Lords of the Sith is a novel written by Paul S. Kemp. It is a canon Star Wars novel and was originally published on April 28, 2015. The story is connected to the Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels television shows and takes place in the year 14 BBY.
Publisher’s Summary: “It appears things are as you suspected, Lord Vader. We are indeed hunted.”
Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, is just a memory. Darth Vader, newly anointed Sith Lord, is ascendant. The Emperor’s chosen apprentice has swiftly proven his loyalty to the dark side. Still, the history of the Sith Order is one of duplicity, betrayal, and acolytes violently usurping their Masters—and the truest measure of Vader’s allegiance has yet to be taken. Until now.
On Ryloth, a planet crucial to the growing Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as “spice,” an aggressive resistance movement has arisen, led by Cham Syndulla, an idealistic freedom fighter, and Isval, a vengeful former slave. But Emperor Palpatine means to control the embattled world and its precious resources—by political power or firepower—and he will be neither intimidated nor denied. Accompanied by his merciless disciple, Darth Vader, he sets out on a rare personal mission to ensure his will is done.
For Syndulla and Isval, it’s the opportunity to strike at the very heart of the ruthless dictatorship sweeping the galaxy. And for the Emperor and Darth Vader, Ryloth becomes more than just a matter of putting down an insurrection: When an ambush sends them crashing to the planet’s surface, where inhospitable terrain and an army of resistance fighters await them, they will find their relationship tested as never before. With only their lightsabers, the dark side of the Force, and each other to depend on, the two Sith must decide if the brutal bond they share will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries.
Review: Lords of the Sith is an interesting book for me. Obviously, I would like it from subject alone and it has my two favorite characters in Star Wars, the Emperor and Darth Vader. And yes, I loved it because you got to see a little of the partnership of Vader and the Emperor, maybe not as much as I would have liked but enough to smooth over my appetite for it. The story was also interesting on the other side of things with Cham Syndulla and his group of freedom fighters. I like how he says over and over again that he is a freedom fighter and not a terrorist. And at one key moment in the story, he almost has to question that very belief as things are happening around him.
When I went into this book, I was hoping that most if not all of it would have been from the Sith’s point of view and to be honest, when I found out that it wasn’t, it was a downer. But as I got into the meat of the story, that feeling went away mainly because you got to see a really cool character named Isval and her side of things. Matter of fact, her part of this book, especially the ending, is really cool and afterward, you are really glad you meet her.
I will say the fun in this book is reading and imagining all the things that Vader and his master do. Wither it is fighting a horde of lyleks or bringing a ship down from the sky or realizing the Emperor is so much more powerful than you realize. How secretly he does all of his things, only allowing certain people to witness what he can truly do and every bit of that part of the story is fun.
The regular Empire characters Moff Delian Mors and the person she choose to watch over Ryloth, Belkor Dray, have a little story of their own of betrayal and seeking power as Mors let herself go after losing her wife months ago. Dray tries to sabotage Mors by helping Syndulla in freedom fighting efforts. We all know how that goes – never betray the Empire.
And I saved the best for last. The opening sequence in this book is one of the best openings for any book as you see Vader in his meditation chamber, remembering his past life and using it to fuel his anger. He proceeds to to get up and board a ship on his own accord to take out a whole squadron with no hope of their survival. That scene and moment alone makes this book go from good to great. There are a couple of minor things that I wished may have been different like the point of view but they are minor.
I give this book a four out of five on the need to read if you’re a Star Wars fan. If you haven’t read it yet, give it a go. And if you love the Hera Syndulla character from Star Wars Rebels, it gives you great insight on her father Cham. Give it a read, guys, and thanks for your support.
