After devastating losses at the hands of the First Order, General Leia Organa has dispatched her agents across the galaxy in search of allies, sanctuary, and firepower—and her top spy, Vi Moradi, may have just found all three, on a secluded world at the galaxy’s edge.

 A planet of lush forests, precarious mountains, and towering, petrified trees, Batuu is on the furthest possible frontier of the galactic map, the last settled world before the mysterious expanse of Wild Space. The rogues, smugglers, and adventurers who eke out a living on the largest settlement on the planet, Black Spire Outpost, are here to avoid prying eyes and unnecessary complications. Vi, a Resistance spy on the run from the First Order, is hardly a welcome guest. And when a shuttle full of stormtroopers lands in her wake, determined to root her out, she has no idea where to find help.

 To survive, Vi will have to seek out the good-hearted heroes hiding in a world that redefines scum and villainy. With the help of a traitorous trooper and her acerbic droid, she begins to gather a colorful band of outcasts and misfits, and embarks on a mission to spark the fire of resistance on Batuu—before the First Order snuffs it out entirely. Delilah S. Dawson’s first Star Wars novel, Phasma, was like a shot of adrenaline to a franchise that can sometimes play it a little safe. There were just so many things about that book that were different from what you might expect out of a Star Wars novel, and it was incredibly refreshing. It still stands as one of my very favorite Star Wars novels!

Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire is kind of a loose sequel to Phasma. Well…hmm…maybe not that loose. My honest recommendation would be to read Phasma first, although you could certainly choose not to. Having said that, this review is FOR SURE going to contain spoilers for Phasma, so if you haven’t read that & plan to, it’s time to head for the escape pod!!

So, after the events of Phasma, Resistance spy Vi Moradi is both physically & mentally traumatized. Her experience with Cardinal has left her broken & haunted. But she’s not one to sit still, so back to work it is. Leia has a crucial mission for Vi: recruitment. This book takes place after The Last Jedi, and the Resistance is a shambles. They need any help they can find, so Vi is sent to the planet Batuu (a planet so far out of the way, they figure the First Order won’t ever bother looking there), and more specifically to the Black Spire Outpost. Her job is to recruit as many people to the Resistance as possible, and to set up a base as well.

Joining her on this mission? A gentleman by the name of Archex. Formerly Cardinal.

So, yeah. That’s intense. He’s every bit as damaged & traumatized as Vi, but it doesn’t change the fact that he once tortured her. They have a lot of work to do to forge a working relationship, and learn to trust each other. This is especially difficult for Vi, given the fact that Archex is former First Order. But Vi is this unstoppable force, and determined to see the best in everyone & everything.

The “hook” for this novel is that it ties into the new Galaxy’s Edge theme parks. When you go to either the Disney World or Disneyland version, the setting is the Black Spire Outpost. So, in the absolute nerdiest & best possible way, this book also serves as a bit of a travel guide for the park! Now, I’ve read some reviews & seen some folks who were annoyed about “product placement”, and well…ok. To me, these moments left me feeling fucking giddy, and roughly A MILLION times more excited than I already was to go to Galaxy’s Edge!

Every time Vi was in the cantina having a drink, I’d go to the Galaxy’s Edge website, click on the cantina menu, and FIND THAT DRINK!!! A Dagobah Slug Slinger! A Fuzzy Tauntaun!! A White Wampa Ale!! THIS IS AWESOME!!!! And don’t get me started on the food…FRIED ENDORIAN TIP-YIP!!! I need that.

I think Dawson finds a really delicate balance in this book. There are times where it does feel light & just…pleasant. But she also paints a picture of a First Order that is truly evil, and this book does go to some very dark places.

I absolutely ADORED Black Spire! We meet a bunch of new & interesting characters, and get to know Vi & Archex a whole lot more than we did in Phasma. There’s also some kickass adventure scenes in this book, with some wicked Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider vibes! Dawson does an incredible job bringing life to this planet…beautiful forests, strange creatures, and a lively (and somewhat dangerous) hub full of colorful characters. This book just made my nerdy Star Wars heart so full…oof…this was such a blast to read!

May the Force be with you!