SWBC: Return of The High Republic show; new 'Andor' trailer
Plus: Some of my recent reviews and current reads.
The High Republic show returns, teases Phase 2
We’re just a couple of months away from the next phase of The High Republic era, and The High Republic show finally returned this week with new details from the authors and a reveal of the opening crawl.
During the show, host Krystina Arielle revealed a couple of variant covers for Marvel’s The High Republic comic series as well as the first look at more characters of the era. One of the characters is Axel Greylark, the Republic chancellor’s son. Axel is described as a “Space Rake” and will feature in Zoraida Córdova’s Convergence.
The other is Silandra Sho, a Jedi Master who prefers to use a Kyber crystal-power shield over a lightsaber. You’ll find her in George Mann’s Quest for the Hidden City.
And perhaps the biggest news out of the latest The High Republic show is the opening crawl — a Star Wars staple introducing viewers and readers to the current events of the galaxy at the time.
Phase 2 of The High Republic — Quest of the Jedi — is set about 150 years before the events of Phase 1, which puts it more than 300 years before the Skywalker saga. At this time, Jedi Knights are both peacekeepers and pathfinders, working with the Republic to plot and connect the galaxy’s thousands of worlds.
Key people and places of this era will be Pathfinder Teams, the Forever War between Eiram and E’ronoh, and some mysterious happenings on Dalna.
Watch the full High Republic show over on YouTube.
Read more The High Republic news revealed at San Diego Comic-Con here.
New Andor trailer & release date
Andor star Diego Luna appeared on Good Morning America this week to share a brand new trailer for the Star Wars series on Disney+.
While the trailer is incredibly action-packed and reveals more than ever about the upcoming series, Star Wars also announced the release date has been pushed back to September 21.
Watch the new trailer here.
And check out this gorgeous new poster:
Empire magazine also set the internet ablaze on Tuesday with an exclusive interview with Andor star Fiona Shaw, who plays Maarva, and creator Tony Gilroy. Shaw said Gilroy “has written a great, scurrilous (take) on the Trumpian world” and that “Andor reflects” our own world.
“[In the show] the Empire is taking over, and it feels like the same thing is happening in reality, too,” she said.
Reading guide: Books to read before Andor
Coming soon & currently reading
Retro review: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter audiobook. As I said on Twitter, the new unabridged audio production is made mild-meltingly good by Sam Witwer, the voice of Darth Maul in both The Clone Wars and Rebels. A retro review of the novel and new audiobook is coming soon.
The Princess and the Scoundrel review: The embargo is up for this book, so don’t be surprised if you start seeing reviews. My review will drop closer to the release date, either the day before or the day of August 16.
My thoughts so far:
I’ve cried three times already.
I want to have another wedding so I can wear Leia’s dress and have Ewoks crash the party.
I did not think I could love Leia more, but every chapter is changing my mind.
Star Wars Rebels trade paperback: This is such a fun, fast-paced read so far. Each story is like an untold episode of Rebels, and it’s perfect for fans who can’t get enough of the Ghost crew’s adventures. I’ll have a full review next week when the Dark Horse comic collection releases on August 10.
Recent reviews:
Padawan by Kiersten White
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood (August 23)
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma by Preeti Chhibber
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw
Currently reading:
Star Wars Rebels from Dark Horse (August 10)
The History and Politics of Star Wars: Death Stars and Democracy by Chris Kempshall (August 11)
Babel by R.F. Kuang (August 23)
Star Wars books and comics out this week
August 2
Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Vol. 4
Essential Legends Collection:
The Krytos Trap by Michael A. Stackpole
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reavis
Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber
August 3
Halcyon Legacy #4
August 8
Find a full list of Star Wars books and comics coming out this month here.
ICYMI: SWBC now offers paid subscriptions
The Space Wizards Book Club recently reached over 200 subscribers! And, it’s been a month since I launched this humble Star Wars books project, and I can’t thank you enough for being a part of it.
To celebrate, I’m launching paid subscriptions with some fun benefits.
Free subscribers will still get weekly newsletters delivered on Wednesdays with reviews, news, upcoming releases, reading recommendations, and pretty pictures of books. But I’ve also got a ton of ideas for curated and customized stories, posts, and newsletters.
What paid subscribers will get:
Access to discussions and FAQ forums to talk about recent releases and ask me and others questions about Star Wars books
Personalized reading guides and recommendations
Behind-the-scenes posts about how I read, review, collect, photograph, and annotate books
More access to giveaways and subscriber-only giveaways
Full access to the archive
And, of course, paid subscriptions support my work — reading, writing, photographing, and putting this newsletter together.
Again, I can’t thank you enough for the support, and I hope you’ll stick around and share this community with your Star Wars- and book-loving friends.