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.

Abridged

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No. It's in abridged form. I didn't see that before I hit the buy button. Why would I recommend an incomplete book? Why did Luceno agree to abridge this book? It ruins the story.

What did you like best about this story?

It was an interesting look at at Vader's personal world, but not near enough. I kept wanting to delve deeper into what makes him tick, but we'd just scratch the surface. I like Luceno and his character point of view stories. I'm looking forward to Tarkin. Also, I'd like a longer shot of each character's history instead of a short period. Plagueis was good because it spanned so much time, and the reader got a broader view of the characters life and motives.

The story needed to be told

For all the star wars fans who were left with an empty feeling after Revenge of the Sith. Dark Lord gives you an inside look at Darth Vader! His Feeling his towards his new self and the jedi. Includes sound effects, a must for all star wars fans.

Why abridge this story

Why abridge so many of these books grrrrrrrre I hate that they do that bah bah bah bah bah at bah

Solid, wish it was Unabridged though.

Would you listen to Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader again? Why?

Yes. Luceno didn't disappoint. Would like the unabridged version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader?

The best part of the book was the inner dialogue of Vader. I never realized how much pain he was going through inside the suit.

Any additional comments?

Narrator was fantastic.

The Force Lives!

As one of the premier authors of the Star Wars series, James Luceno is known for the depth of his insights and the skill of his storytelling. In "Dark Lord" he demonstrates his skills at their finest. The story brings the Star Wars fan into new revelations about the development of critical characters and the abridged story moves smoothly, holding the listeners interest throughout. The production value of the story is a treat, providing plenty of "extras" to enhance the listeners enjoyment of the audio and nothing to get in the way.

"Dark Lord" is a true triumph in the Star Wars pantheon.

This should have been unabridged.

I am really enjoying Jonathan Davis's narration of the Star Wars galaxy. This should have been included in the official Star Wars Cannon.

The bridge between Anakin and Vader

I know some didn't like how whinny Vader was in this story and to be honest at first I didn't either, however, Vader has only existed a short time when this story starts and this story shows Vader going from the whinny Anakin Skywalker to the infamous Darth Vader many have come to fear and love over the years.

I do like the bridge stories because they fill in the gaps when cannon throws a wrench into everything many authors wrote and I am sure The Force Unleashed will throw even more wrenches into things we have all come to accept as fact within the star wars universe. Expect more bridges. To date my favorite bridge books are the Darth Bane trilogy.

Favorite Star Wars Audiobook

Would you listen to Star Wars again? Why?

I have listened to I think 80% of all the available SW Audiobooks and this is my favorite book. I don't know exactly what it is, but I just LOVE it! I got this audiobook when it came out in 2005 and I have listened to it at least a dozen times since then. Whether it was at college, commuting/road trip, or at work this book is just so entertaining. It has everything I love about the movies and what I love about the clone war. The time between Episode 3 and 4 is my favorite time period in Star Wars. I just love this book!

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

When I first. Heard this I couldn't imagine anyone else doing Star Wars books. I love Marc Thompson but Jonathan Davis is fantastic.

Finally, what we missed in all of the prequels...

Would you consider the audio edition of Star Wars to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but I bet this audio edition is better considering the awesome voices, music, and special effects.

What did you like best about this story?

Jonathan Davis did a great job doing Darth Vader's voice, I can tell he used some kind of voice changing technology to achieve the effect. As for the writing, you really get a feel for the characters with Luceno's ability. You care what happens to them. It was exciting, dark, and you get a lot of great Vader moments. It also delves into the transition of the Anakin mindset to the full-on Darthness, which was pleasantly surprising. I hope we get a direct sequel to this gem.

Which scene was your favorite?

Tough choice, maybe the ending scene when everyone's favorite old fool Ben Kenobi is watching TV. The duel on the Wookie home-world was also quite exhilarating, and the several spots where characters were starting to realize just who this new player on the scene use to be were quite chilling.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't cry, but It's definitely my favorite so far of all the Star Wars audio books I've listened to.

It's about time!!!

For years, I yearned for Star Wars audio to be added to Audible and noticed that finally, they are. The narrator is clear and conscise; sound effects are as always, "Lucas approved perfection" and James Luceno has written another great addition to the saga. For those listeners who are not avid Star Wars readers, this book is a great listen. However, people like me who have read just about every book, the abridged addition is a bit of a disappointment. The numerous characters, weapons and "other stuff" in this book can be confusing to some, since there are many but it is a definite must listen especially with the cool sound effects.

A disappointing collage of prior Star Wars moments

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Many Star Wars fans might enjoy this story - especially those who have not yet seen Revenge of the Sith. There are some interesting moments between Vader and Palpatine, but that was it.

What was most disappointing about James Luceno’s story?

There was so little originality in it. It was mostly a rerun of much of Revenge of the Sith, from the moment order 66 took place, but featuring different characters in slightly different situations.

The characters were neither original nor particularly interesting or easy to care about, sticking to very established Star Wars types.

It added almost nothing to the Star Wars Universe, preferring to rehash what had already been seen.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I've heard his narration of Star Wars 'Kenobi' where the story allowed him much freer reign. it's because of his narration of that story that I bought this one. His narration is the one highlight of an otherwise overly familiar tale and I would happily seek out more work by him.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

See above. Disappointment. 'Dark Lord :The Rise of Darth Vader' was little more than a collage of previous phrases, characters and situations.

Several books in the Expanded Universe also suffer from this syndrome, preferring to give authenticity to their story by echoing what has gone before, rather than creating something new in the same spirit.

If you've watched Revenge of the Sith, you really do not need to read this book.

The Abridged Menace

After listening to the unabridged Darth Pagueis book, I enjoyed a decent Star Wars book so much that I wanted more. So I bought this book. Normally, I would have checked if it was abridged, but I have found that with Audible, none of the books I have chosen in several years have been adridged, so I failed to check.
I found the story to be light weight and unsatisfying, as many reviews state the book to be and hiw I always feel after reading the adridged version of any book and sadly there doesn't seem to be an unabridged version available.
I'm sure an unabgridged version would be better.

Star Wars: An Average Story

This story has some good parts in it, but not nearly enough about Vader and his early days as a Sith. It starts promisingly and brilliantly describes how Vader struggled to cope with his suit and inabilities. Also the memories and understanding of what he done in his last day as Anakin. But this personal torment kind of fizzles out and leaves a pretty standard and predictable story. It’s more a book on uninteresting Jedi’s really. They pretty much dominate the book. While some may enjoy this, I think the author passed up on a good thing which was the early turmoil of Darth Vader.
The narrator is spot on as he always is in these Star Wars books.

meh

Pretty poor story. No real thrust towards a decent climax. Unimaginative with very few m9ments of interest. I'm glad it's not canon.

Good but abridged

Fun but lightweight. Gives a taster of the Darth Vader transition. Would have liked a bit more.

Really enjoyable!! well read and good story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, adds a bit more depth to the story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader?

the struggle of Vader

What about Jonathan Davis’s performance did you like?

Excellent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

over 2 days

A Very, Very Good Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this, an excellent read. Would make a good film for the franchise.

A must read for Vader fans

If there is anything negative I would say about this, is that its too short.

One of the best Star Wars books I have listened too, story combine with Jonathan Davis performance delivers the perfect introduction too Darth Vader. A excellent companion story to the Revenge of Sith novelisation, which the story goes into Anakin psychy and explains more about his motivation for going to the dark side.

Brilliant too listen.

Great listen, could be longer.

Overall this is a great story and is an important branch to the saga describing the rise of Darth Vader and his strength and bond to the dark side. I personally would of liked this story to be longer in comparison to some of the other novels but that is not taking away from the narrators performance and the story telling. Would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of the franchise.

Starts slow but finishes well

A slow start with lots of people I didn’t know but the last few hours were really good. 3 stars for the start, 5 for the end, average of 4.