New This Month from Del Rey Spectra: October 2012

Check out these hot new titles from Del Rey, Spectra, and Lucas Books! ----- The Essential Reader's Companion: Star Wars by Pablo Hidalgo 9780345511195 LucasBooks Trade Paperback - 10/2/2012 THE DEFINITIVE WORD ON STAR WARS FICTION   The legendary motion picture Star Wars has spawned two big-screen sequels and three prequels—and decades of bestselling fiction. From the original movie tie-in novel through the monumental Fate of the Jedi series, legions of devoted readers have helped expand science fiction’s most celebrated film saga into a page-turning print sensation. Now, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of these sweeping Star Wars adventures is presented in one beautifully illustrated volume.   Star Wars: The Essential Reader’s Companion spans the entire galaxy of published Star Wars fiction—movie novelizations, original stand alone and series novels, short stories, eBook novellas, young adult titles, and comics—and features:   • a concise synopsis of each story, including key characters and planets • exclusive behind-the-scenes facts and anecdotes about authors, plot and character development, continuity notes, and significance in the Star Wars Expanded Universe • details on which novels are linked to Star Wars comic books from Dark Horse and Marvel • a chronological listing of titles, spanning the 25,000-year history of the Star Wars universe and placing each story in its proper context • more than one hundred full-color original paintings throughout by some of fans’ favorite  artists   Whether skimming through fateful eras from the Old Republic to the New Jedi Order; delving deep into the ancient history of the Lost Tribe of the Sith or the tumultuous Clone Wars; crossing paths—and lightsabers—with Dark Lords such as Plagueis or Bane, Sidious or Vader; helming the Millennium Falcon with Han Solo; or mastering the Force with Luke Skywalker, this one-of-a-kind, one-stop reference is a must for fans looking to maximize their knowledge of the sprawling Star Wars Expanded Universe. ----- Blood Crime (Graphic Novel) by Kim Harrison 9780345521026 Del Rey Hardcover - 10/30/2012 You can’t tell the story of how it all began for supernatural cops Ivy Tamwood and Rachel Morgan without telling how it all nearly ended. The fiery living vampire and erstwhile earth witch never asked to be paired up in the first place. And having to work Inderland Security’s crummiest beat—busting two-bit paranormal street punks—sure didn’t sweeten the deal. But when it counts, Ivy and Rachel always have each other’s backs. They’d better—because someone just hung targets on both of them.   It doesn’t take a hotshot homicide detective to know that nearly getting flattened by a falling gargoyle or impaled by a lead pipe aren’t on-the-job accidents. But it doesn’t seem possible that the class of crooks Ivy and Rachel routinely collar could kill anything but brain cells. So who put Cincinnati’s tough and tender twosome on their “to do in” list? Is Ivy’s vampire master, the powerful and seductive Piscary, jealous of her growing bloodlust (and just plain lust) for Rachel? Or have forces unknown—living or undead—made the partners prey in a deadly witch (and vampire) hunt?   Before this case is cracked, Ivy and Rachel will face down vicious dogs, speeding locomotives, rogue bloodsuckers, and their own dark desires; spells will be cast and blood will be spilled; and Kim Harrison’s hair-raising, heart-racing, dark urban world of magic and monsters will leap howling from the pages of her second electrifying, full-color graphic novel. ----- Darth Plagueis: Star Wars by James Luceno 9780345511294 LucasBooks Paperback - 10/30/2012  At long last, the Star Wars story of the mysterious Sith Lord Darth Plagueis and his apprentice, Darth Sidious, is revealed!   NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER   “The best Star Wars publication to date . . . [James] Luceno takes Darth Plagueis down the dark path and never looks back.”—Newsday   Darth Plagueis: Like all Sith Lords before him, he craves absolute power. But like no Sith Lord ever, he possesses the ultimate power—over life and death.   Darth Sidious: In secret he masters the power of the dark side, while publicly climbing to the highest government office.   One desires to rule supreme; the other dreams of living forever. Together, they will destroy the Jedi and rule the galaxy. Unless merciless Sith tradition becomes their undoing. . . ----- Hitman: Damnation by Raymond Benson 9780345471345 Del Rey Paperback - 10/30/2012 THE OFFICIAL, ALL-ORIGINAL, ALL-OUT THRILLING PREQUEL TO THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED NEW GAME HITMAN: ABSOLUTION   Since the devastating conclusion of Hitman: Blood Money, Agent 47 has been MIA. Now fans awaiting the return of the blockbuster videogame and film phenomenon can pinpoint the location of the world’s most brutal and effective killer-for-hire before he reemerges in Hitman: Absolution. When the Agency lures him back with a mission that will require every last ounce of his stealth, strength, and undercover tactics, they grossly underestimate the silent assassin’s own agenda. Because this time, Agent 47 isn’t just going to bite the hand that feeds him. He’s going tear it off and annihilate anyone who stands in his way. ----- Check out these backlist titles making their electronic debut this month!  The Essential Guide to Warfare: Star Wars by Jason Fry with Paul R. Urquhart 9780345542748 LucasBooks eBook - 10/2/2012  The Essential Novels: Star Wars 10-Book Bundle by Paul S. Kemp, Karen Traviss, James Luceno, Joe Schreiber, Timothy Zahn, Matthew Stover, Michael A. Stackpole, R. A. Salvatore, Aaron Allston 9780345542649 LucasBooks eBook - 10/2/2012  The Essential Novels: Star Wars Reads Day Special Edition: 4-Book Bundle by Michael A. Stackpole, Timothy Zahn, R.A. Salvatore, Aaron Allston 9780345544544 Del Rey eBook - 10/2/2012