Review: 'Star Wars: Brotherhood' By Mike Chen
2022 is the 20th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones, the second prequel movie. On this anniversary, we are given a new book by author Mike Chen, Star Wars: Brotherhood, published by Del Rey’s Penguin Random House. The book chronicles one of the adventures of fan-favorites Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
In Brotherhood, tragedy strikes the Neimoidian home planet of Cato Neimoidia, which also happens to be the heart of the Trade Federation. Someone has sabotaged a section of their incredible bridge cities, causing it to crash to the surface and killing many innocent Neimoidians in the process. A search for the culprit begins immediately. A tenuous history with the Galactic Republic draws accusations from the Neimoidian government toward the Republic. With the Clone Wars raging, the Republic is hard-pressed to prove their innocence and prevent the currently neutral Cato Neimoidia from joining the war on the side of the Separatists. However, Count Dooku is already whispering in the Neimoidian government’s ear, having dispatched his agent, Asajj Ventress, to oversee the investigation.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi is sent to handle the Republic’s investigation, his first assignment as a Jedi Master and member of the Jedi Council. It is also his first assignment away from his former apprentice, now Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker. While Kenobi investigates the bombing, aided by a former Neimoidian black ops operative and her young, angry, and impressionable mentee, Anakin is tasked with supervising the shipment of medical supplies while also babysitting younglings. As the investigation turns deadly and Asajj Ventress’ schemes are revealed, the former brothers reunite to find out the truth about the bombing, and maybe put an end to the war before it goes on too long.
By now you are probably wondering why the book is called Brotherhood. It is a major theme that runs throughout the text. However, for much of the adventure, the two Jedi featured on the cover are apart. The essence of brotherhood is more philosophical. The book examines the impact the two’s relationship has on each other, the trust inherent in that kind of relationship, as well as their shared Jedi parentage. Despite their very different personalities, both Obi-Wan and Anakin were able to draw on lessons they had learned from each other during their decade together in order to get through the obstacles they face on their separate missions.
This is not Mike Chen’s first foray into Star Wars, having written a short story for From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back in 2020, but it is his first Star Wars novel. Fans of The Clone Wars animated series will instantly feel at home as this book comes off as a love letter to the series. There are many Easter eggs and foreshadowing to many popular story arcs in the animated series. For example, there are several instances of Anakin swearing to never take a Padawan for himself, or the plentiful reminders of Anakin’s brash approach to problem-solving compared to Obi-Wan’s reserved systematic way. Chen masterfully captures both Anakin and Obi-Wan’s personalities and uses them to explore the main themes of brotherhood, ethnocentrism, and extremism. There is no doubt that Chen drew heavily from the current political climate in portraying the strange relationship between Cato Neimoidia, the Trade Federation, and the Galactic Republic to highlight the destructive nature of ethnocentrism and racism, as well as the dangers of nationalism and extremism if they are allowed to fester. His creative inclusion of these issues is impressive and helps add to the ever-growing collective narrative addressing these problems.
What Chen does not do well is resolve all those plotlines. He falls into a common trap of trying to create an original story while tying into the overall Star Wars narrative. Many new stories are now used to justify the existence of the broader galactic events like the creation of the Empire, the rise of the Rebellion, and their eventual success in bringing down the tyranny, etc. This diminishes the agency of everyone involved when it seems like their decisions ultimately do not mean anything in the grand scheme of things.
While Brotherhood does entail Anakin Skywalker himself as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi, their existence is not tied exclusively to that larger galactic arc. Anakin and Obi-Wan are capable of adventures and stories that do not involve the destruction of the Jedi or the rise of the Emperor. As a result, several plots, as well as the main plot, are ultimately left unresolved. You may argue that the plot thread is tied up depending on which character’s perspective you view it from. However, as we near the end of the book, it becomes clear that there will be no resolution to the investigation into the bombing.
That said, it is still satisfying to see the character growth of the eponymous Jedi brothers. It is an exciting story that takes the reader on a fun ride, introduces us to a culture of the people we have only seen depicted one way on screen, and tackles issues like ethnocentrism and extremism. It is a treat for every fan of the franchise, The Clone Wars, and the characters.
Check out Star Wars: Brotherhood, available now on shelves, digital, and audiobook from Penguin Random House.
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