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.
There’s something Mike Chen mentions in the acknowledgements of BROTHERHOOD that I’ve seen him mention on Twitter a couple times in the lead up to the book’s release. About how when he signed with his agent, his “dream project” was to write a Star Wars novel, specifically one set in the prequel era.
So it’s pretty damn cool holding this book in your hands & knowing it represents someone’s hard work & dreams! Chen’s excitement and enthusiasm for this book & for Star Wars in general has been really infectious & as I’m writing this review, the book has hit #11 on the NYT Best Seller List, and #30 on the USA Today list!
And with good reason, because BROTHERHOOD is absolutely phenomenal, and easily one of the best Star Wars novels I’ve read! If you ever wanted to know what “that business on Cato Neimoidia” was all about, and whether it “doesn’t, doesn’t count,” look no further than BROTHERHOOD.
The book takes place in the very early stages of The Clone Wars, which is a really unique moment for Chen to work within. I hope this isn’t too spoilery, but this book takes place prior to Anakin taking on Ahsoka Tano as his Padawan…I just wanted to include that in case anyone went into this book with the expectation that Ahsoka would be around!
It’s a particularly interesting moment in time for Anakin & Obi-Wan, as Anakin has been elevated to Jedi Knight, and is technically no longer Obi-Wan’s responsibility. They both wrestle with this change, and they also both have their own individual struggles. One of the more unique things that Chen really leans into is how difficult it’s been for Anakin to adapt to his mechanical hand. Things tend to come easy for Anakin Skywalker, so this is big obstacle for him to overcome.
The central mystery of the novel sends Obi-Wan to neutral Cato Neimoidia to investigate a terror attack. One that Count Dooku is trying to pin on the Republic.
Meanwhile, Anakin is tasked with mentoring a group of younglings (and yes, the irony of this is soul-crushingly sad), and he soon finds out this may be his toughest assignment yet.
I think Mike Chen accomplishes one of the greatest tricks that a Star Wars writer can pull off in BROTHERHOOD: he gives us new/secondary characters that we care deeply about, almost immediately upon meeting them.
The first is a Ruug Quarnom, a member of the Neimoidian Royal Guard. Right away, this is an intriguing character. Because one thing BROTHERHOOD makes you realize is that, when you think of Neimoidians, you are probably thinking of Nute Gunray and/or the Trade Federation, and not much else. Through Ruug, we see that there is a whole lot more to the Neimoidians. She is a total badass, a fierce & dedicated soldier, and a great help to Obi-Wan as he navigates an extremely volatile political situation.
Mill Alibeth is a young Zabrak Jedi Initiate. She’s a part of the group that Anakin is mentoring, and her relationship with the Force is really unique. She’s powerfully empathic, to the point where being surrounded by war and violence almost physically incapacitates her. Her very existence in the Jedi Order challenges the status quo, and wow…she brings out the very best in Anakin Skywalker. Some of the scenes between the two of them are so fucking powerful, and I just treasured Mill’s whole story arc. I’d love to see her pop up again in any capacity!
I don’t think there’s any “required reading” to enjoy BROTHERHOOD, but there are more than a few nods to Matthew Stover’s REVENGE OF THE SITH novelization. And I think the book also complements Claudia Gray’s MASTER & APPRENTICE in some really thoughtful ways.
I think I would have left this out of my review, but given that she is mentioned in the synopsis, I will just say….Asajj Ventress.
ASAJJ VENTRESS!!!
*ahem*
Gah! I don’t know what else to say. This book is a complete masterpiece & I really hope Mike Chen will write more Star Wars books in the future! There are some great surprises in this book that fundamentally change some pretty big things about this era of Star Wars. BROTHERHOOD is such a fantastic encapsulation of the complex & beautiful relationship between Anakin Skywalker & Obi-Wan Kenobi…this is just phenomenal storytelling & deserves to be on the shelf with the very best Star Wars books ever written.
May the Force be with you!
Grimdark Dad 