Star Wars: The Perfect Weapon

By Delilah S. Dawson

Star Wars: the Perfect Weapon is a tight, speedy, short story amongst the larger offerings leading up to The Force Awakens; it’s a snack-sized bite into the world years after the Battle of Endor. Whether or not these characters play a role  in the upcoming trilogy, or even in future books, isn’t really the point here. Sure, author Delilah S. Dawson creates some interesting characters, namely the main character (of course) Bazine Netal, but expanding on this corner of the universe and these characters doesn’t feel like the point of this story.

The Perfect Weapon feels like a story that is simply set in the rich Star Wars universe, about some interesting characters that get into some crazy situations and have to badass their way out. You know, pretty straight forward stuff if you think about it, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. Maybe it’s just the burning Star Wars fever (that’s only getting worse), but The Perfect Weapon really is a good, standalone tale.

Okay, sure, as a reader you’d like to know what happens after the mission, and who hired Bazine for this job, and why, but at the same time, not knowing is almost part of the fun. Think of it like Pulp Fiction in space. They had to get this case, that may or may not be glowing gold, and we never ever get to find out what’s in it. It gets the imagination juices flowing something fierce—insert that Vincent Vega gif here, since that’s all that’s coming to mind right now. Damn you, internet—and that’s rare for most books these days.

Since this is such a short book—which is easily read in one sitting; maybe waiting for a bus or waiting in line to see The Force Awakens—it presents a challenge to tell you too much about it without venturing into spoiler territory, so suffice it to say that The Perfect Weapon is a terrific, if small, look into life after the Battle of Endor, with some great characters, great pacing and just the right amount of Star Wars feel without having to include the big four in the cast. For the size and price, this is the book you’re looking for.

(Sorry about that)