Red Harvest (novel)

Red Harvest is a prequel to Death Troopers written by Joe Schreiber, the author of the original book as well. Originally titled Black Orchid, the book was released on December 28, 2010. A hardcover horror novel, it reveals the origin of the virus from the original book. On April 23, Sue Rostoni posted on the official site forums that the novel was re-titled due to internal concerns that the title Black Orchid sounded too much like a romance novel.

Publisher's summary
''The era of the Old Republic is a dark and dangerous time, as Jedi Knights valiantly battle the Sith Lords and their ruthless armies. But the Sith have disturbing plans—and none more so than the fulfillment of Darth Scabrous’s fanatical dream, which is about to become nightmarish reality.''

''Unlike those other Jedi sidelined to the Agricultural Corps—young Jedi whose abilities have not proved up to snuff—Hestizo Trace possesses one extraordinary Force talent: a gift with plants. Suddenly her quiet existence among greenhouse and garden specimens is violently destroyed by the arrival of an emissary from Darth Scabrous. For the rare black orchid that she has nurtured and bonded with is the final ingredient in an ancient Sith formula that promises to grant Darth Scabrous his greatest desire.''

''But at the heart of the formula is a never-before-seen virus that’s worse than fatal—it doesn’t just kill, it transforms. Now the rotting, ravenous dead are rising, driven by a bloodthirsty hunger for all things living—and commanded by a Sith Master with an insatiable lust for power and the ultimate prize: immortality. . . no matter the cost.''

Behind the scenes
The first draft of the novel contained a character named Middish Sunblade, modeled after Holden Caulfield, but Sunblade was removed from the rewrite because he was whiny and nobody could stand him.

The character of Rojo Trace is based on Liam Neeson’s character from Taken.

The snow planet Odacer-Faustin where the Sith Academy exists is based on a combination of Hoth and the snowy terrain of The Shining.

The book's title may be in reference to Blue Harvest.

Notes and references
Red Harvest