Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark

by Lou Anders, Tom Angleberger, Preeti Chhibber

An epic clash between the forces of light and dark, between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists, between brave heroes and brilliant villains…the fate of the galaxy is at stake. In this canon anthology, based on and inspired by the Emmy Award–winning animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, eleven authors, who are also fans, bring stories from their favorite show to life. Relive memorable moments and stunning adventures, from attempted assassinations to stolen bounties, from lessons learned to loves lost. All your favorite characters from The Clone Wars are here: Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, and more! With interior illustrations by Ksenia Zelentsova. A great overview for kids new to the series and a treat for fans!

Contents:
* Introduction (Stories of Light and Dark) • essay by Jennifer Heddle
* Stories of Light and Dark • interior artwork by Ksenia Zelentsova
* Sharing the Same Face [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Jason Fry
* Dooku Captured [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Lou Anders
* Hostage Crisis [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Preeti Chhibber
* Pursuit of Peace [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Anne Ursu
* The Shadow of Umbara [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Yoon Ha Lee
* Bane's Story [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Tom Angleberger
* The Lost Nightsister [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Zoraida Córdova?
* Dark Vengeance [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Rebecca Roanhorse
* Almost a Jedi [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Sarah Beth Durst
* Kenobi's Shadow [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by Greg van Eekhout
* Bug [Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)] / short story by E. Anne Convery
.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Anthologies

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2020

About the author

LOU ANDERS is the author of the novel Once Upon a Unicorn, the Thrones & Bones trilogy of fantasy adventure novels (Frostborn, Nightborn, and Skyborn), and the novel Star Wars: Pirate’s Price. He is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. In the tabletop roleplaying game world, Anders is the creator and publisher of the Thrones & Bones: Norrøngard campaign setting. He has also done game design for Kobold Press, River Horse, and 3D Printed Tabletop. In 2016, he was named a Thurber House Writer-in-Residence and spent a month in Columbus, Ohio, teaching, writing, and living in a haunted house. When not writing, designing, and editing, he enjoys playing roleplaying games, 3D printing, weightlifting, and watching movies. He lives with his wife, children, and two golden doodles in Birmingham, Alabama. You can visit Anders online at louanders.com or on Facebook, Instagram, and other social networks.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Star Wars, and especially the television show The Clone Wars, then you will absolutely love this little anthology.

This series of stories is set in The Clone Wars timeline, and man is it good. We visit many familiar faces and continue learning more about their stories. Yoda, Padme, Ahsoka, so many good characters are revisited! It's a great way for nostalgic feeling for old fans and a great way to make new ones. It is also an amazing way to dive into some old stories in a new light. Especially with a variety of new authors to check out since they each bring their own spunk to this marvellous universe.

I highly recommend picking this book up if you love Star Wars! I loved sneaking back into the magical world I grew up with.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

[Eva B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Clone Wars is my favorite era of Star Wars, and I was pretty let down by this one :/
The episode selection felt pretty poor, in my opinion (I'd have gone with some more from seasons two and six, which were completely absent, as far as I recall). Episodes such as Hostage Crisis, Dooku Captured, and the Cad Bane arc are novelized, but not episodes like The Wrong Jedi, Ghosts of Mortis, or Weapons Factory. Case in point, the Ahsoka story wasn't an episode like Weapons Factory, Brain Invaders, or the Sabotage arc--episodes where she's forced to make difficult choices that effect the course of the show and develop her character--but an episode from the Younglings arc narrated by Katooni, and honestly kind of sidelining Ahsoka in what was meant to be her story.
That being said, the Ventress story was the best, followed by Maul's, Obi-Wan's, and Rex's.

[Shannon McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of stories that unsurprisingly leaves me with mixed feelings.



As a massive fan of the animated series I was looking forward to reliving some of the most beloved episodes through a different perspective but for the most part these stories did little to delve into the interior lives and perceptions of beloved characters like Rex, Anakin or Ventress and instead served up accurate shot-for-shot retellings of tales we already knew.



There are some exceptions, of course, most notably the entirely original story "Bug" based on unproduced Clone Wars material. I thought the two stories featuring Maul and Kenobi were solid, as well, and using first person perspective for Cad Bane's recounting of the mission to kidnap Palpatine was good fun, while Dooku's pompous narrative of his time in Hondo Ohnaka's captivity alongside Obi-Wan and Anakin was a tad much.


Sorry, Count.

Final Verdict: this one is mostly for Clone Wars-era completionists and fans of the "From A Certain Point of View..." Anthologies.

[vicky. · Rating 3 out of 5]

listening to the audiobook just because i love star wars audiobooks and the narrators are the same people that voice the show.

1. sharing the same face: oh no this made me miss clone wars :( especially those early days of the war when everything was an adventure and meeting the different clones. also wtf yoda saw order 66 in one of his many visions of the future??. 3/5 stars.
2. dooku captured: obi-wan being called "softhearted" 😭the only thing i got from this story is that dooku is just Done with Everything. 2/5 stars.
3. hostage crisis: anakin is DUMB and he just wants to be LOVED, and to love FREELY. very valid. 4/5 stars.
4. pursuit of peace: this reminded me of padmé's novels!!! she deserved so much better than being a sw character. 4/5 stars.
5. the shadow of umbara: yeah, i still want to punch krell. 2/5 stars.
6. bane’s story: even bane knew jedi are supposed to be in control, meanwhile anakin going berserk because he thought obi-wan was dead 🥺. 2/5 stars.
7. the lost nightsister: this was amazing, i'm sad that i didn't truly begin to know ventress until i read sw novels because she's awesome!! 5/5 stars.
8. dark vengeance: everyone is obsessed with obi-wan, honestly mood. i liked how the story started, but it didn't add much. 3/5 stars.
9. almost a jedi: "master kenobi raised his very expressive eyebrows..." jsdfklsd it was nice to have a story from the pov of someone who isn't a main character, but at the same time, meh. 2/5 stars.
10. kenobi’s shadow: i just... didn't see this struggle in the show, that obi-wan was supposedly that close to falling to the dark side. also, he drew strength just from satine and her memory?? dude, anakin is right there. qui-gon is.. well not there but you know. anyway the slightest of obikin banter made this better.
also, where's my obi-wan centric novel, it's almost 2021 COME ON. 2/5 stars.
11. bug: i don't even know what happened in the story, i was bored. 2/5 stars.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a fun companion to the clone wars episodes but the obi-wan story was EVIL ……. i did Not need to relive mandalore from his pov

[Feli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories I finished over a month ago but never had the time to properly review. So, here's what you have to know (in short, because it's too long ago now 😂).

- if you have seen TCW, those stories won't be new to you. It's a bunch of retellings of some of the story arcs from there.
- most retellings are interesting because they add something new to the story or are from another pov than in the show
- there's one original story in this anthology. It's also the story I liked the most.
- stunning artwork!!
- personally, I liked the villain stories more than the hero ones.
- a bunch of well know (YA) writers come together for this anthology. It's considered middle grade but doesn't feel like it. You can definitely read this as an adult
- canon like this doesn't really add anything interesting so if you don't feel like it - skip it

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars ⭐️
As is the case with any SW short story anthology, it’s always a bit of a hit or miss situation. With this Clone Wars anthology it even more so depends on which characters you’re drawn to etc.
The biggest let-down is the fact that most of the stories merely happen to retell what happens in a specific episode of the series, rather than adding anything to it.
That being said, I did enjoy a few of the stories (mostly the ones I expected to enjoy) and I do think that with the lovely illustrations and the cohesive, clear writing of the stories it’s a wonderful book for young readers/young fans of the show.

[Tait Sougstad · Rating 2 out of 5]

(This is a review of the advanced reader copy from Netgalley.)

It seems like we just got the final season of Clone Wars with that glorious, glorious finale- a finale that almost made slogging through the rest of the show worthwhile. Dozens of fans of the Clone Wars cartoons may disagree with me, but it's a true fact that George Lucas maintained a list of Things Star Wars Fans Care About, and made sure the Clone Wars cartoon didn't touch any of them.

So, now that we have put a bow on this series and filed it away in the archives, why are we now getting a collection of novelizations from these episodes?

This is all speculation, but here are my theories:

1) Star Wars needs more writers. It is expensive to invest publishing resources into a flop, and from the Disney Canon cast, it appears that there is some significant turnover happening in the authorial pool. Alexander Freed and Claudia Gray are two of the authors who appear to have successfully managed the transition to Disney Star Wars, but many of the other books are written by freshmen to the franchise. So, these anthologies, like A Certain Point of View and the Tales of... books of yesteryear are a way to pull in some new voices and see what the fans respond to.

2) Star Wars doesn't have a direction. The Skywalker Saga closed out with a planet-killing (story-killing?) bang. Unlike the original trilogy, there doesn't seem to be much clamor to find out what happens next. The aftermath of Return of the Jedi was pregnant with possibilities: What does Luke do now that he is the last Jedi? What happens to the Rebellion now that they defeated the Empire? What would happen if force-less, extra-galactic aliens try to take over the galaxy, or if a force-being started taking over the minds of young Jedi and the only way to save them is to explore the force-underworld? The sequel trilogy crushed all of those possibilities, and for now, fandom doesn't feel too hungry to expand that thread, or any more Palpatine-resurrection/clone stories. Hence, rehashing oldie-but-goodie Clone Wars arcs.

3) It's probably a cheap way to turn a buck. It's not likely this will turn out in the red, so why not.

I say this all as context for this review. Did I like these stories? A few. As a whole it was okay, and probably will achieve the purposes above.

If you are one of the dozen fans, you will probably like having a new way to get this content.

If you don't like the Clone Wars, but you keep up with content because you are a canon-nerd, I can confidently say this did not have any details that break any new ground. Some of the stories are told from character perspectives that add a little nuance the probably didn't come though the episode, but not enough to warrant consuming this book.

If you didn't watch the Clone Wars, and are thinking this might be a good way to get a summary or best-of selection to understand the series, this is going to be a very confusing journey for you. Most of the selections start mid-arc, and give maybe a sentence to catch you up. Others start at the beginning, but then summarize whole episodes with a sentence or two in the middle. Characters introduced in the show are not introduced in these stories, so if you don't know Ahsoka, Hondo, Rex, or Asajj are, good luck. You are going to get important moments to their development, without any context on why the moments are important.

As someone in the second category, most of the time I was just reading to get through the book. The same things that didn't make any sense in the show, still didn't make any sense in the retelling.

As for the writing, each author had the freedom to use whatever mode they chose, and they seemed to try to distinguish themselves with unusual styles rather than align for continuity. There are typical third-person past-tense stories, but also third-person present, first-person present, and first-person past all scattered in there. It was a little jarring. It is a little jarring. I was a little jarred. I am a little jarred.

So, if you are a die-hard Clone Wars fan, and you were longing to return to that time Obi-Wan had cosmetic surgery to infiltrate a group of bounty hunters, or that time Darth Maul came back to life, or that time Anakin and Obi-Wan had to team up with Dooku to escape the clutches of the chaotic neutral Hondo.... GET THIS BOOK.

Otherwise, maybe just read the Wookiepedia articles and move on.

[K.J. Haakenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

All but one are retellings of previously released Clone Wars episodes but I still loved it! Highly recommend the audiobook because they are all voice actors from the show 🥲 It was a bit of a rollercoaster because I adored some and really didn’t like others 😂

Sharing the Same Face - 2 stars / pretty boring (sorry) but James Arnold Taylor is a great reader regardless.

Dooku Captured - 4 stars / This is actually one of my favorite Clone Wars episodes of all time so this was amazing LOL Dooku's sassy narrating and bitter comments about Anakin/Obi-Wan were the best parts of this whole story. Also HONDOOO

Hostage Crisis - 3 stars / This episode is a little dumb because Anakin gives Padme his lightsaber and inevitably gets in a hostage situation. But did I tear up when I heard Matt Lanter's Anakin Skywalker voice?? YES I DID

Pursuit of Peace - 3 stars / I was never a big fan of the political episode of TCW but as an adult, I'm starting to understand the complexities of the war. This was actually pretty interesting.

The Shadow of Umbra - 4 stars / This one is actually so tragic but it's really good. I hate Krell so much LOL

Bane's Story - 4 stars / This one is narrated by Cad Bane and it's quite fun. I loved these episodes in the show so it was cool to see them from Bane's perspective.

The Lost Nightsister - 3 stars / Um this was okay but I will admit that I couldn't 100% follow it. If you're a big Ventress fan, you'll enjoy it.

Dark Vengeance - 5 stars / Sam Witwer's Darth Maul absolutely terrifies me. I freaking LOVED this!

Almost a Jedi - 2 stars / From the perspective of an Ahsoka fangirl, Katooni is a Jedi youngling trying to get her kyber crystal at the Gathering. I'm not sure why this story wasn't from Ahsoka's POV so that was a bit disappointing. Also no hate against the narrator but she sounded like her nose was perpetually stuffed up xD

Kenobi's Shadow - 5 stars / the way my heart dropped when I realized this was the fall of Mandalore from Obi-wan’s perspective. Thanks for breaking my heart, I feel sick. 3

Bug - 2 stars / every review says how good this story is but it was so creepy haha there was a weird pitch in the background of the story that made it even worse. I’ve never been a Nightsister fan so this was a no go for me.

Audiobook overall rating: 3 stars

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Wars books always bring me a smile for their callbacks to material I love or nods to the familiar. Stories of Light and Dark is the perfect book for fans of TCW.

I loved seeing Padme in action amongst her peers (much as I loved seeing Leia do the same in Bloodlines).

I felt a deep ache as Matt Lantner gives us prime Ani (back on my WHY ANAKIN BS).

My fist was shaking and the later in the air as Rex and the other clones fought in a war they didn’t ask for under a Jedi who didn’t care for them.

Bb Boba will never not make me laugh but dang do I want more Ventress after her story here (I know, I still need to read her book).

Being inside of Maul’s head is terrifying but also his hatred of Obi-Wan has never been more clear. If you know nothing else, it’s easy to see how this will be his downfall.

Speaking of Obi-Wan, this book didn’t have to punch me in the feels with Satine. I was not prepared for that.

Speaking of feels, the story featuring the younglings made me smile and also come back to my WHY ANAKIN curse. Why. Why Anakin.

This book is marketed as middle grade, which I assume is because the show is designed for that age. Other than that, I’m not finding specific themes that are common in middle grade. This is truly a story for fans who want to see different views on favorite episodes!

[Brayden Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is fine. Some of the stories like the Maul story, Kenobi story and Youngling story were standouts but for the most part it was just a rehash of the episodes with very little extra flair. Great for clone wars fans or for fans without enough time to watch the whole series to get a taste of the show without watching. However it is not anything outstanding.

[Brett Wyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verdict
This book collects a bunch of short story adaptions of Clone Wars episodes. I love the Clone Wars! The audiobook had the Clone Wars voice actors narrate their respective characters and it really enhanced the experience. The average score is 4 stars. Breakdown for each story below.


Title: Sharing the Same Face
Author: Jason Fry
Clone Wars Episode: Season 1 Episode 1 - Ambush
Review: Yoda and three clone troopers, Thire, Rys, and Jek have to take on Ventress and her droid army as the Republic and Separatists fight for allegiance of King Katuunko's Rugosa, a moon in the system of Toydaria. Yoda is so full of wisdom and helps these clone troopers control their emotions as they are severely outnumbered and gives them a pep talk about them being individuals despite having the same face. There's an added scene at the end where Yoda looks into the future, and it's quite dark. Basically, a retelling of the episode with the aforementioned added scene from Yoda's POV. This episode condensed very well into a short story and Yoda always makes things entertaining.
Score: 5 stars



Title: Dooku Captured
Author: Lou Anders
Clone Wars Episodes: Season 1 Episodes 11 & 12 - Dooku Captured & The Gungun General
Review: A retelling of the events from Dooku's perspective. Dooku, Anakin, and Obi-Wan manage to get themselves in a pickle with Hondo, the best pirate in the galaxy. I find Dooku's thoughts when he's in the presence of the Jedi to be the best part of this short story. It seemed to cut a lot from The Gungun General, mainly because we are only following Dooku so what he doesn't know, the reader doesn't know. Overall, still very happy with this one.
Score: 4.5 stars



Title: Hostage Crisis
Author: Preeti Chhibber
Clone Wars Episode: Season 1 Episode 22 - Hostage Crisis (Second of three episodes in the Ziro the Hutt Prison Break arc)
Review: The events are told from Anakin's POV. Cad Bane and his crew arrange to break Ziro the Hutt out of Republic custody. They hold a bunch of Senators hostage to try to strongarm the Chancellor into giving them what they want. Anakin is the only one around who can save the day but, because he's blinded by love, he does not have his lightsaber. Anakin is probably the worst POV that could have been chosen here. It does not really let the reader know what's going on. Why isn't this from Bane perspective? And why does this only cover the middle episode in a three-episode arc?
Score: 1 star



Title: Pursuit of Peace
Author: Anne Ursu
Clone Wars Episodes: Season 3 Episodes 10 & 11 - Heroes on Both Sides & Pursuit of Peace
Review: This duology is fantastic but this is not the greatest adaptation because it is entirely from Padmé's perspective, leaving more to be desired. Anakin hands Ahsoka off to Padmé so she can teach her about politics. The duo ends up visiting Padmé's separatist friend, Senator Mina Bonteri on Raxus to discuss putting motions forward for ending the war peacefully. Padmé already has a good understanding of politics, so the most interesting part is Ahsoka's journey, where she tries to better understand the viewpoints of the common folks of the CIS and that was completely omitted in this adaptation. The rest is great, however. Padmé has to overcome adversity caused by Dooku and she delivers an amazing speech to the senate using her handmaiden, Teckla to add some relatability to her words.
Score: 4 stars



Title: The Shadow of Umbara
Author: Yoon Ha Lee
Clone Wars Episodes: Season 3 Episodes 7 through 10 - Darkness of Umbara, The General, Plan of Dissent, & Carnage of Krell
Review: We jump into the Umbara arc from Rex's POV. Skywalker is summoned back to Coruscant and General Krell takes control of the 501st in the interim. Rex comes to realize how spoiled he was by having Skywalker as a General. He treated them as friends whereas Krell views clones as cannon fodder. Rex's internal thoughts and struggles with his fellow troopers who would rather face being court martialed than follow Krell's command. A lot of stuff happens off-page, but it is summarized to keep the reader up to snuff making this 4-episode adaptation really easy to follow. A lot of shady stuff happens but, in the end, karma wins the day.
Score: 5 stars



Title: Bane's Story
Author: Tom Angleberger
Clone Wars Episodes: Season 4 Episodes 15 through 18 - Deception, Friends and Enemies, The Box, & Crisis on Naboo
Review: To be clear, this is Cad Bane's story, not Darth Bane's. Another 4-episode arc that managed to successfully condense a lot into a short story told from Bane's perspective. Kenobi fakes his death and is reborn as Rako Hardeen, bounty hunter. He starts running with Bane and they manage to score a job for Dooku who puts them through the ringer (The Box) to ensure they are skilled enough for the job. The job is to capture Palpatine. The best part is Bane's thoughts on Hardeen and others like Anakin, Ahsoka, Dooku, etc. It really adds to the story.
Score: 5 stars



Title: The Lost Nightsister
Author: Zoraida Córdova
Clone Wars Episode: Season 4 Episode 20 - Bounty
Review: Here we dive into Ventress's thoughts following the massacre of the Nightsisters. Ventress lost everything in her life and her brash personality got her tangled up with Krayt's Claw, a bounty hunter group led by a young Boba Fett. She joins them and they accept a bounty where they must protect a tram to deliver the precious cargo to the buyer. Ventress's conscience came into play and definitely rubbed some people the wrong way. Her journey here sets the tone for her for the rest of the series and even leading into Dark Disciple. This adaptation mostly plays out exactly like the episode but some of Ventress's thoughts are entertaining.
Score: 5 stars



Title: Dark Vengeance
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
Clone Wars Episodes: Season 4 Episodes 21 & 22 - Brothers & Revenge
Review: Everything Maul is pure gold. This story has Maul retelling how he got saved by his brother Savage, healed by Mother Talzin, and his pursuit to make Kenobi suffer. It's a faithful adaptation until Ventress shows up with zero explanation.
Score: 4.5 stars



Title: Almost a Jedi
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Clone Wars Episode: Season 5 Episode 9 - A Necessary Bond (Fourth and final episode of the Young Jedi arc)
Review: For starters, why are we starting on the fourth episode in the arc? It does a better job explaining the previous three episodes than it does with the adapted episode. Ahsoka was tasked with escorting a group of younglings back to Coruscant from Ilum where successfully all passed the trial and acquired kyber crystals so they can construct their own lightsabers. Pirate Hondo loves him some kyber because kyber=money. So, he attacks the ship and captures Ahsoka, leaving the younglings to save her on Florrum. This is where the short story begins, told from Katooni's POV (the female Tholothian youngling). As Grievous shows up to claim Florrum for the CIS, it forces Ahsoka and the younglings to join forces with Hondo to escape. This is incredibly dull considering all that is left out. They just fight and escape. Nothing special really happens here. Why not adapt The Gathering? The younglings going through their rite of passage would have been so much more entertaining.
Score: 1 star



Title: Kenobi’s Shadow
Author: Greg Van Eekhout
Clone Wars Episode: Season 5 Episode 16 - The Lawless (Third and final episode of the Assault on Mandalore arc)
Review: I can see why they chose to adapt this episode; it acts well as a standalone. Satine sends a distress call to Kenobi as Death Watch has taken over Mandalore. Since Mandalore is a neutral system, the Republic will not send aid to an internal conflict. Kenobi goes alone and finds out that the leader of Death Watch, the new ruler of Mandalore, is a figure from his past with a vile agenda. The story is told from Kenobi's perspective, and his thoughts add a lot to his relationship with Satine.
Score: 5 stars



Title: Bug
Author: Anne E. Convery
Clone Wars Episode: Original short story following the events of Season 4 Episode 19 - Massacre
Review: This story was a little confusing at times. It follows a Dathomiri woman seeking her long lost daughter. It offers some insights into the relationship between Mother Talzin and the nightsisters who keep away from her. Not sure why the story is told via a little girl nicknamed Bug. Why is her name the title when the story has nothing to do with her? Wasn't great, wasn't bad either.
Score: 3.5 stars

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm conflicted on this review, on the one hand, all the stories were well written and very enjoyable to read. On the other hand, there's almost nothing new here, every story except 1, I believe is based on a specific episode from the series. If you are very familiar with the series you will recognize that you are just being retold stories from the show from a first person perspective of one of the characters in the episode.

That can be very interesting, getting deeper insight into what the characters are thinking and feeling, getting a better idea of the motivations and drive these characters have.

I didnt do my research before buying this novel, I was under the impression that this book would be filled with original stories set in the clone wars. I wish that was the book we got, i dont think giving this book a bad review based on what I wish it was to be fair.

What we got was good, I still found myself being wrapped into these stories I was already familiar with. Several times even getting a bit choked up with some of the more emotional moments.

I also listened to the audiobook, like every other star wars audiobook its absolutely amazing. The sound effects and music being incorporated is so great. I sometimes think I should just only listen to the audiobooks, they are that good!

This is a wonderful collection of stories, while not being new stories it doesn't stop them from being great. If you are a fan of the clone wars, if highly recommend this book.

[Jonathan Koan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(My review will also be available on Roqoo Depot soon)


The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark is a short story collection, edited by Jennifer Heddle, and released in August of 2020.

I am taking time out of my usual bi-weekly reread through the canon to review the newest short story collection from Disney-Lucasfilm Press. As a huge fan of the Clone Wars series, I had high hopes for this book. And the authors involved *mostly* delivered. Below I very briefly review every story(including a letter rating), followed by an overall review at the end.

1. Sharing the Same Face by Jason Fry(Ambush): Told entirely from Yoda’s point of view. Adds a lot of insight into how he views the Clones and his duty as a general. Explains some of Yoda’s decisions and tactics in the episode. Also has some brief revelations about what happens to the clone troopers later in the Clone Wars. Excellent story and adaptation. A+
2. Dooku Captured by Lou Anders(Dooku Captured and The Gungan General): Told entirely from Count Dooku’s point of view. Makes Dooku’s decisions and tactics understandable, fixes some story problems with him. Is really funny in moments and reads like a journal entry. Leaves large portions of the episodes, out, but serves its purpose and is a really great adaptation. A+
3. Hostage Crisis by Preeti Chhibber(Hostage Crisis): Told entirely from Anakin’s point of view. While it explains several aspects of the timeline for confused fans, the plot is kind of confusing, even for people who have watched the show. This would really confuse people who hadn’t watched the show. Even though the focus is on Anakin, the “coolest” aspects of this episode are ignored. The focus should have been on Bane in this story and not Anakin, but that wasn’t what the author’s intent was. C+
4. Pursuit of Peace By Anne Ursu(Heroes on Both Sides and Pursuit of Peace): Told entirely from Padme’s point of view. This is a mostly faithful adaptation, but really shows Padme’s inner thoughts. The plot is easy to follow, although it omits several aspects of Ahsoka’s story and the greater story. B-
5. The Shadow of Umbara by Yoon Ha Lee(Based on the 4 episode Umbara arc): Told entirely from Rex’s point of view. This is also a straight retelling of the Umbara arc. It omits certain aspects, but does focus a lot on Rex and his inner thoughts. It’s very fast paced. I don’t believe that the short stories should follow more than 2 episodes, because covering 4 makes it daunting and omits a lot. B-
6. Bane’s Story by Tom Angleberger(Rako Hardeen/Kidnapping Palpatine Arc): Told entirely from Bane’s point of view. It Added a lot of unique perspectives while also following the story. Had some really funny moments. Wasn’t just a pure novelization of the episodes. Added tons of background information to the story. A+
7. The Lost Nightsister by Zoraida Córdova(Bounty): Told entirely from Ventress’ point of view. This is pretty much a straight retelling of the episode, but does have some additional insights into Ventress. Has some explanations on her direction in the galaxy. A-
8. Dark Vengence by Rebecca Roanhorse(Brothers and Revenge): Told entirely from Maul’s perspective. Told as if to a child. Very dark and chilling. Roanhorse nails the tone and feel of Maul’s character. Explains the backstory leading up and makes you feel Maul’s anger. It’s pretty faithful, although Ventress comes out of nowhere, and someone who hasn’t seen the show wouldn’t understand that moment very well. A-
9. Almost a Jedi by Sarah Beth Durst(Youngling Arc: The Necessary Bond): Told from Klatoni’s point of view. While this story fits a middle-grade level book, it doesn’t work well. This story is the 4th in a 4 episode arc, and the reader would miss the context and not understand what’s happening if they haven’t watched the episode yet. The story was almost a straight retelling. I believe that the first episode in the arc(The Gathering) would have worked as a much better standalone short story. The author did not do much to catch the reader up on the events of the previous episodes, so there were several “oh yeah, this had happened” moments.Very poor. D+
10. Kenobi’s Shadow by Greg Van Eekhout(The Lawless): Told from Obi-Wan Kenobi’s point of view. Excellent story. While this is the third episode in an arc, this explains all of the necessary information that it works as a stand alone. You can really feel Kenobi’s pain and anger and you really empathize with him, perhaps even more than in the actual episode. It’s well paced and very funny at times. A+
11. Bug by E. Anne Convery(inspired by Massacre): This story is told from “Bug’s” perspective. It’s an original story, and while it didn’t add too much plot, it had a lot of great worldbuilding and future story potential. This story shows that the entire collection should have just been original stories inspired by episodes of the Clone Wars. It has some pacing issues, so it isn’t the best, but it has some serious potential for the author’s future. B-

While not every story was perfect for me, it was a very enjoyable collection. Most stories added a little bit of insight and worldbuilding and background that made me love the Clone Wars even more. A few stories even fixed continuity errors and questions that I had, which added to them in my estimation. However, I must point out that I believe that the format of the stories was the wrong choice by the publisher. Rather than do 10 adaptations and 1 original inspired story, this should have been all original stories inspired by episodes of the Clone Wars. It would have added much more insight, would have been more worth it to people who have already watched the show, and would have been easier to market. But I digress.

I can’t finish without mentioning the beautiful artwork and illustrations by Ksenia Zelentsova. Most Star Wars books have good covers, but are designed that I could only display them on a shelf. In fact, I believe that this could be used as a coffee table book because of how great it looks.

Overall, this is a very good short story collection, but it could have been better. 4 out of 5. Good job Jennifer Heddle and the whole team at Disney-Lucasfilm Press.

Next week I’ll be returning to my regularly scheduled reread of Bloodline by Claudia Gray(one of my favorites)

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young adult anthology book, adapting stories from the animated series, which also includes an original story

What drew me to this was the design of the book. I’m mainly read on kindle to save on shelf space but this is a really nice looking book based on an animated series I love so I couldn’t pass it up.

The contents itself makes for a fun and easy read! It adapts various storylines from The Clone Wars, focusing on characters like Padmé, Cad Bane and Yoda.

The stand out story for me was Kenobi’s Shadow, and for a “kids book” it manages to deal with an important part of Obi-wan’s life very well!

[Heaven Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute, fun read. I love The Clone War show so much and being able to relive some moments I vividly remember through specific character's eyes was a lovely surprise. The art is also amazing--I've been following the artist for many years and to see her art on official Star Wars merchandise was so amazing! I'm so glad I picked up this set of short stories.

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that it was a good book and that it was interesting to see different authors writing styles!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 — Review Pending

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though these short stories are retelling of episodes, it is still interesting to hear the thoughts and feelings of one character in each situation:

Sharing the Same a face: 3.5 stars. It’s the beginning of the war, and Yoda must get to the King of Rodaria?? Before Assaj Ventress. Yoda notes that though the clones look alike, he can sense each as an individual, which increases his discomfort with the clones’ programming to obey orders without question and to throw themselves into combat.
It’s an interesting perspective, which is explored in greater detail as the series progressed.

Count Duuku Captured: 3.5 stars. the arrogant Duuku meets scene stealer and charming scoundrel Honda Onaaka. That pirate manages to get the better of Duuku several times.
Duuku really was such an arrogant jerk, relying heavily on the Dark Side of the Force, and forgetting that non-Force users did have skills of their own.


Hostage Crisis: 3.5 stars. it’s interesting to get a sernse of how deep Anakin’s feelings are for Padmé. And to see how Anakin solves problems when he doesn’t have a lightsaber.

Pursuit of Peace: 4 stars. Padme and Ahsoka travel to Raxus to meet secretly with Mina Bonteri. Though this was doomed to fail no matter the good intentions and skills of the three women, thanks to Palpatine’s and Dooku’s scheming and the corruption of the Tech union and Banking Clans, it’s a moment when women are doing what needed to be done to truly end the war: talk and listen to each other.
(Interestingly, the Bad Batch go to Raxus years later to save a former Separatist Senator.)

Shadow of Umbara: 4 stars. My favourite clone Captain is the POV for the northern assault on Umbara. We see how tortured Rex feels as Pom Krell gives one deadly and terrible order after another. (It was good to see Fives and Jesse in action again, who supply Rex with viable and much more sensible plans than Krell’s.) Rex asks an important question of Fives: what happens to the clones once the war is over? It’s a sad reminder of how almost everyone commanding these men treated them as disposable.

Bane’s Story: 3.5 stars. I love Cad Bane’s voice, so sure of his abilities and opinions, and to see his derisive take on Dooku, the Count’s testing box, and the cocksure bounty hunter Rako Hardeen (really Kenobi in this case), so a fun story.

The Lost Nightsister: 4 stars. Asaaj Ventress becomes an increasingly sympathetic character over the course of the series. Here, she gets involved with Boba Fett and his team of bounty hunters. They’re tasked with delivering a box. Ventress doesn’t stick to the script, and causes some great mayhem, but I saw the glimmer of a very different person from the one we met in “Sharing the Same Face”.

Dark Vengeance: 4 stars. My buddy Maul narrates this story, and we get a first hand view on his obsession with Obiwan, and the way this madness has further warped him (after his tutelage in the ways of the Sith by Palpy).

Almost a Jedi: 4 stars. 4+4+4+3.5+4Katoonie is a serious Ahsoka fangirl (aren’t we all?), and even while she has to find her own kyber crystal, assemble her lightsaber, and deal with pirates, her enthusiasm for life and everything Ahsoka shines through. A fun window into one padawan’s experience.

Kenobi’s Shadow: 4 stars. Mandalore is in chaos thanks to Maul and Death Watch. Kenobi is there to help Satine, his love, and everything that can go wrong, does.

Bug: 4 stars. It’s a pity this story was never animated, as it provides a detour into a bit of Night Sister lore. I liked this, though it didn’t advance a specific Republic or Separatist plan (which is no doubt why it didn’t go further than a story.)

Total: 3.5 stars.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

enough they would be bored with the easy readers

This book is for all ages, parents kids, movie and TV series loves of Star Wards this is the perfect read.

Each authors voice, heart and soul in written in the words of this anthology that will bring young to Star Wars fans and future fans.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher and netgalley.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark is a collection of short stories set in the Star Wars universe (in case that wasn't obvious). This collection is much like the animated series, showcasing smaller moments within a much larger time frame.

In total there are eleven stories to this collection, with some huge names worth noting. Actually, the authors involved are half the reason why I was so interested in this particular collection. The titles in this collection include: Sharing the Same Face by Jason Fry, Dooku Captured by Lou Anders, Hostage Crisis by Preeti Chhibber, Pursuit of Peace by Anne Ursu, The Shadow of Umbara by Yoon Ha Lee, Bane's Story by Tom Angleberger, The Lost Nightsister by Zoraida Cordova, Dark Vengeance by Rebecca Roanhorse, Almost a Jedi by Sarah Beth Durst, Kenobi's Shadow by Greg Van Eekhout, and Bug by E. Anne Carvery.

Below you'll find individual reviews for each short story in this collection. It is worth noting that the fans of the Star Wars: Clone Wars television series will be (very) familiar with many of the stories included.

Sharing the Same Face by Jason Fry
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Sharing the Same Face is a tale focused on the long and varied experience of the one and only Yoda. Here Yoda is working alongside several new Clone Troopers in order to thwart Ventress's current plans.
“He'd let his senses be flooded by the life energies around him. And everywhere he visited, he found beauty and wonder.”
This was a quick and fun read, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's a plot I'm familiar with, but it was still nice to see it all through Yoda's eyes. It added a new perspective to the mix, and let me appreciate the series of events that much more.

Dooku Captured by Lou Anders
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Dooku Captured is another familiar event, though it's told in a unique format. The entire short story reads like a message written by Count Dooku. It's an odd mixture of formal and informal, all while recounting his latest battle against Anakin and Kenobi.
“I thought I sensed an unpleasant disturbance in the Force.”
This was another fun and quick read, though it's definitely one of the more unique stories in this collection. Not because of the format itself, but because of the storytelling method. It's told in first person, which worked for such a quick story, but I don't think this format would have worked as well for a complete novel.

Hostage Crisis by Preeti Chhibber
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Next up is Hostage Crisis. We're back to following Anakin Skywalker for this story. His dedication to Padme knows no bounds, even during trying times. Though sometimes that creates more complications for him and his path of being a Jedi.
“He rolls his eyes. If they could get away from all this secrecy and have a few moments to themselves, the great weight of their responsibilities would evaporate, even just for a short while.”
Okay, so this is another one of those stories I distinctly remember from the show. Still, it's nice actually getting a chance to see Anakin's thought process during this whole scene of events – that's something the show could never have done. It simultaneously makes the whole thing sweeter – and more concerning.

Pursuit of Peace by Anne Ursu
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Pursuit of Peace portrays all of the struggles that Senator Amidala went through while attempting to bring peace. There are times where it feels like she's the only one trying to find a solution that doesn't involve bloodshed – this is one of those times.
“But this time were was a new wrinkle: the Senate's war funds were nearly extinguished: they simply could not afford more clones. Padme had entertained a small hope that this, finally, might lead the Senate to discuss peace – but she should have known better.”
Any story that contains Padme is an automatic read in my book, I adore her character. Ursu did justice to a wonderful character here, showing the complexity that comes with Padme's position – and her virtues.

The Shadow of Umbara by Yoon Ha Lee
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
The Shadows of Umbara is a harsh reminder that to many, the Clone Troopers are not real people. They are tools, and they are weapons, but little more than that. This story focuses on Rex, and the bias that he had to battle on more than one occasion.
“It was too late for caution to save them”
This is one of those stories that makes my skin crawl. Not because it was poorly written – if anything, the opposite is true. Just the idea of the Clone Troopers being disregarded in such a way. Getting into Rex's head for this tale made it even more chilling (even while knowing how it was going to play out).

Bane's Story by Tom Angleberger
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Bane's Story revolves around the one and only Cad Bane, and you just know that this is going to be an epic adventure from start to finish. Bane's been imprisoned, but that won't last long. He's going to break out, even if that means working with people he doesn't trust. Followed by a whole new series of events – and crimes.
“But I'll tell you what really happened: the true story of the biggest crime ever attempted this side of Kessel.”

The Lost Nightsister by Zoraida Cordova
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Asajj Ventress has been many things. The Lost Nightsister is a reminder of her past, while a battle for the future begins. It doesn't matter what's coming at her next, Ventress will find a way to survive. She always does.
“Ventress survived because the only other choice was not surviving, and she was too stubborn for that.”
You know a story is well written when it (almost) makes you feel bad for the villains. That is the case for Ventress's story. She may do wicked things, but nobody deserves to have gone through as much as her, or to have lost so much. I really do love the way Zoraida Cordova brought this journey to life.

Dark Vengeance by Rebecca Roanhorse
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Dark Vengeance is the reminder we all need, that one should never count an enemy dead. Especially if their body is not sitting right in front of you. People like Darth Maul are much too difficult to kill, after all.
“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?”
This story follows the battle of Darth Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and yet it is still a surprising story. There are many elements I enjoyed about this read, including the unique storytelling style. There's something chilling about the idea of Darth Maul addressing the reader.

Almost a Jedi by Sarah Beth Durst
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Ahsoka Tano didn't expect to find herself fighting or running from pirates, not when she signed up to be a Jedi. Yet that is the story that unfolds in Almost a Jedi. She's bound to protect Jedi younglings, in what should have been a relatively easy mission. Now, it's anything but.
“I drew a poster of her signature double lightsabers for my room at the Jedi Temple. Okay, I drew three posters of her.”
This is a retelling of one of my favorite Ahsoka moments from the Clone Wars series. Not only does it highlight a beloved character, but it gave many younglings a chance to shine as well. This short story does that tale justice, while adding a few details that I adored.

Kenobi's Shadow by Greg Van Eekhout
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Obi-Wan Kenobi has long been famous for his stalwart portrayal of the perfect Jedi. Yet there's no doubt that he is also a human, and he has his moments of weakness, as well as room to feel things such as affection, and loss. Kenobi's Shadow is about the events that occurred on Mandalore, and how/why Kenobi got involved.
“Obi-Wan resisted the urge to charge out of the chamber, board a ship, and make the hyperspace jump to help his friend.”
From the moment her name came up, I knew exactly what story was going to unfold on these pages. It was a great story, even knowing what was going to happen (and why). I love this tale for it adds more humanity to Kenobi than many others out there, which is saying something.

Bug by E. Anne Carvery
Rating: N/A
This is the only story I wasn't able to rate, as it wasn't included in the free review copy I received. I'll probably (definitely) end up picking up a copy, though not just to I can read the final short story in this collection.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Danny Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been a 5 star rating from me but because of the Captain Rex story, I was going to deduct 1 star regardless of how the rest of the book was. If you'd like to know why, scroll down to my review for Rex's story.

That being said, this book was fantastic. It expands upon episodes in the Clone Wars show. You get 11 stories that follow a single characters point of view and read their thoughts and how that affected their decisions and actions in the episodes. You get real in depth look at the way these characters view themselves and others.

Yoda - Sharing The Same Face by Jason Fry

Starting off with Season 1 episode Ambush. What I liked about this is that even though we knew what happened, from watching the episode and seeing Yoda and the troopers working to get through the droid army, this only followed Yoda's POV. We truly had to trust in the force and that the troopers would come through when needed the most. Getting to know what Yoda was sensing from each Clone as he was enlightening them of their own individuality was a great moment. The show did a great job of showing the Jedi weren't cold to the men who were bred for war. And this story showed a little more of how much more Yoda thought of them and their futures.

Count Dooku - Dooku Captured by Lou Anders

This story was fantastic and hands down my favorite of the bunch. I was not expecting this and completely blindsided by it. Dooku is a great character but not one of my personal favorites. That being said. This follows Count Dooku during his time captured by Hondo. These were already a great series of episodes with back and forth between Dooku, Obi-Wan, Anakin and Hondo. But believe me when I say you needed to know the Count's inner thoughts as everything was going down. It was interesting to find out how Dooku views himself. Not a spoiler but he thinks he's great in all ways. But the level of done he is with everyone is what kept me reading and chuckling from time to time. There's no way I'll be able to watch these episodes again without hearing Dooku's thoughts and how he wanted to respond to certain things. Lou Anders truly understood the assignment.

Anakin - Hostage Crisis by Preeti Chhiber

Anakin is obsessed with Padme, end of story. No there's more to this. This follows the story of Anakin saving Padme. No not that one. Not that one either. The one with Cad Bane! This was actually very enjoyable. Getting to read Anakin's thoughts while he was without a lightsaber while having to get passed multiple bounty hunters in order to rescue Padme and several members of the senate. This opens your eyes to how dangerous a Jedi is even without their lightsaber and that they're not to be taken lightly just because they're without their signature weapon.

Padme - Pursuit of Peace by Anne Ursu

This story shows another side of Padme that we are not used to seeing as a Senator. Self doubt. Her thoughts about Anakin's views. But also expands on the qualities we have come to love about her thanks to the show. Her compassion and for those even on the side of the Separatists. The understanding that both sides have lost so much in this conflict. Also the understanding that both sides ultimately want peace but unfortunately achieving is what they cannot come to agree on. It's always easy to forget that Padme was always in an impossible situation with having relations on both sides.

Captain Rex - The Shadow of Umbara by Yoon Ha Lee

I was beyond excited when I found out there would be a chapter in here dedicated to Captain Rex's perspective during the Carnage of Krell story arc. In the show we had moments from character like Yoda and Plo Koon who expressed that the clones are not just identical fighting machines but each have their own personalities and uniqueness. Here I was excited to finally get a look into the individuality of a clone trooper. I could not believe how disappointed I was from beginning to end of this "original story." Completely opposite of what the 4 previous stories did, this story did not expand upon the 4 episode story arc in the slightest. I am not exaggerating when I say, this was just an abridged version of the Carnage of Krell script with only the Rex parts. It was as if the writer who was tasked to tell this story did not want it so they simply copied and pasted. The writer told us nothing we didn't know already. You just made us read the episode. It's disappointing that this was even allowed to happen. The fact that the editor did not recognize this is embarrassing and a huge slap in the face to Star Wars fans.

Cad Bane - Bane's Story by Tom Angleberger

This really had the vibe of someone telling old war stories. With the occasional back step "did I mention..." to make it more authentic. We all know how great Cad Bane is and what he probably thinks of himself and others. But we also needed those thoughts written out. Especially when he unknowingly worked with Obi-Wan as he was undercover has a bounty hunter. The way he describes people and events was great. I almost missed that he was talking about Ahsoka with the way he hilariously but lazily described her. His suspicious attitude towards the undercover Obi-Wan completely rationalized showed how intelligent of a character he is and why he's been able to survive in the galaxy as long as he has in his profession. This really showcased his wit in all aspects. I now have a new level of respect for the character after this story.

Asajj Ventress - The Lost Nightsister by Zoraida Cordova

This story shows Asajj in a way we're not used to seeing. Following the events of the massacre of the Nightsisters, we read the thoughts and feelings Asajj is battling against after living through such a trauma. It follows her time joining Boba, Bossk and Dengar on their job to transport the Kage girl to Otua Blank. It's an eye opening story of self worth. And the inner battle Asajj always keeps within herself and that the brief Jedi teachings and meaning of family still mean something.

Darth Maul - Dark Vengeance by Rebecca Roanhorse

This one is hard to review with spoiling how good it is so I will keep it brief. I was not ready to jump into Darth Maul's head. Especially when he was at his maddest on Lotho Minor. He had all but lost himself but the one thing that stayed no matter how far his mind was lost was Kenobi. This follows Maul as Savage finds him. The thoughts of this character are inexplainable. This was amazingly written as he rediscovers himself and learns of events that have gone on without him. The true evil thoughts put into words are just plain terrifying.

Katooni - Almost A Jedi by Sarah Beth Durst

I thought this story was beautifully written. I was thrown off a bit because I thought it was going to be Ahsoka's POV because of the Ahsoka illustration at the beginning of the chapter. But it actually follows the young Katooni. A youngling we meet in season 5 and this takes place during the events of the younglings rescuing Ahsoka from Hondo and his gang of merry pirates. It started off as a youngling fangirling over Ahsoka but quickly turned into the inner thoughts of struggles of Katooni which we briefly saw when she was the only youngling to not successfully build her lightsaber. You truly get to experience the inexperience that is being a youngling and the desire to want to be a Jedi and prove not only to others but yourself that you are worthy of the Jedi title. We all have our opinions of Hondo but this story had one moment that really stood out and made who he is as a character stand out. And without spoiling anything, makes the events of Episode III hurt that much more. I applaud Sarah Beth Durst for this story. It's one I didn't know I needed to be expanded.

Obi-Wan Kenobi - Kenobi's Shadow by Greg van Eekhout

Wow. I will keep this spoiler free. Meaning this will be a short review. But wow. Following Obi-Wan on Mandalore. This story proves why Obi-Wan is one of the greatest Jedi of all time. The fact that this man never turned to the dark side is beyond comprehension. This does not mean he was truly removed from his feelings and this story slaps you in the face and immediately punches you in the gut with every emotion and thought he had to fight through. If you are familiar with these season 5 episodes then you know what I'm referring to. Nothing can prepare you for this story.

Sidi - Bug by E. Anne Convery

This is the only original story in the book and it threw me off. I was not prepared for it so it didn't really fit. I didn't fully comprehend anything that was going on so I don't find it fair for me to write a review for it. I will need to read this again.

[Alexandria Leonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for all Clone Wars fans! It is a retelling of various Clone Wars episodes but there is still so much to absorb from these written retellings. The best part of this anthology is the variation. All fans are bound to find a story they love.

The anthology showcased stories from Yoda, Dooku, Anakin, Padme, Rex, Cad Bane, Ventress, Maul, Ahsoka and Kenobi. Some of these are perfect pairings with novels (especially Padme and Ventress’ stories). My favourite stories were Anakin, Padme, Ventress and Kenobi. These stories did a fantastic job at adding character motivation and emotion that is impossible to get from the animated medium. Each author did a really good job with characterization. My only criticism of the book is it’s missing a true Ahsoka story. Ahsoka’s story wasn’t my least favourite but it had me scratching my head to why it was in Katooni’s point of view. The lovely Ahsoka illustration mislead me to think it would be an Ahsoka story.

Overall, this is a must read for Clone Wars fans. The illustrations are lovely and each author brought something unique to the Star Wars universe.

[Jaymie · Rating 2 out of 5]

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

2 stars = finished by didn't like, or not a good fit
The stories included in this collection are all adaptations of episodes of The Clone Wars animated show. While the stories here are told from the perspective of one character (leaving out any scenes from the shows where that character wasn't present), the stories follow the shows pretty closely, even down to 80% or more of the dialogue. I was able to read along as I watched the episodes.

I read 6 of the stories, but found very few enhancements or significant additions to the stories. For example, in the first story, which is a retelling of the first episode of the show, we get Yoda's musings on the nature of clones and individuality. But the additions, for me, didn't add to my understanding of Yoda, or the event in the story, or the larger Star Wars universe in a significant way. I was supremely disappointed. I was hoping for NEW stories with favorite characters from this time period in the saga.

Initially I thought this might be a good fit for readers who have never seen the show. But if a reader's only context is the movies, they might be lost as they encounter Clone Wars-only characters and contexts. The episodes referenced are from seasons 1, 3, 4 and 5.

I think the best reader for this book would be someone who enjoys novelizations. Reading about favorite moments from the show can be enjoyable for some who loved the series and are familiar with the characters and major events. But readers who are hoping for new content will likely be disappointed.

[Maggie Lovitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Money Geek thanks Disney Lucasfilm Press and NetGallery for providing us with a free copy for review. READ MY FULL REVIEW: https://yourmoneygeek.com/review-star...

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. 

Quotables: 

“Always in motion is the future.” 
“I know a place far away from here where no one would recognize us.” 
“I sense Dooku’s dirty hand in this.” 
“You’re making a mistake by crossing me, clone.” 
“They make you look taller.” 
“Slowly, calmly, he exited the chamber to begin disobeying their orders.” 

[Rebecca]

There are very few of the beautiful illustrations in this book. I had hoped these short stories would be episodes from the perspectives of characters who weren't the perspectives we got in the episodes, but that is not the case. There is little to no new information in these stories. I only read three or four of them because I found I didn't like the writing styles. While each story is by a different author, and there may have been stories and writing styles in here that I would have liked, I found most of these were over simplifications of episodes I really enjoyed in the show. It felt like it had no personality. It took characters and lines that moved me and made me bored. The Umbara short story was okay. Yoon Ha Lee's writing was nice, but it lacked the gut punch that those episodes are. We already know this story from Rex's perspective. I was hoping for someone like Waxer or one of his men, or maybe Anakin and Obi-wan's reactions to learning what had really happened, or Dogma's perspective and what happened to him after the episodes ended. There was a way to tell these episodes in a fresh and emotional light, but the authors went with a voice we'd already heard when it came to these episodes. Padme, Anakin, Ahsoka, Dooku, Rex. You'd be better served just watching the episodes than reading these short stories.

[Holly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And this is why she believes in the Republic. It is not without corruption. It is not without darkness. But there is good at its core. And just because something good has darkness in it doesn’t mean you abandon it. Just because there is darkness in something does not mean you do not love it. You show it love, you show it light, and you hope it chooses the light.”

This was essentially a collection of retellings of iconic Clone Wars episodes, with a little extra insight in some of the stories. I was most looking forward to the Umbara story featuring my beloved Captain Rex, but that one actually disappointed me by being a very basic retelling of the events of the episode with very little additional insight. The best stories were those told from the perspectives of Count Dooku, Cad Bane, and Asajj Ventress; the former two were hilarious and delightful in the exploration of the distinct personalities they focused on, and the latter was a genuinely moving glimpse into Ventress’s complicated life. Other highlights were the Yoda story featuring his thoughts about the clones, and the Jedi youngling Katooni having adventures with Hondo Ohnaka. Despite not having a lot of new content - the one original story at the end was intriguing but felt more like a tease than a fully complete story - this collection made me want to seek out more Star Wars stories to read to find that insight into the world I’ve been looking for.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.68 Stars = 40.5/11

It was a good collection.

"Sharing the Same Face" by Jason Fry Based on "Ambush" - 3.5 Stars

"Dooku Captured" by Lou Anders Based on "Dooku Captured" and "The Gungan General" - 3.0 Stars

"Hostage Crisis" by Preeti Chhibber Based on "Hostage Crisis" - 3.5 Stars

"Pursuit of Peace" by Anne Ursu Based on "Heroes on Both Sides" and "Pursuit of Peace" - 4.0 Stars

"The Shadow of Umbara" by Yoon Ha Lee Based on "Darkness on Umbara," "The General," "Plan of Dissent," and "Carnage of Krell" - 4 Stars

"Bane's Story" by Tom Angleberger Based on "Deception," "Friends and Enemies," "The Box," and "Crisis on Naboo" - 4 Stars

"The Lost Nightsister" by Zoraida Córdova Based on "Bounty" - 3.0 Stars

"Dark Vengeance" by Rebecca Roanhorse Based on "Brothers" and "Revenge" - 4.0 Stars

"Almost a Jedi" by Sarah Beth Durst Based on "A Necessary Bond" - 3.5 Stars

"Kenobi's Shadow" by Greg van Eekhout Based on "The Lawless" 4.0 Stars

"Bug" by E. Anne Convery Based on "Massacre" (inspired by) - 4 Stars

[Jared Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark is a fresh take on the animated series that has become a often-binged staple of Star Wars fans young and old. A talented stable of authors has adapted iconic episodes and story-arcs for inclusion in this anthology. Some are from a different character’s perspective from what we see in the tv show: the Senate hostage crisis is told from Anakin’s point of view rather than Padmé’s, for example. Other stories are told in a first-person-POV so as to lend a heavily-stylized slant to the familiar story. This is at the same time interesting, entertaining, and surprising—especially when we get inside the mind of a character such as Count Dooku!

As is to be expected with a collection of short stories, some stories work better than others. In this case, Rebecca Roanhorse’s Darth Maul story especially a standout for its deliciously dark grasp of the character and its gravitas.

The story isn’t all adaptations, though. One original Clone Wars story was written specifically for this book. While more original stories as opposed to adaptations would have been welcome, all in all this is a very entertaining and delightful Star Wars book, giving insight into the minds of several characters who are underserved in Star Wars storytelling, such as Yoda, Asajj Ventress, and Count Dooku.

I would recommend this book to younger readers looking for something quick, fun, and digestible; for fans of the Clone Wars; as well as for long-time fans as an example of a fresh perspective in Star Wars storytelling.

Thank you to Disney/Lucasfilm Press and Netgalley for the early review edition.