Star Wars Fans Braced As Rise of Skywalker Sequel Looms Near

Star Wars fans are braced for the first sequel to The Rise of Skywalker, as the release looms near.

It’s safe to say that reception to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker back in 2019 wasn’t exactly buzzing and positive across the board.

Although a loud minority disliked the direction that The Last Jedi went in, Lucasfilm attempted to course correct for its sequel. This resulted in loose plot threads, stringed-together set pieces, and character development that didn’t really make a lick of sense.

Still, while the live-action Disney Star Wars has been a bit of a mixed bag, reception to the novels and expanded material has fared a bit better. And it looks like the first book to be set after The Rise of Skywalker is already drumming up some hype.

Star Wars: The Last Order is a new adventure featuring Finn and Jannah following the ending of The Rise of Skywalker. Here is the blurb: “New York Times best-selling author Kwame Mbalia makes his Star Wars debut with this exciting YA novel!"

“Following the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the Resistance rescues a ship full of young passengers who had been kidnapped by the First Order. As Finn and Jannah set out to find the First Order officer responsible before he can endanger any more children, the two former stormtroopers must wrestle with their own complicated pasts as soldiers of the oppressive regime."

It continues, “Take a deep dive into the pasts of popular characters Finn and Jannah in this richly-drawn, action-packed story that fans have been asking for.”

Given this description, it sounds like the perfect opportunity to develop Finn and Jannah’s characters as former child soldiers into leaders of resistance. It’s the kind of character development that fans derided the sequel trilogy for lacking.

“The plot summary is promising. I wonder if the book will touch on Finn’s Force sensitivity,” reads one comment from a fan on the Star Wars Reddit page.

“I am extremely hyped for this book! Most anticipated Star Wars book in a while for me,” reads another comment.

“Really psyched for this but the cover is doing nothing for me which is a shame because 9/10 not just their adult books but their YAs are absolutely on point,” a third comment reads. “This one isn’t bad, just underwhelming.”

Star Wars: The Last Order will be released by Penguin Random House on 21 October, 2025.