Cloak of Deception

2001 novel by James Luceno

Cloak of Deception

Author| James Luceno
Cover artist| Steven Anderson
Language| English
Series| Canon C
Subject| Star Wars
Genre| Science fiction
Publisher| Del Rey

Publication date

| Hardcover:
June 1, 2001
Paperback:
June 25, 2002
Publication place| United States
Media type| Hardcover & Paperback
Pages| Hardcover: 342
Paperback: 368
ISBN| 0-345-44298-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-345-44297-0 (paperback)
Preceded by| Darth Maul: Saboteur
Followed by| Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter

Cloak of Deception is a 2001 science fiction novel set in the Star Wars galaxy, written by American author James Luceno. It is a prequel occurring before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The cover art was by Steven Anderson. The book takes place 32.5 years before Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Narration for the audio version was performed by Alexander Adams. The paperback version included a 15-page excerpt of Enemy Lines: Rebel Dream.

## Synopsis

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The Galactic Republic is in a state of decline, mired in greed and corruption and tangled in bureaucracy. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over—while back in the comfort of Coruscant, the hub of civilized space and seat of Republic government, few senators seem inclined to investigate the problem. And those who suspect Supreme Chancellor Valorum of having a hand in the machinations are baffled—especially when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on the Chancellor.

With the crisis escalating, Valorum calls for an emergency trade summit. As humans and aliens gather, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation, who have entered into a shadowy alliance with the Sith lord Darth Sidious. While the Federation will be content with more money and fewer problems, Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans.

## Writing

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While writing the novel, Luceno was granted access to parts of the screenplay drafts and concept art of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. As such, Cloak of Deception marked the first appearance in the series' chronological timeline of almost all of the new characters from Attack of the Clones, including the Techno Union, and other Separatists.

## Reception

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SF Site summarized: "Star Wars: Cloak of Deception is a good sci-fi book and a decent political thriller."[1]

The novel reached number ten on Billboard's and Publishers Weekly's bestseller lists,[2][3] number twelve on The New York Times Best Seller list,[4] and number nine on The Wall Street Journal's list.[5][6]

## References

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1. ^ Maddox, David (2001). "Reviews - Star Wars: Cloak of Deception". SF Site. Archived from the original on December 24, 2001. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
2. ^ "books & music - top books - NATIONAL TOP 10 - FICTION". The Item. Vol. 106, no. 235\. Sumter, South Carolina: Osteen Publishing Co. June 8, 2001. p. 11A. "Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's edition of "Billboard" magazine [...] 10. "Star Wars: Clock of Deception" by James Luceno"
3. ^ "Best sellers - Hardcover fiction". The Sunday Gazette. Schenectady, New York: The Daily Gazette Co. June 17, 2001. p. G5. "10\. "Star Wars: Clock of Deception" by James Luceno [...] Publishers Weekly"
4. ^ "BEST SELLERS: June 17, 2001". The New York Times Book Review. The New York Times Company. June 17, 2001. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2025. "12 1 CLOAK OF DECEPTION, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.)"
5. ^ "Best-Selling Books". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. June 8, 2001. Retrieved April 21, 2025. "The Wall Street Journal's list of best-selling books for the week ended June 2. [...] Fiction [...] 9 Cloak of Deception, James Luceno/Del Ray"
6. ^ "General Bestsellers - HARDCOVERS". Locus. Vol. 47, no. 488\. September 2001. p. 69\. "N Y Times Bk Review: 12, Publishers Weekly: 10, Wall St. Journal: 9"

## External links

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* Amazon.com Listing
* Official CargoBay Listing
* Cloak of Deception on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki

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Star Wars Legends novels (1976–2014)

Film novelizations|

* From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976)
* The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
* Return of the Jedi (1983)
* Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
* Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
* Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
* The Clone Wars (2008)

Series|

* The Han Solo Adventures (1979–80)
* The Lando Calrissian Adventures (1983)
* Thrawn (1991–98)
* Jedi Prince (1992–93)
* Jedi Academy (1994)
* Callista trilogy (1995–97)
* Young Jedi Knights (1995–98)
* The Black Fleet Crisis (1996–97)
* X-wing (1996–12)
* Galaxy of Fear (1997–98)
* The Han Solo Trilogy (1997–98)
* Journal (1998)
* Episode I Journal (1999–00)
* Jedi Apprentice (1999–02)
* The Rising Force
* The New Jedi Order (1999–03)
* Jedi Quest (2001–04)
* Republic Commando (2004–09)
* Dark Nest (2005)
* The Last of the Jedi (2005–07)
* Legacy of the Force (2006–08)
* Fate of the Jedi (2009–12)
* The Old Republic (2010–12)

Standalone|

* Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1978)
* The Truce at Bakura (1993)
* The Courtship of Princess Leia (1994)
* The Crystal Star (1994)
* The New Rebellion (1996)
* Shadows of the Empire (1996)
* I, Jedi (1998)
* Rogue Planet (2000)
* Cloak of Deception (2001)
* The Approaching Storm (2002)
* Tatooine Ghost (2003)
* Survivor's Quest (2004)
* Labyrinth of Evil (2005)
* Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (2005)
* Allegiance (2007)
* Millennium Falcon (2008)
* Death Troopers (2009)
* Scoundrels (2012)
* Crucible (2013)

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