In the eight years since her debut, Ahsoka Tano has become an unmistakable icon of the Star Wars universe. Her steadfast loyalty and snippy attitude resonated with fans of all ages. In her five seasons on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka grew from a brash padawan into a seasoned Jedi-to-be. When she left the Jedi Order, fans were desperate to know where she would go next. Next time we saw her, she returned as a wise leader on Star Wars Rebels. As thrilled as fans were to have her back, it raised the question: what happened to Ahsoka after the Clone Wars? Where did she go from there? How did she join the Rebellion? The upcoming novel, Star Wars: Ahsoka, will finally answer these questions.
Written by E.K. Johnston, the novel was revealed a day after the premiere of the Rebels season 2 finale. An aptly-timed announcement, since Ahsoka vanishes at the end of the finale. Her ultimate fate remains unclear, but Lucasfilm gave us something to quell our grief over her disappearance.
This is the first Ahsoka-centered novel in Star Wars literature, so it holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. A regular viewer of The Clone Wars can tell you just how layered a character Ahsoka Tano is. The story that follows up the most pivotal decision of her life is a must-have for any fan of the show. The possibilities are endless.
The Untold Clone Wars
All we know about Star Wars: Ahsoka so far is that it fills the gap between Ahsoka leaving the Jedi and her appearance Rebels. There’s a lot of ground to cover. It’s not entirely out of the question that it may include some of the unfinished stories of The Clone Wars. Last year at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, Rebels director Dave Filoni screened a clip from a partially finished Clone Wars episode. The clip showed Ahsoka Tano striking out on her own after leaving the Jedi. A story like that could easily play into the larger story of her becoming a rebel. Maybe it’s just my rampant optimism, but I wouldn’t put it past the Lucasfilm Story Group to add in a few unseen Clone Wars tie-ins.
Aftermath
Ahsoka shed some light on her life not only after the Jedi, but after the Clone Wars as well. The Clone Wars series originally planned to end with a story arc set during the events of Revenge of the Sith. We never got to see the finale, so this book may tap into how Ahsoka dealt with those key events. There’s no word yet whether that story will be included or merely alluded to. (Some rumors claim that it will be released via a comic miniseries later this year.) Whichever stories Ahsoka tells, it’s safe to say we’ll get to explore the ex-padawan’s experience during the rise of the Empire.
Seeds of Rebellion
One thing we know for certain is that this book will reveal how Ahsoka came to be the mysterious rebel informant known as “Fulcrum.” In the days before the Rebel Alliance, the only rebellion in the galaxy was a collection of militia groups loosely held together by Senator Bail Organa. So how does Ahsoka fit into all that? The book’s description describes Ahsoka as “unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again.” Her experience with the Jedi caused her to question what she was truly fighting for. Nonetheless, her desire to protect those in need keeps her going. Eventually, she’ll cross paths with Organa and become instrumental in the founding of the Rebel Alliance.
Star Wars: Ahsoka is scheduled for release October 11, 2016, the general timeframe for the new season of Rebels. Though Snips is absent from Season 3, her story is far from over.