Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition is an adult novelization that adapts the events of the homonymous 2019 film. The novel was written by Rae Carson, and published on March 17, 2020 by Del Rey.
Publisher's summary[]
Witness the epic final chapter of the Skywalker saga with the official novelization of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, including expanded scenes and additional content not seen in theaters!
The Resistance has been reborn. The spark of rebellion is rekindling across the galaxy. But although Rey and her fellow heroes are back in the fight, the war against the First Order, now led by Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, is far from over.
Rey, Finn, Poe, and the Resistance must embark on the most perilous adventure they have ever faced. And this time, they're facing it together. With the help of old friends, new allies, and the mysterious guidance of the Force, the story that began in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and continued in Star Wars: The Last Jedi reaches an astounding conclusion.
Continuity[]
The novel contains several differences to the film and scenes that don't appear in the final film.
- The novel opens with General Leia Organa training Rey on Ajan Kloss. There is extensive dialogue between the two, with Leia discussing her Jedi training with Luke Skywalker. Leia hears a familiar voice telling her "it's time." After experiencing her haunting Force vision, Rey talks with Rose Tico and Temmin Wexley.
- The opening sequence on Mustafar is extended, with a scene between General Armitage Hux and Allegiant General Enric Pryde. After killing the cultists, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren encounters the Eye of Webbish Bog, an oracle-like being that emerges from a black lake. The creature directs him to the Sith Wayfinder.
- When Kylo Ren finds Palpatine in the Sith Citadel on Exegol, Palpatine elaborates on Snoke; he explains that killing Snoke was Ren's final test. In this scene, the novel explains that the being in front of Ren is a clone body housing Palpatine's damaged spirit. When the Sith fleet emerges from the underground launch bays, Sith troopers are seen standing at attention in marching formation, similar to the clone troopers at the end of Attack of the Clones.
- When Poe Dameron, Finn, Chewbacca, Klaud, and R2-D2 retrieve the information from Boolio at the Sinta Glacier Colony, Boolio explains that the First Order tracked the spy's transmission to his location, which is why the TIE Fighters appear and chase the Millennium Falcon.
- Before the group leaves for Pasaana, Leia shares a moment with Maz Kanata. They discuss the fragility of Leia's physical state and what Rey may encounter on her journey. Rose bids Rey farewell with a hug, and Finn does the same with Rose.
- During the reforging of Kylo Ren's helmet, there is dialogue between Ren and Albrekh that is not present in the film.
- Onboard the Steadfast, stormtroopers bring a captured Boolio before the newly masked Kylo Ren and his Knights of Ren. Boolio defiantly stares down the Supreme Leader as he is beheaded by Ren's crossguard lightsaber.
- When the group meets Lando Calrissian in his tank-crawler at the Festival of Ancestors, Lando briefly mentions his kidnapped daughter.
- After the group escapes Pasaana in the Bestoon Legacy, Lando watches the Falcon get captured by stormtroopers, motivating him to get back in the fight.
- After being brought to Interrogation Six, Chewbacca is visited by Kylo Ren. Ren probes the Wookiee's mind for information about the group's mission, but instead sees memories of his childhood and teenage years with Chewbacca and Han Solo.
- At the Resistance base, Leia gives a rousing speech to the Resistance, praising the efforts of Rose and the Engineering Corps. Leia once again hears a familiar voice telling her, "it's time."
- The Falcon was being dismantled while in possession of the First Order, which damaged the landing gear and forced the group to make a crash landing on Kef Bir.
- After the spirit of Luke raised Red Five from the water on Ahch-To, Rey salvaged the remaining functioning components of the destroyed TIE whisper to get it flight-worthy.
- Zorii Bliss tries to get many of her crew to escape Kijimi, but only succeeds in escaping with Babu Frik in her Y-wing, the Comeuppance.
- The Derriphan returns to Exegol after it destroyed Kijimi, and it is subsequently destroyed in the battle that follows.
- Before leaving for the Core Systems, Lando has an emotional reunion with the Falcon, watching a hologram of a young Ben Solo and Chewbacca. He regains his composure, telling his old friend, "You said it, Chewie. One last time."
- As Rey is about to strike Palpatine down, she looks into his mind. In it, she sees Palpatine falling to his death on the Death Star II, conjuring all the power of the dark side to transport his spirit somewhere "far, far away." She also sees how her father was created using strandcasts from Palpatine's DNA, and that he was regarded as a failure, only being useful in furthering the bloodline through more natural methods.
- When Rose asks why Finn is staying behind on the Steadfast, Finn responds that he is "saving what he loves."
- As Rey is mourning the death of Ben Solo, she hears his voice speak to her.
- When Finn, Rey, and Poe reunite after the battle is won, Finn tearfully begins to tell Rey and Poe what he tried to tell Rey earlier, but they cut him off, saying they know.
Media[]
Editions[]
- ISBN 9780593128404; March 17, 2020; Del Rey; US hardcover[1]
- ISBN 9780593157268; March 17, 2020; Del Rey; US hardcover, Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition[4]
- ISBN 9780593128411; March 17, 2020; Del Rey; US eBook[2]
Cover gallery[]
Placeholder cover
Preliminary cover
Hardcover, eBook
Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition
Appearances[]
By type
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
Organisms
|
Droid models
Events
|
Locations
Organizations and titles
Sentient species
|
Vehicles and vessels
Weapons and technology
|
Miscellanea
Sources[]
NYCC 2019: 'Project Luminous' Details and More Revealed at the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)- The Star Wars Show: We Assure You, Kevin Smith Loves Star Wars on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- Kylo Ren Rampages on Mustafar in the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Novelization – Exclusive Excerpt on StarWars.com (backup link)
- This Week! in Star Wars Ben Solo Turns to the Dark Side, The Rise of Skywalker Expands, and More! | This Week! In Star Wars on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- Leia Reflects on Training with Luke in the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Novelization – Exclusive Excerpt on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 195
- Rae Carson on Leia's Leadership, Lando's Reunion with the Falcon, and Rey's 'Ultimate Victory' on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: Best of 2020 on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Playing With Shadows" — Star Wars Insider 212
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition (Star Wars) on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link) (Hardcover)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition (Star Wars) on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link) (eBook)
- ↑ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary dates the events of Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker as taking place one year after the "Starkiller Incident." As Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates the Starkiller Incident to 34 ABY, it can be deduced the events of Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker take place in 35 ABY.
- ↑ The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition (B&N Exclusive Book) (Star Wars) on Barnes & Noble's official website (backup link)
