*All posts in the Star Wars Canon series contain minor spoilers
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“Not a terrorist, but a freedom fighter. Not a terrorist, but a freedom fighter.” –Cham Syndulla, Star Wars: Lords of the Sith.
Star Wars: Lords of the Sith is about the battle for the freedom of Ryloth between Cham Syndulla’s freedom fighters and the Imperial Empire.
Written by: Paul S. Kemp (author of From a Certain Point of View short story)
Published: April 28, 2015
When does Lords of the Sith take place?
Between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
Or more specifically: 14 BBY which is five years after the events of Revenge of the Sith.
Synopsis:
Cham Syndulla and his lieutenant Isval, leaders of the Free Ryloth Movement, have received word from their spies that both Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader will be visiting Ryloth on the Star Destroyer Perilous. In an attempt to cut off the head of the Imperial Empire, the Movement pour all their resources into bringing down the ship.
Despite the success of destroying the Perilous, both the Emperor and Darth Vader are able to escape down to the planet and Cham’s forces continue their chase over the unforgiving terrain. Armed with their lightsabers and the dark side of the Force, the two Sith fight back to bring down the freedom fighters’ rebellion.
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Lords of the Sith is a very fast-paced read with the majority of the book taking place over a single day and battle. Despite the title of the book and the cover, the story was more about Cham Syndulla and his Free Ryloth Movement than it was about the Sith lords which I was a little disappointed about. I had no idea what this book was about before I started reading it, but I was expecting an awesome ‘Darth Vader the ultimate bad guy’ focused story.
This book also suffered from the ‘Dark Disciple syndrome’ where the plot of the story is driven by a goal that obviously will not be achieved in the book. In this case it was to assassinate both the Emperor and Darth Vader.
I did enjoy the little insight this book provided on the transition of Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader but would have liked to see more. Darth Vader still has memories and some mannerisms of Anakin but to everyone else, both Rebels and Imperials alike, he is very mysterious and terrifying. No one really know who, or what, he is. The tension between Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader was also well written. They are master and apprentice and allies but also struggle for the control of power.
Overall Lords of the Sith was not one of my favourites, though I didn’t hate it, it was just kind of mediocre. I would have preferred more to the story and for the plot to take place over a longer period of time. I would recommend it to any fans of Cham Syndulla or the dark side and the Imperials.
Have you read Star Wars: Lords of the Sith? Do you prefer stories focused on the Rebels or the Imperials?
Next week: Tarkin
Complete list of Star Wars Canon novels
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