New Releases by Timothy Zahn

An original collection of thirteen exciting science fiction & fantasy stories by the #1 bestselling author of the Star Wars Thrawn trilogy. He captivated readers with his creation of General Thrawn beginning with his #1 New York Times–bestselling Star Wars: Heir to the Empire. Now, Hugo Award–winning author Timothy Zahn shares thirteen of his masterful science fiction and fantasy stories, previously published separately in magazines and anthologies throughout his career, together for the first time in one original collection. Take a trip down memory lane with Zahn and prepare yourself for a journey across space and time where you will see wonders of technology, powerful magic, and chilling monsters. In “The Battle of Space Fort Jefferson,” a mild-mannered Park Service Ranger must deal with terrorists aboard a former space prison and quarantine center that’s now a largely deserted tourist attraction. Administrators from Earth discover an alien race’s secret to longevity in “A Lingering Death.” A wizard prepares for the army of the evil witch king in “A Touch of Rosemary.” Scientists discover the dangers of first contact in the novella Cordon Sanitaire. A jazz music aficionado travels two hundred years back in time to 1953 Pittsburgh in “For Love of Amanda.” A vampire helps Hollywood celebrities avoid the paparazzi in “Vampin’ Down the Avenue.” A werewolf and a mermaid encounter murder in the countryside in “Protection.” These stories and more await readers in this exciting collection, full of all the action, mystery, suspense, thrills, chills, and humor that have made Zahn a leader in science fiction and fantasy.

AN EASY ASSIGNMENT INSTEAD TURNS HARD AND LEADS TO A STRING OF MURDERS, AND A RACE AGAINST AN ALIEN ENEMY Gregory Roarke—former bounty hunter, former Trailblazer, current agent for the ultra-secret Icarus Group—has received a new assignment: locate a suspected but as-yet undiscovered teleportation portal on the backwater colony world of Alainn. The rival Patth are also searching for the device, and have considerably more resources at their disposal. Fortunately, Roarke has Selene and her incredibly sensitive Kadolian sense of smell. On paper, it should be a straightforward enough job. But that was before there was a murder in the small town of Bilswift . . . and another one . . . and the discovery that the Patth are already on the scene and have narrowed the search to a heavily forested area in the hills and mountains east of town. Most disturbing of all is the discovery that one of Selene’s people, a Kadolian teenaged boy named Tirano, is working at one of Bilswift’s fish markets. A boy who may have lost his parents before his proper socialization was completed. A boy who may be connected to both the murders and the Patth. A boy who may be the potentially dangerous wild card that the Kadolians call changelings. At the publisher’s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). Praise for Timothy Zahn: “Zahn fans will enjoy the variety of small-unit combat scenes in the action-packed third and final Cobra Rebellion military SF adventure . . . [a] gripping series.” —Publishers Weekly “Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement.” —Publishers Weekly “. . . you can count on Timothy Zahn for three things: clean, sparse prose; good pacing; and great action scenes. The first book in the Cobra War series hits all those marks in admirable style and makes for a quick, entertaining sci-fi novel.” —BlogCritics “[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political, and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.” —Booklist “Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.” —Kirkus Reviews

Tercera novela de la nueva trilogía de Thrawn. Novela canónica escrita por el autor best seller the Star Wars, Timothy Zahn. El Gran Almirante Thrawn se enfrenta a la prueba definitiva de su lealtad ante el Imperio en esta novela épica. Thrawn ha sido uno de los instrumentos más efectivos del Imperio, persiguiendo a sus enemigos hasta los límites de la galaxia conocida. Pero, aunque se ha convertido en un arma afiladísima, el Emperador sueña con algo mucho más destructivo. Ahora, cuando su programa de los Defensores TIE se cancela para dar prioridad al proyecto secreto de la Estrella de la Muerte del director Krennic, el Almirante se da cuenta de que los equilibrios de poder en el Imperio se basan en algo más que en la perspicacia militar o la e‐ciencia táctica. Ni siquiera los cerebros más brillantes pueden competir con el poder de destruir planetas enteros. Mientras Thrawn se esfuerza por garantizarse un sitio en la jerarquía imperial, su antiguo protegido, Eli Vanto, regresa con una grave advertencia sobre el mundo natal de Thrawn. Su dominio de la estrategia deberá guiar a Thrawn en una elección imposible: su compromiso con la Ascendencia Chiss o la lealtad al Imperio que ha jurado servir. Incluso si la elección correcta supone traición.

On an epic voyage far beyond the Republic, the Jedi will confront their most extraordinary enemy-and test the limits of honor and sacrifice against their most devastating challenge. . . . The Clone Wars have yet to erupt when Jedi Master Jorus C''baoth petitions the Senate for support of a singularly ambitious undertaking: the dream of Outbound Flight. Six Jedi Masters, twelve Jedi Knights, and fifty thousand men, women, and children will embark-aboard a gargantuan vessel, equipped for years of travel-on a mission to contact intelligent life and colonize undiscovered worlds beyond the known galaxy. Unknown to the famed Jedi Master, the successful launch of the mission is secretly being orchestrated by an unlikely ally: the evil Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, who has his own reasons for wanting Outbound Flight to move forward. Yet Darth Sidious is not the mission''s most dangerous challenge. Once underway, the starship crosses paths at the edge of Unknown Space with the forces of the alien Chiss Ascendancy and a brilliant mastermind named Thrawn. Even Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, aboard Outbound Flight with his young Padawan student, Anakin Skywalker, cannot help avert disaster. Thus what begins as a peaceful Jedi mission is violently transformed into an all-out war for survival against staggering odds-and the most diabolical of adversaries.

The specter of the meancing Grand Admiral Thrawn looms over Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade as they embark on a journey to recover an important piece of Jedi history. Sometimes it seems a Jedi''s work is never done and Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker know this only too well. Despite the bond they share in the Force, after three years of marriage the Jedi Master and his wife are still learning the ropes of being a couple-and struggling to find time together between the constant demands of duty. But all that will change when they''re united on an unexpected mission: They must pool their exceptional skills to combat an insidious enemy and salvage a part of Jedi history. Whatever may await, the Skywalkers will not face it alone. Joining them on the strange and solemn journey are an officer of the post-Palpatine Empire, escorted by a detachment of Imperial stormtroopers; a party of diplomats from a gentle alien species that reveres the fallen Jedi for saving them from bloodthirsty conquerors; and a New Republic ambassador who harbors his own mysterious agenda. Soon enough, suspicion, secrecy, and an unknown saboteur run rampant aboard the isolated ship. But it is within the derelict walls of Outbound Flight itself, buried for half a century on a desolate planetoid, where the gravest danger lies. As the marooned hulk yields up stunning revelations and unexpected terrors to its visitors, Luke and Mara find all they stand for-and their very existence-brutally challenged. And the ultimate test will be surviving the deathtrap carefully laid by foes who are legendary for their ruthlessness . . . and determined to complete the job Thrawn began: exterminating the Jedi.

NEW SCIENCE FICTION SERIES FROM THE CREATOR OF THE COBRA SERIES AND STAR WARS'' ADMIRAL THRAWN There wasn’t much money to be made as a Trailblazer, searching out new worlds for possible development. Still, it was safer than the bounty hunter career that had cost Gregory Roarke his left arm six years ago. And thanks to his Kadolian partner Selene’s ultrasensitive sense of smell, they occasionally discovered a medically promising seed or spore they could sell under the table. It was a quiet life, uneventful and mostly legal. Until Roarke was approached by two men with a proposal: track down a mysterious woman named Tera and, through her, locate a secret project called Icarus. The challenge was intriguing. The unlimited budget was tempting. But Roarke had a more personal reason to accept the job. The chance for long-delayed payback. About The Icarus Plot: "There are plenty of little things to delight the longtime Zahn reader, while also bringing new fans in a way that is perfectly accessible... Zahn remains one of the best writers of action I have ever had the pleasure of reading...The Icarus Plot is pure fun in the way that only one of the genre’s greatest yarn-weavers can do."—Warped Factor "Timothy Zahn is a mainstay in the field of science fiction."—Seattle Book Review "Anyone who has ever been interested in noir science fiction and espionage should read this. Take the espionage of John le Carre, the deduction of Sherlock Holmes, the twisty nature of The Sting, and you have The Icarus Plot."—Upstream Reviews About Timothy Zahn: “Zahn fans will enjoy the variety of small-unit combat scenes in the action-packed third and final Cobra Rebellion military SF adventure . . . [a] gripping series.”—Publishers Weekly “Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement.”—Publishers Weekly “. . . you can count on Timothy Zahn for three things: clean, sparse prose; good pacing; and great action scenes. The first book in the Cobra War series hits all those marks in admirable style and makes for a quick, entertaining sci-fi novel.”—BlogCritics “[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political, and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.”—Booklist “Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.”—Kirkus Review

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The fate of the Chiss Ascendancy hangs in the balance in the epic finale of the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy from Timothy Zahn. For thousands of years the Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. It is led by the Nine Ruling Families, whose leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions. But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe who winnows away trust and loyalty in equal measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy slips closer and closer to civil war. The Chiss are no strangers to war. Their mythic status in the Chaos was earned through conflict and terrible deeds, some long buried. Until now. To ensure the Ascendancy’s future, Thrawn will delve deep into its past, uncovering the dark secrets surrounding the ascension of the First Ruling Family. But the truth of a family’s legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie. To secure the salvation of the Ascendancy, is Thrawn willing to sacrifice everything? Including the only home he has ever known?

Experience the #1 New York Times bestselling Star Wars Legends trilogy that introduced the menacing Grand Admiral Thrawn—now in a complete three-book set. Following the events of Return of the Jedi: Star Wars: Episode VI, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia find themselves once again at the center of rebellion. Five years after the Death Star was destroyed and Darth Vader and the Emperor were defeated, the galaxy is struggling to heal the wounds of war, Leia and Han are married and expecting twins, and Luke has become the first in a long-awaited line of new Jedi Knights. But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords—the brilliant and deadly Grand Admiral Thrawn—has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. Meanwhile, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republic Council—only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies. Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness, and scheming to corrupt Luke to the dark side.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Thrawn and his allies race to save the Chiss Ascendancy from an unseen enemy in the second book in the epic Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. Thrawn’s latest triumph still rests newly on his shoulders. He has led the Chiss to victory and brought glory to the House of Mitth, but the true threat to the Ascendancy has not yet been extinguished. Their foes do not send threats or ultimatums, do not mass ships on the edge of the Chaos. Their weapons come cloaked in smiles and generosity: Gifts offered freely. Services granted unconditionally. Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the plot, they discover a chilling truth: Rather than invade Chiss capitals or pillage resources, their enemy strikes at the very foundation of the Ascendancy, seeking to widen the rifts between the Nine Ruling Families and the Forty Great Houses below. As rivalry and suspicion sow discord among allies, each warrior must decide what matters most to them: the security of their family or the survival of the Ascendancy itself.

20 fully illustrated short stories. Princess Leia Organa embarks on a vital mercy mission… Obi-Wan Kenobi escorts a precious cargo to Tatooine… A journalist uncovers the sinister truth about Orson Krennic… Lando Calrissian takes a deadly gamble on Lothal… This special edition includes stories from the Legends era and tales from the current era of storytelling that were first published in Star Wars Insider. Featuring stories by Timothy Zahn, John Jackson Miller, Delilah S. Dawson, Jason Fry, Michael Kogge, Alexander Freed, James S. A. Corey, Jennifer Heddle, Json Hough, Joe Schreiber, Janine K. Spendlove, Edward M. Erdelac, Mur Lafferty, Sylvain Neuvel, and Paul S. Kemp. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve, Drew Baker, John Van Fleet, Joe Corroney, Brian Miller, Carsten Bradley, Tom Hodges, Brian Rood, Marek Okon, Jose Cabrera, Jason Chan, David Rabbitte, and Chris Scalf.

The epic story that began with Heir to the Empire reaches its dramatic conclusion in this essential Star Wars Legends novel. The embattled Republic reels from the attacks of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has marshaled the remnants of the Imperial forces and driven the Rebels back with an abominable technology recovered from the Emperor's secret fortress: clone soldiers. As Thrawn mounts his final siege, Han Solo and Chewbacca struggle to form a coalition of smugglers for a last-ditch attack, while Princess Leia holds the Alliance together and prepares for the birth of her Jedi twins. The Republic has one last hope—sending a small force into the very stronghold that houses Thrawn’s terrible cloning machines. There a final danger awaits, as the Dark Jedi C’baoth directs the battle against the Rebels and builds his strength to finish what he already started: the destruction of Luke Skywalker.

The peace of the Ascendancy, a beacon of calm and stability, is shattered after a daring attack on the Chiss capital that leaves no trace of the enemy. Baffled, the Ascendancy dispatches one of its brightest young military officers to root out the unseen assailants. A recruit born of no title, but adopted into the powerful family of the Mitth and given the name Thrawn

18 fully illustrated short stories. Darth Vader confronts a mysterious face from Anakin Skywalker’s past… Lando Calrissian faces the terrifying firepower of an Imperial walker… The Empire’s stormtroopers ruthlessly pursue survivors from Alderaan… A squadron of B-wing fighters engage in a desperate mission during the Battle of Endor… This volume features a diverse collection of short stories which chronicle the exploits of intriguing assorted side characters along with some of the more familiar names in the saga, including Lando Calrissian, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. The tales include Legends stories – from the continuity pre-2014 – such as a moving tale of Darth Vader reuniting with an old acquaintance, a dark story with the mysterious Darth Plagueis, and an edge-of-your-seat adventure with Han Solo and Chewbacca in action aboard the Millennium Falcon. From the current lore – 2015 to present – there are tales of Blade Squadron, the pilots of the Rebel Alliance’s B-wing starfighters, as they strike out against the Empire; the story of Darth Vader and the Emperor making a surprise inspection of an Imperial facility; and a gripping tale of survivors of Alderaan evading the Empire’s stormtroopers.

Depuis qu''il a prêté allégeance à Palpatine, Thrawn est devenu l''un de ses outils les plus efficaces, mais l''Empereur rêve d''une arme plus destructrice. Alors que son programme de perfectionnement des chasseurs TIE est arrêté au profit du projet Étoile de la Mort, Thrawn réalise que les rapports de force ne se mesurent pas qu''à l''aune de l''efficacité tactique au sein de l''Empire. Même l''être le plus intelligent ne peut rivaliser avec le pouvoir d''annihiler des planètes entières. C''est l''instant que choisit son ancien protégé, Eli Vanto, pour revenir, porteur de nouvelles alarmistes à propos du monde natal du grand amiral. Écartelé entre son devoir vis-à-vis de l''Ascendance Chiss et sa loyauté envers l''Empire, Thrawn sait que son choix, quel qu''il soit, sera synonyme de trahison...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Discover Thrawn’s origins within the Chiss Ascendancy in the first book in an epic new Star Wars trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. Beyond the edge of the galaxy lies the Unknown Regions: chaotic, uncharted, and near impassable, with hidden secrets and dangers in equal measure. And nestled within its swirling chaos is the Ascendancy, home to the enigmatic Chiss and the Nine Ruling Families that lead them. The peace of the Ascendancy, a beacon of calm and stability, is shattered after a daring attack on the Chiss capital that leaves no trace of the enemy. Baffled, the Ascendancy dispatches one of its brightest young military officers to root out the unseen assailants. A recruit born of no title, but adopted into the powerful family of the Mitth and given the name Thrawn. With the might of the Expansionary Fleet at his back, and the aid of his comrade Admiral Ar’alani, answers begin to fall into place. But as Thrawn’s first command probes deeper into the vast stretch of space his people call the Chaos, he realizes that the mission he has been given is not what it seems. And the threat to the Ascendancy is only just beginning.

AN EPIC FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE ON OUR MOON Something has been uncovered on the Moon that might have great scientific and economic importance. The Lunar colony is a mining colony with only internal security capabilities. Nobody had even considered that there might someday arise a need to defend the colony from the Earth! But that day has come. The Lunar colonists made this great discovery and perceive it as their own. Finders keepers and possession being nine tenths of the law is how things are seen on the Moon. But the governments of the Earth don’t quite see eye-to-eye with the Lunarian’s philosophy. As far as the Earth is concerned, they paid for everything on the Moon, so it belongs to them. There is only one solution: Battle Luna! At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Travis S. Taylor: “[E]xplodes with inventive action."—Publishers Weekly on Travis S. Taylor’s The Quantum Connection “[Warp Speed] reads like Doc Smith writing Robert Ludlum. . .You won’t want to put it down.”—John Ringo About Timothy Zahn: “Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement.”—Publishers Weekly “[Y]ou can count on Timothy Zahn for three things: clean, sparse prose; good pacing; and great action scenes. The first book in the Cobra War series hits all those marks in admirable style and makes for a quick, entertaining sci-fi novel.”—Blogcritics “[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.”—Booklist “Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.”—Kirkus Review About Michael Z. Williamson: “A fast-paced, compulsive read . . . will appeal to fans of John Ringo, David Drake, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber.”—Kliatt “Williamson''s military expertise is impressive.”—SF Reviews

Queen is the climactic conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Timothy Zahn's thrilling space adventure series, The Sybil's War. “Tim Zahn is a master of tactics and puts his own edge on complex hard-SF thrillers.” —Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author. Nicole Hammond is a Sibyl, a special human that has the ability to communicate with a strange alien ship called the Fyrantha. However, Nicole and all other sentient creatures are caught up in a war for control between two competing factions. Now, the street-kid turned rebel leader has a plan that would restore freedom to all who have been shanghaied by the strange ship. She just has to unite the many alien races being forced to combat for their freedom, dodge slaving war profiteers determined to capture her, and convince an AI at war with itself to trust her above all else. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER _________________________________ Grand Admiral Thrawn faces the ultimate test of his loyalty to the Empire in this epic Star Wars novel from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. "If I were to serve the Empire, you would command my allegiance." Such was the promise Grand Admiral Thrawn made to Emperor Palpatine at their first meeting. Since then, Thrawn has been one of the Empire's most effective instruments, pursuing its enemies to the very edges of the known galaxy. But as keen a weapon as Thrawn has become, the Emperor dreams of something far more destructive. Now, as Thrawn's TIE defender program is halted in favor of Director Krennic's secret Death Star project, he realizes that the balance of power in the Empire is measured by more than just military acumen or tactical efficiency. Even the greatest intellect can hardly compete with the power to annihilate entire planets. As Thrawn works to secure his place in the Imperial hierarchy, his former protégé Eli Vanto returns with a dire warning about Thrawn's homeworld. Thrawn's mastery of strategy must guide him through an impossible choice: duty to the Chiss Ascendancy, or fealty to the Empire he has sworn to serve. Even if the right choice means committing treason... _________________________________ Praise for Thrawn: Treason "Another excellent addition to the new canon . . . Thrawn: Treason will reward you thoroughly for your time."--GeekMom "If you've ever enjoyed a Thrawn story--whether that was Heir to the Empire and its sequels or Zahn's new novels--you'll find more of what you enjoy in Treason."--Dork Side of the Force

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Grand Admiral Thrawn faces the ultimate test of his loyalty to the Empire in this epic Star Wars novel from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. “If I were to serve the Empire, you would command my allegiance.” Such was the promise Grand Admiral Thrawn made to Emperor Palpatine at their first meeting. Since then, Thrawn has been one of the Empire’s most effective instruments, pursuing its enemies to the very edges of the known galaxy. But as keen a weapon as Thrawn has become, the Emperor dreams of something far more destructive. Now, as Thrawn’s TIE defender program is halted in favor of Director Krennic’s secret Death Star project, he realizes that the balance of power in the Empire is measured by more than just military acumen or tactical efficiency. Even the greatest intellect can hardly compete with the power to annihilate entire planets. As Thrawn works to secure his place in the Imperial hierarchy, his former protégé, Eli Vanto, returns with a dire warning about Thrawn’s homeworld. Thrawn’s mastery of strategy must guide him through an impossible choice: duty to the Chiss Ascendancy, or fealty to the Empire he has sworn to serve. Even if the right choice means committing treason. Praise for Thrawn: Treason “Another excellent addition to the new canon . . . Thrawn: Treason will reward you thoroughly for your time.”—GeekMom “If you’ve ever enjoyed a Thrawn story—whether that was Heir to the Empire and its sequels or Zahn’s new novels—you’ll find more of what you enjoy in Treason.”—Dork Side of the Force

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Grand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Vader team up against a threat to the Empire in this thrilling novel from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. "I have sensed a disturbance in the Force." Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root-its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents- ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the emperor's favor, and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs-including the Death Star project-the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it's not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there's more behind his royal command than either man suspects. In what seems like a lifetime ago, General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic, and Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo, officer of the Chiss Ascendancy, crossed paths for the first time. One on a desperate personal quest, the other with motives unknown . . . and undisclosed. But facing a gauntlet of dangers on a far-flung world, they forged an uneasy alliance-neither remotely aware of what their futures held in store. Now, thrust together once more, they find themselves bound again for the planet where they once fought side by side. There they will be doubly challenged-by a test of their allegiance to the Empire . . . and an enemy that threatens even their combined might.

Book three in the nationally best-selling Manticore Ascendant series, a prequel series to David Weber''s multiple New York Times best-selling Honor Harrington series. Sequel to A Call to Duty and A Call to Arms. THE STAGE IS SET FOR CONFLICT Travis Long and Lisa Donnelly of the Royal Manticoran Navy have been stalwart defenders of the Star Kingdom through thick and thin. Now the challenges are greater than ever. After the disastrous attack on the Manticoran home system by forces unknown, the Royal Manticoran Navy stands on the brink of collapse. A shadowy enemy with the resources to hurl warships across hundreds of light-years seeks to conquer Manticore, while danger lurks within the Kingdom’s own government, where politicians are out to weaken the Navy for political gain. DESTINY AWAITS AMONG THE STARS Now a fresh tragedy strikes the Star Kingdom, and while the reigning House of Winton faces enemies at home, Travis, Lisa, and the other officers of the Royal Manticoran Navy must reunite with old friends and join new allies to hunt down and eliminate the forces arrayed against them in a galaxy-spanning conspiracy. The prize: a stake in the vast expansion of trade that could pull Manticore out of the backwaters of the galaxy and place the Star Kingdom on the center stage of history.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Grand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Vader team up against a threat to the Empire in this thrilling novel from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. “I have sensed a disturbance in the Force.” Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edge of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root—its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the Emperor’s favor and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs—including the Death Star project—the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it’s not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there’s more behind his royal command than either man suspects. In what seems like a lifetime ago, General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic and Commander Mitth’raw’nuruodo, officer of the Chiss Ascendancy, crossed paths for the first time. One on a desperate personal quest, the other with motives unknown . . . and undisclosed. But facing a gauntlet of dangers on a far-flung world, they forged an uneasy alliance—neither remotely aware of what his future held in store. Now, thrust together once more, they find themselves bound again for the planet where they once fought side by side. There they will be doubly challenged—by a test of their allegiance to the Empire . . . and by an enemy that threatens even their combined might. Praise for Thrawn: Alliances “It’s a science fiction beach read in the best way, brisk and amusing, with some cool additions to the Star Wars galaxy.”—Den of Geek “Like all of Zahn’s novels set in a galaxy far, far away, it’s an essential read for anyone looking for an artistically done adventure.”—CNET

The Origins Game Fair is proud and pleased to present Mystery!, our 2018 fiction anthology. The collection features stories by authors in the convention''s Library program. This collection brings together fourteen tales of mystery set across genres, in a legion of times and places. Each author has provided a story which will give you an excellent opportunity to sample their skill and imagination.

“Fast-paced action . . . first-rate sf space adventure” (Library Journal) from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Star Wars: Thrawn. Deep in space lies the black hole known as Angelmass, so called because it emits enigmatic particles with the unusual ability to render humans calm, reasonable, and incapable of lying—which would normally be seen as a good thing. But not by everyone. For while Empyrean human colonies on the edge of the galaxy utilize the power of the “angels,” the Earth-based Pax empire views the emissions as a threat that could be used to subvert humanity. Academic Jereko Kosta is pressed into service by the Pax to spy on the Empyrean, joining the crew of a ship actively hunting the particles. But what he learns turns out to be both scientifically fascinating and morally frightening. When the Pax make an aggressive move that may lead to all-out war with the Empyrean, Kosta is the only one who can stop the conflict between the human powers and force them to see that the angels they’re about to fight over are far from holy . . . Timothy Zahn combines provocative ethical questions with the same level of vivid sci-fi action that made his Star Wars: Thrawn a New York Times bestseller to deliver “a serious SF novel sneakily posing as an enormous golden-age thrill ride” (Locus).

All aboard the Quadrail for three tales of nonstop action from the #1 New York Times–bestselling and Hugo Award–winning author of Star Wars: Thrawn. It is the Quadrail—a miracle of design that connects all twelve of the galaxy’s inhabited empires, allowing diverse alien species and cultures to exchange ideas, inspire imaginations, build bridges of understanding . . . and orchestrate the subjugation of all living things. Night Train to Rigel: Frank Compton used to be an operative for Western Allied Intelligence. Then he blew the whistle on some shady dealings and got himself fired. Nowadays he just wants to lay low and let someone else do the galaxy’s dirty work. Unfortunately, no one does dirty work quite like Frank. And the robotic alien Spiders who maintain the Quadrail know it—which is why he’s going to work for them whether he likes it or not. The Third Lynx: After barely surviving his last mission, Compton just wants to relax with his gorgeous half-human partner, Bayta. But their reverie aboard the Quadrail is broken by a persistent human going on about alien artifacts. Then someone shuts him up permanently, and what begins as a murder leads Compton to uncover a conspiracy that threatens to engulf the entire galaxy. Odd Girl Out: Finally back on Earth, Compton is confronted in his apartment by a woman demanding that he rescue her ten-year-old sister. He brusquely shows her the door, only to be accused of her murder the next day. Determined to make things right, he heads to the world of New Tigris to find the little girl. But his adversaries, the mind-enslaving Mohdri, are waiting for him there. Together in a single volume, here are the first three books in the Quadrail series from a writer New York Times–bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson calls “a master of tactics [who] puts his own edge on complex hard-SF thrillers.”

Can’t wait for The Last Jedi? Lose yourself in a galaxy far, far away with this ebook sampler of excerpts from Del Rey’s latest Star Wars novels—including a Rogue One adaptation and prequel. Timothy Zahn returns with a revealing portrait of one of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the history of the Galactic Empire. Chuck Wendig completes his epic trilogy bridging the gap between Episodes VI and VII. And Senator Leia Organa stars in her own novel set in the years before The Force Awakens. Plus, don’t miss five Star Wars short stories new to the 2017 sampler: “Scorched” by Delilah S. Dawson, “Blade Squadron: Kuat” by David J. Williams & Mark S. Williams, “Voice of the Empire” by Mur Lafferty, “Turning Point” by Jason M. Hough, and “TK-462” by Sylvain Neuvel. THRAWN by Timothy Zahn In this definitive novel, readers will follow Thrawn’s rise to power, uncovering the events that created one of the most iconic villains in Star Wars history. BLOODLINE by Claudia Gray Following the Battle of Endor, Leia Organa—now a respected senator—must protect the fledgling democracy from both outside dangers and treachery from within. AFTERMATH: LIFE DEBT by Chuck Wendig As the New Republic fights to restore peace to the galaxy, Norra Wexley leads a search and rescue mission to the Wookiee homeworld, where Chewbecca has been captured and Han Solo has disappeared. CATALYST by James Luceno In this prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Jyn Erso’s family must untangle a web of deception to save themselves—and the galaxy itself. ROGUE ONE by Alexander Freed A new hope rests in the hands of an unlikely band of allies—if only they can capture the plans to a machine of unimaginable destructive power. Go beyond the film with a novelization featuring new scenes and expanded material. AFTERMATH: EMPIRE’S END by Chuck Wendig As the final showdown between the New Republic and the Empire draws near, all eyes turn to a once-isolated planet: Jakku.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The origin story of one of the greatest Star Wars villains . . . a book that fans have wanted for decades.”—The Verge One of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the history of the Galactic Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn is also one of the most captivating villains in the Star Wars universe. Since his introduction in bestselling author Timothy Zahn’s classic Heir to the Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn has earned an iconic status equal only to the most notorious of Sith lords, Darth Vader. But Thrawn’s origins and the story of his rise in the Imperial ranks have remained mysterious. Now, in Star Wars: Thrawn, Zahn chronicles the fateful events that launched the blue-skinned, red-eyed master of military strategy and lethal warfare into the highest realms of power—and infamy. After Thrawn is rescued from exile by Imperial soldiers, his deadly ingenuity and keen tactical abilities swiftly capture the attention of Emperor Palpatine. And just as quickly, Thrawn proves to be as indispensable to the Empire as he is ambitious; as devoted as its most loyal servant, Darth Vader; and a brilliant warrior never to be underestimated. On missions to rout smugglers, snare spies, and defeat pirates, he triumphs time and again—even as his renegade methods infuriate superiors while inspiring ever greater admiration from the Empire. As one promotion follows another in his rapid ascension to greater power, he schools his trusted aide, Ensign Eli Vanto, in the arts of combat and leadership, and the secrets of claiming victory. But even though Thrawn dominates the battlefield, he has much to learn in the arena of politics where ruthless administrator Arihnda Pryce holds the power to be a potent ally or a brutal enemy. All these lessons will be put to the ultimate test when Thrawn rises to admiral and must pit all the knowledge, instincts, and battle forces at his command against an insurgent uprising that threatens not only innocent lives but also the Empire’s grip on the galaxy—and his own carefully laid plans for future ascendancy.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER In this definitive novel, readers will follow Thrawn’s rise to power—uncovering the events that created one of the most iconic villains in Star Wars history. One of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the history of the Galactic Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn is also one of the most captivating characters in the Star Wars universe, from his introduction in bestselling author Timothy Zahn’s classic Heir to the Empire, through his continuing adventures in Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, and beyond. But Thrawn’s origins and the story of his rise in the Imperial ranks have remained mysterious. Now, in Star Wars: Thrawn, Timothy Zahn chronicles the fateful events that launched the blue-skinned, red-eyed master of military strategy and lethal warfare into the highest realms of power—and infamy. After Thrawn is rescued from exile by Imperial soldiers, his deadly ingenuity and keen tactical abilities swiftly capture the attention of Emperor Palpatine. And just as quickly, Thrawn proves to be as indispensable to the Empire as he is ambitious; as devoted as its most loyal servant, Anakin Skywalker; and a brilliant warrior never to be underestimated. On missions to rout smugglers, snare spies, and defeat pirates, he triumphs time and again—even as his renegade methods infuriate superiors while inspiring ever greater admiration from the Empire. As one promotion follows another in his rapid ascension to greater power, he schools his trusted aide, ensign Eli Vanto, in the arts of combat, leadership, and the secrets of claiming victory. But even though Thrawn dominates the battlefield, he has much to learn in the arena of politics where ruthless administrator Arihnda Pryce holds the power to be a potent ally or a brutal enemy. All these lessons will be put to the ultimate test when Thrawn rises to admiral—and must pit all the knowledge, instincts, and battle forces at his command against an insurgent uprising that threatens not only innocent lives but also the Empire’s grip on the galaxy—and his own carefully laid plans for future ascendency.

Contains all three novels of the Cobra War series by New York Times #1 best-selling author Timothy Zahn. Cobra warriors: technologically enhanced and implanted with an arsenal of covert weaponry to fight against alien foes and evil humans. Three complete novels together for the first time: Cobra Alliance, Cobra Guardian, and Cobra Gamble. Cobra Alliance Earth had won its war with the Troft because of the Cobras, a guerilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. Now the Moreau family, filled with Cobra warriors, is seen as a problem, not a solution. An urgent cry for help arrives from the secretive planet Qasama. Is it a true distress signal, or a trap for the Cobras? Jin Moreau and her son Merrick must journey into danger to find out. Cobra Guardian One young Cobra must forge a new political order as a deadly alien enemy strikes. Earth has won a previous war with the deadly Troft and grown soft, but now the aliens are back! Jasmine Moreau Broom, descendant of a now-legendary Cobra family, must rally the Cobras to war after a devastating attack on every planet with Cobras on it nearly succeeds in wiping them out entirely. The key to victory lies with Jasmine’s quest to uncover a secret that might turn the tide while searching on a world that is under full-on alien attack. Cobra Gamble The Troft invasions of Qasama and the Cobra Worlds has had at least one result: it has turned long-time antagonists into uneasy and unwilling allies. As the aliens battle to consolidate their conquered territories, a small group of Cobras and Qasaman Djinn work together to create a victory that will rock the invaders to the core. Now one young Cobra must forge a new political order as a devastating alien enemy strikes—an enemy more deadly than any humanity has ever faced. At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Timothy Zahn: “Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement.”—Publishers Weekly “[Y]ou can count on Timothy Zahn for three things: clean, sparse prose; good pacing; and great action scenes. The first book in the Cobra War series hits all those marks in admirable style and makes for a quick, entertaining sci-fi novel.”—Blogcritics “[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.”—Booklist “Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.”—Kirkus Review