Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

[jedibear]

I thought I'd get the thread started here on this latest entry in the SW universe from Lucerno...

I got through it pretty quickly (it's a good page-turner) and my first general impression is Bravo, Lucerno!

I won't post a long review just yet...don't want a bunch of spoliers ruining everyone's holiday read but I will say if you enjoyed Lucerno's other prequel reads "Cloak of Deception" and "Labrynth of Evil", you'll enjoy this.

I've always been more partial to the "fill in the blanks" books in the SW universe as opposed to the ones extending the saga. As much as I tried, I couldn't make it to the end of the New Jedi Order series...too repetitive, too drawn out...and this new trilogy with the insect people (Joiner King, Unseen Queen) left me cold...couldn't get through those either...

Lucerno is one of the few writers who has played in the SW galaxy that "gets it" when it comes to offering up fun details that mesh with what we know along with great takes on the characters we are all familiar with along with adding some compelling characters of his own. His take on Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in COD was great...and he filled in alot of blanks with Anakin and Obi-Wan in LOE that added to the experience of ROTS.

Now, with this new book he carries that further, giving us some great moments between Palpitine and Vader, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, and my personal favorite, he pulls the wookiees and Kassyyk into the story in a great way that I hope carries over to more books and possibly the upcoming tv series. (A hint: We find out why it doesn't raise any eyebrows on the Death Star in ANH when Luke & Han, disguised as Stormtroopers, march a bound Chewbacca down the corridors...)

Watching Tarkin in action again is fun...reading some of the struggles Vader has with the suit and his relationship with his new Emperor is fantastic...and the Epilouge is both provocative and touching...expanding on ROTS's concluding scenes in a very satisfying way. This is a great read!

Now I've scanned other sites for folks comments thus far and while a few continuity hounds have issues (mostly with some conflicts regarding older EU material), I think the general feeling out there is the Lucerno has crafted a yarn that is well worth your time...

Let's get the discussion started...

[decadentdave]

Just bought this and I am looking forward to reading it.

Not a fan of Expanded Universe at all. Most of it is pretentious crap. This, however, looks very interesting. Hopefully it deals more with the Jedi Purge which I felt was far too limited in ROTS. Since I was a child I always envisioned Darth Vader marshalling legions of Stormtroopers onto Outer Rim territories to publicly hunt down and execute the Jedi refugees and setting an example of Imperial law. If Dark Lord gives us some of that I will be satisfied. Plus I always wanted to see what Obi-Wan was up to out in the Dune Sea... communing with Qui-Gon I would presume. I have to believe he still gets some action between ROTS and ANH even if it is just dealing with some aggressive Tuskens. Curious to see how this book will play into the events of the television series.

[El Chuxter]

Gawd, you started this before my copy arrived. :p

DD, I'm not sure how much of the Purge this gets into, but there's an upcoming comic one-shot called Purge, as well as two issues of Republic (the first of which is out now) dealing with Jedi who have somehow escaped Order 66.

And for more on Obi-Wan chilling in the desert, check out the first two books of the Last of the Jedi series. He's talking with Qui-Gon, playing the crazy old hermit, and watching over Luke until he learns that a former Padawan (and old rival of Anakin's) has survived Order 66 and takes a brief trip offworld.

[Rocketboy]

I was surprised to see this in stores the other day since the ROTS paperback says it would be "On sale January 31, 2006." And the ROTS paperback was just published!
I'll probably ask for it for Christmas. I'm not into most EU either, but come on, it's Darth Vader!

[decadentdave]

Wasn't Last of the Jedi one of those children's books? I think I remember seeing the cover and was intrigued but was put off by it being written for kiddies.

I'd love to see the story where Luke as a small boy first meets "Old Ben."

As for Tarkin and the Death Star, maybe it goes into more of the politics and explains why it takes them 20 years to build it beyond Lucas' simple explanation that they ran into labor disputes and such. With the Techno Union, Commerce Guild and Trade Federation having been annihilated by Vader, I guess he inadvertently put a crimp in production. I also wonder why it took the Emperor 20 years to dissolve the Senate. I was thinking about this while I was watching Gladiator tonight. That was one of the first things Commodus tried to do after he seized control of Rome. Everyone was afraid of him and dared not stand against him. Even Tarkin himself said "Fear will keep the local systems in line," even without a "Battle Station" to enforce the New Order I should doubt that anyone would be so bold to stand against the Emperor after the Jedi Purge. With Vader as his enforcer, the Galaxy would quickly know what fear is by Vader's hand.

[Jayspawn]

I'm not at all into EU but I might actually pick up the paperback on this book. Looks like an interesting read.

[InsaneJediGirl]

I havent read this book yet,but will probably get it.


Dave,the "kiddie" books are actually really good. Better than a lot of the adult books right now lol

[JimJamBonds]

I picked it up today and have read maybe 20 pages, I'm not sure if I'm going to like it yet.

[jedibear]

I havent read this book yet,but will probably get it.


Dave,the "kiddie" books are actually really good. Better than a lot of the adult books right now lol


She's right Dave...
Jude Watson's young reader series have been terrific. Well-written, serialized adventures that cover alot of ground over the prequel era very quickly. If it's adventure with Qui-Gon and a young Obi-Wan(Jedi Apprentice), the trails of Obi-Wan and his padawan Anakin (Jedi Quest) or the new series (The Last of the Jedi) focusing on some characters featured in the other two series, these books are like fast food for the SW lit set. Don't worry about where to begin...Watson is pretty good at bringing things up to speed with each yarn.
And as for them just being "kiddie books"...while at Clll, I had the pleasure of discussing the books with the young ladies at the Scholastic booth and one of their comments was just how large the adult readership for the Watson titles is! Seems they are a "guilty pleasure" for alot of us!
Give one a try...

Also Dave...DL:RDV does cover some of the ground you mentioned...re:Tarkin & Death Star....

[El Chuxter]

There's also supposed to be another novel specifically about the Death Star construction coming in 2007, which is supposed to clear up the huge inconsistencies between the prequels and earlier EU.

I also have to highly recommend the "kiddie" books, especially any by Jude Watson. She is definitely in the top 5 Star Wars authors of all time, and she nails Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Jedi Apprentice series is out of print, and some are really tough to find (check eBay or the amazon.com marketplace if you want to see some ridiculous scalping), but Scholastic knows about their popularity and supposedly are looking into having these reprinted as some sort of retailer exclusive.

Dark Lord, so far, rocks.

[El Chuxter]

Wow. Not trying to boost my post count by double posting, but I sat down to read beyond the first couple of chapters I read last night, and, well, I couldn't put it down. This book is pretty freaking incredible, and I love seeing the transition from "burnt whiny Anakin in a can" to the Vader who gave us all nightmares as younglings.

It was nice, thought sad, to actually see the enslavement of Kashyyyk. Once again, Chewie holds a pivotal role, and, once again, the coincidence factor is almost ludicrous. But I like it. It fits in with the prequels and their ludicrous coincidences nicely.

I must wonder what's going to transpire on Kashyyyk over the next few years. We know that the cities are rebuilt by the time of the OT (like it or not, the Holiday Special is where all these references to Chewie's family come from), and the Wookiees will be able to live in their homes despite being a slave species. Malla, Itchy, and Lumpy made it through okay, but maybe they're not fit to be slaves or something.

And we know that, eventually, Chewie and other free Wookiees will be able to come and go from Kashyyyk at will, and he'll eventually end up in a nasty fight saving Wookiee younglings from Trandoshans working for the Empire, and be spared by a young junior officer named Solo (a few months or perhaps years before Solo finally chunks a promising career by outright freeing Chewie).

I'd guess that this takes place prior to the Last of the Jedi series, since A) Obi-Wan knows Vader's identity in that series, and B) this is the first time he's actually heard Qui-Gon's voice. The details of his finding out are different, but no biggie.

Hopefully, once the Last of the Jedi series ends, we'll see some comic, game, cartoon, book, or something where more of these Jedi survivors meet up. And we'll see how they die in the ensuing 15 years or so. Because my guess is that, after ROTJ and especially after the Alliance takes power with Luke and Leia high in its ranks, any surviving Jedi would've made themselves known.

[JimJamBonds]

I finished it last night, it wasn't bad. I thought it was interesting that the Wookies were taken to the "special project" to help work on it.

[Darth Jax]

just finished this one myself. i don't keep of track of when the new books are due out. just wait until someone starts a thread about it and then i'll go out and get it.

was a pretty good read. detailing vader's struggles at coming to terms with his physical limitations and his suit were amusing. for a while there he sounds like more of a whiny little brat than even luke. the action ending on kashyyk didn't seem nearly as contrived as some of the plots in EU (and the movies as well). sidious musing about plageuis was the most interesting part to me. answered some of those questions from ROTS, but not everyone will accept them since it comes from EU.

as has been mentioned several times already Jude Watson's books are the best. i haven't read the jedi apprentice series, but have read the rest of her books. they're all more enjoyable (and much quicker reads) than the 'grown-up' books.

[OC47150]

I received this book as a Christmas present from my sister. I'm looking forward to a snowy weekend to sit down and read it.

I thought Luceno did a great job with his last SW book, and am eagerly waiting to read this one.

[General_Grievous]

I'm a little more than halfway through the book and I'm liking it a lot. I'm really liking the Vader stuff but I'm still warming up to the Roan Shryne storyline.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I'm a little more than halfway through the book and I'm liking it a lot. I'm really liking the Vader stuff but I'm still warming up to the Roan Shryne storyline.Ditto for me, General_G. I like how Luceno has tried to tie the emotional changes Anakin went through in the Prequel films to the recent changes (physical, emotional, power-wise) of Darth Vader. I like this one, at least up to chp. 29, where I am now.

[JimJamBonds]

Ditto for me, General_G. I like how Luceno has tried to tie the emotional changes Anakin went through in the Prequel films to the recent changes (physical, emotional, power-wise) of Darth Vader. I like this one, at least up to chp. 29, where I am now.

In the credits he thanks Dave Something???? (sorry I can't remember his name off the top of my head) the guy who was Vader in the extra stuff shot for the SE, I like the idea of putting us in the suit.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I finished this last night, and I have to say it's the best book I've read this year! ... I have read more than one; two, in fact. The Swarm War received the dreaded "eh" rating, but I give DL:RODV a 9.5/10!

I remember some of the Shadows of the Empire stuff from the comic and novel. Those were some of the first into-the-mind-of-Vader that were consistent with the film plots (the Marvel Comics series got into some weird, wild stuff at times, as Dana Carvey-Johnny Carson might say). Excellent, excellent book; brought me back to the early days of EU when Kevin J. Anderson and others could tie a lot of issues from the films into their stories without being trite or to fix a plot hole.

[Sentinel18725]

I just finished this book and it was incredible!!!!! It has renewed my interest in the books. I am openly a big fan of this book. I would love if more books were written like this, tying the movies and the expanded universe together. Absolutely wonderful!!!!

[El Chuxter]

Then I have to recommend the other "tie-in" books. (Yeah, they're technically all tie-in books, but there's a few that are referred to as such and tie really closely with the prequels.)

Cloak of Deception deals with the events leading up to TPM. Find out, among other things, what the "baseless accusations of corruption" around Valorum were, and see the first appearance of one of the cooler AOTC Jedi.

The Approaching Storm is about the mission to Ansion that Anakin refers to in the beginning of AOTC, and features the first appearance of another great (and red hot :kiss: ) AOTC Jedi.

Labyrinth of Evil begins with the Jedi uncovering the first concrete proof of the existence of the "Darth Sidious" Dooku had mentioned, and leads directly into the opening of ROTS. (It contradicts the cartoon pretty heavily, though, so don't expect the same story of the invasion of Coruscant.)

And of course you've read Dark Lord.

[JimJamBonds]

What was the books that were post TPM and AOTC?

[JEDIpartner]

What a great read!

I loved the following events:

Shryne mentions he foresaw the Endor battle
The remaining Jedi were going to put "flaws" into the Empire's projects (thermal exhaust port?)
The explanation of how Obi-Wan knew about Anakin surviving
Chewbacca aiding in the escape from Kashyyyk and putting him offworld
Most of the scenes with Bail Organa

[Sith Lord 0498]

What a great read!

I loved the following events:

Shryne mentions he foresaw the Endor battle
The remaining Jedi were going to put "flaws" into the Empire's projects (thermal exhaust port?)
The explanation of how Obi-Wan knew about Anakin surviving
Chewbacca aiding in the escape from Kashyyyk and putting him offworld
Most of the scenes with Bail Organa

I didn't think of the thermal exhaust port. I interpreted the "flaws" as the reason why it takes so long to build DS1 as opposed to DS2--constant sabotage attempts on it by the Jedi.

[decadentdave]

Thanks a lot for the spoilers! I haven't finished reading it yet. :thumbsup:

[Sith Lord 0498]

Thanks a lot for the spoilers! I haven't finished reading it yet. :thumbsup:

If anything, they serve more as teasers than spoilers. Believe me, having them in the context of the story makes them so much better. Enjoy the book!!! :thumbsup:

[JimJamBonds]

Wow you guys put some thought into this! I didn't think about specific instances of sabatage that we saw in the films.

[scruffziller]

Got the audio book of this. It is about 51/2 hours long, got through the first 1/2 hour. I find it interesting that the bond between this one jedi master and his clone commander was so close that he warned him about the impending attack on all jedi and let him get a head start to escape.:ermm: I don't know. I'm not real thrilled with other stories taking the cannon and putting the "rare possibility" alternative in their book as part of the story. It's kewl and all, but it doesn't settle with me well. Because according to EPS 3, every clonie turned to kill the Jedi without hesitation.

[JimJamBonds]

I find it interesting that the bond between this one jedi master and his clone commander was so close that he warned him about the impending attack on all jedi and let him get a head start to escape.:ermm: I don't know. I'm not real thrilled with other stories taking the cannon and putting the "rare possibility" alternative in their book as part of the story. It's kewl and all, but it doesn't settle with me well. Because according to EPS 3, every clonie turned to kill the Jedi without hesitation.

Yeah I wasn't so sure about that part either Scruff.

[DarkArtist]

I got the book for christmas and finished it in like two days. I couldn't put it down, thought it was amazing. Also it is one of the reasons I started the thread in the prequel trilogy section titled "in my opinion the Jedi are evil." I think the book goes into depth how Anakin is both tricked and regrets joining the dark side, but also how he hopes to overthrow the Emperor.

[JEDIpartner]

I didn't think of the thermal exhaust port. I interpreted the "flaws" as the reason why it takes so long to build DS1 as opposed to DS2--constant sabotage attempts on it by the Jedi.

The exhaust port was just speculation on my part, which is why I punctuated it with a question mark. I'm sure they probably did engineer some flaws that caused systems to fail and such and that led to delays in completion. Imagine what a mind trick done to the right engineer would do!!! :)

Anyhow, yeah... nice little bits and pieces that pull everything together. Nicely done!

[El Chuxter]

Got the audio book of this. It is about 51/2 hours long, got through the first 1/2 hour. I find it interesting that the bond between this one jedi master and his clone commander was so close that he warned him about the impending attack on all jedi and let him get a head start to escape.:ermm: I don't know. I'm not real thrilled with other stories taking the cannon and putting the "rare possibility" alternative in their book as part of the story. It's kewl and all, but it doesn't settle with me well. Because according to EPS 3, every clonie turned to kill the Jedi without hesitation.

All the Clones we see in the film of ROTS killed the Jedi without hesitation. But we saw only four Jedi killed by Clonetroopers (plus the two that turn on Yoda and Obi-Wan). There are thousands stationed with Clone squadrons throughout the galaxy, and the Kaminoans said in AOTC that the Clones were capable of independent thought. They're bred to follow orders, but not to be robots. And Clone Commanders have far more capability for individual thought than standard Clonetroopers.

So it actually makes sense that one Clone Commander out of several thousand values his Jedi General over orders that he sees as wrong. If it were dozens doing so, it'd be farfetched. But one, I can buy that.

Even Cody, in the novelization of ROTS, cracks a sarcastic comment after receiving Order 66.

[General_Grievous]

What was the books that were post TPM and AOTC?

For TPM I believe it was "Rogue Planet", where Anakin is about 12 or 13 years old, so it happens about 2-3 years after TPM.

As for AOTC, I don't really know which book came immediately after, but it could be the first young Boba Fett novel.

Also, I finished reading the book, and I liked it, but my favorite part was at the end with Obi-Wan on Tatooine. It makes me want to read that "Last of the Jedi" series.

[El Chuxter]

Rogue Planet wasn't quite as close a tie-in, so I didn't list it. It's more a prequel to the NJO series.

Last of the Jedi is excellent, though the circumstances of how Obi-Wan finds out Vader's alive are slightly different. Not enough to be a real discrepancy, though.

[Rocketboy]

Rogue Planet wasn't quite as close a tie-in, so I didn't list it. It's more a prequel to the NJO series.And quite possibly one of the worst things ever associated with Star Wars. Even worse than the Holiday Special.

[governortarkin]

Overall, the more I think about this book the better I like it, but I have to say that at the onset I really didn't like where I thought it was going.

At first I thought it was going to be another EPII repeat of a wussified cry baby Anakin. But in the end I guess it was important to show the bitterness Vader felt about everybody and everything to fully appreciate his ruthlessness as well as his motivation in wanting to turn Luke rather than kill Luke.

I really liked how he made it so people had to witness Vader to even believe he was real, and the speculation as to whether Vader was another Grevious, another Sith, or simply just another errand boy for the Emperor.

[decadentdave]

I really liked how he made it so people had to witness Vader to even believe he was real, and the speculation as to whether Vader was another Grevious, another Sith, or simply just another errand boy for the Emperor.
Actually, Vader is all 3 of those things.

It was a pretty good book. My only complaint is a few minor details on continuity. For example, the timeframe from the moment Order 66 is executed until the warning is transmitted on the Jedi Beacon seemed way to short. It should have taken a while longer before Obi-Wan changed the transponder back at the Temple. Also, I was annoyed that Luceno kept referring to Commander Appo and his troops as Stormtroopers when they clearly are not. The Stormtroopers are conscripts that were replacements for the Clonetroopers after they had outlived their usefulness due to the age acceleration. Since the events in Dark Lord take place immediately after Revenge of the Sith we can reasonably assume the Clonetroopers are still in deployment for at least a few more years until the transition begins to the Stormtrooper ranks. There's quite a big difference between a Clonetrooper and a Stormtrooper beyond the fact that the Clones kick more A##!

[governortarkin]

Actually, Vader is all 3 of those things.

That is what I was trying to say. I liked how he took what Vader was and gave us an indication of what Vader would become by showing us what those witnessing Vaders intorduction were left thinking.

[Rocketboy]

Also, I was annoyed that Luceno kept referring to Commander Appo and his troops as Stormtroopers when they clearly are not. The Stormtroopers are conscripts that were replacements for the Clonetroopers after they had outlived their usefulness due to the age acceleration. Since the events in Dark Lord take place immediately after Revenge of the Sith we can reasonably assume the Clonetroopers are still in deployment for at least a few more years until the transition begins to the Stormtrooper ranks. There's quite a big difference between a Clonetrooper and a Stormtrooper beyond the fact that the Clones kick more A##!They begin calling them Stormtroopers right after ROTS, as also seen/read in The Last of the Jedi books and Republic comics.

[El Chuxter]

I believe the Insider explained that the Emperor renamed the Clonetroopers during his speech to the Senate in ROTS.

And it's been established that the Stormtroopers are a mix of conscripts, clones of Jango, and clones of other donors.

[OC47150]

Great book! Luceno didn't disappoint.

Excellent insight into the Vader/Anakin transformation.

I wish the battle of Kashyyk in the book would've made it to the big screen.

The terms 'stormtroopers' and 'clone troopers' were used interchangably, and it did get confusing. At some points, I was like, which is it?

[decadentdave]

That's the one thing that really bothered me as well. Commander Appo and the 501st legion were all of the sudden Stormtroopers instead of Clone Troopers. When did this happen? Its still 20 years before ANH so I figured there was going to be a period following the Clone Wars where the Stormtrooper legions would be deployed. Personally, I love the Clonetroopers way better than Stormtroopers. The Clones just scream with badassness whearas the Stormtroopers are just a bunch of lazy buckshots who couldn't even hit a womp-rat between the eyes.

[OC47150]

Appo was one of the more interesting characters in the book, too. I'd like to read more about his adventures.

DL also addressed questions I think we've all had about Vader, like sleeping.

[El Chuxter]

Palpatine supposedly re-named them Stormtroopers in his speech to the Senate in ROTS. It's in an issue of the Insider.

[Dominic Guglieme]

What is the deal with Appo?

[El Chuxter]

SPOILERS!





One of the Jedi who survived Order 66 decapitates Appo.

[Dominic Guglieme]

And, Fox dies in the movie. Bah.


On the subject of Order 66, remember, the real military has protocols for shooting civilians. Long before the 2001 attacks, the AirForce had a procedure for ordering civilian craft brought down. It had never been used, but the rules (and potential orders) existed.

[JimJamBonds]

See: Law, Marshal.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

The paperback version is out now, and the "extra" with it is a preview of the upcoming Darth Bane novel. Not a bad teaser, but obviously very ambiguous (that's why they "tease" you with it), but it doesn't say when it comes out (oops, can't end with a preposition... "but it doesn't say when coming out it does" ?? ).

[2-1B]

Bel Cam, when you open the teaser section does it play a jingle? :confused:
"You're so Bane, you probably think this song is about you" lol

Hey if that is a lame joke (which I believe it is :D ) I don't have to bother with a BSLOS because it already IS a BSLOS. :p

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Bel Cam, when you open the teaser section does it play a jingle? :confused:
"You're so Bane, you probably think this song is about you" lol

Hey if that is a lame joke (which I believe it is :D ) I don't have to bother with a BSLOS because it already IS a BSLOS. :pYes, how'd you know? ;) And the worst part is, it's a cover redone by Fountains of Bane and Taylor Bane. :eek:

And yes, your BSLOS penalty is now considered served. :thumbsup:

[Rocketboy]

Finished Dark Lord yesterday.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Why wasn't it titled "Revenge of the Sith 2"?
The only main characters missing from ROTS was Yoda, Padme, Dooku and Greivous (and I suspect only because Yoda would have too hard to shoehorn in there and the latter three are dead). Some of them I can see being included, like Bail, Tarkin, and Mon Mothma, and I even liked the Obi-Wan discovering Vader is alive (nice epilogue), but there no need for Chewie, Tarful, Artoo, Threepio, Owen, Beru, and Luke.

As for the new characters, they were pretty friggin' boring. With Vader not showing up for 50+ pages, I nearly gave up on it. And by the end I was hoping Vader would have dominated all of them. Sadly, Luceno leaves things open for a sequel.

Gripes aside, I actually did enjoy the book for one main reason: Darth Vader. Great insights into Vaders thoughts and the frustrations of his new, albeit initial, limitations. Actually, I have another gripe - not enough Vader! The book is about him for cryin' out loud! Anyway, I liked the distrust between Vader and Sidious starting so early in theit relationship. How that wacky couple made it nearly 30 years I have no idea.

Overall, if you can get past the shoehorning of old characters and boring new characters, there is a great story about Vader buried in this book.
6.5/10

[Tycho]

I'm glad to see so many of you read and liked this book.

It's been a long time since I used to write Rogues' Gallery and thought I had the pulse for Star Wars book fandom. Interest declined a bit, but James Luceno always brings it back. Indeed, Luceno and as many mentioned, Jude Watson (the Young Readers' novelist) are excellent story crafters.

I really enjoyed Dark Lord myself, though it is not my favorite of Luceno's Star Wars books (Labrynth of Evil was so intense I forgot to eat and sleep as Mace Windu tracked Darth Sidious and General Grievous and Darth Tyranus planned their attack!)

I also have to say that the pirate Captain Kohl (spelling?) from out of Luceno's original characters, was very, very cool in Cloak of Deception.

Roan Shryne was pretty good though. The difference between the Clone Commander (Salvo) and the Clone COMMANDO (Climber) was great and very well-illustrated. Shryne saved Climber's life - and the Commando felt he owed the Jedi Master - just once he told him. Vader arrived to make sure that never happened again, too.