Book Wars Pod, Bonus Episode 37: A Clown Who Will Stab You

This week, we wrap up our discussion on Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. Join us as we answer listener questions, praise Deborah Chow, and explain why The Volume is superior to little green boxes.

The cause we’re highlighting for this series of bonus episodes is Indigenous Women Rising. Donate to support the only national-scope, Native-led abortion fund in the U.S. 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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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!

Book Wars Pod, Bonus Episode 36: Hotwire A Planet

This week, join us for the first part of our discussion on Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Disney+ limited series directed by Deborah Chow. Find out what we were excited to see, what other Star Wars media enriched our viewing experience, and how much Chris can yell excitedly about his favorite feral raccoon of a character.

The cause we’re highlighting for this series of bonus episodes is Indigenous Women Rising. Donate to support the only national-scope, Native-led abortion fund in the U.S. 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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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!

Book Wars Pod, Episode 155: Feral Raccoon Pest Control

This week, we discuss Justina Ireland’s Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage. Our conversation includes discussing the moon of Wevo, our cast of characters, and whether we’re sure this is a middle grade book.

The cause we’re highlighting for this bonus episode is the Brave Space Alliance. Donate to support the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago 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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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!

Book Wars Pod, Bonus Episode 35: Inhibitor Chips, Not Potato Chips

This week, we discuss the first season of The Bad Batch. Find out what we enjoyed, what we think could be improved for season 2, and the ways in which we see the show strongly interlocking with the wider Star Wars universe. Plus, Kristen waxes poetic about both clones and blue bois.

The cause we’re highlighting for this bonus episode is the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. Donate to support LGBTQ+ Asians and Pacific Islanders 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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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: Brotherhood

Cover of Star Wars: Brotherhood by Mike ChenWe’re solidly in May 2022 now which means it’s time for the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Attack of the Clones to commence and what better way to do so than with a book about Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker set almost immediately after the film’s events? Out today, Brotherhood by Mike Chen stars those two very same Jedi as they try and find their footing in the early days of a war no one expected and while trying to reestablish their own dynamic now that they are no longer Master and Padawan. Spoiler Alert: You’re going to want to read this.

There’s some business on Cato Neimoidia that requires the Jedi’s attention: the planet’s capital city was ruthlessly bombed but the identity of the perpetrator isn’t clear. Obi-Wan Kenobi offers himself up as the Republic’s sole representative to try and help get to the bottom of everything. Meanwhile, a newly knighted Anakin Skywalker is faced with his biggest challenge yet: younglings. And speaking of Cato Neimoidia… wouldn’t it be interesting if the Separatists had sent a certain dark side user to do their own poking around?

Brotherhood is, first and foremost, fun with a large side of emotions. Mike Chen falls into the club of Star Wars storytellers who you know have read and reread Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelization many a time and its effects manifest here in the best way possible. This novel feels like a deliberate bookend with that novelization being a part of the matching set. Whereas Revenge of the Sith gave us “the phrase Kenobi and Skywalker has become a single word”, Brotherhood gives us two men who haven’t yet figured out how to be that heroic partnership as they adjust to no longer being mentor and learner. It’s an excellently done exploration of them both and, even though they spend much of the book apart, the start of their dynamic that we eventually see become fully realized in both The Clone Wars and the opening of Revenge of the Sith.

(Also, for the Anidala shippers out there: this book pairs very nicely with E.K. Johnston’s recently released Queen’s Hope as we get to see more of the very early days of Anakin and Padmé’s marriage. The authors communicated about their books, and it shows. There’s also some entertaining observations about them from Obi-Wan’s point of view that really just confirm what most folks have thought for ages.)

While the Anakin-Obi-Wan dynamic is clearly at the heart of the book, it stands on its own as a good ol’ Star Wars adventure too. It’s a fun book and a quick read that I went through in just about one sitting; getting up only to refill my coffee. Chen’s writing style fits in nicely with many of the other authors who’ve written in the galaxy before him. In retrospect, his story in the Empire Strikes Back: From a Certain Point of View feels like a teaser for what he could do with a full novel and I will not be surprised if we get to see him write another Star Wars book but from a dark side point of view one day. Where Chen does particularly well is with everything Anakin related as we see the Jedi grapple with feelings related to the Jedi Order, his wife, his life back on Tatooine, and also everything that happened extremely recently with his mother. That last one in particular can be a hard line to walk in regards to balancing a sympathetic portrayal and also not excusing a whole bunch of murder but Chen manages to complete that tightrope act well.

Brotherhood also features its fair share of cameos and nods towards other parts of the Star Wars galaxy, both canon and Legends, and I feel extremely certain that Chen knew exactly what he was doing with all of those. I won’t spoil them for other readers but let’s just say that the first one made me yell loudly enough that a housemate checked in to make sure everything was okay. Easter eggs aren’t what makes a book or any Star Wars book good but when you can tell when they’re being incorporated lovingly by someone who loves those original stories as much as you.

There are two character appearances who are elevated above cameos and who’ve already been revealed who I specifically want to call out: Dex and Asajj Ventress. In short, I believe that fans of both will be rather satisfied with them inclusion here. Everyone should include Obi-Wan meeting with Dex over cake scenes in their books. It’ll be for the best. As for Ventress, her introduction can only be described in the incredibly professional terms of a *chef kiss* and I stand by that. While she certainly has a role in the book, it’s more akin to a dash of Ventress and honestly, it’s the perfect amount especially for her first meeting with Obi-Wan. That might seem to be a weird statement to make but I swear it makes more sense after you read the book.

If you’re looking for a good read featuring either Anakin or Obi-Wan, Brotherhood is the book you’re looking for. Heck, Brotherhood is the book you’re looking for if you want a good Star Wars time with a heaping side of feelings.

Thank you to Del Rey for providing an early copy of the book for review purposes.

Book Wars Pod, Bonus Episode 34: Not Good Enough to Laugh

This week we finish our conversation on Disney+’s The Book of Boba Fett! We discuss how we felt about the book tie-ins in the series, and what we’d hope for in season 2. Plus, we reveal what we would prefer to cuddle: one Rancor-sized Grogu or 100 Grogu-sized Rancors!

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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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: Queen’s Hope

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

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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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

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

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.

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 iTunesGoogle Play, or Stitcher for more great shows from our podcast network.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for episode updates! Hosted by Chris SedorKate 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!