Star Wars: Before The Poe-wakening.

So it's been out a couple of weeks, but I finally had a chance to read Star Wars: Before The Awakening. Currently, it's Amazon's #1 New Release in Children's Science Fiction Books.

... Shut up. I like reading young reader books. They make me feel super smart.

Anyway, this book is a nice little collection of three short stories, one each for Finn, Rey, and Poe. As expected, it's an easy quick read (for an adult *cough*) and well worth it.

Finn's story has a lot of scenes involving Phasma, and she just oozes that gleaming, faceless ruthlessness that Gwendolyn Christie so would have nailed if she'd been in TFA for more than a few moments.

In addition, the short story introduces us to the other members of Finn's Stormtrooper fire-team. For example, the hapless FN-2003, or Slip, is the Stormtrooper that Poe expertly snipes during the opening raid sequence on Jakku, and who leaves his bloody hand print on Finn's helmet. Knowing more about the relationship between Finn and Slip definitely adds dimension to Finn's crisis of consciousness during the Jakku raid. If Finn only knew who killed Slip, the Stormpilot ship might enter some treacherous waters...

Also, the Internet is abuzz with the compelling theory that fan-favorite TR-8R is another one of Finn's former team members.

And again, reading Before The Awakening will certainly deepen the impact of this scene. [TR-8R is Nines, confirmed on starwars.com the same day as this post.]

Rey's story was really atmospheric and well-written, but it provides zero insight into her backstory. There's nothing about the x-wing pilot doll, who dropped her on Jakku, or any other tidbit that offers any clue about her mysterious past. Still, worth a look.

The centerpiece of the collection is Poe's story, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a fanboy. It has a good amount of character backstory, and I mean all the way back, like to his parents on Yavin 4 after the Battle of Endor. It turns out that he is just a Poe boy from a Poe family.

The story includes multiple well-written zero-gravity dog fighting sequences, and of course, a few "D'aaawwww" BB-8 moments. It follows Poe as his resourcefulness and dedication expose a conspiracy, which ultimately leads up to the moment of Poe receiving his mission to locate Lor San Tekka from Princess General You-Know-Who. It's a great tie-in to the film and really fun to read.

I can I assure you, I was scrutinizing every word for some clue to Poe's sexual poe-clivities, straight or gay, but no dice. I was looking so closely, in fact, that one passage in particular, taken totally out of context, made me giggle:

Leia was looking up at Poe, smiling ever so slightly. “Flyboys. You’re all the same.”

“Some of us are flygirls,” Poe said. 

*SNAPS* OOOOOOO GIRL! Or should I say: FLY GIRL?

That's right, In Living Color, bitchez.

But seriously, Poe is portrayed throughout the story as a consummate professional and treats his fellow pilots and Resistance colleagues of both genders with respect, warmth, and camaraderie. Other than him acting like an all-around awesome guy, there's nothing overt to go on here.

Bottom line: Looking for some satisfying but fluffy reading for your weekend? Pick up or download this book. But don't expect any revelations other than "Wow, Poe really is that dreamy."