Star Wars: Dooku: Jedi Lost
Audiobook
Written by Cavan Scott
Full cast audiobook narration (6 hours and 21 minutes)
Publisher: Random House Audio
Release date: April 30, 2019

Before he was the Count of Serenno, the leader of the Separatist Army and became known as Darth Tyranus, Dooku was a Padawan to Jedi Master Yoda and best friend to Sifo-Dyas. He also served as a teacher to a young Qui-Gon Jinn before leaving the Jedi Order entirely. This is the Dooku that assassin Asajj Ventress is interested in learning more about and how the story in Star Wars: Dooku: Jedi Lost sets down its roots.

Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow
Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
Written by E.K. Johnston
Audiobook narrated by Catherine Taber (Publisher: Listening Library)
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
Release date: March 5, 2019

I am neither a lover nor a hater of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. I saw each of the three movies in theaters as they were released and I even own a copy of each on DVD. However, I don’t really watch them regularly and I’m not very familiar with related content, such as The Clone Wars animated series. I don’t identify with them as I do the Original Trilogy or, for that matter, the Sequel Trilogy or the Star Wars Story films. They’re just kinda, well, there.

Suffice it to say, I wasn’t entirely looking forward to reading Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow, a book revolving around Padme Amidala set in the midst of the Prequel Trilogy. (I feel like I used these exact same words to describe how I wasn’t initially excited about that Hondo Ohnaka book.)

Then I started getting into it. (This line sounds familiar, too.)

The Potter’s Boy
Hardcover | Kindle
By Tony Mitton
Publisher: David Fickling Books | Scholastic Press
Release date: February 26, 2019

Many years ago, 12-year-old Ryo played the role of dutiful son, learning to ply his future trade as a pottery maker like his father. However, when his small village is raided by brigands and a single stranger steps forward and ends the attack, Ryo changes his mind and wants to become a warrior like the stranger.

After obtaining his father’s blessing and waiting for his 13th birthday, Ryo heads out to find the stranger and train as he did so he can protect those who cannot protect themselves. What he encounters are challenges that he never expected, but is more than willing to face.

Apocalypse 5
Archive of the Fives, Book 1
Paperback | Kindle
By Stacey Rourke
Publisher: Black Spot Books
Release date: February 12, 2019

In Apocalypse 5, author Stacey Rourke introduces readers to a team of five early teenaged warriors who train mercilessly to protect the people of the starship AT-1-NS from any and all threats. They run virtual reality simulations nearly daily, but, despite being virtual, these trainings can result in death to the team members if they fail, at which time a new member will be promoted to the A5’s elite ranks.

Star Wars: Pirate’s Price
“Flight of the Falcon” Series, Book 2
Audiobook | Hardcover | Kindle
Written by Lou Anders
Illustrated by Annie Wu
Audiobook narrated by Jim Cummings
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
Release date: January 8, 2019

Do you remember the pirate Hondo Ohnaka from either the Star Wars: Clone Wars or Star Wars: Rebels animated series? You don’t? That’s a little shocking. Sure, this Weequay was a background character, but he managed to insinuate himself into some pretty unforgettable sequences, both for better and for worse. I was never much of a fan myself. So imagine my dismay when I tuned into Star Wars: Pirate’s Price only to discover he was the front-and-center character driving the plot?

Yeah, I wasn’t happy. But then I started listening and, I’m going to be honest with you, hearing Jim Cummings bring Hondo to life through a mostly first-person accounting of his multiple times aboard the Millennium Falcon made me come around a bit. I actually kinda like the guy now.