Catalyst (Star Wars): A Rogue One Novel

Sometimes I really like the Star Wars novels; other times not so much. It's rare that I love one of them but CATALYST is an exception. The story behind the Death Star's construction was fascinating to me and this novel really expands the characters of Galen Erso and, more interestingly to me, Orson Krennic; the developers of the project.In keeping with my "NO SPOILERS" approach to reviews; I'll say this much. This is not an action packed Star Wars adventure; it is the story of two men and the lengths each will go for their cause. Familiar characters play their role but, in the end, this book serves to set Krennic and Erso firmly into Star Wars canon...and it does a fine job.If you like Rouge One; you need to read this book because it really lays the groundwork for that film by setting up the action and giving you a sense of who some of the characters from the film are. Like his previous Star Wars entries; Luceno makes it more about character than action and he does a fine job as always.

I was a little wary about reading this book. After all, I wasn't sure how it would coincide with the events during Rogue One that supposedly happened after the events here in Catalyst. Well, needless to say, I'm glad I took the risk. Catalyst serves as a great story from the perspective as both a prequel to Rogue One, as well as a (as another reviewer mentioned) a standalone Star Wars novel. In Catalyst, Luceno gives us a more in depth look into the life of the Ersos (Jyn from Rogue One's parents. You know, the mother and father introduced at the very beginning of the movie?), and of course Krennic, during the time when the war between the Separatists and the Republic was closing - and even more importantly, the race that led to the creation of a weapon unlike the galaxy had ever seen: the fruition of the Death Star.Though some would consider the tale slow in comparison to other Star Wars novels or even the film features, it's good to have some background information on this subject. It really pieces the story together in an almost magical way as it leads the reader into Rogue One, which in turn guides us along the path towards A New Hope. If you're a Star Wars fan, want to know more about the Ersos from Rogue One, or if you're just curious about how the Death Star came to be, then I honestly think that this is the book for you!

Catalyst is definitely setting the stage for the Rogue One movie, but it's interesting enough to stand on its own. The book introduces us to the Erso family - genius scientist Galen, adventurer/explorer Lyra, and their daughter Jyn. Jyn, one of the main characters in the upcoming movie, is young enough in the book to be a peripheral character. We get a sense of her background and personality, but Catalyst focuses on others - primarily Jyn's parents, an ambitious Republic officer named Orson Krennic, and a smuggler named Has Obitt.* Our old "friend" Moff Tarkin is the main supporting character.* Not a spoiler - just a name comment. I spent the entire book thinking "obituary" when reading Obitt. Intentionally distracting name, or am I just a troublesome reader? :)Catalyst is divided into three sections:Part One: Life During Wartime - Set during the final days of the Republic/Separatist conflict. Krennic realizes that his former classmate, Galen Erso, is the only person who can help him with a secret weapon. Most of this section relates to how Krennic works to put Erso under his sphere of influence.Part Two: The Pursuit of Peace - Set during the early days of the Empire. Most of this section deals with Galen working to create an improved energy source while Krennic uses Galen's research for other purposes. Lyra pursues her suspicions about the energy project. We also see the Empire starting to take over certain worlds in the pursuit of raw materials.Part Three: Dead Reckoning - Everything comes to a head. Can't say much without spoilers!Catalyst was a quick read, very entertaining and worth the time. It was fun to see some familiar characters in their earlier years and as they work toward where we see them in the movies and/or animated series. The character development was believable, and the book did a good job showing the upheaval of the Republic to Empire transition. The only reason I went with 4 stars instead of 5 is some of the worldbuilding dragged. I think that was a necessarily evil for the purpose this book plays in leading up to the movie, but I'm reviewing it as a standalone story.

Spanning a period consisting of a good portion of the Clone Wars and the early years of the Empire, ‘Catalyst’ charts the lives of several of the key characters from ‘Rogue One’.For the most part, this means the focus is upon the relationship between Galen Erso and Orson Krennic; how their friendship has developed into Krennic manipulating Galen into working for the Empire. Opposed to this route is Lyra, who after her brief appearance in ‘Rogue One’ is a fully-fledged character in this novel. A fair portion of ‘Catalyst’ is involved with the power struggle between Lyra and Krennic over Galen. Somehow this leads to them becoming much more interesting characters than Galen himself. The bulk of the inspiration for this clearly comes from the brief flashback sequence in the early stages of ‘Rogue One’. Jyn, of course, is too young during this time to play any significant role.Krennic’s rivalry with Tarkin is another key element. However, there is nothing really here that you don’t get from the film. There is some effort at creating an atmosphere of political intrigue but it doesn’t quite come across. Neither Vader nor the Emperor make an appearance. Instead Mas Amedda sort of fills in for them in representing the Empire’s leadership, giving him, perhaps, his largest role in a Star Wars story.Has is an interesting addition to the characters that actually works quite well. He facilitates getting the other characters positioned and suggests the beginnings of the rebel alliance and its early formation.Of course, in the background looms the development of the Death Star and this is still its story. Even at its conception it is a continual presence that consumes the lives of the novel’s main characters many years before it is ready to be unleashed upon the galaxy.‘Catalyst’ is a well written but not a hugely eventful novel. It provides a good piece of groundwork for Rogue One’, but it is also a fairly unnecessary one. There is very little in this book that cannot be inferred from what is seen in the film and the storyline is much as might expect.What is, perhaps, most interesting about the novel are the connections linking the Clone Wars to the formation of the Empire in how Palpatine uses that conflict to continue to instil enough fear into the populace of the galaxy to enable him to get his own way by cleverly associating the Rebels with the Separatists. It makes Palpatine’s achievement of taking over the galaxy even more impressive as you can see how he has sown seeds to maintain Sith domination far past his own existence.

If you are looking for a SW novel with a lot of action then this may not be for you, but if you are looking for a novel that significantly enhances your appreciation for Rogue One then this is perfect.I loved this book. It really gave me a sense of satisfaction when seeing the events of Rogue One unfurl when I watched it again. I think this novel may help solidify Krennic's position as one of the most fascinating members of the Galactic empire.

As a book giving backstory to a movie that's also giving backstory, to call this book niche is an understatement. It would make absolutely no sense if it was your first exposure to Star Wars. Things happen without explanation, characters leave and enter according to where they are in the movies, and it feels like absolutely nothing gets resolved.But all that is missing the point. Star Wars, and especially the Extended Universe offers something very few modern stories can. An idea of a living breathing place, with infinite characters and infinite possibilities. Take this book as what it is, one more note in the symphony, and suddenly those worries above disappear. Yes nothing get resolved, but they do in the film. This story sets up some character dynamics very nicely, and the main two characters line up to the movies almost perfectly I could hear the actors voices.So taken alone, it's not a very good story. But as a part of the whole, weaving expertly in and out the movies and TV shows, and revealing more of some very compelling characters, it's a very good book.

A good novel, possibly not as good as Tarkin. It starts off during the Clone Wars and finishes with the early days of the glorious Empire. Primary antagonist Director Krennic features far more here than Rogue One and after reading this it seems he was under utilised in the otherwise excellent movie. Slightly disappointed that Vader and Palpatine only make brief cameos. Plenty of back story on the mighty Death Star. Its an essential if, like me, you like the darker side of the SW galaxy.

Despite other ‘reviews’, I actually value this intro into the complex relationship between Orson and Galen in Rogue One, otherwise the latter doesn’t actually make sense.Nor does Lyra’s animosity towards their previously presumed ‘benefactor’Orson is a self-serving schemer whereas Tarkin is more calculated and gets the job done.Have to say, love Tarkin’s character and nice that there wasn’t an unnecessary cameo by the likes of Vader etc.The story is kept tight around the main protagonists and never runs out of steam.

It’s important to note this is a very character driven story and can be slow at times, so don’t pick this up if what you are after is action. Rather than shooting each other the bulk of the story is how Krennic manipulates Erson into helping with the weapon. I enjoyed the book but there were bits it felt a slog to read.

The Krennic-Erso-Tarkin triangle this book constructs is satisfying as heck; if you like Imperial backstabbing and bureaucracy, this is for you -- and not just Imperial either, as the first third of this book takes place during the Clone Wars and there are plenty of interesting throwbacks to the series. The kyber crystal meta sprinkled throughout is fascinating (Luceno shines in all the more technical aspects really) as is the exploration of Geonosian hive culture. A great addition to the new canon that gets the tone just right.

Dismissed it initially. Watched Rogue One and loved it. Gave this a go, and it was such a good read i bought the Rogue One book to see how it followed. Prefer this as a story

This book is well written and entertaining to read. It served as a prelude to Rogue One. It was fascinating to read and was quite dramatic. James Luceno has done a good job.

Enjoyed Rogue One but wondered how the characters got to the situations they were in at the start of the film? Read this book. The author really brings the characters to life, and the well-constructed tale moves along at just the right pace, neither dragging nor rushing. Highly recommended.

This was a brilliant book telling you the origins of the death star and the background of characters in rouge one. It's strange because this book almost makes rouge one seem worse because rouge one mainly ignored these interesting characters that are shown in this! It's a shame rouge one should of concentrated on the characters set in this instead of the boring characters that were introduced in the rouge one film. In short this is a great story that I'm very happy was told. would recommend!

I read this as soon as I had finished watching rouge one and found it to be a good read that bridged the gap between original and prequel trilogy' s. It basically follows the stories of Galen Erso' s and Orson Krenick right up until the new film, and adds a lot of depth to their characters.A bit slow to start but once you get in to it a great read!

While a couple of the novels in Disney's new Star Wars canon have missed the mark a little this one is an excellent expansion on the events in Rogue One.You can still enjoy the events in the film without reading this book but Luceno's book adds depth and purpose to the characters from the first stand alone story.It's not perfect and dips a bit in the middle but it is well written enough to recover and well worth a couple of hours of your time.

This book begins after star wars attack of the clones, however the climax of it of the book is after revenge of the sith. This is a prequel to rogue on a star wars story. If you enjoyed rogue one then have a read as it rounds out the story a little bit for it. In terms of stand alone novel it's not going to win any literacy prizes but it's an enjoyable read to star wars fans.

Book arrived on due date. Just started reading and it is compelling reading.