Book and comics to read for 'Star Wars Outlaws'
Plus: Cover art revealed for the next two High Republic books.
Books to read for Star Wars Outlaws
Fun fact: There’s only one full-length novel set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. That includes canon and Legends.
The book? Shadows of the Empire, which is part of a multimedia project that came out in 1996.
This period on the timeline is ripe for new stories, so it makes sense that Star Wars Outlaws is among the first big projects set in the era. The first open-world Star Wars video game is a single-player, narrative adventure that takes you on epic and dangerous missions for the galaxy’s biggest crime syndicates.
The first story trailer dropped this week as an introduction to the world of the main character Kay Vess. The smuggler and scoundrel is bent on pulling off an impossible heist to buy her way to freedom.
While there aren’t many books set in this period, recent and currently running comics series are — which means it’s a great time to dive into the stories and characters of the Star Wars underworld.
Here are my reading recommendations to keep you occupied until Star Wars Outlaws arrives on August 30.
Shadows of the Empire (Legends): Set between ESB and ROTJ, the novel follows the daring mission to free Han Solo from his carbonite prison while Black Sun underlord Xizor conspires with Darth Vader to target Luke Skywalker.
Books with Qi’ra: With Crimson Dawn confirmed for Star Wars Outlaws, it’s all but guaranteed we’ll see Qi’ra in the game. A fan favorite since her debut in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Qi’ra’s journey to the top of the crime syndicate is chronicled in Most Wanted (set right before Solo) and Crimson Climb (includes the opening scenes of Solo and what happens after).
War of the Bounty Hunters (comics): The end of The Empire Strikes Back saw bounty hunter Boba Fett land his biggest prize — Han solo frozen in carbonite. His next move is bringing the smuggler to Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine and collecting the huge bounty. But there are other bounty hunters and a certain someone from Han’s past looking to claim the scoundrel.
Crimson Reign (comics): The sequel to War of the Bounty Hunters, this limited series follows Qi’ra and her Crimson Dawn executing bold power moves against the Empire and the Rebellion. Features Ochi of Bestoon (The Rise of Skywalker) and fellow killer Deathstick.
Hidden Empire (comics): The conclusion to the unofficial trilogy, Hidden Empire follows Qi’ra and her final efforts to take down the Empire — including partnering with the Knights of Ren and using an ancient Dark Side weapon.
What other reading recommendations do you have for the Star Wars underworld? Share them in the comments!
Cover art revealed for the next High Republic books
The High Republic, once again, will drop some of the most beautiful book covers in all of Star Wars. I cannot wait to get my grubby little hands on these two.
Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Córdova
Release date: Aug. 27, 2024
On the cover: Zenny Greylark (as in a descendant of Axel Greylark??), Jedi youngling Kildo, and Churo the Hutt (already obsessed with them)
It is a dark and dangerous time for the galaxy, and the Jedi of the High Republic must face their greatest trials yet. Over a year has passed since the destruction of the Starlight Beacon space station, and hopeful Jedi-in-training—including Tep Tep and Kildo from Escape from Valo—must work with Ram Jamoram and a few new friends to overcome their fears . . . and stop the monsters that threaten the very existence of the Jedi. Even the most reluctant readers won’t be able to put this down!
Tears of the Nameless by George Mann
Release date: Sept. 24, 2024
On the cover: Jedi Knight Reath Silas and Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo (check out his intro in Tales of Light and Life)
It’s been over a year since the fall of the Starlight Beacon space station, and both heroes and villains alike must face the consequences of their decisions. When Jedi Knight Reath and Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo are sent on a mission to test their theories about the Nameless, they’ll come face-to-face with the terrifying creatures once thought to be myth—and learn the true meaning of fear . . . fear that fallen Jedi Azlin Rell advised them to embrace if they have any hope of defeating the monsters . . .
New in the Etsy shop: High Republic reading guide bookmarks
This bookmark design has been a long time coming — and a lot of design tweaks along the way. But I’m so excited to share that my High Republic reading guide bookmark is finally available in the Space Wizards Book Club Etsy shop.
The double-sided bookmark features Phase 1 on the front and Phase 2 and 3 on the back. The books are listed in release order, the recommended reading order since The High Republic began.
Since not all the Phase 3 books have come out, there is a chance books after Temptation of the Force could be moved. We’re still over a year out from the final books in The High Republic, so there’s plenty of time for things to change.
If that happens, I’ll make the necessary changes to these bookmarks. But for now, this is my way of answering a question I always get as a Star Wars book nerd — how do I read The High Republic books?
As always, thank you to everyone who supports my Etsy shop and this newsletter!
It's now Legends but Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn is Han and Lando doing crime stuff.