{"title":"James Luceno","description":"James Luceno is the New York Times bestselling author of the Star Wars novels Darth Plagueis, Millennium Falcon, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, Cloak of Deception, and Labyrinth of Evil,  as well as the New Jedi Order novels Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial and Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse, The Unifying Force,  and the eBook Darth Maul: Saboteur. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife and youngest child.","products":[{"product_id":"tarkin-star-wars-paperback","title":"Tarkin: Star Wars - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBestselling \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e veteran James Luceno gives Grand Moff Tarkin the \u003ci\u003eStar Wars: Darth Plagueis\u003c\/i\u003e treatment, bringing the legendary character from \u003ci\u003eA New Hope\u003c\/i\u003e to full, fascinating life. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHe'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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eRule through the fear of force rather than force itself, \u003c\/i\u003ehe 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eUntil 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eTarkin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eTarkin\u003c\/i\u003e tells a compelling tale of mystery while revealing much about a character who has fueled debate among fans since 1977, as well as the oppressive regime he represents. [James] Luceno has proven once again that the villains of \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e are as much fun as the good guys.\"\u003cb\u003e--New York \u003ci\u003eDaily News\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Another home run in the new canon . . . This is the highest and best distillation of Tarkin stories, old and new, we've ever been given.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBig Shiny Robot\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"A spectacular novel, with the intrigue, action, and profound characterization we have come to expect from the pen of Luceno . . . [\u003ci\u003eTarkin\u003c\/i\u003e] provides a nuanced, multi-faceted anti-hero who is captivating, ominous, and calculating; in many ways, this is an origin tale of the Empire [and] a fascinating portrait of one of the more popular characters in the Original Trilogy. It may very well be one my favorite \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e novels.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eCoffee with Kenobi\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"A fascinating look at the pathos of one of the galaxy's most criminally underused characters.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eTheForce.net\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50101939175647,"sku":"9780593975381","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/78GANhONE29780593975381.webp?v=1781075923"},{"product_id":"dark-lord-star-wars-legends-the-rise-of-darth-vader-paperback","title":"Dark Lord: Star Wars Legends: The Rise of Darth Vader - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnakin Skywalker-the Chosen One-is dead. In his place rises Darth Vader, who now hunts what Jedi survived the desctruction of their temple on Coruscant.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e From the site of Anakin Skywalker's last stand-on the molten surface of the planet Mustafar, where he sought to destroy his friend and former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi-a fearsome specter in black has risen. Once the most powerful Knight ever known to the Jedi Order, he is now a disciple of the dark side, a lord of the dreaded Sith, and the avenging right hand of the galaxy's ruthless new Emperor. Seduced, deranged, and destroyed by the machinations of the Dark Lord Sidious, Anakin Skywalker is dead . . . and Darth Vader lives. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWord of the events that created him-the Jedi Council's failed mutiny against Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the self-crowned Emperor's retaliatory command to exterminate the Jedi Order, and Anakin's massacre of his comrades and Masters in the Jedi Temple-has yet to reach all quarters. On the Outer Rim world of Murkhana, Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak and Padawan Olee Starstone are leading a charge on a Separatist stronghold, unaware that the tide, red with Jedi blood, has turned suddenly against them. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen the three narrowly elude execution-and become the desperate prey in a hunt across space-it's neither clone soldiers, nor the newly deployed stormtroopers, nor even the wrath of the power-hungry Emperor himself they must fear most. The deadliest threat rests in the hideously swift and lethal crimson lightsaber of Darth Vader-behind whose brooding mask lies a shattered heart, a poisoned soul, and a cunning, twisted mind hell-bent on vengeance. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor the handful of scattered Jedi, survival is imperative if the light side of the Force is to be protected and the galaxy somehow, someday reclaimed. Yet more important still is the well-being of the twin infants, Leia and Luke Skywalker, the children of Anakin and his doomed bride, Padm? Amidala. Separated after Padm?'s death, they must be made safe at all costs, lest the hope they represent for the future be turned to horror by the new Sith regime-and the unspeakable power of the dark side.","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50103679779039,"sku":"9780593974322","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/nUjJfdIZ_b9780593974322.webp?v=1781097427"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/james-luceno.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}