Andrew Benesh > Recent Status Updates

The Baptist by Nnedi Okorafor is a potent story of exile, acceptance, and purpose. It feels a lot like her writing in Binti, and her exploration of the thoughts and values of a creature previously relegated to trash is impressive. I'm not sure how I feel about it being force sensitive, but it's a neat idea.

End of Watch by Adam Christopher encapsulates what's becoming my favorite kind of story in this collection - imperial adminstration just trying to do their jobs. The "end of shift" crisis management is likely familiar to any supervisor or service professional, and the reluctance and irritation is captured perfectly.

Bump by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker feels out of place. It's a story we've heard already in this collection, and not from a meaningfully new viewpoint. I'd have preferred more exploration of the class dynamics between troopers and officers that was present in the beginning than the droid subplot.

Glen Weldon's "Of MSE-6 and Men" has been one of the most controversial stories on the book. Reading it, I can see why; however my reading is more that this is a politician-intern type affair rather than a pure power play or healthy relationship. Given all that we know about Tarkin, that actually makes reasonable sense to me.

The Trigger by Kieron Gillen is a good into to the character of Aphra, and a musing of the psychology of killing.

Jeffrey Brown's Far Too Remote is a scene I wish we could see on film.

Pablo Hidalgo's Verge of Greatness feels like an echo of the Rogue One novelisation.

"Eclipse" by Madeline Roux is well written but hard to read. Seeing Breha and Bail trying to make sense of the loss of the Senate and Tantive, and the ambiguous loss of Leia, while knowing too that they'll never have an answer before their deaths is hard. Reading Leia: Princess of Alderaan beforehand just makes it harder. Still, is a strong story about a family cooing in the worst of times in a beautiful place.

"Change of Heart" by Elizabeth Wein is a remarkably heavy read for such a brief story. The emotional impact is raw, and the feelings of vulnerability and intense. I'm very, very impressed.

Mallory Ortberg's "An Incident Report" is The Office of Star Wars writing. The indignation and self righteousness is fantastic, and perfect for Motti.

I really enjoy how Beth Revis writes internal thought process, and Fully Operational showcases that skill well. It's also a keen insight into the nature of imperial control through bureaucracy rather than violence.

Laina by Wil Wheaton is sweet and tragic. That's really all there is to say about it.

Born in the Storm by Daniel Jòse Older is a neat look through the lens of a trooper experiencing the Jedi Mind Truck and being tired of patrolling a backwater world. The attention to detail on Dewbacks is great.

Delilah Dawson's Long Snoot gives a sympathetic backstory to a character I've always loved to hate. I really enjoyed her writing on the sensory aspects of the character, and how it provides him a unique worldview.

You Owe Me a Ride by Zoraida Cordova feels more like a character introduction than a sort story. I suspect we'll be seeing the Tonnika sisters again in Canto Bight or the Solo film.

Paul Dini provides an interesting glimpse into the mind of Boba Fett in Added Muscle. The internal monologue only approach is near; I don't know If want a full book of it but for the events of the story shows it's very compelling. I'm now curious about Jabba's late night confessions.

The Kloo Horn Cantina Carpet by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Matt Fraction is the longest read so far. It's got a neat storytelling vibe, and feels almost like a sitcom episode. The way the cantina patrons are woven together is fun, and the story is at once meaningful and trivial.

We Don't Serve Their Kind Here by Chuck Wendig feels like a Miriam Black scene set in space. Wuhler becomes a likable but crude bartender, and we see the cantina in a new light. I also appreciate the brief but notable LGBT inclusion.

Mur Lafferty's "Not for Nothing" gives more backstory to the Modal Nodes and Greedo, but I wish it was a more meaningful connection. Also, I now want Bith spy stories.

Renee Ahdieh managed to make Greedo sympathetic. I'm impressed.

It's too brief, but Meg Cabot's Beru Whitesun Lars is an elegant nod to the emotional labor of a simple farmer, and her love and pride for her husband's and nephew.

It feels too short, but Claudia Gray's Master and Apprentice shows the maturation of Obi-wan and Qui-Gon's relationship. I also enjoyed its holistic view of the Force.

John Jackson Miller's Rites shows his love of the original films and prequels in a story that's smartly layered. On one hand we see a young Tusken come of age in a story that builds on the mythology of Tatooine; on the other we explore new ideas about Obiwan and Anakin, and the nature of fear. I'm fascinated that Obi has chosen to live by the Tusken massacre site, and it's meaning for his psyche.

Rae Carson's The Red One is really cool, and morally troubling. We see droids with agency, intelligence, and suffering. We also see R2 as a murderous little bastard. R5, however, is a surprisingly noble character.

Reirin isn't my favorite story so far. It hints at a larger story we aren't seeing, but I need to see more of it too really feel connected.

Griffin McElroy's Stories in the Sand is brilliant. The greatest build, the growing reflections, the sense of urgency and magic, and the real wonder it contains are remarkable for such a short piece. I want a Jot the Jawa series.

Ken Liu had a smart story on the maze of imperial paperwork. I wouldn't have expected it to for in where it does, but it's an excellent piece and explains a long-standing complaint.

Christie Golden's "The Bucket" is a humanizing take on Stormtroopers. Of course, knowing how that turns out for him I'm a little disappointed. The slivers of Leia we get are great.

First story complete. Raymus is an emotional opening piece. I love the nods to his relationship to Leia, the images of Vader, and the bittersweetness of him thinking of his family on Alderaan. I'm hoping the rest of the stories carry the same weight!

Finished! The setup for the final book was a little slow coming together, but it's compelling. The seeing if distrust and separation has been effective; I still want to see more of the underlying tension with Denaos and Asper. The Shen should be interesting. Rapist face Sheraptus needs to die badly.