Star Wars: Lost Stars

Aristocratic Thane Kyrell and villager Ciena Ree reside on the Outer Rim planet of Jelucan, where the two bond over their shared love of flying and interest in enrolling at the Imperial Academy to become TIE fighter pilots. While enrolled at the Imperial Academy, they always topped the classes and were good friends until Thane's laser cannon project was sabotaged by the Academy itself, who framed Ciena for doing so. In repercussion, both failed the assignment and lost the top spots of the class. When the theory that the Academy itself has framed Ciena for sabotaging Thane's project came up, Thane and Ciena disagreed as to whether the Academy could do that to them.

Thane and Ciena's relationship was sabotaged and remained so until their graduation from the Imperial Academy, where they reconciled during the graduation ceremony.

After their graduation, Ciena was assigned to Darth Vader's Star Destroyer, while Thane was assigned to the Death Star as a TIE pilot. Both Thane and Ciena watched when Alderaan was destroyed by the Death Star. Both survived the destruction of the Death Star, because Thane was on assignment to investigate the rebel base at Dantooine and Ciena was on board a Star Destroyer.

After the destruction of the Death Star, Ciena was reunited with Thane on her Star Destroyer. However, later on, Thane left the Empire after seeing the Bodach'i enslavement on Kerev Doi. After deserting the Empire, Thane went to Jelucan and Ciena found him here, attempting to convince him to return to the Empire, but he refused.

Wedge Antillies recruited Thane to the Rebel Alliance and later, after the Battle of Hoth, Ciena realized from his flying style that Thane had joined the Rebellion. This causes a dilemma within Ciena, as she still has feelings of loyalty to the Galactic Empire.[2]

Later on, Ciena's mother on Jelucan was charged with embezzlement and Ciena took leave to support her mother alongside her father. No one else had come to support them, as their tradition expected, except, to her surprise, Thane. After the trial, they parted ways and did not meet again until when Thane's team had been dispatched to the site of Second Death Star to gather intelligence.

After the destruction of the Second Death Star, Ciena was badly injured and had to take long medical leave. When she was back on duty, she was promoted to Captain and assigned a Star Destroyer to command. During the Battle of Jakku, Thane's team was tasked to infiltrate and capture the Star Destroyer. When Ciena realized that the ship had been infiltrated, she ordered to abandon ship while intending to collide the ship into planet of Jakku, making sure that the ship didn't fall to the New Republic's hands. At this time, Thane confronted Ciena on the ship's bridge. The two had an intense fight, though Thane emerged victorious and saved both of their lives.

In the end, Ciena was held as a prisoner-of-war and later when Thane visited her, he was sure that she will be released soon.

• Thane Kyrell
• Ciena Ree
• Berisse Sai
• Ved Foslo
• Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
• Darth Vader
• Wedge Antilles
• Princess Leia
• Luke Skywalker (Mentioned only)
• Jude Edivon
• Kendy Idele
• Nash Windrider

The novel was released in conjunction with Star Wars: Aftermath on September 4, 2015, as a part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens publishing initiative, in preparation for the December 18, 2015 release of the seventh installment in the film saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[3]

The Battle of Jakku, a battle that is first described in the last few chapters of the novel, can be experienced in the Star Wars Battlefront reboot video game, as free downloadable content that was released on December 8, 2015.[4]

On May 4, 2017, LINE Corporation released an online manga adaptation of the novel exclusively in Japan. Yen Press announced during their Anime NYC panel that they licensed the manga for a North American release.[5]

Sean Keane of NY Daily News wrote "'Lost Stars' may be marketed as a Young Adult novel, but Gray crafts a well written, enthralling narrative that will appeal to "Star Wars" fans of all ages."[6]

Megan Crouse of Den of Geek wrote "Claudia Gray’s Star Wars book Lost Stars has been a hit among fans so far. Originally described as Romeo and Juliet meets Star Wars, it explores the Empire and Rebellion in-depth through the eyes of two young adventurers, Thane and Ciena."[7]

• Lost Stars on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki
• Lost Stars at Disney Publishing Worldwide