Darth Vader and the Emperor = Unstoppable!
- Dusty W. Fleischman
- Jun 16, 2019
- 3 min read
Star Wars: Lords of the Sith
Written by Paul S. Kemp
Audiobook Released: April 28, 2015 read by Jonathon Davis
Novel Released: April 28, 2015
If there was ever a book that needed to be made into a Star Wars film or series, then it should be Star Wars: Lords of the Sith from author Paul S. Kemp.
Eight years after the elimination of the Jedi Order and the transition of the Republic into the Galactic Empire, the first signs of the rebellion began to take shape. The Free Ryloth movement led by Cham Syndulla has become a thorn in the side of the Emperor and he has sent his apprentice, Darth Vader to squash the pests that threaten his rule. The story begins in spectacular fashion when a small group of rebels commandeer an Imperial ship containing weapons. Vader and his band of V Wing fighters catch up with the ship and it is then when we see the true power that Vader has acquired since betraying the Jedi and turning to the darkside.
The Dark Lord boards the ship by crashing his Interceptor into one of the gun turrets and single handedly kills everyone on board reclaiming the stolen vessel. It was a moment that surely inspired the final scene from the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This opening sequence alone qualifies the book for big screen adaptation, but the fun doesn’t end there.
Syndulla realizes that he must escalate his plans and find a way to kill Darth Vader. Using the power of the force, the Emperor discovers there is a traitor in his Empire and concocts a plan to sniff out the individual by offering the ultimate bait: Himself and Lord Vader. His tactic works and a grand plan is put in motion to destroy the ship carrying the darkside dignitaries while in route to Ryloth. However, the movement had not counted on the power and tenacity of their prey. Vader and the Emperor are no mere men, and the Free Ryloth movement soon finds itself stretched too thin and completely outmatched by their opponents.
The story is filled with action and excitement, which one would expect from a Star Wars story, but there is so much more to this particular tale. The most significant is the relationship between Vader and the Emperor. Vader, who is still gripping with the emotions of his past, shows a slight degree of contempt towards his new Master. He has had a metaphorical leash placed on him by the Emperor, a feeling he has felt in the past. It was one of the reasons he turned against the Jedi. The feeling of being held back and not being allowed to use the full measure of his power. The tension that is built up between apprentice and master are some of the best moments written in a Star Wars story. Many fans claim that Vader’s story has been told and there is nothing more to explore, I believe that this book proves those theories to be incorrect. There is so much more to the Vader character than what has been seen on the big screen.
Another highlight to Paul Kemp’s novel was the introduction of the character, Isval. A former Twi’lek sex slave who has grown angry and vengeful against anyone who wears an Imperial uniform. Kemp takes us deep into the sleazy underground where Isval releases her frustrations by committing acts that can only be best described as those of a serial killer. Justified, possibly. She is a tough and complicated character who is also fiercely loyal to Syndulla and the movement. She could be one of the greatest anti-heroines to appear in the Star Wars Universe.
Star Wars: Lords of the Sith is a wonderful addition to the Star Wars lore and connects several of the missing pieces within the film and television storylines. As fans, we get to explore deeper into the struggles of Darth Vader, the genius of the Emperor, discover more about what Cham Syndulla was up to after The Clone Wars and before his appearance in the Rebels series, and get a glimpse of just how the rebellion was slowly getting put together.
Available Now: Amazon
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