“My dear, I don’t have to break you. I just have to beat you.”
Dryden Vos
E.K. Johnston takes a fascinating character with a tragic, stark, savage tale and weaves it without pulling any punches. Crimson Climb is every bit the bleak survival journey of Qi’ra, doing what she must to survive. Becoming what she must. At any and all costs.
When Qi’ra is left behind in the sewers of Corellia, she knows she will have to climb her way out on her own. This story takes place between Han’s escape from the White Worms and their reunion aboard the First Light on Vandor. And while we know the beginning and endpoints, the journey itself shows us so much more.
SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!
No One
After Han and Qi’ra fail to escape together, Qi’ra is left alone to face the consequences. The lesson she takes is that she can only depend on herself. She can only trust herself. While we know Han does his best to fulfill his promise of returning to save her, Qi’ra only knows she faces her future alone. And if she wants it to get any better, she will have to use every bit of strength and cunning she can muster. And just when life within the White Worms seems cutthroat, there are always worse places one could end up…
Await the Dawn
Technically Qi’ra escapes Corellia but she is far, far away from anything resembling freedom. When she is sold to Crimson Dawn, she learns that even within an intergalactic crime syndicate she will face treachery, backstabbing, and inhumanity in ways she hadn’t yet lived in the shadows of the sewers. Crimson Dawn is a far more lethal prison gilded with opulence Qi’ra has never known.
No Prisoners
Qi’ra learns that to survive she is going to have to beat everyone at their own game. No one can be trusted. She will have to use everything and everyone she can. And even though small memories of the boy who she thought might save her one day might slip through and bring a smile to her face, she knows that the reality is she will always be alone. And she is going to have to fight to survive every step of the way.
Bits and Pieces
Qi’ra’s story is full of ruthlessness, heartlessness, and hopelessness which is certainly different from many Star Wars stories. But her journey hits hard as she toughens herself to survive in this galaxy meant to break her.
E. K. Johnston also works in many of the other pieces of Qi’ra’s story we’ve seen in recent years which makes me ecstatic. The book is definitely character-focused and might be the deepest look into Qi’ra and her thoughts and motivations we’ve ever had! I’m always a fan of Johnston’s stories but unsurprisingly, Qi’ra is vastly different from the other characters ( like Ahsoka, Padmé, or Sabé) Johnston has written for. I loved the introspection and the bittersweet moments of Qi’ra’s journey alongside the determination and brutality of life climbing upward in the underworld.
This is a must-read for any Qi’ra fan looking for a treacherous tale of survival in an underworld that shows no mercy.
- Sal P.
“You look lovely. I always admire your choice of armor.”
Dryden Vos
Crimson Climb is available now!
The Rogue Rebels 
3 thoughts on “Crimson Climb Review!”