Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor is a standalone novel by Matthew Stover that chronicles the Battle of Mindor. It was originally scheduled to be released in hardcover in February 2008 by Del Rey, and was later moved to October 21 before being pushed back to December 30.

Back cover
'''Overthrowing the dark side's empire has made them heroes. But underestimating the fury of the Sith will make them targets.'''

Internal flap
''Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are dead. The Empire has been toppled by the triumphant Rebel Alliance, and the New Republic is ascendant. But the struggle against the dark side and the Sith order is not over. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and their faithful comrades have had little time to savor victory before being called on to defend the newly liberated galaxy.''

''Powerful remnants of the vanquished Empire, hungry for retaliation, are still at large, committing acts of piracy, terrorism, and wholesale slaughter against the worlds of the fledgling Republic. The most deadly of these, a ruthless legion of black-armored stormtroopers, do the brutal bidding of the newly risen warlord Shadowspawn. Striking from a strategically advantageous base at the planet Mindor, they are waging campaigns of plunder and destruction, demolishing order and security across the galaxy&mdash;and breeding fears of an Imperial resurgence. And another reign of darkness beneath the boot-heel of Sith despotism is something General Luke Skywalker cannot and will not risk.''

''Mobilizing the ace fighters of Rogue Squadron&mdash;along with the trusty Chewbacca, Threepio, and Artoo-Detoo&mdash;Luke, Han, and Leia set out to take the battle to the enemy at the site of its stronghold, and neutralize the threat before it's too late. But their imminent onslaught against Mindor will be playing directly into the hands of their cunning new adversary. Lord Shadowspawn is no freshly anointed Sith Chieftain, but in fact a vicious former Imperial Intelligence officer&mdash;and Prophet of the Dark Side. The Emperor's death has paved the way for Shadowspawn's return from exile in the Outer Rim; and mastery of ancient Sith knowledge and modern technology has given him the capability to mount the ultimate power play for galaxy-wide dominion. Dark prophecy has foretold that only one obstacle stands in his way, and he is ready&mdash;even eager&mdash;for the confrontation.''

All the classic heroes, all the explosive action and adventure, all the unparalleled excitement of Star Wars come breathlessly alive here, as the further adventures of Luke Skywalker continue.

Characters

 * Supreme Commander Ackbar
 * Commander Wedge Antilles
 * Feylis Ardele
 * Avan Beruss
 * Boakie
 * C-3PO "Threepio"
 * General Lando Calrissian
 * Aeona Cantor
 * First Lieutenant Tycho Celchu
 * Chewbacca "Chewie"
 * Cronal / Lord Shadowspawn / Blackhole
 * Second Lieutenant Horst Devalo
 * D-P4M
 * Boba Fett
 * Chask Fragan
 * Gallandro
 * Inspector Lorz Geptun
 * Dathka Graush
 * Kort Habel
 * Wes Janson
 * Standro Jcir
 * Kadann
 * Admiral Kalback
 * Executive officer Kartill
 * General Obi-Wan Kenobi "Ben"
 * Air Marshal Klick
 * Lieutenant Derek Klivian "Hobbie"
 * Admiral Kraven
 * Korman Lao
 * Beru Whitesun Lars
 * Owen Lars
 * Crix Madine
 * Nin
 * Bail Prestor Organa
 * Queen Breha Organa
 * Princess Leia Organa "Kissy-Face"
 * Palpatine / Darth Sidious
 * Captain Jav Patrell
 * Norris Prang
 * R2-D2 "Artoo", "Stubby"
 * R4-G7 "Arfour"
 * Nick Rostu (once body for Shadowspawn)
 * Garris Shrike
 * Lord Mandalore Fenn Shysa
 * Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader
 * General Luke Skywalker
 * Han Solo
 * Wynssa Starflare
 * Major Sthonnart
 * Commander T'Chttrk
 * Commander Thavish
 * Jabba Desilijic Tiure
 * Captain Tirossk
 * Captain Trent
 * Tripp
 * Lieutenant Tubrimi
 * Nrin Vakil
 * Kar Vastor
 * Mace Windu
 * Jedi Master Yoda

Creatures

 * Bantha
 * Basalt clam
 * Batravian gumplucker
 * Carrion beetle
 * Corellian sand panther
 * Demonsquid
 * Dewback
 * Gamorrean thunder wasp
 * Glacier lizard
 * Glitterfly
 * Gnooroop
 * Gorgan
 * Grasser
 * Grundill
 * Kashyyyk mouse-spider
 * Katarn
 * Klepthian rock otter
 * Krayt dragon
 * Monkey-lizard
 * Mynock
 * Nerf
 * Nomarian thunder shark
 * Perthrillian nightwasp
 * Pervian blood crow
 * Rancor
 * Riddellian blood-worm
 * Roachrat
 * Ruskakk
 * Sabercat
 * Sarlacc
 * Shadowmoth
 * Slashrat
 * Socorran granite-hawk
 * Space slug
 * Terrafin
 * Traptoforian razor slug
 * Wonderhawk
 * Xerthian hound-slug

Droid models

 * 3PO-series protocol droid
 * D-series protocol droid
 * Medical droid
 * R2-series astromech droid
 * R4-series astromech droid

Events

 * Clone Wars
 * Galactic Civil War
 * Battle of Bakura
 * Battle of Endor
 * Battle of the Corellian Queen
 * Battle of Mindor
 * Battle of Yavin
 * Destruction of Alderaan
 * Duel on Bespin
 * Mission to Jabba's Palace
 * Skirmish at Carkoon
 * Great Cause
 * Great Jedi Purge "Jedi Rebellion"
 * Operation: Knightfall "Temple Massacre"
 * Great Reconcilliation
 * Muurshantre Extinction
 * Spirana operation
 * The Big Crush

The Force

 * Battle meditation
 * Dark side of the Force
 * Force Jump
 * Force pull
 * Force push
 * Force-sensitive
 * Light side of the Force
 * Force ghost
 * Sith alchemy
 * Way of the Dark "Dark"
 * Darksight

Locations

 * The galaxy
 * Aquaris
 * Core Worlds
 * Alderaan
 * Coruscant
 * Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center
 * Jedi Temple
 * Graveyard of Alderaan
 * Corellian Run
 * Dagobah
 * Dromund Kaas
 * Geonosis
 * Haruun Kal
 * Hydian Way
 * Inner Rim Territories
 * Taspan system
 * Taspan
 * Taspan I/Mindor
 * Shadow Base
 * Cavern of the Shadow Throne "Shadowspawn throne room"
 * Shadow Egg
 * Election Center
 * Melter crypt
 * Sorting Center
 * Taspan II
 * Trigaskian Blur
 * Mid Rim
 * Naboo
 * Kamino
 * Kessel
 * Kindlabethia
 * Korriban
 * Valley of Golg
 * Nar Shaddaa
 * Outer Rim Territories
 * Bakura
 * Bespin
 * Chad
 * Dathomir
 * Endor
 * Hoth
 * Kessel
 * Socorro
 * Tatooine
 * Anchorhead
 * Ag school
 * Great Pit of Carkoon
 * Vorzyd V
 * Yavin 4
 * Toskhowwl VI
 * Unknown Regions
 * Gunninga Gap
 * Perann Nebula
 * Nihil Retreat
 * Rhand
 * Temple of Korman Lao
 * Valtaullu Rift

Organizations and titles

 * Alliance of Free Planets
 * Alliance to Restore Freedom to the Galaxy
 * BlasTech Industries
 * Bounty hunter
 * Confederacy of Independent Systems "CIS"
 * Corellian Engineering Corporation
 * Galactic Empire
 * Galactic Emperor / Imperial Executive
 * Emperor's Hand
 * Emperor's Royal Guard
 * Imperial Intelligence
 * Lord of the Shadow Throne
 * Moff
 * Shadow stormtrooper
 * Prophet of the Dark Side
 * Supreme Prophet of the Dark Side
 * Trooper pilot
 * Galactic Republic "Old Republic"
 * Grand Army of the Republic "GAR"
 * 501st Legion "Five Hundred First"
 * Chancellor
 * Republic Intelligence
 * Senate
 * Jaltiri
 * Jedi Order
 * Jedi Knight
 * Jedi Master
 * Padawan
 * Kanzer Exiles
 * Lord Ravager
 * Mandalorian
 * Mandalore
 * Mandalorian Protector
 * Mandalorian Supercommando "Commando"
 * Mercenary
 * New Republic
 * Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic
 * New Republic Defense Fleet
 * New Republic Marine
 * New Republic Special Forces "NRSF"
 * Rapid Response Task Force "RRTF"
 * Air Marshal
 * Ensign
 * 23rd Combat Starfighter Wing
 * Green Squadron
 * Rogue Squadron
 * Rogue Leader
 * Judicial Service
 * Nebula Line corporation
 * Nightsisters
 * Novaldex
 * Order of the Sith Lords
 * Lord of the Sith
 * Pawn
 * Pirate
 * Royal Engineers
 * Smuggler
 * Sorcerers of Rhand
 * SoroSuub Corporation
 * Techno Union

Sentient species

 * Barabel
 * Bothan
 * Gamorrean
 * Glassferran
 * Human
 * Alderaanian
 * Clone
 * Corellian
 * Korun
 * Hutt
 * Melter
 * Mon Calamari
 * Neimoidian
 * Quarren
 * Rodian
 * Ruurian
 * Shistavanen
 * Sith
 * Ssi-ruu
 * T'kkrpk
 * Tusken Raider
 * Unidentified arachnoid species
 * Wookiee

Vehicles and vessels

 * Acclamator II-class assault ship (referred to as "cruiser")
 * All Terrain Armored Transport
 * Armored lander
 * B-wing/E starfighter "B-wing"
 * Bulwark-class Mk.I battlecruiser
 * BTL Y-wing starfighter
 * CC-7700 frigate "Double Seven"
 * CC-7700/E interdiction cruiser "Slash-E"
 * ''Hold 'Em
 * ''Wait a Minute
 * Corellian Frigate
 * Corellian Queen
 * Death Star I
 * Death Star II
 * Escape pod
 * Gyrothopter
 * Heavy assault gunship
 * Hovertank
 * Jadthu-class landing ship
 * Lancer "Old Cuss'n'Whack"
 * Luxury sail barge
 * Khetanna
 * MC80 Liberty type Star Cruiser
 * Justice
 * Mon Calamari Star Cruiser
 * Remember Alderaan
 * Paleo
 * Regulator
 * RZ-1 A-wing interceptor "A-wing"
 * Shuttle
 * Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
 * Skimmer
 * Speeder
 * Speeder bike
 * Star Destroyer
 * Swoop
 * T-65 X-wing starfighter "X-wing"
 * T-65B X-wing starfighter
 * TIE/D Defender "TIE Defender"
 * TIE/In interceptor "TIE Interceptor"
 * TIE/ln starfighter "TIE Fighter"
 * TIE/sa bomber "TIE bomber"
 * Unsung
 * YT-1300 light freighter
 * Millennium Falcon

Weapons and technology

 * AG-2G quad laser cannon
 * aKraB vibrodagger
 * Anti-armor grenade
 * Antipersonnel field projector
 * Antitamper field
 * Artificial gravity generator
 * Attitude thruster
 * Blaster
 * Blaster rifle
 * Bowcaster
 * Cluster bomb
 * Clusterfrag launcher
 * CNF armor
 * Comlink
 * Comm unit
 * Concussion missile
 * Datajack
 * Datalink
 * DC-17
 * Deadman interlock
 * Deflector shield
 * Deflector shield generator
 * DEMP ion pistol "DEMP blaster"
 * DH-17 blaster rifle
 * DL-44 heavy blaster pistol
 * Dubloviann flame rifle
 * Electrobinoculars
 * E-11 blaster rifle
 * Enviro-suit
 * Filter mask
 * Flechette torpedo
 * Foamcast
 * Fusion bomb
 * Fusion torch
 * Gaming station
 * Glow rod
 * Gravity bomb
 * Gravity gun
 * Gravity mine
 * Gravity well projector
 * Hold-out blaster
 * ELG-5C hold-out blaster
 * Holocamera
 * Holodisplay
 * Holoeditor
 * Holoimage
 * HoloNet
 * Holoplayer
 * Holoprojector
 * Hyperdrive
 * IFF transponder
 * Imager
 * Handheld imager
 * Inertial compensator
 * Intercom
 * Ion-turbo cannon
 * Knife
 * KYD-21 blaster pistol
 * Laser bone saw
 * Laser cannon
 * Life support
 * Lightsaber
 * Navicomputer
 * Neural probe
 * Neural stunner
 * Nitroxy generator
 * Particle shield
 * Pawning Table
 * Photoreceptor
 * Power cell
 * Proton bomb
 * Proton grenade
 * Proton torpedo
 * Quad laser cannon
 * Repulsorlift
 * Restraining bolt
 * Sensor dish
 * Sonic damper
 * Sonic hammer
 * Sonic probe
 * Stygium armor
 * Sublight engine
 * Sword
 * Thermal detonator "Thermal det"
 * Transparisteel
 * Turbojack
 * Turbolaser
 * Turbolift
 * Vibroknuckler
 * Vocabulator

Miscellanea

 * Asteroid
 * Asteroid field
 * Meteorite
 * Bacta
 * Bacta patch
 * Bantha steak
 * Barrel roll
 * Basalt
 * Basic
 * Basic Dictionary
 * Barkmeal
 * Binary
 * Black Dwarf
 * Black hole
 * Blazer
 * Borgleball
 * Bounty
 * Brassvine thorn
 * Burnberry
 * Carbonite
 * Chromostring
 * Cloning
 * Code Black
 * ComOps
 * Corusca gem
 * Cred chip
 * Crescent Crown
 * Dejarik
 * Holomonster
 * Detonite
 * Double-noon
 * Drifting moon tree
 * Durasteel
 * Electrospeech
 * "Eyeball"
 * Firestorm
 * Flatcake
 * Foamplas
 * Fry-rock
 * Gong
 * Dinner gong
 * Gravity slice "g-slice"
 * Gravity Well Station
 * Harterran moonstone
 * Holothriller
 * Han Solo and the Lair of the Space Slugs
 * Han Solo and the Pirates of Kessel
 * Han Solo and the Rapid Response Task Force
 * Luke Skywalker and the Dragons of Tatooine
 * Luke Skywalker and the Jedi's Revenge
 * Hrthgingian Firegem
 * Hyperspace
 * Karthrexian glacier
 * Kessel Run
 * Khaddi-nut butter
 * Knattik-root
 * Mando'a
 * Mass shadow
 * May the Force be with you
 * Medpac
 * Meltmassif
 * Microjump
 * Moisture farm
 * Moon Hat
 * NavOps
 * Nikkle nut
 * Obsidian
 * Permacrete
 * Plasma
 * Pukkha broth
 * Raballa
 * Radiation
 * Rakmelon
 * Ration bar
 * Ration pack
 * Sabacc
 * Shadow Throne
 * Shyriiwook
 * Slave
 * Smoked terrafin loin
 * Smuggler's Click
 * Smuggler's Creed
 * Snekfruit
 * Snuffle egg
 * Solo Slide
 * Stickli root
 * Stimcaf
 * Sunset Crown
 * Supernova
 * Surmo-Clarithian
 * TacOps
 * Taurannik Codex
 * Thanatizine II
 * Titanium
 * Tok nut
 * Touranian jumping-stone
 * Turkroot
 * Uranium
 * Vacuum
 * Viewport
 * Viewscreen
 * Vivatherin
 * Wander-kelp
 * "Whingeing jimmies"
 * Wookiee war cry

Behind the scenes
Matthew Stover stated on his blog that "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor is my attempt to get the EU back to its pre-Zahn roots -- specifically, to evoke memories of my all-time favorite Star Wars books, Brian Daley's Han Solo novels."

Beginning with its structure, with a frame story and an inner narrative, evidence abounds that the bulk of Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, complete with opening crawl, excessively colorful language and a curiously-named villain, is, in fact, the mostly fictional basis for a holothriller or a novelization thereof, penned by one of the characters of the frame story. This would put the majority of the book into a quantum state of being possibly, but not certainly, canonically true. Two interviews with Stover, linked to on his blog, lend credence to this theory.