Join the Resistance Attack on Starkiller Base.

Star Wars: Join the Resistance #3

by Ben Acker, Ben Blacker, Annie Wu (Illustrator)

The members of J Squadron are back at it again, fighting the First Order, and trying desperately to be as cool as Poe Dameron. Having escaped the First Order, this ragtag group is on the run--trying to get back to the Resistance before it's too late--in the third book of this hilarious Star Wars-meets-The Goonies original fiction series.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2018

About the author

Aka: Benjamin Acker

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the final book of a series that is meant for children. In this one, our gang of heros are determined to rescue Jo from the First Order.

I have not been a fan of this series and this book just enforces why. This was bad even for children. I have said that I thought that this series reads like it was written by fan fiction writers and this book followed suit. The dialogue was just plain silly at times as were some of the situations. We know that the good guys have plot armor in this universe. This one took it to another level as this squadron of children took on squadron after squadron of stormtroopers and came out unscathed. One of my biggest gripes came within the opening pages and set the tone. If authors are writing in a particular universe they should do research. These authors did not and stated a fact which is simply not true for this universe. The only reason I am giving this a two star rating is that it is a nice message for children to learn. But the execution to get to that message stunk.

I know I should not view these books the same way I view adult based novels. But even for children this was bad. Too silly even for this universe. Sub plots that never get resolved or appearances from "long lost" characters without an explanation of how they survived. I am not an author obviously but it seemed like these books are not the way to write a novel. If it wasn't for the theme of the book this book easily would have received a one star rating.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this 3-book series has been some of my least favorite middle grade Star Wars books that I’ve read.

Mattis insists throughout the entire series that he can feel the Force even though it’s obvious he can’t, which is kind of weird and doesn’t hold up well. Then at the end of this book after he realizes (is told by another friend) that he doesn’t, he lies and says he does anyways, in order to make someone feel better, which seems like kind of a weird thing to put in a middle grade book (it’s okay to lie about who you are as long as it’s to comfort someone else?). Anyways, his repeated delusional insistence on being a Jedi is kind of annoying in the series. I think he’s supposed to be the main character, but it’s hard to feel connected to him.

This book puts the characters on Starkiller Base at the same time that the characters of The Force Awakens are there, which is a technique I rarely like. It feels too coincidental (they go past Rey climbing that big air shaft? really?) and doesn’t really add anything to the greater story.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book wraps up the story of J Squadron that began in book 1, tying the adventures of Mattis, Lorica, Dec, Sari, Jo, and the other young Resistance recruits into the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. While the story does offer reminders of what happened in the previous installment, this series definitely presents one serialized story, and I do not recommend starting with this volume.

While featuring a plot with some surprising twists and turns, the best part of the book for me was the character development. I really felt as if the story showed how all the events of the previous volumes shaped and grew the characters into a group of genuine heroes. This time around, we got a fast-paced, action-packed installment that also fleshed out the characters. Young Star Wars fans will get a kick out of seeing a group of heroes closer to their ages, and older fans--like myself--will get a thrilling Star Wars story. I really hope this isn't the last we've seen of J Squadron.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing style felt very different in this book than in the previous two. I kept wondering if the other Ben took the lead on this one or something. There were many long expositional passages and long interior monologues about how the characters were feeling. The plot was ok, to a point, but it seemed kinda ridiculous to shoehorn it in around bits of The Force Awakens. Plus Mattis's constant insistence that he (and others) had the Force got old really fast. What was the point of the thing he "discovered" in book 2? It went absolutely nowhere.

All that said, I like the bits about Jo and his family.

[Sam Hval · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the trilogy, which is actually frustrating. A lot of key character development and backstory is, for whatever reason, saved for this final book. I finally felt an attachment to certain characters I thought were lacking. I really enjoyed the fun and fast pacing, similar to the first book. However, I think the biggest problem with these books is the lack of compelling protagonist. Mattis has some interesting qualities that get explored more here, but overall he's really boring compared to the rest of the group. I liked the series overall and think its great for middle grade readers especially.

[Seth Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad to be done with this series. Mattis’s belief that he’s connected with the Force got annoying. All the obstacles J-Squadron faced and survived became unbelievable. AG and Dec decided to be “sore” at each other for no good reason. Deep dives into characters’ back stories totally halted any momentum the book may have had. Juvenile humor interrupted very serious moments. Klimo and Cost were at least kinda funny.

[Davis Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it a lot, but it got surprisingly dark. Like, there's stuff that happens in this that is a degree of magnitude more violent than the films. Very clearly the end of a trilogy, but I do how these characters come back again. All in all, the JTR series did a good job of adding more texture to The Force Awakens.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, the book starts with an overly long recap of the last book. Once again I found it to be SO unessesary. I also just didn’t connect to this book. I found exciting moments, and several plot twists were quite good. But overall, this just was the best book.

[Raul Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot for the life of me understand why this series gets so much flack. It's genuinely entertaining, easy to read, and it does a nice job tying the story to the larger Skywalker Saga. Again, this is the kind of series I wish I would have had as a young reader.

My Rating: 4 Stars

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Bens - totally fun, a traditional "Martian Show-Down," and a character who has to re-evaluate his expectations.

What a fun series, and an emotional ending.

Join the Resistance.

[Judah-Ben Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the first book, but not as good as the second. A nice tie-in to Episode VIII that will be better appreciated if you read the other two books.

[Tyler Standish · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good to be part of a team.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trilogy wraps up by overlapping the events of _The Force Awakens_. The authors continue their mix of adventure and humor and bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The new young heroes of the resistance!

[David Albee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m glad to have finished this.

Eh.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pure fun with just enough depth, grittiness, and tugs at the heart to make it worth a listen - even if you don’t have kids.

[Indigo Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in this book just make me grin. Love this series! Super fun adventure trilogy for young Star Wars fans!

[Mati · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was impossible to finish.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun conclusion that more or less is on the same level as the first two in the series. If you liked those, you will like this one. If not, it isn't changing the game much.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

9yo rating: best of the series.

[Daniel Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible - worst series/book from the new Disney era

[Iwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was skeptical of how this would be pulled off cos they clearly don't have a part in the movie but I almost hurt myself laughing when they passed Rey.

I really liked the implication of family over duty and how that was navigated by both parents. The characters all learned something and grew as people, Ag being sore is killing me still.

I'm really happy with these book, so much fun and such cute characters.