Star Wars: Catalyst Book Review (Spoilers)

[@pablocuadras1292]

I love the book club atmosphere and set up for this video

[@cloudystorm7314]

Jack Bool no

[@whatevermakeyahappy]

Canon must reads: 1. Lost Stars 2. Catalyst 3. Aftermath life debt 4. Bloodlines Non-canon must reads: 1. Plagues 2. Bane trilogy: esp Path of Destruction 3. Thrawn trilogy

[@Mcsham22222]

100% in agreement. Except I add Lords of the Sith to the must reads

[@MinnesotaLG]

isn't thrawn technically canon since he's in rebels?

[@idonthavh1n166]

Why does everyone say "Bloodlines"? It's Bloodline, not hard to forget.

[@Egzvorg]

Minnesota, Thrawn is, old books aren't

[@peacefulwarrior89]

Thanks for the recommendations. Bloodline was great! Can't wait to read more.

[@sanderflop]

James Luceno writing for Tarkin again was great

[@tarunbains9837]

Great book. Krennic is a great character, manipulative but you can tell he valued Galen as a friend before his lust for power. I ultimately loved how they were consumed by their work but Galen managed to snap out of it and the Krennic continue down the darker path. Lyra and Tarkin very well fleshed out too. Really good set up for rogue one!

[@JJ_Lloyd]

I love Jedi Council. That's all I wanted to say.

[@pieceofgosa]

One of my favourite moments in the book is when Galen goes to Krennic's office and Krennic is all smug, thinking that Galen is about to ask for a job then Galen suggests they set up their own company and Krennic is just floored. It's a wonderfully written scene.

[@ZachBobBob]

I'm so happy this is a thing! I was hoping we'd get a full discussion from you guys.

[@JonathanG94]

I just finished it on audible and boy was it fantastic.

[@SEH221]

I finished the audiobook a few days ago. Didn't know it was possible to be more excited about this film but I am!

[@anthonyw6895]

Darth Trigger just finished the audible for it today, it was awesome

[@gregbyrne6909]

I think one difference between Tarkin and Krennic is that Tarkin has basically been groomed for his role in the empire from when he was in the republic. He was brilliant, but has had a pretty easy time getting promoted. Krennic has had to scheme to get into those positions.

[@bigmac076]

Krennic toying with Mas Ammeda is one of my favorite scene

[@ericjel]

Please do reviews for the rest of the Star Wars canon novels! All of them....would love to see those. :)

[@ChristoTitan]

Star Wars politics is really cool, but works best in novel form. There's a reason the prequel novelizations are so solid in comparison to the films.

[@kingofwakanda6899]

Still haven't gotten to read this book yet. I heard it's really good though! Hoping to pick it up today.

[@pty_foto]

you will love it

[@frescore]

i can snap kristian in half, he is as stiff as a board.

[@anthonyw6895]

King of Wakanda just finished it, it's amazing

[@Da5nake]

do what I did... go to your local book shop and binge read.

[@sc_art5408]

King of Wakanda I read it, its AWESOME!!!!!

[@pty_foto]

where is Ellis? lol he promised to finish before the movie..... :)

[@Dousch]

Reading.

[@Reapehify]

This was shot before he mentioned he got the book from a fan.

[@cloudystorm7314]

Reaper. Wrong. Did you watch the end of the video?

[@df7189]

Love these fan reviews !

[@SEH221]

Like Harloff, I definitely cheered when Saw showed up. A great way to tie him and the Ursos together.

[@alecrdonnelly]

So pleased that you made this video, I bought the book on your recommendation and now couldn't be more excited. Love the addition of Ken to the channel, his ideas and opinions add so much to the conversation. Keep up the great work and enjoy the premiere!

[@TheSirUno]

Excellent review and conversation. Well done.

[@pieceofgosa]

Tarkin is quite similar to Tywin Lannister (just as an aside) :D

[@anthonyw6895]

John Alexander I think he's more similar to Tywin, he's more controlling like that

[@kpeterfo]

Orson Krennic reminds me of Frank Underwood

[@jimhughes5935]

Kevin Peterford and thrawn is voiced by Viktor Petrov

[@kpeterfo]

that's awesome, just read that

[@josephbarnhurst3181]

That's awesome I'm watching house of cards right now I like that connection

[@jimhughes5935]

Joseph Barnhurst just rewatched all the seasons just the other month can't wait for 5 there so great

[@Maks__808]

This book was great. Loved the back and forth with Tarkin and Krenic.

[@GregScottBailey]

Loving the couch and kicked back format of this video. As much as I enjoy Movie Talk at the desks, it's nice to see a change up like this. Enjoyed the heck out of the book and looking forward to seeing the film next week.

[@aarongray6763]

The Del Rey timeline will tell you that Catalyst takes place after the Tarkin novel. Truth: Catalyst takes place before Tarkin.

[@timmccaffrey8307]

there are 3-4 empty chairs, it's a stretch even as a retcon

[@trchiswiti75]

Next time I'm going to get a physical copy. Slept through part of my audible haha.

[@reazongiovanni3382]

TChiswiti75 lol

[@alkator123]

Haha, love falling asleep to audible .

[@ColbyPerry]

Just finished reading the book and love the deep nerd out in this review.

[@evascheele8276]

Finished today!! Just in time for Rogue One tonight

[@chefwik1]

Great review! My favorite part of the book: the conversation between Tarkin and Mas Ameda. Tarkin clearly shows his superiority over him while Krennic is more subtle in his approach. I also love the parallels of Krennic's manipulation of Gaelyn and Palpatine's of Anakin's. Incredible book! James Luceno is the best! Keep up the good work guys!

[@davidisho13]

Really Enjoyed this conversation. Would love to have more of these spoiler book reviews. Engaging and in depth analysis.

[@grafffuller3265]

I finished it last night...then watched your review. I totally agree. This is a must see. SO much depth. Thanks for getting me interested in reading it.

[@henrymitchell2312]

Going to watch this another time, I'm halfway thru catalyst and it's great! Lyra is a stand out for me! Excited to watch this after✌🏻️

[@Jimbrosss]

i loved orson krennic

[@knealio]

Love this video. You never disappoint Collider!

[@darthcalanil5333]

loooove this book. 1. lost stars 2. Catalyst 3. Bloodlines 4. lords of the sith 5. Tarkin

[@whatevermakeyahappy]

Tarkin will be link to bringing in Vader

[@99jarjarbinks]

Great review, Jedi Council! Love Catalyst! One of the great books in the Canon Universe. And James Luceno is a great writer as well. Actually am now tempted to buy and read 'Darth Plaugeis', even though it's non-canon. The man is just so good. And as far as recommendations in reading Canon novels of Star Wars, my list in no particular order: Must read: Lost Stars Catalyst Bloodline Lords of the Sith Tarkin The Force Awakens(novelization) Good to read: Before The Awakening Smuggler's Run Weapon of a Jedi Moving Target Dark Disciple Battlefront: Twilight Company A New Dawn Aftermath Aftermath: Life Debt You can skip: Heir To The Jedi

[@neilvarma]

Fav. Legends books guys! Mine are shatterpoint and Star by star

[@alangonzalez8467]

I don't like star wars that much but I am here for Perri!

[@Doomsword0]

This a really good set up, you guys should use for movie reviews as well. gives it a nice relaxed feel.

[@montybrewster7]

I owe Kristian one for pitching this book so hard because I think the film will be way, way more enjoyable for having read it. I've only ever read 2 other Star Wars novels (Old Republic & Revan) but Kristian spoke so highly about this I felt I had to read it. And boy am I glad I did. The relationship between Krenic & Tarkin for me was off the scale! Totally awesome & I can't wait to see how that pans out in the film. Cheers Darth Harloff, great recommendation.

[@rossdaly9144]

first Star Wars book I've ever read and I'm so glad I did. Going into the movie so much more invested than I already was. Also I loved it when Ken made the Hans Landa comparison because I was thinking the exact same thing while reading

[@JacksonBegleymusicguy]

I like that this book made The Battle of Hypori canon.

[@jimhughes5935]

Time to shut social media off after tonight

[@adampell5642]

This was the first Star Wars Novel (except novelizations of movies) that I've read and I loved it. I agree with Perri, I felt so connected to the Ersos throughout the story and I can't wait to see Rogue One.

[@Allthesmallteas]

I really like Perry on Jedi Council. I think you guys should make her a permanent member.

[@darthgeros5863]

Same I wish Mark Ellis was permanent but his schedule for his comedy shows is too tight but he's on most so that's good

[@Titapias]

First Star Wars book I read after listening Kristian rave about it on Jedi Council, I have to say it was fun! It took a little time for me to be hooked but then oh boy was it amazing! I loved this review guys, you seriously rock!

[@peacefulwarrior89]

A Mas Amedda book would be fantastic.

[@abcun17]

If you truly want to appreciate how good "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is as a movie then I'd recommend a series of novels which make up a kind of mini-universe...I'm the following order: 1. "Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel" by James Luceno 2. "Rebels Rising" by Beth Davis3. "Guardians Of The Whills" by Greg Rucka4. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" by Alexander Freed Then watch the movie again.... James Luceno and Alecander Freed are two of my favourite "Star Wars" writers. Freed was also responsible for one of my favourite novels in the franchise "Star Wars Battlefront: Twilight Company" which is basically a war novel set in the "Star Wars" universe and told mostly from the point of view of the people doing the actual fighting and dying, the soldiers. Fantastic read, as is "Catalyst".

[@kpag3030]

This is the second video in a row I've watched where Harloff was so right on with his rogue one predictions. Dude knows his Star ward

[@DuduFilm]

Book was great, already love characters , probably my favorite moment was when Lyra figure outs that small cyber crystals are from jedis lightsabers . They basically were making an ultimate technology terror from the core of the "goodness"

[@alorhabaga5592]

DuduFilm and Lyra is force sensitive and understands the significance of the kyber. And also the great loss of the Jedi.

[@peacefulwarrior89]

Oh, I loved Poggle the Lesser and all the details of the death star being built. It's awesome to know all the years and hard work it took for the base to be built and all the rumors about the Separatist's own death star which we know is a lie spread to get them to build the empire's own sooner.

[@erikthede5032]

Right now I probably rank the canon books (ones I've read) 1. Lost Stars 2. Bloodline 3. Catalyst 4. Life Debt (still reading) 5. Aftermath

[@BaronOfHell666]

One thing I thought was odd was the killing off of the scientists. I would think it would make more sense to keep them around for maintenance and future upgrades.

[@jedimarhwini948]

I was wondering if Kristian would mention Mark. There's pretty much no quicker way to show how good Catalyst is than the fact that it made Mark Ellis read. (All the love, Baby Carrots!)

[@StewartFletcher]

Three of my favorite people! YES! But also: STAR WARS!

[@totem91]

Some of The Old Republic is canon. The Coruscant lower levels (as shown in the Zayne Carrick stories) are pretty much mostly canon.

[@Birddog9213]

This video was great, just like the book itself. Thanks so much for this guys! You're the best.

[@P374Wilma]

Just thought I'd add that there's a real quick scene in the celebration reel of Saw and Jyn interacting in what looks like a battle scene. So there may be more of Saw than just the trailer stuff

[@P374Wilma]

He's also bald in said scene with the adult Jyn. Will be interesting to see how they edit this one

[@PrettyGoodSamuel]

Hey, love this set!

[@trevino286]

Finished this literally like 5 minutes ago and I'm going to watch the movie in a couple hours lol can't wait!

[@pieceofgosa]

Krennic mercs Lyra in the opening 10 minutes, Ken called it.

[@super23ization]

Love it! Have it on audio book.

[@jaknadle6635]

Mas Ammeda was in ep 1, 2, and 3 but wasn't used at all

[@stevendunigan]

I guess I'm not that big of a Luceno fan. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy his books. He does a great job of piecing together parts of canon and really filling out characters, but I always find his storytelling lacking. With that said, I do agree that Catalyst is a must read, because it really does seamlessly transition you from Old Republic to Empire. I just wasn't as enthralled in the book as I have been with others. As of right now, I think Claudia Grey is the best Star Wars canon author, but that could change once Zahn releases Thrawn next year.

[@sjewitt22]

one of the things i didn't like about the Clone wars show was the fact the sepratists commanders were all clearly evil when it's stated alot that the movement itself wasn't completely, so some heroic fighters for the sepratists would of been great.

[@jacobbastian1849]

seen rogue one twice and about to see it for a 3rd time. I absolutely looooove this movie. And I've never read this book.

[@kevinlopezarenas9465]

I love you Perri !

[@MarkaNgamer]

I can't help but think that Zerpen industries is a canon version of Czerka industries from Old Republic.

[@alorhabaga5592]

Good Morning America had a clip of saw and jyn. It revealed he took care of jyn at an early age. So at the end of the book when he gave the family his "contact" info, I'm guessing she utilized it. 😉and he trained her in combat/to fight.

[@KendallByrd]

Loved #geekbookclub!! You just needed tea and biscuits.

[@davidschleifer9015]

It is an excellent book and story written well by a master writer.

[@timkatepietro]

I'm going to bet that we will see Has Obitt in the Han Solo movie. What do you think?

[@tarunbains9837]

Tim Pietro Great shout

[@Mr13chapters]

I would say read Catalyst, then Tarkin, and then watch rogue one

[@jaredbennett7677]

As someone who didnt read this before watching the movie, I really disagree that this is a must-read before hand, and dont feel like I was missing anything when i watched the movie, though there is a chance that some of that has to do with the fact that I follow you guys so I am pretty solid on where the story is and what is going on. Having finally finished the book, the only thing that I really feel like it added was helping me see Krenic as a capable maniuplator, rather than just some random guy in there, that is kinda just there to be kicked around and betrayed by Tarkin. Also, Lyra is much more of a thing, but even from the book, I know she is a side character, and only care a little about her. I do have a better appreciation for Lyra and Galen's relationship, but it ends up impacting the film so little because of how little they are in the movie.

[@hughg.rection3628]

Thanks Kristian for making me read again, lol. Especially Star Wars they are great reads and additions to the films

[@sidomadev1737]

I loved this book but whenever it jumped to a scene of Tarkin and such, I kinda kept wishing for the part to be short, because it was so interesting seeing the struggles of Galen and Lyras relationship. Also, some things are overly detailed to the point where it kinda gets annoying, but that's only in a few points of the book. I loved this book, and I give it a 4/5 Edit: Also, the ending just feels so rushed. It only took place through I'd say 20 pages, which I found so confusing

[@CinematicGalaxy]

Catalyst>Lost Stars for me. Very close, but the significance of the story in Catalyst and all of its elements just slightly beat out what Lost Stars did imho.

[@StewartFletcher]

Holy crap, are you guys sponsored by Funko Pops?

[@danielrhodes7594]

I was a little confused as Catalyst was suppose to take place after Revenge of the Sith according to every timeline I saw, but the first half of the book seemed to be before Revenge of the Sith. There was so much mention of Dooku, who had already died during Revenge. Then suddenly a chapter or two before the second part of the book, it mentions Emperor, Empire, Darth Vader, etc. There was a total jump in the book with little explanation! I think Lost Star did a better job of going across a timeline and let you know that ahead of time. Catalyst I thought was a little misleading in that everything I heard about it was that it was after Revenge, not spanning clone wars and then jumping to the end of Revenge! It is an ok book, but not as good as Lost Stars.

[@jameslambert2040]

With the Empire being based on the Nazi party it is no surprise that the senior members are all in competition. Hitler had a policy of 'organised chaos', essentially, political Darwinism. It's great that in the Star Wars universe, the Emperor basically has the same idea. I'm a graduate Historian (social and political mainly) so I find this extremely interesting, and familiar, tho' it is obviously simplified.

[@Law19157]

I set a date to watch Rogue in XD which is the premium screen at the Century 25 theater in Union City Ca. before it would no longer show in the XD screens whether I finished the book or not and man I was reading the last pages of that book sitting in the theater through trailers of other movies showing for before Rogue 1 started & I finished the book only a minute before the movie started & I was pleasantly surprised to see that the film started right where I had left off just a minute prior. There was enough light in the theater from the trailers to illuminate the pages. That was a super awesome experience for me, cutting it so close to where it worked out perfect. That being said I'm going to disagree with all 3 of you, Rogue 1 Catalyst by far the most boring Star Wars book I have read to date and I have read quite a few of them. I have plastic bin full of old Legends books that I had read long before Lucas Sold Star Wars to Disney. They are in a plastic bin instead of my book shelf because they are no longer Canon. The Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss & Darth Maul Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves are my favorite, all the other ones I read though I did not like the majority of them were still a lot more engaging than what I read in Catalyst, I mean this book was a total snooze fest I had to force my self to the whole thing. Its a kin to something you'd see on a low budget T.V. drama and I'm no fan dramas, there was a lot more heart in Shadow Hunter and the Republic Commando series than what I found in Catalyst so much so I couldn't put the books down and had to continue reading, not the case with Catalyst, I just wanted the book to be over. I'm not sure if you guys would like the movie version of this book if it were made into a movie exactly the way its written in the book. From what I heard about the Rogue 1 movie which did not disappoint, there were a lot of complaints about the film being slow in the beginning, I don't what they were talking about I didn't think it was that slow at all, I've never jumped to so many planets in a Star Wars movie right off the bat before, but if that was what people considered slow the book Catalyst is on another level of slow.....and boring, I highly doubt the general movie going audience and the casual Star Wars fans would enjoy a Catalyst film if it were hypothetically speaking made into a movie exactly the way it was written. I think you guys are giving way too much praise for Catalyst which in my subjective opinion does not deserve. This book has a lot of politics that people hated the prequels for, there is little difference in its execution except for the fact that the Senate scenes in the Prequels didn't last the length of the movie where as in the book the politics pretty much carries from start to finish.

[@danielfitzpatrick8098]

I have a question.(Spoilers for Catalyst.) What did Galen think he was working on when he had to compromise his morals? I didn't quite see what Krennic was talking about when he was saying about making an example of a world. What was the big deal?

[@danielfitzpatrick8098]

It was that moment I was talking about but he did'nt know it was being weaponized even at that point. That I know for sure. Which is why I'm confused. Thanks for the comment!

[@Da5nake]

I just finished reading the whole book in a few days. I couldn't put the book down. 10+ hours I loved it! I hate Has... he got way too many 'life' cards... he did get the girl but still...

[@filmbros.studios8815]

There are three open chairs in that meeting. Just FYI. I just checked.

[@samuraijaii]

Mas Amedda is in the movies guys....

[@darthgeros5863]

Saw has hair present day, due to the fact than Jyn is talking to him about the Death Star as an adult and Saw has hair then

[@misabitchy]

i would love to know where Perri got her bb8 shirt

[@2509jacqueline]

The book has made me instantly 'hate' Krennic. That book scene with the chest of Kyber crystals and how he treated it shook me to my core.

[@MrEffectfilms]

The scene that made me hate him was when he threatened Lyra and Jyn in that park.

[@Ellipsis10]

You guys are overhyping this book. It was a solid read and it will enhance the Rogue one experience but it's not great. lords of the sith, bloodline and dark Disciple are my top 3 new canon books

[@ChristoTitan]

Ellipsis10 Agreed. I absolutely adore those three. Rich in lore, character and storytelling as a whole.

[@pieceofgosa]

Krennic is Baelish (I won't charge you for using that Harloff, don't say I'm not good to ya). Perri's analysis is flawed only in her interpretation of Baelish, not Krennic. Littlefinger is not some great mastermind, although he is cunning and quick-witted. He uses opportunities that present themselves to him and makes most of it up as he goes along. Krennic is very much cut from the same cloth.

[@filipeklund3120]

I'm watching this even though I haven't read it because WORDS ARE MY ENEMY

[@DarthEasy]

Don't forget Drew Karphisian Harloff

[@freejae3884]

Is tarkin like a big part of this book?

[@nerdgasam6838]

FreeJae not huge but important yes. he's a major supporting player.

[@Da5nake]

I loved Tarkin though. the clash between him and Krennic, awesome... Mas Amedda was rather annoying of a character to me, comes with the position his in.

[@sebastianjasinski6269]

Collider after the rogue one primiere can you tell us your thoguhts

[@sebastianjasinski6269]

Thank god

[@Barrobroadcastmaster]

Haven't watched this reviewscussion yet but I just finished the book. Honestly, I was expecting more from Catalyst. I understand it was all about the buildup but ultimately, the conclusion of each major buildup in the story left me unsatisfied. This book focused too much on the intricate web of career goals, science and how they affected the lives of the characters, becoming way too abstract for large swaths. Kyber crystals are confusing, we get it. We don't need the characters to inflect so much. Conversations between Lyra and Galen were too short and make me pity Lyra. Using Jyn as a median of comparison between the real world and Galen's struggles were beautiful... too bad it only happened once. When Lyra and Galen talk, it feels less like a relationship and more like Lyra being fascinated with a preoccupied man talking to himself. The best revelations about their relationship were in the beginning while they were separated. In flashbacks, they seem like a happy couple. In the present, they don't feel like people. Orson Krennic's manipulations and reading about his path towards success as an Imperial are interesting but get overused fast. Tarkin feels shoehorned into place and his motivation does not seem genuine, nor is it clear until the end. It can be interesting to read about a character scheming, carefully pulling the strings of others while they remain unaware, but Krennic is impatient and he's pulling the strings of a scientist. Galen is less of a puppet and more like a statue, and so the subtle string pulls reveal very little and aren't interesting. Finally, Has Obitt is a likable character but his motivation is unclear. His emotions range from apathy to self-concern, and in the end his actions are the most interesting parts of the book, except on the Legacy Worlds. Also, the destruction of the environment as being the catalyst for Lyra's concerns feels forced. People around the galaxy being subjugated, silenced, free speech being outlawed, no what's really important is to save the galactic equivalent of a national park. And the "catalyst" for Galen's revelation being Orson's lie about anarchists is... lame. Huge buildup to nothing. The side characters are mostly forgettable, except for Saw Gererra who seems to be the only person in the whole fucking book to know exactly what he's doing and what he wants. But the battle at Salient One and Two are glossed over WAY too quickly to be enjoyable. We go from an awesome battle to a flash forward of WEEKS in an instant? That's just not right. Ultimately though, Star Wars Catalyst was okay in my opinion. Not great, not worth the money I spent on it and probably not worth much of a reread but okay. It doesn't reveal much about Galen or Lyra's characters because they spend more time frightened than anything else. Krennic's careful rise to power might be interesting to some hardcore fans but ultimately, I felt Mas Amedda at the end of this story: I understand what you did and what you tried to do but what you've managed to do is disappoint me. 6/10

[@jakeosborne977]

anyone get hugo damask holdings/inc vibes from galens zerpan employers?

[@Branderbie]

I don't really get why everyone is loving this book so much, I thought it was easily one of the worst of the new canon. Was there anything of substance we didn't already figure was the case? Krennic tricked a good man into working on the death star!!! shocker.... That one sentence also explains the entire book. I don't know, maybe I'm missing something, I just felt it was really slow and offered very little. Glad other people enjoyed it, though.

[@davidschleifer9015]

Mark Ellis ears must be burning about reading only two books ... ever!! And one of them is Dr Seuss.

[@alpine_newt]

I didn't really enjoy Lords Of The Sith as much as the other new canon books.