SPECULATION are the Journey to the Force Awakens books necessary?

I just buy these books if the movie its good, otherwise no way. So I'll wait until they release in Brazil (and that will take months...).

 

To me Star Wars has always been just the films. I've never read any of the novels, and as a kid I stopped reading the comics when they introduced the big green rabbit. I do remember one novel about the wedding between Han and Leia, but I didn't pick it up. As far as the new books, I think after the movie comes out, there will be more books going deeper into the 30 year gap.

 

For furthering the story and allowing insight? No

To help Disney pay the mortgage? Yes

 

Yeah, the films definitely take priority... and that's why we aren't getting much of that backstory, because they want it to be new and exciting still come December.

I think some of the media deserves the moniker (Shattered Empire comes to mind), but yeah some of it doesn't seem overmuch to be a "Journey" so to speak.

 

These books aren't intended to introduce he new characters, that would spoil their effect in the new film, they are meant to establish the state of the Galaxy in the time between ROTJ and TFA. In aftermath (that's the only one I've read) we get glimpses of what the Galaxy looks like outside of the war that occupied the entire OT. We get a feel for how the landscape has evolved and how it could continue to change in a way that would lead to TFA. If you're looking to be introduced to new characters then don't bother with the new books. If you want to gain a better understanding of TGFFA and deepen your knowledge of the Star Wars universe (especially as it pertains to TFA) then give them a chance. You'd think fans as die-hard as U.S. Would jump at ANY opportunity to step into that Galaxy far far away.

--- Double Post Merged, Sep 19, 2015, Original Post Date: Sep 19, 2015 ---

also

Spoiler: Aftermath

if you take the time to read aftermath through to the epilogue, you wouldn't be saying that we haven't been introduced to smoke with absolute certainty.

 

"The Journey" isn't only about filling in that 30 year gap. It's also about getting younger Star Wars fans up to speed about some of the core characters. Believe it or not, but the Clone Wars/Rebels generation might not know who Luke is... and that's info they'll need!

 

The books are not necessary to understand TFA. There will be some Easter eggs in the movie for people who have read the books, but people who have not read them will not be lost when they watch the movie.

The books do not cover the entire 30-year period yet, probably because they would otherwise give away some of the surprises from TFA (where is Luke, who is Snoke, etc.). I think the remaining 30-year period will be covered in the books that will be released after TFA (in the next four years). For example, it has been announced that there will be two more Aftermath books.

 

I was hoping for real hearty stories of our old big 3 after ROTJ. I believe they've decided to stay away from our main characters and save them for the movie. As it stands, it looks like these books are going to tease a lead up to the film, but ultimately be perfectly noncommittal, perfectly forgetable, perfectly diverse and perfectly safe bores.

 

One of the comics have Poe's parents in it. They more or less are telling what happened in the thirty year span.

You surely didn't expect them to talk about Snoke and Kylo did you? It's illogical to think they'd remove the mystery surrounding the villains of the new trilogy.

 

I've read a lot of mixed reviews over all the books or novels, that has been my reason for not picking them up and others have said they are very disjointed. They seemed rushed, not well planned out and that is what i mean by disjointed. We already had several hundred books and history but they threw it all out.

 

So far I have read "Moving Target" and "The Smuggler's Run", and currently reading "Weapon of a Jedi". Maybe I am taking longer on this one since I prefer Han and Leia over Luke (SW fans gasping in 3,2...). Anyway, liked those two books actually. Both have prologue and epilogue near TFA, not giving away too much but at least they tie somehow the main story with those moments. I liked "Moving Target" since it shows more of the leader and strategist nature of Leia, plus the contradictions she carries with her (duty vs love) and her lingering guilt for Alderaan. "Smuggler's Run" deepens on the story-arc of Han - a smuggler with a heart of gold - getting into a bigger cause.

As I have read the rest of the comics released by Marvel so far, they are tying a little bit more on the period of time between ANH and ESB - Moving Target being the exception, happening between ESB and ROTJ. They are a short and entertaining read.