StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils

''This article describes the novel. Alternatively, you may be looking for the Colonial Rangers unit of the same name.''

StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils is an upcoming StarCraft novel being written by William C. Dietz. The hardcover version is due April 2010; a softcover will be published December 2010.

A collector's edition will also be available the week of April 6th, 2010.

Description
In this prequel novel to StarCraft II—the hotly anticipated follow-up to Blizzard Entertainment’s classic real-time strategy game StarCraft—bestselling author William C. Dietz reveals the extraordinary back-story of the game’s legendary outlaw heroes, Jim Raynor and Tychus Findlay.

For the poor, hardworking citizens of the Confederacy's fringe worlds, the Guild Wars have exacted a huge toll. Swayed by the promise of financial rewards, a new batch of recruits joins the fight alongside a slew of mysteriously docile criminals -- and a few dubious military leaders. Eighteen-year-old Jim Raynor, full of testosterone and eager to make things right at home, ships off to boot camp and finds his footing on the battlefield, but he soon discovers that the official mission is not what he's really fighting for.

For the first time ever, StarCraft enthusiasts will learn the origins of the enduring friendship between the young upstart Jim Raynor and the streetwise soldier Tychus Findlay. Watch as they battle on the front lines of a fierce interplanetary war and bear witness to the Confederacy's rank corruption -- corruption so reprehensible that it rains immeasurable death and destruction upon the government's own people.

Main Characters

 * Tychus Findlay
 * Jim Raynor

Supporting Characters

 * Hank Harnack
 * Kydd

Features
In addition to the story itself, Heaven's Devils features a thirteen page StarCraft timeline covering events from 1500 to 2504 and references to other products in the series. Full-colored artwork is also featured in the front pages.

Discrepencies
The timeline featured in the novel contains the following discrepencies:


 * According to the novel's timeline, the terrans colonized the Koprulu Sector in 2259. According to the StarCraft manual however, roughly two centuries passed between their arrival and the start of the Great War.


 * According to the novel's timeline, Tychus Findlay was born in 2464. However, his StarCraft II statue page lists his D.O.B. as being four years later.


 * According to the novel's timeline, the Kel-Morian Combine was formed in 2485. However, other sources depict its formation long before, including that of 2376.


 * According to the novel's timeline, Angus Mengsk and his family were assassinated not long after the declaration of Korhal's independence. According to ''StarCraft: I, Mengsk however, two years passed between the declaration and his assassination (2491).


 * According to the novel's timeline, the Brood War began and ended in 2500. However, according to StarCraft: Brood War, the conflict ended much later-at least post May 5, 2501.


 * According to the novel's timeline, Arcturus Mengsk carried out an "overhaul" of the Ghost Program in 2500. According to ''StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga: Twilight however, this occurred much later (c. 2504.


 * According to the novel's timeline, the events of The Dark Templar Saga and StarCraft: Ghost/StarCraft: Spectres occur three years after the Brood War (2503 by its reckoning. However, both the Dark Templar Saga and Ghost occur four years after the Brood War (which, by current reckoning, would place the stories in 2505.

Excerpts
Heaven's Devils Free Download. Simon & Schuster. Accessed 2009-08-29. (Requires registration.)