Star Wars: Padawan

Pretty great! Not perfect, but this is my fav time period & fav characters. I'm pleased it fits in well with all previous material for Obi-wan!

I think there is a hard ceiling for the YA Star Wars novels, for me personally, and that probably reaches a four star. While I didn't dislike anything about this novel, I didn't find the prose particularly enthralling, and while the plot is quite different from the novel Master and Apprentice, the themes and general shape of the story (Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are butting heads) are treading very familiar ground. It does get some points for bringing the concept of a planet “alive” within the Force back into canon (shout out my guy Zonama Sekot).

Star Wars books are always a hit or miss with me, even despite my bias love for all things Star Wars. Reading the synopsis, I wasn't sure if this one was going to be all that good, despite having one of the best characters in the world. But oh was I wrong. It was fantastic to see a younger, less confident Obi Wan try to deal with his insecurities. Jedi are often portrayed like these warrior monks to are well collected (at least when not being tempted by the dark side) who go into every situation with confidence. But they don't start out that way. So, to get a perspective of one of our favourites trying to find himself and his place in the Force, was refreshing. Great characters, lots of action, tons of fun.

I find it kind of nuts that this and Hide released within a few months of each other, but hey, good for her. 
I absolutely love the attention Disney is giving this character due to the release of Obi-Wan Kenobi this year. And I'm super surprised we got another Padawan novel after Master and Apprentice in 2019, but I'll definitely take it. Easily one of the best SW characters overall. 
This novel starts off with Obi-Wan not really knowing his place. Within the Jedi, and with his new master. Qui-Gon is all about meditation, meanwhile most padawans want action, Kenobi especially. With a very cool name drop linking to The High Republic, Obi-Wan takes off on a mission for the force, the Jedi council, but mostly for himself. 
A fun, easy read that did lose me a bit in the middle with some pacing issues, but overall enjoyable