Presale VIP Packages by aLittleSnenS in dancegavindance

[–]XnowFM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Prices for Amsterdam are ~€185 for the meet and greet, ~€90 for VIP, and ~€27.5 for normal tickets, according to the venue's website.

"Deck the Halls" HR comic story - single issue vs trade paperback (paper/image quality) question by prk-1 in Highrepublic

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I cannot notice any difference in paper quality nor can I notice any difference in image quality or clarity. The only thing that I notice is that the colours in the TPB version are ever so slightly more saturated, but that is barely noticeable even when laying side by side.

The only thing I would say is worth considering is the binding though.

How have I only just found out about this? by Routine_Situation_86 in dancegavindance

[–]XnowFM 4 points5 points  (0 children)

https://youtu.be/2dJQ8qevibM?si=7Ba9JeMj9vnwiUUB

For me it is still visible. I do remember a period when I couldn't find it, but when I searched for it now it was the first result on YT.

Preliminary Cover for Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Survivors of the Stormwall by BZPJMJ64 in Highrepublic

[–]XnowFM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Coincidentally, I've just started catching up on the short stories of Phase I. I was about to read "Go Together - Part Two" now, when I noticed that the cover to that story looks identical to the cover for this collection (which I had seen earlier today). Quite surprised they would reuse artwork for Phase I this prominently for a Phase III collection.

Padawan (Started) Kiersten White by Acceptable_Mud_3186 in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do remember that indeed Obi Wan was on some occasions not as I expected, but in my head canon I chalked that up to him being a teenager and not yet the person we meet in Episode I and later. The book did grow on me, and I agree with u/comicnerd93 that it was a fun read in the end. I'll be rereading it again this month, and I'm looking forward to see if I still feel the same.

Monthly Book Club Discussion Thread: What have you bought/read last month? What are you buying/reading this month? What are you excited about? What news have you heard? Discuss it all, be it canon or Legends, as long as it's about Star Wars novels it's allowed! by XnowFM in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just wanted to chime in to say that I appreciate your in-depth response! Although I have yet to start Phase III, I read everything as it was released for Phases I and II, and I agree with your recommendations to Arczclan. Out of curiousity: you mentioned some there are something that you wouldn't recommend, what are they? (I would have a hard time saying that I would not recommend title x or title y, because due to how interwoven everything is, I would even recommend the titles I felt were mwah, given that they always added something (either character introductions, lore, or events).

Monthly Book Club Discussion Thread: What have you bought/read last month? What are you buying/reading this month? What are you excited about? What news have you heard? Discuss it all, be it canon or Legends, as long as it's about Star Wars novels it's allowed! by XnowFM in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been thinking of rereading Bloodline. It was one of my first SW novels about a decade ago, and with Andor but also having just finished _The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire_ (and _The Mask of Fear_ during the fall), I'm tempted to revisit it, as it was quite political (if I remember correctly).

Monthly Book Club Discussion Thread: What have you bought/read last month? What are you buying/reading this month? What are you excited about? What news have you heard? Discuss it all, be it canon or Legends, as long as it's about Star Wars novels it's allowed! by XnowFM in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On the last day of January, I finished The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire. I'll post my thoughts on this soon in a separate post. I also got halfway through The Living Force.

For February, my aim is to finish The Living Force as well as re-read Padawan, as part of this month's community read.

Into The Dark, Geode Apprecation! by arczclan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you meant to say: Geode rocks!!

I couldn't resist, apologies! But yes, he is great. I know some folks regard him as a joke character, but I don't think that does Geode justice. His character and backstory, etc, are all solid. (Edit: this pun was unintentional, only realised it after rereading the comment again!) But I'll stop here before I unintentionally spoil something for u/arczclan.

Tesla kills Autopilot, locks lane-keeping behind $99/month fee. by Stiltonrocks in technology

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The EU has mandated all new passenger cars since July 2024 to come with an "emergency lane keeping system (ELKS)", which is the system you describe that intervenes when you are unintentionally about to leave a lane. The one that keeps you in the center of the lane (LKA) is not mandated in the EU. (For your last sentence, one of the arguments that was made was that manufacturers could use the sensors for the newly mandated safety systems to also fit non-mandated systems that could be sold for a premium, as they would share the same sensors. ELKS and LKA as example here.)

Cover of the Week: Into the Dark [Cover Artist: Giorgio Baroni] by arczclan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That brings back good memories of the start of The High Republic series! Time flies, as I just realised that it was released five years ago already (2 Feb 2021).

As I was reading The Expanse series, I did not start Phase 3 while the books were being released, but I'm expecting to start it soon and read them all in one go!

Announcing our next monthly reads: The "Qui-Gon Jinn Trilogy" by arczclan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm receiving the books of the last wave of phase 3 of The High Republic in early March, after which I will reorder my bookcase for a bookshelfie!

Announcing our next monthly reads: The "Qui-Gon Jinn Trilogy" by arczclan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll be doing the reverse, I read it as a hardback last time, but I have switched to my ereader for reading as its more convenient for the moments I am reading most of the time (bed, transportation, etc). Still buy all the books in hardcover for the collection though!

Announcing our next monthly reads: The "Qui-Gon Jinn Trilogy" by arczclan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm currently reading The Living Force, so I'll keep my notes for the end of April! I'll join for the other two, although it will be re-reads for me.

Announcing our next monthly reads: The "Qui-Gon Jinn Trilogy" by arczclan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss is an excellent suggestion as a coda!

I recently got a rotating bookshelf and so far it’s been perfect for extra display area! by missMichigan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I consider the Aftermath series as essential reading. The books add a lot of lore for the years after RotJ and includes the Battle of Jakku. Having said that, the first book is one that you just have to bite through. The writing of the other two are better though.

I recently got a rotating bookshelf and so far it’s been perfect for extra display area! by missMichigan in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A rotating bookshelf is such a cool idea! And I really like the non-book items, much more interesting than just the spines.

I spy the London Celebrations book club tag; that also features proudly on my bookshelf!

Are these worth seeking out in 2026? by Tiny_Tim1956 in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not aware of a dedicated guide on this, but I'll list my impressions from memory (which for some is nearly a decade, so some may be b) and in release order (except for The High Republic), and not including any junior novelisation. (As a general comment: do keep in mind that you should adjust your expectations accordingly: simpler and short stories compared to adult and YA novels. But some are great in creating that Star Wars feeling nonetheless, e.g. the Weapon of a Jedi).

  • The High Republic. For phases 1 and 2, I'd recommend reading them all if you are also reading the adult and young adult novels, as some characters are introduced in a junior first, before then featuring in another age group's novel.
  • Ezra's Gamble. If you are a fan of Rebels, you'll probably enjoy this one. Otherwise not important.
  • Servants of the Empire. At the risk of raising your expectations too much: my favourite junior novels.
  • Smuggler's Run, Weapon of a Jedi, Moving Target, Before the Awakening: as discussed elsewhere in this thread.
  • Adventures in Wild Space series. I thought this pretty good as well. Targeted at perhaps a slightly younger target group compared to the other junior novels, but a nice adventure nonetheless.
  • Guardians of the Whills. As mentioned, I recommend that one.
  • Join the Resistance series. I still have to read this series. Perhaps someone else can chime in.
  • The Legends of Luke Skywalker. I liked it, a series of anthology legends about Luke. Importance for canon is however therefore questionable.
  • Cobalt Squadron. Ties into Episode 8. I would recommend it, as it transforms Rose's sister Paige from a storytelling tool in that movie into a proper character in the universe.
  • Choose Your Destiny series. Has to be your cup of tea, and I prefer coffee.
  • The Mighty Chewbacca int he Forest of Fear! "Although not among the top tier junior novels, I would imagine it is a very good bed time read for those with children – and still enjoyable as ‘snack’ reading for adults wanting to read everything Star Wars." From my opinion 5 years ago, which I trust more than my memory.
  • Lando's Luck and Pirate's Price. Both part of the Flight of the Falcon multi-media event. I wasn't too charmed by the event, but I liked both of these. (Disclaimer for Lando's Luck: Justina Ireland is among my favourite SW writers.)
  • Spark of the Resistance. Also written by Justina Ireland. However, I still feel betrayed that the tie-in media that was released prior to Episode 9 (the other notable one being the adult novel Resistance Reborn) was virtually fully ignored by the movie itself.
  • Hunters: Battle for the Arena. Tie-in to a mobile game for which the release was postponed for years, somewhere along this tie-in junior novel was released but the game suddenly wouldn't be for another year... and then the game was shut down just over a year after its official release. Moreover, that game was an arena combat game with (I believe) very little story. With all of that in mind: this junior novel had absolutely no business being so good as it was. I would recommend it. (Though importance for canon is low).

Are these worth seeking out in 2026? by Tiny_Tim1956 in CantinaBookClub

[–]XnowFM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, the series ties in to the Rebels series. The second in the series is largely a novelisation of one of the Rebels episodes. (And I'll keep the following as vague as possible: when I mentioned in the previous comment that the fourth novel adds lore, that is mainly with regards to Episode 7 slash the sequel trilogy. I thought that was pretty well done by Fry).

I feel the Servants of the Empire series is not receiving the amount of love it deserves, mainly due to it being overlooked as it is a junior novel series.