Star Wars – Last Shot : A Han and Lando Novel

Get ready for a rip-roaring adventure through the galaxy with Han Solo and Lando Calrissian in Last Shot, a thrilling novel inspired by Solo: A Star Wars Story. The Millennium Falcon may be the fastest ship in the universe, but it can’t outrun the past. When a mysterious transmitter with unimaginable power and a hefty reward for discovery is revealed, Han and Lando set out to claim it not once, but twice before. However, the weapon’s creator, Fyzen Gor, is a dangerous criminal who doesn’t like to share and holds a grudge.

Fast forward ten years, and Han Solo is now a family man who has left his scoundrel days behind him. But when Lando shows up at his doorstep, running from Fyzen’s assassins, Han can’t ignore his friend’s plea for help. With the assistance of a young hotshot pilot, an Ewok slicer prodigy, and a special someone who may be the love of Lando’s life, Han and Lando must work together once more to prevent Gor from using the weapon’s power to reshape the galaxy.

Last Shot is action-packed in all the right ways, with humor, Ewok hackers, murderous robots, and rousing fight scenes. It’s a fun and breezy read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. According to Tordotcom, “it’s a must-read for Star Wars fans.” The Verge calls it “a long-forgotten enemy with a modern twist,” and Alternative Nation hails it as “the flat-out funniest Star Wars novel to date.” With a reversible jacket featuring Han and Lando, this hardcover edition is a must-have for any Star Wars fan. Get your copy today and join the most notorious scoundrels in the New Republic on their epic journey across the stars and into the past.

Author credit: Daniel José Older

Publisher: Del Rey

Release date: 17 April 2018

Canon/Legends status: Canon; ties into Solo: A Star Wars Story and post‑ROTJ storytelling

Placement in timeline: Dual‑era narrative — part set before Solo, part set after Return of the Jedi

Series connections: Connects to Solo, Bloodline, Aftermath, The Mandalorian‑era underworld lore, and broader scoundrel‑focused storytelling

Plot summary

Years after the fall of the Empire, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian are pulled back into a crisis rooted in their past. A dangerous technologist named Fyzen Gor resurfaces, threatening the galaxy with a horrific device capable of rewriting sentient life. Gor’s obsession with cybernetic manipulation and forced “improvement” drives him to unleash a swarm of deadly droids.

The story unfolds across two timelines: Lando’s earlier encounter with Gor before the events of Solo, and Han’s post‑ROTJ struggle with fatherhood, identity, and lingering guilt. When Gor’s plan accelerates, Han and Lando reunite with old allies — including Chewbacca, Taka Jamoreesa, and L3‑37’s legacy — to stop a threat that blends body horror, underworld chaos, and personal reckoning. The novel mixes humour, tension, and emotional depth while exploring the cost of past choices.

Characters

Main characters

Han Solo: Older, restless, struggling with fatherhood and the weight of past mistakes; pulled into a mission he’d rather avoid. Lando Calrissian: Stylish, calculating, and emotionally complex; his past with Fyzen Gor becomes central to the crisis. Fyzen Gor: Brilliant but deranged technologist whose experiments blur the line between life and machine. Chewbacca: Steadfast partner whose loyalty and strength anchor the team. Taka Jamoreesa: Energetic, sharp‑witted pilot whose humour and resilience add spark to the mission.

Supporting cast & factions

L3‑37 (legacy): Her past actions and philosophy echo through Lando’s arc. Ka’Ra Syndicate: Underworld group tied to Lando’s earlier misadventures. New Republic elements: Present in the background as Han navigates post‑war life. Various underworld contacts: Smugglers, slicers, and scoundrels who complicate the investigation.

Key relationships & arcs

• Han’s struggle with fatherhood and identity adds emotional weight to the mission.
• Lando’s guilt and unresolved history with Gor drive his determination to finish what he started.
• Taka’s dynamic with Han and Lando injects humour and fresh perspective.
• Gor’s twisted ideology challenges the heroes’ understanding of freedom, autonomy, and sentience.
• The dual‑timeline structure reveals how past choices shape present consequences.

Themes & analysis

Consequences of the past: The novel explores how old mistakes resurface, forcing Han and Lando to confront unresolved guilt.

Identity and transformation: Gor’s experiments raise questions about bodily autonomy, technological ethics, and the nature of sentience.

Found family: Han’s relationship with Chewbacca, Leia, and Ben underscores the emotional stakes of his journey.

Underworld politics: The story highlights the chaotic, unpredictable nature of post‑Imperial criminal networks.

Humour and trauma: Older balances comedy with darker psychological and body‑horror elements, creating a unique tonal blend.

Behind the scenes

Authorship & development: Daniel José Older crafted the novel to bridge eras, blending scoundrel adventure with emotional introspection. His background in character‑driven storytelling and humour shapes the book’s voice, giving Han and Lando distinct emotional arcs.

Purpose within the canon: Designed to complement Solo while expanding post‑ROTJ lore, the novel deepens both characters’ personal journeys and explores underworld technology rarely seen in Star Wars.

Connections to other media:

• Ties into Solo through Lando’s past and L3‑37’s legacy
• Resonates with Bloodline and Aftermath through post‑Imperial politics
• Adds texture to scoundrel‑centric storytelling seen in The Mandalorian and Shadow Fall
• Expands cybernetic and droid‑ethics themes present in other canon works

Reception & legacy

Critical reception: Praised for its humour, emotional depth, and inventive villain. Readers highlighted Older’s ability to balance fun scoundrel energy with darker thematic elements.

Influence on the canon:

• Deepens Han and Lando’s friendship across eras
• Expands cybernetic ethics and droid‑sentience themes
• Adds significant backstory to Lando’s pre‑Solo adventures
• Strengthens the connective tissue between OT and New Republic‑era storytelling

Edition & publication details

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook (narrated by Marc Thompson) Cover art: Bold red‑and‑black design featuring Han, Lando, and the Falcon

Continuity & canon placement

Where it sits: Split between pre‑Solo and post‑ROTJ timelines, bridging scoundrel history with New Republic‑era character development.

What it sets up:

• Han’s emotional trajectory leading toward Bloodline
• Lando’s deeper underworld connections
• The ethical implications of cybernetic experimentation
• Future scoundrel‑focused storytelling in the New Republic era

What it diverges from: Fully canonical within modern storytelling.

What it expands: Underworld technology, scoundrel culture, droid autonomy, and the personal evolution of Han and Lando.

Sources

Primary Canon & Publishing

Official, canon‑verified, and publisher‑accurate information.

StarWars.com (Official Canon) https://www.starwars.com

Del Rey / Penguin Random House Worlds (Adult Novels) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com https://www.randomhousebooks.com

Lucasfilm Press (YA / Middle Grade) https://books.disney.com/imprint/lucasfilm-press/

Youtini (High‑quality summaries & reading order) https://youtini.com

Lore, Characters & Continuity

For character lists, factions, timeline placement, and lore expansion.

Wookieepedia (Canon + Legends) https://starwars.fandom.com

Star Wars Databank (Official Canon Profiles) https://www.starwars.com/databank

Reception, Legacy & Context

For ratings, reviews, and cultural impact.

Goodreads (Reader Reception) https://www.goodreads.com

Amazon (Edition Details, Page Counts, Audiobook Info) https://www.amazon.co.uk https://www.amazon.com

Professional Reviews SlashFilm — https://www.slashfilm.com Den of Geek — https://www.denofgeek.com CNET — https://www.cnet.com Radio Times — https://www.radiotimes.com

Supplemental 

Jedi Temple Archives https://www.jeditemplearchives.com

Yoda’s Datapad https://www.yodasdatapad.com

Han and Lando slip back into chaos like it’s an old habit they never quite kicked. Their past choices echo through every twist of the mystery, dragging them into danger that feels both personal and galaxy‑sized. Han moves with that scruffy‑edged instinct that’s saved him more times than he’ll admit, while Lando brings charm, style and just enough panic to keep things interesting.

As secrets unravel and threats close in, the stakes spike fast — humour, tension and old wounds colliding with a crisis neither of them can outrun. It’s messy, sharp and full of that electric energy only these two can generate when trouble comes knocking.