EPISODE VIII: THE NEW RESISTANCE LEADER...

In what could never be a worse time for the Resistance, now almost at the point of extinction, and with the near death of their bold and spirited leader in General Leia Organa, desperate times require desperate measures as an intriguing new choice of leadership in Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo takes the seat of fleet command decision, in this memorable moment from The Last Jedi. 

EPISODE VIII: MASTER CODEBREAKER, MASTER GAMBLER!

At the legendary Canto Bight gambling establishment for the powerful, the elitist, and the corrupt, the talents of  the infamous 'Master Codebreaker' (Justin Theroux, enjoying a special cameo), identified by his red plom bloom lapel emblem, enjoys some quality time with a few lady friends (including British actress/model Lily Cole as 'Lovey'), in a classy image from The Last Jedi. 

Justin Theroux Originally Had A Bigger Role In Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Cinemablend

EPISODE VIII: ONE MAN WAR MACHINE!

He's stalled for time long enough, now ace pilot Poe Dameron makes an incredible one-man (and droid) X-wing fighter assault on the First Order dreadnought's heavy duty laser cannons - his plan ultimately being the first stage to an even bigger offensive during the memorable space conflict start to The Last Jedi.

EPISODE VIII: ROSE AND THE FATHIERS!

It's a dream come true for plucky mechanic Rose Tico, if not in the best of circumstances, as she meets the charming but ill-treated beasts of beauty and speed, the Fathiers, held in their enclosed environ pens at the ill-repute Canto Bight, in this sweet little Black Beauty-esque moment from The Last Jedi.

EPISODE VIII: THE PRICE OF FAILURE!

No place, no matter how far away in time and space, is safe if you fail in your orders for Supreme Leader Snoke, as General Hux soon finds out to physical cost during an eerie and powerful character moment from The Last Jedi that effectively establishing the power and danger of the First Order's villainous leader.

The lack of information on Snoke's origins, and how he became linked to both the Solo family and the New Republic, was a big disappointment for many fans of the new movie. Here's hoping one day that someone like James Luceno will do an official book to fill-in the historical gaps.

Explaining Snoke in The Last Jedi:
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1829709/rian-johnson-further-explains-his-decision-not-to-reveal-more-about-snoke

EPISODE VIII: POE IN COMMAND!

He'll be leading his comrades in Black Squadron into battle against the First Order with the same kind of gung-ho courage and determination he prior displayed with The Force Awakens, yet in The Last Jedi, Poe Dameron will be showing more of his leadership abilities alongside General Leia Organa than we've yet seen, her grooming him to be the Resistance's potentially greatest leader. With the continued and worrying absence of Leia's Jedi brother, however, can he ever possibly live up to such high hopes and ideals from a woman, a leader, a now grieving widow, whom he has so much respect for?

OUT NOW IN UK PAPERBACK: 'THE LAST JEDI'

Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff have another enjoyable book added to their STAR WARS roster-THE LAST JEDI- out now in paperback in the UK from ARROW BOOKS. The aftermath of ORDER 66 is the doom-laden setting, as Jedi survivor turned rebel hero Jax Pavan and the Whiplash group continue to be a major thorn in the side of a the newly formed Galactic Empire changing the universe. In service of his new Master, Darth Vader, whom Pavan knows the secret identity of, has already begun his unique and frightening pursuit of Pavan, and things will never be the same again...

It's a likable enough read-the EU fan favourite duo have done their homework, clearly enjoying their characters and situations they've created as they integrate them into George Lucas's already iconic environs and continuity (which remain bigger and better than anything the book authors themselves can come up with). There's murder, betrayal, lightsabers and large-size action amidst some overwritten moments here and there. No classic by any means, THE LAST JEDI, an additional part of the Coruscant Nights series, also works as a respectable stand-alone adventure to be consumed with a nice chocolate egg over the Easter holidays...

AFICIONADO RATING: 3 out of 5

Get hold of THE LAST JEDI here: The Last Jedi: Star Wars: Amazon.co.uk: Michael Reaves, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff: Books