"Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens", will be released on 18 December, 2015, but the story would be set approximately 30 years after the events of Episode VI, "Return of the Jedi".
While fans are restlessly awaiting the release of the next instalment of "Star wars", there are a lot of questions regarding what happened in the last 30 years at the "galaxy far, far away". Most of these questions may be answered in the 20 books that are to be released before the premiere of the movie. They may even provide some spoilers and hints into what "The Force Awakens" may cover.
Before Disney acquisitioned Lucasfilm, hundreds of "Star Wars" books, detailing events that happened long before and after the six films were released. However, in April 2014, it was announced that all the "Star Wars" books and comics published prior that point would no longer be considered part of the "Star Wars Canon", but instead be referred to as "Star Wars Legends". The move was made to give J.J. Abrams and rest of the "The Force Awakens" team creative freedom.
Since the decision, every published books, comics and T V episodes were made consistent with the new "Star Wars Canon" and they have all been set immediately before or after "Star Wars IV: A New Hope".
However, with the newly announced set of 20 books "Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens", which includes, young adult novels, comic books, sticker books and so on, will explore some of the events that took place the "Return of the Jedi" and even hint at some events that can be expected in "The Force Awakens".
A novel in the set will focus of each of the main characters from the original trilogy: "The Weapon of a Jedi by Jason Fry will focus on Luke Skywalker, Smuggler's Run by Greg Rucka will focus on Han Solo, and Moving Target by Cecil Castellucci will focus on Princess Leia," reports Hypable.
One of the books in the series titled "Star Wars: Aftermath", for example will reportedly provide details on the events that followed soon after the destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance in "Return of the Jedi".
The synopsis for the book reads, "The Second Death Star is destroyed. The Emperor and his powerful enforcer, Darth Vader, are rumoured to be dead. The Galactic Empire is in chaos. Across the galaxy, some systems celebrate, while in others Imperial factions tighten their grip. Optimism and fear reign side by side. And while the Rebel Alliance engages the fractured forces of the Empire, a lone Rebel scout uncovers a secret Imperial meeting..."
