Star Wars Beyond the Films‘ Nathan P. Butler is now posting short, non-spoiler reviews for many new releases. Spoiler-filled discussion will often follow in the weeks or months thereafter on the podcast.
A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Córdova (hardcover, 2019)
The 2019 launch of the Galaxy’s Edge Disney theme parks has, as expected, been accompanied by a slew of new Star Wars stories set on the planet Batuu, the theme park’s fictional setting within Star Wars canon. Disney Lucasfilm Press’ first major outing for the Galaxy’s Edge story setting is A Crash of Fate, a young adult novel by Star Wars newcomer Zoraida Córdova. How does it hold up, especially given that it is in the company of other young adult Star Wars novels from Disney Lucasfilm Press like Lost Stars and Rebel Rising?
A Crash of Fate
Set in the gap between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, A Crash of Fate follows two young adults: Izal “Izzy” Garsea and Julen “Jules” Rakab. The duo grew up together on Batuu but were separated when Izzy’s mother and father suddenly whisked the family offworld. Now, years later, they are young adults with very different paths through life, but those paths have brought them back into contact on Batuu to face new threats and their own feelings toward each other.
This novel was one that in some respects tested my own categorization of Star Wars stories. One of the distinctions that emerged among Star Wars stories over the years has been the idea of some stories being demonstrably “Star Wars stories,” while others are relatively generic stories that could be set in any sci-fi universe that just happen to have been set in the Star Wars universe. For many readers, I would argue that A Crash of Fate is the latter. There is very little here other than the general setting that screams “Star Wars.” This is a story that could easily have been swapped nearly unchanged into Firefly, Farscape, or any number of sci-fi universes. On the other hand, I think that sometimes comes down to how much a given story’s setting has ingrained itself as Star Wars in the minds of the audience. For example, if a story were to be set on Cloud City, that setting might make a story feel like “Star Wars” due to its location, regardless of the plot. So far, though, most fans have little to no experience with Batuu, unless they have been fortunate to actually check out Disney’s new Star Wars theme park extravaganza. For most readers, the setting here cannot act as what makes it Star Wars because it is this story (and its companion works) that must cement the setting as Star Wars in readers’ minds in the first place.
That said, I would usually argue that a story that is generic enough to be from any sci-fi universe would not be a particularly strong read for Star Wars fans . . . but I find that I can’t hold to that usual assertion in this case. Yes, the story of Izzy and Jules isn’t heavily reliant on its Star Wars elements, and its broad strokes are predictable enough that you could probably plot the bulk of the book after the first few chapters. However, the characters are written in such a “human” and relatable way that it’s easy to get swept up with their story and want to keep reading. It’s a Star Wars book that eschews the heavy saga lore and tie-ins of Lost Stars but manages to give us a relationship between the two main characters that feels most familiar when considering Claudia Gray’s tale of star-crossed lovers. It was a ride that I was able to enjoy despite my preconceived expectations of how much I’d like (or not like) a “generic” feeling Star Wars tale. In that, it rather surprised me.
I would note for those who might read the novel that this is written basically for young adults about young adults, so expet the typical Star Wars young adult canon novel level of sexual innuendo/content (not a ton, but more than in most of the adult novels) and for characters to cycle through the same hormone-driven, confused thoughts repeatedly. The repetitive thoughts expressed can be seen as either overkill or an accurate representation of how individuals of that age tend to obesess over such thoughts and feelings. The latter perspective just adds to how “human” the characters seem.
Before reaching the final verdict, I should also note here that this will probably be a controversial book in the ongoing debate over representation in Star Wars. The writer, Zoraida Córdova, is originally from Ecuador, and she brings a Latin American representational “presence” into the story through the choice of various names (Garsea, Atta Walpa, an anagram of “Ecuador” for a new planet, etc.). Specifically, the use of the obvious Star Wars-ization of “Garcia” as “Garsea” has raised some eyebrows. In this case, though, I’d argue that Córdova’s quasi-Tuckerization of real world names into Star Wars works well and actually helps to allow the reader to easily connect the physical description of characters like Izzy to their names for smooth characterization. It is the Star Wars novel equivalent of the casting of Mexian actor Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in terms of trying to bring Latin American representation into Star Wars without being heavy-handed or out of place in doing so.
The Verdict
All of my typical frustartions with Star Wars stories that turn out to feel like generic sci-fi stuffed into a Star Wars setting weren’t enough to derail my enjoyment of A Crash of Fate. Fans of Lost Stars shouldn’t expect as saga-heavy of a read, but that is perhaps the closest thing to this novel that fans have seen thus far. I don’t think the novel did much to cement “Batuu” as a new major Star Wars planet, but I will be curious to see how reading this novel informs my perceptions when reading the Galaxy’s Edge comics again or when reading Del Rey’s debut Galaxy Edge novel tie-in, Black Spire. A Crash of Fate is a solid, enjoyable read, especially for people who enjoy stories of young love (that aren’t as much of cautionary tales as Romeo and Juliet). It won’t be for everyone, but it made for a nice change of pace for this reader.
Recommended for: Those looking for a new Star Wars love story or to dip their toes (just a bit) into the waters of Disney’s new theme park setting.
Not recommended for: Those seeking a story that feels more Star Wars than a generic sci-fi tale that happens to be set in the Star Wars universe.
The copy used for this review was provided by Disney Lucasfilm Press, as was an uncorrected proofs copy, though the reviewer also purchased a finished copy at retail.
