Book Review: Shadow of the Sith

 Just finished Shadow of the Sith by Adam Christopher. Now, as with the comic books, some of the best new Disney content comes from the novels and the comic books. SOTS is no exception to this. I found this to be an entertaining, yet sometimes frustrating book, only because we know what happens to Luke Skywalker in the Disney Trilogy. But for fans of Lando Calrissian he takes center stage in this story as most of it revolves around his struggle to find his missing daughter Kadara Calrissian (we all think/know that it's Jannah from Episode 9). But we also get to know Rey's parents, and learn a little about Rey as well. Minor spoilers ahead, so if you read past this point, don't say I didn't warn you!

Instead of a plot summary, I'll go over the main characters who make appearances in the novel. I feel it's a better way to cover this book, and it helps to see how they relate to others in the story.

Dathan, Miramir & Rey. Rey's dad is named Dathan, no last name. I have no clue how to pronounce her mother's name so I'll just call her Mira. They spend most of the novel on the run from Sith hunters, who want their daughter, Rey. Rey is a typical 6 year old, so don't expect much character growth here, but she is a happy child for the most part. Mira is more or less the brains of the couple. Dathan seems bright at times but he makes bonehead moves, like dropping Rey off at Jakku (you've seen this scene in Episode 7 with her parents flying off). They are paranoid with good reason, but make foolish choices. In the end, those choices catch up to them, although Mira gets to send Ochi to the wrong planet. And Kylo Ren lied to Rey about where her parents are buried, not on Jakku. Who does bury them? Have to read the book to find out.

Ochi of Bestoon. He's the one you see killing Rey's parents in Episode 9, and is currently playing a big role in the Darth Vader comics as part of the Crimson Dawn crossover event. If I can compare him to anyone, it's as a boxer who is way past his prime. Before Endor, he was a badass. Now it's 17 years later and he's a drunk looking to make it big. That is until he is summoned by Palpy. Yes, Palpy is back, although in a weakened state, and sends Ochi to hunt for his grandchild. Knowing he's on this journey means you know how it will go, I you saw Episode 9. But Ochi's downfall is fitting.

Kiza (possessed by the spirit of Exim Panshard via a mask). Kiza is the main villain of the book. Kiza was an Acolyte of Beyond as seen in the Aftermath Trilogy. She gets the mask of Exim Panshard just before the Battle of Jakku, and over the years loses her identity to the mask, which give her Force abilities. She wields the lightsaber of Darth Noctyss, which is an item that Luke Skywalker & Lor San Tekka had been looking for. Her final confrontation with Luke and Komat (more on her in the next paragraph) is the highlight of the book. Plus Noctyss had a lightsaber with a scimitar shaped blade. I'd love to see this in a comic book one day!


Komat. She's human despite her Ewok sounding name, and is a former Acolyte of the Beyond who was reformed by Luke Skywalker. She comes to the aid of Luke and Lando on their mission to find Rey's parents and save them their daughter kidnapped. Komat has no Force abilities but like Chirrut Imwe understands how it works. She and Lando end up kinda together physically but it ends up with them going their separate ways.

Enric Pryde. Remember him from Episode 9? He killed General Hux. Anyway, here he's been assigned by the Corporate Sector Authority to help Ochi in his search. He doesn't really care much for it, or Ochi for that matter. I felt his character was a wasted one as he isn't really needed to carry the plot forward.

Luke Skywalker. Admittedly, I know how Disney ruins his character on film and that he becomes a bitter old man. But, some of Legends Luke Skywalker shows up. His epic lightsaber battle with a possessed Kiza, and his seeing the good in her. Optimistic Luke is nice to see here, and it's a welcome sight. But there are some nitpicks. Making Ben Solo calling him Master Skywalker when no other students are around instead of Uncle Luke irked me a bit. But then we've already seen that Book of Boba Fett episode so we know Luke is going the old way for his new (old) Jedi Order. Although it was nice to see 16 year old Ben Solo training some young Padawans so there's that. But reading Luke here vow to find Exegol and search for Dathan & Mira's child (Rey) and then of course not do so hurts. Like I said, this story could have been an alternate universe take on Luke but the writer is having his hands tied to Disney Canon and he follows it quite well. But for fans of Legends Luke Skywalker, Adam Christopher does bring some of that Luke back, and the Battlefront 2 Luke as well. Luke having a conversation with (Spoiler) is a highlight and something we've wanted to see for years!

Lando Calrissian. He's the true star of the novel as he sets this whole chase in motion overhearing a conversation Ochi has with some goons he hopes to hire. The name of Lando's daughter, Kadara, comes from what Lando's last name was in the Leigh Brackett Empire Strikes Back screenplay, Kadar. It shows the author did his homework. Lando's turmoil over having his daughter kidnapped is what haunts him, but serves as motivation here to help him with finding Rey's parents. As much as Luke is my favorite character I found myself more attached to Lando's overall story, as I know where his fate will end up being.  Another Legends touch is Lando, in a way, introducing Hot Chocolate to Luke Skywalker. Even more Calrissian Chronicles are recorded with even more Legends tie ins, which was greatly appreciated by this reviewer. I had in my head what Luke/Lando adventures were like as a kid, and Legends stories like the Corellian Trilogy and now Shadow of the Sith make me happy to see some of those stories in my head come to life through the pages of a book.

So in summary, I enjoyed this book! I didn't have a lot of expectations going in knowing what the final product (Disney Trilogy) would lead to. But the story tells us why Rey is on Jakku in the first place, why Lando is on Pasana, and I won't dwell on Luke too much. This novel felt more like a worthy sequel to Return of the Jedi than most of the other Disney Canon books, so take that as my compliment and recommendation to read this book! Rarely do I want to go back and read some Disney Canon books again, unless it's Thrawn novels, but this, Master & Apprentice, and Bloodlines are in my recommendations for adult Disney Canon books. This book also makes Revan part of the Disney Canon (his name is mentioned. Or will they make Revan a woman?!). So please, read this book!!