I review Lords of the Sith by
Paul S. Kemp, one of the most recent entries in the new canon Star Wars expanded
universe, putting the focus on Darth Vader and the Emperor. It is published by Del Ray.
A LONG TIME AGO, IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR
AWAY...
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.
Lords of the Sith has been one of my most anticipated
novels in the Star Wars expanded universe so when I got the
chance to read it whilst I was in France I leapt at the opportunity and quickly
devoured it. The focus on the Empire, Darth Vader and the Emperor in
particular, made it incredibly fascinating to read, and particularly with that
awesome cover – the Emperor crackling with the force lightning and Vader
clearing a path through the middle of a warzone with two Star Destroyers on
either side, makes for a striking background for what turns out to be a very
fun novel, written by one of my go-to authors for good entertainment, Paul S.
Kemp. If you ever wondered what a buddy cop story set in the Star Wars universe
might look like with Vader and the Emperor as the bad cop and the even badder
cop, then Lords of the Sith might be your best bet. The book
details an attempted coup of the Imperial regime, and whilst we ultimately know
that the coup didn’t work, Kemp manages to create just the right amount of
tension to keep the book interesting, exploring both sides of the conflict very
well. I couldn’t help but want the Empire to emerge victorious even though
they’re the villains of the Star Wars Universe, and that was
because Kemp handled the book very well. Each line of dialogue I was reading in
the voice of the actors from the movies, and it felt very much a part of the Star
Wars Universe.
The action sequences are absolutely
stunning and one of the strongest that I’ve ever seen in any Star Wars novel,
not just the Expanded Universe ones. Witnessing Vader at full strength is a
sight that almost makes you feel sympathetic towards the people trying to bring
him down, you know they’re never going to stand a chance no matter what they
do. Making use of a variety of action sequences, Kemp writes equally well the
battles on land and space, weaving them together well for a masterstroke of
action. With the book set on the planet Ryloth, fans of The Clone Wars will
be pleased to hear that the series, which is also part of the Expanded Universe
canon, does not go ignored, and there are some throwbacks that readers will
appreciate as the book explores the relationship between Vader and the Emperor,
and how it’s affecting the man once known as Anakin Skywalker. This allows a
complex approach to the character when it would have been easy just to approach
him as a one-dimensional killing machine, and serves as a good way to mark
Anakin’s transition from The Clone Wars to the one that we see
as Vader in Star Wars Rebels in A New Hope.
We also see the Emperor in action here
and it’s great to witness. At this point in the story the Emperor is keeping
hidden the fact that he’s a force user, and will kill anyone who witnesses the
truth apart from his Royal Guard and of course Vader. There are some chilling
moments that allow Darth Sidious to have as much impact as Vader, perhaps even
more so, as when these moments are used, they’re used sparingly, so we’re left
with a great impact on the reader.
The book itself splits around 50% of
its narrative to focus Vader/The Emperor and the other half on lesser known
figures. We see two Twi’lek rebels plotting to kill both of them, realising
that’s the only way they can make a statement to show that not everyone is
happy with the Emperor. It’s an ambitious plan, and one of the Ryloth rebels,
Cham, does have some doubts about the task at hand, it’s too good an opportunity
to strike a crippling blow to the Empire’s heart.
Whilst some may be disappointed at the
fact that the entirety of the novel wasn’t devoted to Vader and the Emperor,
this doesn’t really matter as when they’re in the spotlight they
have more of an impact than they would were the whole novel devoted to their
adventures. Plus, it’s great to witness the pre-Rebel Alliance
tactics that dissenters, members of the Free Ryloth movement, would use to
bring down key Imperial figures, and the dilemmas that they have to overcome.
Kemp creates such a strong and powerful read that you won’t care whether you
know the ending or not, as you’ll be swept up for a powerful ride that should
keep those who are willing to give the novel a shot hooked from the word go.
VERDICT: 8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment