REVIEW: Galaxy’s Edge Short Story Return to a Shattered Planet

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The release of the paperback edition of Galaxy’s Edge Black Spire by author Delilah S Dawson has sparked interest because it contains a new short story called Return to a Shattered Planet. The story continues the adventures of Vi Moradi and other members of the Resistance as Vi returns to the dying planet Parnassos. 

Synopsis

The story begins several months after the Hosnian Cataclysm on the outer rim planet of Batuu. Vi Moradi has set-up a Resistance encampment on Batuu and the First Order has been pushed out. Vi has asked permission from General Organa to return to the nearly dead planet Parnassos to rescue her old friend Siv and her daughter Torbi. 

Moradi recruits Chewbacca, Kriki, and her PK-Ultra droid Pook to go on the adventure with her. Vi expects that the trip to the abandoned Con Star Mining facility will be easy and they will be in and out with Siv and Torbi in no time. What she didn’t know is that trouble was about to find them. 

Characters

Vi Moradi

Vi Moradi is a spy for the Resistance during the war between the Galactic Republic and the First Order. She was created for the 2017 Delilah Dawson novel, Phasma. But now she makes her home on Batuu in Galaxy’s Edge. Vi is a loyal friend in Return to a Shattered Planet. She promised Siv and Torbi months back that she would return for them as soon as she could. In this story she is smart and quick-witted. When trouble shows up her spy instincts kick in. She takes charge of the group and figures out the best solution to the problem. 

Kriki

Kriki is Chadra-Fan female who is extremely tech-savvy when it comes to improving and modifying technology. She did hold a position with Gol in Black Spire Outpost but quit to work with Vi and the Resistance. Vi uses her skills the fullest in this short story. Vi gives her a task and minutes later it’s done. She plays a big part when trouble strikes and a quick rescue plan is put together. 

Jagnar

Jagnar lived in the desert wastelands of the planet Parnassos. He and his tribe encountered the habitable Con Star Mining Facility, Calliope Station, which is inhabited by Siv and her daughter Torbi. Jagnar and his people were welcomed into the station, but quickly things take a turn. Jagnar and his people are despite to get off Parnassos before it’s too late and are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal. 

Overview

Return to a Shattered Planet is a stand-alone story but a lot of it is a recap of Phasma and Galaxy’s Edge Black Spire. I really just felt like it was an extension of those stories. I wanted the story to be more original. I think because it took place on Parnassos it was bound to rehash Phasma. 

I was not the biggest fan on Jagnar. Jagnar as the antagonist was not what I was looking for. He had bad guy qualities but it wasn’t enough for me. In previous books, the threats were a lot greater and the scenes were more action-packed. This was a short story so it was limited in where it could go. 

I wanted a new adventure with Vi and I got a new situation, a few new characters, and a lot of retelling of previous stories. I’m not sure that the hype lived up to what I was expecting. I enjoy Delilah S Dawson as an author. I have read both Phasma and Galaxy’s Edge Black Spire. Vi Moradi is one of my favorite novel characters. The story was well written but didn’t contain anything new. I wanted more than the story offered me.

Score

I give Return to a Shattered Planet a 6/10. It was a well written story but it didn’t give me what I wanted. I wanted a new original story starring Vi Moradi and I got an original story that retold other stories. Maybe it’s because the story took place on Parnassos and the only place it could go is back to Phasma. I also didn’t love Jagnar as the antagonist. He was the obvious choice but because it was a short story the character development wasn’t there. I appreciate Delilah S Dawson’s efforts but this story fell flat in my opinion.