Title: Brotherhood
Author: Mike Chen
Narrator: Jonathan Davis
Genre: Scifi, space opera, fantasy, detective fiction, romance
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication date: May 2022
Page count: 384
Audiobook length: 767 minutes
The PRH pitch
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must stem the tide of the raging Clone Wars and forge a new bond as Jedi Knights in a high-stakes adventure set just after the events of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: USA Today
The Clone Wars have begun. Battle lines are being drawn throughout the galaxy. With every world that joins the Separatists, the peace guarded by the Jedi Order is slipping through their fingers.
After an explosion devastates Cato Neimoidia, the jewel of the Trade Federation, the Republic is blamed and the fragile neutrality of the planet is threatened. The Jedi dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the Order’s most gifted diplomatic minds, to investigate the crime and maintain the balance that has begun to dangerously shift. As Obi-Wan investigates with the help of a heroic Neimoidian guard, he finds himself working against the Separatists who hope to draw the planet into their conspiracy—and senses the sinister hand of Asajj Ventress in the mists that cloak the planet.
Amid the brewing chaos, Anakin Skywalker rises to the rank of Jedi Knight. Despite the mandate that Obi-Wan travel alone—and his former master’s insistence that he listen this time—Anakin’s headstrong determination means nothing can stop him from crashing the party, and bringing along a promising but conflicted youngling.
Once a Padawan to Obi-Wan, Anakin now finds himself on equal—but uncertain—footing with the man who raised him. The lingering friction between them increases the danger for everyone around them. The two knights must learn a new way to work together—and they must learn quickly, to save Cato Neimoidia and its people from the fires of war. To overcome the threat they face they must grow beyond master and apprentice. They must stand together as brothers.
My pitch
“That business on Cato Neimoidia doesn’t count.” were among the last words that Obi-Wan Kenobi ever spoke to his former Padawan Anakin Skywalker. Before the dark times. Before the Empire.
But what was that business on Cato Neimoidia? And why didn’t it count?
Find out in Brotherhood, the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga by New York Times bestselling author Mike Chen.
Follow Obi-Wan as he explores Nute Gunray’s homeworld to discover who’s framing the Republic and the Jedi for a horrifying explosion. In a race against time, Obi-Wan must earn the trust of an unexpected ally, avoid capture, and learn what Asajj Ventress has to do with any of this business.
Meanwhile, new Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is preoccupied. He’s grateful the Jedi Council finally recognized all his efforts. But he’s haunted by dreams about his mother Shmi and worried that the Jedi will discover his relationship with Padmé. He can’t bear to lose her like he lost his mother.
Anakin’s new status as Jedi Knight brings new challenges, including mentoring a promising youngling. And now they must race to Obi-Wan’s rescue—whether he likes it or not.
Will Obi-Wan accept Anakin’s help before it’s too late? Can the former master and apprentice work together as brothers to save the galaxy?
My review
I love this book. After reading it twice on Libby, I just bought it on Audible. Jonathan Davis is the narrator and is quickly becoming one of my faves in the Star Wars space along with January LaVoy.
Brotherhood is my favorite Star Wars book so far, and I read my fair share of Star Wars books last year to prepare for the Acolyte. #RenewTheAcolyte.
Most of all, I love that this isn’t an Anakin apology tour. Chen takes a hard look at the events that led to Anakin’s turn toward the dark side and acknowledges Anakin’s responsibility–even if Anakin himself can’t. Anakin is flawed, but he is not yet beyond redemption. Yet.
We all know how that story goes, and Chen knows we know how that story goes. Star Wars books always have a certain amount of exposition to help new readers, but Chen keeps that to a minimum.
More importantly, we see how institutions failed Anakin—both in failing to protect him and in failing to stop him.
Of course, some of that failure belongs to Obi-Wan, who wrestles with the complicated nature of his relationship with Anakin. He suspects what we all know, but doesn’t know how to talk to his former Padawan. Same, Obi-Wan. Same.
The battle scenes are epic, and the danger to Obi-Wan is real. Chen hits all the required Star Wars notes.
But make no mistake, this is a romance novel.
At least in part. In truth, this novel defies genres while hitting all the right notes within those spaces.
We experience the story through multiple points of view: Ruug Quarnom, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mill Alibeth, and Asajj Ventress.
This approach allows Chen to move seamlessly across genres, from romance to space opera, to political thriller, and even to mystery. I enjoyed getting these different perspectives on the story. Each chapter becomes like an episode of a serial drama, shifting our own point of view.
On a more serious note, Chen also corrects one of the missteps of the Phantom Menace: the depiction of the Neimoidians. In Brotherhood, the Neimodian people are not reduced to stereotypes but rather are fleshed-out characters with arts and culture. The motivations for their alliance with the Trade Federation—as seen through Ruug’s eyes—demonstrate why diversity in storytelling is so important. Chen’s portrayal is sympathetic, not judgmental. There’s nuance here that we never get in the prequels.
This book is sure to become a classic among Star Wars fans. I can’t wait for Chen’s next foray into a galaxy far, far away.
You should read this book if you:
- Love Obi-Wan’s detective storyline in Attack of the Clones
- Want more depth to Anakin and Obi-Wan’s relationship
- Love the Clone Wars animated series
- Feel that Asajj Ventress deserves a solo project
How to read the book
You could use an old Jedi mind trick or maybe just check out the Penguin Random House website instead.
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