Review: Queen’s Hope

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Bria

Somehow, in the year 2022, we are getting our third book centered around Padmé Amidala and honestly, what a world we live in. Out today, Queen’s Hope by E.K. Johnston gives us more of the story of Padmé and some of her handmaidens as the galaxy becomes a less friendly place.

As the Clone Wars begin, it is a time of change for the galaxy… especially if your name happens to be Anakin Skywalker or Padmé Amidala. There’s now a war going on and they have to figure out how to make time for a secret wedding and then they have to figure out how to go about their lives while being secretly married. Meanwhile, Sabé and Saché both find themselves drawn into events swirling around the rapidly changing galactic situation that might have larger ramifications than any of them realize. Continue reading →

Book Wars Pod, Bonus Episode 33: Drink Your Whole Beer Viewing Experience

Posted on March 24, 2022 by BookWarsPod

Listen to the first part of our conversation on Disney+’s THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT! We cover our general impressions, the show’s storytelling structure, and our high and low points for the season. Plus, Kate makes a special appearance while procrastinating her thesis!

The cause we’re highlighting for these bonus episodes is The International Rescue Committee. Donate to help refugees and immigrants here.

For a list of black-owned bookstores to order from, now and always, click here.

To download this episode, click here.

Book Wars Pod explores the Star Wars universe through the franchise’s non-screen media: the canon novels, comics, and video games. Check out our guide to past episodes, and subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and wherever else you cast your pods. You can also subscribe to the Tosche Station Radio Mega Feed on iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris Sedor, Kate Sedor, Rana LaPine, and Miranda Eldon. Audio and production by Kristen McDonell. Art by Joe Butera. Music by Podington Bear.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by your support on Patreon!

Review: Tempest Runner

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Bria

Just when you thought we were on a break from the High Republic… a new challenger emerges. Well technically, Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott is not a new story but today marks the first day when Star Wars fans can read the story of Lourna Dee in print as opposed to experiencing it as an audio original. And that? Is definitely a good thing.

The Nihil are not having a good time and one of their Tempest Runners, Lourna Dee, is especially not having a good time. When her latest attack plan fails, Lourna finds herself a captive of the Republic but luckily for her, they don’t know who exactly they have as their prisoner. But escaping from the prison ship the Restitution is not going to be an easy task… especially when her own past is rising back up to haunt her. Continue reading →

Book Wars Pod, Episode 154: Chaotic Little Space Demon

Posted on March 10, 2022 by BookWarsPod

This week concludes our dive into LIGHT OF THE JEDI. Join us as we question the plan for Loden Greatstorm and his all-too-perfect name, discuss what happened between Avar and Elzar, and, of course, talk shit about Yoda.

The causes we’re highlighting for this group of episodes are donating blood (find a drive here) and/or donating to your local food bank (find a place to donate here).

For a list of black-owned bookstores to order from, now and always, click here.

To download this episode, click here.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by your support on Patreon!

Review: Mission to Disaster

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Bria

We’re back with more High Republic hijinks as we’re reunited with everyone’s favorite young Knight/Padawan team: Vernestra and Imri! Out in digital and audiobook back in January and out in print finally today, Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland is one of the final books in this Phase of the High Republic.

While it seems as if the Jedi are doing well in their fight against the Nihil, the threat remains. Vernestra Rwoh is taking advantage of the relative lull in hostilities to continue her padawan Imri’s training. That doesn’t last for long though as Starlight Beacon ask them to help investigate a Nihil attack on a nearby settlement. Meanwhile, their friend Avon Starros has been kidnapped by the Nihil and her brilliant brain is about to both help her and potentially cause some further trouble even as she tries to get herself out of this extremely tricky situation. Continue reading →

Book Wars Pod, Episode 153: Republic the Lesser

Posted on February 24, 2022 by BookWarsPod

This week we continue our read of LIGHT OF THE JEDI. Turns out the Jedi were bad even 200 years ago! We discuss that, the incredible power of the Force, and how ancient Tarkins are going to skin Kassav alive.

The causes we’re highlighting for this group of episodes are donating blood (find a drive here) and/or donating to your local food bank (find a place to donate here).

For a list of black-owned bookstores to order from, now and always, click here.

To download this episode, click here.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by your support on Patreon!

Book Wars Pod, Episode 152: They Build Their Little Bat Caves

Posted on February 3, 2022 by BookWarsPod

This week continues our read of LIGHT OF THE JEDI. What’s going on with the Nihil? Why is Elzar on this mission? Who is Mari’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great nephew? We’ll answer at least one of these questions in this episode.

The causes we’re highlighting for this group of episodes are donating blood (find a drive here) and/or donating to your local food bank (find a place to donate here).

For a list of black-owned bookstores to order from, now and always, click here.

To download this episode, click here.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by your support on Patreon!

Review: Midnight Horizon

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Bria

Midnight Horizon by Daniel José Older is the book about two cinnamon roll boys, two queer disaster girls, and two Jedi masters just doing their best you did not know you needed in your life until now. Out today, the latest installment in the High Republic is guaranteed to give you feelings by the final page. And did we mention the cinnamon rolls?

Kicking off slightly before the events of The Fallen Star, the Jedi stationed on Corellia have been drawn away to handle a problem off world and so when there’s a suspected Nihil attack, four Jedi are sent from Starlight Beacon to investigate. Once on planet, Kantam, Cohmac, Reath, and Ram meet the one and only Crash, head of a Corellian bodyguard organization, who’s found herself in the middle of this latest Nihil mess. Meanwhile, Zeen and the padawans continue their taskforce’s mission to find Krix… and they just might have a lead. Continue reading →

Book Wars Pod, Episode 151: My Best Friend, Dino-Szorr

Posted on January 27, 2022 by BookWarsPod

This week on Book Wars Pod, we dive into the High Republic era with Charles Soule’s LIGHT OF THE JEDI. “When and where are we?” suddenly has a radically different answer than usual, but some of our hosts are skeptical of the time gap. We also discuss the strength of the Force – and by extension, the Jedi – during this golden age.”

The causes we’re highlighting for this group of episodes are donating blood (find a drive here) and/or donating to your local food bank (find a place to donate here).

For a list of black-owned bookstores to order from, now and always, click here.

To download this episode, click here.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by your support on Patreon!

Review: The Fallen Star

Posted on January 15, 2022 by Bria

For months, High Republic fans have had a side of anxiety ever since we first heard the light of the Jedi would be going dark with the next wave of stories. Well, that wave has finally arrived with The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray and folks? Things got real dark.

Starlight Beacon has been a symbol of hope in the Outer Rim despite all the struggles the Jedi and the Republic have had as of late. Symbols, however, only inspire for as long as they continue to endure. Many of the Jedi need time to rest and, in some cases, mourn, but the Nihl aren’t exactly going to give it to them. In fact, Marchion Ro is about to enact his master plan and the Jedi are going to be in very, very big trouble. Continue reading →