Informative. I think this is a fun kick it up if it interests you kind of book. Not one I would have for my personal library hit maybe to pick up at a public library.

Both middle-grade readers and fans of The Clone Wars TV series would enjoy this anthology -- and I might even say that Star Wars fans who aren't big fans of The Clone Wars should give this anthology a shot.

This anthology surprised me! I have a mixed relationship to The Clone Wars TV series, alternatively enjoying it and being frustrated with it depending on the episode. When I found out that Stories of Light and Dark was going to be an anthology adapting episodes from the series, I was a little concerned. Straight adaptations of TV/movies generally aren't my favorite. I ended up being pleasantly surprised!

The great thing about this anthology is that it features a number of voices and a number of different approaches to telling these stories. I especially appreciate seeing new voices write Star Wars, and a short story anthology is a great way to showcase these authors in the Star Wars universe,. I love getting new voices in Star Wars writing.

I particularly want to give shout-outs to the stories written by Preeti Chhibber and Anne Ursu, because they adapted two of my least favorite episodes from The Clone Wars and turned them into two of my favorite stories in the whole anthology! Chhibber used an excellent third person perspective to turn an episode that frustrated me into an excellent character study. Ursu handled a political episode that I found confusing and frustrating (and I like space politics!) and delivered an examination of public service, the cost of war, and the importance of keeping in people in mind -- and I deeply appreciated it.

I have a lot more to say about these stories -- both the work of Star Wars veterans Angleburger, Cordova, Fry, and Roanhorse as well as newer SW voices Anders, Durst, Lee, Eekhout, and Convery (whose story was not in the e-galley I reviewed), but I am keeping this initial review spoiler-free.

I will update this review with a link to a fuller discussion about the book that will be posted when the anthology is published in August, for spoiler reasons.

I have a new book review to share with you today. Please note: I received a digital ARC of this book (via NetGalley) from its publisher in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and is an anthology of eleven stories of some of the most eruptive events from the Clone Wars animated series. The stories are written by some of today's most popular authors including Lou Anders, Tom Angleberger, Preeti Chhibber, Zoraida Cordova, Jason Fry, Rebecca Roanhorse, Anne Ursu, Sarah Beth Durst, Yoon Ha Lee, Greg van Eekhout, E. and Anne Convery! This is categorized as a middle grade reader, but it is a must read for any Star Wars fan! I truly enjoyed this collection.

I was originally interested in this anthology because I love all things Star Wars and for Zoraida Cordova and Rebecca Roanhorse' stories, so it is no surprise that those two were my favorites in the book. If I had to pick one, my favorite story is The Lost Night Sister by Zoraida Cordova. Ventress and the Night Sisters are so complex and interesting, they really deserve their own novel! But there were other gems that I really enjoyed like Hostage Crisis by Preeti Chhibber. This little tale includes Anakin, Padme, and the bounty hunter you love to hate...Bane. Honestly there isn't a bad story in the bunch. I thought each was well written and provided more in depth perspectives from a variety of characters that were prominent during the Clone Wars, like Ashoka Tano, Captain Rex, Yoda, Bane, Maul, and more! The different writing styles made each story feel fresh. Now that the Clone Wars animated series has ended this is a great way to revisit some of the major events that took place during that era.

This gem published by Disney Lucas Film Press is set to release on August 25, 2020, and is available for pre-order from all major booksellers. I give Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark 5 out of 5 gems. I enjoyed this collection and hope to read more stories like this in the future. Happy Reading!

The ideal anthology for young (and older) readers. I loved how each author took on this fictional universe with a unique approach. Both Rebecca Roanhorse and Yoon Ha Lee are favorites, but there are many other voices here to enjoy, as well.

This was an awesome testament to the love that all of these well established middle grade authors have for Star Wars.

I didn't really understand any of it.

There are a lot of Star Wars books out there, some by the authors included in this anthology of what is essentially very, very good fan fiction. I can't comment on how the stories fit in with the Star Wars canon, but I'm sure my students who love the franchise will be more than happy to tell me in great detail. Some of the books (especially the series by the Davids and by Jude Watson) are easy enough for people unfamiliar with the movies to understand, but this had so many details and characters that I was lost.

This means that it is perfect for readers who DO know the characters, but for me, it was sort of like reading the Silmarillion. I understood each word, but struggled with following exactly what was going on.


Will I buy a copy? Yes. Will it circulate well? Indeed. Was it my cup of soup that Baby Yoda drinks?

Clearly, I am culturally illiterate when it comes to this fandom.