Book Review: Shadow of the Sith (Releasing 6/28)

Star Wars fans: Did you watch the Force trilogy of movies and wondered more about Rey’s upbringing? I know I’ve had debates of who exactly Rey’s parents were, and why Rey exactly ended up an orphan on Jakku. To be fair, friends of mine still don’t believe that Rey was a Palpatine, granddaughter of the Emperor. However, in the newest Star Wars novel, Shadow of the Sith, author Adam Christopher weaves together some of Rey’s past in a story that once again pits the Light Side against the Dark Side.

Set twenty years after the Battle of Endor, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker is training a new crop of Jedi recruits. The Empire has long since fell. However, there is something amiss in the Force. A new evil is forming, but what exactly, he does not know. Enter Lando Calrissian, who in searching for his kidnapped daughter, comes across Sith Assassin Ochi of Bestoon. Ochi is tasked with the kidnapping of the key to the Sith’s rebirth: a little girl by the name of Rey, who is one the run with her family.

While we know the overview “what happens” to Rey because this is set prior to The Force Awakens, author Christopher still tells a tale that is suspenseful and keeps the reader guessing what is to come. And personally, I appreciated Christopher including Ochi in this novel. Those who saw The Rise of Skywalker may remember the first appearance of this character, as a skeleton and a hologram on the desert planet of Pasanna. And remember what Rey and crew, trapped under the sands like Ochi, found on his corpse? Or in the ship he left behind? Ochi also appears heavily in the Darth Vader comic book series by Marvel, set between The Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Until reading this book and the character’s background for this review, I didn’t realize how extensive Ochi exists throughout The Skywalker Saga… and I’m happy to see the use of him here. Christopher ties all of it up together very nicely.

While not giving away more of the book, let me safely say that this is a must read for Rey fans. While you might not necessarily agree with Rey being a Palpatine (you know who you are), this is a necessary addition to understanding who she is. I also like that Lando is included in this story, as I feel like he is an under appreciated character in the movies especially. We need more Lando love out there. And Christopher leaves that open to a future, too. I’m excited to see where things go from here.

Shadow of the Sith, written by author Adam Christopher and published by Del Rey books, is available starting June 28, 2022. It’s available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats.

Adam Christopher is a novelist and comic writer. His debut novel, Empire State, was SciFiNow’s Book of the Year and a Financial Times Book of the Year for 2012. In 2013, he was nominated for the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent, with Empire State shortlisted for Best Novel. His other novels include The Age Atomic and The Burning Dark.

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