tar Wars is officially leaning into the shadows.
A new horror-themed middle grade novel set in the galaxy far, far away is on the way from Kiersten White, and it’s bringing haunted mystery energy to younger readers this fall.
The book is scheduled to release September 1, 2026, published by Random House Worlds, and runs approximately 240 pages — marking one of the clearest pushes yet into horror storytelling for the middle grade Star Wars audience.
The Official Synopsis
The tone is unmistakably spooky:
“Venture beyond the dark side in this chilling horror-themed middle grade novel based on the Star Wars galaxy. Haunted by an evil presence, a young girl tries to solve a nightmarish mystery. Is her bogeyman a Sith…or something darker? Horror readers and Star Wars fans of all ages will thrill to this fright-filled middle grade novel.”
That’s not just “creepy corridor on a ship” atmosphere. This is:
- Psychological mystery
- Childhood fear
- An unseen presence
- A threat that might go beyond the Sith
And that last part is the hook — something darker than Sith is a big promise in Star Wars storytelling.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Star Wars has dipped into horror before, but rarely in this format.
We’ve seen unsettling elements in:
- Nightsister magic
- Sith alchemy
- Dark side rituals
- Horror-leaning legends like Death Troopers
But this is different. This is:
- Middle grade horror
- Character-driven
- Mystery-focused
- Built around fear of the unknown rather than war
It shifts the Force from “hero power” to something mysterious, potentially frightening, and not fully understood.
That’s fresh territory.
Kiersten White Is a Perfect Fit
Kiersten White already has experience inside Star Wars storytelling and is known for writing darker fantasy with strong emotional character focus.
That combination makes her ideal for a story centered on:
- One young protagonist
- One mystery
- One haunting presence
Instead of galaxy-spanning battles, this sounds like a personal nightmare in a massive universe — which is exactly how good horror works.
Expanding the Tone of Star Wars
This novel continues an important trend: Star Wars isn’t just one genre anymore.
We now have:
- Political thriller (Andor)
- Space western (The Mandalorian)
- Mythic Force fantasy (Ahsoka)
- And now… middle grade horror
That diversification keeps the galaxy feeling vast. Not every story needs fleets and lightsaber duels. Sometimes it’s just one character, in the dark, asking what’s out there.
Why the “Something Darker Than Sith” Angle Matters
The synopsis raises a fascinating question: what does “darker than Sith” mean?
That could point to:
- Ancient Force lore
- Unknown entities
- Psychological manifestations
- Non-Sith dark side traditions
It hints that Star Wars horror might lean into cosmic mystery rather than just red lightsabers.
Release Details
- Author: Kiersten White
- Publisher: Random House Worlds
- Release Date: September 1, 2026
- Length: ~240 pages
- Audience: Middle grade, but accessible to older fans who enjoy spooky sci-fi
A Galaxy Where the Dark Isn’t Just the Dark Side
This novel suggests the scariest stories in Star Wars aren’t about war.
They’re about not knowing what’s watching you.
And that might be the most terrifying part of the galaxy yet.
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