Review: Star Wars: Lost Stars Volume 1 by Gray & Komiyama

Lost Stars by Claudia Gray has become one of the most popular new canon books. It's an epic YA series that focuses on two young friends with a passion for flying who join the Imperial Academy. Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree come from the same planet but from different class systems. When the Empire comes to their planet Jelucan the pair have an encounter with Grand Moff Tarkin that change both their lives.
In this first volume we learn that Thane is part of the Rebellion while Ciena is rising to prominence in the Empire. The pair are on opposite sides of the Battle of Hoth and both reflect on their pasts and how the actions of the Empire changed both their lives. 
For fans of the saga this series offers a glimpse of well loved events through the eyes of others. The pacing of the story is different from the novel, but I think that is do more to matching the story to the Manga format.
I never realized how much Lost Stars works as a manga until I saw Komiyama's gorgeous art. It also is wonderful seeing Ciena rendered because she is a Woman of Color I really hope this series reaches some young female readers. Ciena is such a great character. I'm so happy yen Press is making translations of this series available.