SWBC: 'Jedi: Fallen Order' books and special editions of 'Kenobi' coming soon
SWBC: 'Jedi: Fallen Order' books and special editions of 'Kenobi' coming soon
Plus: The unofficial Princess Leia trilogy and a review of Dark Horse's Hyperspace Stories #1.
Star Wars gamers got some really exciting news last week — two new books set in the Star Wars Jedi franchise are coming in 2023.
The first is Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars and the second is The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Battle Scars by Sam Maggs is an original story published by Del Rey and is set between the events of Fallen Order and Survivor. The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor book will feature concept art and creator commentary from the upcoming Jedi: Fallen Order sequel, which does not yet have a release date.
Read more about these exciting new books and get recommendations for other things to read while we wait for them in the Space Wizard Book Club’s Breaking Book News post.
Jedi: Battle Scars releases on March 7, 2023
The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor releases on May 2, 2023
Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return
Star Wars prequel fans are in for a treat on Disney+ Day on Sept. 8. That’s when the behind-the-scenes special Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return premieres on the streaming platform.
The documentary from Lucasfilm and Supper Club will feature new interviews and footage from the making of Obi-Wan Kenobi, including commentary from Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, and director Deborah Chow.
The trailer for the special is packed with emotional and epic moments — Ewan and Hayden rehearsing lightsaber duels, Deborah Chow hugging Hayden in burnt Darth Vader makeup, and Moses Ingram (Reva) saying the series “blew my mind.”
Hayden also talks about his first day on set when he shouted “Obi-Wan!” and saw a hand go up.
Check out the full trailer below:
Special edition Kenobi books coming next month
Speaking of Obi-Wan, there are two new special editions of John Jackson Miller’s Kenobi novel arriving in September.
The above image is the stunning cover art for the Portuguese hardcover edition of the book. This edition releases on Sept. 20 and is available to preorder through Universo Dos Livros for 89.90 BRL (about $17.63 USD).
Then on Sept. 14 comes the Barns & Noble collector’s edition Star Wars: Tales of Kenobi, which includes both Miller’s Kenobi and The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster.
The bonded leather hardcover features exclusive art on the front and back covers, the spine, and inside the front cover.
Tales of Kenobi is available to preorder for $45 through Barnes & Noble.
Reading guide: The (unofficial) Princess Leia trilogy
With the release of The Princess and the Scoundrel, we now have an unofficial trilogy of books focused on Leia.
Claudia Gray wrote two quintessential Leia-centered novels — Leia: Princess of Alderaan provided a heartfelt and rebellious coming-of-age journey, and Bloodline showed the effects on the princess after decades of fighting both in and outside the Senate.
Then there’s The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis — a Han and Leia adventure I called romantic, thrilling, and the love story we’ve been waiting for.
For the full Leia experience, check out these three books. And read my full reading guide to this unofficial Princess Leia trilogy, which includes timeline placement, summaries, characters, and some of my favorite quotes.
Where to buy
Review: Hyperspace Stories #1
With the return of Dark Horse Comics to publishing Star Wars comes a delightful all-ages anthology series titled Hyperspace Stories. The 12-issue series features beloved characters and new stories from every era of Star Wars.
The first issue that arrives today, Aug. 23, is set in the early days of the Clone Wars and stars Senator Padme Amidala on a mission for the Republic. But as Admiral Ackbar would say, it was a trap, and Padme and other Republic representatives are kidnapped by the Separatists’ General Grievous.
Who else will come to their rescue but Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker? The dynamic Jedi duo, in this story, appear to have solidified their new brotherly relationship that evolved in Mike Chen’s Brotherhood novel.
This first issue is a great one to kick off the series, reading like a thrilling and emotional episode of The Clone Wars. It also features a heart-tuggingly adorable young Wookiee, typical Obi-Wan and Anakin shenanigans, and Obi-Wan attempting to speak Shyriiwook.
While the series is an anthology, there is an overarching storyline running throughout that connects all of the stories. I have a feeling it has something to do with the mysterious object the little girl Wookiee Viiveenn has hidden in her stuffed doll.
Find Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 through your local comic shop and Kindle & Comixology.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Star Wars: Crimson Reign trade paperback (Aug. 23 at comic book stores; regular release on Aug. 30)
Star Wars: Exploring Tatooine by Riley Silverman (Aug. 24 at comic book stores: regular release on Sept. 6)
Doctor Aphra #23
Darth Vader #26
Hyperspace Stories #1
Star Wars Insider Presents: The Mandalorian Season One, Volume Two collector’s edition (Aug. 23)
Currently reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang (out now!)
Bloodline by Claudia Gray (retro review coming after this reread!)
Savage Bonds by J. Bree
Exodus by Kate Stewart