Star Wars - Cloak Of Deception

James Luceno
The Ballantine Publishing Group
Published in United States - Jul 2002
First Mass Market Edition (Paperback)
344 Pages Link

Star Wars - Cloak of Deception, by James Luceno falls first in the timeline of published novels. The novel is placed about thirty two and a half years before Star Wars: A New Hope (IV Episode), the movie. Or on an easier scale, it is placed just before Star Wars Episode I: Phantom Menace. Valorum holds the title of Supreme Chancellor and Palpatine is gathering allies to run for that title.

I do not prefer to summarize much here, because that would spoil the read if you intend to do it. The novel introduces Darth Maul, and his master Darth Sidious. It also portrays the nefarious intent of Nute Gunray, who, by the end of the novel, heads the Trade Federation with the help of Darth Sidious 'coaxing' his competitors. It also involves the Master and the Padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, trying to foil the assassination attempt on Chancellor Valorum. It lays all the bricks required and starts a couple of threads in the Galactic Republic that seem to conclude way up to Episode III.

Overall, it is a good starter for someone not already reading any sci-fi literature. It does not contain many of the planetary-scaled or system-scaled scenes that are too common in Star Wars literature. It is more of a political drama driven by a good mix of action and adventure.