James Luceno

From New York Times bestselling author James Luceno comes a Star Wars adventure that reveals the action and intrigue unfolding directly before Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Mired in greed and corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, the Galactic Republic is crumbling. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over?while back in the comfort of Coruscant, the hub of civilized space and seat of the Republic government, few senators seem inclined to investigate the problem. And those who suspect Supreme Chancellor Valorum of having a hand in the machinations are baffled?especially when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on the Chancellor. With the crisis escalating, Valorum calls for an emergency trade summit. As humans and aliens gather, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation who have entered into a shadowy alliance with a dark overlord. While the trio will be content with more money and fewer problems, Darth Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans. It is a time that tests the mettle of all those who strive to hold the Republic together?none more so than the Jedi Knights, who have long been the galaxy's best hope for preserving peace and justice. Yet despite their most valiant efforts, the meeting will explode into fiery chaos beyond everyone's worst fears . . .

The war that erupted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point, as the dauntless Separatist forces continue their assault on the teetering Republic – and the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. In Episode III Revenge of the Sith the fates of key players on both sides of the conflict will be sealed. But first, crucial events that pave the way to that time of reckoning unfold in a labyrinth of evil... Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy–and Separatist Councilmember – Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Neimoidia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid deadly disaster. Still, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransceiver that bears intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious. Swiftly taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim... every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord–whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counterstrikes, ambushes, sabotage, and retaliations, Sidious stays constantly one move ahead. Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces – and bring the Republic to its knees.

Darth Plagueis je jeden z nejnadanějších sithských lordů všech dob. Netouží po ničem jiném než po moci a obává se jen toho, že ji ztratí. Jako učedník bezvýhradně přijme nemilosrdné praktiky Sithů. A když přijde správný čas, zničí svého mistra, Dartha Tenebrouse. Zároveň však přísahá, že jeho nikdy nepotká stejný osud. Na rozdíl od svých předchůdců si totiž Darth Plagueis nakonec osvojí nejvyšší moc... překonat smrt.

Válka trhá galaxii na kusy. Republika a separatisté už léta bojují mezi hvězdami a ve snaze vyhrát válku vytvářejí stále smrtonosnější technologie. Orson Krennic je jako člen přísně tajného projektu Hvězdy smrti kancléře Palpatina odhodlán vyvinout superzbraň dříve, než se to podaří nepřátelům Republiky. A klíčem k tomu by mohl být Krennicův starý přítel, geniální vědec Galen Erso.

Plagueis byl nejmocnější sithský lord, jaký kdy žil. Může se stát i jediným, který nikdy nezemře? Darth Plagueis je jeden z nejnadanějších sithských lordů všech dob. Netouží po ničem jiném než po moci a obává se jen toho, že ji ztratí. Jako učedník bezvýhradně přijme nemilosrdné praktiky Sithů. A když přijde správný čas, zničí svého mistra, Dartha Tenebrouse. Zároveň však přísahá, že jeho nikdy nepotká stejný osud. Na rozdíl od svých předchůdců si totiž Darth Plagueis nakonec osvojí nejvyšší moc... překonat smrt.

Lauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.

Lauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine's top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic's, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. Galen's energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic's debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor's tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic's web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.

'Of power, I could tell you much. One must seize the moment, and strike.' Grand Moff Wilhuff TarkinHe's the scion of an honourable and revered family. A dedicated soldier and distinguished legislator. Loyal proponent of the Republic and trusted ally of the Jedi Order. Groomed by the ruthless politician and Sith Lord who would be Emperor, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin rises through the Imperial ranks, enforcing his authority ever more mercilessly...and zealously pursuing his destiny as the architect of absolute dominion. Rule through the fear of force rather than force itself, he advises the Emperor. Under Tarkin's guidance, an ultimate weapon of unparalleled destruction moves ever closer to becoming a terrifying reality. When the so-called Death Star is completed, Tarkin is confident that the galaxy's lingering pockets of Separatist rebellion will be brought to heel - by intimidation or annihilation. Until then, insurgency remains a genuine threat. Escalating guerrilla attacks by resistance forces and new-found evidence of a growing Separatist conspiracy are an immediate danger the Empire must meet with swift and brutal action. And to bring down a band of elusive freedom fighters, the Emperor turns to his most formidable agents: Darth Vader, the fearsome new Sith enforcer as remorseless as he is mysterious, and Tarkin - whose tactical cunning and cold-blooded efficiency will pave the way for the Empire's supremacy...and its enemies' extinction.

Rytíře Jedi a Yuuzhan Vongy čeká poslední bitva - závěrečné střetnutí, v němž se rozhodne o osudu galaxie. Galaktická aliance přišla o těžce vybojovanou výhodu a karta se znovu obrátila ve prospěch útočníků. Z Coruscantu se stala yuuzhanvongská pevnost. Luke, Mara a Jacen jsou neznámo kde a všechno nasvědčuje tomu, že se schyluje k poslední bitvě.V této napjaté situaci se Han a Leia dozvídají, že Yuuzhan Vongové hodlají obětovat stovky zajatých aliančních důstojníků svým krvežíznivým bohům. Militantní skupiny v Galaktické alianci se chystají použít smrtonosnou zbraň, která by mohla vyhladit nejen Yuuzhan Vongy, ale i spoustu jiných druhů. A mezi samotnými Yuuzhan Vongy sílí rozkol, protože mnozí z nich - utlačované spodní vrstvy i příslušníci elity - se obávají, že šílené činy jejich nejvyššího vládce by mohly přivolat hněv bohů. Obě strany už ztratily příliš mnoho. Ani dobyvatelé, ani obránci nevidí jinou možnost než vítězství... nebo naprosté zničení.

Rytíře Jedi a Yuuzhan Vongy čeká poslední bitva - závěrečné střetnutí, v němž se rozhodne o osudu galaxie. Galaktická aliance přišla o těžce vybojovanou výhodu a karta se znovu obrátila ve prospěch útočníků. Z Coruscantu se stala yuuzhanvongská pevnost. Luke, Mara a Jacen jsou neznámo kde a všechno nasvědčuje tomu, že se schyluje k poslední bitvě.V této napjaté situaci se Han a Leia dozvídají, že Yuuzhan Vongové hodlají obětovat stovky zajatých aliančních důstojníků svým krvežíznivým bohům. Militantní skupiny v Galaktické alianci se chystají použít smrtonosnou zbraň, která by mohla vyhladit nejen Yuuzhan Vongy, ale i spoustu jiných druhů. A mezi samotnými Yuuzhan Vongy sílí rozkol, protože mnozí z nich - utlačované spodní vrstvy i příslušníci elity - se obávají, že šílené činy jejich nejvyššího vládce by mohly přivolat hněv bohů. Obě strany už ztratily příliš mnoho. Ani dobyvatelé, ani obránci nevidí jinou možnost než vítězství... nebo naprosté zničení.