Second, Alexander Freed has delivered all I was hoping for in this novel and more. Freed’s portrayal of Bail Organa both evolves him from and anchors him in the character as we left him at the end of the prequel trilogy, and Freed’s depiction of Mon Mothma sets the stage for the character we see in Andor and Rogue One. We also get compelling glimpses into Saw Gerrera and his rebel cohort. We also see how these three figures come together in an uneasy partnership. Best of all, this first book of a trilogy � I’m really looking forward to the next volume by Rebecca Roanhorse! � provides the same kind of insightful political commentary that has made Andor such a powerful and timely addition to the Star Wars universe. What is the nature of democracy, and how might we save it from its own self-destructive tendencies? How and why do republics become empires, and how does power feed on and consolidate itself? What role does propaganda play in the shaping of political perceptions? How do authoritarians play those who would resist against each other? The issues wrestled with here are uncomfortably and vitally relevant today, and I’m glad Freed tackles them so ably in his thoughtful novel. Highly recommended! I will be pre-ordering the next book in this trilogy as soon as it's available.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for providing this copy in return for an honest review....more
I co-edited this anthology, and I must say that I am delighted to share these essays exploring 46 years of Star Wars storytelling. Fans and scholars aI co-edited this anthology, and I must say that I am delighted to share these essays exploring 46 years of Star Wars storytelling. Fans and scholars alike will, I think, find much to think about here as experts from a variety of disciplines and perspectives share insights on many different facets of the multimedia Star Wars universe, including very recent works such as The Book of Boba Fett and Andor. I am so thrilled to share this with readers � and my students!
Here is the full Table of Contents.
Foreword Ian Doescher
Introduction Emily Strand and Amy H. Sturgis
Part 1: Exploring the Series and Films
“The Evolution of Twi’leks in the Star Wars ±«²Ô¾±±¹±ð°ù²õ±ðâ€� Amy Richau
“Saving What We Love: The Hope and Resistance of Makers and Craftspeople in Disney’s Star Wars� Vikki C. Terrile
“The Dead Mom’s Peril: Star Wars and the Dispossession of the Mother Figure� Éloïse Thompson-Tremblay
Part 2: Exploring the Ideas
�21-87: Not Just a Number in Star Wars� Emily Strand
“The Map in the Mirror: Reflections of Time, Self, and Salvation in Star Wars and Harry Potter� Kathryn N. McDaniel
“Sabacc Fans� Playable Representations of Star Wars Cultural Memory� Jennifer Russell-Long
Part 3: Exploring the Multimedia Storytelling
“Choices and Consequences in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II—The Sith Lords� Aaron Masters
“This is the Way: The Mandalorian and the Evolving Serial Medium� Paul Johnson
“From 'Utinni!' to 'Aliit Ori'shya Tal’din': the Glossopoeiac Journey of Star Wars" Andrew Higgins
“Expanding Universes: Star Wars and the Cultivation of Canon� John Jackson Miller
Every familiar character has a chance to shine in this True Grit-meets-Firefly science fiction Western. Una McCormack does an excellent job of introduEvery familiar character has a chance to shine in this True Grit-meets-Firefly science fiction Western. Una McCormack does an excellent job of introducing historically-inspired issues related to farming, unions, and recovering/reconstruction after a not-so-civil war while also thinking about the uses and abuses of futuristic trends such as terraforming. This is a 'verse where the Core and the Rim are not on the same page, and many regular people are caught (and chewed) up in the clashes of forces they didn't unleash. One of the author's hallmarks is her ability to balance powerful character moments with compelling big ideas, and this novel shows her in fine form. If you like a meaningful, entertaining story, and especially if you are a Browncoat or aspire to be a Big Damn Hero, you won't want to miss this novel. ...more
I am glad I avoided spoilers for this novel, and in turn I don't want to share any. Suffice it to say that Second Self not only fits beautifully with I am glad I avoided spoilers for this novel, and in turn I don't want to share any. Suffice it to say that Second Self not only fits beautifully with present -- and past -- Star Trek storytelling, but it also continues Una McCormack's meaningful interrogation of history and justice, war and reconciliation, and guilt and redemption, themes that appears in so many of her works. Highly recommended....more
Given that I contributed an essay to this anthology, I will not rate it. I will say that I am thrilled to share these essays exploring 57 years of StaGiven that I contributed an essay to this anthology, I will not rate it. I will say that I am thrilled to share these essays exploring 57 years of Star Trek storytelling. Fans and academics alike will, I think, find much to think about here as scholars from a variety of disciplines and perspectives share insights on many different facets of the Star Trek franchise. As an aca-fan, I am delighted; as a professor, I can't wait to share this with students.
Here is the full Table of Contents.
Foreword: On Not Liking Star Trek Una McCormack
Introduction Amy H. Sturgis and Emily Strand
Part 1: Exploring the Series and Films
Chapter 1 “A Conservative World�: Greece, Rome, and Stagnation in Star Trek: The Original Series Daniel Unruh
Chapter 2 The Truth Is Out There (Specifically, the Delta Quadrant): Star Trek: Voyager as 1990s Conspiracy Culture Edward Guimont
Chapter 3 Beyond the Wilds and the Waves: Reevaluating Archer, the Armory, and Enterprise Amy H. Sturgis
Chapter 4 “Galloping around the cosmos is a game for the young�: The Nostalgic Drives and Generational Anxieties of Star Trek (2009) and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) Brunella Tedesco-Barlocco
Part 2: Exploring the Ideas
Chapter 5 Darmok and Jalad on the Internet: The Importance of Metaphors in Natural Languages and Natural Language Processing Kristina Å ekrst
Chapter 6 Two Faces of the Same Coin: Star Trek’s Federation and the Terran Empire Javier Francisco
Chapter 7 “He Was a Son to Me�: Understanding Seven of Nine as a Queer, Posthuman Parent Erin Bell
Chapter 8 The Future Burning Brightly: The Dual Impact of Energy in Star Trek’s Post-Scarcity Universe Martine Gjermundsen Ræstad
Part 3: Exploring the Multimedia Storytelling
Chapter 9 “Dif-Tor heh Smusma,� “Jolan tru,� “NuqNeh�: Exploring the Glossopoesis of the Star Trek Universe Andrew Higgins
Chapter 10 Expanding Universes: Star Trek and Rise of Multimedia Narratives John Jackson Miller
This is a remarkable novel. I will be posting a more in-depth review soon and also dedicating an upcoming "Looking Back on Genre History" segment on tThis is a remarkable novel. I will be posting a more in-depth review soon and also dedicating an upcoming "Looking Back on Genre History" segment on the StarShipSofa podcast to this work....more
I have been thinking about this gorgeous novel ever since I finished it. It's gorgeous. If you're interested in dark academia, then this is a "must reI have been thinking about this gorgeous novel ever since I finished it. It's gorgeous. If you're interested in dark academia, then this is a "must read" work....more
Outstanding. This novel pushed all of my buttons. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in ages, and it exemplifies all that I appreciate in dark acadeOutstanding. This novel pushed all of my buttons. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in ages, and it exemplifies all that I appreciate in dark academia works....more
The final science fiction novella in this volume, "Project Stone," on its own is worth the price of admission and earns the book five stars. What makeThe final science fiction novella in this volume, "Project Stone," on its own is worth the price of admission and earns the book five stars. What makes this collection so remarkable, however, is the breadth of different moods and genres represented. Elizabeth Engstrom takes the reader on a tour of dark fiction across the spectrum of Gothic, fantasy, science fiction, and slice-of-life storytelling. I'm so glad Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson recommended this gem in Monster, She Wrote and Valancourt Books brought it back as part of the Monster She Wrote series. I look forward to reading more by Engstrom. ...more
I knew when the book began with quotes from Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wordsworth, and Mary Shelley that this was something special, even for a book in I knew when the book began with quotes from Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wordsworth, and Mary Shelley that this was something special, even for a book in the brilliant Hunger Games universe, and I was right. Collins expertly uses a deftly-woven story to confront the question of who (or what) humans are in the state of nature. She uses the "origin story" of Coriolanus Snow, and those who influenced him (or failed to do so), to bring a debate about political theory to life -- and also provide an expert foundation for the Hunger Games trilogy, which is set 64 years later. This is not only a page-turning story, but also an important and all-too-timely one. Well done indeed. ...more
This is one of the best Star Trek novels I’ve read, and I’ve been reading Star Trek novels for forty years. If you like the Picard miniseries, this prThis is one of the best Star Trek novels I’ve read, and I’ve been reading Star Trek novels for forty years. If you like the Picard miniseries, this prequel will amplify that enjoyment. If you’ve been disappointed in the Picard miniseries, this prequel will solve some of your issues with it. And if you haven’t seen the Picard miniseries, read this first.
Una McCormack captures the voice of familiar characters beautifully and creates new characters I genuinely care about. She uses the fact the reader knows the tragic outcome of this train-wreck series of events before the narrative ever starts to great effect; the characters� ignorance of what is coming makes their hopes and optimism and idealism all the more poignant. Those interested in Romulan culture will also find much to appreciate here.
This novel is startlingly, chillingly relevant, as well, in its depiction of a pending cataclysm and the political, cultural, and individual missteps that exacerbate its effects rather than ease them. This story hit me like a gut punch in the best possible way. Highly recommended....more
This was an unexpectedly charming and poignant read. It reminded me a bit of the Star Wars novel Lost Stars, in that it provides a fresh perspective aThis was an unexpectedly charming and poignant read. It reminded me a bit of the Star Wars novel Lost Stars, in that it provides a fresh perspective and different reading on episodes that will be familiar to dedicated fans, while also introducing new characters who are compelling in their own right. Recommended!...more
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