The Essential Reader's Companion

The Essential Reader's Companion is a third-generation Essential Guide written by Pablo Hidalgo, and published by Del Rey. In July 2010, Sue Rostoni posted an updated publishing calendar with the book having been pushed back to March 20, 2012. In December 2011, the book was mentioned to be pushed back again to a release date of August 21, 2012. On March 19, it was announced on Facebook that the release date was moved back to October 2 for the art team to finish more paintings.
At Celebration V it was announced the book would contain summaries of all novels, young readers books, and novellas, listed chronologically by their in-universe setting, as well as behind-the-scenes information and brand-new illustrations, specifically the long-awaited picture of Cal Omas.
Unlike recent previous entries in the Essential Guide series, The Essential Reader's Companion is presented from an out-of-universe, or "real-world," perspective, rather than as a piece of in-universe writing.
==Publisher's summary==
THE DEFINITIVE WORD ON STAR WARS FICTION
The legendary motion picture Star Wars: A New Hope has spawned five big-screen sequels—and decades of bestselling fiction. From the original movie tie-in novel through the monumental Fate of the Jedi series, legions of devoted readers have helped expand science fiction's most celebrated film saga into a page-turning print sensation. Now, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of these sweeping Star Wars adventures is presented in one beautifully illustrated volume.
Star Wars: The Essential Reader's Companion spans the entire galaxy of published Star Wars fiction—movie novelizations, original stand alone and series novels, short stories, eBook novellas, young adult titles, and comics—and features
*A concise synopsis of each story, including key characters and planets
*Exclusive behind-the-scenes facts and anecdotes about authors, plot and character development, continuity notes, and significance in the Star Wars Expanded Universe
*Details on which novels are linked to Star Wars comic books from Dark Horse and Marvel
*A chronological listing of titles, spanning the 25,000-year history of the Star Wars universe and placing each story in its proper context
*More than one hundred full-color original paintings throughout by some of fans' favorite artists
Whether skimming through fateful eras from the Old Republic to the New Jedi Order; delving deep into the ancient history of the Lost Tribe of the Sith or the tumultuous Clone Wars; crossing paths—and lightsabers—with Dark Lords such as Plagueis or Bane, Sidious or Vader; helming the Millennium Falcon with Han Solo; or mastering the Force with Luke Skywalker, this one-of-a-kind, one-stop reference is a must for fans looking to maximize their knowledge of the sprawling Star Wars Expanded Universe.
==List of books==
===Chapter 1: Tales of Ancient Jedi and Sith===
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Skyborn
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Paragon
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Savior
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Purgatory
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Sentinel
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Pantheon
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Secrets
*Lost Tribe of the Sith: Pandemonium
*Tales of the Jedi
*The Old Republic: Revan
*The Old Republic: Smuggler's Vanguard
*"Labor Pains"
*"Interference"	
*The Old Republic: Deceived
*The Old Republic: The Third Lesson
*Red Harvest
*The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance
*The Old Republic: Annihilation
*"The Last Battle of Colonel Jace Malcom"
*Knight Errant
*Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
*Darth Bane: Rule of Two
*Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil
*"Bane of the Sith"
*"Darkness Shared"
===Chapter 2: Height of the Republic===
*Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force
*Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival
*Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past
*Jedi Apprentice: The Mark of the Crown
*Jedi Apprentice: The Defenders of the Dead
*Jedi Apprentice: The Uncertain Path
*Jedi Apprentice: The Captive Temple
*Jedi Apprentice: The Day of Reckoning
*Jedi Apprentice: The Fight for Truth
*Jedi Apprentice: The Shattered Peace
*Jedi Apprentice: The Deadly Hunter
*Jedi Apprentice: The Evil Experiment
*Jedi Apprentice: The Dangerous Rescue
*Jedi Apprentice: The Ties That Bind
*Jedi Apprentice: The Death of Hope
*Jedi Apprentice: The Call to Vengeance
*Jedi Apprentice: The Only Witness
*Jedi Apprentice: The Threat Within
*"The Monster"
*Darth Maul: Saboteur
*"The Starfighter Trap"
*Cloak of Deception
*Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
*"Restraint"
*Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace	
*"End Game"
*Episode I Journal: Anakin Skywalker
*Episode I Journal: Queen Amidala
*Episode I Journal: Darth Maul
*Darth Plagueis
*"The Tenebrous Way"
*"Deep Spoilers"
*Jedi Apprentice Special Edition: Deceptions
*Rogue Planet
*Jedi Apprentice Special Edition: The Followers
*Jedi Quest: Path to Truth
*Jedi Quest: The Way of the Apprentice
*Outbound Flight
*Jedi Quest: The Trail of the Jedi
*Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games
*Jedi Quest: The Master of Disguise
*Jedi Quest: The School of Fear
*Jedi Quest: The Shadow Trap
*Jedi Quest: The Moment of Truth
*Jedi Quest: The Changing of the Guard
*Jedi Quest: The False Peace
*"Reputation"
*Jedi Quest: The Final Showdown
*The Approaching Storm
===Chapter 3: The Clone Wars===
*Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
*"Precipice"
*Boba Fett: The Fight to Survive
*"Death in the Catacombs"
*"Elusion Illusion"
*Boba Fett: Crossfire
*Boba Fett: Maze of Deception
*"Storm Fleet Warnings"
*Legacy of the Jedi
*The Cestus Deception
*The Hive
*"Changing Seasons"
*Secrets of the Jedi
*Jedi Trial
*The Clone Wars
*The Clone Wars: Grievous Attacks!
*The Clone Wars: Bounty Hunter: Boba Fett
*The Clone Wars: Defenders of the Republic
*The Clone Wars: Warriors of the Deep
*The Clone Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy
*"Out Foxed"
*The Clone Wars: Secret Missions 1: Breakout Squad
*The Clone Wars: Secret Missions 2: Curse of the Black Hole Pirates
*The Clone Wars: Secret Missions 3: Duel at Shattered Rock	
*The Clone Wars: Secret Missions 4: Guardians of the Chiss Key
*The Clone Wars: Wild Space
*Boba Fett: Hunted
*"The Pengalan Tradeoff"
*"League of Spies"
*Republic Commando: Hard Contact
*Omega Squad: Targets
*Duel
*Shatterpoint
*"Equipment"
*The Clone Wars: No Prisoners
*Republic Commando: Triple Zero
*Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth
*Clone Wars Gambit: Siege
*"Odds"
*Republic Commando: True Colors
*The Wrath of Darth Maul
*MedStar I: Battle Surgeons
*MedStar II: Jedi Healer
*"MedStar: Intermezzo"
*Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
*Boba Fett: A New Threat
*Boba Fett: Pursuit
*Labyrinth of Evil
===Chapter 4: The Dark Times===
*Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
*Republic Commando: Order 66
*Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
*Imperial Commando: 501st
*"Mist Encounter"
*"The Last One Standing"
*Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
*"In His Image"
*The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission
*The Last of the Jedi: Dark Warning
*"Ghosts of the Sith"
*The Last of the Jedi: Underworld
*The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo
*Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows
*The Last of the Jedi: A Tangled Web
*The Last of the Jedi: Return of the Dark Side
*The Last of the Jedi: Secret Weapon
*The Last of the Jedi: Against the Empire
*The Last of the Jedi: Master of Deception
*The Last of the Jedi: Reckoning
*Coruscant Nights III: Patterns of Force
*"A Two-Edged Sword"
*"The Guns of Kelrodo-Ai"
*"Dark Vendetta"
*The Paradise Snare	
*"Turning Point"
*"The Final Exit"
*The Hutt Gambit
*"Passages"
*"Out of the Cradle"
*The Force Unleashed
*The Force Unleashed II
*"Pax Empirica—The Wookiee Annihilation"
*Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu
*Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon
*Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka
*"When the Domino Falls"
*"Rebel Bass"
*Han Solo at Stars' End
*Han Solo's Revenge
*Han Solo and the Lost Legacy
*"Tinian on Trial"
*Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire
*Death Troopers
*"Interlude at Darkknell"
*Shadow Games
*"And Leebo Makes Three"
*Rebel Dawn
*"Ringers"
*"Maze Run"
===Chapter 5: The Galactic Civil War===
*Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
*Journal: The Fight for Justice
*Journal: Captive to Evil
*Journal: Hero for Hire
*"When the Desert Wind Turns: The Stormtrooper's Tale"
*"We Don't Do Weddings: The Band's Tale"
*"A Hunter's Fate: Greedo's Tale"
*"Hammertong: The Tale of the "Tonnika Sisters""
*"Play It Again, Figrin D'an: The Tale of Muftak and Kabe"
*"The Sand Tender: The Hammerhead's Tale"
*"Drawing the Maps of Peace: The Moisture Farmer's Tale"
*"Be Still My Heart: The Bartender's Tale"
*"Nightlily: The Lovers' Tale"
*"Empire Blues: The Devaronian's Tale"
*"Soup's On: The Pipe Smoker's Tale"
*"Swap Meet: The Jawa's Tale"
*"Trade Wins: The Ranat's Tale"
*"At the Crossroads: The Spacer's Tale"
*"Spare Parts"
*Death Star
*"The Farlander Papers"
*"Breaking Free: The Adventures of Dannen Lifehold"
*"Changing the Odds: The Adventures of Dannen Lifehold"
*"A Certain Point of View"
*"Droid Trouble"
*"The Occupation of Rhamalai"
*"To Fight Another Day"
*"Small Favors"
*"Sandbound on Tatooine"
*Scoundrels
*"Heist"
*Rebel Force: Target
*Rebel Force: Hostage
*Rebel Force: Renegade
*Rebel Force: Firefight
*Rebel Force: Trapped
*Allegiance
*Rebel Force: Uprising
*"The Most Dangerous Foe"
*"Doctor Death: The Tale of Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba"
*"The Great Herdship Heist"
*"Fair Prey"
*Galaxy of Fear: Eaten Alive	
*Galaxy of Fear: City of the Dead
*Galaxy of Fear: Planet Plague
*Galaxy of Fear: The Nightmare Machine
*"Only Droids Serve the Maker"
*"A Bitter Winter"
*Galaxy of Fear: Ghost of the Jedi
*Galaxy of Fear: Army of Terror
*Galaxy of Fear: The Brain Spiders
*Galaxy of Fear: The Swarm
*Choices of One
*Galaxy of Fear: Spore
*Galaxy of Fear: The Doomsday Ship
*"Priority: X"
*Galaxy of Fear: Clones
*"Uhl Eharl Khoehng"
*"Finder's Fee"
*"The Breath of Gelgelar"
*Galaxy of Fear: The Hunger
*Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine
*"Pearls in the Sand"
*"Lando Calrissian: Idiot's Array"
*Splinter of the Mind's Eye
*"Crimson Bounty"
*"Combat Moon"
*"Do No Harm"
*"The Capture of Imperial Hazard"
*"Idol Intentions"
*"The Last Hand"
*"Side Trip"
*"Command Decision"
*"Laughter After Dark"
*"The Draw"
*"Double Cross on Ord Mantell"
*Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
*"The Stele Chronicles"
*"Hunting the Hunters"
*"The Prize Pelt: The Tale of Bossk"
*"Of Possible Futures: The Tale of Zuckuss and 4-LOM"
*"The Emperor's Trophy"
*"Slaying Dragons"
*"The Longest Fall"
*"Firepower"
*"Desperate Measures"
*"Vader Adrift"
*Shadows of the Empire
===Chapter 6: The New Republic===
*Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
*"A Boy and His Monster: The Rancor Keeper's Tale"
*"That's Entertainment: The Tale of Salacious Crumb"
*"A Time to Mourn, a Time to Dance: Oola's Tale"
*"Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade"
*"Old Friends: Ephant Mon's Tale"
*"And the Band Played On: The Band's Tale"
*"Of the Day's Annoyances: Bib Fortuna's Tale"
*"A Bad Feeling: The Tale of EV-9D9"
*"Taster's Choice: The Tale of Jabba's Chef"
*"Let Us Prey: The Whiphid's Tale"
*"And Then There Were Some: The Gamorrean Guard's Tale"
*"Goatgrass: The Tale of Ree-Yees"
*"The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays"
*"A Free Quarren in the Palace: Tessek's Tale"
*"Tongue-tied: Bubo's Tale"
*"Out of the Closet: The Assassin's Tale"
*"Shaara and the Sarlacc: The Skiff Guard's Tale"
*"Skin Deep: The Fat Dancer's Tale"
*"Payback: The Tale of Dengar"
*"A Barve Like That: The Tale of Boba Fett"
*"One Last Night in the Mos Eisley Cantina: The Tale of the Wolfman and the Lamproid"
*"Therefore I Am: The Tale of IG-88"
*The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
*The Mandalorian Armor
*Slave Ship
*Hard Merchandise
*The Truce at Bakura
*A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker
*"A Credit for Your Thoughts"
*"Escape from Balis-Baurgh"
*"Day of the Sepulchral Night"
*"Gathering Shadows"
*"Handoff"
*"Lumiya: Dark Star of the Empire"
*"One of a Kind"
*"Easy Credits"
*Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
*The Glove of Darth Vader
*The Lost City of the Jedi
*Zorba the Hutt's Revenge
*Mission from Mount Yoda
*Queen of the Empire
*Prophets of the Dark Side
*Dark Forces: Rebel Agent
*Dark Forces: Jedi Knight
*"Buyer's Market"
*"Fists of Ion"
*"Deader than a Triton Moon"
*"Missed Chance"
*"A Glimmer of Hope"
*"Whispers in the Dark"
*X-Wing: Rogue Squadron
*X-Wing: Rogue Squadron Comics
*X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble
*X-Wing: The Krytos Trap
*X-Wing: The Bacta War
*"Conflict of Interest"
*"Chessa's Doom"
*"Big Quince"
*"Explosive Developments"
*"Starter's Tale"
*"Vengeance Strike"
*"Kella Rand, Reporting..."
*X-Wing: Wraith Squadron
*X-Wing: Iron Fist
*X-Wing: Solo Command
*The DarkStryder Campaign
*"First Contact"
*"Crisis of Faith"
*"Crossroads"
*The Courtship of Princess Leia
*"Hutt and Seek"
*"Corphelion Interlude"
*A Forest Apart
*Tatooine Ghost
*"The Trouble with Squibs"
*"Mission to Zila"	
*"Shadows of Darkness"
*Heir to the Empire
*Dark Force Rising
*The Last Command
*The Life and Legend of Obi-Wan Kenobi
*X-Wing: Isard's Revenge
*Rendezvous with Destiny
*"Blaze of Glory"
*"Betrayal by Knight"
*"Retreat from Coruscant"
*"No Disintegrations, Please"
*Star Wars: Dark Empire
*Star Wars: Dark Empire II
*Star Wars: Empire's End
*Jedi Search
*Dark Apprentice
*Champions of the Force
*"Firestorm"
*I, Jedi
*Children of the Jedi
*"Simple Tricks"
*"Shades of Gray"
*Darksaber
*X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar
*"Murder in Slushtime"
*Planet of Twilight
*The Crystal Star
*Before the Storm
*Shield of Lies
*Tyrant's Test
*The New Rebellion
*"Two for One"
*"Jade Solitaire"
*Ambush at Corellia
*Assault at Selonia
*Showdown at Centerpoint
*"The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett"
*Specter of the Past
*Vision of the Future
*Star Wars: Union
*"Red Sky, Blue Flame"
*Scourge
*"Hunting the Gorach"
*"Judge's Call"
*Junior Jedi Knights: The Golden Globe
*Junior Jedi Knights: Lyric's World
*Junior Jedi Knights: Promises
*Junior Jedi Knights: Anakin's Quest
*Junior Jedi Knights: Vader's Fortress
*Junior Jedi Knights: Kenobi's Blade
*Survivor's Quest
*Fool's Bargain
*Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force
*Young Jedi Knights: Shadow Academy
*Young Jedi Knights: The Lost Ones
*Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers
*Young Jedi Knights: Darkest Knight
*Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Under Siege
*Young Jedi Knights: Shards of Alderaan
*Young Jedi Knights: Diversity Alliance
*Young Jedi Knights: Delusions of Grandeur
*Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Bounty
*Young Jedi Knights: The Emperor's Plague
*Young Jedi Knights: Return to Ord Mantell
*Young Jedi Knights: Trouble on Cloud City
*Young Jedi Knights: Crisis at Crystal Reef
*"The Crystal"
===Chapter 7: The New Jedi Order===
*The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime
*Star Wars: Invasion
*The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide I: Onslaught
*The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide II: Ruin
*The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial
*The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse
*Chewbacca
*"Boba Fett: A Practical Man"
*The New Jedi Order: Balance Point
*The New Jedi Order: Recovery
*The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory I: Conquest
*The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory II: Rebirth
*"Emissary of the Void"
*The New Jedi Order: Star by Star
*The New Jedi Order: Dark Journey
*The Apprentice	
*The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
*The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
*The New Jedi Order: Traitor
*The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way
*The New Jedi Order: Ylesia
*The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic I: Remnant
*The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic II: Refugee
*The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic III: Reunion
*"Or Die Trying"
*The New Jedi Order: The Final Prophecy
*The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force
*Dark Nest I: The Joiner King
*Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen
*Dark Nest III: The Swarm War
*"Imprint"
===Chapter 8: Legacy===
*Legacy of the Force: Betrayal
*Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines
*Legacy of the Force: Tempest
*Legacy of the Force: Exile
*Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice
*Legacy of the Force: Inferno
*Legacy of the Force: Fury
*Legacy of the Force: Revelation
*Legacy of the Force: Invincible
*Crosscurrent
*"A Fair Trade"
*Riptide
*Millennium Falcon	
*Fate of the Jedi: Outcast
*Fate of the Jedi: Omen
*"First Blood"
*Fate of the Jedi: Abyss
*Fate of the Jedi: Backlash
*Fate of the Jedi: Allies
*Fate of the Jedi: Vortex
*Fate of the Jedi: Conviction
*Fate of the Jedi: Ascension
*Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse
*"Getaway"
*X-Wing: Mercy Kill
*"Roll of the Dice"
==Media==
===Editions===
*; October 2, 2012; Del Rey; US paperback
*; October 2, 2012; Del Rey; US eBook 
===Cover gallery===
File:Essential-Readers-Companion-Tentative.jpg|Solicitation cover
File:SW-ERC.jpg|Cover
==Appearances==
==Behind the scenes==
The Essential Reader's Companion has a few notable incorrect statements, including:
*incorrectly states that Zaltin Corporation supported Ysanne Isard's coup on Thyferra
*incorrectly states that Jorj Car'das had a copy of the Caamas Document and knew the location of the Katana fleet
*incorrectly spells Grodin Tierce's name as "Grodon"
*incorrectly states that the Fallanassi harbored Vestara Khai, rather than Abeloth
*incorrectly states that Xaverri's character originates from The New Rebellion despite never appearing in the text at all
*incorrectly refers to Tyria Sarkin as a newcomer to Wraith Squadron in Iron Fist despite being depicted as a member in Wraith Squadron
*placing Bandomeer in both grid square [O-6] & [O-7]
*placing Nar Shaddaa in both grid square [M-9] & [S-12]
==Sources==
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==Notes and references==
==External links==
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Category:Essential Guides