Lauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One- A Star Wars Story.

War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine's top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic's, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key.

Galen's energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic's debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity- to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor's tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic's web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.

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Product details

Paperback : 384 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1784750060
ISBN-10 : 1784750069
Dimensions : 12.9 x 3.1 x 19.8 cm
Publisher : ARROW LTD - MASS MARKET (29 May 2017)
Language: : English

Best Sellers Rank: 55,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 1,368 in Galactic Empire Science Fiction
- 1,375 in Space Fleet Science Fiction
- 1,443 in Fantasy Action & Adventure

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1,097 ratings

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Filled with pace, Huffington Post

the perfect handover to Rogue One, SFX

A captivating tale, The Flickering Myth

An interesting story, and is a solid addition to the Star Wars Book shelf…There is a deep value to this book, Astromech Journal

You simply have to read this book, Star Wars Codex

Book Description

Lauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One- A Star Wars Story.

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Grandmaster Yoda

A Good Read

Reviewed in Australia on 14 February 2019

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Honestly one of the weaker stories in my lineup of Star Wars novels. However I still very much enjoyed the read and it was interesting to read about Galen's motivations and his relationship with Orson. 4 stars.

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Anthony

a great read, short and sweet, but lacking detail

Reviewed in Australia on 13 August 2018

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This is primarily the story of how Galen got to where he starts in Rogue One. It's a great read, easy to get into and doesn't ask much of the reader. Typical Star Wars fare, it doesn't really add much to Rogue One, or answer any burning questions, but its a good standalone story

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Kevin Aston Hoey

A fine prequel

Reviewed in Australia on 15 October 2018

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This was a strong canonical story that sets up the foundation for the Rogue One Star Wars film. It provides a firm character base for the villain Orson Krennic as well as the Ersos and Tarkin.

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Emma

Great read

Reviewed in Australia on 28 November 2016

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Discovering the back story to the film and the events surrounding it, this book really helped set the tone and only hypes me up further for the book. I love the direction the Star Wars universe is going in terms of creating new lore and introducing us to the massive universe that it is.

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Pete Thomas

Really adds to the R1 Story

Reviewed in Australia on 14 January 2017

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Makes a lot of things fun on the movie a lot clearer, really a very different SW novel, a great read.

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Amazon Customer

Great lead into Rogue One!

Reviewed in Australia on 8 December 2016

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Great read for a lead into Rogue One... not a literary masterpiece but a fun read any way.... if you like the Star Wars universe you're going to enjoy!

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Peter

Good read

Reviewed in Australia on 18 December 2016

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good read glad I purchased the book I know anyone reading this will not be disappointed. all the best in the future

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Brian MacCarthy

Good backstory for the movie

Reviewed in Australia on 26 November 2016

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A good introduction to the movie characters. A family drama and a bit of political intrigue but not much else. No Vader, no Palpatine.

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Alaran

Death Star rising

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 June 2017

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Spanning a period consisting of a good portion of the Clone Wars and the early years of the Empire, ‘Catalyst’ charts the lives of several of the key characters from ‘Rogue One’.

For the most part, this means the focus is upon the relationship between Galen Erso and Orson Krennic; how their friendship has developed into Krennic manipulating Galen into working for the Empire. Opposed to this route is Lyra, who after her brief appearance in ‘Rogue One’ is a fully-fledged character in this novel. A fair portion of ‘Catalyst’ is involved with the power struggle between Lyra and Krennic over Galen. Somehow this leads to them becoming much more interesting characters than Galen himself. The bulk of the inspiration for this clearly comes from the brief flashback sequence in the early stages of ‘Rogue One’. Jyn, of course, is too young during this time to play any significant role.

Krennic’s rivalry with Tarkin is another key element. However, there is nothing really here that you don’t get from the film. There is some effort at creating an atmosphere of political intrigue but it doesn’t quite come across. Neither Vader nor the Emperor make an appearance. Instead Mas Amedda sort of fills in for them in representing the Empire’s leadership, giving him, perhaps, his largest role in a Star Wars story.

Has is an interesting addition to the characters that actually works quite well. He facilitates getting the other characters positioned and suggests the beginnings of the rebel alliance and its early formation.

Of course, in the background looms the development of the Death Star and this is still its story. Even at its conception it is a continual presence that consumes the lives of the novel’s main characters many years before it is ready to be unleashed upon the galaxy.

‘Catalyst’ is a well written but not a hugely eventful novel. It provides a good piece of groundwork for Rogue One’, but it is also a fairly unnecessary one. There is very little in this book that cannot be inferred from what is seen in the film and the storyline is much as might expect.

What is, perhaps, most interesting about the novel are the connections linking the Clone Wars to the formation of the Empire in how Palpatine uses that conflict to continue to instil enough fear into the populace of the galaxy to enable him to get his own way by cleverly associating the Rebels with the Separatists. It makes Palpatine’s achievement of taking over the galaxy even more impressive as you can see how he has sown seeds to maintain Sith domination far past his own existence.

6 people found this helpful

Mr. R. Walker

but if you are looking for a novel that significantly enhances your appreciation for Rogue One then this is perfect. I loved this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 July 2017

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If you are looking for a SW novel with a lot of action then this may not be for you, but if you are looking for a novel that significantly enhances your appreciation for Rogue One then this is perfect.

I loved this book. It really gave me a sense of satisfaction when seeing the events of Rogue One unfurl when I watched it again. I think this novel may help solidify Krennic's position as one of the most fascinating members of the Galactic empire.

5 people found this helpful

All aboard the Death Star

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2017

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A good novel, possibly not as good as Tarkin. It starts off during the Clone Wars and finishes with the early days of the glorious Empire. Primary antagonist Director Krennic features far more here than Rogue One and after reading this it seems he was under utilised in the otherwise excellent movie. Slightly disappointed that Vader and Palpatine only make brief cameos. Plenty of back story on the mighty Death Star. Its an essential if, like me, you like the darker side of the SW galaxy.

2 people found this helpful

Rob Kemp

James Luceno at this best.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2018

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Despite other ‘reviews’, I actually value this intro into the complex relationship between Orson and Galen in Rogue One, otherwise the latter doesn’t actually make sense.
Nor does Lyra’s animosity towards their previously presumed ‘benefactor’
Orson is a self-serving schemer whereas Tarkin is more calculated and gets the job done.
Have to say, love Tarkin’s character and nice that there wasn’t an unnecessary cameo by the likes of Vader etc.
The story is kept tight around the main protagonists and never runs out of steam.

Ashley

Must-Read for Rogue One Fans

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 December 2017

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The Krennic-Erso-Tarkin triangle this book constructs is satisfying as heck; if you like Imperial backstabbing and bureaucracy, this is for you -- and not just Imperial either, as the first third of this book takes place during the Clone Wars and there are plenty of interesting throwbacks to the series. The kyber crystal meta sprinkled throughout is fascinating (Luceno shines in all the more technical aspects really) as is the exploration of Geonosian hive culture. A great addition to the new canon that gets the tone just right.

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