The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark retells episodes of The Clone Wars in a similar way to a novelization. The downside to this is that very little new is added including dialogue. However, the highlight of these stories is getting the point of view of characters we love in stories we already enjoy and getting more content from some of my favorite Star Wars authors!
Each of the stories in the anthology is unique not only in terms of story and characters, but also how they’re written by the variety of authors and the emotions they invoke.
“Dooku Captured” by Lou Anders has some truly hilarious moments including when Count Dooku says Anakin and Obi-Wan were, “as overconfident as ever, strutting like a pair of preening tip-yips.”
Getting to see Anakin’s fear of loss on full display in “Hostage Crisis” by Preeti Chhibber and Obi-Wan’s feelings for Satine in “Kenobi’s Shadow” by Greg van Eekhout was great.
Although Padmé is often portrayed as a confident politician, it was refreshing to see her doubting herself in “Pursuit of Peace” by Anne Ursu, while still rising to the occasion because she believes in a bigger cause.
“The Lost Nightsister” by Zoraida Córdova successfully captures all of the complex and conflicted emotions that make Asajj Ventress so iconic and ties nicely to Jason Fry’s story earlier in the anthology when Yoda senses the pain and hunger for belonging that Ventress feels.
My personal favorite stories in the anthology were “The Lost Nightsister” by Zoraida Córdova and “Dark Vengeance” by Rebecca Roanhorse where Maul’s voice jumps off the page.
Since it’s a new story, a novel set in the Clone Wars era like Dark Disciple by Christie Golden will still be the type of Clone Wars content I prefer, but this anthology is worth checking out for all the die-hard Clone Wars fans.
Episodes List
“Sharing the Same Face” by Jason Fry – Yoda Season 1, Episode 1 “Ambush”
“Dooku Captured” by Lou Anders – Dooku Season 1, Episode 11 “Dooku Captured”
“Hostage Crisis” by Preeti Chhibber – Anakin Skywalker Season 1, Episode 22 “Hostage Crisis”
“Pursuit of Peace” by Anne Ursu – Padmé Amidala Season 3, Episode 10 “Heroes on Both Sides”
“The Shadow of Umbara” by Yoon Ha Lee – Rex Season 4, Episodes 7,8, 9, and 10
“Bane’s Story” by Tom Angleberger – Cad Bane Season 4, Episode 15 “Deception”
“The Lost Nightsister” by Zoraida Córdova – Asajj Ventress Season 4, Episode 20 “Bounty”
“Dark Vengeance” by Rebecca Roanhorse – Maul Season 4, Episodes 21 and 22
“Almost a Jedi” by Sara Beth Durst – Katooni Season 5, Episode 9 “A Necessary Bond”
“Kenobi’s Shadow” by Greg van Eekhout – Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 5, Episode 16 “The Lawless”
*** “Bug” by E. Anne Convery Season 4, Episode 19 “Massacre”
*** This is an original story but unfortunately was not available yet for review.
The audiobook for The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark will be performed by many of the original voice actors from the show.
