Cloak of Deception
 | |
| Author | James Luceno |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Steven Anderson |
| Language | English |
| Series | Canon C |
| Subject | Star Wars |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
Publication date | Hardcover: June 1, 2001 Paperback: June 25, 2002 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Hardcover & Paperback |
| Pages | Hardcover: 342 Paperback: 368 |
| ISBN | 0-345-44298-9 (hardcover) ISBN 0-345-44297-0 (paperback) |
| Preceded by | Darth Maul: Saboteur |
| Followed by | Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter |
Cloak of Deception is a 2001 novel set in the Star Wars galaxy. It is a prequel novel occurring before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The book was written by James Luceno. The cover art was by Steven Anderson. The book takes place 32.5 years before Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Narration for the audio version was performed by Alexander Adams. The paperback version included a 15-page excerpt of Enemy Lines: Rebel Dream.
Synopsis
[edit]The Galactic Republic is in a state of decline, mired in greed and corruption and tangled in bureaucracy. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over—while back in the comfort of Coruscant, the hub of civilized space and seat of Republic government, few senators seem inclined to investigate the problem. And those who suspect Supreme Chancellor Valorum of having a hand in the machinations are baffled—especially when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on the Chancellor.
With the crisis escalating, Valorum calls for an emergency trade summit. As humans and aliens gather, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation, who have entered into a shadowy alliance with the Sith lord Darth Sidious. While the Federation will be content with more money and fewer problems, Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans.
Writing
[edit]While writing the novel, Luceno was granted access to parts of the screenplay drafts and concept art of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. As such, Cloak of Deception marked the first appearance in the series' chronological timeline of almost all of the new characters from Attack of the Clones, including the Techno Union, and other Separatists.
Opening crawl
[edit]The back cover of the book features an opening crawl similar to those at the beginning of the Star Wars films:
After a thousand generations of peace, the Galactic Republic is crumbling. On Coruscant, at the center of civilized space, greed and corruption riddle the Senate, beyond even the abilities of Supreme Chancellor Valorum to remedy. And in the outlying systems, the Trade Federation dominates the hyperlanes with its gargantuan vessels.
But now even the Trade Federation finds itself assailed from all quarters, preyed upon by pirates and raiders, and victimized by terrorists, who demand an end to the Federation's tyrannical practices.
It is a time that tests the mettle of all those who strive to hold the Republic together—none more than the Jedi Knights, who have long been the Republic's best hope for preserving peace and justice…
Reception
[edit]SF Site summarized: "Star Wars: Cloak of Deception is a good sci-fi book and a decent political thriller."[1]
The novel reached number ten on Billboard's and Publishers Weekly's bestseller lists,[2][3] number twelve on The New York Times Best Seller list,[4] and number nine on The Wall Street Journal's list.[5][6]
References
[edit]- ^ Maddox, David (2001). "Reviews - Star Wars: Cloak of Deception". SF Site. Archived from the original on December 24, 2001. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ "books & music - top books - NATIONAL TOP 10 - FICTION". The Item. Vol. 106, no. 235. Sumter, South Carolina: Osteen Publishing Co. June 8, 2001. p. 11A.
Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's edition of "Billboard" magazine [...] 10. "Star Wars: Clock of Deception" by James Luceno
- ^ "Best sellers - Hardcover fiction". The Sunday Gazette. Schenectady, New York: The Daily Gazette Co. June 17, 2001. p. G5.
10. "Star Wars: Clock of Deception" by James Luceno [...] Publishers Weekly
- ^ "BEST SELLERS: June 17, 2001". The New York Times Book Review. The New York Times Company. June 17, 2001. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
12 1 CLOAK OF DECEPTION, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.)
- ^ "Best-Selling Books". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. June 8, 2001. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
The Wall Street Journal's list of best-selling books for the week ended June 2. [...] Fiction [...] 9 Cloak of Deception, James Luceno/Del Ray
{{cite web}}: horizontal tab character in|quote=at position 102 (help) - ^ "General Bestsellers - HARDCOVERS". Locus. Vol. 47, no. 488. September 2001. p. 69.
N Y Times Bk Review: 12, Publishers Weekly: 10, Wall St. Journal: 9
External links
[edit]- Amazon.com Listing
- Official CargoBay Listing
- Cloak of Deception on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki