Star Wars books had a significant year in 2014, marked by the announcement of Star Wars Legends in preparation for the sequel trilogy and the establishment of a new continuity. The future of Star Wars storytelling is now dedicated to exploring the galaxy with a more unified vision. 2015 brings with it brand new stories in the form of novels, comic books, and video games, culminating in the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 18.
Until then, here are TWG’s top five Star Wars books to pick up in the new year (in order of release date).
Star Wars Rebels: Sabine My Rebel Sketchbook
by Daniel Wallace (Author), Annie Stoll (Illustrator)
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Synopsis: Wren is one of the most compelling and interesting female character in Star Wars since Princess Leia! She’s an explosives expert supreme, and a master of advanced weapons. She’s also a crazy artist, gifted at graffiti and sketching. She’s strong, bold, confident, cool – and only 16! Get to know Sabine through her own words and artistic expression in this replica journal filled with sketches, photos of her best work, stories, doodles and her observations of her fellow rebels.
One of the most frustrating things about being a Star Wars fan is the lack of merchandise that includes female characters for both men and women. Unfortunately, Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla are a rare sight on the shelves. Come February, however, there will be at least one item dedicated to the artist of the rebel crew. Written by Daniel Wallace and illustrated by Annie Stoll, the 96-page book dives into the mind of 16-year-old Sabine, retelling the events of the first 10 episodes. Fans, both young and old, of the Rebel Journal by Ezra Bridger will undoubtedly find the contents of Sabine’s perspective just as fascinating.
Place your pre-order today at Amazon.
Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi
by Kevin Hearne
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Synopsis: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . 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. Luke Skywalker’s game-changing destruction of the Death Star has made him not only a hero of the Rebel Alliance but a valuable asset in the ongoing battle against the Empire. Though he’s a long way from mastering the power of the Force, there’s no denying his phenomenal skills as a pilot—and in the eyes of Rebel leaders Princess Leia Organa and Admiral Ackbar, there’s no one better qualified to carry out a daring rescue mission crucial to the Alliance cause. Read more.
Most readers will recognize Kevin Hearne as the author of the fantasy series The Iron Druid Chronicles. Originally part of the Empire and Rebellion series, Heir to the Jedi is now a stand-alone novel that takes readers on a challenging adventure between Episodes IV and V. Early comments about Heir to the Jedi point out that the first person point of the view works well for the story and that fans of Star Wars: A New Dawn will enjoy the diversity.
Place your pre-order of the novel today.
Star Wars Rebels – Servants of the Empire: Rebel in the Ranks
by Jason Fry
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Synopsis: As a new student at Lothal’s Imperial Academy, Zare Leonis does everything it takes to pass as a model cadet. But secretly, he is a hidden enemy among Imperial loyalists, determined to discover the truth about his missing sister and to bring down the Empire. Luckily, he has his tech-savvy girlfriend Merei by his side, willing to help him however she can-even if it means dealing with criminals in the shadiest parts of Capital City. In the meantime Zare must face down a dangerous foe of his own: Lieutenant Curahee, who seems bent on pushing Zare to his breaking point. Join these rebellious cadets as they risk it all to take on the fearsome Empire.
The sequel to Edge of the Galaxy, Rebel in the Ranks picks up during the Star Wars Rebels episode “Breaking Ranks” and continues to explore the story beyond those events. According to author Jason Fry, “It’s not just a rehash. We begin far earlier than ‘Breaking Ranks,’ and the events of the show unfold from Zare’s point of view. Moreover, some scenes from ‘Breaking Ranks’ aren’t there (because Zare wasn’t there to witness them), while others are extended, as if on a DVD release, and there’s plenty that’s brand new. And Merei Spanjaf’s story unfolds in parallel with Zare’s while connecting up with it repeatedly. All this made for an interesting challenge as a writer, one I enjoyed tackling. Look for Rebel in the Ranks in March, with the remaining two books of the series yet to come” (Tumblr).
If you’re looking for diverse books set in a science fiction setting, pre-order Rebel in the Ranks. While you’re there, also check out Fry’s Jupiter Pirates series.
Star Wars – Kanan: The Last Padawan
by Greg Weisman (Writer), Pepe Larraz (Penciller), Mark Brooks (Cover Artist)
Release Date: April 2015
Official Details: A new ongoing series that ties into the Star Wars Rebels animated series by exploring the life of Kanan Jarrus after the Clone Wars. Read more at Marvel.com.
Out of the handful of comic book titles that were announced by Marvel, this particular series is the only one (so far) that focuses on a relatively new character to the Star Wars universe. Star Wars Rebels Executive Producer Greg Weisman kicks off the story. In mid January 2015, keep a close eye on the solicitations for April 2015, where more details will be revealed about its first issue.
Star Wars: Dark Disciple
by Christie Golden
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Synopsis: When the Jedi decide to target Count Dooku—Darth Tyranus—himself, they turn to his ex-apprentice, Asajj Ventress, for help in getting close to the slippery Sith Lord. But when unexpected sparks fly between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, the unorthodox Jedi sent to work with her, the mission becomes a web of betrayal, alliances, secrets, and dark plotting that might just be the undoing of both Jedi and Sith—and everything in between! Read more.
As described in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars Legacy video, “[Dark Disciple] has all of the classic elements of Star Wars that we would come to expect: love, betrayal, and sadness–revenge.” The highly anticipated novel is based on four unfinished scripts of the Emmy Award winning series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Many readers wonder whether this will be the end for the assassin-turned-bounty hunter, Asajj Ventress. The future is always in motion, however. Until its release in the summer, catch up with Ventress’ story by following Leland Chee’s chronological order of the episodes in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Place your pre-order of the novel today.
Other books you may be interested in picking up in 2015:
Comic books in 2015 (as announced so far):
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