SWBC: 'Crimson Climb' review; new Legends audiobooks and special editions announced

"Crimson Climb" charts Qi'ra's rise from Corellian scrumrat to the top ranks of Crimson Dawn.

Oct 11, 2023

Crimson Climb — E.K. Johnston’s darkest and best Star Wars book yet

“Crimson Climb will have you cheering #MakeSolo2Happen — or, maybe, Qi’ra: A Star Wars Story.”

Happy new Star Wars book week! This time, we got Crimson Climb by E.K. Johnston — a young adult novel set during the reign of the Empire that follows Qi’ra after the prologue of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Many of my fellow Star Wars book reviews can agree — Crimson Climb is Johnston’s best Star Wars work yet. Its cliffhanger also leaves the door wide open for more Qi’ra and Crimson Dawn stories.

Some excerpts from my full review for Dork Side of the Force:

“Qi’ra was never presented as timid or a damsel in distress, but Crimson Climb shows how she turned a loveless childhood of neglect into a life as a cold and calculating crime leader — enough to draw Vos’ admiration and the attention of the true leader of the Shadow Collective, Maul.
Along with showing what happened to Qi’ra after the Solo prologue, Crimson Climb delves deeper into her character and how her traumatic experiences sharpened her into the cool and collected living weapon with whom Han Solo reunites in the film.”

“With Crimson Climb, Johnston excels at recreating and expanding upon the characters made famous by Emilia Clarke and Paul Bettany in Solo. She also made complicated missions easy to follow, and imbued a steady sense of paranoia about the punishment that awaited Qi’ra and other characters when they messed up.
For lovers of Solo, Rae Carson’s Most Wanted, and some of the recent runs of Marvel comics, Crimson Climb is the perfect new read. It builds upon established characters and lore and adds even more delectable context to make it feel like a fresh new Star Wars story.”

Johnston also guest-wrote a behind-the-scenes post for StarWars.com where she talks about the fun she had writing this book, Dryden Vos’s dialogue, Emilia Clarke’s face, and more.

What to read before and after Crimson Climb

Before: Most Wanted by Rae Carson — a deep, dark look into the White Worm-run sewers of Corellia and what Qi’ra and Han have to do to survive. I don’t like to call books essential reading before another book, but this one does as much character work for Qi’ra as Crimson Climb, just at a younger age.

After: War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Reign, and Hidden Empire — Did you know Qi’ra has been the star (and a huge pain in the ass for the Empire and Rebellion) and several Star Wars comic series recently? She made her triumphant return in War of the Bounty Hunters after stealing Han Solo in carbonite, then set out for vengeance and to destroy the Empire and Palpatine in Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire. I’m currently reading Crimson Reign, and it’s the perfect chaser to Crimson Climb.

Essential Legends Collection updates

I firmly believe launching the Essential Legends Collection was one of the smartest publishing decisions Star Wars has ever made — aside from greenlighting The High Republic, of course.

There are four more Essential Legends paperbacks arriving on Oct. 24 as well as the relaunch of unabridged audiobook recordings (see below). And recently Inkstone Books, based in the UK, revealed it’s coming out with a collection of special edition hardcovers of the Essential Legends books.

First up is Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void, which features the same new cover art as its paperback version, but includes blue sprayed edges, the original Je'daii order symbol on the naked hardcover, and is numbered and signed by author Tim Lebbon.

The edition is limited to 500 copies and releases on Dec. 4, 2023.

The book is not sold out, so don’t be deterred by the website listing. But do thoroughly read through Inkstone’s information page about how to snag a copy.

New Legends audiobooks coming soon

Thank the maker — Penguin Random House Audio is finally returning to recording new unabridged audiobooks for the Essential Legends Collection.

I’ve been a huge Star Wars audiobook fan for years. It’s how I really got into reading Star Wars books and it’s my preferred way to do rereads. It’s also my preferred way to really get into the vast collection that is the Essential Legends.

My favorites so far have been the updated Rogue Squadron audiobooks and voice actor Sam Witwer telling me the dark story of Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter.

There haven’t been new audiobooks in quite some time, but that changes in December.

Dec. 19: Marc Thompson (the GOAT of Star Wars audiobook narration) reads Timothy Zahn’s Outbound Flight and Survivor’s Quest.

Jan. 23: January LaVoy (Bloodline) narrates The Courtship of Princess Leia and Jonathan Davis (Master & Apprentice) reads I, Jedi.

March 12: Marc Thompson returns for Yoda: Dark Rendezvous.

Which one are you most looking forward to? What’s your favorite Star Wars audiobook? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Coming up in The High Republic Phase 3

Preview: Marvel’s The High Republic

After an excellent kickoff of Phase 3 of The High Republic in Shadows of Starlight #1, the next comic run we have to look forward to is The High Republic (2023) from writer Cavan Scott, which arrives on Nov. 8.

Last week, StarWars.com had a preview of the first issue, which features JEDI MASTER Keeve Trennis reflecting on the tragic loss of her master, the destruction of Starlight Beacon, and the mysterious horror of the Nameless creatures.

Book characters headed to Young Jedi Adventures

While so much of The High Republic is marked by tragedy, one of the brightest spots of the era is the seriously adorable Young Jedi Adventures animated series.

In first-look images from the next season, IGN revealed that Padawan Bell Zettifar, his Master Loden Greatstorm, and his trusty charhound Ember will all make appearances. The younglings also make a trip to Starlight Beacon and visit the Jedi of the Outer Rim station, including Estala Maru.

With the series set before the station’s dedication (end of Light of the Jedi), there’s plenty of time to bring the station and many of the other High Republic Jedi to animated life.

Young Jedi Adventures is created for kids, but I have a feeling adult High Republic fans are going to love the next season. I can’t wait to see Bell and Loden again.

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