SWBC: Reviews of 'The Princess and the Scoundrel' and 'Star Wars: Rebels' comics
Plus: New comics are coming, and I got a Star Wars tattoo!
The Princess and the Scoundrel: A romantic and thrilling Han and Leia love story
The year’s most anticipated wedding has finally arrived. The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis was released this week to rave reviews, including my own.
The post-Return of the Jedi adult novel is set immediately after the Battle of Endor and follows Princess Leia and Han Solo as they marry, go on their honeymoon aboard the luxury Halcyon starcruiser, and, of course, run some Imperials off a planet during a “shore excursion.” Completely normal Han and Leia adventures.
The brightest parts of this novel are the insights we get from both Han and Leia about their feelings after years of war and trauma, their pasts and possible futures, and how — despite many obstacles trying to tear them apart — they are hopelessly in love with one another.
I adored this story, and The Princess and the Scoundrel is now on my list of favorite Star Wars books of all time. It’s romantic, thrilling, deeply personal and emotional, heartbreaking, and fun. Revis captures the spirit of these two original trilogy Star Wars characters perfectly and builds on their legacy.
Some snippets from my review for Dork Side of the Force:
Revis writes Han and Leia’s wedding in exquisite detail, describing everything from the meadow green of Leia’s gossamer gown and the wildflowers woven into her hair to the intricacies of the spiritual and emotional Ewok-assisted ring ceremony.
he Princess and the Scoundrel is a captivating story focusing on two of the most beloved Star Wars characters. The novel is so much more than a wedding and a honeymoon cruise. The Princess and the Scoundrel is about the earliest days of the fledgling New Republic in the wake of the Emperor’s death. Its setting is a transitionary period between the fall of a fascistic regime and the birth of another fighting for freedom.
And, perhaps most of all, the book is about Han and Leia – how their relationship is evolving from one fueled by the passion and adrenaline of warfare and stolen moments to one where they can finally focus on themselves. Revis deftly shows how Han and Leia complement one another, embracing and challenging each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Princess and the Scoundrel is a charming and thrilling tale about the galaxy’s favorite power couple and how they made their love work.
Star Wars: Rebels comic collection review
Dark Horse has made a blockbuster return to publishing Star Wars comics with Star Wars: Rebels. The trade paperback collects dozens of comic shorts previously published in Star Wars: Rebels Magazine and Star Wars: Rebels Animation Magazine.
Some of these comics have never before been published in the U.S., making this 504-page collection all the more special.
Some snippets from my review for Dork Side of the Force:
While these comics aren’t new, the stories haven’t really been collected or easily accessible before now, which makes this book particularly special. And it arrives at the perfect time in the ongoing Star Wars renaissance.
Each comic collected in the trade paperback from Dark Horse is short but perfectly paced, making breezing through the 504-page book pretty easy.
This collection of Ghost crew antics and adventures is perfect for all Rebels fans and adds a surprising amount of depth to the already expansive and out-of-this-world storytelling of the hit animated Star Wars series.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
The Princess and the Scoundrel (Aug. 16)
Star Wars Rebels (Aug. 16)*
Star Wars Insider Presents The Mandalorian Season One Vol.1 (Aug. 16)
Star Wars #26 (Aug. 17)
The Mandalorian #2 (Aug. 17)**
*Released last week via comic shops.
**Release date according to the publisher
In other HoloNet news…
Star Wars: Revelations comic
Marvel’s Star Wars comics have been churning out some incredible stories over the last several years. Go to any comic shop and you’ll probably find an entire row — or two — dedicated to all the Star Wars comics running every month.
Currently, the major ongoing Star Wars series are all set after The Empire Strikes Back. There are a few exceptions for limited and mini-series like Obi-Wan Kenobi.
And arriving in November is Star Wars: Revelations, a one-shot comic that, according to StarWars.com, “promises to point to the future of Marvel’s Star Wars line.”
The story focuses on Darth Vader visiting the mysterious Eye of Webbish Bog on Mustafar — a creature shockingly strong with the Force that will show the in-universe past, present, and future to Vader. According to writer Marc Guggenheim, that includes “moments that will be coming into play in 2023 all across the Star Wars line.”
Hidden Empire comic
Huge congrats are in order for Charles Soule, who recently celebrated his 100th Star Wars comic and has been helming the hit mini-series Crimson Reign. And he’s a key creator in the return of fan-favorite Solo character, Qi’ra.
Qi’ra — Han Solo’s former flame — made an epic return to the Star Wars universe in the mini-series War of the Bounty Hunters, where it was revealed that she stole the frozen carbonite slab of Han Solo from Boba Fett and created absolute chaos among the galaxy’s biggest power players.
After that, Qi’ra’s story continued in Crimson Reign, a five-issue series that wrapped up on a teasing cliffhanger with her saying “This is my hidden empire. Choke on it.”
Now comes Hidden Empire, another five-issue series kicking off in November. The series will follow Qi’ra on a collision course with the Emperor and will conclude Soule’s unofficial trilogy of Qi’ra stories.
“This new story is designed to deliver the big finale to Qi’ra’s story — at least this phase of it,” Soule told StarWars.com. “She emerged from years of hiding with an elaborate, incredible plan to bring down the Sith, and Hidden Empire is the endgame.”
Soule also said the series will bring together major characters like Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, and even the Knights of Ren, and will be set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
I got a Star Wars tattoo!
Over the weekend, I got a Star Wars tattoo — I have other tattoos, but this is my first Star Wars one.
The base is Obi-Wan Kenobi’s original trilogy lightsaber, and the flowers — a sunflower and daffodils — are for my grandparents.
I absolutely love it, and I can’t wait to get more Star Wars ink.
Do you have a Star Wars or nerdy tattoo? Share yours in the comments!
One last thing…
I now have an Amazon Storefront!
So far, I’ve stocked it with lists of Star Wars books and other nerdy and bookish things I recommend. I’m also working on lists broken down by era and Essential Legends, as well as categories for reference books, kids’ books, comics, and more.
Have an idea of what you’d like to see recommended? Let me know in the comments!