There's a lot to like in Shinick's writing but I don't get why he was forced to build a firewall around characters he developed. Turns it into a "clip-show" when the book could have been much more interesting with the present day teenagers. ( )

This third book on the path between The Last Jedi and The Rise of the Skywalker was a delightful romp. I love getting into the heads of characters who aren't the main characters we've all seen so much of, and watching them struggle, grow, fail, and triumph. I love the Force Gift displayed in this one and watching our main character struggle to put the pieces together in the right ways.

I know that there are many readers who found this book just "a rehash of all the big moments of this cinematic series," but people tend to forget that the universe of Star Wars doesn't see itself and those moments as big as the fans who have watched it do. I love how this book highlights how much the people on the ground don't know things about the past, about the war, or the war before the war. I love how much it highlights the little people actually know about the Jedi truly, and how tightly those who do keep that knowledge or any physical hints of those times.

I doubt we'll get much more in this specific character's universe, but I would absolutely read it if we did. ( )

Narrated by Euan Morton; YA

Following a teen named Karr who goes on an adventure to discover mysteries about himself and the Jedi; the story spans the galaxy to the very edges of wild space.

Karr has always had this feeling that he's different but everyone else just made fun of him. He can touch objects and get visions of what the object has seen. He has this feeling he has Jedi powers so he takes off with his friend to find out exactly what happened.

The story is part of the "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" series and fills in some plot between Episodes VII: The Last Jedi and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. The characters are teens and there are very funny moments as well as some interesting interactions in places readers may have seen/heard of such as Jakku and Batuu [Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge @ Disneyland].

Overall, an 8-hour listening experience that was fun to listen to, and I really liked getting some interaction with other characters like Maz Kanata.

Recommended for ages 7-adult [this is an audio version which may bore young listeners]. Some moments of danger might be scary for any younger readers. ( )

An entertaining yet forgettable story set in the years before the plot of The Force Awakens.

Do you remember those filler episodes in your favorite series where all they do is sit around remembering things from past episodes? That’s the best analogy to what Force Collector is.

The story of Force Collector follows a young Force sensitive man going through the galaxy looking for the meaning of his powers while uncovering the “mysteries” of the Jedi and the truth of the galactic wars they were involved in.

The fact that these “mysteries” are just recollections of the events of the prequel and original trilogies make this a piece that reads more like fan fiction than a canonical Star Wars book.

The most interesting parts are the rumors and in universe explanations some people give to the events of Star Wars, especially those that are false, like Luke being on Jakku bringing down Star Destroyers down from the sky with the Force. ( )