The Deus Ex series is branching into the print world. Del Rey Books has announced a James Swallow-penned novel entitled Deus Ex: The Icarus Effect.

Icarus Effect follows Anna Kelso, a Secret Service agent, and Ben Saxon, a special ops soldier, as they uncover a shadowy conspiracy. It's not clear when this story takes place. However, a quote from Eidos' Andre Vu in the press release mentions that characters and story elements from the novel will overlap with the upcoming game Deus Ex: Human Revolution. The novel is probably either a prequel or side story to Human Revolution, so as to prevent spoilers to the game's plot.

Like Human Revolution, Icarus Effect is expected in 2011. It was only announced for a North American and European release but "many other countries" will receive it in time as well.