I don’t suppose that it is possible that anyone is unaware of what is happening later this week, but in the event that you were, until just this moment, stranded on a desert island with a volleyball for a companion, this should get you up to speed:

Yes folks, it is true. We are finally going to be able to return to that galaxy far, far away to a time period that is achingly close to the one we all love: that of the original Star Wars trilogy. Rogue One starts this week, and I for one am very excited.

I know that must come as quite a shock.

The fire of that excitement was stoked over the weekend as I partook of the Rogue One prequel novel, Catalyst, by author James Luceno. If the trailer has you curious about the story of the two dudes facing off in the field and what they have to do with the construction of “the ultimate power in the universe”, then it is well worth making time over the next few days to read Catalyst.

The drawback inherent in a film, especially one with an ensemble cast, is that you do not have the luxury of time to fully establish the back stories of your heroes, your villains, or those who may be a little of both. That is where the strength of a book lies, and I commend Lucasfilm/Disney for the timely release of this Rogue One prequel as it does just that.

Galen Erso is a brilliant, pacifist scientist looking to synthesize rare crystals (those the Jedi use in their lightsabers) and use them to create a sustainable power source to benefit all worlds. Orson Krennic is an up and comer in the elite of the Republic (soon to be the Empire) who sees a military application for his old friend Galen Erso’s work. Catalyst is the story of how each man goes about trying to achieve his great dream.

And it is so much more.

I would argue that by the end of Catalyst it is clear that the central character of the story is Orson Krennic. There is a great story line with Galen Erso and his wife Lyra that includes time with the young child Jyn. Their relationship is interesting and complicated and despite their all too human flaws, you cannot help but generate feelings for them. Readers get to spend some time with the familiar character of Grand Moff Tarkin and are introduced to one of the members who will make up Rogue One‘s rebellion, Saw Gerrera (played by Forest Whitaker).

But the true revelation of Catalyst is the character of Orson Krennic. No matter how good the movie is (and my expectations are admittedly high), I doubt that the film will be able to capture just how conniving, cruel, scheming and single-minded is the character of Orson Krennic. Even if it does manage to do so, Catalyst gives the kind of back story, including the relationship between Krennic and Erso, that only a novel can give. The Orson Krennic we see in the trailers is a man obsessed with the Death Star. Catalyst shows you that came about.

James Luceno does a fantastic job of telling a story filled with mostly unfamiliar characters that fits well within the Star Wars universe without having to resort to fan service to engage the reader. The smugglers in Catalyst are not Han Solo. The droids are not R2-D2 or C-3PO. While Chancellor/Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader cast long shadows from the background, the villains of the piece are not built from the same mold. Luceno also manages to tell a story that not only has you rooting for the pawns being used by Orson Krennic and Wilfuff Tarkin, but also introduces the complication of pitting these two against one another in a way that engages you in wanting to choose a side. I was quite impressed to find that happening as I read.

I cannot wait to return to the cinematic universe of the series I have loved since childhood. Even when it is not perfect, it is Star Wars, and with that comes a great deal of nostalgia. That anticipation has been cranked up several notches by James Luceno’s novel.

Catalyst is a worthwhile foray into the Star Wars extended universe and it establishes a firm foundation for the events that will transpire in Rogue One.