Your Money Geek thanks Disney Lucasfilm Press and NetGallery for providing us with a free copy for review.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Stories of Light and Dark is the perfect companion for any fan of The Clone Wars. It features moments of joy, tragedy, love, and brotherhood — running the full gamut of emotions for some of the galaxy’s most beloved characters.

Just because The Clone Wars series has ended, doesn’t mean we’re done receiving stories about it. In a series of eleven stories, the newest Star Wars anthology gives readers a rare look into the psyche of both light and dark side characters during pivotal moments throughout the animated series.

**Contains Minor Spoilers**

As is typical with anthologies, several stories stand out among the rest, but as a whole the collection offers a heartfelt tribute to some of the series’ fan-favorite episodes. It is always refreshing to see familiar events retold from a certain point of view.

Jason Fry — “Sharing the Same Face” (based on the episode “Ambush”)

Fry gets inside of Yoda’s mind, providing readers with the Jedi Master’s inner thoughts as he comes to terms with the gravity of what the Clones mean. Yoda grapples with realities of engineering men to be little more than droids, when they are individuals with unique personalities and opinions.

Lou Anders — “Dooku Captured” (based on the episodes “Dooku Captured” and “The Gungan General”)

Have you ever wanted to get a look inside of Dooku’s mind? Well, Anders offers a rather unique and humorous look at his thoughts as he relates his encounter with Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in a holorecording.

Preeti Chhibber — “Hostage Crisis” (based on the episode of the same name)

Chhibber flawlessly taps into Anakin's mind, exploring his romantic feelings for Padmé before his fall to the dark side. She captures the innocence of his love for his wife, while playing upon the all-consuming nature of it.

Anne Ursu — “Pursuit of Peace” (based on the episode “Heroes on Both Sides”)

Padmé’s penchant for political negotiations is no easy feat to write, yet Ursu perfectly captures the essence of the head-strong Senator as she takes on peace negotiations in the Separatist’s territory.

Yoon Ha Lee — “The Shadow of Umbara” (based on the episodes “Darkness on Umbara,” “The General,” “Plan of Dissent,” and “Carnage of Krell”)

I think it’s safe to say that Rex is one of the most beloved characters from The Clone Wars and Ha Lee explores his perspective during the battle for Umbara and the fallout of General Krell’s betrayal. The sense of individuality and humanity in each Clone is palpable throughout the story.

Tom Angleberger — “Bane’s Story” (based on the episodes “Deception,” “Friends and Enemies,” “The Box,” and “Crisis on Naboo”)

If you were hoping for a Space Western in this anthology, Angleberger delivers with his retelling of the “Crisis on Naboo” from Cad Bane’s perspective. Who doesn’t love getting the perspective of one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy?

Zoraida Córdova — “The Lost Nightsister” (based on the episode “Bounty”)

Córdova’s chapter picks up on the heels of tragedy, following Ventress witnessing the deaths of her sisters. It’s a thrilling retelling, allowing readers to follow Asajj Ventress’ journey as she reclaims her agency and proves that she truly is a badass.

Rebecca Roanhorse — “Dark Vengeance” (based on the episode “Brothers”)

Roanhorse deftly tackles the return of Darth Maul by getting inside of his twisted mind and exploring his obsession with Obi-Wan Kenobi and his own internal struggles. It’s fun to get a glimpse inside a deeply troubled character like Maul.

Sarah Beth Durst — “Almost A Jedi” (based on the episode “A Necessary Bond”)

This was perhaps the most unique retelling in the anthology. Durst approaches Ahsoka’s character from the eyes of Katooni, one of the Jedi younglings under her watch. There’s something so innocent in Katooni’s admiration for Ahsoka and her own desires to become a Jedi, that will likely resonate with any fan who pretended that they were a Jedi as a child.

Greg van Eekhout —“Kenobi’s Shadow” (based on the episode “The Lawless”)

One of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s most tragic moments in The Clone Wars is retold by van Eekhout with just as much emotion and pain as we saw on the screen. Kenobi’s emotions are palpable as he struggles with the inner turmoil that all Jedi are faced with when they suffer a devastating loss. A few additional scenes are added to this retelling which further underlines the bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan.

Anne Convery — “Bug” (based on the episode “Massacre”)

At the time that I received my copy, “Bug” was not yet available to review. Convery is set to create an original story for the anthology, centered around the Nightsisters.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Stories of Light and Dark is rated for readers ages 8-12, but just as The Clone Wars tackled the bleak realities of war and the intricacies of human emotion, this anthology will resonate with readers of all ages.

A great book that takes place during the Clone Wars cartoon series. Favorite characters and villains show up. Will please any Clone Wars fan

As an avid Star Wars fan, and by proxy an avid Clone Wars fan, I was excited to pick this up. My own enjoyment, however, was tampered by the fact that these stories bring nothing new to the Clone Wars narrative, but rather recap various episodes throughout the show.

However, this book would be perfect for anyone who enjoys film novelizations, or a young reader who loves the Clone Wars and would enjoy experiencing the show through reading rather than watching. The writing was excellent and the characters they chose were great! Objectively speaking, this is a solid Star Wars anthology.

I really enjoyed this book and all of these stories! They were a fun representation of the Clone Wars series as a whole, but also gave me new insight into some of my favorite episodes/storylines. Some of my favorite stories in this book were Maul coming back to a fierce creature, the emotional Obi-Wan story where he loses a friend on Mandalore and the story about Padme trying to stop the bill in the Senate that would put more money on Clone Troopers.

While all of these stories are similar to those shown in the show, I valued reading it 1.) because I enjoy reading more than TV but also 2.) it provided detail from the person's point of view that the show isn't always able to go into.

What an amazing set of stories! As with any anthology, some stories are better than others, and I think that largely depends on which characters you like more, but Stories of Light and Dark hit it out of the park!

As someone who has had a hit or miss relationship with the Clone Wars, I really loved being able to see episodes from a new perspective. You get to see how Obi Wan felt about Satine, how Padme and Rex are navigating this never ending war, and even how Ventress is trying to put her life back together. I read this after rereading Dark Disciple and it was amazing to see how well every aspect of the Clone wars is interconnected.

Whether you are a new fan or a die-hard, you definitely won’t want to miss this!

I enjoyed this book, which was a collection of stories about characters from the Clone Wars series. We have stories featuring Yoda,
Count Dooku (that was hilarious), Anakin Skywalker, Asajj Ventress, Padme Amidala, Captain Rex, Cad Bane, Darth Maul, Ahsoka Tano and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Another additional story called Bug, was not ready to be included in this advance copy. Each story highlighted the character well.

Yoda showed his wisdom, command of the Force and compassion for others as well as his tactical skill.

Count Dooku's story was one of my favorites, showcasing his arrogance and irritation at his foes Kenobi and Skywalker.

Anakin's tale showed his overconfidence and his love for his wife Padme.

Padme showed the elegant diplomat that she is, attempting to bring peace in galaxy at war.

Captain Rex's story was another favorite, learning how to follow his orders and champion his brother soldiers.

Cad Bane's tale was similar to Dooku, another rant about his skills and the lack of everyone else to meet his high standards. Another favorite of mine.

Ahsoka showed her courage, fearlessness and leadership ability.

The two standout stories for me were Darth Maul, very well written and fitting his character perfectly.

Obi-Wan's tale showed him actually taking a page out of Anakin's playbook. This was my personal favorite.

While this book is aimed at young adults, the tales were all well written and ran the gamut from funny and heartwarming to sad and heartbreaking. I can't wait for the audiobook version. A definite must read and you don't have to be familiar with the show to enjoy these tales found herein.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy and the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful book.
#StarWarstheCloneWarsStoriesofLightandDark

I received an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stories of Light and Dark is an anthology of many familiar tales from The Clone Wars cartoon series, each focusing on pivotal episodes for specific characters. I'm a huge fan of The Clone Wars and I was extremely excited to read this. It definitely helped bring more nuance to many beloved characters. While it was nice to revisit these these episodes, I do wish more had happened than just retelling exactly what had happened on the show. If someone had just recently watched those episodes, I don't think they'd be very interested in this book.

Overall, a great book for those interested in The Clone Wars and it could be used as a great intro for the series!

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for giving me an e-arc of this book!

This book is an anthology of many episodes that we've seen in the Clone Wars show. The only added bonus is that these episodes are related by different character's POVs' like Yoda, Maul, Dooku, Anakin, Obi-Wan and many more. This is an amazing middle-grade book for younger fans but I also highly recommend it to any Star Wars fan.

It's a collection of eleven stories and each one has a different writing style. I think it was refreshing to read from many perspectives. It added so much more depth to these major events that occurred during that era. I don't want to go much further than that because it might be spoilery for those of you who haven't watch the show. Clone Wars have become one of my favorite Tv Show of all time. It has so many amazing Star Wars content & lore. It's filled with all of these amazing characters we've seen in the movies but we get the opportunity to learn even more about them. I cannot stop recommending this series. It's why I love Star Wars. After it ended, I was so sad. I wanted more of my favorite characters and I'm so grateful that I got a copy of these books.

Reading this anthology made me revisit so many episodes in a unique way. However, I wish we had some "deleted scenes". What I mean by that is even if we're visiting these episodes from a distinct character's POV, I wish we had a bonus scene that would've added way more depth to the character. For example, the last POV in this book ends in a bonus scene that we never saw in the show and i really appreciated it.

I hope that Lucasfilm is coming with more content and books about The Clone Wars because it is my favorite. I will read anything from this era. I gave this amazing anthology 4 stars out of 5. I had so much fun!

This book is coming out on August 25 and you can go pre-order your copy on Amazon or Book Depository :)

I’m not sure if this would appeal to non-Star Wars fans, but I definitely think my students who love Star Wars, especially the Clone Wars tv series, will enjoy this book. It’s a collection of short stories which makes it easy to read one story at a time and still feel satisfied without needing to read the whole thing at once. Each story gives insight into a different character, both the good guys and the bad guys.

A nice walk down memory lane or an extended directors cut of the episodes they’re based on. The artwork is lovely. A nice indicator about who the chapter is about before you read it. . I enjoyed the extra insight into the characters and what was just subtext on the show. I’ve seen all the episodes many times even some of the slower ones so the show dialogue was less engaging at times. I loved some stories and liked others Some of the stories weren’t written in a normal he said she said formula and it was interesting. The story was told not just from the character’s POV but in their own words. I could have kept reading more stories like some from season 6 or 7. The new nightsister story advertised or the story by Filoni’s own wife Anne wasn’t in the review copy I read. Perhaps they’re one and the same. It’s understandable since it’s an unfinished version and the story/stories might not be ready. I look forward to getting my own finished copy in August. I know a diehard fan in his late 30s isn’t the main demographic the book is made for. Maybe I’ll read it to my baby daughter when she’s older. I’m gonna raise her on Star Wars cartoons.

The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark is written by Lou Anders, Tom Angleberger, Preeti Chhibber, Zoraida Córdova, Jason Fry, Yoon Ha Lee, Rebecca Roanhorse, Anne Ursu and Greg Van Eekhout. The short stories retell Clone Wars episodes from perspectives rarely seen in the expanded universe — Yoda narrates the first episode, and Dooku shares his snarky view on the events of “Dooku Captured.”
More emotional stories are related by Anakin and Padmé, who filter episodes through their mutual love and relationship anxiety, heightened by readers’ full knowledge of where the story is going. As Padmé in particular balances her friendships and her lack of confidence in herself in “Pursuit of Peace,” she echoes the deep character of the novels rather than the weak damsel of the films. In fact, her story echoes Queen’s Peril as it explores how her public persona has transformed from the stoic queen to the senator expected to move others with her carefully channeled passion. Meanwhile, fan-favorite Ahsoka’s story is told more through one of her young admirers she aids in building a lightsaber. (Her lack of a story of her own is a surprising omission but one that works thematically with her outsider status and final exile.) Asajj Ventress, meanwhile, intrigues readers with her nuanced personality, filled with rage at her mistreatment and a surprising empathy for another young victim. This story truly benefits from the extra insights of prose. Likewise, in Rex’s tale, he spends quite a long time struggling with the ethics of obeying a bad commander and thus particularly benefits from the new format.
Of course, the nastiest, most selfish characters can be the most fun. Hondo gets a chance to snark as he explains, “Now, if you ask Moralo Eval, he’ll probably tell you something different. I wouldn’t be surprised if that ugly old wheeze bag tried to blame it all on me. I’ll tell you what really happened: the true story of the biggest crime ever attempted this side of Kessel.” Still, the most delightful voice belongs to maddened Darth Maul as he describes his resurrection and overwhelming hatred for Obi-Wan in a story brimming with personality. As it begins, “Tell me, child, do you know who I am? Do they whisper my name in the classrooms of your academy, down the winding halls of your space station, in the hollows and fields of your farming planet, or across the dunes of your desert home?” Maul continues through his angry reminiscences of tangling with Obi-Wan, focus of his total obsession. This is followed by Obi-Wan’s own epic adventure trying to save his lost love, but it can’t match up to his spitting, hissing nemesis. It’s a fun return to the best, most impactful episodes for prexisting fans or an introduction for new ones now that it’s all on Disney plus. There’s little new information in this Clone Wars celebration, but plenty of fun. https://medium.com/pop-off/star-wars-novels-summer-2020-aedae4eb9d6d?source=friends_link&sk=da882f663da349a799cbed4d8c43cd83

The Clone Wars: Stores of Light and Dark does an amazing job of retelling Clone Wars stories, with the written format allowing authors to go more in-depth with how characters feel and what they are thinking. As an avid fan of the Clone Wars show, I was apprehensive to whether the stories in the book would simply reword what had already been in the show. I'm glad to say that is not the case at all, with each individual author adding insightful thoughts and character moments all around. Some stories in Light and Dark have completely changed my opinion on the arc within the show itself, and with some arcs I'll never look at them the same. I would highly recommend fans of The Clone Wars to read this book.

This is a great YA book, in a similar vein to From a Certain Point of View, but taking key episodes of The Clone Wars and re-writing then from a different first person.
There are a couple of little nods to the OT “I’m here to rescue you!” (as one example) and the episodes selected were all fairly iconic in the series.
The great thing about this is that you don’t have to have watched TCW to enjoy this. Each shirt story stands its own ground.
Without going into any spoilers, the short stories give great insight into the thoughts emotions and mindsets of the characters, adding richness to some of the episodes (if you recognise them) and depth to the prequel trilogy if you haven’t watched TCW.

Overall, a really solid read

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.