We’ll Always Have Coruscant

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Bria

It happened. The news broke today that the existing Expanded Universe would be shifted into a ‘Legends’ label and all books from here on out would be a part of the new overarching cohesive canon. I think it’s fair to say that we all know the fandom went a little crazy from the news even though, to be honest, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Let’s get a few things out of the way first. One, no one should take this as an opportunity to gloat. That’s tacky and tasteless and if you do so, you are a disservice to the fandom. Two, no one will ever be able to take these books from you nor the chance for you to introduce people to your favorites. Del Rey will continue to publish them under this new Legends banner. Three, suggesting that those involved in the decision hate the Expanded Universe is just false and I invite you to watch the video they put together if you think they do.

This moment was coming, folks. We’ve all been talking about the probability of it for almost as long as we’ve known about the Sequel Trilogy. And to be honest, I think that those of us who have been quietly mentally preparing for it are handling the news a little better than those who didn’t. I’d also like to take the time to note there that I am not immune to the completely losing my mind just a little and spinning around as a whirlwind of questions about just what all of this means in the long run go through my mind. So apologies if anything in this piece seems rambling or a bit poorly phrased at times.

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Kevin Hearne’s Luke novel set for release in January 2015

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Nanci

Over on the catalog Edelweiss, Knights’ Archive spotted a listing for the audio version of Kevin Hearne’s upcoming debut Star Wars novel. It will star Luke Skywalker and round out the unofficial “Empire and Rebellion” trilogy.

In an attempt to distract the Empire from important Rebel Alliance activity, Luke Skywalker draws the attention of Imperial Security, leading him-along with Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Chewbacca-into a deadly trap right in Darth Vader’s sights!

No mention of Rogue Squadron of X-Wings in there, but I’m still really excited for a book starring Luke Skywalker, the most underappreciated of all the Star Wars Original Trilogy characters.

The novel is scheduled for release on January 13, 2015, which is the day after my birthday. Thank you, Del Rey, for a lovely birthday present.

Review: Maul: Lockdown

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Bria

It’s a dark side sort of day with the first Expanded Universe book release of 2014. Out today is Maul: Lockdown by Joe Schreiber. What happens when you send one of the most dangerous beings in galaxy on a do-or-die mission? A heck of a lot of carnage for starters.

Cog Hive Seven has a new inmate: Darth Maul. Sent by his Master Darth Sidious to infiltrate the prison and find the elusive Iram Radique, a legendary arms dealer. What might seem like a simple task is layered in complications. No one’s actually seen Radique and lived to tell the tale. Some think he’s just an urban legend. On top of his mission, Maul must survive the nightly fights to the death organized by the warden and the gamblers across the galaxy want to see their newest champion fight.

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Go/No-Go: The Jupiter Pirates: Hunt for the Hydra

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Nanci

It’s hard to write a review of Jason C. Fry’s The Jupiter Pirates that isn’t just me saying “It’s really fun! Go read it!” But that’s the truth. It’s really fun. You should go read it.

In case you’re not willing to blindly follow my recommendations (and why not?), allow me to describe the book a bit more.

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Kickstarter: War of the Seasons by Janine Spendlove

Posted on October 8, 2013 by admin

Last week we were fortunate to have author and all-around awesome human being Janine Spendlove on the podcast. Janine is the author of War of the Seasons, a YA fantasy trilogy that both Nanci and I have greatly enjoyed. Today, she’s kickstarting the launch of the third and final book in that series.

If you’ve read the first two War of the Seasons novels, you can contribute to this kickstarter to get either an ebook or a print version (depending on the contribution level) of the third book. If you haven’t read the prior two novels, you can get those included as ebooks for a $15 or greater contribution or as print novels for $50.

As is the case with many kickstarters, there are bonuses for hitting some stretch goals. Among them? Short stories set in the War of the Seasons universe that will be penned by Star Wars Expanded Universe authors Aaron Allston and Mike Stackpole.

Other stretch goal authors that may wind up contributing short stories both in the War of the Seasons universe and outside of it are Bryan Young, Cleolinda Jones, Albin Johnson (founding of the 501st), and Maggie Allen.

Go/No-go: The Darwin Elevator

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Nanci

The Darwin Elevator, Jason M. Hough’s debut novel, features a large cast of characters, page-turning action sequences, alien technology, and a zombie-like plague. When I first heard the novel praised on Twitter, it seemed like something I should check out. Then I was lucky enough to win a signed copy by the author! What did I think?

I’ve seen The Darwin Elevator described as “popcorn science fiction”, and that’s definitely an apt way to put it. But that’s not to say the novel isn’t smart. Hough kept me guessing throughout the approximately 475 pages, and I never could figure out what was going to happen next. Most of the secondary characters, especially Tania Sharma and Samantha Rinn, are engaging and fun to read about. The main protagonist, Skyler Liuken, is adequate, but somewhat bland. I hope that changes in Books 2 and 3. And I wanted to punch the villain, Russell Blackfield, every time he appeared on the page.

This brings me to one thing I wasn’t entirely comfortable with: the rampant objectification of women. It’s not done in a glorifying way by any means, but rather to show how awful conditions in Darwin are, and how awful Blackfield is as a person. It certainly worked, considering how much I hated Blackfield by the end of the book. But some of it was a little over the top and cliche, and made me a bit too uncomfortable.

All that said, The Darwin Elevator kept me engaged throughout and I definitely want to pick up the second and third novels in the trilogy, collectively known as The Dire Earth Cycle. I give it a GO.

Review: The Making of Return of the Jedi

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Nanci

With The Making of Return of the Jedi, J.W. Rinzler rounds out his trilogy of “making of” books that have become essential to Star Wars fans and film aficionados alike. Does this installment live up to the high standards set by its predecessors, The Making of Star Wars and The Making of The Empire Strikes Back? Find out after the jump.

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JK Rowling to Pen “Harry Potter” Spin-Off Film

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Nanci

J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. have brokered a deal for her to pen the film version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a “textbook” from the Harry Potter universe, originally published in 2001.

Rowling said in a statement, “‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, 70 years before Harry’s gets underway.”

This will be first movie of a new franchise, which will also include a video game and other products. Warner Bros. will also distribute a TV adaptation of Rowling’s novel The Casual Vacancy.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will mark Rowling’s screenwriting debut.

On Kenobi’s Cast of Characters and Evaluating My Assumptions

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Nanci

The Kenobi concept art by Chris Scalf.

If you’re regular listeners of the podcast, you already know that the Tosche Station staff greatly enjoyed Kenobi, the latest Star Wars novel by John Jackson Miller. This post isn’t a proper review, but I’ll get this out of the way: I loved the book. It is by far my favorite novel of the year, and exceeded my expectations with flying colors. Despite my enjoyment, however, one of its plot points bothered me–not because of what happened, but because of my assumptions prior to it. And I immediately knew I had to write a blog post about it.

THE REST OF THIS POST CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS FOR KENOBI. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK, AND DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU.

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Review: Jedi Academy

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Bria

Star Wars fans are probably already familiar with writer Jeffrey Brown for his cute children’s books “Vader and Son” and “Vader’s Little Princess”. He’s made his return to the galaxy far far away with a new story about brand new characters who attend the Jedi Academy. It’s definitely a children’s book but it’s adorable and will easily bring a smile to the faces of those who read it.

Roan has always wanted to go to the Pilot Academy like his brother and his father before him. There’s just one problem: when the time comes, the Academy rejects him and now he’s going to have to go to the Tatooine Agricultural Academy. Or so he thinks. Instead, the Jedi Academy offers him a place. Now Roan has to catch up on years of Jedi classes, make friends, and struggle to conqueror the essential Jedi skill of lifting really large rocks.

It’s a story that has nothing to do with the rest of the Star Wars universe with the exception of Master Yoda and that’s just fine. The book is a cute little story about a young padawan who’s doing his best to fit in. Brown’s illustrations and sense of humor are just as strong here as in the two Vader books. The story is told mostly through comic strips and through Roan’s journal and illustrations with the occasional report card, homework assignment, and occasional edition of The Padawan Observer. The entire effect is incredibly charming and endearing.

These kinds of stories are clearly Brown’s strength and I can but hope that he writes more of them in the future. The story will be relatable for young children as the Jedi Academy really isn’t that much different from schools in the galaxy. They just happen to have lightsabers and have a wookiee and whatever Yoda is for teachers.

Oh. And if you need another reason to pick up this book, Roan likes to draw a comic about the Ewok Pilot. The Ewok Pilot.

I’d recommend this book for children in elementary school or younger although even adults will likely smile and chuckle at some of the jokes and illustrations. Middle schoolers are more likely to not be quite as charmed by it. It’s absolutely worth picking up if you’d like to share more Star Wars with young kids or even if you just want a break from the current Expanded Universe.

Note: Thank you to Scholastic and Net Galley for providing an advance copy for review purposes.