Cloak of Deception: Star Wars Legends

by James Luceno

From New York Times bestselling author James Luceno comes a Star Wars adventure that reveals the action and intrigue unfolding directly before Episode The Phantom Menace.

Mired in greed and corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, the Galactic Republic is crumbling. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over—while back in the comfort of Coruscant, the hub of civilized space and seat of the Republic government, few senators seem inclined to investigate the problem. And those who suspect Supreme Chancellor Valorum of having a hand in the machinations are baffled—especially when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on the Chancellor.

With the crisis escalating, Valorum calls for an emergency trade summit. As humans and aliens gather, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation who have entered into a shadowy alliance with a dark overlord. While the trio will be content with more money and fewer problems, Darth Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans.

It is a time that tests the mettle of all those who strive to hold the Republic together—none more so than the Jedi Knights, who have long been the galaxy's best hope for preserving peace and justice. Yet despite their most valiant efforts, the meeting will explode into fiery chaos beyond everyone's worst fears . . .

Genres: Science Fiction, Star Wars

368 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

James Luceno is a New York Times bestselling author, best known for his novels and reference books connected with the Star Wars franchise and the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and novelisations of the Robotech animated television series. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child.

He has co-written many books with Brian Daley as Jack McKinney.

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good vibes but a bit dull. This book tees up the Phantom Menace with this serving as a direct prequel, with a large emphasis on the politics, including the infamous “taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems” referenced in the movie’s opening title crawl.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn scenes are always a treat, but sadly there were not enough of them in comparison to a muddled plot around the villains. Senator Palpatine had a large role and was well characterized.

The book wasn’t poorly written. It simply was on the boring side. “Master and Apprentice” by Claudia Gray is much better, in my opinion.

[Caleb Zimmer · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

A good story, but it lacks the satisfying action and character depth that the other two SW books I read this year contained. The narrative perspective changes are somewhat jarring and at times feel disconnected. However, I’m happy to now feel more connected to the Star Wars universe, especially when it comes to understanding the events and paradigms that lead up to story in “The Phantom Menace”.

[Court · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehh this one isn’t very good. Some good Palpatine stuff but no emotional core to the story, all the characters feel like side characters so you don’t really know how they feel about what is happening.

[Sam McBride · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I’m a bit of a sucker for anything that adds to the prequels, so, a Phantom Menace prequel that focuses two of its three main plot threads on Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Palpatine, with Palps ultimately pulling the strings on all the goings on is right up my street