The Jedi Knight Mace Windu doesn’t get nearly enough credit for his valiant deeds within the “Star Wars” universe, even after decapitating Jango Fett in “Attack of the Clones” after which almost vanquishing Chancellor Palpatine (aka Darth Sidious) before Anakin intervened and Windu was chucked out the window in “Revenge of the Sith.”
Now the expert, purple-lightsabered warrior played by Samuel L. Jackson shines in “Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss,” his very own solo novel coming next summer. The book sees Windu taking over arms to finish Qui-Gon Jinn’s last mission within the Outer Rim following the tragic events of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.”
Written by esteemed writer and screenwriter Steven Barnes, the person who penned the “Star Wars Legends” classic “The Cestus Deception” and dozens of other sci-fi novels, including the “Dream Park” series with Larry Niven, “The Glass Abyss” hits book stores on Aug. 6, 2024, published by Random House Worlds. Its plot unfolds after Darth Maul kills Qui-Gon and Mace Windu is given a posthumous request from his deceased friend that begins a brand new quest to meet.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“The Jedi are reeling from Qui-Gon Jinn’s sudden death by the hands of a Sith. Jedi Master Mace Windu’s feelings about Qui-Gon have all the time been complicated, and haven’t been made any simpler in death. While they often disagreed, Mace valued Qui-Gon’s unique perspective, and their shared dedication to the Force made them allies. Without Qui-Gon and his unorthodox views, Mace feels out of balance.
“While considering his fallen friend’s legacy, Mace is surprised to receive a final message from Qui-Gon, marked to be delivered to Mace on the event of Qui-Gon’s death. The message incorporates a final request: a plea to assist the Outer Rim planet of Metagos.
“A few years ago, a violent solar flare transformed the surface of the desert planet right into a landscape of irradiated glass — as beautiful because it is dangerous. Now a lot of the surviving inhabitants live underground, where rival clans fight to manage the planet’s limited resources.
“As a young Jedi, Qui-Gon protected the Sa’ad farming clan from the planet’s less scrupulous factions. The Sa’ad practice the art of dream-weaving, retaining their waking minds upon sleep in an effort to communicate and coexist with the wild creatures around them. Qui-Gon vowed to return in the event that they ever required his aid, but now it falls to Mace to meet that promise. The Sa’ad’s leader, KinShan Nightbird, has begged for the Jedi’s assist in freeing Megatos from the crime lords who threaten to eradicate her people’s lifestyle.”
Barnes was thrilled to be summoned by Random House to write down “The Glass Abyss” and lend his talents to a project exploring more of Mace Windu’s “Star Wars” past.
“I used to be busy with television work…but how could I pass THIS up?” Barnes told StarWars.com. “A likelihood to wield the purple lightsaber? Hah! So, with the support of an excellent team, I crafted a story of mystery, adventure, betrayal, and romance on a brand new planet, Metagos, a seething criminal cesspool that was once a thriving and exquisite world, a spot where a single supreme warrior, willing to risk all, could make the final word difference.
“Intent on fulfilling Qui-Gon’s final wishes, Mace travels to Metagos and infiltrates the enemies of the Sa’ad. But because the Jedi Master investigates the intricate web of adversaries and allies, Mace finds himself pushed to the boundaries of the Jedi code, difficult his beliefs and his relationship to the Force itself.”
“In any respect times, I remembered there is barely one goal in writing such a book: to be true to the mythos, and thrill the fans,” Barnes adds. “To present them the fun, suspense, and heart-stopping motion they’ve come to expect from certainly one of our best mythologies, and create more of an inner world for some of the powerful Jedi within the galaxy. I am unable to wait to share ‘The Glass Abyss’ with the fans. I am unable to wait to read it myself.”
“Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss” releases on Aug. 6, 2024.