Reddit reviews Star Wars: Before the Awakening

Below are my recommendations (in no specific order)

• Guardians of the Whills by Greg Rucka - It's a Baze/Chirrut book; a new title that came out this week. It's a short read but absolute sensational! (Events are leading up to Rogue One)
  
  
• Smuggler's Run by Greg Rucka - This is also a short title but takes place shortly after ANH. This is a Han & Chewie book that is a delight to read.
  
  
• Dark Disciple by Christie Golden If you enjoyed The Clone Wars you will really enjoy this one. It's based on unproduced episodes of Clone Wars.
  
  
• Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
  
  
• Tarkin & Catalyst both by James Luceno
  
  
  
• Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
  
  
• Before the Awakening by Greg Rucka focuses on the lives of Rey, Finn, and Poe before the events of Force Awakens
  
  If I had to recommend one book over any other, it would be Guardians of the Whills. It's amazing, I've read it twice this week.
  

There's a little about his pre-Resistance past in this book.

I got the Kindle version of the movie novelization, but the hardcover might not be in stores yet:
http://www.amazon.com/Force-Awakens-Star-Wars-ebook/dp/B00WCXL1JW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1450459785&sr=8-4

Other than that it looks like it's actually just this children's book that's out: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Awakening-Digital-Picture-ebook/dp/B00XJKK8FK/ref=pd_sim_351_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51kO8vVisEL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR104%2C160_&refRID=1WWQPPFAE2EG16PKEJWF

Plus there are several short stories that came out a few weeks ago.

Finn was trained from early childhood as a Stormtrooper, and was considered one of the most promising cadets the first order had. He was 'low-ranking' because he deserted after his second mission - he didn't have time to gain rank. However, he was considered officer-track and had some of the highest marksmanship scores, and was one of the better melee combatants in the training program.

Perhaps you should read up more canon before making assumptions. Before the Awakening is under $10, and an ebook version is free with prime. Enjoy!

It's in this prequel book:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJKK8FK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Check out the Before the Awakening book they released to create backstory. There's more than the piece about the simulator in there.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJKK8FK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_

There's a Star Wars book for ages 8-12 that comes out a week before Christmas. Before the Awakening

This book.