A cute side-story to complement the "main" adult novel The Rising Storm, Race to Crashpoint Tower is funny and simple in it's premise!

While I enjoyed the previous Junior novel more, as I felt the themes and messages more nuanced and developed, this one delivers a solid main character: Ram is quirky, interesting, and his struggles and different way to see things makes me feel he could be a kid's favorite if explored more.

Now, onto that, while this is clearly possible to be read as a standalone, I fear that we're approaching the MCU syndrome: a few times during the story I caught myself wondering if I'd be enjoying the second set of characters (Lula and Zeen) more if I had read the comics. Obviously, the answer is yes, but I believe a little more work could've been put into presenting them to a new audience, especially because the middle graders are not as likely to be the ones reading all the other works too, and this book is for them.

Still, it was quick and entertaining, even to someone way past the target audience, and I hope to see more of Ram and his mechanical skills in the future! ( )

Litsy Star Wars Buddy Read: June *Listened as an audiobook on my Libby app*

A middle-grade story set during the Galactic Fair on Vallo (the setting for The Rising Storm: Cavan Scott)

This story is adjacent to the actual action going on during the fair with two young padawans struggling against the Drengyr [sentient man-eating plants] and the Nihil who have knocked out the comms tower on Crashpoint Hill so no one can call for help.

Exciting for young readers who enjoy speeder-fights and flying with little to no truly scary moments to cause alarm.

The padawans experience some fright, trepidation, elation, and ultimately success. There is a bit of growth in one of the kids and it demonstrates loyalty, friendship, and ingenuity in the face of danger.

Audiobook = 3hours
Narrated by: Todd Haberkorn

As I do with all Star Wars novels, I listened to the audiobook while doing chores/exercises. The central character of Ram Jomaram was kind of bland, he goes through a very similar character arc as Reath Silas in the young adult Star Wars High Republic novel Into the dark. The fact is, Jedi characters in general can't help but be bland, and you need a novelist of immense talent to breath life into such characters. I am not sure any Star Wars novelist is really up to that. Older's High Republic comic book series is a bit more successful, and I was glad to see some of the characters in this novel. ( )