Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

By: James Luceno

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Throughout the galaxy, it was believed that Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One, had died on Coruscant during the siege of the Jedi Temple. And, to some extent, that was true. Anakin was dead.

From the site of Anakin Skywalker's last stand, on the molten surface of the planet Mustafar, 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 ruthless new Emperor. Seduced, deranged, and destroyed by the machinations of the Dark Lord Sidious, Anakin Skywalker is dead, and Darth Vader lives.

Word of the events that created him, the Jedi Council's failed mutiny against Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the self-crowned Emperor's retaliatory command to exterminate the Jedi Order, and Anakin's massacre of his comrades and Masters in the Jedi Temple, has yet to reach all quarters. 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, red with Jedi blood, has turned suddenly against them.

For the handful of scattered Jedi, survival is imperative if the light side of the Force is to be protected and the galaxy somehow, someday reclaimed. Yet more important still is the well-being of the twin infants, Leia and Luke Skywalker, the children of Anakin and his doomed bride, Padme Amidala. Separated after Padme's death, they must be made safe at all costs, lest the hope they represent for the future be turned to horror by the new Sith regime, and the unspeakable power of the dark side.

©2005 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM; Random House Audio, a divsion of Random House, Inc. (P)2005 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM; Random House Audio, a divsion of Random House, Inc.

very good :)

loved it. showing how Vader adapted to sith life. awesome. Story was just amazing.

Abridged, still worth buying

I admit that I don't like the idea of abridged series, but the performance, sound effects, and flow of the story were excellent. I don't feel like I missed anything and still saw the inside of Vader's mind.

Excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Will definitely listen to this multiple times.

Amazing

Fascinating how we get to know more about what's going on inside of his mind after the events of revenge of the sith. How the suit and his wounds affected him and that he wasn't completely brainwashed by the emperor. The limitations and struggles especially when it comes to fighting.
The story about the Jedi survivors was also pretty interesting. Another point of view of the pivotal moment of order 66.
Rich, Star Wars universe is.

This could turn into a great mini animated series or film. It could fit into the whole inhibitor chip with some alterations. It's brilliant and it gives more depth to Vader, showing his ascension. I wonder why they haven't explored this further. It's been out for quite a while. Instead they made Rey... ha.

Anyway, great story and great voice acting.

Phenomenal

It may not be cannon now, but it is in my heart, Long Live Lucas.

this book is amazing.

I will highly recommend this book to anyone who likes star wars. truly a great story.

Solid

Largely lacking in any substantial, three dimensional back story for one of the most iconic villains and former Jedi of all time. That said, the story was intriguing regardless.

Enjoyable

I downloaded this book as a casual Star Wars fan simply wanting to be entertained while I exercised. I thought the story line sounded pretty interesting and this book certainly delivered in that respect. For me, the sound effects and "radio-play" feel of the reading worked. It helped me escape and lose myself in the SW universe.

I would recommend this for someone who simply wants to be entertained, pure and simple. No deep thinking necessary. Just sit back and enjoy it.

By the way, it seriously whetted my appetite for the next book in the series, if there is to be one. Something to fill the gap between the end of Dark Lord and the beginning of A New Hope would be great.

More Vader books

I liked the insight into Lord Vader, the movies tended to leave that part out. Over all a good story and performance.

Fantastic

There are very few books I like to listen to more than once and this is one of them.