Cloak of Deception
{{Short description|2001 novel by James Luceno}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox book
|name = Cloak of Deception
|image = Cloakofdeception.jpg
|author = James Luceno
|cover_artist = Steven Anderson
|country = United States
|language = English
|series = Canon C
|subject =Star Wars
|genre = Science fiction
|publisher = Del Rey
|release_date = Hardcover:
June 1, 2001
Paperback:
June 25, 2002
|media_type = Hardcover & Paperback
|pages = Hardcover: 342
Paperback: 368
|isbn = 0-345-44298-9
|isbn_note= (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
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
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
SF Site summarized: "Star Wars: Cloak of Deception is a good sci-fi book and a decent political thriller."{{cite web |last1=Maddox |first1=David |title=Reviews - Star Wars: Cloak of Deception |url=https://www.sfsite.com/08a/sw109.htm |website=SF Site |access-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011224123046/https://www.sfsite.com/08a/sw109.htm |archive-date=24 December 2001 |date=2001 |url-status=live}}
The novel reached number ten on Billboard{{'}}s and Publishers Weekly{{'}}s bestseller lists,{{cite magazine |title=books & music - top books - NATIONAL TOP 10 - FICTION |journal=The Item |date=June 8, 2001 |volume=106 |issue=235 |page=11A |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3UiAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Cloak+of+Deception%22&pg=PA6&article_id=3672,869507 |publisher=Osteen Publishing Co. |location=Sumter, South Carolina |quote=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}}{{cite magazine |title=Best sellers - Hardcover fiction |journal=The Sunday Gazette |date=June 17, 2001 |page=G5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aLotAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Cloak+of+Deception%22&pg=PA37&article_id=1648,4098535 |publisher=The Daily Gazette Co. |location=Schenectady, New York |quote=10. "Star Wars: Clock of Deception" by James Luceno [...] Publishers Weekly}} number twelve on The New York Times Best Seller list,{{cite web |title=BEST SELLERS: June 17, 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/17/books/best-sellers-june-17-2001.html |website=The New York Times Book Review |publisher=The New York Times Company |access-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219143319/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/17/books/best-sellers-june-17-2001.html |archive-date=19 December 2013 |date=17 June 2001 |quote=12 1 CLOAK OF DECEPTION, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} and number nine on The Wall Street Journal{{'}}s list.{{cite web |title=Best-Selling Books |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB991967791518352612 |website=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=8 June 2001 |quote=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}}{{cite magazine |title=General Bestsellers - HARDCOVERS |journal=Locus |date=September 2001 |volume=47 |issue=488 |page=69 |url=https://archive.org/details/locus-488-2001-09/mode/2up?q=%22Cloak+of+Deception%22 |quote=N Y Times Bk Review: 12, Publishers Weekly: 10, Wall St. Journal: 9}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345442989 Amazon.com Listing]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20051128045650/http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/1212 Official CargoBay Listing]
- {{Wookieepedia|Cloak of Deception}}
{{Star Wars Legends novels|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cloak Of Deception}}
Category:2001 science fiction novels