Cover Artist: Steven Anderson

In "Cloak of Deception", James Luceno weaves a tapestry of political intrigue that made for a very entertaining read. The several different story lines in this book are meshed together in such a way as to make this book much more than a story of politics and terrorism.

As the story starts, a terrorist organization called Nebula Front is executing a raid against the Trade Federation. The Trade Federation was instrumental in blazing many new hyperspace routes through uncharted space and now uses their sole knowledge of these routes to exert a stranglehold over the Outer Rim planets. On the surface, it appears that Nebula Front was organized in order to take the Trade Federation down a notch so it will treat it's clients more fairly, but things aren't always what they seem.

Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are investigating one of the key members of Nebula Front as he carries out an attack on the Trade Federation at the start of the book. Qui-Gon follows this man's trail through the events of the book, all the while getting closer to the truth that underlies all the major events in the galaxy at this time.

Another major player in this novel is Senator Palpatine. He is a typical politician in that he makes no firm promises to any party while making it appear that he will provide his complete support to whoever it is he is talking to at the moment.

All the story lines and events come together in the end, resulting in a sudden twist that leaves the galaxy wide open for the events that occur in The Phantom Menace.