Excellent all around! Kiersten White needs to write more Star Wars books. She truly understands the characters and effortlessly intertwines other expanded media and characters into this novel. It was great to see more of Obi-Wan's inner monologue. It really rounds out his character even more. The supporting characters are great, too! They really felt fully fleshed out, especially for a YA novel.

Thank you to Netgalley for an audiobook ARC of this book. That will in no way affect my opinion.

3.75 stars rounded up. Padawan tells the story of 16 year old Obi-Wan Kenobi at a crossroads. He doesn’t feel he’s found his place among the fellow Jedi and especially with his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. When he stumbles across some information from past Jedi, who fans of the High Republic era will recognize immediately, he is filled with drive for a new mission.

I appreciated the tie-in to THR books and characters but how this still stands alone as its own story if you’re not familiar with those books/comics. Themes of found family are strong with this book! Fans of The Clone Wars will also appreciate small remarks from Obi-Wan about his future (if there ever were to be) romantic partners.

This was a fairly fast paced story and as with most Star Wars audiobooks, the narration, sound effects and music really heightened the experience for me! It’s a great addition to canon that I think will really resonate with readers in the YA age range but also for fans of Obi-Wan in general.

What I didn’t really like: This is set (essentially) a year before the events of Master and Apprentice. Readers who are familiar with that will know the struggles Obi-Wan went through there with Qui-Gon and the Jedi order and this book made it feel kind of repetitive, and if read first, would really make that dynamic in M&A drag on.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

Gary Furlong does a fantastic job reading this book. He captures the emotions, intonation, and understanding of the characters well, and any audiobook lover will enjoy his rendition of the book.

Review for the Book:
"Padawan" by Kiersten White is a great read. It seems to fill in Luke's first meeting with Yoda:

Yoda: I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience.
Ben's Voice: He will learn patience.
Yoda: Hmmm. Much anger in him, like his father.
Ben's Voice: Was I any different when you taught me?
Yoda: Hah. He is not ready.
Luke: Yoda! I am ready. I... Ben! I can be a Jedi. Ben, tell him I'm ready.

Any fan of the series will love how this book shows a rash, impatient young Obi-Wan as a padawan. It is a true coming of age story where Obi-Wan must learn to come into his own and solve problems like a Jedi. White does a great job capturing the annoyance of adolescence and developing the character that so many love.

I appreciated that the book did not rely on a deep understanding of the Star Wars franchise. There are a few nods that will make a Star Wars fan chuckle or grown appropriately, but a new reader would still enjoy this text without that background knowledge. I think some of the moral lessons here are valuable as well.

I’ll be recommending to my middle school readers.