Why Satine Kryze Deserves Her Own Novel Series

Over the past two years, I have immersed myself in E.K. Johnston’s Queen Trilogy, which chronicles Padme’ Amidala’s political ascent. The series begins with her coronation as Queen of Naboo and concludes with her struggle for peace and justice following the events of Attack of the Clones. Additionally, it delves into her relationships with her handmaidens, senatorial colleagues, and Anakin Skywalker.

While this book series admirably addresses inconsistencies in the Skywalker Saga prequels and the animated Clone Wars series, it also highlights the significance of a character equally crucial to the Star Wars universe - Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore. Satine deserves her book series dedicated to exploring her character in depth.

Who is Duchess Satine Kryze?

Satine Kryze, the Duchess of Mandalore, was born into the royal Mandalorian House Kryze on the planet Kalevala. She was determined to save her people from the ravages of civil war after her parents' tragic death during a conflict between warrior clans. Satine left her home world as a child to study diplomacy and statecraft on Coruscant, accompanied by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, for protection against potential assassination attempts.

After the New Mandalorians emerged victorious from the Civil War, Satine returned to Mandalore to rebuild and shape a peaceful society. She became a staunch advocate of the New Mandalorian movement, leading Mandalore into twenty years of prosperity, economic growth, and technological innovation.

However, when the Clone Wars erupted, Satine, as the leader of the Council of Neutral Systems, declared Mandalore's neutrality to prevent her people from being drawn into the galactic conflict. Despite good intentions, this isolation brought hardship to Mandalore and allowed the radical Death Watch movement to ally with the Separatists and target Satine for assassination.

Satine survived multiple attempts on her life, but ultimately, she was overthrown by Pre Vizsla, the leader of Death Watch, under the influence of Darth Maul. Her close friend Obi-Wan Kenobi and her younger sister, Princess Bo-Katan Kryze rescued her from imprisonment. However, Maul's forces recaptured her, and she met her unfortunate demise at Maul's hands. This event marked the end of Mandalore as an independent galactic state.

Why Should Satine Have Her Own Novel Series?

Despite Satine Kryze being a significant character in the Star Wars universe, she has not received the same level of attention as other characters, with only the TV show Rebels and a few novels mentioning her and her legacy. Notably, live-action shows like The Mandalorian have neglected to acknowledge Satine, her New Mandalorian movement, and their impact. This is surprising, especially considering her sister Bo-Katan Kryze's central role in season three of The Mandalorian.

If live-action shows are unwilling to explore Satine's story, a novel series would be an excellent medium to delve into her backstory and journey to becoming Mandalore's ruler. The series could explore her life before the Mandalorian Civil Wars, her relationships with her family and friends, and the possibility of her being a warrior in her early years. It would be intriguing to learn how she adopted the pacifist creed under the guidance of her parents and whether she received similar training as a warrior and a politician.

Furthermore, the series could delve into Satine's year on the run with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn. The potential development of feelings for Obi-Wan during this period could be a captivating aspect of her life, providing insights into her developing pacifist views. The story could also showcase her travels to various planets with her Jedi protectors as she attempts to rally other Mandalorian clans to join her cause of rebuilding Mandalore and establishing peace.

The subsequent books in the series could focus on Satine's efforts to rebuild Mandalore after the war, the challenges of the reconstruction process, and her attempts to heal from the losses suffered during the conflict. It would be interesting to explore how she established her pacifist government and the reforms she implemented to ensure her planet's prosperity until the end of the Clone Wars.

The last book could begin with the start of the Clone Wars, where Satine grapples with the possibility of sending her people into a war she believes is unnecessary and leads to violence and destruction. The story could then follow her efforts to establish the Council of Neutral Systems, where she collaborates with other political figures determined to remain neutral and protect their planets from the conflict raging in other parts of the galaxy. The book could also explore the rise of Death Watch, led by Pre Vizsla, who opposes Satine's pacifist views and seeks to overthrow her and the New Mandalorians.

What Else Could The Potential Series Explore?

A potential Satine book series could delve into the history of Clan Kryze and its rise to becoming Mandalore's royal household by exploring Satine and Bo-Katan's family lineage. It could also chronicle Bo-Katan's journey to becoming a warrior under the guidance of her uncle Pre while her sister embraced pacifism. The story could depict her being taken in by her uncle shortly after her and Satine's parents’ deaths and trained by members of Clan Wren, including Sabine Wren's mother, Ursa Wren. This would provide Bo-Katan with a character arc leading to her eventual redemption as seen in the fifth season of Clone Wars.

Along the way, the series could highlight aspects of New Mandalorian culture, such as their transformation of beskar armor into building materials for their city, their choice to replace armor with civilian clothing, and the artistry that contributed to their planet's prosperity.

In a startling revelation, Satine's closest secret could finally come to light—the truth about her so-called "nephew." Could it be that he is her son, born from a secret union with Obi-Wan?

Conclusion

For years, fans have eagerly expected to explore the rich history of Clan Kryze in future Star Wars media, as teased by Clone Wars showrunner Dave Filoni. While Bo-Katan Kryze has graced screens in Star Wars: Rebels and The Mandalorian, her sister Satine has remained absent beyond mentions in various sources.

A book series dedicated to Duchess Satine presents a unique opportunity for Star Wars to bring her back as the central figure of her own story. By delving into the previously unexplored canon history of Mandalore, the series can reveal the evolution of Mandalorian culture and history through Satine's eyes.

It can also unravel mysteries surrounding Satine's character by examining her backstory, relationships, and how they shaped her throughout her life. She played a pivotal role in bringing stability to Mandalore as its ruler, and the series can shed light on her strategies and challenges.

Overall, a book series centered on Satine Kryze holds the potential to enrich the Star Wars universe by exploring a fascinating character and expanding the tapestry of Mandalorian lore through her unique perspective.