Book Review: Star Wars: Lords of the Sith

Book: Star Wars: Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra: LucasBooks  

Description:

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 own 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 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.


Rating: 1 star (Did Not Finish)

Review:

This was so boring that I couldn't finish reading it. Yes, there was some action but the story was dull and slow moving. The characters have zero personality and are just one step above cardboard with their voices being stilted and choppy. I found it hard to connect with this story, there was nothing that was interesting about it.

Lords of the Sith felt as if I was reading a poorly written screenplay instead of a fully formed story. It's very generic and dumbed down.

The story opens with Darth Vader taking down a band of rebels who have stolen one of the Empire's ships which contains weapons. The ship had been planning to rendezvous with another rebel ship that is being lead by Cham Syndulla.

Once Vader was successful at his task he was back on Coruscant with the Emperor with plans to visit Ryloth to make sure everything will be handled according to plan. With the rebel group causing trouble for the Empire, the Emperor and Vader will be there to ascertain the situation and to draw the rebels out.

The rebels think this is their chance to take out the Empire. That's about as far as I got because I really couldn't take the writing anymore. This just wasn't a very good read for me but I do love the cover art, that's amazing.