SWBC: Mace Windu stars in new book 'The Glass Abyss' coming August 2024
Plus: Share your favorite Star Wars reads of the year.
Mace Windu stars in new standalone novel The Glass Abyss
Jedi Master Mace Windu is one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated characters in Star Wars. At best, some people brush him off as a grumpy, inflexible Jedi. At worst, ignorance and even racism play a key role in the unpopularity of the character.
But we’ve only really seen his behavior and decisions from the viewpoints of others. In Legends, he has a more prominent role in Shatterpoint and many comics.
Now, we’re finally getting a Mace Windu-focused canon book: The Glass Abyss.
The Glass Abyss is set right after The Phantom Menace and the death of Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon and Mace Windu were very different Jedi, but they respected each other and became friends. When Mace Windu gets a posthumous message from Qui-Gon, he embarks on an adventure in honor of his fallen Jedi brother.
The book brings back author Steven Barnes, who wrote The Cestus Deception and the ebook novella The Hive — both Clone Wars stories.
“I was busy with television work…but how could I pass THIS up? A chance to wield the purple lightsaber? Hah!,” Barnes told StarWars.com. “So, with the support of a great team, I crafted a story of mystery, adventure, betrayal, and romance on a new planet, Metagos, a seething criminal cess-pool that was once a thriving and beautiful world, a place where a single supreme warrior, willing to risk all, can make the ultimate difference.”
Did Barnes say “romance”? You have my attention.
Check out the book’s description below.
Jedi Master Mace Windu travels to a dangerous, remote planet on a mission that challenges even his deadly prowess—all to fulfill Qui-Gon’s last request.
The Jedi are reeling from Qui-Gon Jinn’s sudden death at the hands of a Sith. Jedi Master Mace Windu’s feelings about Qui-Gon have always been complicated, and have not been made any simpler in death. While they often disagreed, Mace valued Qui-Gon's unique perspective, and their shared dedication to the Force made them allies. Without Qui-Gon and his unorthodox views, Mace feels out of balance.
While considering his fallen friend’s legacy, Mace is surprised to receive a final message from Qui-Gon, marked to be delivered to Mace on the event of Qui-Gon’s death. The message contains a last request: a plea to help the Outer Rim planet of Metagos.
Many years ago, a violent solar flare transformed the surface of the desert planet into a landscape of irradiated glass—as beautiful as it is dangerous. Now most of the surviving inhabitants live underground, where rival clans fight to control the planet’s limited resources. As a young Jedi, Qui-Gon protected the Sa’ad farming clan from the planet’s less scrupulous factions. The Sa’ad practice the art of dream-weaving, retaining their waking minds upon sleep in order to communicate and coexist with the wild creatures around them. Qui-Gon vowed to return if they ever required his aid, but now it falls to Mace to fulfill that promise. The Sa’ad’s leader, KinShan Nightbird, has begged for the Jedi’s help in freeing Megatos from the crime lords who threaten to eradicate her people’s way of life.
Intent on fulfilling Qui-Gon’s final wishes, Mace travels to Metagos and infiltrates the enemies of the Sa’ad. But as the Jedi Master investigates the intricate web of adversaries and allies, Mace finds himself pushed to the boundaries of the Jedi code, challenging his beliefs and his relationship to the Force itself.
Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss arrives on Aug. 6, 2024.
Other Mace Windu and Steven Barnes books to read
Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover: At the outset of the Clone Wars, Mace Windu is sent to his homeworld to find his former Padawan, Depa Billaba, after she goes missing during a Republic mission.
The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes: A Clone Wars novel starring Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto, who are sent to a struggling world to try to convince them to not sell a bunch of incredibly deadly bio-droids to the Separatists.
The Living Force by John Jackson Miller: Arriving on April 9, 2024, The Living Force sees the Jedi Council embarking on a road trip of sorts to a planet with a Jedi Outpost that’s about to be decommissioned. It’s Mace Windu’s idea after Qui-Gon challenges the 12 Jedi Masters about their increasing isolation from the rest of the galaxy.
Gifts from a faraway galaxy
A couple of weeks ago, Star Wars followed me back on TikTok and reached out about wanting to send me a gift. Of course, I said yes. And this week, not one but two boxes from Lucasfilm showed up on my doorstep.
The first (left) had a The Acolyte t-shirt, a Barnes & Noble copy of Tales of Light and Life, an Ahsoka figurine, a copy of Life Day #1, amazing “friends with Swagmin” stickers, and a handwritten note.
The second box had another handwritten note and was filled with High Republic books.
To say I’m grateful is an understatement. Star Wars is such a big, important part of my life, and to be noticed by them is truly special.
It’s also been so cool seeing so many of my mutuals on TikTok and Instagram receive the same boxes and share the same excitement.
Most of you know that I already own most of these books, so giveaways are coming very soon. I want to share these wonderful books with as many people as I can.
Thanks again, Star Wars, for making me feel like a part of your galaxy.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Dec. 13
The High Republic (2023) #2
Bounty Hunters #41
Hyperspace Stories #12
The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #3
Share your favorite Star Wars books of the year
With 14 new Star Wars books — and a bunch of Essential Legends reprints — published this year, our favorite galaxy got a little bigger and brighter.
There were a bunch of new High Republic books, several debut authors, reads for every age, and some truly stunning covers. I already revealed my favorite book of the year is Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade, and I’ll have more on that soon. But first, I want to hear from all of you about your favorite Star Wars books of the year.
Share your favorites in the comments!
Favorite High Republic book?
Favorite non-High Republic book?
Favorite adult, young adult, and middle-grade book?
Favorite debut author (book or short story)?
Favorite cover?
Favorite Essential Legends reprint?
Favorite new Star Wars book and read of 2023?