SWBC: Star Wars books to read this summer
Plus: Review of "The High Republic: The Edge of Balance - Precedent", and I announce the winner of the Star Wars Day giveaway.
Star Wars books to read this summer
With the arrival of June, it’s unofficially the summer season. And if you’re like me, that means weekends spent reading by the pool and/or the beach.
But even if you don’t live in a tropical, beachy climate like me (hi from Florida!), this summer is the perfect time to dive into some action-packed Star Wars books.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but these are my recommendations if you’re looking for summery Star Wars stories.
Alphabet Squadron and Rogue Squadron: If you’re looking for a series that follows a ragtag group of starfighter pilots and their exploits following the end of Return of the Jedi, the Alphabet Squadron and Rogue Squadron series are for you. While the Legends Rogue Squadron series is like Top Gun in space, Alphabet Squadron has darker elements as some of the squadron’s members are former Imperials — and all of them are dealing with PTSD from the Galactic Civil War.
Brotherhood: Also known as the business on Cato Neimoidia, Brotherhood is an essential read for prequel fans. Set right after Attack of the Clones, the book by Mike Chen adds essential depth to Anakin Skywalker’s evolving relationships — with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padme Amidala, and the Jedi Order overall.
Padawan: Set before the events of Master and Apprentice and The Phantom Menace, Padawan is a teenage Obi-Wan Kenobi story. The book by Kiersten White chronicles his first solo journey of self-discovery and maturity growth as he grapples with conflicted feelings about his place in the Jedi Order.
The Falling Star and Midnight Horizon: With phase three of The High Republic kicking off in the fall, summer is the perfect time to catch up on the books. The final two books in phase one, The Falling Star and Midnight Horizon, are on my list for a reread to prep for the new books. The Falling Star is a quick-paced, impending doom thriller that chronicles the fall of Starlight Beacon. And Midnight Horizon, a young adult novel, is set around the same time but follows our main Jedi Padawans as they work to thwart a Nihil heist on Corellia.
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade: You’ll have to wait until July 18 for this one, but I’m predicting that Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade will be the buzzy Star Wars book of the summer. It aims to answer the question, “Why would a Jedi want to become an Imperial Inquisitor?” As a reviewer, I’m eagerly checking my email anticipating an ARC of this book very soon.
Books to prep for Ahsoka: Ahead of one of the most anticipated Star Wars TV shows to date, this summer is a great time to read some books to prep for the premiere of Ahsoka in August. My recommendations: The Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn (Thrawn, Alliances, and Treason), Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston, Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed, and Aftermath by Chuck Wendig. A more detailed post about Ahsoka reading recommendations is coming soon.
My summer TBR:
Finish Thrawn: Treason: I’m halfway through the audiobook, so that means I’m slowing down. But, I’ve really enjoyed the book so far — especially having already read the Ascendancy trilogy (a chaotic reading order, I know).
Aftermath: I’ve been talking about it forever, but I need — I must — read Aftermath this summer. Especially with all the hype around Return of the Jedi’s 40th anniversary. Gotta find out what happens afterward!
Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void: The book set the furthest back in Star Wars history, Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void tells the story of the creation of the Jedi and the Order tens of thousands of years before the Skywalker saga. Sounds right up my alley.
Reread Dark Disciple: Since I first read Dark Disciple via audiobook, my hardcover copy has been staring at me from my shelf, calling my name for a reread — and highlighting and annotating every page (probably).
What’s on your summer TBR? Let me know in the comments!
Review: The Edge of Balance — Precedent
With the release of The Edge of Balance — Precedent, phase two of The High Republic has officially come to an end.
But some of the stories are far from over, as phase two was a prequel to the events of the main/phase one storyline. And the newest manga volume is a solid conclusion to phase two while also subtly teasing what’s to come when phase three arrives in the fall.
The story begins in phase one when Vol Garat (an arachnoid type species called a Harch), who’s an ex-member of the Path of the Open Hand, and the Nihil are looking for more information on the Nameless creatures. Like the Nihil and Eye Marchion Ro, Vol hates the Jedi and wants revenge after the tragic Battle of Dalna.
That’s where droid ZZ comes in, as the story turns into a flashback to Wookiee Jedi Arkoff and his Master Ravna on that galaxy-changing night. Because of Cataclysm and Path of Vengeance, we know many Jedi were killed, injured, or traumatized by the effects of the Nameless creature during the climactic battle of phase two. And in Precedent, we see the final moments of that battle from Arkoff’s and Master Ravna’s points of view — as well as Jedi Knight Azlin Rell, arguably the one suffering from the most brutal PTSD.
Star Wars manga has been famous for stunning illustrations, dynamic panels, and individual contemplative elements that make it stand out from its prose counterparts. Precedent does have those elements, but it’s a much more plot- and action-forward story than the other two Edge of Balance volumes.
For a story with Arkoff at its center, I felt more intrigued by Azlin’s plight than any of the others. As seen in Path of Vengeance, Azlin is mentally scarred by his encounters with the Nameless creatures, and that nightmarish darkness and hallucinations don’t let up.
Precedent is another entry in the long list of stories of Jedi being tormented by the Nameless creatures and how far those effects reach. With Daniel José Older and Tomio Ogata at the helm, the manga volume is a fast-paced read that adds even more depth to the phase two-defining Night of Sorrow.
The High Republic: The Edge of Balance — Precedent is available now from Viz Media.
And the winner is…
Congratulations to Cass, a.k.a. “@cardinal.creates” on Instagram, for winning the Star Wars Day giveaway!
And thank you to everyone who participated and shared the giveaway post, and all of you who have been following my Space Wizards Book Club newsletter! Next month marks one year of this newsletter, and I’ve got even more exciting content and giveaways coming soon.
MTFBWY✨
Star Wars books and comics out this week
May 30
May 31
Hyperspace Stories #6
Doctor Aphra #32
Sana Starros #4