Star Wars: Brotherhood
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must stem the tide of the raging Clone Wars and forge a new bond as Jedi Knights in a high-stakes adventure set just after the events of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
The Clone Wars have begun. Battle lines are being drawn throughout the galaxy. With every world that joins 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 fragile neutrality of the planet is threatened. The Jedi dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the Order’s most gifted diplomatic minds, to investigate the crime and maintain the balance that has begun to dangerously shift. As Obi-Wan investigates with the help of a heroic Neimoidian guard, he finds himself working against the Separatists who hope to draw the planet into their conspiracy—and senses the sinister hand of Asajj Ventress in the mists that cloak the planet.
Amid the brewing chaos, Anakin Skywalker rises to the rank of Jedi Knight. Despite the mandate that Obi-Wan travel alone—and his former master’s insistence that he listen this time—Anakin’s headstrong determination means nothing can stop him from crashing the party, and bringing along a promising but conflicted youngling.
Once a Padawan to Obi-Wan, Anakin now finds himself on equal—but uncertain—footing with the man who raised him. The lingering friction between them increases the danger for everyone around them. The two knights must learn a new way to work together—and they must learn quickly, to save Cato Neimoidia and its people from the fires of war. To overcome the threat they face they must grow beyond master and apprentice. They must stand together as brothers.
Author: Mike Chen
Cover artist: Laura Racero
Narrator: Jonathan Davis
Run time: 767 minutes
Release Date: 10th May 2022
ISBN: 9780593606278
As the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi draws near on Disney Plus, the focus on the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and his former master takes on extra importance. In the hands of writer Mike Chen things we knew, and have known for many years take on a renewed importance. Indeed, looked at through this new lens there’s a freshness to these elements, making the old feel vibrant and relevant again as we finally learn the truth of that mission to Cato Neimoidia Obi-Wan referred to after the crash of the Invisible Hand on Coruscant at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith.
We’re kicking off soon after the galaxy-changing events of Attack of the Clones. The Clone Wars are raging across the galaxy, and the underpinning of the galaxy’s trust in the Republic is well underway as the iconic bridge cities of Cato Neimoidia are bombed, and the Republic blamed by the duplicitous Separatist movement, led by Count Dooku. They insist Chancellor Palpatine visit for negotiations, but concerned with security and the Supreme Chancellors safety, temporary Jedi Council member Obi-Wan is sent with minimal equipment or means to contact Coruscant. Meanwhile, as he eases into his marriage to Padme while still maintaining the façade of following the Jedi path as his wife continues to fight for liberty in the senate, Anakin is tasked with training padawans, a task he is less than enamoured with.
The set up in place, the treats begin. Anakin secretly following the podrace season, remembering the lessons of his former master now he is knighted. Anakin and Padme’s stolen moments in the bowels of Coruscant, the return of Dexter Jettster and his easy wisdom and friendship with Obi-Wan, and the canonical arrival of Asajj Ventress. That element is particularly effective, introduced as an observer to Kenobi’s mission to Cato Neimoidia, she stands on the periphery, nudging characters here and there as Kenobi’s investigations crumble to pieces as damning evidence shows the Republic are indeed behind the bombing. Chen balances all of these moving parts, his narrative a confident guide to the action as Jonathan Davis delivers a smooth unabridged read of the novel, never doing an impression of the characters but conveying their mood and intent perfectly.
We’re also introduced to some fascinating new characters. Neimoidian former spec ops-turned-guard Ruug Quarnom is an accomplished, impressive seeker of the truth, at times challenging Kenobi as she gives him the space to carry out his investigations. Meanwhile Anakin deals with insecure Zabrak padawan Mill Albreith. Her character is especially fascinating; the same species as Darth Maul, her relationship with Anakin and his to her is a precursor to Ahsoka Tano who’s arrival into the storyline is imminent.
Revenge of the Sith may be the cinematic sequel to Attack of the Clones, but this very directly picks up those Episode 2 reins. The characters are their Clones selves, changed by the events of Geonosis as the galaxy changes around them (and Anakin gets used to his new mechanical limb) but still a way away from their battle-hardened, almost shell-shocked Sith selves. Knowing where this leads, the three year war that destabilises the galaxy to allow the machinations of Sith to occur, is both chilling and engaging.
With Clones celebrating its 20th anniversary this month as well as the imminent arrival of Kenobi it’s well timed, but more importantly smartly crafted. Chen’s is a voice that has slotted into the flow of the Star Wars galaxy with ease, effortlessly weaving a variety of disparate threads together (it may look effortless, but it’s far from an easy task). Let’s hope there’s more to come.
- Hardcover Book
- Chen, Mike (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 05/10/2022 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
