Looking for the new Star Wars canon books? Look no further …
Originally published April 26, 2014
“You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!”
That’s right — the die is cast. Disney-owned Lucasfilm has taken a Death Star superlaser to the vast Expanded Universe of Star Wars tie-in literature, consigning your library to a “Legends” label under which they will continue to print money existing, fan-beloved titles.
Like so much fan fiction, we finally know that they just won’t count anymore.
What will count is a new slate of novels launched Sept. 2, 2014, with A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller, which introducse key characters from the Star Wars Rebels animated television series. Further releases include James Luceno’s Tarkin (Nov. 4), Kevin Hearne’sHeir to the Jedi(January 2015) and Paul S. Kemp’sLords of the Sith (March 2015).
And so begins the New EU. A prequel to Disney XD’s new TV series — hardly a new concept (tie-ins within tie-ins!). Giving Grand Moff Tarkin the Darth Plagueis treatment — which they could have done without obliterating that Luceno masterpiece. Luke Skywalker’s first person thoughts, and the Emperor and Darth Vader in what amounts to a buddy-cop bloodbath.
Presumably, no more Grand Admiral Thrawn. No Mara Jade or Talon Karrde? No Jedi Academy, Young Jedi Knights, Black Fleet, Yuuzhan Vong, Anakin Solo, Sword of the Jedi or Darth Caedus?
Anyway, read on for official details of each title below, following an excerpt of StarWars.com’s announcement — and don’t forget to sound off in the comments on the coming EU-pocalypse!
Going forward, Lucasfilm has begun mapping out the narrative future of Star Wars storytelling that will appear on film and television and in other media so that all projects will benefit from real-time collaboration and alignment. The future Star Wars novels from Disney Publishing Worldwide and Del Rey Books will now be part of the official Star Wars canon as reflected on upcoming TV and movie screens.
“With the establishment of the Lucasfilm Story Group and our even greater focus on unified storytelling, we expect our entire publishing program to be stronger and more meaningful than ever before,” said Jeanne Mosure, senior vice president and group publisher, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “We’re extremely excited to kick off this new strategy with Del Rey Books.”
Our very first official canon novel set solidly in the legendary “Dark Times” between Episodes III and IV,A New Dawn will introduce readers to two main characters from the upcoming Star Wars: Rebels animated series—Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla—and will feature jacket art by Doug Wheatley, as well as a foreword by Dave Filoni, one of the executive producers of The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. Released September 2014. Order it here.
STAR WARS: TARKIN by James Luceno, on sale November 4, 2014
In the second novel created in collaboration with the Lucasfilm Story Group, bestselling Star Wars veteran James Luceno gives Tarkin the Darth Plagueis treatment, bringing a legendary character from A New Hope to full, fascinating life. Released November 2014. Order it here.
A thrilling new adventure set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and—for the first time ever—written entirely from Luke Skywalker’s first-person point of view. Created in collaboration with the Lucasfilm Story Group. Jacket art by Larry Rostant. Released January 2015. Order it here.
When the Emperor and his notorious apprentice, Darth Vader, find themselves stranded in the middle of insurgent action on an inhospitable planet, they must rely solely on each other, the Force, and their awesome martial skills to prevail. Created in collaboration with the Lucasfilm Story Group. Released March 2015. Jacket art by Aaron McBride. Order it here.
Lou Anders, Tom Angleberger, Preeti Chhibber, Zoraida Córdova, Sarah Beth Durst, Jason Fry, Yoon Ha Lee, Rebecca Roanhorse, Anne Ursu, Greg van Eekhout
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Atleast some books like Darth Plagueis, Labyrinth of Evil, Kenobi can be considered canon. Esp. Darth Plagueis must be considered canon. I am really feeling completely cheated! leave the money aside, but as a true SW fan, emotionally m sure ppl like me feel sad and cheated. After some 15 years some new company will take over SW, then the NEW-EU will be rubbish. So from now on I will not get into any EU material at all! M sure many of them will not! THIS IS A DISGRACE
Legends not part of the SW film canon? Good! That means there’s over 100 books I won’t have to buy – or read.
Atleast some books like Darth Plagueis, Labyrinth of Evil, Kenobi can be considered canon. Esp. Darth Plagueis must be considered canon. I am really feeling completely cheated! leave the money aside, but as a true SW fan, emotionally m sure ppl like me feel sad and cheated. After some 15 years some new company will take over SW, then the NEW-EU will be rubbish. So from now on I will not get into any EU material at all! M sure many of them will not! THIS IS A DISGRACE
Legends not part of the SW film canon? Good! That means there’s over 100 books I won’t have to buy – or read.