"First Look: New Star Wars Novel Dives Into Post-Skywalker Era"

We’re finally getting a glimpse into the world beyond The Rise of Skywalker—and it's not from Shawn Levy, at least not yet. While anticipation builds for Levy’s upcoming Star Wars film, Star Wars: Starfighter, fans can delve into the post-Rise of Skywalker universe sooner with the new young adult novel, Star Wars: The Last Order.

Revealed on the Penguin Random House website, this novel dives deeper into the lives of John Boyega's beloved hero, Finn, and Naomi Ackie's resistance ally, Jannah, both introduced in Rise of Skywalker. The official synopsis from the publisher, penned by author Kwame Mbalia, states:

“Following the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the Resistance rescues a ship full of young passengers who had been kidnapped by the First Order. As Finn and Jannah set out to find the First Order officer responsible before he can endanger any more children, the two former stormtroopers must wrestle with their own complicated pasts as soldiers of the oppressive regime.”

This marks the first Star Wars project to explore the universe after the events of Rise of Skywalker, even though it's not the first planned project to do so. As for Levy’s post-Rise of Skywalker film, it remains eagerly awaited on the horizon.

Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy provided insight into the project during a February interview with Deadline, explaining the timeline shift: “It’s all post-[the first] nine,” she said. “Shawn’s is a standalone Star Wars story that'll take place post-nine, maybe five or six years out.” Last month, Jonathan Tropper, the writer on the project, expressed his enthusiasm to Screen Rant, saying, "I hope it's on the way sooner than you think." Days later, the release date for the film was announced—with Ryan Gosling confirmed to star—at Star Wars Celebration Japan.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 23 ImagesAccording to Penguin Random House, Star Wars: The Last Order will hit shelves on October 21, 2025. Meanwhile, fans will have to wait a bit longer for Levy’s film, slated for release on May 28, 2027.