The Living Force is an adult novel by John Jackson Miller set in the year before Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. It was published on April 9, 2024 in hardcover, audiobook and ebook format and focuses on Qui-Gon Jinn, his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the twelve members of the Jedi Council.

Publisher's summary[]

In the year before The Phantom Menace, Yoda, Mace Windu, and the entire Jedi Council confront a galaxy on the brink of change.

The Jedi have always traveled the stars, defending peace and justice across the galaxy. But, the galaxy is changing, and along with it, the Jedi Order. More and more, the Order finds itself focused on the future of the Republic, secluded on Coruscant, where the twelve members of the Jedi Council weigh crises on a galactic scale.

As yet another Jedi Outpost leftover from the Republic's golden age is set to be decommissioned on the planet Kwenn, Qui-Gon Jinn challenges the Council about the increasing isolation of the Order. Mace Windu suggests a bold response: all twelve Jedi Masters will embark on a goodwill mission to help the planet, and remind the people of the galaxy that the Jedi remain as stalwart and present as they have been across the ages.

But the arrival of the Jedi leadership is not seen by all as a cause for celebration. Warring pirate factions have infested the sector in the increasing absence of the Jedi. To maintain their dominance, the pirates unite, intent on assassinating the Council. And they are willing to destroy countless innocent lives to secure their power.

Cut off from Coruscant, the Jedi Masters must reckon with an unwelcome truth: that while no one thinks more about the future than the Jedi Council, nobody needs their help more than those living in the present.

Plot summary[]

Part One: The Jedi Retreat[]

Jedi lives[]

A disguised Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi travel aboard a crowded civilian freighter called the Regal Zephyr, which is transporting migrants from the Slice to Coruscant via the Ootmian Pabol hyperlane. Kenobi shares his food pouch with a migrant family. Three would-be pirates–a Houk, a Klatooinian and a Devaronian known as The Lobber–attempt to hijack the ship. Jinn exposes his Jedi cover by using the Force to save a human woman Leerah's toddler daughter from falling. The Jedi use mind tricks to persuade the pirates to surrender and confine themselves to a cargo hold until the end of the journey.

Following the hijacking attempt, Jinn and Kenobi take the opportunity to befriend the other passengers, many of whom are economic migrants from the Outer Rim Territories. Leerah and her husband come from the planet Tharben, a former Galactic Republic and Jedi outpost near Hutt Space which has come under the influence of criminal syndicates. They also meet another ill passenger seeking medical treatment offworld. Jinn promises to vouch for the migrants once they reach Coruscant.

Later at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Jinn helps Master Eeth Koth to sort out documents from the shuttered Jedi outpost on Ord Jannak including a catering bill from a Hutt visit. A recent member of the Jedi High Council, Koth had been tasked with evaluating documents from Jedi outposts that the Jedi Order had closed down.

Meanwhile, Master Plo Koon leads a work crew in repairing a ship at the Jedi Temple's hangar. When one of the repulsorlift generators stops working, causing the ship to descends, Koon uses the Force to protect the workers from being crushed. He is joined by Saesee Tiin who was working elsewhere in the hangar. Shortly later, Padawan Kenobi enters the hangar on behalf of Master Jinn, who has requisitioned a shuttle for the recent migrants from the Slice, who can't afford the fare to travel to the migrant center on the other side of Coruscant. Since the Jedi Order is unable to loan a shuttle, the droid maintenance specialist Heezo lends Kenobi a friend's luxury hoverbus to help the migrants.

At the Great Western Sea on Coruscant, Master Yaddle and Jinn various legal cases facing the Jedi including Padawan Yash Helgan's accident on Corellia. The Galactic Courts of Justice generally hold that Jedi are not liable for events that occur during their official duties within the Republic's boundaries. Meanwhile, Masters Yoda and Adi Gallia meet with Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum and Senator Palpatine to discuss various issues including several donated pallets from the Hafernians for the Jedi Order, which the Jedi reluctantly accept . Following the meeting, Master Jinn meets with Yoda and Gallia to discuss matters from his recent trip from the Slice.

Pirates[]

At the Riftwalker Compound on Keldooine, the Nautolan pirate Zilastra and her associates including the Feeorin Burlug and the human child Kylah Lohmata hijack and take over the freighter Morleen. Outgunned, the freighter owner surrenders but is killed by Zilastra. The pirate gang then take over the freighter and its cargo of four million liters of industrial acid, bound for Introsphere on the planet Gorse. The pirates find three stowaways hiding in one of the empty tanks.

These stowaways turn out to be the three would-be pirates who attempted to hijack the Regal Zephyr. Regarding them as loses, Zilastra considers throwing the stowaways into an acid tank until Lobber tells them about his encounter with the Jedi. After Kylah verifies their story that the Jedi defeated them without deactivating their lightsabers, Zilasta allows the three criminals to join her Riftwalkers gang. The Riftwalkers also kill members of the Morleen's crew who refuse to join them, dumping their bodies into acid tanks. Zilastra also sends Kylah to gather information about the Jedi from the Regal Voyager facility in the spaceport. Kylah takes the opportunity to reveal her new "bodyguard," a street thief known as "Hotwire."

The Council meeting[]

Back at the Jedi Temple, Masters Ki-Adi-Mundi and Yarael Poof give several Jedi Initiates a lightsaber dueling lesson in the Temple's training area. Kenobi visits the class, asking for donated clothes, toys and bedsheets to donate to the economic migrants from the Slice. Mundi and Proof agree to purchase new items for the migrants. Meanwhile, Master Jinn meets with Master Mace Windu to discuss organizing a Jedi Council meeting regarding recent events on their route back from Ord Jannak. Windu recalls that this is the corridor where Master Depa Billaba is currently operating.

Meanwhile on Keldooine, Kylah meets with "Hotwire" and arranges for her to drop her near the East Spaceport again. Kylah had encountered the enigmatic Hotwire, who had helped her escape a group of thieves. Kylah pays Hotwire in Republic credits. After dropping Kylah at her destination, Hotwire removes her helmet, revealing herself as Master Billaba. She contacts the Jedi Council, responding to a summons. Billaba had posed as a speeder thief in order to investigate the pirate gangs troubling that region. Realizing that Kylah was a Riftwalkers courier, Billaba had made herself indispensable as her driver and bodyguard.

At the Jedi Council meeting, the Jedi leadership discusses Master Even Piell's visit to Yitabo at the request of Chancellor Valorum. Jinn takes the opportunity to talk about the economic hardship and crime caused by corporations relocating their operations from the Slice. Master Billaba agrees with Jinn, explaining that she is investigating the roots of piracy with the help of the Judicial Forces' Diplomatic Fleet. Jinn expresses concerns about the Jedi Order's withdrawal from outlying worlds and centralization on Coruscant. The Jedi Council then discusses the planned closure of several outposts including the Kwenn Jedi outpost, which has been open for nearly 200 years. Windu proposes that the Jedi Council visit the planet Kwenn as a goodwill mission to reassure the local population that the Republic and Jedi still care for them and then determine whether to close the outpost. The Council endorses the plan.

Back at Keldooine's Shipping District, Kylah is pursued by six armed security droids. Outgunned, the undercover Billaba uses the Force to collapse several abandoned shipping containers into the droids' paths behind Kylah. The two then escape in their speeder as the security droids open fire on the vehicle. After escaping the spaceport, Kylah recounts her adventure to Billaba. Arriving at Kylah's hovel, Billaba takes the opportunity to visit the storage room while Kylah gets changed. She finds a carrying case from the Regal Voyager passenger liner, which is empty. As the two heard to Jammah's Place for a meal, Billaba discovers she has received a hologram message from Master Windu.

Back at the Jedi Temple, Windu awaits Billaba's response while understanding that she cannot maintain regular contact with the Jedi due to her undercover work. As the Jedi Council members prepare their ships for traveling to Kwenn, Windu speaks with Master Yoda about his concerns for Billaba's well-being since she has stayed for an unusually long-time with the Republic's anti-piracy mission following the death of Xaran Raal. He tells Yoda that he will join the Republic task force she is working with since he senses through the Force that she is in danger. The two agree to rendezvous on Kwenn.

Part Two: Good Works[]

Return to Kwenn[]

Master Oppo Rancisis travels to Kwenn. Centuries earlier, Rancisis had spearheaded the Grand Renewal, which saw the decontamination of Kwenn's polluted environment and the construction of the Gem Cities of Kwenn. This project had facilitated the restoration of Kwenn from a polluted, mining world into an oceanic paradise. As he descends into the planet's atmosphere, Rancisis is dismayed that pollution and poverty has returned to the planet. Rancisis lands at the Kwenn Jedi outpost, which is carved into Sanctuary Mount, a promontory above the mound city of Capital Key. The serpentine Jedi Master is greeted by the elderly Bimm caretaker Seneschal Voh, who is happy to meet an old friend. While Voh is concerned that the Jedi Order plans to shut down the Kwenn outpost, Rancisis reassures him that the Jedi will only consider the decision once they have held a celebration on Kwenn to commemorate the Grand Renewal.

Meanwhile on Keldooine, Billaba reluctantly helps Kylah infiltrate the Regal Voyager hub facility through smoke bombs and by serving as her getaway driver. Billaba notices that Kylah has been stealing empty SecuriCase brand cases for the Riftwalkers for some unspecified reason. During one of their heists, they are attacked by members of a rival gang known as the Staved Skulls. The Skulls are in turn mowed down by the Riftwalkers led by Zilastra, who initially mistakes Billaba for a threat. However, Kylah vouches for "Hotwire" and explains that she is her getaway driver. While Zilastra is reluctant take Billaba into her gang, she manages to convince the pirate leader by unlocking a safe containing the stolen cases. Billaba intends to infiltrate the Riftwalkers.

At Kwenn's Essafa Key, Master Even Piell learns from the local tourism adviser that the island is infested with delinquent youths who are not attending school. After encountering the former truant officer, Piell decides to meet the youths himself. When a group of youths carry him, Piell takes the opportunity to demonstrate his Force powers and lightsaber. He invites them for a talk about the Jedi inside a classroom with the promises of free lunches from Yitabo, which were meant for the Jedi outpost.

Elsewhere, Master Windu is traveling aboard the Judicial Forces corvette Assurance, which is under the command of Captain Pell Baylo. Windu learns that Baylo has been working with Billaba's anti-piracy operations. While Billaba had been travelling aboard the Assurance, she had rendezvoused with a civilian shuttle ten days ago, which took her to Keldooine. Baylo also commands several young cadets including an eleven-year old Maximilian Veers. When Windu notices that several of the cadets are children, Baylo counters that the Jedi recruits many younglings. Windu offers several Jedi Padawans as crew but Baylo insists that the Jedi have their own ships since he thinks the Jedi "expect everyone to drop everything" for their missions. Before the Assurance can confront an approaching Riftwalker warship, Veers informs Windu and Baylo about an incoming transmission from Chancellor Valorum and Senator Palpatine for Windu.

Difficult times[]

Masters Koon and Tiin arrive at Capital Key Spaceport. Koon finds that the planet's air quality has deteriorated and they also find several families waiting to board starships offworld. The two Jedi hire the services of a droid taxi driver known as SK-89 to take them to the Bivall Colony. On way, their vehicle is pursued and attacked by several vehicles full of angry locals. SK-89 explains that the mob is after him for being a droid.

Aboard the Randomizer, Zilastra reflects on her upbringing as a refugee in Hutt Space before becoming the leader of an interstellar pirate band. Shortly later, Kylah returns from a raid on a Vile pirate ship with "Hotwire," Ghor, Wungo, and the Lobber. Zilastra uses a game with five pieces to explain that their gang is one of five crime syndicates operating in the Slice. Zilastra allows Kylah to reprogramme the code phrase for the of the stolen Regal Voyager cases.

After meeting with the locals, Koon and Tiin learn that the locals are angry that several business managers including Fraxa have replaced organic drivers with droids. The two Jedi mediate the dispute between the managers and unemployed drivers by proposing that they hire the drivers to drive vehicles to clear the refuse from the streets and repurpose the droids as trash collectors. Tiin also offers the services of the Jedi in repairing droids that were damaged by the rioters.

Back aboard the Assurance, Master Windu waits for Master Billaba to respond, having not received any communication from her for a long time. Baylo had convinced him not to search the crime-ridden world of Keldooine. The Assurance escorts a cargo ship called the Regal Hopper which is carrying grains from Yitabo to Keldooine. While discussing pirate techniques, Windu is contacted by Padawan Kenobi, who is helping Master Jinn intercede for a few passengers on the Regal Zephr. Kenobi tells Windu and Baylo that they released the three pirates on Randon since Master Jinn deemed them harmless. Windu and Baylo discuss threats to the Regal Voyager line from pirates.

At Sanctuary Mount, Masters Koth and Rancicis notice that several items in the Sanctuary Mount's library have gone missing. They question the caretaker Voh, who confirms that he hired a female exterminator to deal with an infestation of egralla mites that have plagued the library's data devices. The exterminator had advised Voh to absent himself from the library for several days while she carried out her exterminator work. The Jedi conclude that the exterminator stole items from the Jedi outpost's library.

On Kwenn, Master Koth travels to the Lamplighter Boutique, an emporium on the fourth terrace of Kinnawah Key in an attempt to find the stolen objects from the Kwenn Jedi outpost. Koth seeks out the proprietor Hadden Shrag but instead finds his wife Pogee Shrag, who is fostering several furry Boolah kits. Pogee says that her husband Hadden is recuperating on a nearby moon. When Koth asks about materials that had been sold by a former exterminator from the northern shore, Pogee is uncooperative but says that the seller brought a boolah with them. As he leaves, Koth finds several objects from the Jedi outpost including a datapad entitled The Wisdom of Master Fogo Charu, Jedi. When Koth confronts Pogee, she allows him to take back all the objects that were taken from the Jedi outpost. Later, Koth updates his fellow Jedi Masters including Jinn and asks for his help in managing the library at Sanctuary Mount.

Taking out the competition[]

While traveling aboard the Randomizer, Kylah introduces "Hotwire" to Ghor, Wungo, and The Lobber, who were moving creates under the supervision of IK-111. While chatting with the would-be pirates, Billaba learns that they had attempted to hijack a Regal Voyager ship for the Riftwalkers but were foiled by the Jedi. Billaba is also curious about Zilastra's intentions for the Regal Voyager cases. The pirates travel to the desert world of Valboraan, which has a cave system that hosts the Riftwalkers' base. Zilastra assigns "Hotwire" and Kylah with delivering the final SecuriCase case.

At the Riftwalkers' base on Valboraan, Zilasta hosts a holo-conference with the leaders of the four other Slice crime syndicates: Venom Vee of the Poisoned Blades, The Eviscerator of the Staved Skulls, Chief Executive Darwoh of the Filthy Credits, and Bobo of The Vile. Each of the crime bosses are accompanied by protocol droids holding sealed Regal Voyager cases. Zilastra tells the crime bosses that Regal Voyager has proposed that the crime syndicates not relaid their ships in return for receiving valuable treasures stored inside the cases. The crime bosses agree to the deal and the protocol droids each begin saying a word of the code phrase to open the cases: "Wookiee," "Spoon," "Turbo," "Lightning," and "Demise."

Zilastra utters the fifth word of the code phrase, which causes the other four cases to explode, killing the crime bosses. Burlug reveals that the Riftwalkers had rigged the other four cases with Baradium-357 explosives to eliminate their competitors. Zilasta reveals that she knows that Billaba is a Jedi, prompting her to use the code phrase "Peace, knowledge, serenity, harmony, Force" to unlock Zilasta's case, which contains her lightsaber. Billaba manages to take down Burlug and IK-111 but Zilastra forces her to surrender by taking Kylah hostage. Kylah is shocked to discover that "Hotwire" is a Jedi.

Back on Kwenn, Masters Yoda and Adi Gallia go for walk on the Paths of Harmony automated walkways near the Jedi outpost. There, they encounter a Sullustan performance relations manager named Lyal Lunn. The Jedi discuss plans to host a large celebration at Lunn's arena to mark the 200th anniversary of the Grand Renewal.

Meanwhile, the Assurance clashes with a Poisoned Blade warship in the Aklasian Nebula near the Ootmian route. Several Republic crew are injured during the skirmish, which ends with the pirate warship fleeing into hyperspace. While tending to the wounded, Windu and Baylo received news of several incidents including the bombing of a private space station in Poisoned Blade space, a starship explosion above Ord Jannak, the bombing of a skytower in Filthy Credits territory on Keldooine. A concerned Windu wants to go Keldooine, which was Master Billaba's last known whereabouts. However, Baylo is unwilling to put his crew in further damage and issues orders to focus on treated the injured and repairing the starship.

Seeds of the past[]

At Langdam Key, Master Mundi orders a Tasty Comet ice mound and then discusses plans to prepare lunches for 120,000 people for the upcoming Jedi celebration with a Sullustan vendor. While the vendor is initially shocked by the large order, Mundi reassures her that the Jedi Order will cover the bill. Shortly later, Mundi is caught up in a dispute between a Yarkora woman named Varralis and a Yarkora man named Aptorr. Mundi learns that Aptorr has been hiring Wookiee named Gartabba to operate his plant after hours without consulting Varralis. Mundi warns Aptorr to ensure that Varralis and Aptorr are compensated fairly.

At the Riftwalker headquarters, Kylah reflects on her childhood as an orphan who lost both her parents and was abandoned by her migrant colony at the age of nine years old. Kylah then spent time stowing aboard various ships until being adopted into Zilastra's pirate syndicate, treating her like family. Kylah is shocked that Zilastra had almost harmed her during the standoff with Hotwire. Kylah also feels betrayed that Hotwire was a traitor. After conversing with Ghor, Wungo and The Lobber, Kylah learns that Hotwire is a Jedi. Shortly later, they are joined by Zilastra. When Kylan confronts Zilastra about threatening to harm her, Zilastra said that she did what she had to do because they were fighting against a Jedi. Zilastra reveals that she is interrogating Hotwire in order to find out who she is.

Elsewhere on Kwenn, Yaddle rides through the Ring Cities on a speeder bike, which brings back memories of her role in planning the Grand Renewal. At Addoa Key, she meets Master Piell who has just finished an art class with local children. Yaddle then meets with a journalist named Morn from the local media outlet Kwenn Holofeed.

At the Riftwalker headquarters, Master Billaba is suspended by an immobilization beam. Zilastra sets up a table with sabacc cards. After Kylah enters the room, Zilastra reveals that Hotwire is actually Master Depa Billaba, a member of the Jedi Council. When Kylah confronts Billaba for lying, Billaba responds that she told the truth about being born on Chalacta. When Kylah asks Billaba what she is doing in the Slice, the Jedi Master responds that she was investigating the murder of her former Padawan Xaran Raal. When Billaba asks if Zilasta had a hand in her death, the pirate leader is evasive and likens her actions to a sabacc game.

Zilastra admits that there never was an arrangement with the Regal Voyager line but came up with the idea of using stolen suit cases from killing a courier. She tells Kylah and Billaba that stealing the Regal Voyager suitcases was part of her plot to take out the rival pirate syndicate. Kylah is horrified to learn that she contributed to the deaths of others. Zilastra intends to take advantage of the power vacuum to take over local piracy operations.

Zilastra then shares her background story with Kylah and Billaba. After her mother died in a mine collapse, Zilastra ended up in an orphanage with her two best friends. The three children were the only residents at the orphanage, under the care of a broken-down droid. Zilastra reveals that her bitterness towards the Jedi stems from a Jedi Master taking the other children to be trained as Jedi but leaving her behind. Abandoned, Zilastra ended up in the company of criminals, who were targeted by the Jedi. Billaba attempts to explain that the Jedi make mistakes but Zilastra is convinced the Jedi are evil.

When Billaba mentions that other people can help her out of a life of crime, Zilastra reveals that she had lost her hands during another pirate confrontation with several Jedi including Xaran Raal. Raal sliced off her hands with his lightsaber during that confrontation but she trapped him under a catwalk by detonating a grenade. After strangling Raal to death, Zilasta then had surgeon droids replace her hands with the late Raal's hands. Kylah is horrified to learn about Zilastra's ruthlessness. Zilastra reveals that she plans to expose Billaba to paralytic gas.

Preparations[]

Back on Kwenn, Yaddle takes part in a live interview with Remember Kwenn broadcaster Reezingrom Abbayav. Yaddle talks about the planned Jedi events at the upcoming bicentennial celebration of the Grand Renewal, which she likens to similar public events organised by the Jedi in places like Kublop Springs on the planet Tenoo. Reeze also questions Yaddle about the perceived contradiction between the Jedi serving the people and the Galactic Republic. During a commercial break, Yaddle chats with the sound engineer Morna and expresses concerns about rumors of the impending Jedi withdrawal from the planet. Yaddle comforts her by reassuring her about Jedi teachings about the Force and life. Kwenn's Senator Gabban also takes the opportunity to take credit for the Grand Renewal celebrations.

At the Riftwalker headquarters, Billaba convinces a reluctant Kylah to run away. Shortly later, Zilastra enters the torture chamber intent on exposing Billaba to the lethal paralytic gas. Before she can commence the operation, she is interrupted by an incoming transmission. From Burlug and Ventner, she learns that the rival four gangs have descended into infighting following the sudden deaths of their leaders. Zilastra contacts their successors including Chief Executive Linn of the Filthy Creds. After admitting her role in engineering the deaths of their leaders, she proposes a unified pirate band operating along the Ootmian Pabol route.

Meanwhile, Master Yarael Poof arrives at Brazatta Key on Kwenn. At the landing pad, he is met by Master Ki-Adi-Mundi. Brazatta Key is dominated by roving criminal gangs. When a member of the Staved Skull attempts to "gang tax" them, Poof uses a Jedi mind trick to convince the Skull to leave them and a nearby merchant alone. After questioning the Staved Skull, they learn that his boss is based in Gutson's Pub on Vorah Key, which is a neighboring island.

Elsewhere on Malbaira Key, Masters Koon and Rancisis assist locals in evacuating a beached teal oroko, a large fish, by using an improvising hovercraft. After refloating the oroko, they learn from a local naturalist that poachers have been illegally harvesting and selling polished minerals secreted by the oroko to the Filthy Creds. The two Jedi also discuss whether the Jedi are healers or teachers. While visiting Kinnawah Key, Masters Koth and Yaddle learn about the detrimental impact of gambling on the local community. Koth also strikes a friendly conversation with Inisa, a Falleen stringer for the Poisoned Blades gang. Koth also demonstrates his Force powers by levitating a cup. Despite their different views, Koth invites Inisa to keep in touch.

Trouble approaching[]

While traveling along the Ootmian Route, the Assurance is attacked by a twin-cockpit Staved Skulls hunter starship. The Assurance's deflector shields are down and the ship is unable to fire back due to its damaged main turbolaser cannon. Shortly later, a Vile cruiser exits hyperspace and attacks the Skulls starship. A Filthy Creds cruiser also appears and attacks the Skulls starship before attacking the Vile warship. The three enemy ships then disappear. Shortly later, Windu and Captain Baylo receive an incoming transmission from Master Jinn, who has received a hologram from Kylah telling them that the Riftwalkers have captured Master Billaba and are located on Valboraan. Master Windu tells Jinn and Kenobi to remain near Valboraan. Citing the history of the Republic Defense Coalition, Windu convinces Baylo to commit to a joint operation against the Riftwalkers.

At Vorah Key on Kwenn, Master Yarael uses his Jedi mind tricks to convince a Trandoshan to let him into a night club. Earlier, Yarael and Ki-Adi-Mundi had recovered several orokite nodules from poachers. He meets Mundi outside Gutson's Pub. The Jedi Master has disguised himself as a Staved Skull by festooning his head with small spikes, intending to infiltrate the pirate syndicate. The two Jedi also witness senior members of the Skulls and Filthy Credits gathering outside Gutson's Pub for a meeting with the Poisoned Blades. Mundi enters the pub to investigate.

At sunrise, Yoda and Gallia visit the Gala Key Arena to prepare for the upcoming celebration. Since the arena is not yet open, the two Jedi Masters approach a nearby alley. They walk into a confrontation between two groups. A Besalisk from the Vile gang and a Cathar from the Staved Skulls meet for a drug trade with a human driver, a cloaked Twi'lek and the Sullustan Lyal Lunn. However, the meeting descends into conflict and Lunn is stabbed with a poisoned blade. The two Jedi masters intervene and use their Force powers and combat skills to subdue the belligerents before local law enforcement arrive. Yoda meets with the injured Lunn, who admits to trafficking in illicit drugs in order to raise funds to buy a droid to assist his ailing father. Following the fight, Yoda leaves to inform Lunn's father about his son's death and to investigate the matter.

Rescuing Master Billaba[]

After several days hanging in a stasis field, Billaba faces Zilastra, who prepares to execute her. Billaba attempts to use the Force to reach a canister but lacks the strength to control it. Zilastra taunts her captive but their meeting is interrupted by turbolaser bombardment from the Baylo's Corellian corvette Assurance. With the interconnected starship decks comprising the pirate base falling apart, Billaba is able to escape from her stasis field into a nearby ventilation shaft. Zilastra vows to kill her.

Above, Windu flies his Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor with the Assurance, strafing the pirate gun emplacements. Windu and Baylo are joined by Jinn and Kenobi, who have arrived in a Jedi T-5 shuttle. Kylah contacts Windu via his comlink and calls for help. Windu directs Jinn and Kenobi to land their shuttle at her coordinates. Meanwhile, Zilastra manages to reunite with her underlings Burlug, Jodak, and Ventner, who reveal they are under attack from the Republic's Judicial Forces. Baylo radios the pirates, ordering them to surrender. Zilastra gives a defiant response and orders the Riftwalkers to e cape in their ships and head for the rendezvous point. She tells them that she intends to proceed with her planned attack against the Jedi.

Jinn and Kenobi land their T-5 shuttle on a small plateau near the top of the ridge above the pirate base. After informing Baylo about an active nearby turbolaser emplacement, the two Jedi enter the pirate base via a lava tube. Their mission is to rescue Billaba and Kylah. The two Jedi encounter the pirates Lobber and Ghor, whom they recognize from their earlier encounter aboard the Regal Zephyr. Ghor is about to reveal Billaba's location but Lobber threatens to throw a grenade.

After tracking Kylah's broadcast transmission, Windu parks his starfighter inside a sinkhole created by the aerial bombardment. Meanwhile, Zilastra and her team find Kylah hiding inside a manifold cover on the Randomizer's fuselage with Billaba's comlink. Zilastra realizes that Billaba has betrayed their location to the Republic and Jedi. Seizing the comlink, Zilastra sends a taunting message to the Jedi. Windu enters the cave and uses the Force to hurl rocks and disarm several Riftwalkers. After identifying himself, he tells them that he has come for Master Billaba.

Windu demands that the pirates surrender Master Billaba and Kylah. Zilastra claims that Billaba perished during the bombardment but the Jedi Master shows up and reveals that she is alive. Billaba demands the pirates surrender. However the Riftwalkers use Kylah as a hostage to force the Jedi to give them safe passage past Baylo's warship. Unwilling to see any harm come to Kylah, Billaba accedes to their demands and convinces a reluctant Windu to contact Baylo.

Meanwhile, Jinn confronts the pirates Lobber, Wungo and Ghor. When Lobber drops a thermal detonator, Jinn and Kenobi use the Force to sweep the grenade away. However, the grenade rolls down an arsenal shaft, triggering an explosion. While the Riftwalkers board their ship Randomizer, the explosion sweeps through the cavern, sending debris and rocks everywhere. Lobber, Wungo and Ghor manage to escape aboard the pirate ship with Zilastra and her followers. Windu and Billaba escape the cavern with the help of Jinn and Windu, who have commandeered Windu's Delta-7 starfighter.

Meanwhile on Kwenn, Yoda receives word from Windu that Billaba has been rescued. Honoring his promise to help Lyal Lunn, Yoda visits Lunn's father Erwen Lunn on the island of Addoa Key. Using the credits that Lyal had raised, Yoda purchases a medical droid for Erwen. Erwen talks about his life and family including his late wife choosing to remain on Kwenn rather than relocate to the Core Worlds. Gallia informs Yoda that Lyal is unconscious but undergoing treatment in hospital. Based on her investigation of the attack, Gallia surmises that the Poisoned Blades, Filthy Creds and other local crime syndicates are working together.

While recovering aboard the Assurance, Master Billaba resolves to rescue Kylah from the Riftwalkers. Veers discovers one of Zilastra's video transmissions of the pirate leader displaying her captive Billaba. While watching the video, Windu and Baylo notice that Zilastra is playing with several sabacc cards including "The Idiot." Windu recalls that the Jedi found that a sabacc card had been stuffed into Xaran Raal's mouth after uncovering his remains. Billaba is angry that Windu withheld this information from him. While Billaba wants to rescue Kylah, Windu insists that the Jedi bicentennial celebration on Kwenn takes priority. After studying the video of Zilastra displaying 11 Idiots cards, Billaba realizes that Zilastra plans to attack the Jedi celebration on Kwenn.

Part Three: The Council Rules[]

Preparing for war[]

Aboard the Randomizer, Zilastra hosts a holo-conference with the four would-be gang leaders of the rival syndicates as well as rivals within their organizations. She convinces them to support her attack on the Jedi bicentennial celebration on Kwenn and take over the planet. Her plan is to secede Kwenn, Keldooine, and Ord Jannak from the Republic and set up a new interstellar criminal state in the Slice. Zilastra envisions that the new state would be able to deal with other powers like the Trade Federation, the Mining Guild, and the Hutts.

Meanwhile, Masters Billaba and Windu brief the Jedi Council about the threat posed by the Riftwalkers and the allies. She believes that the five pirate syndicates are planning to attack Kwenn during the bicentennial celebration. Windu backs her up by revealing that the Republic corvette Assurance has spotted multiple sudden ceasefires between the rival bands prior to Yaddle's announcement of the celebration. Gallia shares information about a joint gang attack on an arena manager and the presence of Zilastra's Ithorian bomb maker Tokchi. At the urging of Billaba, the Jedi decide to proceed with the planned bicentennial celebrations but to take counter-measures against the pirates.

Zilastra and her crew infiltrate Kwenn, landing their ship Randomizer at Brazatta Key. There she meets with Tokchi aboard the Filthy Creds' barge Pelargic. Tokchi has successfully smuggled the final bomb-rigged Regal Voyager Case inside the Gala Key Arena where the Jedi plan to hold the celebration. Representatives from the Filthy Creds, Blades and Skulls claim responsibility for the attack on the arena manager, which served as a pretext for Tokchi to infiltrate the arena and plant the suitcase bomb. At the Gala Key Arena, Masters Koth, Rancisis, Yoda, and Poof enlist the help of the Twi'lek artist Hadaro and the Woostroid Remember Kwenn host Morna in preparing for the bicentennial celebration.

Foiling Zilastra's attack[]

On the day of the Jedi bicentennial celebration Zilastra, Burlug, and the leaders of the pirate bands watch a holographic feed of the celebration event at Gala Key Arena. Seven Jedi Council members including Yaddle, Rancisis, and Yoda speak at the arena. Yaddle reports that a storm system has appeared over Capital Key and its associated island chains. While the even will proceed, those outside the facility have been asked to remain in safety tenets provided by Aptorr Industries. After Rancisis gives a brief speech about the Grand Renewal, he introduces Master Yoda who gives a speech. Since the Jedi have learnt from Billaba that the code phrase "The Jedi stand with you" will activate the suitcase bomb, Yoda instead rewords the phrase to "With you, the Jedi stand." Since the words of the code phrase have to be exact, the suitcase bomb does not explode, ruining Zilasta's plans.

With her leadership challenged, Zilastra resolves to act put her backup plan into action. This involves infiltrating the Gala Key arena and planting an activated comlink with a pre-recorded code phrase near the suitcase. Before she can reach the suitcase, Zilastra is confronted by Billaba, who reveal that the Jedi have already discovered the bomb-rigged suitcase with the help of a broadcast engineer Yaddle befriended. Cornered, Zilastra contacts Burlug via comlink and orders him to kill the captive Kylah if the Jedi kill her. Billaba is not daunted by Zilastra's hostage tactics and demands that the pirate leader surrender. Zilastra reveals that the code-phrase was a signal for the syndicates to launch their attack on Kwenn.

After Zilastra leaves the arena, Yaddle and Yoda proceed with the next stage of their defensive. Due to the stormy weather, most of the local population had stayed at home. Those at the outdoor grounds had been evacuated on Kwikhaul vehicles to viewing centers on the other islands. Others outside the stadium were safely evacuated into Aptorr shelters. While several Jedi Masters depart to confront the approaching pirates, Yaddle briefs the crowd and the wider Kwenn population about the pirate attack. With the help of Morna, Yaddle gets citizens to tell stories of the Jedi helping Kwenn in the past to boost morale.

With the help of Koth's underworld contact Inisa, the Jedi foiled several plots by the pirate syndicates. Windu foiled a plot to poison the food supply of the Kwenn Space Station's crew while Windu foiled a Poisoned Blade plot to release paralytic gas at the Kwenn police barracks. Masters Koth and Piell confront several pirates who have disguised themselves as food vendors working for the Tasty Comet Frozen Confection Company. As a preemptive measure, the Jedi had removed the pirates' blasters and grenades from their storage cases. The two Jedi disarm a Gotal pirate before taking on his fellow associates.

Defending Kwenn[]

In space, the Randomizer leads a fleet of pirate ships to attack Kwenn. Windu and Baylo command the space battle from the Assurance, shooting down several pirate ships. Jinn and Kenobi depart from the Kwenn Space Station in pods to infiltrate the pirate flagship. Meanwhile, Zilastra and Burlug depart on the Pelagic's skiff with a bound and gagged Kylah. Elsewhere, Master Tiin flies his ARC-8 starfighter as a Vile flotilla of airspeeders heads towards the Middle Chain. Several airspeeders are downed by the storm.

Above Kwenn, Kenobi attaches his pod to the hull of the Randomizer. He infiltrates the Pelta-class frigate via its starboard docking port. Kenobi is soon joined by Master Jinn. Aboard the pirate flagship, they encounter Ghor, Wungo and Lobber, who have been outfitted with explosives for a mission to destroy the Education Ministry's building. The two Jedi convince the would-be pirates to switch sides after discovering that Zilastra has dispatched the trio on a suicide mission.

Elsewhere Zilastra, Burlug and an unwilling Kylah travel on their skiff through the streets of Capital Key. Arriving at Gala Key, Zilastra is dismayed to discover that the Jedi and local constables advancing on the criminal forces. Yoda and Yaddle use their lightsabers to deflect Zilastra's droid IK-111's blasts, disintegrating the droid. While Kylah is jubilant at the turning tide of the battle, Zilastra attempts to contact the pirate command center Pelagic but encounters interference. Despite the turning tide of the battle, Zilastra resolves to cleanse the planet of Jedi.

Meanwhile, Tiin uses Fraxa's vintage ARC-8 starfighter to down several pirate airspeeders. He then lands his ship at Gala Key where he confronts several insurgents gathering for a ground invasion. Meanwhile, Master Plo Koon organizes the evacuation of civilians and the deployment of Jedi and local law enforcement with the help of the livery drivers whom he had helped earlier in their employment dispute.

Elsewhere, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi has infiltrated the Pelagic, the luxury cruise ship serving as the headquarters of the pirates. While disabling the pirates' trunk communications line, he encounters the Vile leader Nanna Frouj. Believing him to be a crew member, she orders him to make a Mygeeto Icebomb. While entering the refrigeration unit, the cold air causes the adhesive holding his fake spikes to fall off. Frouj attacks him with a blade and they fight. After shoving her into the freezer, he contacts Yarael and confirms that the Pelagic is the pirate command center.

As the Jedi and Kwenn law enforcement gain the upper hand, Master Gallia convinces Yoda and Yaddle to encourage the pirates to surrender and avoid forcing them to make last stands. She hopes to minimize civilian casualties and to give the gang members a way out of their lives of crime. Yoda and Yaddle approve of her plan.

At sea, Rancisis discusses plans to take out the Pelagic with Masters Yarael and Ki-Adi-Mundi. Mundi informs them that the pirate leaders are fighting among themselves and searching for him. Rancisis rules out a turbolaser strike on the cruise ship to avoid civilian casualties. Coming up with another plan, he enlists the help. Through the Force, Rancisis communicates with the oroko Kooroo-coo and several of his kind and convinces them to take out the Pelagic's repulsorlift generators. The sea creatures pursue the luxury ship, damaging its generators and causing it to crash. Witnessing the disabling of the Pelagic and the routing of her pirate forces, Zilastra decides to attack the Kwenn Jedi outpost.

Aboard the Randomizer, Jinn and Kenobi find the Yinchorri pilot Jodak in the bridge. The two Jedi convince Jodak and the flight crew to clear the bridge by revealing that their new-found allies Lobber, Ghor and Wungo have planted timed explosives throughout the ship. When Jodak protests at the hijacking, Jinn counters that the frigate once belonged to someone else. Lobber, Ghor and Wungo take over the bridge with the support of the Jedi.

Zilastra's last fight[]

On Kwenn, Billaba has spent much of the battle searching for Zilastra and Kylah. With the pirates routed, she helps her fellow Jedi and the local authorities restore order and assist the civilian population. Windu arrives with news that the Assurance and Kwenn Space Station have broken the pirate siege of Kwenn. Shortly later, the Jedi receive a report of a repulsorlift skiff climbing Sanctuary Mount. The Jedi realize that Zilastra is planning to attack the Jedi outpost. Billaba leaves on Windu's Delta-7 starfighter to stop Zilastra and rescue Kylah.

With much difficulty, Zilastra's repulsorlift skiff reaches the landing leading to the outpost's doorway. After accosting the caretaker Voh, Zilastra questions him about the location of the Regal Voyager case. Voh confirms that the bomb-rigged suitcase is inside the Kwenn Jedi outpost. Billaba soon arrives on Windu's Delta-7 starfighter. After setting the starfighter on hover mode, she enters the attic of the building where she encounters a bound Kylah, who is manacled to the large gas canisters. Zilastra shoots at the Jedi Master with her blaster but Billaba deflects her shots away from the fuel. Zilastra escapes and reunites with Burlug, revealing that she has activated the suit case bomb.

Unable to find the suitcase bomb, Billaba and Kylah turn the library cart into an improvised wagon to escape. Shortly later, the Randomizer approaches the Kwenn Jedi outpost. Zilastra and Burlug attempt to board the frigate's airlock in their skiff but Lobber, Ghor and Wungo eject them. The pirates' exhausted skiff falls off the mountain. Burlug falls to his death but Zilastra manages to remain in the skiff. Using her comlink, she shouts the code-phrase "The Jedi stand with you!." This triggers the suitcase bomb, which destroys the Jedi outpost.

From the Randomizer's bridge, Jinn and Kenobi witness the explosion. Billaba and Kylah roll down Sanctuary Mount in their improvised cart. As they descend down the slope, the cart break apart, sending the two flying into the air. Masters Koon, Windu and Yoda uses the Force to cushion Billaba's blow while Jinn and Kenobi use the Force to safely levitate Kylah to the ground. With Billaba and Kylah safe, Jinn and Kenobi fly the Randomizer to a nearby island to land its captive pirate crew and passengers.

Zilastra survives the skiff's descent when her vehicle's repulsorlift reactivated during its descent into the sea below, cushioning her landing. She is later found holding the broken stalk of the skiff's control yoke near the shores of the Windward Chain. Zilastra is apprehended by Billaba and the other members of the Jedi Council. Zilastra tells her Jedi captors that her vendetta against the Jedi was motivated by a Jedi Master named Sifo Dyas recruiting her friends into the Jedi Order while abandoning in an orphanage 30 years ago.

Windu, Yaddle, Piell, Poof and Koon acknowledge that Sifo-Dyas' obsession with the future of the Jedi Order led him to neglect non-Jedi. Rancisis acknowledges that Dyas was wrong not to check on other services for Zilastra. Tiin also explains that Dyas left the Jedi Council for violating rules around recruitment. Tiin promises to follow up the Jedi records to search for her friends. While Billaba has empathy for Zilastra's traumatic childhood and abandonment, she says that Zilastra has to face justice for her crimes against Zaran Raal, Kylah, and the people of Kwenn, surmising that "other people are not the canvas on which you can paint your grief."

Following the arrest of Zilastra, the entire Jedi Council hold a media conference at the Gala Key Arena in the presence of a large crowd. The press conference is broadcast by Morna and her team. Despite the destruction of the Kwenn Jedi outpost, the Jedi Masters reassure the public that the Jedi bond with Kwenn is unbroken. Gallia announces that the Jedi plan to replace the outpost with a new brazier that will be lit every night. Billaba describes the Jedi as her home while Yoda ends with the phrase that the Jedi stand with them.

Part Four: The Joyful Return[]

Aftermath[]

Following the defeat of the pirate insurrection, Zilastra is imprisoned at the Republic Judicial Regional Detention Center in Capital Key. In solitary confinement, Zilastra reflects on the collapse of her Riftwalkers gang and the death of Burlug. Zilastra blames the allied pirate gangs' ineptitude for their defeat and regrets not listening to Burlug, who had advised against the Kwenn insurrection. As an act of mercy, her Jedi victors had given Zilastra her stack of sabacc cards. While flipping her cards, she vows to endure.

Meanwhile, Master Gallia prepares to depart on a courtesy flight donated by Regal Voyager as gratitude for the Jedi Order's role in defeating the pirates. While conversing with Yoda, Gallia agrees to take up a greater leadership role on the Jedi Council since Yoda is ageing. After returning from the spaceport, Yoda meets with the Sullustan arena manager Lyal Lunn, who has recovered from his injuries. Lunn is grateful to Yoda for helping his family particularly his late father Erwen Lunn, who has recently passed away. Yoda encourages the younger Lunn to honor his father's memory by leading a project that would help the local population.

Elsewhere, Master Rancisis and Seneschal Voh visit the ruins of the Kwenn Jedi outpost at the base of Sanctuary Mount. While Voh is saddened by the library's destruction, Rancisis reassures him that the remaining documents that were stolen have survived. Rancisis plans to salvage ppart of the brazier for a new "Unquenchable Flame" monument that will serve to remind the locals of the Jedi. Rancisis comforts the distraught Voh by reassuring him that the Kwenn outpost's legacy survives in every Jedi who visited it.

On Efasa Key, Master Piell reflects on his efforts to revitalize Kwenn's education system by enlisting the help of the Mercantile Guild and Rendili Hyperworks. Piell thanks a Twi'lek teenager for helping keep spectators inside the arena during the pirate insurrection before ushering him into school. Before departing the Kwikhaul complex in his ARC-8 starfighter, Tiin converses with fellow Master Koon, who compliments his skills as a fighter pilot and mechanic. Despite Tiin doubting his own ability as a Padawan, Koon reassures him that he has advanced significant in his Jedi career. Following his conversation with Koon, Tiin farewells the Kwikhaul crew with the motto: "Competence is not enough!"

Before returning to the Jedi Temple, Master Koth has a final meeting with the former Poisoned Blade Inisa, who is planning to travel offworld. The two agree to stay in contact with each other. Master Yaddle also meets with the journalist Morna. Morna talks about not letting Reez and Grom bully her and the late Erwen's collection of holos of Kwenn's history, which will be useful for educational purposes. Yaddle also pitches the idea of Morna doing a story about Ewen's son Lyal working with his medical droid to help sick Kwenn residents.

Yarael chats with Ki-Adi-Mundi about lessons they can learn from the recent events on Kwenn. Poof fears that the Jedi Order has spent too much time focusing on the "big things" and selecting the "small ones." He believes that the Order can help ordinary people such as Aptorr and his wife. In light of Zilastra's Regal Voyage plot, Ki-Adi-Mundi also talks about the danger that future threats using similar everyday objects can pose to the galaxy.

Minion of the Sith[]

Seneschal Voh travels to a florist shop on Langdam Key where he chats with Senator Palpatine via hologram. Voh had met Palpatine several years ago during a senatorial tour of Kwenn. For the past several years, Voh had secretly stolen records and material from the Jedi outpost's library on behalf of Palpatine. Palpatine's assistant would then collect the materials that Palpatine had chosen while the rest would be destroyed. Palpatine is displeased that Voh had not destroyed the remaining material but had sold them. Voh protests that he could not bear to destroy historical documents. Palpatine is angry since Voh's failure to destroy the missing documents alerted the Jedi to theft.

Voh offers to continue stealing documents for Palpatine at another Jedi library. However, Palpatine has little use for the Jedi retainer and reveals that the closure of Jedi outposts along the Ootmian route are part of his plans to orchestrate a new crisis. Palpatine expresses an admiration for Zilastra's insurrection but opines that she would have failed. He says that he is interested in Zilastra and other people who despise the Jedi. When Voh asks why he is telling him this information, Palpatine reveals that he is briefing his apprentice Darth Maul and that the Jedi retainer has outlived his usefulness to him. Maul uses the Force to levitate and spin Voh around.

Epilogue[]

Master Windu meets with Captain Baylo aboard the Assurance. Baylo reveals that his crew's contract with the Judicial Forces has been renewed in light of the pirate insurrection on Kwenn. When Baylo asks Windu if he had a part in this, Windu responds that he merely reported to the Republic. When Baylo confides that his crew need a more permanent training programme, Windu suggests the idea of a flight training academy with Baylo as Commandant.

Kylah also becomes a cadet aboard the Assurance under Baylo's command. Since Kylah is unable to join the Jedi due to her lack of Force sensitivity, Master Billaba had arranged for Kylah's enrollment as a cadet to avoid sending her to an orphanage. She believes that Baylo and his crew will be her new family. Kylah is grateful to Billaba for the arrangement and proceeds to complete her first duty of checking the ship's inventory.

Before leaving Kwenn, Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi help the former pirates Lobber, Ghor and Wungo find a new job as contractors repossessing starships for the Galactic City Recovery company. Their first job is to return the Randomizer, formerly known as the Resilient to Coruscant. The two Jedi catch a ride with the reformed pirates.

Development[]

Novel development and promotion[]

The Living Force celebrates the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace^[3] and is written by longtime Star Wars author John Jackson Miller^[1] under the codename "Denver."^[4] Miller was very happy to be back writing Star Wars^[5] after nearly a decade since^[1] his last novel for the brand, A New Dawn. In the time since, however, he had written six Star Wars short stories.^[6] He agreed to write the novel on February 21, 2023, the same day his novel High Country was released.^[7] Miller stated he was invited to write the story by Tom Hoeler, an editor for Random House Worlds,^[1] who revealed the novel dealt with the Jedi Order reckoning with its past in the days before The Phantom Menace.^[8] Miller used Wookieepedia for research while writing the book.^[9] Miller told Obi-Wan Kenobi voice actor James Arnold Taylor about the book before its official announcement^[10] and recorded a video about The Living Force with him.^[11] The Living Force is the longest Star Wars novel ever written by Miller, who also called it the "most fun" of his Star Wars books.^[12] Miller went onto describe the book as "the spring break of a lifetime"^[6] and that it was "best spring vacation read in the galaxy."^[13]

During development, Miller decided to include the character of Maximilian Veers,^[14] who appears in a cameo role as a young naval cadet under Instructor Pell Baylo.^[15] Hoeler was at first surprised by the idea of Veers making an appearance but loved the way Miller worked him in.^[14] The book also sees the often dismissive Baylo guess Veers could become leader of a formal navy, should such a force exist in the future.^[16] With Veers's actual fate to be a general in ground forces, not a naval force,^[17] Miller was asked whether Baylo was being serious or making a sarcastic remark. Miller stated either was possible but noted one option was more possible than the other.^[16]

Much to Miller's joy, The Living Force was officially announced on September 7, 2023.^[18] Miller described it as an odyssey undertaken by all twelve members of the Jedi High Council,^[19] thereby giving focus to normally ignored characters on the Council.^[20] He stated the book had a focus on what responsibilities a Jedi needs to embody, which was a theme explored some of his prior works.^[21] Miller later described the book as putting the council together "in a bowl and shaking it up."^[22] Hoeler was very excited for the novel's release,^[23] including for how the story ties back into^[24] the Jedi Order's history established by Star Wars: The High Republic.^[25] While The Living Force has connections to The High Republic,^[25] Hoeler promised one did not have to have read prior High Republic works to understand The Living Force. He clarified that the novel was not "part of" the High Republic but exemplified how, like many other eras in Star Wars, the High Republic Era could "ripple forward."^[26]

The Living Force is also notable for its use of the planet Kwenn, which had already existed in Star Wars lore but had not been truly explored in any story up to that point.^[27] Hoeler stated that the editorial notes for The Living Force were very funny, which was a sign the novel would be great.^[28] At New York Comic Con 2023, Miller teased the book would feature Jinn confronting the Council for its lack of outreach in the wider galaxy, saying he was effectively telling the Council to "touch grass"^[5] in a diplomatic manner.^[29] On Twitter, Miller^[30] and Hoeler promised fans would be excited by the book's fourteenth chapter,^[31] with Miller also finding a typo in that chapter thanks to Hoeler's tweet.^[32] One novel being released after The Living Force is The Glass Abyss, which is set after The Phantom Menace and sees the Jedi Order, especially Mace Windu, debating its future. Due to The Living Force's focus on the Order before The Phantom Menace, Hoeler promised The Living Force and The Glass Abyss paired well together.^[8]

The title page art for The Living Force was designed by Liz Eno. Shared in the months ahead of release on January 24 by Hoeler^[33] and Miller,^[34] the art depicts chairs from the Jedi Council Chamber^[33] as part of what Miller described as a running motif done by Eno. The sneak peek of the title page and its art marked the first look into the book before release.^[34] One month ahead of release, Miller teased that a character from one of his six recent Star Wars short stories would make an appearance^[6] but warned that was the only hint he was willing to give ahead of release.^[13]

Included map and special releases[]

The Living Force contains a black and white^[36] map of the planet Kwenn^[37] designed by Miller himself^[27] printed inside each physical copy.^[37] The map is also included in the ebook version, while purchases of the audiobook come with a download for the map.^[35] According to Hoeler, the team decided including the map would help sell the sense of place and history The Living Force creates for Kwenn.^[27] Hoeler first teased that an upcoming Star Wars book would feature a map on October 23, 2023.^[38] At that time, canon novel releases had largely ignored including maps. The last canon novel to include a map had been Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire,^[39] which was released on August 27, 2019.^[40] Through the Star Wars Books Twitter account^[37] and subsequent tweets by Hoeler^[27] and Miller,^[35] The Living Force map was announced on December 22, 2023.^[37] Although he did not expect the news to drop that day, forcing him to make his tweets about the announcement while in a Wendy's restaurant,^[41] Miller was delighted to finally share the news of the map's inclusion.^[35] Prior books by Miller, including his Star Wars work Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, had included maps. He was thrilled to be able to include a map in The Living Force.^[41]

As a free preorder bonus,^[42] readers in the United States and Canada who preordered The Living Force could receive a bookplate—a unique Del Rey Star Wars sticker signed by Miller himself—via their receipt^[43] so long as they are over the age of 18.^[44] Hoeler also promised that the offer would remain open through the novel's release^[45] on April 9th^[1] for any preorders that were placed after that announcement.^[45] Signing was not offered via Miller's website at release in order to drive sales at bookstores and to serve as many fans as possible.^[46] As promised in its website listing, the Barnes & Noble release of the novel also features an exclusive double-sided mini-poster,^[47] which Hoeler could not elaborate upon for a time.^[48]

On February 26, that poster was revealed to be a double-sided piece: one side was a colorized and annotated version of the Kwenn map^[49] that Miller described as an in-universe travel ad.^[50] The travelogue notes featured on the colorized map were written by Miller. The other side is a Jedi Council art piece by Oliver Cuthbertson. Cuthbertson was honored and grateful to make a piece about the Council, with the artist particularly happy to include its "lesser-known" members.^[49] As the black and white map is still printed in the novel, Miller promised that a fan could hang the Jedi Council side without fear of losing reference to the map.^[51]

On February 15, Miller revealed he would be holding three launch week events for The Living Force at Barnes & Noble stores in the state of Wisconsin.^[52] The online seller Inkstone Books sold a special edition of The Living Force that came with a case featuring the Jedi emblem. Beyond each copy being numbered and signed, the pages were also given a green edge.^[53] The bookshop Goldsboro Books also sold a limited edition version of The Living Force; this version was limited to 500 copies, each of which features sprayed edges, a signature, and a number.^[54]

Release[]

The first excerpt of The Living Force was released on StarWars.com on February 26^[55] in the same blogpost that revealed the Barnes & Noble poster.^[49] Early copies of The Living Force had been sent out by March 15, with those early readers growing attached to an individual Hoeler described as "a brief side-character," whose cult following^[56] was something he expected would come as a surprise to Miller.^[57] Hoeler received his first copies of The Living Force the next day, March 16,^[36] while Miller got his first look at the physical book that day at GalaxyCon Richmond^[58] via a delivery from Star Wars books. He quickly shared the book with James Arnold Taylor and revealed its first lines.^[59] After release, Miller revealed several behind the scenes details^[60] as thanks for passing 10,000 Twitter followers.^[61]

Media[]

Editions[]

• ISBN 9780593597958; April 9, 2024; Random House Worlds; US hardcover^[1]
• ISBN 9781529919455; April 23, 2024; Del Rey; UK paperback^[62]
• ISBN 9780593724699; November 19, 2024; Random House Worlds; US paperback^[63]

Appearances[]

This in-universe list is incomplete. You can help Wookieepedia by expanding it.

Sources[]

• "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 222
• "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 223
• The Jedi Council Debates Its Future in Star Wars: The Living Force - Exclusive Excerpt on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Gift Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Who's Who on the Jedi Council in The Phantom Menace and The Living Force on StarWars.com (backup link)
• "John Jackson Miller: The Living Prose" — Star Wars Insider 225

Notes and references[]

External links[]

• The Jedi Face a Crisis in New Star Wars Novel The Living Force on Gizmodo (September 7, 2023) (archived from the original on September 7, 2023)
• John Jackson Miller (@jjmfaraway) on Twitter: "Thrilled to announce my new novel, STAR WARS: THE LIVING FORCE, out April 9, 2024 in hardcover, audiobook and ebook from @DelReyStarWars! A grand adventure featuring every member of the Jedi Council in the year before Episode I." (backup link)

The Star Wars Novels Timeline by Del Rey & Random House Worlds
The High Republic · Convergence · The Battle of Jedha · Cataclysm · Light of the Jedi · The Rising Storm · Tempest Runner · The Fallen Star · The Eye of Darkness · Temptation of the Force · Tempest Breaker · Trials of the Jedi · Dooku: Jedi Lost · Master and Apprentice · The Living Force I The Phantom Menace · Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss II Attack of the Clones · Brotherhood · The Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy · Dark Disciple: A Clone Wars Novel III Revenge of the Sith · Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade · Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel · Lords of the Sith · Tarkin · Jedi: Battle Scars Solo · Thrawn · A New Dawn: A Rebels Novel · Thrawn: Alliances · Thrawn: Treason Rogue One IV A New Hope · Battlefront II: Inferno Squad · Heir to the Jedi · Doctor Aphra · Battlefront: Twilight Company V The Empire Strikes Back VI Return of the Jedi · The Princess and the Scoundrel · The Alphabet Squadron Trilogy · The Aftermath Trilogy · Last Shot · Shadow of the Sith · Bloodline · Phasma · Canto Bight VII The Force Awakens VIII The Last Jedi · Resistance Reborn · Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire IX The Rise of Skywalker
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