Read, You Must: Force Collector

Every teenager goes through dramatic changes. Karr Nuq Sin, a teen on the planet Merokia, is experiencing something entirely unique. In an era long past the end of the Jedi, Karr is realizing he is Force-sensitve, and possibly more directly connected to the Jedi than he could ever imagine!

Force Collector is YA novel from Disney/Lucasfilm Press published last year as part of the "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" promotion. Author Kevin Shinick previously penned the adorable picture book Chewie and the Porgs and now brings us his first Star Wars novel.

The story follows the teenage Karr as he more and more frequently has to deal with his "episodes" - blackouts and seizures - when he comes in contact with items with a connection to the Force or past Force-users. Karr's parents expect him to follow them into the family business. Karr sees his destiny on another path...

Along the way he connects with and befriends a fellow student named Maize. With her rebellious spirit and his longing for answers they set out on an adventure seeking more and more artifacts across the galaxy. They hope to learn more about the Jedi in their travels, but little do they know the secrets they may uncover.

Also by Kevin Shinick

What follows is a 379-page planet-jumping adventure, virtually a tour of the Star Wars galaxy as we know it. Instead of exploring new and exotic worlds, Karr and Maize travel to parts of the galaxy we as readers are quite familiar with. Tatooine, Jakku, Takodana, and even Batuu from Galaxy's Edge. Kajimi makes an appearance here too, before the release of The Rise of Skywalker happened.They learn about the Star Wars galaxy from a fresh perspective, meeting familiar faces like Maz Kanata and Unkar Plutt.

Set shortly before the events of The Force Awakens, Force Collector offers a unique way to explore the Star Wars galaxy. The reader is probably already very familiar with the places Karr visits so we often know more than Karr simply by having seen the movies. That is until the last quarter or so, where we are just as in the dark as Karr and secrets are finally revealed!

Force Collector is fairly light-hearted by modern Young Adult standards, and very mild on the "Adult" part of the YA moniker. While it has it's serious parts and pretty raw emotions at times, it is an excellent YA starting point for young teen readers stepping up from middle-grade novels like Join the Resistance, Ezra's Gamble and the Adventures in Wild Space titles.

Add Force Collector to your collection!

Read, You Must: Queen's Peril

In follow-up to last year's Queen's Shadow, author E.K. Johnston (Star Wars: Ahsoka) has further chronicled the early career of Padmé Naberrie aka. Queen Amidala with her latest YA book from Disney/Lucasfilm Press: Queen's Peril.

It is forgivable after the open ending of Queen's Shadow to have assumed that this novel would continue the Padmé story chronologically, getting closer to the events of Attack of the Clones. Instead Queen's Peril is set many years before, and details Padmé's election to become Queen of Naboo, then her early days as ruler. The two books seem to be part of a series but could be read individually or in chronological order, not necessarily in release order.

Although the main characters are a several years younger than they were in Queen's Shadow, this is also a young adult novel with young adult themes and language. 

The events of Queen's Peril lead right up into, and overlap with, much of The Phantom Menace. If it's been a while, it might be worth a rewatch of Episode 1 before readers dive into this book. Many moments in this book happen between-the-scenes of the movie moments and presume the reader knows that part of the story already.

Author E.K. Johnston

Tensions grow between the newly-elected Queen and increasing threats from the Trade Federation, and Naboo becomes far from the safe haven for arts and culture it usually is.

The heart of Queen's Peril is the formation of Amidala's security team, especially her group of handmaidens. Partly bodyguards, partly companions and friends, the team of young teenagers must learn to work together, live together and utterly trust each other. None of those are always simple.

Despite the fact that the handmaidens were selected for their ability to blend together and be interchangeable, Johnston does a good job of giving each of them a truly developed personality and story. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and the story does much to humanize the whole team.

The main focus of personal tension arises between Padmé and handmaiden Sabé. Then there is the frequent friction between Amidala, and the handmaidens' other boss, Captain Panaka.

Also available

 

Captain Quarsh Panaka and his wife Mariek play key roles not only in the Naboo security force but in the events that unfold here. Along the way there are also interwoven moments featuring Darth Maul, Jar Jar Binks, Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker, Yoda and more, as each story builds ultimately towards the Battle of Naboo, and the return of the Sith.

With the publication of Queen's Peril, Canadian author E.K. Johnston now has the distinct title of being the most prolific Star Wars YA author (at least until Claudia Gray's High Republic novel comes out this fall). Let's hope we keep seeing more from this talented voice in the galaxy!

Although not an illustrated book, a word of praise must also be said for the hauntingly beautiful front and back cover art by Tara Phillips.

(Publisher’s Recommendation: Ages 12 and up)

Star Wars Stories Read By The Author!

Here's a fun pair of recent videos for young Star Wars fans!

Best-selling author of numerous YA adventure series (Viking Academy, The Elskar Saga, The Ære Saga, Alfheim Academy), S. T. Bende has also written several stories for Star Wars anthology books.

Stories by Bende have appeared in The Prequel Trilogy Stories (2017), 5-Minute Star Wars Stories Strike Back (2017) and Galactic Adventures Storybook Collection (2018).

Like most of the world, authors are staying home these days too, and Bende decided to share a couple of her Star Wars stories with everyone at home. If you already have a copy of 5-Minute Star Wars Stories Strike Back you can read along with her in these videos, or you can just enjoy them as read by the author!

The first video is her reading "Mission to Maz", inspired by Rey's first meetings with Maz Kanata and Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens!

The second video is a reading of "Adventure in the Arena", based on the exciting and scary battle arena scene on Geonosis in Attack of the Clones!

If you want to know more about this author, her website is www.stbende.com and on twitter she's @stbende

Also featuring stories by S. T. Bende:

 

Read, You Must: Queen's Shadow

Paperback available March 20, 2020

What do you do when you're a teenager and your reign as Queen of Naboo has finished? Well if the Chancellor of the Galactic Senate asks you to serve, you become one of the youngest senators in the galaxy.

Now available in paperback, Queen's Shadow is a Young Adult novel from Disney-Lucasfilm Press that details Padmé's transition from Queen to Senator. 

From her awkward first days on Coruscant to backroom meetings and uncertain alliances, the story covers this period between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. It's not an easy life for Padmé with all eyes on her and powerful enemies working against her. She continues to surround herself with her handmaidens and security staff, the few she can trust.

Written by E. K. Johnston (author of Star Wars: Ahsoka), this novel fills in part of the 10 or so year gap between Episodes 1 and 2.

Fans of the political intrigue of The Phantom Menace will enjoy the strategic moves required as the young senator learns the delicate dance her new job requires.

Fans of the larger Star Wars saga will appreciate reading of Padmé's first meetings with Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, and The Clone Wars fans especially will appreciate the introduction of characters like Mina and Lux Bonteri, Rush Clovis and others. This story interweaves many key characters from earlier in their careers than has ever been depicted before.

Original hardcover design (2019)

It's hard to say what the plot here is, exactly, as much of the book feels like the first part of a much larger story. Johnston seems to be working very hard though the entire book to set up for whatever comes next. And sure enough, coming this summer is the follow-up novel, Queen's Peril. It's not clear if that was the plan all along, but it feels that way.

As Padmé navigates the tricky waters of politics, Johnston also strategically sets up the pieces in place for the next book. At times this can be a bit slow, but for those who enjoy the political maneuvering, this is quite an enjoyable story in its own right.

Along the way there is espionage, attempts at character assassination and even romance. That element is pretty tame by YA standards but still a little more adult than a middle-grade novel would ever have.

Also along the way are many, many wardrobe and hairstyle changes. Due to the nature of the handmaidens often playing decoy, these are a necessary security measure.  

As The Clone Wars returns with new episodes on Disney+, it’s a lot of fun to revisit the “prequel” era of Star Wars. For Young Adult fans who grew up with a fascination for Padmé Amidala and her tragic part of the Skywalker saga this story is a welcome way to flesh out her tale.

(Publisher’s Recommendation: Ages 12 and up)

Also by E. K. Johnston

The High Republic: A New (Old) Era in Star Wars!

Earlier this week Lucasfilm announced a brand-new era of Star Wars books and comics that will be arriving soon: The High Republic. Set approximately 200 years BEFORE The Phantom Menace, this era has never before been properly explored. Now it will be the time-frame for numerous books and comics!

“Star Wars: The High Republic features the Jedi as we’ve always wanted to see them — as true guardians of peace and justice. This is a hopeful, optimistic time, when the Jedi and the Galactic Republic are at their height. But of course, into this glorious new era something wicked this way comes,” says Lucasfilm publishing creative director Michael Siglain. “This initiative will give readers young and old a new corner of the galaxy to explore through rich, meaningful stories. Plus, readers will learn what scares the Jedi.”

So far only the first wave of stories has been announced but already there's plenty of cause for excitement for young Star Wars fans:

Into the Dark (Disney/Lucasfilm Press)
From Claudia Gray (Lost Stars) comes the mysterious Young Adult novel of Padawan Reath Silas, stranded on what appears to be an abandoned space station...at first.

A Test of Courage (Disney/Lucasfilm Press)
From Justina Ireland (Spark of the Resistance, Lando's Luck) comes the middle grade novel about a teen Jedi Vernestra Rwoh, a young Padawan, an audacious tech-kid, and the son of an ambassador who are stranded on a jungle moon where they must work together to survive both the dangerous terrain and a hidden danger lurking in the shadows.

 
The High Republic comic series from Marvel Comics will begin written by Cavan Scott, one of our favourite current Star Wars writers! He has written several of the Adventures in Wild Space books, as well as the Choose Your Destiny titles, numerous Star Wars Adventures comics and Dooku: Jedi Lost!

For younger comic readers comes The High Republic Adventures (IDW Publishing)! These will begin with stories by Daniel José Older author of the Solo: A Star Wars Story tie-in novel Last Shot.

Details are still pretty sparse at the moment but other titles will be announced soon from this exciting new era!