Other random observations from the SW:TFA Junior Novelization

kateofthecanals:

Aside from the fact that the author is QUITE preoccupied with Kylo Ren’s physical appearance more than any other character’s, some other stuff I took note of:

– The book is told in sections of third-person limited narratives, which I love because it echoes ASOIAF. Honestly I don’t think I can read anything any other way from now on, LOL.

– It’s supposed to be for ages 8-12, but I found it really sophisticated for elementary-age kids! Not just in the language but in the themes and emotional nuance and whatnot. Maybe I’m just underestimating the reading comprehension skills of 8-12-year-olds?

– Even CHEWY gets a POV section??? LMAO. It’s a good one, though – it’s immediately after Han is killed. So, it’s super sad but also gives insight into his decision not to kill Kylo.

– Lots more Poe! This book actually gives us what happened to him after he crash-landed on Jakku with Finn and how he got back to the Resistance. Since this book is considered official canon, it makes me wonder/worry if Poe really IS the #3 in the Holy Trinity of the new trilogy along with Rey and Finn, and not Kylo. Not sure of the timeline of this book in relation to the film, but I wonder if it wasn’t just simply a response to the reception Poe received from audiences? So then they decided to build him up more in this book?

– This book lays on the Rey/Finn shippiness reeeeaaaal thick. Even moreso than the film. Thing is, they kinda lay some groundwork for Rey/Poe too?? They actually meet face-to-face in the book (during the scene when R2 comes back to life and they put the map together). There’s actually some chemistry there too, I felt. Almost as if the author is trying to cover his bases in case either pairing goes canon, LMAO. Also, the last line from their scene together is: “Poe had a feeling their paths would soon cross again.” Again, more evidence, it seems, that Poe might be the third in the Trio.

– So, where does that leave Reylo? I gotta say, I didn’t really feel like the book was laying too much (if any) groundwork for a potential Rey/Kylo “romance” or anything approaching it. Rey seems to express only one emotion towards Kylo, and that is RAGE. Which, you know, you can hardly blame her, but there’s little nuance outside of that. Kylo, on the other hand, does most definitely display an acute fascination and curiosity about Rey, so if anything, the book is building up a one-sided obsession on Kylo’s part. 

– But I have to say, the language the author chooses when describing Kylo and Rey’s interactions is very… sensual?? Talking about how Rey can still “feel him” even when she’s not looking at him, describing his reading of her mind as “tendrils”, having him physically touch and stroke her face, addressing her by her name… whew! It should also be noted that he removes her restraints after she wakes up in the interrogation room. It should definitely be noted that this book goes out of its way to clarify that Rey was not afraid of Kylo in this scene – pissed off af, yes, but fear, no. In fact, the only fear she feels in this scene is HIS fear!

– The book also explicitly states that Rey could have killed Kylo in the forest but deliberately chose not to. This is told from Kylo’s POV, so we don’t get a definitive explanation as to WHY, but it’s clear that she had every opportunity but declined, instead just walking away to tend to Finn.

– The book makes an interesting parallel between Rey and Kylo though – Rey actually states to Leia, right before leaving to find Luke, that this must feel like deja vu all over again, because of how Leia sent away Ben to Luke too. EEP!

– Rey’s interactions with Unkar Plutt made my skin crawl. Almost feels like a deliberate parallel with Kylo and Snoke. 

– Leia’s one POV section, following Han’s death and the destruction of Starkiller Base, reminded me a lot of Cat’s chapters following Ned’s death… all about how she wanted nothing more in the world than to be alone with her pain and grieve for her family, but she can’t because she needs to appear strong for her warriors. UGH…. 

– “In his last few seconds of life, he thought of the Falcon and his furry first mate and his beautiful princess, but he saw only his son. The darkness in his eyes. And the sadness. Han forgave his son for what he had done. He prayed someday his son would forgive him in turn.” (ooooommmmmgggggg)