SWBC: Reviews of 'Quest for Planet X,' season 3 finale of 'The Mandalorian'
Plus: Previews of 'Star Wars Timelines' and 'Star Wars 100 Objects,' and a look at my stacked TBR.
Review: Quest for Planet X
I am, once again, yelling about reading the middle-grade Star Wars books.
The last middle-grade book in The High Republic phase two is also one of the best ever — an unpredictable adventure with plenty of heart and humor. Quest for Planet X by Tessa Gratton gives main characters Jedi Padawan Rooper Nitani and prospector Dass Leffbruk room to grow and mature away from their guardians. And it introduces Sky Graf, who has the biggest part for a non-binary character in all of Star Wars.
Some more thoughts from my review for Dork Side of the Force:
The latest High Republic phase two story has all the best attributes of the middle-grade novels that came before it: heart, humor, dynamic struggles, and emotional growth that make it extraordinarily relatable to all ages. The High Republic: Quest for the Planet X also has quite possibly the best description of hyperspace science ever seen in a Star Wars book.
Like the young adult novels, the middle-grade offerings tend to take a more character-centric focus. And in Quest for Planet X, Rooper, Dass, and Sky get the full treatment as they navigate personal growth and evolving emotional maturity. All three, though different ages, experience the tipping point between being a child and being a young adult in this journey that takes them away from their parents and guardians.
Sky’s story is also a crucial moment for The High Republic era and Star Wars as a whole. Sky is non-binary, and their pronouns are immediately accepted by all and never questioned. They also explain their struggles with their own identity and how important their father was in guiding them through that — including buying them their first chest binder.
It cannot be overstated how important it is to have that LGBTQ+ representation in a book for middle-grade readers — kids ages 3-12. Especially at a time when so many books with LGBTQ+ stories and authors are being challenged and removed from library shelves.
Seeing yourself represented in a piece of fictional media like Star Wars is a beautiful experience. And I’m so glad to think about all the people who may see themselves represented in Sky and their journey in Quest for Planet X.
Quest for Planet X is a can’t-miss Star Wars read, lively and fast-paced with all the right elements to add more depth to The High Republic phase two.
The Mandalorian season 3 finale
For Mandalore!
That’s a wrap on the third season of The Mandalorian — an uneven, disjointed venture, but one still packed with epic and heartwarming moments that had me cheering. We don’t often get happy endings in Star Wars, so I’m choosing to cherish the peaceful ending of episode 8, “The Return.”
Some snippets from my review for Winter is Coming:
Well, that's all, folks. Season three of The Mandalorian has officially come to an end — a relatively short episode packed with satisfying action. But considering the bigger picture of the season, the last episode, "The Return," plays it safe. And surprisingly, there were no major cameos or shocking reveals, and the ending is rather tidy.
One of the most epic moments in the episode is a classic Star Wars hallway scene. Weaponless Din punches and kicks and blasts through half a dozen dark troopers guarding the entry to Gideon's command center. And he does it with style.
Also doing it with style is Bo-Katan, who leads an aerial assault on the dark troopers while wielding the Darksaber. Mandalorian jetpack fans have been fed so well this season.
With an overall uneven, disjointed third season, The Mandalorian still managed to include many heartwarming, adventurous, and timeline-pushing moments. Whatever you think of Bo-Katan and the retaking of Mandalore, her story was the strongest of the season. It's immensely satisfying for longtime fans of her character arcs in The Clone Wars and Rebels — RIP to the Darksaber though.
The tidy, heartwarming ending hints at a return to the style and adventures of the first two seasons. With The Rangers of the New Republic scrapped, showrunners Dave Filoni and John Favreau could easily keep weaving in those elements in a future season of The Mandalorian — Din and Grogu are basically New Republic employees now.
We can't wait to see him in his first X-Wing.
Coming soon: Star Wars Timelines
I got some really exciting book mail from DK Publishing over the weekend — copies of Star Wars 100 Objects and Star Wars Timelines.
100 Objects is available now, and it’s everything my historical artifact-loving heart could want. It’s filled with up close photos of illuminating items like lightsabers, clothing, furniture, tools, weapons, and more. Each object also has behind-the-scenes details that you may have missed in the films and TV shows. We don’t see the intricacies of objects like Anakin Skywalker’s cybernetic hand, General Grievous’s mask, and Ochi’s Sith dagger. In this book, we do.
Full review of Star Wars 100 Objects is coming soon.
Also coming soon is more thoughts on the big and beautiful Star Wars Timelines — which releases on April 25.
The hefty reference book is bursting with important dates in Star Wars history — from the Old Republic and The High Republic all the way to fall of the First Order. There are event breakout sections charting the timelines and lives of specific characters and groups like Thrawn and the Chiss Ascendancy and Boba Fett.
I’ll have much more thoughts soon, but what’s so cool about Timelines is that it is a definitive history of the Star Wars galaxy, including stories, art, and characters from all projects — not just the movies and TV shows. There are book covers and comic art alongside stills from the films and even recent Star Wars series.
I have a feeling I’m going to use this book so much in my future Star Wars writing.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
April 19
The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #2
Yoda #6
Sana Starros #3
Recent reads & TBR
Recent reads and reviews:
Eragon: The first book in the Inheritance Cycle series from Christopher Paolini is just as good as I remember it. Nearly 20 years after its release, a reread made me appreciate the world-building and Lord of the Rings vibes as well as the heartwarming connection between Eragon and his dragon Saphira. I’m counting down the days until Murtagh releases in November.
Divine Rivals: This book hooked me with magical typewriters and rival journalists set in a fantastical mid-20th-century world with warring gods. It’s about the young woman who writes letters to her brother at war and the young man who inadvertently reads them. Their rivals-to-lovers storyline is steeped in magic with haunting lyrical prose. It made me forget I was reading while also reminding me why I love reading and books and journalism so much. Divine Rivals is an all-consuming book and one that I won't ever forget.
All Systems Red: A homicidal sentient android who loves realty television discovers itself and has an existential crisis all why becoming a part of a found family of humans. I love Murderbot.
What Lurks Between the Fates: In the third book of this dark fantasy romance series, we finally get a closer look at the world of Fae through both Estrella's and Caldris's eyes. And with that, it feels like the author and the story finally hit their stride. What Lurks Between the Fates is now my favorite book in the series so far, mainly because it actually had quality world-building instead of a steamy spicy scene for every five pages of them walking.
I’ve also been writing more bookish content for Attractions Magazine, including hearing from the authors of recent Disney cookbooks.
Next up: Official cookbooks for Hocus Pocus and Lilo & Stitch
On my TBR:
Thrawn: Treason: Finishing up the Thrawn trilogy via audiobook, and I have a feeling this one’s going to be my favorite of the three. Thrawn vs. Director Krennic? TIE Defenders vs. Death Star? The return of Eli Vanto? Yes, please.
The Hells of Notre Dame: A sapphic fantasy romance reimagining of The Hunchback of Notre Dame with a dash of Phantom of the Opera. Claude Frollo is the hero, Captain Phoebus is the villain, and Esmerelda is a fire witch.
The Sun and the Star: Star Wars Hunters author Mark Oshiro is back (alongside Rick Riordan) with their most anticipated novel yet — a new story set in the world of Percy Jackson. It’s a Nico di Angelo adventure starring the son of Hades himself and his boyfriend Will, the son of Apollo. (Release date: May 2)
Mistborn: I’m fully ready to enter my Brandon Sanderson era — I’ve heard nothing but great things about his books. After The High Republic phase two ends, I’m looking forward to a couple of months where I can catch up on Mistborn and other books on my TBR.
Witch King: I’m also ready for a Martha Wells era — basically, I’m dipping my toe into more sci-fi. I just started her Murderbot Diaries series with All Systems Red, and I currently have Artificial Condition checked out from Libby. Witch King is Wells’ first new full-length fantasy in years, and I can’t wait to dive in. (Release date: May 30)
Star Wars Timelines is going into my online shopping cart immediately! And lots of your non-Star Wars reads caught my attention today. Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Great read, definitely going to check out some of your writing for Attractions Magazine. I agree with your thoughts about Mando S3. I think the last two episodes were the standouts for the season that, overall, felt a little messy but still great fun. Anyway, I’m off to read Quest for Planet X.