oh, wow. the Rogue One novelization (by Alexander Freed) was… so, so good. like with the ROTS novelization, I was crying throughout (a compliment to the book), and also likewise, I loved getting the character thoughts and reflections and introspections that you just don’t get from a tv/movie. it was beautiful and heartbreaking and added even more to the interpersonal dynamics and character motivations.
I’m also really glad I read the prequel book, Catalyst by James Luceno first, as it really just set up so many things in RO (book & movie) so well and made many things even more impactful.
Unlike the other Star Wars movies’ novelizations I’ve read so far, this one actually had, verbatim and unchanged, so many of the most important, impactful, memorable lines from the movie. You are being rescued, congratulations. Rebellions are built on hope. Trust goes both ways. I’m not used to people sticking around when things go bad / welcome home. We’ll take the next chance, and the next, on and on until we win or the chances are spent. Good luck, little sister. I am one with the Force, the Force is with me. You’ve lost. My father’s revenge. He put a fuse in the middle of your machine and I’ve just told the entire galaxy how to light it. What is it they’ve sent us? / Hope. seeing these lines, in print, in the story, was so poignant and evocative and good. I know this novelization was published shortly after the movie, but at this point to have loved those lines for nigh on a decade, it’s… I’m so, so glad they’re in the book, exactly as we know and love them.
Freed also added moments that, with a certain eye, a movie audience might infer, but having them written in a book makes it heart-achingly tangible, beautiful. K-2SO using his last moments to imagine a future where Cassian survives. The grudging -> tentative -> coalesced bond between the main group of Rebels and how they feel about it. Their thoughts at the time of each of their deaths. It’s… to wildly, intentionally out-of-context quote Krennic, “it’s beautiful.”
Also, I.. I haven’t seen Andor (the show) but from many Certain Things TM I’ve heard about it, I just. yeah. This book is extra good. You’ll never pry Cassian “been in the fight since he was six years old” Andor, world-weary and exhausted to the bone and still, still fighting— you’ll never pry him from my hands. And oh, Bodhi. Beloved. Sweet beloved who was terrified for most of the book and felt so much sorrow and shame and hope and joy and want. Beautiful dear heart. I love him so much. I love all of them. I just.
this was a really, really good novelization. Rogue One, my absolute beloved. I love you so much. excuse me while I go cry about all the feelings it gave me ❤️❤️🩹❣️