Star Wars The Force Awakens: Before the Awakening

The opening moments of Star Wars: The Force Awakens not only launched us into a new era of Star Wars storytelling, but they introduced us to three key new players: stormtrooper-turned-deserter Finn, scavenger Rey, and Resistance pilot Poe, all of whom are on Jakku, and all of whom will be swept up into events of galactic importance before the film ends.

But how did they get there? What led to Finn’s doubts about the First Order, Rey’s tech-savvy and piloting skills, or Poe’s diehard loyalty to the Resistance? Before the Awakening answers all these questions and more, offering crucial backstory to these three terrific additions to the Star Wars pantheon, and telling three great stories along the way.

Star Wars has always been more about the characters than the special effects, and this book reinforces that notion with style.

Author Greg Rucka has a knack for getting to the heart of pop culture icons and helping the reader understand the motivations behind big scenes in films, TV, and comics, and that skill serves him brilliantly here. Before the Awakening is a quick, satisfying add-on to the new film, and should be required reading for any new Star Wars fan.