Tenth Time… that Business on Cato Neimoidia Does Count

Anakin and Obi-Wan have endured numerous adventures together while they were brothers-in-arms of the Jedi Order, oftentimes resulting in Anakin saving Obi-Wan’s skin, and you’ll be pleased to discover that Brotherhood by Mike Chen establishes the synchrony the dynamic duo share throughout the Clone War. Shortly after the events on Geonosis, Obi-Wan is sent to Cato Neimoidia as an emissary of the Republic to investigate a sudden bombing alongside the Separatist envoy, Asajj Ventress, while Anakin is on his first assignment as a newly promoted Jedi Knight with none-other than a handful of Jedi Initiates, at least until he receives a call for help.

Chen successfully cements a prequel feel early on in the narrative and his understanding of both Kenobi and Skywalker creates a seamless bridge between seeing these characters in Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars (2008). Examining Anakin and Obi-Wan’s inner workings is rewarding and heartbreaking but leaves you craving more. As a devoted Anakin fan, I was nervous about his characterization in Brotherhood since there aren’t a lot of books that can accurately depict his character, but I was pleasantly surprised by Chen’s intentional care to Anakin’s presence throughout the narrative. Anakin’s pure devotion towards others is rarely depicted as coming from a place of genuinely good intentions without hints of fear or attachment clouding his judgement, and Chen highlights the sincere softheartedness of Anakin’s personality exceptionally well. Furthermore, Chen also successfully highlights the more vulnerable side of Obi-Wan through his internal wrestling with the urge to show compassion and pull to remain how he believes a Jedi should be. As I’ve mentioned previously, Obi-Wan is not my favorite character but I have an appreciation for the stories he’s in and Brotherhood is no different. All of my suspicions about Obi-Wan caring for Anakin and that he noticed early slight warning signs were confirmed; although I walked away with a greater sense of clarity, Kenobi’s strict dedication to the Jedi Code is frustrating and only reinforces my respect for his “redemption arc” in the From A Certain Point of View Empire Strikes Back short story titled There is Always Another.

Besides the characters we know and love, there are some new faces who are prominent throughout the book: Ruug Quarnom, a Neimoidian guard, and Mill Alibeth, a Zabrak Jedi Initiate. Ruug and Mill both have important roles throughout the story; however, Mill instantly became a new favorite who I’d love to see more of.

Final Thoughts: Brotherhood by Mike Chen is a must read for all prequel fans that won’t disappoint. Chen skillfully connects Brotherhood to Attack of the Clones along with other material around the same time, like E. K. Johnston’s Queen’s Hope, while also incorporating subtle nods to Fallen Order, Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelization, Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray, and more. It’s safe to say Brotherhood will make it to one of my top reads this year, and I implore anyone check out this book if you’ve at all pondered if that business on Cato Neimoidia does in fact count.

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