Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Stories of Light and Dark
From Anakin to Yoda, Count Dooku to Darth Maul, this exciting middle grade anthology will recount different explosive events from The Clone Wars from the points of view everyone’s favorite characters–with each character written by a different popular author.
A great overview for kids new to the series and a treat for fans! Contributors: Lou Anders, Tom Angleberger, Preeti Chhibber, Zoraida Córdova, Sarah Beth Durst, Jason Fry, Yoon Ha Lee, Rebecca Roanhorse, Anne Ursu, Greg van Eekhout
Authors: E. Anne Convery, Greg van Eekhout, Jason Fry, Lou Anders, Preeti Chhibber, Rebecca Roanhorse, Sarah Beth Durst, Tom Angleberger, Yoon Ha Lee, Zoraida Córdova
Cover: Ksenia Zelentsova
Release date: August 25th, 2020
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9781368057295
Who said The Clone Wars is over? With so many different ways to revisit the abundance of stories and arcs, George Lucas’s animated series just keeps giving Star Wars fans more.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Stories of Light and Dark is next in line for the property, scheduled for release on Aug. 25, 2020. This anthology keeps the Force flowing through some of the best episodes and most impactful character-moments from seasons 1-5 of the series that introduced powerful and memorable characters like Ahsoka Tano and Hondo Ohnaka.
From the Jedi youngling Katooni to Master Yoda, and Asajj Ventress to Maul—primary and secondary voices are in the spotlight, sharing their perspective of 10 classic The Clone Wars stories. Most voices were spot on and fit like a glove—even if one or two may not have hit the strongest tone for me—and overall it was a fantastic middle grade anthology that will entice new followers and send long-time fans for a rewatch of each episode on Disney+ (yes, I’m guilty of this).
The action begins with Yoda and three clone troopers–Thire, Rys, and Jek– from the very first episode of The Clone Wars, “Ambush.” The corresponding anthology chapter title is, “Sharing the Same Face,” highlighting lessons learned by the clones after landing an escape pod on Rugosa, and is written by Jason Fry. As the four of them face insurmountable odds against the Separatists, Yoda shares his wisdom and compassion with these new troops, providing them guidance to not only secure a victory, but to better appreciate themselves as individuals. Much like the episode did for the start of the show—the interactions give a deeper look at the individuality and humanity of each clone and sets amazing expectations for what is to come.
Tragedy, triumph, lessons learned, and love are only a sampling of the arcs throughout the anthology and how the emotions of the characters and readers will be jarred and soothed.
Yoon Ha Lee’s story, “The Shadow of Umbara,” based on Episode 7, Season 4 of The Clone Wars, “Darkness on Umbara,” might be my favorite retelling of an existing story. Experienced through the eyes of Clone Captain Rex, it is another example of the humanity of the clones and the internal struggle they face to follow orders yet think for themselves. This passionately written tale captures every bit of the human emotion the clones learn and absorb as they assimilate into their own family and brotherhood.
This story—and Rex’s involvement—is just as important during the fighting on Umbara as it is in the animated series’ final episode of Season 7, and beyond, for the loyal clone, his closest allies, and his biggest fans.
This team of 11 authors does great justice to a show beloved by so many, who can now experience some of their favorite characters and stories in yet another way.
- Hardcover Book
- Anders, Lou (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 08/25/2020 (Publication Date) - Disney Lucasfilm Press (Publisher)