Book Review: Star Wars: Dark Lord

Book: Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars: The Dark Lord Trilogy book #3) by James Luceno

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

All I can say is, wow this was amazing! It's hard to image that this is the same author who wrote that less than stellar Star Wars: Tarkin book. This was so good that I didn't want to put it down, I had to know what was going to happen next.

This story not only focused on Darth Vader's descent into the Dark Side as he becomes more and more accustomed to his new life as a Sith but also on a small group of Jedi who had managed to survive Order 66.

The book opens with Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak, Padawan Olee Starstone and clone troopers as they try to invade a separatist stronghold but just as they were about to succeed at their task, the troopers turn on them. Thanks to some troopers who didn't agree with the Order, the three Jedi were able to get away. However, they were still trapped on the planet with no foreseeable way to leave. Quick thinking from the Jedi had them changing their clothes to those of mercenaries but they were still caught but thankfully the troopers didn't take too much notice and rounded them up with the other mercenaries.

Their small bit of luck was quickly turning into dread when the Emperor's new right hand Darth Vader showed up. His visit brought about the death of one of the Jedi and the clones that allowed them to get away. Luck was still with the remaining Jedi Master and the Padawan but time was running out and they needed to get away fast.

Thanks to help from an unlikely contact, the Jedi were able to evade capture but this set in motion a series of events that will have them trying to stay ahead of Darth Vader. The story also gave some attention to Emperor Palpatine, Bail Organa, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Tarkin, C-3PO and R2-D2.

I really like this story because it was exciting, fast-paced and well written. I thought that all the characters were very well-written and had good development. I like that many of the characters that readers are familiar with were completely in character. You also get to see how Vader was thinking as he let go of his old life as Anakin Skywalker and fully embraced the Dark Side.

The author really did a fantastic job with this story. I'm really glad I lucked up on finding this, I hope in the future I find more Star Wars books that are as good as this one.