Star Wars announced a new book that will come this summer, centering on the Jedi Master Mace Windu. Titled Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss, it will tell the Jedi High Council member’s story, his complicated relationship with Qui-Gon Jinn, and his life after the Jedi Knight’s death.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the official Star Wars Books account announced the coming of Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss. “Next summer: A Jedi Master embarks on the quest of a lifetime,” its caption reads. The tweet also comes with the book’s premise, revealing how Mace Windu travels to a dangerous, remote planet to fulfill Qui-Gon’s last request.
The novel takes place between Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones following Qui-Gon’s death. Here, Mace Windu will deal with the aftermath of the respected Jedi Order member’s demise. However, things will be more complicated as he’s about to receive a posthumous message from the fallen Jedi.
Written by the sci-fi author and TV writer Steven Barnes, he told StarWars.com that he was thrilled to be asked to write the book, giving him the chance to explore the life of Mace Windu. “I was busy with television work…but how could I pass this up?” he said. “A chance to wield the purple lightsaber?”
With the help of a great team, he managed to create a story full of “mystery, adventure, betrayal, and romance” set on the planet of Metagos. He describes this world as a cesspool full of criminals—far different from its once thriving and beautiful world. With the arrival of a supreme warrior willing to risk it all, a big difference is about to happen.
What is Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss about?
Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss follows the story of Mace Windu as he’s still reeling from Qui-Gon’s death after an intense lightsaber duel with Maul. Though the two have a complicated relationship, often disagreeing with each other, Mace values his unique ideas. They both share the same dedication to the Force, making them great allies.
After his death, Mace will receive a message from Qui-Gon, asking him to help the Outer Rim planet of Metagos. As expected, he will fulfill his final wish, travel to the planet, and enter the enemies of the Sa’ad. However, after investigating the intricate web of adversaries and allies, he will find himself on the edge of the Jedi code, which will challenge his beliefs and relationship with the Force.
You can read the synopsis below:
Jedi Master Mace Windu travels to a dangerous, remote planet on a mission that challenges even his deadly prowess—all to fulfill Qui-Gon’s last request. The Jedi are reeling from Qui-Gon Jinn’s sudden death at the hands of a Sith. Jedi Master Mace Windu’s feelings about Qui-Gon have always been complicated, and have not been made any simpler in death. While they often disagreed, Mace valued Qui-Gon's unique perspective, and their shared dedication to the Force made them allies. Without Qui-Gon and his unorthodox views, Mace feels out of balance. While considering his fallen friend’s legacy, Mace is surprised to receive a final message from Qui-Gon, marked to be delivered to Mace on the event of Qui-Gon’s death. The message contains a last request: a plea to help the Outer Rim planet of Metagos. Many years ago, a violent solar flare transformed the surface of the desert planet into a landscape of irradiated glass—as beautiful as it is dangerous. Now most of the surviving inhabitants live underground, where rival clans fight to control the planet’s limited resources. As a young Jedi, Qui-Gon protected the Sa’ad farming clan from the planet’s less scrupulous factions. The Sa’ad practice the art of dream-weaving, retaining their waking minds upon sleep in order to communicate and coexist with the wild creatures around them. Qui-Gon vowed to return if they ever required his aid, but now it falls to Mace to fulfill that promise. The Sa’ad’s leader, KinShan Nightbird, has begged for the Jedi’s help in freeing Megatos from the crime lords who threaten to eradicate her people’s way of life. Intent on fulfilling Qui-Gon’s final wishes, Mace travels to Megatos and infiltrates the enemies of the Sa’ad. But as the Jedi Master investigates the intricate web of adversaries and allies, Mace finds himself pushed to the boundaries of the Jedi code, challenging his beliefs and his relationship to the Force itself.
Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss will be released on August 6, 2024, and is now available for pre-order on Penguin Random House. Avid Star Wars fans can now explore more about Mace Windu's life and Qui-Gon Jinn's death.
