‘Star Wars: Shadow Of The Sith’ Review
The era between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens has not been explored widely in books and comics. With a few exceptions like the Aftermath trilogy, the Alphabet Squadron trilogy, Bloodline, and Poe Dameron: Free Fall, it is still an era open to much storytelling. Only The Mandalorian has continued to push the story forward in this era. Though now, after The Rise of Skywalker, things have changed with Shadow of the Sith. The first novel that deals with the ramification and backstory of the sequel trilogy, filling in gaps to characters like Luke, Lando, and Rey.
It's good to see that stories, especially in books, are starting to flesh out this era without being held back by movies in production. So far, Shadow of the Sith was able to take the various pieces from the movies while also linking them to both the original and prequel trilogies. Thus making the Star Wars universe far more cohesive and united.
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Luke Skywalker: Jedi Master
One of the hooks in Shadow of the Sith is that we see Luke Skywalker in the post-Return of the Jedi era. Unfortunately, the only time we have seen him is in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. However, we can get a deeper look at his character, experiencing his methodology as a Jedi Master and how he wants to rebuild the Jedi Order.
It seems Luke is trying to be what he and others would think a Jedi Master would be during this period. He tries to be detached from others while also trying to help. Luke tries to balance being a good teacher to his nephew Ben while also feeling guilty that Luke can't be informal with him and prefer that Ben call him Master Skywalker instead of Uncle Luke". It is a fascinating look to see our hero struggle as he attempts to rebuild the old Order. Perhaps even showing us the seeds of Ben Solo's fall and the fall of his Jedi Order.
During this book, something bothers him at the edge of his mind. He senses the shadows of something dark, an echo of the past. Throughout the book, he tries to discover this threat and do things mostly on his own. Incredibly self-conscious of the fact that he is Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master, a Legend. However, that doesn't mean he has to be alone.
Lando Calrissian: Scoundrel, Father
Lando Calrissian is probably the most changed of all the characters from the original trilogy which appeared in this book. While still a suave, cool gambler and adventurer, he is far sober than he was in his younger youth. A weight overcomes him, for his goal throughout most of the book is to not only help a family in need but, in some ways, atone for the loss of his own family. A daughter was kidnapped years ago by an unknown force.
What is interesting about Lando is seeing him in a different light. We are so used to this suave, always confident and bombastic figure, but to see him brought down and humanized in a way is a new look at this classic character. The loss of his daughter weighs on every decision he makes; it both drives and haunts him. There is a great irony that he cannot help Rey and her family at the time, yet will redeem himself years later in the Rise of Skywalker.
Sith Assasins
On the dark side of the Force, we have the Sith Assasin Ochi of Bestoon and Kiza, two villains who continue to explore the ideas of loss like Lando but for more selfish reasons.
For Ochi of Bestoon, he still remains clumsy yet lovable in a twisted sort of way, but he is a much sober character; age and experience have mellowed him. It's cool to see him at the start of the book and near the end become more and more corrupted by the dark side's power. Thanks to the power of an evil dagger given to him by the Sith Eternal.
For Kyza, she too is a lost soul, looking for the power of Exegol, influenced by a mask of a Sith Lord long past. Both start the book with some degree of normalcy in their already dark lives. But, by the end, both are lost to the dark side's power. Both are corrupted by the promise of eternal life and power in Exegol.
Who Is Rey?
Out of all the things this book brings to the forefront are the characters of Rey's parents. Dathan and Miramir. Rey's parents. Both are quite lovely people. Both show faith in each other and in their family. Dathan, in particular, is an interesting character, given that he is a genetic template of Sheev Palpatine, whose life has been filled with nothing but abuse until he was able to escape from Exegol. There is a journey of trying to find trust and faith that they can protect their daughter, and while they cannot see her grow into the Jedi she will become, their legacy with Rey will live on forever. Both are good additions to the Star Wars universe, and while they do not last long, they sure do leave quite an impact.
Legacy Of The Book
This book is our first real return to the realm of the sequel trilogy and a deeper look into the post-Endor era. It clarifies how all the pieces that eventually lead us to the Sequels are placed, like Rey being on Jakku, Ochi's blade, and the Sith Eternal. Even Luke and Lando's mentality at the start of The Rise of Skywalker and The Last Jedi is explained.
For anyone who may have had issues with The Rise of Skywalker, Shadow of the Sith helps clear away some misgivings and smoothens out some rough patches of that film. However, for those who love the sequel trilogy, Shadow of the Sith does a beautiful job enhancing that period of the timeline. Shadow of the Sith is a must-read and exciting piece of storytelling by Adam Christopher.
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Source(s): Adam Christopher