Tarkin, by James Luceno
With just a few short days until the November 4th release of Tarkin, Alex Rybak (a staff writer here at Yoda’s News) was excited to find his review copy of the upcoming book by James Luceno in the mail today. Tarkin will be the second book released by Del Rey Books in their new line of Star Wars adult fiction, following the September release of A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller. Miller kicked off the new line of stories set in the galaxy far, far away with a thrilling adventure (you can read our review here) that tied-in to the Star Wars: Rebels television show. James Luceno, like Miller, is also a veteran Star Wars author best known for his attention to detail and ability to weave intricate adventures. This time around, Luceno will be exploring Grand Moff Tarkin in the time period before we met him in A New Hope. Here is a description of the book from Del Rey:
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .
Bestselling Star Wars veteran James Luceno gives Grand Moff Tarkin the Star Wars: Darth Plagueis treatment, bringing a legendary character from A New Hope to full, fascinating life.
He’s the scion of an honorable 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 his 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, however, insurgency remains a genuine threat. Escalating guerrilla attacks by resistance forces and newfound 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.
Readers of Yoda’s News can expect a review in the next few days, hopefully before its release on November 4th, 2014. You can preorder the book now for only $19.53 on Amazon. Special thanks to Alexandra Coumbis and Del Rey Books for providing Yoda’s News with a review copy of this novel.
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