As seen in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, welcome to the casino city of Canto Bight. A place where exotic aliens, captivating creatures, and other would-be high rollers are willing to risk everything to make their fortunes. Set across one fateful evening, these four interconnected stories explore the deception and danger of the lavish casino city.
In Canto Bight, one is free to revel in excess, untouched from the problems of a galaxy once again descending into chaos and war. Dreams can become reality, but the stakes have never been higher—for there is a darkness obscured by all the glamour and luxury.
There’s a moment in The Last Jedi when Rose & Finn are in the casino city of Canto Bight. Finn is enamored of the place…dazzled. They’re watching a fathier race from a distance, through a set of binoculars. He tells her how beautiful he thinks it all is…and she says “Look closer.” This collection of four novellas gives us that closer look.
Rules of the Game – Saladin Ahmed
A hapless & gullible tourist. An aging hitman with a conscience. One crazy fucking night in Canto Bight. This one is a lot of fun, with some gut-punchy moments, too. Ahmed creates such distinctive voices for the two POVs!
The Wine in Dreams – Mira Grant
My favorite of the four, and a story that really appealed to my beer geek side! Legendary sommelier Derla Pidys travels the galaxy buying & selling the very best wine, the worst wine, poisonous wine, and everything in between. When she learns about a bottle of wine (brought to Canto Bight by the Grammus twins, who claim to be from another dimension) so indescribably amazing, she has to have it. But nightclub owner Ubialla Gheal has other plans. Shit. Goes. Down. This is beautifully written! Really hope to see a full Star Wars novel from Mira Grant at some point!!
Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing – Rae Carson
The story of Lexo Sooger, a famous masseur, and his adopted human daughter, Lula. Lula is kidnapped in attempt (by the gangster Big Sturg Ganna) to strong-arm Lexo into spying. Lexo will stop at nothing to see his daughter safe…this story goes into some dark & gritty places!
The Ride – John Jackson Miller
Probably the lightest of the bunch, and written by one of my very favorite Star Wars authors!! This is the story of Kal Sonmi, a gambler employed by the Canto Casino. He’s down on his luck, and has one night to come up with a shitload of cash, or he’s done for, dead. He meets three wacky brothers who seem to be touched by some kind of endless lucky streak…to a point. It’s up to Kal to figure out how this all works, where to place his bets, and how to stay alive to see the sunrise. A really fun story by a completely legendary Star Wars author!
This is a great collection of stories, and got me reading three authors I’ve never read anything by! Really enjoyed Canto Bight!!
Grimdark Dad 