SWBC: Star Wars books to read for 'Ahsoka'
Plus: The Space Wizards Book Club Etsy shop is now live!
Star Wars book recommendations for Ahsoka
The Ahsoka series is two months away from premiering on Disney Plus. So, now is the perfect time to prep with books, comics, and episodes of Rebels and The Clone Wars. First, my reading recommendations for the new show.
Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston: What happened to Ahsoka Tano after Order 66 and the events of Revenge of the Sith? She went into hiding and tried to hide her Force sensitivity. But even someone who is “no Jedi” can’t stay away from people who need help. And this young adult book follows Ahsoka in her journey from former Jedi to leading spy in the growing Rebellion.
The new Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn: With the return of Thrawn to the new canon of Star Wars stories via Rebels, the character’s creator just had to write a new trilogy. That’s where Thrawn, Thrawn: Alliances, and Thrawn: Treason come in. The three books chronicle Thrawn’s fascinating journey from Chiss Ascendancy exile to Grand Admiral of the Galactic Empire. Treason, in particular, shows what Thrawn was up to right before the finale of Rebels. These books offer a deep dive into Thrawn’s mind — one that’s endlessly clever and several steps ahead of everyone else but is still hopelessly terrible at politics.
Star Wars: Thrawn from Marvel: This limited-run comic series adapts the events of Thrawn (2017) into a visual format. It’s a great way to get the key details from that book quickly or to read as refreshing supplementary material after reading the new trilogy’s first book.
Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed: While Hera isn’t a member of the titular squadron, she’s a main character in this incredibly underrated trilogy of books set right after the events of Return of the Jedi. The war is far from over, and the New Republic is struggling to fully wrest control of the galaxy from the Empire. These books also delve deep into the traumatized psyches of the Rebellion’s pilots and leaders beyond Luke, Leia, and Han. These stories will be key to understanding Hera and other characters years later in Ahsoka.
Aftermath by Chuck Wendig: Another post-ROTJ trilogy, the Aftermath books feature similar events as Alphabet Squadron, but from different perspectives and locales. The trilogy is a lead-up to The Force Awakens but also features characters like Admiral Rae Sloane, Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian season 2), and Armitage Hux. The final book, Empire’s End, sees the signing of a peace treaty between the Empire and the New Republic and the birth of Ben Solo. With Ahsoka set around 9 ABY (five years after Return of the Jedi), that puts the series about 4 years after the events of the Aftermath trilogy.
A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller: This one is a prequel to Rebels and shows how Kanan met Hera. But it also adds fun and deep context to Hera’s history — basically, her whole life being an agitator fighting against oppressive authority.
Space Wizards Book Club is on Etsy
The Space Wizards Book Club is finally on Etsy!
It’s been a passionate work in progress to set up a shop of bookmarks and (eventually) other Star Wars book merch. Currently, I have five bookmark designs available, and more are in the works and being printed.
I’d also like to eventually offer more custom bookmarks — like having you submit your favorite Star Wars quotes to use. I already have a few people asking for Alphabet Squadron-inspired ones, so that’s next on my list to make.
In the meantime, I appreciate all the support and shares of the shop. At this rate, I will sell out of the first wave of bookmarks very soon — which is blowing my mind.
Have ideas for bookmarks or other bookish items like stickers? Share in the comments or message me through Etsy!
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade SDCC exclusive
If you’re going to San Diego Comic-Con this year, be on the lookout for the SDCC exclusive edition of Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson.
The book comes with gorgeous exclusive cover art featuring Iskat and Tualon as Jedi and Inquisitors and a double-bladed red lightsaber pin.
If you can’t make it to SDCC, Random House Worlds is offering digital wallpapers if you submit your preorder receipt.
WANTED:
Someone going to SDCC who can snag a copy of this book for me😊 Message me if you can help!
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade arrives on July 18. I’m currently reading an ARC of the book, and it’s safe to assume this will be one of the most devastating and important Star Wars books I’ve ever read.
Obi-Wan Kenobi series gets comic adaptation
After the success of last year’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Marvel is set to adapt the show into a limited-run comic.
The six-issue series kicks off in September with Jody Houser writing the story and Salvador Larocca on pencils. The main cover, left, is by Phil Noto, and the other variant covers are by Lee Garbett and Taurin Clarke.
Houser has worked across all the major comic houses, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and IDW. She’s adapted many Star Wars stories into comics, too, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Thrawn, Age of Republic, and TIE Fighter.
"Adaptations are how I got my start in Star Wars comics, and I'm always excited to try my hand at another," she told StarWars.com.
Currently, The Mandalorian Season 2 is being adapted into a comic series. Issue #1 is out today.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
June 21
Bounty Hunters #35
The Mandalorian: Season 2 #1
Just bought two bookmarks! I'm so excited. I'm a High Republic girl, so anything High Republic makes me happy! It would be awesome to have a bookmark with the symbol on it, too!
I'm late to the game but loving Alphabet Squadron! Agreed: highly underrated. What's your take on whether the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy will factor into Ahsoka? I've only read the first of them...