Book Wars Pod, Episode 146: He’s A Space Horse Girl

Posted on October 7, 2021 by BookWarsPod

This week, we dive into Tim Zahn’s THRAWN ASCENDANCY trilogy with CHAOS RISING, reading through chapter 5. We discuss our favorite blue boy (not Hondo), the ever-present question of “when and where are we,” and how the galaxy would be different if Thrawn was/wasn’t a horse girl.

The organization we’re highlighting for this group of episodes is the Texas Equal Access Fund. If you have the means to donate, you can do so 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: Star Wars Visions: Ronin

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Bria

A lone wanderer with a red lightsaber faces down a group of bandits led by a Sith to help save a village… and that’s just where Star Wars Visions: Ronin by Emma Mieko Candon starts.

(Okay, wait. I’m sorry. The Ronin isn’t completely alone. He’s also aided by B5, aka: Hat Droid, aka: the best droid in the entire galaxy. We know no droid king but the droid in the straw hat whose name is B5-56.)

Ronin is not like any Star Wars book you’ve read before. It’s bold. It fully embraces the Japanese cultural influences that have long underwritten the galaxy far, far away. It grabs you by the heart and never lets go until the final page and even then, it will keep its grip on you well after you set the book down to go about your day. Ronin is the sort of Star Wars book that could have only come from the Visions project and from an author like Candon and we, as fans, are all the more fortunate to get to read it. Continue reading →

Book Wars Pod, Episode 145: Ecuadorian Space Bears (with Zoraida Córdova)

Posted on September 23, 2021 by BookWarsPod

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Zoraida Córdova, author of STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE A CRASH OF FATE, “You Owe Me A Ride,” and “Wait for It” to the pod! We chat with Zoraida about what made her choose to write about Boba Fett, what romance novel she’d write for the galaxy far, far away, and much more.

The organization we’re highlighting for this group of episodes is Islamic Relief USA. If you have the means to donate, you can do so 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 144: Friendly Neighborhood Cave

Posted on August 27, 2021 by BookWarsPod

This week’s episode marks the conclusion of our coverage of FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. In this wrap-up we discuss whether this book has this changed our enjoyment of the film, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, what did (and didn’t) work for us as snobby readers, and which authors we want to hear more from in future STAR WARS writing.

The organization we’re highlighting for this group of episodes is Islamic Relief USA. If you have the means to donate, you can do so 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 143: Cloud City’s Dan Flashes

Posted on August 5, 2021 by BookWarsPod

The crew reads the rest of FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, discussing stories from Brittany N. Williams’s “Faith in an Old Friend” to Tom Angleberger’s “The Whills Strike Back.” We dive deep on how this book treats Lando and gets at his surprisingly strong feelings of responsibility, and, of course, how space is gay.

The organization we’re highlighting for this group of episodes is Islamic Relief USA. If you have the means to donate, you can do so 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: Out of the Shadows

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Bria

It’s only been a few weeks but we’ve already got another excellent entry into the High Republic timeline. Out today, Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland picks up in the wake of the disastrous Republic Fair. Several teenage Jedi Knights and Padawans and one very determined cargo pilot find themselves pulled into a tangled web with both the Nihil and some very well-connected rich people who might not have the best motives at heart. (And really… that last one probably shouldn’t come as a surprise.)

I think we can all agree one of the strengths of The High Republic has been that there is no weak spot amongst the creative line up. All of them are great at what they do. However……. I’m going to pick a favorite. Justina Ireland is now two-for-two with standout books in each High Republic wave so far. Out of the Shadows has the distinction of being one of the few books I have made myself stop reading so I’d be able to continue the next day in order to prolong the reading experience. So many of the things that made A Test of Courage in Wave 1 such a treat to read are present here as well.

The thing that really makes Ireland’s books stand out are how the characters deal with the very (for lack of a better word) human ramifications of these galaxy shattering events. Sylvestri Yarrow is dealing with the loss of her mother and having the full responsibilities of an adult ship owner thrust upon her unexpectedly. Vernestra Rwoh not only has to continue to grapple with being made a full Jedi Knight so early and feeling uncertain of her place but also with the responsibility of a padawan who’s only a few years her junior. The tragedy on Valo (yes, the one depicted in The Rising Storm) has left its scars on more than a few people and it’s nice to see those ramifications dealt with so carefully and with such a deft hand.

But at the same time, this book has its share of humor. There’s a running joke regarding people mistaking an enormous fluffy creature for being a seat (said creature does it on purpose) and while I wish people would stop calling Vernestra by a nickname she doesn’t like, she does have a bad track record when it comes to accidentally destroying ships. The teasing there feels good natured and natural; like you’re hearing teasing amongst friends. The High Republic seems to be getting a darker and darker tone as it continues on but humor adds a ray of light I think we could all use.

This book might also be one of the most unapologetically queer books Star Wars has ever published. While the galaxy may be lagging behind in terms of representation on the screen, the publishing side continues to lead the way. A key part of the plot revolves around Syl and her well-connected ex-girlfriend. Characters are not shy about quiet observations regarding members of the same gender being attractive. It’s done so casually and naturally yet also stands out because, well, it’s really only recently that Star Wars has had LGBTQ+ characters. We could use more books like Out of the Shadows.

One of the potential downsides of the book isn’t even really a downside of the book but one for the publishing program as a whole. Between both of Ireland’s books and Into the Dark, we’ve gotten such fantastic characters who aren’t Jedi who many readers have come to adore by the time they reach the final page. It’s not nearly as certain as to whether we’ll get to see them again. I really, really hope we do get to see more of characters like Sylvestri and Jordanna as they’re part of what helps the book really sing. Part of the appeal of Star Wars has always been its characters who don’t have the Force in addition to those who do. (As I’m writing this review, I’m seeing chatter go by about Leox Gyasi and the rest of the crew of Vessel are in the latest issue of Star Wars Adventures which is lovely to hear and also gives me some more hope than I had before I started writing this paragraph.)

Justina Ireland’s work continues to be a shining star in The High Republic constellation. Out of the Shadows just might be my favorite Star Wars book I’ve read so far this year. Pick it up. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Disney Lucasfilm Press for providing an advance copy of the book for review purposes.

Book Wars Pod, Episode 142: Slurp It Through The Helmet

Posted on July 15, 2021 by BookWarsPod

At long last, the crew returns to FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, discussing stories from Zoraida Cordova’s “Wait for It” to Martha Wells’s “Bespin Escape.” Discussion topics include the consumption of food through helmets, which bounty hunters are the dumbest, and, as always, how everything in space is gay.

The organization we’re highlighting for this group of episodes is Islamic Relief USA. If you have the means to donate, you can do so 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 Rising Storm

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Bria

It’s a two-for-one High Republic day as today also sees the publication of The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott. Hope you’re ready for plenty more High Republic stories and feelings because they are not holding back. Seriously.

It’s been months since the Great Disaster and everyone’s been working towards healing in their own ways. In the spirit of unity, Chancellor Lina Soh announces the Republic Fair. The event brings together people from across the galaxy including some of the Jedi as ambassadors of sorts. But it also attracts attention from none other than the Nihil… and that never, ever goes well… Continue reading →

Review: Race to Crashpoint Tower

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Bria

Aaaaaaand they’re off! To the fair! The second wave of Phase 1 of the High Republic has arrived and they’re not losing any of the momentum from wave one. Out today is Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel José Older and why yes the middle grade High Republic novels do continue to be top tier. Why? Well, you’ll have to read on for that.

The Republic Fair is about to start on the planet Valo and with it comes (you guessed it) trouble. Equally unsurprising is that trouble is coming in the form of the Nihl. Slightly more surprisingly? It’s up to a young padawan who’d rather stay in his workshop fixing a broken speeder to warn everyone of the danger. Meanwhile, a handful of Jedi have arrived at Trymant IV to follow up on a lead from Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh. Little do they know, their paths are on a collision course and the Republic is depending on them to help save the day.

As stated above, the middle grade novels continue to be stellar. Star Wars fans should absolutely be including them on their reading lists, regardless of the intended age range. While A Test of Courage dealt more closely with grief, Race to Crashpoint Tower has so much heart to it that it’s impossible not to love the core cast.

The real standout in this book is undoubtedly the characters. Lula Talisola is an absolute delight who deserves to feature in as many stories as possible. She’s so vibrant that she all but leaps off the page and makes you love her after only a chapter or two. Ram Jomaram is also bound to make more than a few fans fall in love with him from how earnest he is with his love of fixing mechanical things. He’s another worthy entry into the Good Soft Boy Club in the Star Wars universe. Hopefully, Ram will appear in future Star Wars books like Lula has. Oh and also? Congratulations to Older for making me love Ty Rorrick in all of three sentences. WELL DONE, SIR.

As we’re now firmly in the second wave of books, a few things are starting to become clear, one of which is that some characters will be jumping around between mediums and also age groups. Lula, one of our main protagonists this time around, previously debuted in the High Republic Star Wars comic series published by IDW. Conveniently, both are written by the one and only Daniel José Older. Older goes a good job of catching readers who might not have read the comic up on how Lula and Zeen met and their adventures in this era so far. I did not get a chance to read the comic until after I read through my review copy and the unofficial “here’s what you missed” section was more than adequate to orient me.

Another thing that seems like it’s being established (granted, with only two data points,) is that the adult novel published by Del Rey will be the anchor novel. The events of Race to Crashpoint Tower dance around those of The Rising Storm. There is clearly something else going on but it feels more like “the adults are busy with something but we kids have our own problems too so we can’t worry about that right now!” The question becomes whether or not this will continue the further and further we get into the High Republic. These books show an impressive amount of interconnectedness and clearly a ton of thought and care has gone into planning out this publishing program. Hopefully, the non-adult novel books will continue to be able to stand on their own merits so kids who might not be interested in or ready to read the anchor novel can still continue to enjoy them.

Race to Crashpoint Tower is a lovely small-scale story in the middle of galactic level of events anchored by delightful protagonists that High Republic readers definitely should pick up. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go back to making my “Lula Talisola Fan Club” t-shirt. It’s very important.

Thank you to Disney Lucasfilm Press for providing an advance review copy of the book for review purposes.

Book Wars Pod, Episode 141: No Therapy, Sit in Egg

Posted on June 10, 2021 by BookWarsPod

This week, we continue our exploration of FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, from Django Wexler’s “Amara Kel’s Rules…” being super gay (and a good look at Imperial conscripts) to Daniel Jose Older’s “STET!” giving us a view into a very tiny world of crime. One thing that all these stories make very clear: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was a weird f*cking movie.

The organization we’re highlighting for this group of episodes is Islamic Relief USA. If you have the means to donate, you can do so 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!