Audio Book: Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp
It's time for some adventures in Star Wars. As you all should know, I love my Grim-dark Sci-fi from Black Library, but I went a bit too hard on it and got slightly burnt out, so I am attempting to refresh my palate by enjoying some good, clean Star Wars adventures. This title is considered an "official" Disney Canon and fits in just after the Clone Wars. I bought it purely due to the cover and title, as I hope we get to delve further into the dark side. Let's see.
Title: Star Wars: Lords of the Sith
Author: Paul S. Kemp
Narrator: Jonathan Davis
Blurb: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .
When the Emperor and his notorious apprentice, Darth Vader, find themselves stranded in the middle of insurgent action on an inhospitable planet, they must rely on each other, the Force, and their ruthlessness to prevail.
“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 labour 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 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 their brutal bond will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries.
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Review
Okay, it's time for some straight talk-up first. This isn't as much about the Sith as I had hoped. It is more about the Free Ryloth movement. Which, if titled and advertised in that manner, would have been a fantastic listen. Instead, I am a little cheated, which is a real shame.
Lords of the Sith takes place after the rise of Vader and the end of the Clone Wars. The main lead of the book is Cham Syndulla (father to Hera Syndulla from Rebels), and it follows his role within the Free Ryloth movement. Ryloth is now under the fist of the Empire, and these Freedom fighters have been dealt a card that, if successful, could rid the galaxy of the Emperor and Darth Vader in one go.
The story is enjoyable to listen to as we hop back and forth between the rebels and the Imperials. But lacks Sith. What little we get is mainly focused on Vader and his memories as Anakin and Ryloth during the Clone Wars. We get to witness him burying his past and using it to draw upon a rage that helps to build and strengthen his new persona. We also witness the inner struggle of Master and Apprentice, but this is never truly explored, mainly due to the Emperor hardly talking. It seems like a missed chance to explain the rule of two.
As mentioned, the story mainly follows Cham and his team attempting to board and destroy a Star Destroyer! This section was a lot of fun and hugely enjoyable. I just needed Sith. I get that they had a great story, but making it seem like something it isn't is a shame. To end on a positive note, we got a fantastic opener with Vader as he used his own TIE fighter to smash a hole in the enemy spacecraft before using this as an entrance into the craft. Vader goes on to kill the entire rebel crew while a comm link is left open for the other rebels in the area to hear this awful scene. This indeed shows how far this noble hero has fallen.
Overall thoughts. I would rate this higher if it had been called Free Ryloth or the Assassination of Vader. But Lords of the Sith did not deliver what I felt was promised. It is a shame, but it is still a great listen and an incredible adventure. But just not what I expected.
What are your thoughts, and is it a running theme with Disney to mislead in its advertising?
