Two New Rogue One Books Explore Characters’ Backstories
By Elaine Tveit
Two new Star Wars novels go behind the backstories of three of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’s main characters: Jyn Erso, Chirrut Imwe, and Baze Malbus.
Three of Rogue One‘s main characters will get their backstories told in two new Star Wars novels releasing this spring.
The first is a middle-grade novel by Greg Rucka and follows Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus’s misadventures on Jedha leading up to the events of the film.
Read the description of Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills by Greg Rucka below (via Amazon).
Image Credit: Disney
"An exciting adventure about two of the brave heroes from the smash hit movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story! On the desert world of Jedha, in the Holy City, friends Baze and Chirrut used to be Guardians of the Whills, who looked after the Kyber Temple and the devoted pilgrims who worshipped there. Then the Empire came and took over the planet. The temple was destroyed and the people scattered. Now Baze and Chirrut do what they can to resist the Empire and protect the people of Jedha, but it never seems to be enough. Then a man named Saw Gerrera arrives, with a militia of his own and grand plans to take down the Empire. It seems like the perfect way for Baze and Chirrut to make a real difference and help the people of Jedha live better lives. But will it come at too great a cost?"
The next book, a young adult story called Star Wars: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis, details Jyn’s upbringing with Saw Gerrera.
Image Credit: Disney
"New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis brings to life the early adventures and heartbreaks of the heroine of the smash hit movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. When Jyn Erso was five years old, her mother was murdered and her father taken from her to serve the Empire. But despite the loss of her parents she is not completely alone—Saw Gerrera, a man willing to go to any extremes necessary in order to resist Imperial tyranny, takes her in as his own, and gives her not only a home but all the abilities and resources she needs to become a rebel herself. Jyn dedicates herself to the cause—and the man. But fighting alongside Saw and his people brings with it danger and the question of just how far Jyn is willing to go as one of Saw’s soldiers. When she faces an unthinkable betrayal that shatters her world, Jyn will have to pull the pieces of herself back together and figure out what she truly believes in…and who she can really trust."
Both novels release in stores in hardback and e-book formats on May 2nd, 2017.
Guardians of the Whills and Rebel Rising don’t sound like they reveal any earth-shattering plot points or trivia. But their stories will certainly enrich Rogue One and the new characters and lore it introduced. I’m especially interested in learning more about the Whills and Chirrut and Baze’s motivations. It also seems Saw Gerrera figures prominently in both stories; we may yet receive more background information on him, as well.
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is in theaters today.