Month: February 2023

Star Wars Book Update

Hello friends!

While I was waiting for The Battle of Jedha to be released on February 14th (it’s the hard copy script of the audiobook that was released in January), I thought I’d jot down an update on a few other Star Wars books I’ve been reading lately.

Quest for the Hidden City, by George Mann. This is the middle-grade book in the first wave of High Republic Phase 2 books. It follows Jedi Knight Silandra Sho and her Padawan Rooper Nitani, part of a Pathfinder team, as they investigate another missing Pathfinder team on the planet Gloam. Pathfinder teams explore the Outer Rim and invite frontier worlds to join the Republic. They’re made up of a Jedi Knight and their Padawan, a pilot, an engineer, a medic, and a droid or two. As Silandra and Rooper investigate, a mysterious and terrifying creature threatens the team. A fun book for High Republic fans.

The Life and Legend of Obi-Wan Kenobi, by Ryder Windham. Released back in 2008, this one is a Legends book about Obi-Wan Kenobi and his exploits through the Prequels and Original trilogy. As a big Obi-Wan fan, I thought I might like this one, and I did. Even though much of it concerns scenes from the movies that we’re already familiar with, it also adds some insight and context from Obi-Wan’s point of view, as well as events from some comics and other sources. It’s framed by scenes of Luke Skywalker visiting Ben’s Hut on Tatooine just before he and the others rescue Han from Jabba the Hut. He finds Ben’s journal there, and instructions on how to build a lightsaber, and that’s the Legends story of how Luke got his green lightsaber. A fun, easy read about Obi-Wan–what’s not to love?

Star Wars Rebel Force: Target (Book One), by Alex Wheeler. This is a (Legends) junior novel series that takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back (at least this first one does). I just started reading it, and am enjoying it so far. This one is about an Imperial assassin that is after the pilot who is responsible for the shot that destroyed the first Death Star. Luke, Han and Leia are on a mission for the Alliance, involving getting some funds for the Rebellion on the planet Muunilinst, and the assassin–known as X-7–deceives them into trusting him. That’s as far as I’ve gotten. I’ve been loving these quick, easy reads, and haven’t been able to get into anything more challenging. Which is why I couldn’t read…

Alphabet Squadron, by Alexander Freed. I’ve been avoiding this series about Rebellion pilots since I’ve started reading Star Wars books, mostly because I don’t care for pilot stories. But I was running low on major publications to read while I wait for the next High Republic books. It was either this series or the Thrawn series (another one I haven’t been too interested in, although I love his character in Rebels). So I thought I’d give it a go. But a few chapters in, I gave up. Either I’m really not interested in this aspect of Star Wars (which is my suspicion) or I’m just too muddled and busy right now to get into any challenging read. Probably both.

So the junior reads have been ideal for me lately. And The Battle for Jedha is a script, not a big novel, so I suspect it will be easier for me to go through as well. I’m not an audiobook fan, but I didn’t want to miss this crucial High Republic story, and I’m looking forward to it.

So that’s what I’ve been reading in Star Wars. I also threw in Stephen King’s The Shining and Doctor Sleep for a little horror fest to start the year, lol.

What have you been reading lately? Let me know in the comments and we’ll talk about it!

Star Wars Kisses

In honor of Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought I’d get all romantic and revisit the best Star Wars kisses from the films and rank them. Why not? From least favorite to favorite, here we go! (I’m not including cheek, forehead, or hand kisses, just full on lip-locks, lol):

Lesbian kiss at the end of TROS. I don’t have a problem with two women kissing, in Star Wars or anywhere else, but this split second scene seemed weird and arbitrary. These two are secondary characters, which is fine, but at least give us a bit of history for them. One or two quick scenes establishing their relationship, so by the end of the movie their reunion is more satisfying. But I’m glad Star Wars is at least trying to get a bit more representative, especially in live action.

Rose and Finn in TLJ. This kiss wasn’t particularly surprising, considering all the time these two spent together on their mission. But then, boom, next movie, nah, they’re just friends. I kind of liked the idea of these two together, but Rose’s character (and Finn’s, as well) was brushed aside in TROS.

Anakin and Padme on Naboo in AOTC. “I don’t like sand.” Awkward first kiss, lol. Kind of sweet, though.

Padme and Anakin at their wedding on Naboo in AOTC. Okay, it’s official. Nothing will stop our love!

Leia and Luke on Hoth in front of Han in ESB. Most cringe kiss, at least after learning they’re siblings. But she was making a point, dammit! And the faces of both the men afterward are priceless.

Padme and Anakin on Geonosis in AOTC. Truly, deeply. Their first admission of love–before being brought out to slaughter, lol. A bit over the top, but if you think you’re going to die, why not?

Leia and Han in the Ewok Village in ROTJ. A brief embrace and smooch after Luke and Han escape being dinner for the Ewoks. First time seeing Leia with her long hair down, so who can blame him?

Han and Q’ira in Solo. Admit, these two are adorable. Not meant to be, but I like his taste in strong women.

Padme and Anakin on Coruscant in ROTS. These two haven’t seen each other in months, and their reunion is truly touching. And when she tells him she’s pregnant, after a moment of worried surprise, Anakin seems genuinely happy. You really want them to hold on to this forever. 😦

Rey and Ben at end of TROS. So this kiss was kind of weird, but I did like it. The Reylos went nuts, and though I could go either way with Reylo, I thought this was sweet. I was just really happy to see Ben Solo genuinely smile for the first time in probably years. Rey gave him that gift, and I won’t begrudge him that.

Leia and Han in Jabba’s Palace in ROTJ. “Someone who loves you.” After years of waiting for this reunion when I was a kid, this was so satisfying.

Leia and Han on Endor in ROTS. Han’s face when Leia tells him Luke is her brother is priceless, and now he’s free to get the girl. I love happy endings.

Leia and Han on the Falcon in ESB. “You need more scoundrels in your life.” This one’s a contender for #1, because it’s their first kiss, and is the culmination of all their sexual tension bickering. The top spot has more emotional weight, but this one is an iconic Star Wars kiss.

Leia and Han on Cloud City in ESB. “I love you.” “I know.” Their admission of love, and who knows if they’ll ever see each other again???? Best kiss in Star Wars, hands down.

Honorable Mention:

Deleted scene of Han and Leia on Cloud City. When I was a kid, I read a picture book of The Empire Strikes Back, and this scene was in it. I could have sworn it was in the original theatrical release as well when I saw it in the theater in 1980, but on subsequent viewings, it wasn’t there. As an adult, I thought maybe I’d imagined it. But here it is, and it never should have been dropped. You can’t have too many scenes of Han and Leia kissing, lol.

Most of them are Leia and Han or Padme and Anakin, the two power couples, and clearly I’m more a fan of the former. Did I miss any? What’s your favorite Star Wars kiss scene? Let me know in the comments and we’ll gossip about it!

For more galactic romance, check out my post on the best Star Wars love stories here.