Review: ‘Lando’s Luck’ by Justina Ireland was a perfect story for my daughter

Review: 'Lando's Luck' by Justina Ireland was a perfect story for my daughter

As a seasoned gamer and father of a budding Star Wars enthusiast, I can confidently say that Justina Ireland‘s novel, “Lando’s Luck,” has become one of our favorite adventures in this far-off galaxy. The middle-grade audiobook, narrated by the talented Soneela Nankani, has been a road trip savior for us, keeping my daughter engaged and me entertained.


As a father of a young girl, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to discover fresh and captivating experiences for us to share. Finding entertainment that she enjoys without it driving me to pull out my own hair is another struggle. However, as we venture into a distant galaxy together, we both found enjoyment in Justina Ireland’s novel, Lando’s Luck.

The middle-grade novel, set before Solo: A Star Wars Story, tells one of the many adventures in which Lando Calrissian and his droid, L3-37, find themselves. I chose to listen to the audiobook with my daughter, which is narrated by voice actress Soneela Nankani.

The narrative unfolds a year prior to the occurrences in “Solo”. It focuses on Lando and L3 as they navigate through a series of challenges, including an illegal smuggling operation with a young royal figure. This tale is told from the viewpoint of Princess Rinetta Gan, who initially plots to deceive and then collaborates with Lando and L3.

The story and its audiobook version exude an air of excitement and wit. Throughout his journey within the franchise, Lando consistently shows wisdom in choosing the right path, despite his roguish nature. His actions to aid the young princess and her people stir feelings of nostalgia among adults who grew up with the original trilogy.

1. The narrative not only delves deeper into L3’s background but also her interactions with Lando, as hinted in the movie “Solo.” Following her performance, fans demanded more, and this book certainly delivers by further developing her character and her clever quips aimed at Lando. Moreover, Rinetta Gan is a character that younger audiences will find intriguing. Her spirited personality and the dynamic way the narrator portrays her make her an inspiring young leader figure for young girls.

The audiobook version is straightforward and not overly complex to understand, with sound effects and music from the series enhancing its narrative flow. Nankani’s narration and character portrayals are rich and convincing, particularly her spot-on interpretation of Lando that steers clear of being a caricature.

Over the course of several car rides, my daughter and I found great delight in listening to the audiobook. She was captivated by it, eagerly anticipating its conclusion. Finding age-appropriate entertainment with a valuable lesson isn’t always easy, but Lando’s Luck is an exception. It’s one of those rare stories that both entertains and educates younger listeners.

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2024-08-24 00:51

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