SWBC: New details and an excerpt from 'Cataclysm' and 'Battle Scars'
SWBC: New details and an excerpt from 'Cataclysm' and 'Battle Scars'
Plus: Star Wars books and comics arriving in February.
Excerpt from Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars
Just a little over a month away from the release of Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars, and we finally have the first excerpt from the book written by Sam Maggs.
Battle Scars follows Cal Kestis and the rest of the Mantis crew after the events of Jedi: Fallen Order and will lead into the upcoming game Jedi: Survivor. The book sees the group cross paths with a stormtrooper deserter, who tells them of a mysterious object that could help fight the Empire. But getting it forces the group into the crosshairs of the fearsome Inquisitor, Fifth Brother.
In the excerpt, released by StarWars.com, Cal and his trusty droid BD-1 work to infiltrate a base of the Haxion Brood crime syndicate — showing off his Jedi-parkour powers along the way.
“Today was going to be a good day for the Jedi.
Jedi Knight Cal Kestis was going to make certain of that.
Sure, it was possible that he was one of maybe only two Jedi left.
But those Jedi? They were going to have a good day.
“Hey, buddy, things looking clear?” Cal asked, his voice reverberat¬ing in his ears inside his helmet. From his back, Cal heard two little taps from his droid, BD-1’s way of communicating with him while on a stealth mission. Cal could hear BD-1’s trills via comms, but sound was risky while sneaking and the droid often preferred to communicate by a more rapid and tactile method, knowing the rest of the crew couldn’t understand him anyway. “Thanks, Beedee. Have I told you lately you’re the best?”
A pause. Then:
Tap.
Cal laughed. “Well, this is me telling you. I won’t slack off on it again.”
Tap tap.
A damn good day.”
Jedi: Survivor delayed to April
In a not-so-surprising move, the team behind Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has delayed the release of the game another six weeks.
While it may be a disappointment to some fans, the delay gives the creators more time to fine-tune the game. It’s also a bit of reprieve for fans, who in the month of March had a boatload of new Star Wars content coming their way. And that means readers will have almost two months to read Battle Scars before diving into Survivor.
Barring any more delays, here’s what Star Wars fans can expect in March:
The Mandalorian season 3 (March 1)
Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars (March 7)
Hunters: Battle for the Arena (March 7)
The High Republic: Chronicles of the Jedi: An Illustrated Guide to the Galaxy’s Golden Age (March 21)
Preorder Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (affiliate link)
Full book description for The High Republic: Cataclysm
The next adult book in The High Republic phase two finally has a full book description. Cataclysm by Lydia Kang is a sequel of sorts to Convergence and the events of The Battle of Jedha, following the Jedi and the leaders of warring planets Eiram and E’ronoh as they investigate the true culprits behind the recent violence and chaos — the Path of the Open Hand.
Full description:
“After five years of conflict, the planets Eiram and E’ronoh are on the cusp of real peace. But when news breaks of a disaster at the treaty signing on Jedha, violence reignites on the beleaguered worlds. Together, the royal heirs of both planets—Phan-tu Zenn and Xiri A’lbaran—working alongside the Jedi, have uncovered evidence that the conflict is being orchestrated by outside forces, and all signs point to the mysterious Path of the Open Hand, whom the Jedi also suspect of causing the disaster on Jedha.
With time—and answers—in short supply, the Jedi must divide their focus between helping quell the renewed violence on Eiram and E’ronoh and investigating the Path. Among them is Gella Nattai, who turns to the one person she believes can unravel the mystery but the last person she wants to trust: Axel Greylark. The chancellor’s son, imprisoned for his crimes, has always sought to unburden himself of the weight of his family name. Will he reconcile with the Jedi and aid in their quest for justice and peace, or embrace the Path’s promise of true freedom?
As all roads lead to Dalna, Gella and her allies prepare to take on a foe unlike any they’ve ever faced. And it will take all of their trust in the Force, and in one another, to survive.”
Cataclysm releases on April 4. Before this book, check out Path of Deceit by Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton and Convergence by Zoraida Córdova.
Preorder Star Wars: The High Republic: Cataclysm (affiliate link)
Women’s History Month variant covers
To celebrate Women’s History Month in March, Marvel’s Star Wars comics will feature 11 stunning variant covers designed by legendary artist Peach Momoko.
Here are the characters set to grace variant covers of Star Wars comics next month:
Amilyn Holdo (The Last Jedi)
Barash (The High Republic: The Blade)
Chanath Cha (Hidden Empire)
Domina Tagge (Doctor Aphra)
Gheyr (Star Wars: Yoda)
Grammy Starros (Sana Starros)
Khel Tanna (Han Solo & Chewbacca)
Princess Leia
Matty (The High Republic)
Nakano Lash (Bounty Hunters)
Sabé (Darth Vader)
Marvel is expected to reveal more Women’s History Month covers soon. Check out their list of on-sale dates for these variant covers and more at Marvel.com.
Out now: The Princess and the Scoundrel paperback
The thrilling and romantic Leia and Han story we’ve waited decades for is now out in trade paperback format. Plus, The Princess and the Scoundrel paperback is the first book with the new Random House Worlds publishing label.
The Princess and the Scoundrel is perfect for original trilogy fans as it’s set immediately after Return of the Jedi and the destruction of the second Death Star. It features a wedding and a funeral, and plenty of classic Han and Leia thrills and antics along the way.
Star Wars books and comics arriving in February 2023
February 2023 is a light month for new Star Wars books, but there are a couple of new comics coming out as well as the script book for The High Republic: The Battle of Jedha audio original.
A few other selections I’m excited for:
The High Republic #5
The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror
Yoda #4
January 2023 reading wrapup
Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen: Contemporary vampire story and an ode to punk rock, found family and community, and unionizing! The adult fantasy debut from Star Wars: Brotherhood writer Mike Chen. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Frost by C.N. Crawford: A modern fae fantasy that mixes The Hunger Games and The Bachelor along with classic fairy lore. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
What Hunts Inside the Shadows by Harper L. Woods: A dark and sexy sequel that greatly expands its world-building and the motives and destiny of its female main character. The fae fantasy also mixes aspects of Greek and Norse mythology with witchcraft and ancient magic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner: Contemporary historical fiction that bounces between the present day and the 18th century to tell the stories of three women who break free of the oppressive cages built by the men in their lives through purposeful and accidental poisons and a love for history. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Thief of Sorrows by Kristen M. Long: A gender-bend Robin Hood retelling takes a dark turn with found family and a fresh take on an ancient, shifter-based magic system in this fantasy debut. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory: A contemporary romance inspired by Beauty and the Beast features a disillusioned publishing assistant who struggles to help and then falls in love with a brooding, grumpy celebrity author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers: A feel-good existential sci-fi novella that explores identity, purpose, and our connections to nature and technology. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: A contemporary, epic coming-of-age story about platonic love and storytelling through video games. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5