentatively marked it as YA since it involves many young characters, but I wouldn't give say the book is targeted at the same group that the Clone Wars TV series targets.
4. Johnston does a fabulous job translating Ahsoka from screen to paper - Johnston's take on Ahsoka's thoughts and feelings was very far from the way I imagined her based on Clone Wars. She is much more reserved, calm and calculative than the boisterous, brave girl I was familiar with. But her transformation makes sense; she is burdened by everything she has lost because of Order 66 and is reluctant to engage in impossible fights. However, as the book progresses Ahsoka slowly reveals the hopeful and heroic nature that defines her character.
5. Ahsoka
So maybe you're thinking, "She says she's a hoe for all things Clone Wars and Ahsoka Tano. Why not a five star rating?" Or maybe you aren't, but I'll answer anyway.
Despite all the love I have for Ahsoka, this book didn't draw me in right away. The first half moves slowly, with lots of introspection, descriptive language, and setup. The action took a very long time to kick in. Also, there were interlude chapters here and there describing either Ahsoka in a different time of her life or another character's point of view. They were distracting and often completely unrelated to the plot. So those two problems were the reason I had to knock one star off the rating.
tl;dr : A darker, more serious take on Ahsoka's character set between Revenge of the Sith and Rebels. Watch Clone Wars and the prequels before reading so you know what's going on.
January 17, 2021
This was so good!! I loved the audio! Star Wars Audio books make you feel like you’re there with their effects! I also own the paperback and kindle. I used to have the hardback but who knows where that went. Anyhoo, I so much love Ahsoka and I love her love for R2 😊💕
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
February 10, 2018
mental health = 0
love for Ahsoka Tano = 100000
So, okay, when I heard that an author I love was writing a book about a character I love so much, I was obviously excited. And I ended up really liking this!
[THANK GOD.]
This story is an action-packed one primarily about found family. As Ahsoka reels from the destruction of Order 66 and the loss of her friends, she works to oppose an oppressive order on a planet she’s chosen to hide on. [I feel like such a nerd typing this.]
Guys, I adore Ahsoka Tano. Seriously. I love her and I love her character’s recovery from trauma and I love her relationship with all the Star Wars characters and I generally just have a fuckton of emotions.
I think my enjoyment of this was really enhanced by the audiobook. With sound affects, and narrated by the voice actress for this character in the Clone Wars, I found this super compelling and fast-paced.
It’s a story that might be catered closer to middle grade readers, but it’s a story that I really really appreciated.
Also, I sort of loved the queer rep. A lead character, Kade, develops sort of a huge crush on Ahsoka, which was really good. make 🌈 Star Wars 🌈 gay 🌈 again 🌈
I do have to say I wish this had added onto the Star Wars universe more? But I honestly didn't expect it to, so we're fine.
I think you'll like this if you're into the Star Wars universe at all! It was a really entertaining read and I honestly just love this character so much.
Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Youtube
love for Ahsoka Tano = 100000
So, okay, when I heard that an author I love was writing a book about a character I love so much, I was obviously excited. And I ended up really liking this!
[THANK GOD.]
This story is an action-packed one primarily about found family. As Ahsoka reels from the destruction of Order 66 and the loss of her friends, she works to oppose an oppressive order on a planet she’s chosen to hide on. [I feel like such a nerd typing this.]
Guys, I adore Ahsoka Tano. Seriously. I love her and I love her character’s recovery from trauma and I love her relationship with all the Star Wars characters and I generally just have a fuckton of emotions.
I think my enjoyment of this was really enhanced by the audiobook. With sound affects, and narrated by the voice actress for this character in the Clone Wars, I found this super compelling and fast-paced.
It’s a story that might be catered closer to middle grade readers, but it’s a story that I really really appreciated.
Also, I sort of loved the queer rep. A lead character, Kade, develops sort of a huge crush on Ahsoka, which was really good. make 🌈 Star Wars 🌈 gay 🌈 again 🌈
I do have to say I wish this had added onto the Star Wars universe more? But I honestly didn't expect it to, so we're fine.
I think you'll like this if you're into the Star Wars universe at all! It was a really entertaining read and I honestly just love this character so much.
Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Youtube
October 25, 2016
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/10/24/...
If you are a fan of Star Wars, especially the animated The Clone Wars TV series, then Star Wars: Ahsoka is certainly not to be missed. While that show may have ended a couple years ago, many were surprised when Anakin Skywalker’s young Padawan Ahsoka Tano, who left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, suddenly resurfaced again in the current run of Star Wars: Rebels. This Ahsoka is older, wiser, and carries a lot more scars. What exactly happened to her during those mysterious intervening years? How did she survive the Jedi slaughter following the execution of Order 66? What led her to join the Rebel Alliance’s fight against the Empire? I was excited to read this book in the hopes that it provide some insights into these questions, and I was not disappointed.
I was also fortunate enough to receive the audio edition of Star Wars: Ahsoka for review. With their high production values, sound effects, and music, Star Wars audiobooks are always a treat, but I have to say the very best part of this one is the narrator, Ashley Eckstein, who was also the voice actress for the Ahsoka on The Clone Wars and Rebels. If you’re on the fence about giving the audiobook version a try, this might end up being the deciding factor. Personally speaking, I thought that listening to Ms. Eckstein read the book gave my experience that extra little “coolness” boost, almost like I was listening to Ahsoka tell her own tale.
The story begins on Empire Day a few years after the end of Revenge of the Sith, where we find Ahsoka hiding out on the planet Thabeska under her new assumed name, “Ashla”. When circumstances force her to go on the run again, she decides to head for the remote moon of Raada, home to a rustic farming community. Here, Ahsoka hopes to continue eking out a quiet and simple life for herself, working as a mechanic. However, that peace is about to be shattered. Thanks to its rich soils and resources, Raada has suddenly come to the attention of the Empire, and the Imperial Navy has moved in to take over the agricultural industry. Needless to say, the locals aren’t too happy with this. The Empire is only interested in quantity over quality, and their crops are destroying the moon and the future of its citizens.
Against her original plans, Ahsoka finds herself unexpectedly pulled into Raada’s rebellion. The new friends she has made are humble farmers, full of anger towards the Empire but inexperienced when it comes to fighting. To prevent any more people from being hurt or killed, Ahsoka decides to help them put together a more organized resistance.
Star Wars: Ahsoka can be enjoyed by anyone, even if you only have a slight familiarity with anything to do with Star Wars, but obviously readers who already have a good knowledge of the character and her roles in the two shows will find it a lot more interesting and emotionally impactful. E.K. Johnston made her story accessible to new readers, but there are also a lot of references and flashbacks to past events—many of which were from The Clone Wars—which will no doubt appeal to fans of Ahsoka.
I imagine writing a Star Wars novel is no small task, especially when you’re tackling such an important and popular character like Ahsoka, but I thought Johnston did a fantastic job. Her writing and storytelling remained true to the Star Wars universe and the protagonist’s personality, detailing the thoughts and actions of the young Togruta. The former student of Anakin Skywalker has come into her own, and even though the Clone Wars has hardened and matured her, she still retains all of her courage and hopeful optimism.
With regards to the story, I felt there were some mild pacing issues, namely at the beginning and at the end of the book. The energy in the first few chapters was definitely a bit on the sluggish side, owing to the fact that the main conflict took too long to be introduced. This is understandable in some ways, since the setting as well as characters have to be established, and Ahsoka herself was trying to keep a low profile. After the first quarter of the book though, the plot’s pacing noticeably picks up. The reader’s patience pays off as the action and excitement gradually builds to an amazing climax. After this point, I actually wished there had been more to the finale! I won’t deny that the ending felt rushed and that the book could have been longer, but those complaints aside, I had an amazingly good time with this novel.
But of course, the biggest reason why you should read this book is all the wonderful and significant moments we get to see involving Ahsoka. We learn how she reestablishes contact with Bail Organa and joins the resistance, earning the codename Fulcrum. We also find out how she obtains her new set of white lightsabers, not to mention the fascinating new lore surrounding Force-attuned crystals.
All that being said, if you are relatively new to the wider world of the Star Wars universe, you can certainly still enjoy this novel for what it is—but I probably wouldn’t recommend starting here. This book feels first and foremost like it was written for an audience already familiar with Ahsoka. Johnston clearly knows and loves the character, and delights in sharing that love with her readers by giving plenty of nods to events that happened in episodes of The Clone Wars. Even if you haven’t seen the TV series you will have a great time, but for fans of the show, it’s the little moments like that which will give you an extra thrill. Needless to say, if you love The Clone Wars and Rebels, this is an absolute must-read, and you will get a well-written and entertaining story as well.
Additional Audiobook Comments: Other than stating how awesome it is that Ashley Eckstein is the narrator for this? She’s also amazing with voices and the fact that she voiced Ahsoka in the shows gave this audiobook an additional layer of immersion. She’s no stranger to voice acting, and her talent shines through in this performance.
If you are a fan of Star Wars, especially the animated The Clone Wars TV series, then Star Wars: Ahsoka is certainly not to be missed. While that show may have ended a couple years ago, many were surprised when Anakin Skywalker’s young Padawan Ahsoka Tano, who left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, suddenly resurfaced again in the current run of Star Wars: Rebels. This Ahsoka is older, wiser, and carries a lot more scars. What exactly happened to her during those mysterious intervening years? How did she survive the Jedi slaughter following the execution of Order 66? What led her to join the Rebel Alliance’s fight against the Empire? I was excited to read this book in the hopes that it provide some insights into these questions, and I was not disappointed.
I was also fortunate enough to receive the audio edition of Star Wars: Ahsoka for review. With their high production values, sound effects, and music, Star Wars audiobooks are always a treat, but I have to say the very best part of this one is the narrator, Ashley Eckstein, who was also the voice actress for the Ahsoka on The Clone Wars and Rebels. If you’re on the fence about giving the audiobook version a try, this might end up being the deciding factor. Personally speaking, I thought that listening to Ms. Eckstein read the book gave my experience that extra little “coolness” boost, almost like I was listening to Ahsoka tell her own tale.
The story begins on Empire Day a few years after the end of Revenge of the Sith, where we find Ahsoka hiding out on the planet Thabeska under her new assumed name, “Ashla”. When circumstances force her to go on the run again, she decides to head for the remote moon of Raada, home to a rustic farming community. Here, Ahsoka hopes to continue eking out a quiet and simple life for herself, working as a mechanic. However, that peace is about to be shattered. Thanks to its rich soils and resources, Raada has suddenly come to the attention of the Empire, and the Imperial Navy has moved in to take over the agricultural industry. Needless to say, the locals aren’t too happy with this. The Empire is only interested in quantity over quality, and their crops are destroying the moon and the future of its citizens.
Against her original plans, Ahsoka finds herself unexpectedly pulled into Raada’s rebellion. The new friends she has made are humble farmers, full of anger towards the Empire but inexperienced when it comes to fighting. To prevent any more people from being hurt or killed, Ahsoka decides to help them put together a more organized resistance.
Star Wars: Ahsoka can be enjoyed by anyone, even if you only have a slight familiarity with anything to do with Star Wars, but obviously readers who already have a good knowledge of the character and her roles in the two shows will find it a lot more interesting and emotionally impactful. E.K. Johnston made her story accessible to new readers, but there are also a lot of references and flashbacks to past events—many of which were from The Clone Wars—which will no doubt appeal to fans of Ahsoka.
I imagine writing a Star Wars novel is no small task, especially when you’re tackling such an important and popular character like Ahsoka, but I thought Johnston did a fantastic job. Her writing and storytelling remained true to the Star Wars universe and the protagonist’s personality, detailing the thoughts and actions of the young Togruta. The former student of Anakin Skywalker has come into her own, and even though the Clone Wars has hardened and matured her, she still retains all of her courage and hopeful optimism.
With regards to the story, I felt there were some mild pacing issues, namely at the beginning and at the end of the book. The energy in the first few chapters was definitely a bit on the sluggish side, owing to the fact that the main conflict took too long to be introduced. This is understandable in some ways, since the setting as well as characters have to be established, and Ahsoka herself was trying to keep a low profile. After the first quarter of the book though, the plot’s pacing noticeably picks up. The reader’s patience pays off as the action and excitement gradually builds to an amazing climax. After this point, I actually wished there had been more to the finale! I won’t deny that the ending felt rushed and that the book could have been longer, but those complaints aside, I had an amazingly good time with this novel.
But of course, the biggest reason why you should read this book is all the wonderful and significant moments we get to see involving Ahsoka. We learn how she reestablishes contact with Bail Organa and joins the resistance, earning the codename Fulcrum. We also find out how she obtains her new set of white lightsabers, not to mention the fascinating new lore surrounding Force-attuned crystals.
All that being said, if you are relatively new to the wider world of the Star Wars universe, you can certainly still enjoy this novel for what it is—but I probably wouldn’t recommend starting here. This book feels first and foremost like it was written for an audience already familiar with Ahsoka. Johnston clearly knows and loves the character, and delights in sharing that love with her readers by giving plenty of nods to events that happened in episodes of The Clone Wars. Even if you haven’t seen the TV series you will have a great time, but for fans of the show, it’s the little moments like that which will give you an extra thrill. Needless to say, if you love The Clone Wars and Rebels, this is an absolute must-read, and you will get a well-written and entertaining story as well.
Additional Audiobook Comments: Other than stating how awesome it is that Ashley Eckstein is the narrator for this? She’s also amazing with voices and the fact that she voiced Ahsoka in the shows gave this audiobook an additional layer of immersion. She’s no stranger to voice acting, and her talent shines through in this performance.
January 5, 2018
Immediate Review: Unrealized potential
Myself, along with many others, have fallen in love with Ahsoka Tano since she was introduced in the Clone Wars animated series. Headstrong, funny, a fierce warrior and an overall incredibly likeable character had me excited for this novel. Unfortunately, it largely fails to deliver.
However, saying that, I am conflicted. For the first 280 or 290 pages of the book, this is a story that is just the daily life of Ahsoka after Order 66. She primarily interacts with two groups of people, the Fardis and the farmers on Raada, neither of which were entirely interesting. There was a child that seemed like an interesting plot point early on that is revisited later that ultimately amounts to nothing.
And I didn't feel invested in the crew on Raada whatsoever which is the vast majority of the novel. Throughout the first two thirds of the book, Ahsoka is trying to keep a low profile and stay unnoticed by posing as a mechanic which leads to expected trust issues from those around her as she isn't willing to divulge information about her past.
However, the last 60 or so pages take a turn that is great and helps to save the book somewhat, but overall, this was a fairly disappointing effort. Portraying day to day life can be interesting, but Johnston fails to accomplish it here. Couple that with the fact that, unlike Lost Stars, this actually feels like a surface level YA book and a fair few typos along the way, I can only recommend this to the most die hard of Ahsoka fans.
Myself, along with many others, have fallen in love with Ahsoka Tano since she was introduced in the Clone Wars animated series. Headstrong, funny, a fierce warrior and an overall incredibly likeable character had me excited for this novel. Unfortunately, it largely fails to deliver.
However, saying that, I am conflicted. For the first 280 or 290 pages of the book, this is a story that is just the daily life of Ahsoka after Order 66. She primarily interacts with two groups of people, the Fardis and the farmers on Raada, neither of which were entirely interesting. There was a child that seemed like an interesting plot point early on that is revisited later that ultimately amounts to nothing.
And I didn't feel invested in the crew on Raada whatsoever which is the vast majority of the novel. Throughout the first two thirds of the book, Ahsoka is trying to keep a low profile and stay unnoticed by posing as a mechanic which leads to expected trust issues from those around her as she isn't willing to divulge information about her past.
However, the last 60 or so pages take a turn that is great and helps to save the book somewhat, but overall, this was a fairly disappointing effort. Portraying day to day life can be interesting, but Johnston fails to accomplish it here. Couple that with the fact that, unlike Lost Stars, this actually feels like a surface level YA book and a fair few typos along the way, I can only recommend this to the most die hard of Ahsoka fans.
February 9, 2017
I feel 2 stars might be a bit too harsh, but I really struggled to finish this book.
Like many other Star Wars fans, I love Ahsoka. She's feisty, brave and super badass. When she appeared in Rebels I was ridiculously happy.
So when my husband brought this baby home, I was over the moon.
HOWEVER
This is really, really, REALLY slow.
The first half of the book is pretty much this: Ahsoka leaves a planet. Ahsoka moves to a new planet. Ahsoka finds a job.
Honestly, nothing remotely adventure-y or star wars-y happens.
Then the Empire invades the planet and Ahsoka leaves to do...erm.. find help, but ends up doing... something else that pisses the Black Sun off (which isn't explored at all, leaving this part of the story pretty much pointless)
AFTER this things get interesting. However, that only inclused about 150 pages out of almost 400.
Oh! And the lightsabers from the cover? Only come to play about 20 pages from the end. She defeats the main enemy in about 2 pages with blasters (he had lightsabers by the way)
Argh, just ARGH
Like many other Star Wars fans, I love Ahsoka. She's feisty, brave and super badass. When she appeared in Rebels I was ridiculously happy.
So when my husband brought this baby home, I was over the moon.
HOWEVER
This is really, really, REALLY slow.
The first half of the book is pretty much this: Ahsoka leaves a planet. Ahsoka moves to a new planet. Ahsoka finds a job.
Honestly, nothing remotely adventure-y or star wars-y happens.
Then the Empire invades the planet and Ahsoka leaves to do...erm.. find help, but ends up doing... something else that pisses the Black Sun off (which isn't explored at all, leaving this part of the story pretty much pointless)
AFTER this things get interesting. However, that only inclused about 150 pages out of almost 400.
Oh! And the lightsabers from the cover? Only come to play about 20 pages from the end. She defeats the main enemy in about 2 pages with blasters (he had lightsabers by the way)
Argh, just ARGH
November 26, 2018
In this fight, there will be people...who are focused on the past...And there will be other people who focus strongly on the future...ours must be the middle road.
Very light, enjoyable read. I definitely like Ahsoka a lot more than I previously did.
After watching The Clone Wars some of the very first episodes of the show, I really didn’t care to continue with all the seasons. As much as I wanted to get in touch with my inner child, I couldn’t get into them. One reason being, the young Ahsoka, who had recently been assigned to train under Anakin. She was just too precocious and annoying for my liking, and to top it off, her and Anakin had given each of other silly pet names. Sky Guy, Snips Ugh! Ok, maybe those weren’t so terrible, she was still a kid afterall, but it didn’t do much to keep me coming back.
Had I given the show enough time, however, I would have discovered that Ahsoka grew into a very mature, likable character. Well, she definitely filled her role in this book in a satisfying way. I enjoyed the older, wiser Ashoka as she worked through her issues and was forced to decide between protecting herself or helping others. And I’m sure her story will continue. She is still working through her past...leaving the Order and her old friendships...and has now committed herself to something bigger. Should be exciting to see where her story leads.
It was also nice to see some different perspectives. Throughout the book there are snippets, either of Ahsoka’s past, or from familiar characters who aren’t central to the story. (In the physical copy these are featured on grayed-out pages in italic typing.) These add a little more depth to the thoughts going through Ashoka’s head, what she's struggling with and why - what led up to her current situation, why certain things are unavailable to her - as well as what is going on with characters in other parts of the galaxy.
As for the shows, I wouldn’t say you necessarily need to watch the episodes, but there are references in the book that certainly make more sense if you’ve seen them. As I’ve said I didn’t watch all the seasons, but youtube is a great place to fill in the gaps. There are tons of clips to keep you up to speed. Plus, my good friend Justyna is a wealth of EU knowledge (an addiction that's potentially contagious;), so I was never at a loss for good info.
October 16, 2016
I didn't love this as much as I did Dark Disciple, however I think that's only because I have a really personal connection to Asajj. However, that's not to say that I this book wasn't really good.
You mainly follow Ahsoka in this novel, but there are a few other view points every now and then. They're all fine, but Ahsoka is the best perspective in this book. It was interesting to hear Ahsoka's evolved thoughts and beliefs about the Force, since she isn't a Jedi anymore.
Anyway, this was definitely a really great book, and I would recommend it for anyone who likes Ahoska, the Clone Wars/Rebel cartoons, and if they want to learn more about grey Jedi.
You mainly follow Ahsoka in this novel, but there are a few other view points every now and then. They're all fine, but Ahsoka is the best perspective in this book. It was interesting to hear Ahsoka's evolved thoughts and beliefs about the Force, since she isn't a Jedi anymore.
Anyway, this was definitely a really great book, and I would recommend it for anyone who likes Ahoska, the Clone Wars/Rebel cartoons, and if they want to learn more about grey Jedi.
February 10, 2021
This book did not turn out as bad as I predicted. It had a nice solid story and I think Johnston actually did a pretty good job at capturing Ahsoka's spirit. I think it still could've been better. It just seemed... Shallow? If that makes sense.
But despite that, there were scenes that had me excited and some reveals and connections to other Star Wars media that were executed very well. So many references to Padme! The inclusion of the Sixth Brother!
If you like Ahsoka, I would recommend read the book! Some of the continuity is off for the last season of Clone Wars, but it's easily forgiven and ignored.
But despite that, there were scenes that had me excited and some reveals and connections to other Star Wars media that were executed very well. So many references to Padme! The inclusion of the Sixth Brother!
If you like Ahsoka, I would recommend read the book! Some of the continuity is off for the last season of Clone Wars, but it's easily forgiven and ignored.
August 12, 2023
A fun YA novel for fans of the Clone Wars series, which does overlap well with the final season despite a few continuity errors. Like many familiar Star Wars stories, it's about going to a small planet where the people are oppressed and Ahsoka has to save the day. There are Inquisitors, a space battle in the end, and it doesn't terribly stand out to be honest.
The character is great, it's just that these sorts of novels don't have that much to say. We get it, it's hard for an ex-Jedi during this era. Rebels and the Obi-Wan show were similar in vein. An interesting thing is that the audiobook is narrated by Ahsoka's voice actor Ashley Eckstein, which is cool, but it's not first-person so even that doesn't totally work when describing scenes etc.
It's okay. Just not near the high level of political drama such as say Andor or Timothy Zahn's Thrawn books. Certainly worth reading for nerdy completists. And I am of course looking forward to her upcoming live-action series so it tided me over pretty well.
The character is great, it's just that these sorts of novels don't have that much to say. We get it, it's hard for an ex-Jedi during this era. Rebels and the Obi-Wan show were similar in vein. An interesting thing is that the audiobook is narrated by Ahsoka's voice actor Ashley Eckstein, which is cool, but it's not first-person so even that doesn't totally work when describing scenes etc.
It's okay. Just not near the high level of political drama such as say Andor or Timothy Zahn's Thrawn books. Certainly worth reading for nerdy completists. And I am of course looking forward to her upcoming live-action series so it tided me over pretty well.
October 19, 2016
4.5 stars
When I first read that there would be an Ahsoka novel added to the new wave of Star Wars canon novels, I had mixed feelings. As is with most fans, my two experiences with the character were in the Clone Wars series and in the current series Rebels. Although the younger Ahsoka in Clone Wars grew on me (at least to the point where I didn't find her as annoying as the series went on) I have liked her limited appearances on Rebels a lot better, having seen what leaving the Jedi order and, after the clone wars, joining the rebellion, had done to her in terms of her maturity and toughness. So, it's fair to say that I wasn't as excited to read this as much as say, Lost Stars. But now, having just finished the book a few minutes ago, I can say I really, really loved this novel.
First of all, I really love the cover art. Like I mentioned above, I was looking forward to reading about a more mature Ahsoka, and that cover does give her a more mature look for sure and gets you ready for a different story than you might have found her in during an installment of Clone Wars.
Next, it's not hard to see how good of a writer E.K. Johnston is after reading this book, as well as it being easy to see what a fan of Star Wars she is. The books leads you in and out of lots of different backdrops and circumstances that, for lack of a better description, "feel" just like the world of Star Wars. I loved that the story takes place somewhere between a year and two years (fact check here? I know they mention the first Empire Day in the first few chapters, so I am assuming a year plus?) of the galactic empire being forms and Palpatine becoming emperor. Ashoka is still reeling from Order 66 and is truly unsure of herself and her roll as both a person and a force-welder. She is moving from place to place without much of a goal or mission in mind. Naturally, the story here is her finding something that moves her in a more specific direction, but I really loved how she was presented at the beginning of the novel. The story never drags at any point, yet doesn't feel rushed, as there is lots of character development and, for those canon junkies out there, lots of little canon bits to pick up on along the way (my favorite being finding out how they ends up with her duel white lightsabers she shows off in Rebels).
I also really loved the moments where you learn more about Ahsoka's relationship with the force. As she is, more of less, a Jedi on the run,and she is cautious of how she uses the force and how to keep it from getting her noticed by the Empire. But the detail in which EK Johnston talks about Ahsoka's moments of mediation reminded me a lot of some of my favorite moments in the Lords of the Sith novel. In Lords of the Sith, Paul S Kemp gives multiple instances on how both Darth Vader and Palpatine use the force and their relationship to each other through that connection (in their case, how they use both hate and anger) but also how Vader's memories of his life as Anakin are still somewhat present. Palatine uses these feels against Vader in that particular novel, but my point is that these novels give Star Wars fans a unique opportunity to be able to get more detail into the ways of the force and the relationship each welder has with it. In Ahsoka, we see multiple instances where we get deep descriptions on how she uses it, both physically and mentally. This is one of my favorite parts of the new canon novels and I think Johnston writes about it really well and keeps me wanting to know more.
I will admit, after the first couple of pages, I was worried about this turning into a novelization of a few lost episodes of Clone Wars (but in a different time period) but those worries were soon dismissed. Like I have said, the story is a really interesting one and tells of a time where the Rebellion is at it's infancy. You get to see how Ahsoka moves from a Palawan during the Clone Wars to how she recovers from losing many of her closest friends and alleys, and finally how she begins her time with the rebellion.
This novel is a must read for anyone reading the new Star Wars canon. It's really well written and I can only hope that E.K. Johnston gets to write another one because she did a fantastic job with this one.
When I first read that there would be an Ahsoka novel added to the new wave of Star Wars canon novels, I had mixed feelings. As is with most fans, my two experiences with the character were in the Clone Wars series and in the current series Rebels. Although the younger Ahsoka in Clone Wars grew on me (at least to the point where I didn't find her as annoying as the series went on) I have liked her limited appearances on Rebels a lot better, having seen what leaving the Jedi order and, after the clone wars, joining the rebellion, had done to her in terms of her maturity and toughness. So, it's fair to say that I wasn't as excited to read this as much as say, Lost Stars. But now, having just finished the book a few minutes ago, I can say I really, really loved this novel.
First of all, I really love the cover art. Like I mentioned above, I was looking forward to reading about a more mature Ahsoka, and that cover does give her a more mature look for sure and gets you ready for a different story than you might have found her in during an installment of Clone Wars.
Next, it's not hard to see how good of a writer E.K. Johnston is after reading this book, as well as it being easy to see what a fan of Star Wars she is. The books leads you in and out of lots of different backdrops and circumstances that, for lack of a better description, "feel" just like the world of Star Wars. I loved that the story takes place somewhere between a year and two years (fact check here? I know they mention the first Empire Day in the first few chapters, so I am assuming a year plus?) of the galactic empire being forms and Palpatine becoming emperor. Ashoka is still reeling from Order 66 and is truly unsure of herself and her roll as both a person and a force-welder. She is moving from place to place without much of a goal or mission in mind. Naturally, the story here is her finding something that moves her in a more specific direction, but I really loved how she was presented at the beginning of the novel. The story never drags at any point, yet doesn't feel rushed, as there is lots of character development and, for those canon junkies out there, lots of little canon bits to pick up on along the way (my favorite being finding out how they ends up with her duel white lightsabers she shows off in Rebels).
I also really loved the moments where you learn more about Ahsoka's relationship with the force. As she is, more of less, a Jedi on the run,and she is cautious of how she uses the force and how to keep it from getting her noticed by the Empire. But the detail in which EK Johnston talks about Ahsoka's moments of mediation reminded me a lot of some of my favorite moments in the Lords of the Sith novel. In Lords of the Sith, Paul S Kemp gives multiple instances on how both Darth Vader and Palpatine use the force and their relationship to each other through that connection (in their case, how they use both hate and anger) but also how Vader's memories of his life as Anakin are still somewhat present. Palatine uses these feels against Vader in that particular novel, but my point is that these novels give Star Wars fans a unique opportunity to be able to get more detail into the ways of the force and the relationship each welder has with it. In Ahsoka, we see multiple instances where we get deep descriptions on how she uses it, both physically and mentally. This is one of my favorite parts of the new canon novels and I think Johnston writes about it really well and keeps me wanting to know more.
I will admit, after the first couple of pages, I was worried about this turning into a novelization of a few lost episodes of Clone Wars (but in a different time period) but those worries were soon dismissed. Like I have said, the story is a really interesting one and tells of a time where the Rebellion is at it's infancy. You get to see how Ahsoka moves from a Palawan during the Clone Wars to how she recovers from losing many of her closest friends and alleys, and finally how she begins her time with the rebellion.
This novel is a must read for anyone reading the new Star Wars canon. It's really well written and I can only hope that E.K. Johnston gets to write another one because she did a fantastic job with this one.
November 11, 2016
You know what, the old EU was great (for the most part), but every book I have read in the new Star Wars canon has been great as well. And Ahsoka was no exception. If you haven't watched the Clone Wars cartoon, you really should. That show, for me, redeemed the younger versions of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and it's deeper examination of the Clone Wars was fascinating. It also introduced a handful of new characters to the Star Wars universe, including baddy Asajj Ventress and Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's Padawan. Over the course of the series, she grew up from an inexperienced teenager, to a confident, badass young Jedi. The show left her at a crossroads, and I've always wondered what happened to her after Order 66 was executed. How did she survive after (nearly) all of her fellow Jedi were killed? How did she become (spoilers for Rebels, the sequel series to Clone Wars)
I was so excited to see this was being written by E.K. Johnston. Exit, Pursued by a Bear was a wonderful book that dealt with a tough subject. I just knew she would bring that same emotional nuance to Ahsoka, that there would be depth to this story, not just wham, bam, blow things up empty plot.
It's been exactly a year since Palpatine ordered all of the clones, Ahsoka's former friends and colleagues, to kill all of her other former friends and colleagues, the Jedi. She's been drifting from place to place, hiding from everyone, and running when the Empire gets too close. They've spread swiftly across the galaxy, and almost no place is free from their influence. Any hint of resistance is in its infancy. And Ahsoka has to navigate this new world at the same time as she's trying to heal herself from the many betrayals that have shattered her life.
In some ways, it's a tiny, swift little story, but very satisfying all the same. It doesn't need to be any longer. Although, I wouldn't say no to more Ahsoka books in the future. There's a lot of time left to fill between the end of this book and Rebels, not to mention A New Hope.
I was so excited to see this was being written by E.K. Johnston. Exit, Pursued by a Bear was a wonderful book that dealt with a tough subject. I just knew she would bring that same emotional nuance to Ahsoka, that there would be depth to this story, not just wham, bam, blow things up empty plot.
It's been exactly a year since Palpatine ordered all of the clones, Ahsoka's former friends and colleagues, to kill all of her other former friends and colleagues, the Jedi. She's been drifting from place to place, hiding from everyone, and running when the Empire gets too close. They've spread swiftly across the galaxy, and almost no place is free from their influence. Any hint of resistance is in its infancy. And Ahsoka has to navigate this new world at the same time as she's trying to heal herself from the many betrayals that have shattered her life.
In some ways, it's a tiny, swift little story, but very satisfying all the same. It doesn't need to be any longer. Although, I wouldn't say no to more Ahsoka books in the future. There's a lot of time left to fill between the end of this book and Rebels, not to mention A New Hope.
October 11, 2016
I bought this book chiefly because I like Star Wars generally and know that E.K. Johnston is an excellent writer, rather than because I know or care that much about Ahsoka in particular. (It's not that I dislike her, I hasten to add; it's just that I haven't been able to get through more than one episode of Clone Wars and have yet to watch any of Rebels either, so this book is really my first exposure to Ahsoka as a character.)
For that reason, I can't say whether E.K. Johnston captures Ahsoka's character accurately or not (though knowing what a huge Star Wars fan she is and how much she loves Ahsoka, not to mention all the consultation with the Lucasfilm Story Group that went into this novel, I'm about 99.9% certain that she does). But I can say that Ahsoka is a compelling, multifaceted character: smart, determined, principled, heroic, and yet at the same time grappling with a very relatable uncertainty, disillusionment, and a reluctance to trust borne of her past experiences (which I would doubtless have appreciated much better if I'd watched any of CW, but Johnston includes brief flashbacks and reminiscences that fill in the blanks nicely).
The narrative starts quietly and at a measured pace, laying the foundation for the conflicts and challenges to come. But once the action starts, it keeps ramping up, with high stakes and big risks for everyone involved. There's enough explosions, firefights, smuggling and sabotage to keep traditional Star Wars fans happy, but also a thoughtful side to the book as Ahsoka makes new friends and allies and decides whether to trust them with her secrets, while struggling to find her new role and identity in a galaxy ruled by the Empire.
This book is also stuffed brim-full of interesting, distinct, dynamic girl characters. Not to say there aren't plenty of male characters too, both good and villainous, but Ahsoka's primary contacts and relationships are with other girls and women of varying ages, and I found that both realistic and refreshing. Also, Ahsoka is either oblivious to or uninterested in any kind of romantic or sexual relationship -- she's got much bigger concerns on her mind -- so that makes the book an ace-friendly read as well.
The point of all this is that Ahsoka is very good indeed and I think many Star Wars fans will love it. It's worth a read even if you've never met the main character before -- and if you're already an Ahsoka fan, even more so.
For that reason, I can't say whether E.K. Johnston captures Ahsoka's character accurately or not (though knowing what a huge Star Wars fan she is and how much she loves Ahsoka, not to mention all the consultation with the Lucasfilm Story Group that went into this novel, I'm about 99.9% certain that she does). But I can say that Ahsoka is a compelling, multifaceted character: smart, determined, principled, heroic, and yet at the same time grappling with a very relatable uncertainty, disillusionment, and a reluctance to trust borne of her past experiences (which I would doubtless have appreciated much better if I'd watched any of CW, but Johnston includes brief flashbacks and reminiscences that fill in the blanks nicely).
The narrative starts quietly and at a measured pace, laying the foundation for the conflicts and challenges to come. But once the action starts, it keeps ramping up, with high stakes and big risks for everyone involved. There's enough explosions, firefights, smuggling and sabotage to keep traditional Star Wars fans happy, but also a thoughtful side to the book as Ahsoka makes new friends and allies and decides whether to trust them with her secrets, while struggling to find her new role and identity in a galaxy ruled by the Empire.
This book is also stuffed brim-full of interesting, distinct, dynamic girl characters. Not to say there aren't plenty of male characters too, both good and villainous, but Ahsoka's primary contacts and relationships are with other girls and women of varying ages, and I found that both realistic and refreshing. Also, Ahsoka is either oblivious to or uninterested in any kind of romantic or sexual relationship -- she's got much bigger concerns on her mind -- so that makes the book an ace-friendly read as well.
The point of all this is that Ahsoka is very good indeed and I think many Star Wars fans will love it. It's worth a read even if you've never met the main character before -- and if you're already an Ahsoka fan, even more so.
Want to read
March 31, 2016I had a humongous crush on Ahsoka when I saw her in the Clone Wars movie back in 2008, and it continued for the next 6 years throughout the TV show. She's such a fierce, strong and determined heroine (can you see why I like her?), and I can't wait for this more in-depth foray into her character. This book is going to blow me away. I can't wait!
April 22, 2017
Ahsoka watched. Ahsoka waited. Ahsoka was not afraid.
Not to state the obvious, but this is a book for people that are already familiar with Ahsoka Tano. Ahhh. My beloved Ahsoka, the young Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. We are introduced to Ahsoka (Snips) in The Clone Wars. Although not the most popular character at the beginning, she quickly became a cherished fan favorite! Hence why she has a full book dedicated to her story! I absolutely adore her. Full of snark, Ahsoka is a kickass, savage warrior! She is also incredibly loyal, moral & stands up for what she believes in. She is easily one of my top characters, within the old legends & new canon.
This book is set a year after Revenge of the Sith when Ahsoka has left Order 66 & just before her appearance on Rebels. She is living as a mechanic named Ashla. GET IT?! ASHLA! ::pushes nerd glasses up:: The moon which represents the light side of the Force! (Sidenote: I LOVE EASTER EGGS!) Something happens & Ahsoka (Ashla) needs to leave where she is currently & ends up on Raada, a small farming moon. It is really beautiful to see what happens with Ahsoka & the community, with her growth as a character during this time.
The last half of the book begins to hit a stride & plot lines move along quickly. We see many old characters weave in & out of the story. We learn more about certain characters & their backstory.
Reading a Star Wars book is like throwing on an old, worn, comfy sweater for me. It just feels GOOD. All Star Wars books have a general vibe about them. This wasn't any different. However, I did find the writing lacked a bit of oomph. I much preferred Claudia Gray's writing in Lost Stars. I found it far more captivating. Not to say that this wasn't interesting. It certainly was! It did perhaps suffer from being ALL about Ahsoka though. She is just such a badass character, it is hard to compete with her. The secondary characters were fairly meh. I wasn't that invested in them, to be honest.
I truly hope we will get a sequel from this, as there are many gaps to be filled before Ahsoka's Rebels storyline. There is a whole book that could be written about Fulcrum & the rebel movement, at least!
If you are an Ahsoka fan & want to learn more about her character, I highly recommend this! It was a fun read that fills in some of the unknown about a strong character that is integral to many people within the Star Wars universe!
Not to state the obvious, but this is a book for people that are already familiar with Ahsoka Tano. Ahhh. My beloved Ahsoka, the young Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. We are introduced to Ahsoka (Snips) in The Clone Wars. Although not the most popular character at the beginning, she quickly became a cherished fan favorite! Hence why she has a full book dedicated to her story! I absolutely adore her. Full of snark, Ahsoka is a kickass, savage warrior! She is also incredibly loyal, moral & stands up for what she believes in. She is easily one of my top characters, within the old legends & new canon.
This book is set a year after Revenge of the Sith when Ahsoka has left Order 66 & just before her appearance on Rebels. She is living as a mechanic named Ashla. GET IT?! ASHLA! ::pushes nerd glasses up:: The moon which represents the light side of the Force! (Sidenote: I LOVE EASTER EGGS!) Something happens & Ahsoka (Ashla) needs to leave where she is currently & ends up on Raada, a small farming moon. It is really beautiful to see what happens with Ahsoka & the community, with her growth as a character during this time.
The last half of the book begins to hit a stride & plot lines move along quickly. We see many old characters weave in & out of the story. We learn more about certain characters & their backstory.
Reading a Star Wars book is like throwing on an old, worn, comfy sweater for me. It just feels GOOD. All Star Wars books have a general vibe about them. This wasn't any different. However, I did find the writing lacked a bit of oomph. I much preferred Claudia Gray's writing in Lost Stars. I found it far more captivating. Not to say that this wasn't interesting. It certainly was! It did perhaps suffer from being ALL about Ahsoka though. She is just such a badass character, it is hard to compete with her. The secondary characters were fairly meh. I wasn't that invested in them, to be honest.
I truly hope we will get a sequel from this, as there are many gaps to be filled before Ahsoka's Rebels storyline. There is a whole book that could be written about Fulcrum & the rebel movement, at least!
If you are an Ahsoka fan & want to learn more about her character, I highly recommend this! It was a fun read that fills in some of the unknown about a strong character that is integral to many people within the Star Wars universe!
October 10, 2023
E.K. Johnston's strongest Star Wars book. She really struggles with plot in all her books, but the plot in the Ahsoka novel is serviceable. So why the 5 stars if she can barely string together a plot? She nails post-Order 66 Ahsoka. Ahsoka has a lot of time to herself as she is trying to remain off the Empire's radar. There's a melancholic aura surrounding her as she reflects on her past but she still gives off the impression that everything will be okay. Unlike Padmé, Ahsoka doesn't let sadness kill her. She's adapting to life as a mechanic, a fugitive, a citizen, and she's even making new friends. This book lacks in the villain/antagonist department and can be rather boring if Ahsoka's day to day life is not your cup of tea.
To conclude, the plot is weak and if you don't like Ahsoka as a character, this book is not for you. On the flipside, Ahsoka is my favourite character, so a character driven book about her is right up my alley.
P.S. Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka in the Clone Wars and Rebels, narrates the audiobook. Chef's kiss.
To conclude, the plot is weak and if you don't like Ahsoka as a character, this book is not for you. On the flipside, Ahsoka is my favourite character, so a character driven book about her is right up my alley.
P.S. Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka in the Clone Wars and Rebels, narrates the audiobook. Chef's kiss.
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April 13, 2021
Ahsoka was so fun and a surprisingly fast read! The writing was so easy to follow and I loved how the plot wasn't anything overtly complicated and dramatic.
There were also quite a few passages that hit me like a punch to the gut and made me way sadder than I thought I would be reading this book.
There were also quite a few passages that hit me like a punch to the gut and made me way sadder than I thought I would be reading this book.
November 30, 2018
As someone who didn't know much about Ahsoka aside from a handful of Clone Wars episodes I wasn't sure what to expect heading into the self titled novel. What I ended up with was a deep appreciation of the diversity in Jedi characters in the ever expanding universe whilst discovering a likable and unique character in Ahsoka Tano sans Anaki Skywalker.
The plot is simple and linear. Fleeing following Order 66, Ahsoka seeks refuge on a little known moon, only to find herself in front of the Empire and being hunted by an inquisitor.
The deliberate ease of narrative ensures the protagonist takes center stage. While she takes on a number of personal missions for the greater good such is the Jedi way, it's Ahsoka's self discovery and character growth as a result of those missions which sticks with the reader.
Without spoiling there are a couple of nice cameos for the Star Wars fans to geek out over as a bonus. I also didn't mind the break in narrative in which author E.K. Johnson provides glimpses into Ahsoka's past battles and some other nice moments across the broader universe involving characters strongly liked to Ahsoka.
My rating: 3.5/5. Written for younger readers, Ahsoka is a quick easy read which shines a spotlight on one of the more entertaining Jedi.
A note on the timeline - this is set after Episode III but before Star Wars Rebels.
The plot is simple and linear. Fleeing following Order 66, Ahsoka seeks refuge on a little known moon, only to find herself in front of the Empire and being hunted by an inquisitor.
The deliberate ease of narrative ensures the protagonist takes center stage. While she takes on a number of personal missions for the greater good such is the Jedi way, it's Ahsoka's self discovery and character growth as a result of those missions which sticks with the reader.
Without spoiling there are a couple of nice cameos for the Star Wars fans to geek out over as a bonus. I also didn't mind the break in narrative in which author E.K. Johnson provides glimpses into Ahsoka's past battles and some other nice moments across the broader universe involving characters strongly liked to Ahsoka.
My rating: 3.5/5. Written for younger readers, Ahsoka is a quick easy read which shines a spotlight on one of the more entertaining Jedi.
A note on the timeline - this is set after Episode III but before Star Wars Rebels.
October 25, 2016
If you know who Ahsoka is, this is a must read.
(If you don't, move along.)
(Actually, wait. If you even marginally like Star Wars and don't know who Ahsoka is, get to a TV, watch the Clone Wars, and you're welcome.)
But if you do know who Ahsoka is, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. Because, as it says in the title, it's her book. It's what happened to her after the betrayal of the Jedi. And of course it's wonderful, written by someone who is a huge Star Wars fan, who has made a name for herself in the last couple of years as a writer of strong-willed female characters.
So, to sum up: Book good. Read book. Yay, Ahsoka!
(If you don't, move along.)
(Actually, wait. If you even marginally like Star Wars and don't know who Ahsoka is, get to a TV, watch the Clone Wars, and you're welcome.)
But if you do know who Ahsoka is, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. Because, as it says in the title, it's her book. It's what happened to her after the betrayal of the Jedi. And of course it's wonderful, written by someone who is a huge Star Wars fan, who has made a name for herself in the last couple of years as a writer of strong-willed female characters.
So, to sum up: Book good. Read book. Yay, Ahsoka!
May 22, 2017
Unfortunately, I'm going to say this is probably my least favorite of the canon novels which have been released so far. This is doubly unfortunate because I'm actually a big fan of the Ahsoka Tano character and really enjoyed her retconned insertion into the Clone Wars as she enriched the story of Anakin Skywalker in a way which I felt the Prequels failed to do.
Like plenty of other adult fans, I enjoyed watching Ahsoka be inserted into the story of Star Wars: Rebels even if I did feel she detracted a bit from Kanan and Ezra's story. So, I was eager to see what light the book would shed about her actions from the period of Revenge of the Sith to Rebels would be--and, unfortunately, it was about as exciting as watching Banthas graze.
The premise of the book is Ahsoka settles on an agrarian farming world which the Empire takes over and she teaches the locals a bit about resistance fighting. This results in things going pear-shaped and Ahsoka having to reveal her Jedi status. Then an Imperial inquisitor becomes involved and we know Ahsoka will survive because she shows up on Rebels as Fulcrum.
There's a lot which annoyed me about this book but a short list would be the fact the farmers are all stock characters who feel like I've stepped into a GFFA version of Green Acres. The Empire is engaged in eminent domain seizure as their "evil" plan, except they don't actually even seize the land from the locals or kick them off it. Instead, our heroes end up engaging in guerilla warfare and terrorism BEFORE the Empire starts doing their usual evil.
The farmers also tear up the Empire in their few encounters when the entire planet should look like Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru's farm's "after" picture from ANH the first time they attack. Finally, the Inquisitor is a one-dimensional antagonist with no real backstory or character who seems to exist to give Ahsoka someone to have a lightsaber fight with.
This book reminds me of the 2007 Michael Reaves and Steve Perry Death Star novel in the fact it seems allergic to stakes. I can't help but feel this book really needed to show why messing with the Empire was a bad idea and, conversely, why it had to be opposed. Instead, it came off like a bunch of nutso militia men brutalizing some unsuspecting National Guard. Ahsoka, of all people, should be hesitant about throwing people into another conflict which will result in large numbers of casualties.
Ironically, my favorite moment from the book was a C-plot (not even a B-one) where our heroine comes across a child with the Force who can't be trained because it will result in the Empire hunting her down. It's a genuinely interesting plot and something which I would have liked to have seen more of. It certainly felt more relevant than the Seven Samurai story where the samurai weren't necessary.
I don't want to be unnecessarily harsh on this book. There's nothing really wrong with it, the writing is fine, but there's nothing really that happens here either or characters I felt were memorable. Compared to Tarkin, Lost Stars, and even A New Dawn, it just feels like this was adequate at best. Sorry.
Like plenty of other adult fans, I enjoyed watching Ahsoka be inserted into the story of Star Wars: Rebels even if I did feel she detracted a bit from Kanan and Ezra's story. So, I was eager to see what light the book would shed about her actions from the period of Revenge of the Sith to Rebels would be--and, unfortunately, it was about as exciting as watching Banthas graze.
The premise of the book is Ahsoka settles on an agrarian farming world which the Empire takes over and she teaches the locals a bit about resistance fighting. This results in things going pear-shaped and Ahsoka having to reveal her Jedi status. Then an Imperial inquisitor becomes involved and we know Ahsoka will survive because she shows up on Rebels as Fulcrum.
There's a lot which annoyed me about this book but a short list would be the fact the farmers are all stock characters who feel like I've stepped into a GFFA version of Green Acres. The Empire is engaged in eminent domain seizure as their "evil" plan, except they don't actually even seize the land from the locals or kick them off it. Instead, our heroes end up engaging in guerilla warfare and terrorism BEFORE the Empire starts doing their usual evil.
The farmers also tear up the Empire in their few encounters when the entire planet should look like Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru's farm's "after" picture from ANH the first time they attack. Finally, the Inquisitor is a one-dimensional antagonist with no real backstory or character who seems to exist to give Ahsoka someone to have a lightsaber fight with.
This book reminds me of the 2007 Michael Reaves and Steve Perry Death Star novel in the fact it seems allergic to stakes. I can't help but feel this book really needed to show why messing with the Empire was a bad idea and, conversely, why it had to be opposed. Instead, it came off like a bunch of nutso militia men brutalizing some unsuspecting National Guard. Ahsoka, of all people, should be hesitant about throwing people into another conflict which will result in large numbers of casualties.
Ironically, my favorite moment from the book was a C-plot (not even a B-one) where our heroine comes across a child with the Force who can't be trained because it will result in the Empire hunting her down. It's a genuinely interesting plot and something which I would have liked to have seen more of. It certainly felt more relevant than the Seven Samurai story where the samurai weren't necessary.
I don't want to be unnecessarily harsh on this book. There's nothing really wrong with it, the writing is fine, but there's nothing really that happens here either or characters I felt were memorable. Compared to Tarkin, Lost Stars, and even A New Dawn, it just feels like this was adequate at best. Sorry.
November 1, 2019
This was a fun little Star Wars book to listen to. It had solid characters and it also had a wholesome view of friendship that was warm and fuzzy. And as always, the audios are fun because of the sound effects. I'm not familiar with all of the Clone Wars stuff, and I'm glad that this knowledge wasn't needed to enjoy this one. So 4 stars.
February 15, 2024
I wouldn’t recommend this if you have no prior knowledge of Ahsoka, specifically the Clone Wars series.
This novel explores what happens to Ahsoka between her departure from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and her reappearance in Star Wars Rebels.
A year after the events of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin has succumbed to the dark side and become Darth Vader, and Ahsoka has gone into hiding.
I confess to being brought up on The Clone Wars and Ahsoka being a point of obsession. Seeing her growing up, lamenting her losses, and struggling between the need to stay hidden and her internal desire to protect everyone she can, this shows how much Ahsoka is used to being part of community, how she craves relationships.
She even berates herself for talking to herself and making snarky remarks, knowing that normally she would have the clones or Anakin with her to talk back.
“There’s two kinds of family,” Miara said after a moment. “There’s the kind like me and Kaeden, where you get born in the right place to the right people and you’re stuck with one another. If you’re lucky, it turns out okay. The other kind of family is the kind you find.”
Overall, I was a bit disappointed as the novel felt like a filler and didn’t add anything to the wider world or to her character. However, this is praise for the TV show that it managed to give insight to a side character’s internal conflicts so well, a novel in her perspective didn’t change my perception.
The audiobook production was incredible - with sound effects, Star Wars soundtracks, and it was even narrated by Ashley Eckstein who voiced her in the shows!
Bookstagram
This novel explores what happens to Ahsoka between her departure from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and her reappearance in Star Wars Rebels.
A year after the events of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin has succumbed to the dark side and become Darth Vader, and Ahsoka has gone into hiding.
I confess to being brought up on The Clone Wars and Ahsoka being a point of obsession. Seeing her growing up, lamenting her losses, and struggling between the need to stay hidden and her internal desire to protect everyone she can, this shows how much Ahsoka is used to being part of community, how she craves relationships.
She even berates herself for talking to herself and making snarky remarks, knowing that normally she would have the clones or Anakin with her to talk back.
“There’s two kinds of family,” Miara said after a moment. “There’s the kind like me and Kaeden, where you get born in the right place to the right people and you’re stuck with one another. If you’re lucky, it turns out okay. The other kind of family is the kind you find.”
Overall, I was a bit disappointed as the novel felt like a filler and didn’t add anything to the wider world or to her character. However, this is praise for the TV show that it managed to give insight to a side character’s internal conflicts so well, a novel in her perspective didn’t change my perception.
The audiobook production was incredible - with sound effects, Star Wars soundtracks, and it was even narrated by Ashley Eckstein who voiced her in the shows!
Bookstagram
September 18, 2017
I feel no guilt at all that my second favourite character in all the Star Wars Universe is Ahsoka Tano. I love Han Solo the most -- always have and always will (and he knows) -- but you may be surprised to hear that my second place finisher is not even a close run contest. Ahsoka is my second fave by a considerable distance.
And if Rosario Dawson ever plays Ahsoka in some live action incarnation of Star Wars, Harrison Ford will finally have some true competition for my Star Wars heart.
All this to say I am heavily predisposed to love this anything about Ahsoka, and my bias should be noted as I move forward into gushing territory. You may not agree with my gushing, and you may even make great arguments for your position, but I can't imagine anything you say can change my mind.
Yes, I loved this book, absolutely. I bought it in hardcover and fully intended to read it the first day it arrived, but then I heard that Ashley Eckstein -- the actual Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: Clone Wars (which remains my second favourite Star Wars property after Empire, and what I credit for reviving my opinion of the Prequels) -- was reading this book, performing her coolest character, and I shelved the hard cover and carved out some time to listen instead.
That may have made my bias complete because hearing the real Ahsoka reading her own story meant that if there were problems in this tale, I wasn't hearing them. I was just absorbed by the voice of Ahsoka, backed as she was by John Williams' music and the entire sound effects library of THX, which was the perfect audio setting for a simple tale of Ahsoka finding her way after her self-imposed exile from the Jedi, from the overwhelming loss of her Jedi family and Clone friends at the end of the Clone Wars, from her attempts to hide from the newly formed Empire while trying to find a path to her own future, and in many ways from herself.
E.K. Johnston does a fine job of placing Ahsoka in the greater Star Wars universe, offering flashbacks and side journeys that connect us to some of our favourite classic characters. We see the birth of a movement; we see the birth of tragedy; we see the birth of Fulcrum; we move from Clone Wars to Rebels with the hint of may more amazing Ahsoka adventures just waiting to be told.
I hope Johnston keeps going with this amazing character. But what I really wish for is for Disney-Lucasfilm to stiffen their spines and give us the coolest solo movie they could ever make.
And if Rosario Dawson ever plays Ahsoka in some live action incarnation of Star Wars, Harrison Ford will finally have some true competition for my Star Wars heart.
All this to say I am heavily predisposed to love this anything about Ahsoka, and my bias should be noted as I move forward into gushing territory. You may not agree with my gushing, and you may even make great arguments for your position, but I can't imagine anything you say can change my mind.
Yes, I loved this book, absolutely. I bought it in hardcover and fully intended to read it the first day it arrived, but then I heard that Ashley Eckstein -- the actual Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: Clone Wars (which remains my second favourite Star Wars property after Empire, and what I credit for reviving my opinion of the Prequels) -- was reading this book, performing her coolest character, and I shelved the hard cover and carved out some time to listen instead.
That may have made my bias complete because hearing the real Ahsoka reading her own story meant that if there were problems in this tale, I wasn't hearing them. I was just absorbed by the voice of Ahsoka, backed as she was by John Williams' music and the entire sound effects library of THX, which was the perfect audio setting for a simple tale of Ahsoka finding her way after her self-imposed exile from the Jedi, from the overwhelming loss of her Jedi family and Clone friends at the end of the Clone Wars, from her attempts to hide from the newly formed Empire while trying to find a path to her own future, and in many ways from herself.
E.K. Johnston does a fine job of placing Ahsoka in the greater Star Wars universe, offering flashbacks and side journeys that connect us to some of our favourite classic characters. We see the birth of a movement; we see the birth of tragedy; we see the birth of Fulcrum; we move from Clone Wars to Rebels with the hint of may more amazing Ahsoka adventures just waiting to be told.
I hope Johnston keeps going with this amazing character. But what I really wish for is for Disney-Lucasfilm to stiffen their spines and give us the coolest solo movie they could ever make.
February 20, 2017
Another excellent entry into the Star Wars queue, albeit one that relies heavily on the readers foreknowledge of the Clone Wars saga.
Strangely, depsite being tied so strongly to canon, I still liked this book better than "Bloodlines" which I also read recently: though both authors have excellent writing styles/prose, this feels less constrained, like the author was given more freedom. in her writing.
Strangely, depsite being tied so strongly to canon, I still liked this book better than "Bloodlines" which I also read recently: though both authors have excellent writing styles/prose, this feels less constrained, like the author was given more freedom. in her writing.
June 28, 2022
I love that we get to know Ashoka Tano more, get to feel what she feels and get to travel with her. I feel bad for what she has lost, but I know that Ashoka Tano will never give up and that is what's shown in this book. She's extremely badass and one of my favorite Star Wars characters. This book is raw, lots of losses, filled with epicness that I believe such books should have. I will read more books like this in the future.
February 7, 2017
I don't even know what to say except that the only reason I didn't hate it-hate it is because it has Ahsoka in it. I love Ahsoka and I will read anything for her, but being dissapointed in her first major story is, I tell you, the worst feeling in the world. I knew this would be YA... but did it have to be one of the worst kinds of YA?
Nothing - nothing - in this book worked for me. The plot was a mess that mostly didn't have any direction at all and what's worse, didn't feel relevant. I couldn't care less about the new characters introduced, because they were completely bland and I couldn't tell one from the other. None of them were essential, all of them were just plot devices. I know the Empire is bad, but here it's practically caricaturally bad. Everything is either black or white, no middle ground (which I personally don't like about Star Wars in general - gimme all the shades of grey). Ahsoka's actions seem utterly insignificant and the ease with which the Empire tracks her is laghuable. Even the inclusion of two fan-favorite characters wasn't enough to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth. Despite the book being 400 pages long, there was nothing interesting to read in it.
But the worst thing of all is that is every physical aspect of everything is described (said, went, did, looked, etc.) leaving very little place for us to actually get into Ahsoka's mind or to learn things about the new order. This book was was frustraringly boring to read. There are so many descriptions with so little behind them that I could cry.
And finally, this whole plot just felt like an excuse to get Ahsoka from the end of "The Clone Wars" to her appearing in "Star Wars Rebels". I found it incredibly forced and thus very, very tedious. It's not the worst Star Wars novel I have ever read, but dammit, Ahsoka deserved so so much better.
Nothing - nothing - in this book worked for me. The plot was a mess that mostly didn't have any direction at all and what's worse, didn't feel relevant. I couldn't care less about the new characters introduced, because they were completely bland and I couldn't tell one from the other. None of them were essential, all of them were just plot devices. I know the Empire is bad, but here it's practically caricaturally bad. Everything is either black or white, no middle ground (which I personally don't like about Star Wars in general - gimme all the shades of grey). Ahsoka's actions seem utterly insignificant and the ease with which the Empire tracks her is laghuable. Even the inclusion of two fan-favorite characters wasn't enough to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth. Despite the book being 400 pages long, there was nothing interesting to read in it.
But the worst thing of all is that is every physical aspect of everything is described (said, went, did, looked, etc.) leaving very little place for us to actually get into Ahsoka's mind or to learn things about the new order. This book was was frustraringly boring to read. There are so many descriptions with so little behind them that I could cry.
And finally, this whole plot just felt like an excuse to get Ahsoka from the end of "The Clone Wars" to her appearing in "Star Wars Rebels". I found it incredibly forced and thus very, very tedious. It's not the worst Star Wars novel I have ever read, but dammit, Ahsoka deserved so so much better.
September 30, 2017
The Good: It's great to see a Star Wars book that focuses on a strong female character other than Princess Leia. The interludes featuring the other characters were fun, too, and this story did have its moments...
The Bad: ...but, it still largely fell flat for me. It just wasn't very interesting overall, and the writing was not my style. Even within the Disney canon, fans of Lucas' space opera can do much better.
Conclusion: The Star Wars Expanded Universe is a mixed bag. For all the great, beloved works (the Thrawn trilogy, the X-Wing series) there are some serious duds (The Crystal Star). I hate to say it, but this falls into the latter category; I much prefer Ahsoka in Clone Wars.
The Bad: ...but, it still largely fell flat for me. It just wasn't very interesting overall, and the writing was not my style. Even within the Disney canon, fans of Lucas' space opera can do much better.
Conclusion: The Star Wars Expanded Universe is a mixed bag. For all the great, beloved works (the Thrawn trilogy, the X-Wing series) there are some serious duds (The Crystal Star). I hate to say it, but this falls into the latter category; I much prefer Ahsoka in Clone Wars.
August 5, 2020
Ahsoka is one of my favourite characters, not only in Star Wars, but in any sort of fiction. I will follow her to the ends of the galaxy and beyond the Outer Rim if necessary. So when I found out that she had her own book I just had to read it. More specifically listen to it. Who better to narrate this book than Ahsoka herself: Ashley Eckstein. Most perfect narration ever.
The book itself functioned brilliantly as a bridge between Clone Wars and Rebels. I could easily have imagined this storyline to be an arc of either show. All in all it was an enjoyable book. One that I might reread in the future.
3.5/5 stars
The book itself functioned brilliantly as a bridge between Clone Wars and Rebels. I could easily have imagined this storyline to be an arc of either show. All in all it was an enjoyable book. One that I might reread in the future.
3.5/5 stars
June 28, 2016
Review coming soon! This book kids.... So many feels...
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