Star Wars news recap: Books, 'Skeleton Crew,' and 'Outlaws'
Plus: New Star Wars releases in August.
Star Wars news recap
There’s been a dizzying amount of Star Wars news over the last week.
At San Diego Comic-Con, a bunch of Acolyte books were announced, including an adult novel starring Vernestra and a young adult book starring Jecki and Yord. Then on Monday, Random House Worlds revealed a new adult trilogy following key figures during the nearly two decades of the Reign of the Empire.
There were also (finally) first-look images and a release date revealed for Skeleton Crew and more promo coverage ahead of Star Wars Outlaws’ release at the end of the month.
ICYMI, here’s a recap.
Five new Star Wars books
The Acolyte: Wayseeker: From author Justina Ireland (who first wrote Vernestra), Wayseeker follows the elder Jedi Master on her mission back to Coruscant after spending years as a Wayseeker out in the galaxy. This one arrives on May 6, 2025.
The Acolyte YA novel: There’s no title yet, but this young adult offering from Tessa Gratton stars Padawans Jecki and Yord as they navigate reluctantly working together to protect their friends during a coming-of-age ritual. This book releases on July 29, 2025.
Reign of the Empire trilogy: The new trilogy from authors Alexander Freed, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Fran Wilde charts the rise of the Rebellion through the eyes of characters like Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa. The books are said to embrace the dark political spirit of Andor. The first book, The Mask of Fear, arrives on February 25, 2025.
Skeleton Crew first look
When Skeleton Crew finally arrives on December 3, the show will introduce Jude Law into the Star Wars universe alongside a ragtag group of younglings in a “joyful” space adventure.
People magazine shared the first-look photos, an interview with Law, and the show’s official synopsis:
"When four kids make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, they get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home, meeting unlikely allies and enemies will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined."
Skeleton Crew is set after the events of Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars Outlaws previews
I so wish I was a better gamer, because Star Wars Outlaws look so fun. I watched game movies of Jedi Fallen Order and Survivor, so I may go that route with this one, too. But since it’s an open-world game, I’ll try to find guides to playing Outlaws for people who aren’t good at video games. In the meantime, I am, once again, begging for a cozy Star Wars sim.
Anyway, the first wave of hands-on previews dropped this week, and the reviews were generally positive. Of course, with good reviews for anything Star Wars or Disney-related, there are people who think reviewers and content creators are paid to say nice things. With a decade of entertainment reporting and criticism experience, I can say with my entire chest that this is now how reviews — for anything — works.
Share your thoughts: What are you excited to see in Star Wars Outlaws, Skeleton Crew, and the new Star Wars books?
Star Wars books coming out in August
The High Republic Phase 3 continues this month with the middle-grade novel, Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Córdova. This one picks up after Escape from Valo, so make sure you read that middle-grade novel before this one.
I’m told review copies of both Beware the Nameless and Tears of the Nameless (September 24) are on their way to me. So, full reviews coming soon!
“The fearsome Nihil continue to spread chaos inside the Occlusion Zone, aided by the mysterious creatures called the Nameless that feed on the Force itself. When the people of an embattled world plead for help with the Nihil threat, a team of both Republic Defense Coalition members and Jedi—including Ram Jomaram—is sent to their aid.
The team soon discovers that their ship contains four stowaways—Jedi younglings Kildo, TepTep, and Jamil, and Zenny Greylark, a senator’s daughter determined to find her sister. When a distress call comes in from a nearby planet, Jedi Master Adi-Li Carro agrees to take the stowaways to investigate. There, they will encounter a young Hutt on a mission, a stranger with mysterious motives, and the creatures they fear the most. . . .”
August 7
The High Republic Adventures (2023) #8
Inquisitors #2
The High Republic (2023) #10
August 13
The High Republic: The Edge of Balance Vol. 3
August 14
Darth Vader (2020) #49
August 20
Mace Windu: The Twilight Run trade paperback
August 21
The High Republic Adventures (2023) #9
Star Wars (2020) #49
August 27
The High Republic: Beware the Nameless
The High Republic Adventures (2023) Vol. 1 trade paperback
August 28
Ahsoka #2
Coming next week: Interview with Beth Revis
Star Wars author Beth Revis (Rebel Rising, The Princess and the Scoundrel) has been BUSY this year. She has several new books coming out starting this month, including a fun sci-fi novella and a heartwarming children’s Star Wars book.
Her next book, Full Speed to a Crash Landing, comes out on Tuesday. I recently finished my ARC (Thanks, Daw!), and had such a great time with the quick-witted, snarky Ada Lamarr and her love of food and jetpacks. It’s the first novella in Beth’s Chaotic Orbits series, and it packs a punch in less than 200 pages.
In next week’s newsletter, I’ll have a Q&A with Beth to talk about this new sci-fi romance series, writing sci-fi and fantasy at the same time, and a little about her Star Wars writing.
In the meantime, check out my review below and preorder a signed copy of Full Speed to a Crash Landing through Malaprop’s Bookstore.
Full Speed to a Crash Landing is the first in the Chaotic Orbits series of novellas following Ada Lamarr, our unreliable narrator and lone scavenger with a chip on her shoulder and a love of food and jetpacks. There's an intriguing political/environmental mystery that kept me turning pages and asking, just what is Ada's deal? What's her story? What past pain is she covering up with humor and cheek?
Ada is literally the biggest pain in the ass for the crew of the Halifax, but of course, we (readers) and the cute, smart, and mysterious Rian can't help but fall for her.
Beth Revis packs a ton of fun and serious commentary into less than 200 pages, making Full Speed a sweet and punchy morsel of sci-fi deliciousness. Come for the snark and Ada gushing about her cool jetpack and custom spacesuit, stay for the moving commentary on overpopulation, climate change, and space colonization.
July recap & August hopefuls
Even as the summer winds down, I continue to have excellent reading months thanks to audiobooks and my local library. I still can barely be bothered to pick up a physical book, so I’ve been dual-reading for months — switching between reading a physical or ebook and its audiobook. I’m sure there’s some science behind it, but I find I read faster and engage better with non-physical book reading. Still, I have to have trophies on my shelves. I’ve just cut way back on buying physical books.
What I loved reading and playing in July:
Aftermath: Life Debt
The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire
Morning Star
Full Speed to a Crash Landing
Kirby’s Return to Dreamland
What I hope to read and play in August:
Fire & Blood
The Hero of Ages
The Way of Kings
My Heart is a Chainsaw
Aftermath: Empire’s End
Kirby’s Return to Dreamland
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
More Space Wizards Book Club
Review: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire is a deeply moving love letter to Star Wars history
Defining Star Wars by what it's survived, not what it's lost