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Razor's Edge (Star Wars: Empire and Rebellion, #1)
Razor's Edge (Star Wars: Empire and Rebellion, #1)
Martha Wells | 2013 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
5
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Star Wars: Empire and Rebellion.

The name now given to those novels set roughly during the period of the original movies.

And with me being unsure, I have to say, whether this particular entry is still considered Canon, or if it had been given 'Legend' (aka the old EU) status.

Anyway, this is set after the events of A New Hope but before those of The Empire Strikes Back, and largely focuses on Leia Organa's response to the situation when she uncovers the fact that a group of pirates, preying on victims in the Outer Rim, are all survivors of Alderaan (and some of whom blame her for the destruction of said planet).

With passages also told from the point of view of Han Solo and, to a lesser extent, Luke Skywalker, this thus very much follows the original trio of stars from the original trilogy.

It's just a pity that I never really got the sense that it *was* Leia, Han or Luke - I can't really put my finger on it, but - to me - there just seemed something 'off' slightly.

Still, other readers mileage may vary!
  
When I read the blurb of this, the first thing I immediately thought of was:

Romeo and Juliet.
But in space.
And with warring planets instead of warring families.

Now that I've finished it, I can say that - while there *is* a (strong) element of truth in that, it's also not the whole picture.

Set during the High Republic era of Star Wars (so even before the much-maligned TV series 'The Acolyte'), this was an actually an era I hadn't yet dipped my toes in to - to me, Star Wars has always been in and around the time of the original trilogy (showing my age here).

Still, for a 99 pence offer, I thought I might as well give it a try.

While it's by no means the worst Star Wars book I've read (and I've read a few...), it's also not the strongest contender: there's nothing wrong with it per se, and the setting does free it from the usual Jedi vs Sith shenanigans, and so whilst I may pick up any the direct sequel (by a different author, I believe), I'm also not in any rush to do so.
  
Halloween Ends (2022)
Halloween Ends (2022)
2022 | Horror
6
6.0 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Surprisingly a step-up, the best of the trilogy.
Halloween Ends introduces us to Corey (Rohan Campbell), a young man with a dark image for having ended the life of a boy (he claims it was an accident.)
Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) is trying to move on, along with Allyson (Andi Matichak), but Michael Myers still lurks in the shadows.

Halloween Ends is overall a mixed bag, but I was surprised that I mostly enjoyed it.
Rohan Campbell is great in his role, and Matichak gives her best performance.
The film has a darker more serious tone, I loved it.

Now for the downsides.
Laurie was annoying, her dumb, philosophical narrations are cringe-inducing, and she does little throughout the film.
Michael is practically pointless. He's shown as weak, and helpless.
The final moments with Michael are a letdown, the last 20 minutes or so are dull and disappointing.

Honestly, Halloween Ends would've worked way better as an original horror film centered around Corey,
All the throwbacks to the franchise and the final fight between Michael and Laurie felt tired and spiritless.
Worth a watch, but definitely not perfect.