The Living Force Full Spoiler Review

 The Living Force by John Jackson Miller FULL SPOILER Review

Set a year before The Phantom Menace, John Jackson Miller’s story sees Qui-Gon Jinn challenge the Jedi Council to reconnect with the living force - the people. So the Council travels to Kwenn, a planet once saved by the Jedi in the era of the High Republic during one of Chancellor Soh’s great works. The planet has fallen on hard times as the hyperspace route that brought it wealth falls out of use, and the Jedi close many Temple outposts in the sector.

As the Council travels to Kwenn we get to spend time with every one, and it’s great to get to know the lesser known members a little better, Yarael Poof is hilarious and Even Piell is a lad. We learn what duties the each Master has - Yaddle being in charge of law suits from Jedi actions is pretty funny. While we spend time with each member of the Council, it does feel like Depa Billaba is the main protagonist which made me very happy. She is undercover in a pirate organization led by Zilastra, who is the villain of the piece and is an engaging one with a grudge against the Jedi, and it is this storyline that really provides the action.

The reveal at the end of Palpatine’s part in proceedings and his manipulation of Seneschal Voh, caretaker of the Kwenn Temple, was at first a thrill but as the book has sat with me has begun to feel forced and unnecessary. It feels almost like an afterthought, and I feel it would have worked better if it had been hinted at earlier in the story. 

While the story of this book shows that the Jedi have grown out of touch with the living force and as they reconnect to the people of Kwenn and their problems, I did find myself questioning what was the long term effect on the Council? I would have liked to see more evidence in the epilogue at the end to show whether the Masters learnt any lessons or not, and why as the prequels would suggest they did not. 

There are some unexpected and great canon connections and Easter eggs, starting with an appearance by Heezo - Palpatine’s spy in the Jedi Temple who we first met in Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade. There are plenty of High Republic references and even one where Yaddle mentions the planet Tenoo from Young Jedi Adventures. A recurring character is a young Maximillian Veers, who is a young cadet inexperienced and somewhat inept in the defense fleet (Veers Watch will be happy!). 

A surprising connection are the references to Sifo Dyas, who is responsible for creating Zilastra’s vendetta against the Jedi. Which leads to an important moment when it is made clear by Oppo Rancisis that Jedi do not just take children.

“Jedi never separate families lightly, or any people who depend on one another. When possible, we call on other services to help those who remain, so things are not made worse” 

Overall this was a fun book that sets the scene for the prequels and let’s get to know some characters we did not know so well, although it doesn’t feel as if it affects future events.

A final mention to the map at the start, which was great to refer to, I see often feel lost in Star Wars books. So if anyone from Lucasfilm publishing is reading this - more maps please!

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑/5

Jonny O