SWBC: Books to read if you're enjoying 'The Mandalorian'
Plus: Meeting the actor behind 'Obi-Wan Kenobi's' Fifth Brother and preparing to say goodbye to The High Republic phase two.
Books to read if you’re enjoying The Mandalorian
While we don’t (yet) have a tie-in novel for The Mandalorian, there are still plenty of Star Wars books set after the fall of the Empire. And with season 3 featuring supposedly reformed Imperials and the struggles of the New Republic government, now’s the perfect time to dig into some of my favorite Star Wars books.
Alphabet Squadron: The trilogy by Alexander Freed is perfect for those who loved the X-Wing series of the first Expanded Universe. The pilots of Alphabet Squadron are not great people, and their leader — Yrica Quell — is a former Imperial who participated in the genocidal Operation Cinder with the Shadow Wing of TIE pilots. The series presents an excellent look at the traumas of war faced by both sides as well as the New Republic’s struggle to feel like it has actually won despite being surrounded by death and destruction.
Aftermath: In this trilogy by Chuck Wendig, the newly-formed New Republic continues to hunt down Imperial remnants throughout the galaxy. Then, Rebel hero Wedge Antilles is captured while scouting out a far-off regrouping of Star Destroyers. The second (Life Debt) and third (Empire’s End) books follow the pursuit of Imperial leadership, Princess Leia’s attempts to broker peace and establish a strong new government, and the epic Battle of Jakku.
Lost Stars: The young adult novel by Claudia Gray is the book I always recommend to new Star Wars readers. It spans so many years on the timeline that it’s perfect for those who understand the basics of Star Wars and now want to get into the books. This one is an essential read following two childhood friends turned lovers — one a loyal Imperial and the other a Rebel who helps in the fight to take down the Death Star. This one also gives juicy insights into the minds and motives of Imperial officers.
Bloodline: Want to learn how hard it is to form a new galactic government and keep it functioning? Check out this adult novel by Claudia Gray, another of the author’s books whose main character is Leia — now a New Republic senator more than two decades after A New Hope. This book is an incredible read and features the intense moment when the galaxy learns who Leia’s father was.
Bonus book rec for The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch
Shadow of the Sith: In both The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch, there have been ~sprinkles~ of hints that Star Wars is working to explain how Palpatine returned in The Rise of Skywalker. Based on various cobbled-together sources, we know the Emperor who appears in the final Skywalker saga film was a clone of the original. For decades — starting during the Clone Wars — Palpatine experimented with cloning science with a plan to make sure he lived on in some form. Snoke is confirmed to be a failed clone of Palpatine.
But Adam Christopher’s Shadow of the Sith paints the clearest picture yet of what Palpatine was doing — presenting Rey’s father’s (a strand-cast of Palpatine) horrific upbringing on Exegol with the Sith Eternal cult. It’s a dark but gripping book that I highly recommend for more prequel-to-the-sequels content.
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5: “The Pirate”
Rebels fans, how are we feeling?
Anyway, some snippets from my review of The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5 for Winter Is Coming:
Halfway through The Mandalorian season 3, it still wasn't clear where this season was headed and what overarching story it would tell. Sure, the first four episodes were entertaining and filled with epic, intense, and adorable moments featuring Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu, Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), and more grumpy Mandalorians. Luckily, it turns out we just needed to be patient and trust writers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni.
Chapter 21, "The Pirate," brings together all the loose story threads planted so far, coalescing into a sharp plan for the rest of the season. While it opens in a way that at first reads like another "mission of the week," the fifth episode presents character-defining moments with massive implications for the rest of the season.
For Clone Wars and Rebels fans, it feels like a moment that's been a long time coming — Bo-Katan returning to her rightful place as the leader of Mandalore. But The Mandalorian showrunners would be remiss to not explain why Bo-Katan is worthy of the position. There are many who have not seen either of the animated series and may feel that Din was being set up as the one to reunite the clans.
Still, it's great to finally have a clearer picture of where the third season of The Mandalorian is headed.
Coming soon: The end of The High Republic phase two
It’s almost time to say goodbye to The High Republic phase two.
Next week, April 4, the final adult book arrives — Cataclysm by Lydia Kang. I’m about halfway through my review copy (thanks, Random House Worlds!) and I’m very much not ready to have my heart ripped out. We all knew this prequel series had to end sometime, and most of the characters of this time period aren’t around by the time of phase one.
But it’s going to be very hard to say goodbye to Gella Nattai, Creighton Sun, Axel Greylark, and the many other characters of phase two.
After Cataclysm comes Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott. With that author’s track record, the young adult book concluding phase two is going to be brutal.
What comes after phase two? Details about phase three haven’t yet been announced. But Star Wars Celebration is next week, promising a few panels on the future of Star Wars books. So, stay tuned.
Not sure where to start with The High Republic? A short and sweet reading order:
Phase one: Light of the Jedi, Into the Dark, The Rising Storm, Out of the Shadows, Tempest Runner, The Fallen Star, Midnight Horizon
Phase two: Path of Deceit, Convergence, The Battle of Jedha, Cataclysm, Path of Vengeance
Don’t worry, I’m updating my detailed High Republic reading guide very soon.
Coming next week: Review of The High Republic: Cataclysm
Starstruck: Meeting Fifth Brother from Obi-Wan Kenobi
Beyond geeking out over Star Wars books every week, my “day job” is as an entertainment journalist and media professional. And this past weekend, I got the chance to work for the Gasparilla International Film Festival here in Tampa, Florida. My job was seriously fun — create video content for social media.
One of the feature screenings this year was a new horror comedy called Shaky Shivers, directed by Sung Kang — of Fast and Furious fame. Us Star Wars fans also know him as Fifth Brother in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
I got to chat with Sung on the red carpet before the Shaky Shivers showing and asked him about his experience joining the Star Wars galaxy. As someone who grew up dressing up in Star Wars Halloween costumes and fighting with paper towel roll lightsabers, Sung said it was a “pinch yourself moment to be on set with Darth Vader.”
If you want to see more of my work from this weekend, check out GIFF’s Instagram and TikTok pages — including my chat with Patrick Wilson! (The Conjuring; Aquaman)
Star Wars books and comics out this week
March 29
The High Republic: The Blade #4
Return of the Jedi: Jabba’s Palace #1
The High Republic #7
