Holonet Blast #98

Search no more, dear reader, for the schedule has been bestowed unto thee.

That’s right – the full schedule of panels for Star Wars Celebration Chicago is out, and we’re already panicking over the panels that overlap with one another. A tradition unlike any other. Whether its details on the new VR experience Vader Immortal: Episode I that you’re looking for, or you want to see a sneak preview of The Mandalorian, the Celebration Stage will have you covered. But when will you need to get in line? How will the lottery system work? Well, we kind of know those details thanks to StarWars.com, but the Tosche Station team takes no responsibility if, say, these rules change with no notice and no one actually makes it clear to the attendees. Remember kids, communication is key.

Don’t care about the panels? Just going for the experience? Well, we’ve got you covered there too, with these previews of the collectibles and merchandise that will be available at the show store – with more sure to come in the next few weeks leading up to April 11. And hold onto your sand, because the Chosen One himself, Hayden Christensen, will be gracing SWCC with his presence. We truly, deeply love him.

What’s that – you don’t care about Celebration news? LIES! DECEPTIONS!

Ok fine, there’s something for you this week  as well – never let it be said that we aren’t here for our readers. We got a sneak preview of some of the high-tech functionality coming to Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World via your mobile devices. We got a (gorgeous) cover, a new release date, and a new synopsis for the upcoming novel from Del Rey, Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson, which revealed that old friend Vi Moradi is indeed bringing her presumably-still-unfinished knitting project to Batuu. And finally, a hearty congratulations to The Star Wars Show for earning another Emmy nomination, this time for their hilarious Arrested Development-style recap of A New Hope.

And just think, we aren’t even at Celebration yet. Hold onto your butts.

Resistance Review: No Escape Parts 1+2

It wasn’t that long ago that we all sat down to discuss the premiere of Star Wars Resistance and now here we are, mere months later, all ready to discuss the finale. Just like with that first episode, we’re doing this round robin style so keep on reading for all of our takes on not only the season finale but the first season in general.

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Holonet Blast #97

This week’s Holonet Blast is all about Star Wars Celebration, which is coming up way too fast. (Only three more weekends to prepare! This is totally fine!) While the full panel schedule isn’t out yet, and probably won’t be for another week or so judging by historical trends, certain awesome-sounding panels have already been announced.

To no surprise, there will be a Galaxy’s Edge panel on Saturday. According to the Official Site, it will include team members from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering to discuss previously-announced news as well as some surprises. Galaxy’s Edge is set to open in Anaheim on May 31 and Orlando August 29. (No, I will not be there opening weekend in Walt Disney World. I’m not that crazy.)

Also to absolutely no surprise, the Star Wars Show announced an Episode IX panel set for Friday, featuring J.J. Abrams. No news on other guests, but if previous Celebrations are any indication, expect the main cast to make an appearance. This is for sure to be the most popular panel of the convention, so start lining up now. (I’m only slightly kidding.)

In addition to those panels, the Official Site announced a slew of guests, including: Forest Whitaker, Katee Sackhoff, Lee Towersey, Josh Lee, Matt Denton, Hugh Quarshie, Bobby Moynihan, Warwick Davis, Lorne Peterson, Annabelle Davis, and Penny McCarthy.

Stay tuned for more Celebration Chicago announcements, which are sure to happen on the regular from now until April 11.

Book Wars Pod, Episode 81: Stroking the Boom


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Kristen is back from Denmark just in time for our next book! We’re starting AFTERMATH: EMPIRE’S END by Chuck Wendig, and discussing the usual light topics: New Republic politics, revenge, and impending parenthood. Also: Don’t be a jerk, don’t pirate books!

This podcast is NOT spoiler-free and covers the start of the book through chapter 10.

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, Instagram, and Tumblr for episode updates! Hosted by Kristen Sereci, Chris SedorKate Sedor, and Miranda Eldon. Art by Joe Butera. Music by Podington Bear.

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

Holonet Blast #96

Good morning and welcome to another edition of the Holonet Blast! I’m still living on a Padmé high after the release of Queen’s Shadow and the Age of Republic comic. You all go read both of them, by the way. But on with the news!

In non-Celebration related news, Christian Blauvelt  is writing another book, this time titled “How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks: A Guide to Surviving the Star Wars Universe”. It certainly looks amusing to say the least.

And then Celebration news. Ohhhh Celebration news. For fans of the animated shows, get excited for panels! Saturday will be Rebels Remembered, Sunday is The Clone Wars, and Monday is Resistance. We also got a slew of new guest announcements including Paul Bettany, Ahmed Best, and Erin Kellyman!!!

Oh and there’s this little thing called Galaxy’s Edge… you may have heard of it…. we have opening day dates! The one in Disneyland will open on May 31st and Disneyworld will open on August 29th. If you’re planning on going, be sure to do your research first as there are things like reservations and staggered ride openings involved.

And that’s it for the week! I’ll go back to dreaming of Batuu now…

Vongcast #14 – Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston

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All hands, tentacles, and claws on deck! The Vongcast is back with their next episode as Rocky, Megan, and Bria discuss Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston.

You can find Megan on Twitter with the handle @blogfullofwords,  Rocky with @ladydarthcaedus, and Bria with @chaosbria. This podcast has been brought to you in part by your support on Patreon!  If you like what you hear, you can subscribe to the Tosche Station Radio Megafeed for more episodes and all of our network’s great Star Wars and geek culture content. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. 

Book Wars Pod, Episode 80: “Spork” with an F


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This week, we’re finishing our wrap-up of LEIA: PRINCESS OF ALDERAAN by Claudia Gray! Join us as we discuss Leia’s future balancing of parenting with politics and your social media questions! Plus, Kristen adds some screaming on the outline from Denmark.

This podcast is NOT spoiler-free. It also mentions plot points from BLOODLINE by Claudia Gray, which we read in our episodes 4-8, and The Last Jedi.

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, Instagram, and Tumblr for episode updates! Hosted by Kristen Sereci, Chris SedorKate Sedor, and Miranda Eldon. 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 Shadow

Queen’s Shadow is the book I’ve been waiting twenty years to get to read.

When I first saw The Phantom Menace when I was nine years old, I instantly fell in love with not only Queen Amidala but all of her handmaidens too. I learned all of their names (Sabé, Rabé, Eiraté, Saché, and Yané!) and I eagerly consumed every last scrap of information I could find about their characters and even their actresses. Then, when Attack of the Clones came out, I added Dormé, Cordé, and Versé to the list and loved them all too. Eventually, I found my way to the online Star Wars fandom and found other women and teenage girls who also loved the handmaidens. I’m still friends with a few of them to this very day. Despite finding this community, the broader Star Wars fandom didn’t seem to really care about the handmaidens and the disdain of Padmé solidified after Revenge of the Sith came out in 2005. That was almost 14 years ago. Since then, we’ve been mostly deprived of new handmaiden content and Padmé gets spoken about as being less than some of the other Star Wars heroines.

That changes today. Continue reading

Resistance Review: Descent

We are definitely not in slow burn territory anymore. Star Wars Resistance is going full steam ahead and I am Here. For. It!

Although last week’s rescue mission went well, Kaz is in a brand new boatload of trouble. The First Order shows up at Yeager’s garage to arrest all of them for being a Resistance cell. Everyone gets away except for Tam who is arrested and also, coincidentally, the one truly innocent person in this whole mess. In an effort to save the station, Kaz and Yaeger hatch a truly absurd plan to try and break the communications blackout and get a message to the Resistance… they just have to get Captain Doza to agree. Continue reading