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, some parts incredible

A deeper look into Vader’s transformation from Anakin to sigh lord, his displeasure with Darth Sidious are the best parts of the book, overall well above average with fantastic narration, only issue is I wanted more of Vader,

vader and sidious seem odd

Pretty good story and wonderfully told even if its abridged. Vader and sidious are learning how to act around each other and becoming the characters we love, but it feels weird, kinda like the prequels were. vader is in between the whining fool and his true self. sidious is between treating him as the fool and becoming more forceful with young vader. it feels wrong but is understandable.

A Look At Vader's Agony and A Post-ROTS Galaxy

This book was a nice extension from the events of Episode III, showing Jedi on the run from their own troops, Vader showing up as an unknown Imperial enforcer, and Bail Organa's efforts on Alderaan. Vader's regrets regarding Padmé, his hatred for his painful prison of a suit, and his realization that he lost everything while Palpatine gained everything are explored. While important to the story, the Jedi feel more minor than anything, as the entertaining parts usually feature Vader, Bail Organa, or both.

Jonathan Davis was great as always, if you know him, you'll love him.

perfect storyline

I listen to the audiobooks when I am at work.. puts me in a different place.. very much enjoyable

good but why not unabridged

This was very enjoyable but I would prefer the full story instead of the abridged version.

Good old-school Star Wars story

I'd heartily recommend this for any fan, heavy or casual, of Episodes 1-6. It delves deeper into Vader and a group of Jedi who survive Order 66, and this audiobook has to be one of my favorites. It utilizes music, effects, and soundbites in a way I've never witnessed another book do. It's fantastic and the fact that half this review is me raving about it hopefully helps sell you on it.

WowzersZzzzzzzzz

It was great man definitely recommend people to take a listen to it I enjoyed it a lot

A great story to full in gaps that we’ve all had!!

This story has taken a lot of the gaps out that we’ve all felt since the OBI - 1 series on Disney+. Really a good listen and great Lucas Film story telling.

stuff I didn't know I needed lol

overall would call the book an epilogue of revenge of the sith. lots of fun and cool stuff in this short little novella. would recommend to any star wars fan. kind of works with both canon and non canon. Plus Jonathan Davis is the effin man!

Darth Vader

To understand why Anakin became Darth Vader you must understand his mindset and this book gives you exactly that. It’s part ‘escape’ adventure and part biographical, as Vader hunts down escaped Jedi while reflecting on his transformation and relationship with Sidious