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Book News: Thrawn to return in 2011:
Posted: 29th January
Lucasbooks' Executive Editor Sue Rostoni has hinted that Grand Admiral Thrawn may feature in Timothy Zahn's, as yet untitled, 2011 novel. Commenting on StarWars.com's Message Boards, Sue wrote: "Here's a line from the proposal from Tim Zahn's for his novel scheduled for September, 2011: "Admiral Thrawn has ***** to ***** the ***** arrangements for the ****** at *****." Well, sort of a line."
The untitled novel is a sequel to Zahn's 2007 novel Allegiance and will be released to coincide with the 20th Anniversary in 2011 of his first Star Wars novel, Heir to the Empire.
(Source: StarWars.com Message Boards)

Comic Release: The Old Republic - Threat of Peace #25 now online:
Posted: 29th January
The twenty-fifth issue of Threat of Peace, the introductory online comic for the forthcoming MMO video game Star Wars: The Old Republic, is available to read online.
The twenty-fifth issue of Threat of Peace begins in the heat of the fight between the Jedi and the Sith in Dantooine's crystal caves. Lord Baras confronts Satele Shan with the fact that her Master was responsible for the attacks that threatened the peace process. When Satele hesitates, Lord Baras tries to urge her towards the dark side, even as Master Dar'Nala screams at Satele to strike the Sith Lord down...
(Source: swtor.com)

Book Release: Legacy Volume 7: Storms
Posted: 29th January
Now available in UK is Legacy Volume 7: Storms, the latest graphic novel from the Legacy series. In this latest volume, the Mon Calamari fight back against Darth Krayt's genocide order, Cade Skywalker rushes to the planet Kiffer in an attempt to save Azlyn Rae; and Gar Stazi's Galactic Alliance fleet joins forces with deposed Emperor Roan Fel's Imperials in their first combined strike against the Sith Empire. Volume 7: Storms collates Legacy issues #32 & #33 (Fight Another Day); #34 & #35 (Storms); and #36 (Renegade).

Book Release: The Clone Wars: Slaves of the Republic
Posted: 29th January
Now available in UK is latest The Clone Wars graphic novella Slaves of the Republic. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi discover a dastardly plot by Count Dooku -- to enslave the entire city of Kiros and its Togruta population! Along with Padawan Ahsoka Tano, a Togruta herself, Anakin and Obi-Wan accept a mission to liberate the droid-occupied city. But the Togruta have disappeared! Our Jedi's search for the missing citizens leads them to a place in the galaxy where pirates and slavers reign. They must find the Togruta before Count Dooku can carry out his master plan.

Book News: New synopsis for Clone Wars Gambit: Siege:
Posted: 28th January
Whilst both the cover and a synopsis for the final The Clone Wars tie-in novel, Clone Wars Gambit: Siege by Karen Miller, have been in circulation for some time, StarWars.com has just posted the cover and a slightly expanded synopsis [SPOILER WARNING] Highlight text between arrowheads to read>>>On the Outer Rim, the planet Lanteeb has no strategic value, no political power, and one enormous problem: it has been invaded by an emboldened Separatist Alliance. To find out why, Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi have snuck onto Lanteeb -- and now look oblivion in the eye...
Hiding their lightsabers beneath their dusty disguises, Anakin and Obi-Wan draw on their Jedi skills to stay one step ahead of Lok Durd's droid army on Lanteeb. The Jedi know that a captive scientist has given Durd the keys to a terrifying bioweapon. Durd knows that the Jedi are on his planet. With Yoda calling on the powers of the Jedi Council, with a new Separatist technology jamming the Guardians' communications, and a traitor at the heart of the Republic's government, the wheels of war are turning. But the Separatists have blockaded Lanteeb. The finishing touches are being put on a weapon to destroy whole worlds. And it will be up to the two Jedi Knights and their most trusted comrades to liberate Lanteeb or forever suffer the consequences.<<<
Clone Wars Gambit: Siege is due for release in trade paperback in the US and hardback in the UK in the summer.
(Source: StarWars.com)

Book News: Hints at novels to come:
Posted: 27th January
LucasBooks' Executive Editor Sue Rostoni has hinted at the type of novels we can expect when Fate of the Jedi ends in late 2011/ early 2012, or even after the current contract with Del Rey ends in 2013. Writing on the StarWars.com Message Boards, Sue wrote "Honestly, we're not presently looking at another long series -- more stand-alones, duologies, and trilogies. At least that's where we're headed today."
If the much-longed-for live-action TV series finally launches in the next couple of years, it would make more sense to offer book readers tie-in novels that are immediately accessible such as stand-alones or duologies rather than having another long series that requires a continuing loyalty from reading first title. We could also expect a return to the short series' like Timothy Zahn's Thrawn or Kevin J. Anderson's Jedi Academy trilogies that so dominated the Bantam Spectra years of the 1990s perhaps as TV series spin-offs such as those written for Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, etc - certainly many of the newer Star Wars authors have and still do, write such TV series spin-off novels.
(Source: via StarWars.com Message Boards)

Comic Release: Legacy #44 (Monster - part 2)
Posted: 27th January
Issue #44 of Legacy comic book series, Monster - part 2, ships today from Dark Horse Comics.

New Release: Star Wars Insider #115
Posted: 27th January
The latest issue of Star Wars Insider, issue #115, by Titan Magazines is released today in US.

Book Release: Crosscurrent
Posted: 26th January
Crosscurrent, the first Star Wars novel by Paul S. Kemp is released today in paperback in US.

Book News: Coming soon - Star Wars Adventures: The Will of Darth Vader by Tom Taylor:
Posted: 24th January
Affiliate Eddie van der Heijden of StarWarsTimeline.com has sent us some information about upcoming graphic novellas from Dark Horse Comics due to be published under their Star Wars Adventures line. According to Star Wars Insider #115 (due for release on Wednesday 27th January): "Luke Skywalker and the Treasure of the Dragonsnakes is one tale out of four that Tom Taylor proposed for future instalments of Star Wars Adventures. A story centering on Han, Leia, and Lando is in the works, but Taylor's next volume will take a more villainous turn with Star Wars Adventures: The Will of Darth Vader."
If The Will of Darth Vader is the next title to be released, we can probably expect it late Spring / early Summer.
(Source: via StarWarsTimeline.com)

Book News: Coming soon - The Jedi Path by Daniel Wallace:
Posted: 23rd January
Affiliate Eddie van der Heijden of StarWarsTimeline.com has discovered an interesting entry in Becker&Mayer's recent catalogue for a 160 page book by Daniel Wallace titled The Jedi Path. It is described as "handed down through generations, this venerable text reveals the history and training practices of a Jedi Knight - progressing from Youngling to Padawan, to Knight, and ultimately to Master. The ancient text is annotated with comments from Jedi-in-training through the ages along with notes, drawings, and objects they have left tucked in the pages". The book will also include several items including a Jedi Code poster, student’s map of the Jedi Temple, lightsaber diagram, Jedi Starfighter patch, severed Padawan braid, and a commemorative JedCred.
Not much is known about this book with some speculation that The Jedi Path may be linked to Amazon.co.uk's listing for The Jedi Handbook from DK Publishing due March 2011 (also listed on Borders.com). However, as Becker&Mayer sell the rights to their publications to other publishers, i.e. the catalogue also lists the forthcoming Star Wars Sounds by J. W. Rinzler which will be published by Chronicle Books, according to Becker&Mayer, the rights for The Jedi Path have been sold to Amazon not DK Publishing.
More news as we get it.
(Source: Becker&Mayer (PDF - 3.5Mb) via StarWarsTimeline.com)

Book News: First look at Lost Tribe of the Sith: Paragon:
Posted: 22nd January
StarWars.com have posted the front cover and brief summary for the third Lost Tribe of the Sith short story, Paragon. Written by John Jackson Miller (Knights of the Old Republic comic series), Paragon follows both Skyborn and Precipice in chronicling the untold story of the forgotten Sith castaways that figure prominently in the Fate of the Jedi novel series.
Lost Tribe of the Sith: Paragon will be released as a free PDF download from StarWars.com on 10th February as well as from online eBook retailers.
(Source: StarWars.com)

Book News: First look at sixth and final Rebel Force book:
Posted: 20th January
StarWars.com have posted the front cover and brief summary for the sixth Rebel Force book, Uprising. Written by Alex Wheeler, Rebel Force is a book series for young readers that follow the exploits of the Rebellion's greatest heroes Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca in the time after Luke destroys the first Death Star above Yavin IV.
Uprising will also be the final book in the Rebel Force series and is due for release in paperback in May from Scholastic.
(Source: StarWars.com)

Book News: StarWars.com reveal front and back covers for The Making of The Empire Strikes Back:
Posted: 20th January
StarWars.com have posted images of the front and rear covers from this summer's The Making of The Empire Strikes Back book by LucasFilm executive editor J. W. Rinzler. They have also posted an extended description of the book that promises:

• the evolution of the script, from story conference and treatment to fifth draft, as conceived, written, and rewritten by George Lucas, famed science-fiction author Leigh Brackett, and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan

• the development of new key characters, including roguish hero Lando Calrissian, sinister bounty hunter Boba Fett, and iconic Jedi Master Yoda

• the challenges of shooting the epic ice planet battle in the frozen reaches of Norway and of conjuring up convincing creatures and craft - from tauntauns and snowspeeders to Imperial walkers

• the construction of a life-sized Millennium Falcon and the swamp planet Dagobah inside a specially built soundstage in Elstree Studios

• the technique behind master Muppeteer Frank Oz's breathing life into the breakthrough character Yoda

• the creation of the new, improved Industrial Light & Magic visual effects facility and the founding of the now legendary Skywalker Ranch

The Making of The Empire Strikes Back is due for release in hardback from Ballantine Books/ Del Rey in US on 20th July.

Comic Release: Knights of the Old Republic #49 (Demon - part 3)
Posted: 20th January
The penultimate issue of Knights of the Old Republic comic book series, issue #49 (Demon - part 3), ships today from Dark Horse Comics.

Comic Release: Dark Times #15 (Blue Harvest - part 3)
Posted: 20th January
The fifteenth issue of Dark Times comic book series, Blue Harvest - part 3, ships today from Dark Horse Comics.

Book News: The Force Unleashed II to get novelisation?: UPDATE: It's listed on Amazon.com:
Posted: 10th January (UPDATED 18th January)
According to the PubEasy catalogue, Random House will be publishing an, as yet, "Untitled SW Game Tie-in" hardback novel written by Sean Williams due for US release on 5th October 2010. Since Williams' tie-in novel for The Old Republic videogame has already been titled, Fatal Alliance, and given a US release date, 27th July, the only other "SW Game" recently announced was The Force Unleashed II.
Sean Williams penned the novelisation for the first The Force Unleashed adaptation back in 2008 and so it would be fitting for him to write its sequel.
(Source: via NJOE.com)

UPDATE: Although lacking any official confirmation of The Force Unleashed II novelisation from either LucasBooks or Del Rey, the fact that Amazon.com has now listed The Force Unleashed II hardback novelisation by Sean Williams with a US release date of 5th October, in no small measure, confirms the previous rumours of this book's existence.
(Source: Amazon.com via StarWarsTimeline.com)

Book News: Crosscurrent reviews:
Posted: 17th January
Two more reviews of Paul S. Kemp's debut Star Wars novel Crosscurrent have been posted online. The first is spoiler free and comes from Jeff Preston at FlamesRising.com: without spoiling anything I can say that the story (stories) definitely nail the Star Wars vibe. Sith vs. Jedi showdowns, space battles, star fighter chases, smarmy cantinas, cryptic force-visions and how they play out…all really well done. You can read Jeff's full review here.
The second review is also spoiler free and comes from Dave at Dave Brendon's Fantasy and Sci-fi weblog: this is a Star Wars novel that fans of the Expanded Universe will love, but it’s also a novel that will get someone who has never read a Star Wars novel before hooked; it has all the hallmarks of Episodes 1 through 6 – the beautiful and strange scenery of distant planets, the wisdom and valor of the Jedi, exciting space battles and lightsaber duels, and the kind of philosophical questions that make Star Wars great. You can read Dave's full review here.
Crosscurrent will be released in paperback in the US on 26th January and in the UK on 4th February.
(Source: Blog of Paul S. Kemp)

Book News: Another summary for The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance:
Posted: 17th January
Following our previous report of 3rd January and the first summary for this summer's MMO videogame The Old Republic tie-in novel, Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams, being released, Random House's Summer 2010 online catalogue has released a new summary:
[WARNING CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS] Highlight between arrowheads to read >>>Smuggler Jet Nebula has stumbled across a treasure richer than he ever dreamed. The Hutts want to auction it to the highest bidder, be it the Republic or the Empire, both of whom hope to bolster their chances in the coming conflict. But the Sith are interested, too, and they don't bargain with anyone; the Jedi High Council is sending someone to investigate; a mysterious Mandalorian is chasing something connected to a long-forgotten crime; while a spy plays every side at once. What Jet has unearthed will surprise all of them, and leave none of them unchanged.<<<
The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams is due to be released in hardback in the US on 27th July.
(Source: Random House Summer 2010 Catalogue via ClubJade.net)

Book News: Backlash's release confirmed for 9th March:
Posted: 16th January
Sue Rostoni has announced on StarWars.com Message Boards that Backlash will be released on the 9th March in the US.

Comic News: The Old Republic - Threat of Peace #24 now online:
Posted: 15th January
The twenty-fourth issue of Threat of Peace, the introductory online comic for the forthcoming MMO video game Star Wars: The Old Republic, is available to read online.
The twenty-fourth issue of Threat of Peace drops us right back into the action as Jedi Knight Satele Shan and Master Dar’Nala press their attack against Lord Baras. Satele is given pause, however, when Baras reveals the truth—that Master Dar’Nala was responsible for the recent violent attempts to undermine the peace treaty. As Satele considers the implications, Baras makes the bold attempt he’s been planning—now that Satele sees the true weakness of the Jedi, Baras urges her to join the Sith...
(Source: swtor.com)

Book News: First look at Millennium Falcon: A 3-D Owner's Guide:
Posted: 14th January
StarWars.com has posted a first look at a new children's book, Millennium Falcon: A 3-D Owner's Guide: written by Ryder Windham, the book is not only filled with fascinating insights into the Falcon's systems, but it is built around a series of meticulously detailed cutouts that layer together to create a three-dimensional model of the classic Star Wars starship. Artists Chris Trevas and Chris Reiff provide new illustrations and schematics of the various Falcon subsystems, including its armaments, sensors, crew quarters, life support, engineering and much more!
Millennium Falcon: A 3-D Owner's Guide will be published by Scholastic in September.

Book Release: Shadows of the Empire Omnibus:
Posted: 13th January
Released today in the US by Dark Horse Books is their latest Omnibus Edition, Shadows of the Empire, which collates the following comic stories: Mara Jade: By the Emperor's Hand, Shadows of the Empire and Shadows of the Empire: Evolution.

Book Release: Knights of the Old Republic Volume 8: Destroyer:
Posted: 13th January
Released today in the US by Dark Horse Books is Knights of the Old Republic Volume 8: Destroyer which collates Knights of the Old Republic issue #42 (Masks); #43 & #44 (The Reaping); and #45 & 46 (Destroyer) in graphic novel format.

Book News: Updates on Imperial Commando II, Schreiber's second horror novel & Death Troopers:
Posted: 12th January
In an update to the saga of the cancelled Imperial Commando II novel in which we reported last month that there was a possibility that it was to be reprieved using a different author following Karen Traviss's announcement that she would not be writing the book, LucasBooks' Executive Editor Sue Rostoni confirmed on the StarWars.com Message Boards that "the plans are to move forward with Imperial Commando #2. No definite pub[lication] date yet".
In other news, Sue also stated that the release date for the next horror novel by Joe Schreiber (reportedly a prequel to Death Troopers) has been moved from October 2010 to "tentatively" February 2011. While the US mass market paperback reprint of Death Troopers (the UK release of Death Troopers in November 2009 was in paperback) has also been moved from September 2010 to either December 28, 2010 or January 25, 2011, Sue's "not sure yet".
(Source: StarWars.com Message Boards)

Comic News: Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement now available on iTunes:
Posted: 8th January
Extending their range of comic stories available on iTunes for the iPhone and iPod Touch, Dark Horse Comics have added the first volume from their Knights of the Old Republic comic book series, Commencement to the Apple AppStore. Told through 606 screen pages, Commencement is the eighth Star Wars comic story to be adapted for a digital medium as part of Dark Horse Comics' Dark Horse Mobile project.
You can purchase Commencement from the Apple AppStore here (requires iTunes).

Comic News: The Old Republic - Threat of Peace #23 now online:
Posted: 8th January
The twenty-third issue of Threat of Peace, the introductory online comic for the forthcoming MMO video game Star Wars: The Old Republic, is available to read online.
The twenty-third issue of Threat of Peace brings us beneath the surface of Dantooine where Sith Lords Baras and Angral are waiting in the planet’s ancient crystal caves; they know the Jedi will attack. Sure enough, Master Dar’Nala leads Jedi Knight Fortris Gall and Lieutenant Tavus to the caves to slay the Sith and lay the blame on them for destroying the peace treaty. When Jedi Knight Satele Shan tracks down her friends and realizes her Master yet lives, however, anything can happen...
(Source: swtor.com)

Book News: First looks at Adventures in Hyperspace:
Posted: 8th January (UPDATED: 28th January)
StarWars.com has posted the cover from the first title in Scholastic's new illustrated series for younger readers, Adventures in Hyperspace. Fire Ring Race is written by Ryder Windham and features Han Solo and Chewbacca in a story before they joined the Rebellion against the Empire, when they made their living by transporting cargo across the galaxy in the Millennium Falcon. But when Jabba the Hutt hires them to pick up a cargo container at Fornax Station, Han and Chewie pick up something else . . . trouble!
Adventures in Hyperspace: Fire Ring Race is due to be released in June.
(Source: StarWars.com)

UPDATE: StarWars.com has confirmed that the title for the second title in the new Adventures in Hyperspace series will be Shinbone Showdown and has posted its cover. They have also revealed a brief synopsis: After transporting rude aliens and unusual plants for Jabba the Hutt, Han and Chewbacca are in the mood for an easy job. But after Jabba sends them to the mining planet Shinbone for delivery and pick up, Han and Chewie learn that working for Jabba is never easy.
Adventures in Hyperspace: Shinbone Showdown is also due to be released in June at the same time as Adventures in Hyperspace: Fire Ring Race.
(Source: StarWars.com)

Comic News: Spring comics from Dark Horse Comics:
Posted: 7th January
StarWars.com has posted solicitations from Dark Horse Comics for their Spring and early Summer releases. April releases feature Purge - The Hidden Blade, a standalone story by Haden Blackman where Darth Vader is instructed to guard an Imperial manufacturing facility from anti-Imperial natives, there he learns that a Jedi Master and his Padawan are in league with the natives! Also released in April is issue 47 of Legacy, The Fate of Dac, by John Ostrander.
Then in June, the next Omnibus edition, A Long Time Ago... Volume 1, will collate the first twenty-six issues of the Marvel Comics Star Wars series that launched in 1977 with future volumes promising material not previously collected along with the consecutively numbered Marvel run: the comics adaptation of Return of the Jedi, material from Marvel UK, the Droids and Ewoks series, and other rare Star Wars comics. Lastly, also due in June, is the graphic novella release of the three-part In Service of the Republic comic book series. This graphic novella also looks to include 2009's Free Comic Book Day story The Gauntlet of Death.
(Source: StarWars.com)

Book Release: The Clone Wars: Day One:
Posted: 7th January
Released today in the US by children's book publisher Grosset and Dunlap is The Clone Wars: Day One by Rob Valois a 48-page, full-colour reader that follows the story of a rookie clone trooper who teams up with Anakin and Captain Rex on a daring mission to stop a deadly menace that could bring an end to the Galactic Republic

Book Release: The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny - Tethan Battle Adventures:
Posted: 7th January
Released today in the US is the third title in Grosset and Dunlap's children's adventure series Decide Your Destiny. Tethan Battle Adventures is written by Sue Behrent and the reader must discover the secrets of B'Omarr Monastery, dodge blaster fire and come face to face with Asajj Ventress!

Comic Release: The Clone Wars Comic #3
Posted: 7th January
The third issue of Titan Comics' The Clone Wars Comic is released today in the UK. Included is the short comic story In Triplicate by Rik Hoskins.

Comic Release: The Clone Wars #12 (Hero of the Confederacy - part 3)
Posted: 6th January
The final issue of The Clone Wars comic book series, issue #12 (Hero of the Confederacy - part 3), ships today from Dark Horse Comics.

Book News: Crosscurrent excerpts:
Posted: 17th November (UPDATED: 4th January)
Crosscurrent author Paul S. Kemp has posted a short excerpt from his forthcoming novel on his own blog. Crosscurrent is set just before the end of Legacy of the Force and features Jedi Knight Jaden Korr who experiences a Force vision so powerful he has little choice but to act on it. Enlisting two salvage jocks and their ship, Jaden sets out into space. But what Jaden and his crew find confounds them. A five-thousand-year-old dreadnaught, bringing with it a full force of Sith and one lone Jedi, has inadvertently catapulted eons from the past into the present.
(Source: Blog of Paul S. Kemp)

UPDATE: StarWars.com has posted an excerpt from chapter two of Crosscurrent here.
Crosscurrent is due to be published in paperback in the US on 26th January and in the UK on 4th February.

Book News: First The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance summary:
Posted: 3rd January
Horizon Information Portal has posted what appears to be the first summary for this summer's Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO videogame tie-in novel, Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams: Three and a half millennia before the Clone Wars, the Treaty of Coruscant has tabled an uneasy peace between the Galactic Republic and the re-emerging Sith Empire. However, with new skirmishes becoming a regular occurrence, even on the relatively peaceful planet of Alderaan, the Jedi Order finds itself in an all too familiar position: protecting the Republic from a looming all-out war. Readers shouldn't be overly surprised by this summary as the novel is a tie-in to the forthcoming MMO videogame and most of the information in this summary is available at the official The Old Republic website.
(Source: Horizon Information Portal via NJOE.com)

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