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Resistance
A Youtini Reading Guide
"So you're with the Resistance?" "Obviously. Yes I am. I'm with the Resistance, yeah. I am with the Resistance." "I've never met a Resistance fighter before."
The First Order was born from the ashes of the Empire, complete with Star Destroyers, TIE Fighters, stormtroopers, and a wannabe Emperor-figure with his black masked and red-bladed enforcer. When the New Republic demilitarized following the defeat of the Empire at the Battle of Jakku, need for a secret group embodying the ideals of the Rebel Alliance arose. Who else to lead the new rebellion but the Princess-turned-General, Leia Organa? The galaxy needed a military group to defend it from the evils of the First Order. That’s where the Resistance fits in.
Leia is supported by numerous other heroes of the Alliance, including Admiral Ackbar, Nien Nunb, and C-3PO. Joining the old-timers are the new faces of the Sequel Trilogy: X-Wing pilots like Poe Dameron, Snap Wexley, and Jessika Pava; bombers like Paige Tico and her technician sister, Rose; droids like BB-8 and PZ-4CO; not to mention Rebel scum like Finn their own resident Jedi, Rey! There is an incredible wealth of characters and stories to be explored within the Resistance.
But let’s be honest—distinguishing the difference between Empire and First Order, Rebels and Resistance can be difficult for the average moviegoer. That’s where the Expanded Universe comes in handy. Claudia Gray’s Bloodline, set seven years before The Force Awakens, tells of the origins of both the Resistance and First Order and of Leia’s place in galactic politics. New books on the horizon, Resistance Reborn and Spark of the Resistance promise to give us more detail than ever before. Recently released Black Spire sees Resistance agents Vi Moradi and Archex on a mission to set up a secret Resistance base on the out-of-the-way planet of Batuu. After reading these, you’ll be ready to be the light that will burn the First Order down! Or at least to be the spark that will light the fire, but regardless, there’s some good books here to read!
After the fall of the Empire, the Senate is split into the Populist and Centrist parties. Both profess the goal of restoring the Republic, though they are unable to set aside their opposing views. Tired of the pointless bickering within the Senate, Leia takes on one final mission before retiring. However, the mission proves to be bigger than she originally thought, inducing chaos and unveiling corruption.
Leave it to Claudia Gray to make politics exciting with action and drama! Bloodline is also an excellent gateway into the sequel trilogy, making this an essential read for fans interested in that era.
After the Battle of Crait, General Organa's Resistance is decimated almost to the point of oblivion. But the fight is not over; they need allies and outposts. Leia sends her best spy, Vi Moradi, along with the newly reformed Archex to Black Spire Outpost where the pair will learn to deal with their past traumas, recruit an entirely new crew, and do their best to hide from the sinister First Order who has followed them all the way to Batuu.
Almost every Star Wars movie gets a significant prequel novel, but perhaps none as highly anticipated as Resistance Reborn. Sequel-era material is few and far between, especially something involving major characters! Resistance Reborn features prominent characters like Poe, Leia, Chewbacca, Finn, and even Rey, as they look to rebuild the Resistance from the remnants remaining at the end of The Last Jedi. The plot involves the Resistance leaders gathering allies after their call for help on Crait went unanswered. Resistance Reborn is a promising story of consequence bridging the gap between Episodes VIII and IX.
This collection is part of the ongoing “Age of” series of loosely connected one-shots set in the Republic, Rebellion, and Resistance eras. This book shows a wide swath of personal stories showing four very different Resistance characters: Rey, Rose, Finn, and Poe. We find out what makes them tick, why they want to be part of the Resistance, and what exactly makes them heroic. Stories about these newer characters are still sparse, so you won’t want to miss these!
Disney/Lucasfilm Press have released several middle-grade novels leading up to each of the Sequel Trilogy films, and have been wonderful contributions to Star Wars storytelling. They even feature several illustrations by legendary comics artist Phil Noto! Justina Ireland's book fits into the Journey to The Rise of Skywalker publishing program as a prequel to Episode IX. This book feels like exactly what we’ve been waiting for, as it places Rey, Rose, and Poe on a quest for the Resistance including a battle against the First Order, classic Star Wars creatures, and even a superweapon. Although billed as a middle-grade novel, you’ll be disappointed if you skip it, no matter your age!
The Force Awakens introduced fans to the best pilot in the Galaxy—the Resistance's X-Wing pilot, Poe Dameron. In this, his ongoing comics series set in the months leading up to Episode VII, we get introduced to to the full cast of characters who comprise Black Squadron. We also meet Agent Terrix, Poe's arch nemesis, a high-ranking First Order officer with a complex backstory explored throughout the series. Not to mention BB-8's wonderful role as Poe's sidekick!
Alan Dean Foster brings his fantasy and sci-fi storytelling experience to Star Wars canon for the first time in his adaption of the highly-anticipated 2015 film The Force Awakens
The official novelization of the film expands upon the events shown onscreen, giving readers the chance to see the Resistance engage in battle with the First Order from the unique points of view of different characters. Whether you're a fan of Rey, Poe, Finn, or a combination of figures old and new, this book will take you on a journey across the galaxy you'll not soon forget.
Jason Fry gets the honor of continuing Star Wars’s rich history with novel adaptation. In particular, his novelization shines in adding additional material to enhance the story in written form, such as Luke’s Force vision introduction and re-insterting deleted scenes from the film–even Rey’s third lesson! The novel allows us to get an inside look at certain characters such as BB-8 during the space battle over D’qar. Reading the novel of Episode Eight will allow you to soak up the story like never before, taking your time with the characters and getting the story from all-new perspectives.
Cobalt Squadron tells the story of the Resistance's crack bomber pilots and technicians, including sisters Rose and Paige Tico, survivors of a world overrun by the First Order. Encountering another family on the run, the sisters undertake a mission to provide emergency aid to the Alterra system. Outwitting the First Order and helping people in need will take all of their ingenuity, bravery, and teamwork.
Cobalt Squadron overlaps the events of The Force Awakens and establishes the back-story for the Tico sisters. Many readers will find it helps deepen their appreciation for Paige and Rose as we see them on screen in The Last Jedi. In particular, it adds weight to Rose's sense of loss and her deepening sense of resolve through the film.
Before an unknown scavenger left her home in search of greater meaning; before a stormtrooper deserted his post; before a pilot found the map his general was looking for; Rey, Finn, and Poe were just ordinary people trying to survive a war-torn galaxy.
This young adult novel features stories about the new heroes of the galaxy, an essential read for anyone curious about what life was like for key The Force Awakens characters before the film begins.
Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Moving Target is an excellent Leia novel setting up for the Battle of Endor. Han Solo is frozen in Carbonite, but that won’t stop Leia from leading the Rebellion against the Empire. She leads a ragtag group of Rebels in a mission to distract the Empire while the larger Rebel fleet prepares to act on the intelligence they’ve received about the Death Star being built at Endor. Moving Target is the only one of the Journey to the Force Awakens middle-grade novels set between Episodes V and VI, and features a compelling frame story with General Leia set just prior to The Force Awakens.
The Force Awakens introduced Star Wars fans to a new kind of villain -- a female stormstrooper commanding her troops behind reflective chrome armor. Through the end of the film, Captain Phasma remained mostly a mystery. Who was she? Where did she come from? And why did she look different than all the other stormtroopers?
Delilah S. Dawson managed to answer all of our burning questions about this antagonist in her adult novel, Phasma. Throughout the book, readers learn the ruthless extremes the character takes in order to survive, and how she finds herself among the high ranks of the First Order, despite never having heard of them before.
In keeping with Alderaanian tradition, Princess Leia undergoes her Day of Demand, where she claims her right as heir to the throne and determines how she will prove herself worthy. Yet things have been tense between her and her adopted parents, Queen Breha and Viceroy Bail Organa. As Leia - also a member of the Empire's Apprentice Legislature - undertakes her challenges of the Body, Mind, and Spirit, she learns more about her adoptive parents than she ever suspected and begins her own journey that will forever change the galaxy.
