Solo: A Star Wars Story Junior Novel
Star Wars Junior Novelizations
Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Written Joe Schreiber
Audiobook narrated by Sean Henin Bradford Hastings
Publisher: Del Rey Books | Random House Audio
Audiobook Release date: September 4, 2018

I’d like to preface this by saying that the next week or so is going to be interesting. I just finished the audiobook of Solo: A Star Wars Story Junior Novel (which I will review here in short order) and then I’m embarking on Solo: A Star Wars Story Expanded Edition. Both are novelizations of the same movie, but with different authors and different voice talents on each. I want to liken it to watching the theatrical and director’s cuts of a film, but I don’t think it’s going to be like that at all, to be honest, because the interpretations by the authors should be slightly different and the lead voice will have a different sound entirely. Bear with me, okay?

I began with the Junior Novel audiobook because I knew I could tear through it pretty quickly and because I’m already familiar with author Joe Schreiber‘s work in the Star Wars Universe having read both Death Troopers and Maul: Lockdown. (I’m pretty sure Death Troopers is the final book I purchased before Borders Books & Music shuttered forever).

I digress.

If you’ve seen the Solo movie starring Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, and Woody Harrelson, then you already know the story behind this book. That’s all it is… a book version of what happened in the movie, scene by scene. If you need a refresher, check out Geeks Of Doom’s review of the film.

But what makes this audiobook a nice complement to the film is that certain elements get called out that you may have missed during the theatrical viewing. It’s amazing how much can be missed when you don’t have an author calling it out for you. Something as simple as a sideway’s glance can have so much impact on a scene and you may have blinked and missed it.

Additionally, a few scenes that wound up on the cutting room floor have been spliced back in. I have to admit, though, that I have not seen the movie since its first week in theaters, so I really am unsure what scenes were replaced.

I also enjoyed Sean Henin‘s voice throughout. He does a good job with a young Han Solo. You can almost envision him as a replacement for Ehrenreich’s voice if such were ever necessary. Plus, he does a solid British accent for Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra and he’s especially great as Paul Bettany’s Dryden Vos.

Simply put, the Junior Novel is a great way to re-acquaint yourself with Solo: A Star Wars Story prior to its release on digital and Blu-ray. It might even help you gain a greater appreciation of the story. I know I did. I’m also pretty curious how the Expanded Edition will build upon that story.

Board the Millennium Falcon for a galactic adventure that explores the story of one of Star Wars’ greatest heroes!

Han Solo leaves his homeworld, Corellia, behind and dreams of becoming the greatest pilot in the galaxy. But before he can find the perfect ship, he’ll have to survive a dangerous job in the criminal underworld! Listen as Han encounters Chewbacca the Wookiee, smuggler Lando Calrissian, and other heroes and villains.

Author Joe Schreiber captures all the excitement and adventure of the hit film!

Audiobook Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
Age Range: 8 – 12 years