Star Wars was introduced 41 years ago, in 1977, and has been a staple of American pop culture since. Not only are the films an iconic slice of Americana, so are the many books written on or about the film and its characters. The new Star Wars film, Solo, is coming to theaters May 25th and a host of books will be forthcoming this spring and into the summer. Take a look at some of the best new additions to the Star Wars book collection:
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Expanded Edition (Del Rey, March 6, 2018), Jason Fry
This is the novelization of the latest Star Wars film to hit theaters. Here, we return to our friends Rey, Poe and Finn as they continue their fight against Kylo Ren, once promising Jedi turned to the Dark Side, and now a merciless enforced with terrifying weapons at his command. But it seems that their only hope against him is to find the lost-lost last Jedi – Luke Skywalker himself.
The Last Shot: A Han and Lando Novel (Del Rey, April 17, 2018), Daniel Jose Older
This upcoming novel focuses on a young Han Solo and his run-ins and adventures with Lando Calrissian – and it will be published just in time for the new film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, to be released on May 25th. Read this one for a sneak-peak into Han Solo’s background story before the movie comes out.
Star Wars: Phasma (Del Rey, April 24, 2018), Delilah S. Dawson
Phasma focuses on Captain Phasma, perhaps the most ruthless officer in the First Order. For all the fear, awe, and terror that Phasma inspires in both her enemies, and those who fight alongside her, not much is known of the person underneath the helmet. Here, we see lines drawn in the sand as one person searches for the key to Phasma’s past, and threatens to unleash her fury like never before.
Thrawn: Alliances (Del Rey, July 24, 2018), Timothy Zahn
The sequel to the original Thrawn book, this book from New York Times best-selling author Timothy Zahn continues to follow General Admiral Thrawn as he rises through the ranks to become one of the most feared, ruthless and cunning warriors of the Empire – and as he meets the man who will one day become Darth Vader himself.
Star Wars: Most Wanted (Disney Lucasfilm Press, June 5, 2018), Rae Carson
Years before Leia, Han and Luke ever had their adventures together, and even before Solo: A Star Wars Story, Han and Qi’ra are just street kids on an industrial planet, doing whatever they can to just get by and survive. Each jumps at the chance to work for various underground criminal lords, until they one day discover that they’re working for the same person, on the same job. When things go disastrously wrong, they find themselves having to learn to trust the other, if they want to keep on surviving.
Star Wars: Canto Bight ( Del Rey, May 29, 2018), Saladin Ahmed, Rae Carson, Mira Grant, John Jackson Miller
Welcome to Canto Bight, a casino city where everyone is welcome. Visitors from all over come to risk everything they have to try and make their fortune. But one evening, four lives come together, connected by corruption, danger, and duplicity in the bright and shiny city. Dreams can become reality – but only when the stakes are higher than ever.
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny ( IDW Publishing, April 24, 2018), Elsa Charretier, Jody Houser
This graphic novel is about the women! Featuring stories of Leia, Rey, Padme, Rose and so many more, each section takes you on a different adventure you won’t be forgetting any time soon. Every corner of the universe, and every different narrative and media of Star Wars is in here – a definite must-read.
Star Wars: The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear Disney Lucasfilm Press (May 29, 2018), Tom Angleberger
Ever wanted to see what Chewbacca got up to on his own? Now’s your chance – this narrative is an adventure centered on Chewbacca, where things go seriously wrong when he takes on what he thought was just a simple job. Now, with his two companions – one of which is rebel spy droid K-2SO – they’re in the middle of nowhere and have to fight to survive – and save Han Solo.
Check out the trailer for the new film, Solo:
