Thank you, author James Luceno, for understanding the world and the characters. To explain how it felt wearing the suit of Lord Vader.

I find this novel better than Lords of the Sith. The relationship of Emperor Palpatine and Lord Vader feels so much real. And some of my favourite Vader quotes are in here.

This starts after the clone wars with a few Jedi that escaped order 66 but had to puzzle the pieces together of what had happened. Why did the troops turn on them in battle. And being chased by Lord Vader.

Four weeks into the new empire, Lord Vader has to come to terms with his new body. His thoughts were of anger and pain. And to kill the thoughts of Anakin Skywalker.

His master sent him on a quest, so to say to relinquish all thought of who he had been. By doing this, he will become a true apprentice of the sith.

I loved how all the key characters were in place and still how Emperor Palpatine is playing his little political game. We even got to visit Alderaan and how Lord Vader almost met his daughter. I felt Bail Organa's panick.

The devastation at Kasyyyk was brilliantly written, and lots of hints dropping about this big weapon and in need of slaves to build this. (Of course, we all know what it is.)

This was a very good tale about Vader's final descent into the dark side. This also delves into the start of the rebellion.

I am sorry, Disney, but the Dark Lord Legend trilogy will be my canon. ( )

A fun book for Star Wars fans. A little weekend popcorn reading. ( )

See my note on it on my blog:

http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/01/booknote-star-wars-dark-lord.html ( )

3 1/2 stars: Good

From the back cover: From the site of Anakin Skywalker's last stand, where he sought to destroy his friend and former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, a fearsome specter in black has risen. Once the most powerful Knight ever known to the Jedi Order, he is now a disciple of the dark side, a lord of the dreaded Sith, and the avenging right hand of the galaxy's new Emperor. Meanwhile on the Outer Rim world of Murkhana, Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak and Padawan Olee Starstone are leading a charge on a Separatist stronghold, unaware that the tide has turned against them. Although the three narrowly elude execution, the deadliest threat still rests in the hideously swift and lethal crimson lightsaber of Darth Vader- behind whose brooding mask lies a shattered heart, a poisoned soul, and a cunning, twisted mind hell bent on vengeance. For the handful of scattered Jedi hunted across space, survival is imperative if the light side of the Force is to be protected and the galaxy reclaimed.

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This book covers the time immediately after Anakin becomes Darth Vader, as he travels to wipe out the last of the Jedi under Order 66. Its a good read, as we read about some other "less famous" Jedi and their fight for survival and their own struggles with vengeance as they see their friends and family in the Order wiped out. I appreciated at the beginning, the one Clone who let the three escape instead of enacting the Order, saying he won't give them another chance.

A few quotes I liked:

Anakin hadn't been born into the dark side, but had arrived there because of what he had experienced in his short life, instances of suffering, fear, anger, and hatred. Had Anakin been discovered early enough by the Jedi, those emotional states would never have surfaced. More important, Yoda appeared to have had a change of heart regarding the Temple as providing the best crucible for Force-sensitive beings. The steadfast embrace of a loving family would provide as good, if not better. (Bail Organa)

"Jen sounds like he was a Jedi without the title."
"How so?"
"Because he understood that you have to accept what destiny sets in front of you. That you have to pick and choose your battles."
"What does that make me, Roan?"
"A victim of attachment."
"You know what? I can live with that."

The ideals of democracy hadn't been stamped out by Palpatine. The Jedi had carried out missions of dubious merit for any number of Supreme Chancellors, but always in the name of safeguarding peace and justice. What they failed to understand was that the Senate, the Coruscanti, the citizens of countless world and star systems, grown weary of the old system had *allowed* democracy to die. And in a galaxy where the goal was single minded control from the top, and wherein the end justified the means, the Jedi had no place. That had been the final revenge of the Sith. (Obi-Wan). ( )

A fun book for Star Wars fans. A little weekend popcorn reading. ( )