by Happy Star Wars Day to all those who enjoy a glass of blue milk and dream of the twin sunsets of Tatooine on the horizon.
To add to the annual Star Wars spree of all things from a galaxy far, far away, we bring the news of a new space opera novel by Del Rey titled “Star Wars: Brotherhood”, coming to Earthly bookstores and locations. online sale on May 10th. (You can save 29% if you pre-order it now on Amazon.)
Written by Mike Chen (“From a Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back”), this latest Star Wars tale is the ideal primer for the upcoming Disney Plus live-action miniseries, “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, featuring stars Ewan McGregor as the elderly space wizard in exile and lands on the streaming platform starting May 27.
For more “Star Wars” goodness, check out our guides to the best Star Wars books, epic Lego Star Wars offers, and even a ranking of the best Star Wars movies!
“Star Wars: Brotherhood” is set during the turbulent times of the prequel era, right after the chaotic events that occurred in 2002’s “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones”.
The narrative centers on how Count Dooku’s cunning Sith apprentice, Asajj Ventress, initially met Kenobi at the start of the devastating Clone Wars and delves into the complex relationship between Anakin’s former master and the newly anointed Jedi Knight while are called to investigate a shocking tragedy on the planet of the Cato Neimoidia Trade Federation.
Here is the official synopsis of Del Rey:
“The Clone Wars have begun. Battle lines are being drawn across the galaxy. With every world joining the Separatists, the peace guarded by the Jedi Order is slipping through their fingers.
“After an explosion devastates Cato Neimoidia, the jewel of the Trade Federation, the Republic is blamed and the planet’s fragile neutrality is threatened. The Jedi send Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the most gifted diplomatic minds in the Order, to investigate the crime As Obi-Wan investigates with the help of a heroic Neimoid guard, he finds himself working against the Separatists who hope to drag the planet into their conspiracy and senses Asajj Ventress’s left hand in the mists that envelop the planet.
“Amid the chaos that is brewing, Anakin Skywalker rises to the rank of Jedi Knight. Despite the mandate that Obi-Wan travel alone, and his former master’s insistence to listen this time, Anakin’s stubborn determination means that nothing can stop him from ruining the party, and bringing with him a promising but conflicted young man.
“Once Obi-Wan’s Padawan, Anakin is now on an equal but uncertain footing with the man who raised him. The persistent friction between them increases the danger to all around them. The two knights must learn a new way of working together … and they must learn quickly to save Cato Neimoidia and her people from the fire of war. To overcome the threat they face, they must grow beyond the master and the apprentice. They must be together as brothers”.
For Chen, “Brotherhood” was a dream project taking place in his favorite era of the “Star Wars” saga and chronicles the transition between Anakin and Obi-Wan as a quarrelsome teacher and apprentice of brotherhood ties forged in extreme conflict. Here’s how it all started:
Space.com: What was the genesis of “Brotherhood“ and why was this a story you wanted to tell?
Mike Chen: I was pretty straightforward with my agent about wanting to make a character-centric story for the prequel era, so from a business standpoint, it really started with that and my story in “From a Point of View” anthology. That said, this is literally a dream project for me, as I love the complexity of both the Clone Wars era and Anakin Skywalker as a character. The galaxy is changing in ways our heroes know and don’t know, and this makes their journey from point A (“Attack of the Clones”) to point B (“The Clone Wars”) fascinating and ripe for exploration. .
Space.com: Where has your research process taken you in composing this short story by Obi-Wan and Anakin?
Chen: I’ve revised “Attack of the Clones” a little, along with a list of episodes from “Clone Wars” and parts of “Revenge of the Sith”. Once the narrative scheme was defined, much of that rewatch focused on voice and physical mannerisms, as well as trying to get inside characters’ heads at specific times so that they could write it in prose. I’ve also been constantly researching links to other connective tissue weaving material in there, as well as talking to EK Johnston, author of “Queen’s Hope” (which takes place immediately before my book).
Space.com: What were some of the geeky goodies you included in “Brotherhood?”
Chen: I have a spreadsheet of 70 references, links and Easter eggs woven into “Brotherhood”. Of these, there is an extraordinary one for Anakin and Obi-Wan who I am thrilled they let me do. For Anakin, she is taking the solar dragon motif from Matthew Stover’s “Revenge of the Sith” and roots it in Anakin’s childhood and his relationship with his mother. For Obi-Wan, it’s about expanding his personal story with Mandalore’s Satine Kryze, and specifically connecting to a detail from John Jackson Miller’s Legends novel “Kenobi”.
Space.com: Do you have a favorite “Star Wars” memory and have special plans for “Star Wars” day?
Chen: I was born in the late 70’s, so I’ve been a fan all my life. Which means there are a lot of memories to choose from, but I think something I’m really holding on to is my daughter’s reaction to watching the saga using the Order of Machetes (as I’ve documented in this essay).
When we were done, it was clear that instead of just being cool spaceships and lightsabers, this was going to be something that would have an emotional weight for her. Knowing that we have built that deep bond for her and that we can enjoy it together is truly special. So we’ll probably spend “Star Wars” day as a family just watching something together and knowing it will always be there for us.
Mike Chen’s “Star Wars: Brotherhood” arrives May 10 from Del Rey Books.
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