Audio Book 143 // Star Wars: The Queen's Peril by E.K. Johnston

It's strange how your enjoyment can flip-flop all over. Last year was a big Horus Heresy/ Sci-fi Year for me, which then switched to Conan's sword and Sorcery and is now in a Star Wars Space Opera phase. This popped up in my recommendation, and I decided to try it. In classic Me style, I didn't check if it was part of a series. I would later discover it is. But I got lucky that this is a self-contained piece.

Title: Star Wars: The Padmé Trilogy #2 - Queen's Peril

Author: E.K. Johnston

Blurb: When fourteen-year-old Padmé Naberrie wins the election for Queen of Naboo, she adopts the name Amidala and leaves her family to the rule from the royal palace. To keep her safe and secure, she’ll need a group of skilled handmaidens who can be her assistants, confidantes, defenders, and decoys. Each girl is selected for her particular talents, but it will be up to Padmé to unite them as a group. When Naboo is invaded by forces of the Trade Federation, Queen Amidala and her handmaidens will face the greatest test—of themselves, and of each other.

Buy now via Amazon (it is an affiliate link, thank you if you use it).

Review

This listen surprised me; I learnt things I hadn't realized during The Phantom Menace movie or via the Clone Wars Cartoon. Like Padme was only 14/15 in the movie. How can a kid that young fight in a battle for her world? It gave me more respect for the character, which is also a great eye-opener.

As mentioned, this audiobook added depth to a film and characters that I maybe didn't give a chance to when I first saw the film. It gave them more depth and actually engaged me more than it ever had. We learn the names of the handmaidens, and we also learn the roles they play and how they are each unique and talented, brave, strong and flawed.

This is my first E.K. Johnston title, and I was surprised by how character-driven the plot is, with it swapping between the Queen and Maidens and a Young Obi-wan. Though as you listen to it, you can't help but feel you are watching a crash unfold before you as we all know what will become of this era. But it is a warming tale of adventure. I need to get the rest of the series now.

For a Young Adult piece, it is perfect, it introduces the characters well and builds off their movie counterparts, with wonderful narration and sound effects throughout. It is full of hope, fate, and a belief that goodness and love will always win. It is classic Star Wars, and for a surface fan of the lore, it was a pleasure to listen to.

Highly recommend it.

Comic Review 243 // Star Wars Vol.3: Rebel Jail

I've been in a Star Wars-heavy month over here. This time I found Rebel Jail at the local library and had to partake. Turns out it was the same series as last week's review.

Title: Star Wars, Vol. 3: Rebel Jail

Author: Jason Aaron & Kieron Gillen

Blurb:

The rebel crew is en route to a prison base with a very important captive. But unlucky for them, they aren't the only ones with their eyes on this prize! Plus: Meet a rebel spy at the heart of the Empire, and join him on a mission of life and death! And in another tale from the journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi, journey back to the Jedi's days of exile on Tatooine. Moisture farmer Owen Lars may have taken in young Luke, but her refused to let Ben be a part of the boy's life. Now, prepare to discover the reason why!

COLLECTING: STAR WARS 15-19, Annual #1

Buy on Amazon via my affiliate link

Review

Kieron Gillen opens the volume with a great one-shot. All about an attempted assassination attempt on the Emperor. This was a great action piece and being set on Coruscant made it more enjoyable. This felt like a mash between old-school swashbuckling adventures and Scifi. Which is what Star Wars should be all the time. It's a great way to start the volume.

Then we hit the jailbreak arc. Something big happened in Vol.2, so I need to find that soon (sorry I am reading these in a weird ass way). But it would seem Dr. Aphra has been captured by the Rebels and is being transported under the watch of Leia to Sunspot Prison. A prison space station located dangerously close to a sun! This is a prison for the worst of the worst. Not going to be blunt here but Leia was boring, not sure if it was the way they wrote about her or if her having so much plot armour takes away the excitement. But the entire plot for the jail story was sadly very predictable. This arc is saved purely by Leinil Yu’s art.

The Han and Luke arc was comical, due to some bad gambling the Han ends up failing to secure the funds to buy supplies for the rebellion. Fearing coming back empty handed the duo end up taking a job shuttling cattle. A short story was 100% filler, but a fun little read.

Then we reach the end. With more Obi-wan adventures. It's a bit dull to be honest as we follow Obi-wan watching over Luke.

A bit of a miss for me. Some great artwork, but two of the four stories are meh at best. Good for the competitionist and die-hard fan. But glad I didn't purchase it.

Comic Review 194 // Star Wars Adventures Volume 8 - Defend the Republic!

Back at the Star Wars Comics. I promise I will get back to Slaine, but as these are library loaners, the priority is to finish and bring them back for the next reader to enjoy. Today we dip into the Clone War Era, which I have always wanted more than the OG trilogy.

Title: Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 8: Defend the Republic!

Writing Team: Delilah S. Dawson, Cavan Scott, Nick Brokenshire

Art team: Derek Charm, Mauricet.

Fluff: Join Padmé, Yoda, Jar Jar Binks, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker in these young-reader-friendly tales set during Episodes 1-3!

Padmé Amidala joins Jar Jar Binks on a quest to recover a legendary Gungan artifact, but this one will be very messy! Then, legendary General Obi-Wan Kenobi undertakes a daring operation for the Republic Army during the Clone Wars, guest-starring Captain Rex! And Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Yoda embark on an urgent mission, where Anakin's rebellious nature could spell trouble for the Republic.

Collects issues #18-20 of the Star Wars Adventures series.

Buy from Amazon

Paperback, 80 pages

Review

This issue has five stories, all set in the Clone War Era. Like the other books in this set, it is aimed at a younger audience than myself, so I will keep this in mind as I review.

This is an excellent read for a comic aimed at a younger reader, but this is a bit of a miss for me. Stories are slightly too short, lack depth and, at worst pointless and straight-up goofy. We seem to have lost the "adventure" in this adventure series and are now stuck with meh.

Lucky for us, though, Cavan Scott came to the rescue with 'Roger, Roger.' Obi-Wan and Rex are befriending a damaged battle droid who now wishes to side with the Republic! Unlike the other stories, this droid is a very likeable character, and by the end, he is a standout piece of the book (though the bar is not high, sadly). The story is also assisted by the artwork, which was above the other artists' quality.

I am worried the series has turned for me, and maybe I need to give it a rest? Do you ever get burned out on a series? Is that what I face here, or has the series honestly gotten worse as it continues? Let me know if you have read these?

As always, cheers for reading.

Comic Review 191 // Star Wars Adventures Heroes of the Galaxy

Those who check in regularly would have noticed that I am on a roll with the library finds. I am trying to find and read all the Star Wars Adventures series. On my most recent trip to my local library, I discovered Volume 1. The original title that kicked off the series. SO I had to grab it. 

Title: Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 1: Heroes of the Galaxy

Author/Art: Landry Q. Walker, Cavan Scott, Elsa Charretier, Pierrick Colinet, Derek Charm, Jon Sommariva, Sean Parsons.

Fluff:

Travel to a galaxy far, far away in this collection of Star Wars comic book tales! When the junk boss Unkar Plutt is kidnapped, Rey realizes her future may be better with the devil she knows. Plus more stories with Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the rebels vs. the Empire expand the world of Star Wars into new territory for a new generation of fans.

Get a copy and support me: Amazon.ca

Format: Paperback, 80 pages

Review

Let's get the obvious stuff out the way. Yes, this is made for a younger reader, but I don't care. I have really enjoyed the stories so far, and I get to read them to my kids and absorb them into my hobbies (insert evil mastermind laughter). The part I feel that has impressed me the most with this series is the quick short format. There are no saga adventures, no getting to know the characters as we know them already. Just straight into the story and get out before you get bored.

This is officially volume one in this series. But with the stories not really linked, you can read in any order, which is nice. We kick things off with the main piece, all about Rey. We join her before any involvement in the films on the planet of Jakku. Getting to experience what her life is like. And though having connections is hard for her, it is better to know the devil than see it replaced by a new one. A great kidnapping story and a great way to add more Unkar Plutt into my life. For me, this was the stand-out tale. The rest are very lore-filling pieces. Tied to the mythology already created for SW. For example, we have an Obi-Wan and Dex story showcasing their friendship, which we already knew about, and the Flat Mountain of Yavin was a great way to tie in their other comic series Wild Space, but for me, these were filler and not the main reason to read this.

The art was great and stylish. It made for a joyful read, and most importantly, the kids loved it. Highly recommend it, especially if you have little ones learning to love the setting.

As always cheers for reading and use that link to support the blog.

Comic Review 184 // Tales from Vader's Castle

Continuing on some great finds at the library. Star Wars Adventures is a series that seems aimed at a younger crowd, but it does a great job at storytelling. I found this title recently and had to give it a go. I had heard of Vader's Castle but knew very little about so I am excited to get into this title and the follow-up.

Title: Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle (Star Wars Adventures: Beware Vader's Castle #1)

Authors: Cavan Scott

Illustrations: Derek Charm, Chris Fenoglio, Kelley Jones, Corin Howell

Fluff: How do a band of rebels distract themselves when sneaking into the creepiest place in the galaxy? Tell scary stories, of course!

Follow Lina Graf, Crater, and friends as they sneak--and fight--their way into the terrifying castle of Darth Vader! Along the way, they'll trade spooky stories featuring the most terrifying villains and creatures in the universe! Your favourite characters, like Obi-Wan, Han and Chewie, Hera Syndulla, and the Ewoks, face classic creeps like ghosts, monsters, witches, and more... all with a signature Star Wars twist!

Collects the five-issue series.

Get a Copy: Amazon.ca

Format: Paperback, 120 pages

Review

As mentioned earlier, this is definitely meant for a younger audience. It follows a new bunch of rebels who following some damaged have to make an emergency landing on Mustafar. As they watch their ship sink into the lava, they are left, heading towards an unknown castle guard by Imperial Forces. To help distract themselves from the dire situation, the team tell each other war stories they have heard during the conflict.

These stories are very much like a goosebumps episode, so not really scary. But they are all fun reads, my kids so far have enjoyed them (4 and 2), and I always take that as a good sign. You get a lot of fan favourite characters in the series like Chopper, Count Dooku, Han Solo and even an excellent tale for the Ewoks.

This was actually a real fun read, is it for diehard "adult" fans most likely no, but if you enjoy Star Wars for what it is and going into it wanting a fun read than you will enjoy. The big thing to remember is these are short one shots joined by a sideline story to link them all. This is not an epic tale of adventure, but every short story does have a highlight that brought a smile to my face. The final issue really built up the side story with the arrival of Darth Vader and I can see all ready how the next collection will build of this start.

Standout tales for me include the Chopper story and the Count Dooku. Dooku is a favourite character of mind and to see that story play out was a lot of fun. This collection definitely amused me throughout the read and I can't ask for more than that. A little comedy within a realm of serious action is always a welcome refresh. The artwork though kid friendly was perfectly presented with the side story done in dark shades plenty of Red, Blacks, Blues, whilst the shorts are all different artist bringing a refreshing style change.

You will either enjoy it or pick holes within, I personally full into the enjoyed and I hope a few of you will to.

As always I appreciate you stopping by and reading and join me next week for the next dose.