SWBC: Meet the authors of 'From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi'
SWBC: Meet the authors of 'From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi'
Plus: The Mandalorian season 3, episode 3 review
The story of Return of the Jedi — From a Certain Point of View
It’s finally happening — From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi is coming in September.
With the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi — and Star Wars Celebration in London — this year, fans have been wondering when a new FACPOV would be announced. The new collection of short stories is set to arrive on Sept. 5, 2023, concluding the original trilogy anthology series.
In the announcement for the book last week, Star Wars also revealed the stunning cover art as well as the 40 authors penning 40 short stories. We also got a sneak peek at what some of the stories will be about.
Olivia Blake (The Atlas Six) has written a story from Emperor Palpatine’s sinister perspective. Saladin Ahmed (Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel comics) explores the history of the rancor keeper at Jabba’s palace while Charlie Jane Anders (All the Birds in the Sky) gives a biography of the Sarlacc. There’s also a story about Mon Mothma’s secret mission for the Rebel Alliance written by Fran Wilde (Updraft), and a Wicket the Ewok quest by Mary Kenney (Insomniac Games).
One of the stories I’m most excited for (and can’t wait to sob over) is Mike Chen’s tale exploring the moment Anakin Skywalker becomes one with the Force.
Here are all 40 authors of FACPOV: ROTJ and where you may have seen their work before.
Saladin Ahmed: Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel comics
Charles Jane Anders: All the Birds in the Sky
Tom Angleberger: Origami Yoda and other Star Wars paper craft books
Kristin Baver: Skywalker: A Family at War; The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic; host of This Week in Star Wars
Olivie Blake: The Atlas Six
Akemi Dawn Bowman: Starfish; The Infinity Courts
Emma Mieko Candon: Star Wars: Ronin: A Visions Novel
Olivia Chadha: Fall of the Iron Gods
Gloria Chao: When You Wish Upon a Lantern; Rent a Boyfriend
Mike Chen: Star Wars: Brotherhood
Adam Christopher: Shadow of the Sith
Paul Crilley: The Lazarus Machine
Amal El-Mohtar: This Is How You Lose the Time War
M. K. England: Guardians of the Galaxy: No Guts, No Glory; Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty
Jason Fry: Star Wars Complete Vehicles; The Last Jedi novelization
Adam Lance Garcia: Green Lama: Legacy; Sons of Fire
Lamar Giles: The Getaway
Max Gladstone: This Is How You Lose the Time War; Three Parts Dead
Thea Guanzon: The Hurricane Wars
Ali Hazelwood: The Love Hypothesis; Love on the Brain
Patricia A. Jackson: Tales from the New Republic; Tales from the Empire
Alex Jennings: The Ballad of Perilous Graves
Mary Kenney: Insomniac Games
Jarrett Krosoczka: Star Wars: Jedi Academy children’s books
Sarah Kuhn: Doctor Aphra audio original script book
Danny Lore: Marvel comics
Sarah Glenn Marsh: Reign of the Fallen
Kwame Mbalia: Tristan Strong series (Rick Riordan presents)
Marieke Nijkamp: This Is Where It Ends; Before I Let Go
Danielle Paige: Dorothy Must Die; The Ravens
Laura Pohl: The Grimrose Girls
K. Arsenault Rivera: The Tiger’s Daughter
Dana Schwartz: Anatomy: A Love Story
Tara Sim: The City of Dusk
Phil Szostak: The Art of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker
Suzanne Walker: Mooncakes
Hannah Whitten: For the Wolf; The Foxglove King
Fran Wilde: Updraft
Sean Williams: Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance
Alyssa Wong: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra comics
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 3
It was another thrilling and insightful episode of The Mandalorian season 3, even if there was a diversion to a different storyline. Here are some snippets from my review for Winter Is Coming:
“Despite a diversion from Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) adventures, the third episode of The Mandalorian season 3 is anything but filler. Instead, "The Convert" takes time to expand the world of the New Republic and show what life is like for both former Imperials and regular citizens.”
“While the episode opens right where we left Bo-Katan and Din — on the stone steps of the Living Waters after a quick dip and an introduction to a living and breathing Mythosaur — the core of "The Convert" takes place on Coruscant. We haven't seen Coruscant under Republic rule since the days of the prequels, and its vibrant and bustling cityscape is a sight for sore eyes.”
“The New Republic is the "good guys," but through Dr. Pershing's eyes, we see how much of this amnesty program feels just as sinister as the Empire. For one, each former Imperial is essentially stripped of personhood and given a number to be identified by. And no matter how high they ranked or their skillset, what's most important to the New Republic is their ability to be reconditioned in service of the ‘good guys.’”
“While this episode appears to have two distinct storylines, The Mandalorian has done well with making them feel connected. The trip to Coruscant all but confirms the Imperial Remnant (seen in previous seasons) is still alive and pushing for advancing cloning tech. That could very well lead to a quintessential Star Wars trope — retroactively filling in the blanks of undercooked lore set out in the films.
Still, the confirmation of Bo-Katan as the co-main character this season is a welcome one. And we can't wait to see what she and Din do next to give new life to the Mandalorians.”
Coming soon: Star Wars Hunters: Battle for the Arena
Jedi: Battle Scars wasn’t the only Star Wars book released last week. Star Wars Hunters: Battle for the Arena is a new middle-grade novel based on the world of the upcoming battle royale-style mobile game Star Wars Hunters - created and produced by Zynga.
Unfortunately, the book by Mark Oshiro has received very little publicity leading up to its release — most likely because of the lack of updates on when the game will release.
However, at the Space Wizards Book Club we like to celebrate every new Star Wars release no matter the format or age group. So, a full review of the book is coming next week.
On the timeline: New Republic era
Location: Vespaara, Outer Rim
Main character: Rieve, a Force-sensitive orphan from Corellia
Star Wars books and comics out this week
March 14
Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 1
Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic Vol. 5
DK Super Readers Level 1: Grogu’s Galaxy
March 15
The High Republic Adventures #3
Yoda #5
Um, Anakin becoming one with the force?! 😭 I’m so ready to cry over that too!