'Star Wars: Aftermath' Starts Book Trilogy Linking 'Return Of The Jedi' And 'The Force Awakens'

By Germain LussierMarch 17, 2015 1:30 pm EST

Star Wars has the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and soon we'll see the sequel trilogy. Before that new series bows, however, we'll get the book trilogy. One of the first books announced for the large-scale publishing event Journey to the Force Awakens is called Star Wars Aftermath. We've previously written about the plot of the book, which centers on a lone Rebel scout who learns of a secret Imperial meeting after the Battle of Endor, and we've covered the author, Chuck Wendig.

Now we know Aftermath is the first book in a trilogy that will answer some crucial questions about the Galaxy immediately after the destruction of the second Death Star on the way to the events of The Force Awakens. We also know a bit more about the plot, which characters will or will not appear and clues about The Force Awakens. Read about all that, and see the full book cover, below.

Here's the cover of Star Wars Aftermath:

And here's a bit from the official Star Wars website about the book:

The second Death Star has been destroyed. Rumors are flying that the Emperor and his enforcer, Darth Vader, are dead. A new government is forming to replace the Empire. But the galaxy is a big place, and the fallout of this cataclysm will affect different worlds in different ways. Does everyone accept the fall of Imperial rule? Has everyone even heard the life-altering news? What rushes in to fill the vacuum the Empire has left? And who will try to stop them? Those are some of the themes we'll be exploring in Aftermath, and as a lifelong Star Wars fan, just writing those words gives me chills. I can't wait for our first canon glimpse into the state of the galaxy after the Battle of Endor.

What's more, Aftermath will be the first book in a trilogy that begins to bridge theStar Wars timeline between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. There is so much unknown between the Battle of Endor and the events of The Force Awakens, and we're excited to take our first step into that space.

Obviously I wish I could tell you more about the story, but I can't just yet. What I can reveal is that you will be introduced to a sweeping new cast of characters, along with a fan favorite from the films. And who knows what other familiar faces will pop up along the way? And once you've seen The Force Awakens in movie theaters, you may find that certain names and places in Aftermath have a relevance you never knew–so keep your eyes wide open!