[WARNING: Article contains spoilers for the new Star Wars novel Resistance Reborn… and possibly Episode IX. Read on at your own risk.] When JJ Abrams said he wanted Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to tie the entire saga together, he wasn’t kidding. We certainly saw evidence of that in the most recent trailer. Rebecca Roanhorse’s new novel Resistance Reborn gives us a huge jumpstart towards that goal. Here are some of the bigger spoilers and surprises to come from the book.
Resistance Reborn: A who’s who of returning characters
Like Abrams, Roanhorse also dives deep into the Star Wars archives for this novel. Resistance Reborn tells the story of the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Crait, and the Resistance’s efforts to rebuild. In desperation, Leia seeks out old friends and allies to lead the effort. We already know that ace pilot Wedge Antilles is among them. Joining Wedge is his now wife, Norra Wexley. Mother to Black Squadron pilot Temmin “Snap” Wexley, you’ll remember her as the main character of Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath series.
The nostalgia doesn’t stop with Wedge and Norra, though. In the first of the Resistance Reborn character surprises, we have Battlefront II video game characters Shriv Suurgav and Zay Versio joining the effort. Zay is daughter to Iden Versio, the main character of both the game’s campaign mode and the novel Inferno Squadron. Shriv is a Duros, Rebel veteran, and friend to Leia.
In Resistance Reborn Leia begins to feel the effects of that ordeal in earnest. She’s growing tired, and weaker, as the stress of rebuilding the Resistance only compounds her declining health. At this point we’d expect a tearful, emotional deathbed scene in Episode IX.
All in all, the novel plays into JJ Abrams’ plan for The Rise of Skywalker perfectly. We can’t wait to (hopefully) see all of these characters and ships in action come December 20 when Episode IX hits theaters.
In the meantime, Resistance Reborn arrives on bookshelves November 5.
Reviews