Poe Dameron: Free Fall has just the right amount of… how did author Alex Segura put it? Oh yeah, “subterfuge, shady dealings and murky morals.”

Throw in extreme piloting, numerous blaster battles and countless colorful characters and you have got yourself one heck of a Star Wars story.

A young Poe struggles with his mother’s death while his relationship with his father dwindles. Pushing boundaries and always on the run, Poe yearns for something more than the monotony of life on Yavin 4. After all, both his parents fought for the New Republic. How did they become so resigned to this ordinary life? And what does their past mean, if anything, for Poe’s future?

Perhaps Poe will be a hero, a villain or a teenager trying to work through his largely-criminal life choices. Whatever the case, we already know from our well-established Star Wars fandom that there are few, if any, dull moments in the life of Poe Dameron.

Following suit with not a dull moment in sight, Segura’s story soars through the galaxy at top speed. Fast-paced and heavily plot driven, Free Fall peppers in character development sparingly without losing the emotional integrity of an anticipated origin story. It queries the sensitive balance between the stability of home and the hypnotic appeal of adventure. The grass is always greener on the other side and the reader contemplates the good and bad, legal and illegal, alongside Poe every step of the way.

An easy read and a long-awaited introduction to the beginnings of Poe and Zorii’s friendship (not to mention at least a few encounters with our favorite Babu Frik), Free Fall deservedly earns its place among unforgettable Star Wars stories.

This book was amazing! Strong plot! Powerful characters! A plot that held my attention the entire time!!!! I couldn’t put it down. I needed to find out what happened next!

What an awesome tie-in to the sequel trilogy, an adventure for our favourite hotshot pilot. Several years after the death of his mother, Poe’s relationship with his father has deteriorated and he is feeling increasingly smothered on Yavin 4, needing something more. After a major mishap he comes across a group of misfits looking for a pilot to take them off-planet. He jumps in with both feet, not considering the consequences of his actions.

Alex Segura brings Poe to life on paper; the book is easy to read, flows well, and is a personal growth story rooted in the Star Wars themes of family and identity. It ties nicely into the Rise of Skywalker, not just giving us a backstory for teenage Poe, but also other characters from the movie, and introduces us to a previously hinted at underworld with a mysterious leader.

Don't let the 12+ label stop you from picking this up. This is a fun trip around the Outer Rim for adults, YA and teens alike.

Poe Dameron: Free Fall is a fantastic companion to 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, and it works as a bridge to several other stories in the Star Wars canon. The novel follows sixteen-year-old Poe as he ventures away from home for the first time, embarking on a galaxy-spanning adventure. It acts in a similar capacity to stories like Treasure Island (or as a foil of sorts to Solo: A Star Wars Story). Rooted in themes of family and identity, Free Fall has many tangible elements that anyone can relate to. As Yoda might say, "a page-turner, it is."

What an addictive space backstory! Sixteen-year-old Poe Dameron's young adult book was quite the page-turner and well written, full of intense action and suspense. This story provides all the elements of an authentic Star Wars story: the conflict, family drama, foreshadowing, and humor. In this novel, Poe must discover his purpose, leaving his home planet with the desire to see the world. Going against his parents' will, Poe joins the Spice Runners of Kimiji, providing readers TONS of new information about this group led by the ominous Zeva and company, as well as many rival smugglers and bounty hunters. Alex Segura's novel ties this story to other Star Wars planets and characters from many shows, books, and movies across the universe, which made me very excited. I definitely will be recommending this YA novel to the teenage science fiction readers in my library!