Thursday, October 8, 2026 – Orlando, Florida
Tales From Jabba’s Palace is one of several anthologies of short stories set in George Lucas’ “galaxy far, far away” that delve into the cast of supporting characters that were seen in specific scenes of Classic Trilogy Episodes IV, V, and VI. Edited by prolific Star Wars author Kevin J. Anderson (Darksaber, The Jedi Academy Trilogy, and various Dark Horse comic book series), this volume contains 19 entertaining stories set within the walled palace of Tatooine crime boss Jabba the Hutt.
Although (curiously) none of the stories are about Jabba the Hutt per se, the slug-like gangster’s presence is evident in most of the tales. Almost all the members of Jabba’s court — majordomo Bib Fortuna, Oola (the ill-fated dancing girl fed to the rancor), Salacious Crumb (Jabba’s annoying pet monkey-lizard), and Boba Fett, the galaxy’s most infamous bounty hunter — are described vividly not only by such noted Star Wars writers as Dave Wolverton, Timothy Zahn, Kathy Tyers, and editor Anderson (who contributed “A Boy and His Monster: The Rancor Keeper’s Tale”), but also by prominent Star Trek authors A. C. Crispin and Judith and Garfield Reeves Stevens.
The overall tone of this anthology can be best described as a combination of Rashomon and The Godfather set in the Star Wars galaxy. Although a few of the characters are innocent victims of Jabba’s huge appetite for wealth and shady deals (see Kathy Tyers’ “A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance: Oola’s Tale”) or antiheroes such as Mara Jade (“Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade” by Timothy Zahn), most are underhanded and venal mob underlings whose desire to topple Jabba from his throne is matched only by their fear of the ruthless Hutt crime lord. While Luke Skywalker and his friends rescue Han Solo, the focus isn’t on the heroes for a change; after all, we saw what they did in Return of the Jedi. No, the fun here is discovering the untold stories behind the fortress-like walls of Jabba’s Palace, and believe me, this anthology is well-written and enjoyable for both die-hard and casual Star Wars fans.
- Publisher: Random House Worlds
- Publication date: December 1, 1995
- Language: English
- Print length: 448 pages
- ISBN-10: 0553568159
- ISBN-13: 978-0553568158
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