I fell in love with Star Wars as a kid. I remember seeing the original “Star Wars” movie – I refuse to call it “A New Hope” – and being totally enamored, even though I’m not a big sci fi fan. 

All these decades later, we’re coming to the end of the Skywalker saga. If you’ve seen “The Rise of Skywalker” and you’re going through withdrawals, or if, like me, you haven’t seen it yet, pick up “Star Wars: Resistance Reborn” by Rebecca Roanhorse.

“Resistance Reborn” fills in the gap between “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker.” 

After losing badly to the First Order, the Resistance is so decimated all they have left is the Millennium Falcon and a handful of starfighters. 

General Leia Organa is left to shoulder the leadership for the small band of survivors. Physically depleted, she is dealing with the after-effects of being ejected into outer space when the First Order blew up the bridge of the Raddus. That move killed most of the Resistance’s high command officers. Adding to her emotional suffering is the fact that she’s lost both Han and, more recently, her brother Luke. But she’s still our princess, still resourceful, and still determined to fight the First Order. 

With her is a group of youngsters, ace pilot Poe Dameron, mechanic Rose Tico, communications officer Lt. Connix, former stormtrooper and now self-professed “Rebel scum” Finn, and former Jakku scavenger and powerful Force-wielder Rey, among others. She gets much needed support from Han’s old Falcon crewmate Chewbacca. But what Leia needs is more people, especially leaders she can count on. That’s her mission: rebuild the Resistance so they can burn down the First Order. 

The person she’s counting on most is Poe, but he’s not sure he’s up to the job after his colossal screw-up on the Raddus. That misjudgment cost them ships and lives and is weighing heavily on Poe’s conscience. Can he trust himself to not make a big mistake again? 

Because if he does, it will mean the death of the Resistance. 

This book is called “Resistance Reborn” but it might as well be called “The Redemption of Poe Dameron.”

Told more from Poe’s point of view, it shows his self-doubt as he tries to be Leia’s right-hand man as she rebuilds the Resistance. 

Gone is the cocky pilot who believed he had only to jump in an X-wing and blow something up to make a difference. It’s nice to see Poe growing up as he struggles with the consequences of his impetuosity that cost the Resistance so dearly in “The Last Jedi.” Don’t get me wrong, the movies are great, but I really like seeing the character development that you can only get by reading a book.

Roanhorse has a tricky job. She has to fill in the time between the two movies, without giving away anything, and make it all make sense. Showing Poe’s struggle to come to terms and forgive himself was a great thread to follow because what he did was a huge part of the reason they are where they are. Another great move was showing what this long conflict has done to Leia. 

I’ve always liked Poe Dameron, as portrayed by Oscar Isaac on the big screen, and I really enjoyed getting to see deeper layers to his personality that go beyond just his loyalty to the Resistance and his self-confidence as a pilot. 

It’s bittersweet to see Leia. On the one hand, there’s the indomitable princess we’ve grown to love, but Roanhorse has infused her with vulnerability that can’t help but call to mind the fact that Carrie Fisher is no longer with us. 

Roanhorse also blends new characters with a few old faces quite handily. After suffering the loss of so many familiar characters that we’ve known for four decades, it was great to know Wedge Antilles is still in the fight.

In this day and age, people expect their heroes to be perfect, with no flaws, no doubts, no mis-steps, but the fact is, nobody is perfect. Roanhorse illustrates that quite early in the book by showing many of those left in the Resistance have less-than-impeccable backgrounds. Leia had the consummate come-back for that. 

While Poe’s pedigree is cleaner than most – after all, his parents served with the Rebel Alliance and he was raised as a Rebel – Roanhorse makes it clear that it’s not your past that’s important, it’s what you do going forward. 

That’s a lesson that resonates whether you’re in a galaxy far, far away or right here in 2020.

If you want to delve further into the Star Wars universe, there are dozens of Star Wars-related novels out there. If you want to read more about the time between “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker,” there are a few besides “Resistance Reborn,” including “Choose Your Destiny: A Finn & Poe Adventure” by Cavan Scott; “Spark of the Resistance” by Justina Ireland; and “Force Collector” by Kevin Shinick.

Happy reading and may the Force be with you.