Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

Feb 09, 2008

Chris rated it:

When you think about Darth Vader, many things come to mind. Dark Lord of the Sith. Bane of the Jedi. Throat-Crusher Supreme.

Emo?

Of all my complaints about the new trilogy, the biggest one has to do with how Anakin Skywalker was handled. I grew up loving Darth Vader. He was a vicious bastard, but by gods, he was awesome about it. He was a hard-ass who inspired terror wherever he went, and he was a man who overcame insurmountable evils to redeem himself.

He never More...

1 comment like (5 people liked it)

Oct 28, 2011

Michael rated it:

So far, I am not impressed with this book. I'm about a third of the way through the book; so far we've had an introduction of a variety of uninteresting characters [most of whom we can assume will die by the end of the book, and thus will have no impact on the greater Star Wars story], and Darth Vader being emo. To be fair to Mr. Luceno, Anakin Skywalker was portrayed as painfully emo in the films.

I am hoping that, by the end, we'll see actual character growth out of Anakin - *some More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Mar 07, 2009

Ron rated it:

A necessary chapter in the expanded history of the Star Wars universe. While focused on Darth Vader's growing into his role as Sidious' apprentice and hatchet man, it also opened themes which will blossom into Episode Four.

Well-written, if pedestrian. I believe this is the first four chapter long epilogue I've encountered.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 19, 2012

Dustin rated it:

This will be a fan boy rant, but I don't care.
For a book that's supposed to be solely about Darth Vader's rise to prominence and power after becoming the towering figure in black he's most known for, he hardly plays any role in this book. Disappointing is easily the best word to describe this book. I was expecting brutal exploits that bridge the gap from the last crappy prequel to the first original, and there were none. Hell, the entirety of this book basically covers a few month span shor More...

0 comments like

Jan 03, 2011

Brian rated it:

STAR WARS: DARK LORD- THE RISE OF DARTH VADER was a book I had checked out of the library several times but something always jumped ahead of it to read. I started this book thinking it would be something I would read slowly while reading other books, maybe a when out at the beach read, but it got a hold on me and I just raced through it. I’m a pretty slow reader, it usually takes me a week or two to read a book with my attention span but I finished this in a few days.

I have to say off More...

0 comments like

Jul 19, 2010

Crystal Starr Light rated it:

Several Jedi, including Roan Shryne and Olee Starstone, are fighting a fierce battle on Murkhana when Order 66 arrives. Commander Climber, the clone leader amongst the Jedi, defies orders and allows the Jedi to leave. The three Jedi must then leave the planet and flee to safety, avoiding Darth Vader and his wrath.
NOTE: Based on novel and audiobook.

I Liked:
I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed this novel. If you've read my review for [[ASIN:0345442970 Cloak of Dec More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 13, 2010

Chad rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 24, 2012

Alex rated it:

What was shaping up to be a really nice triolgy drops the ball with this final entry which seriously lacks any kind of scope or ambition. Rather than getting a sweeping, epic story of what happened to the Jedi post Revenge of the Sith and the seeds of the formation of the rebellion, instead we get a slight story about a rag tag band of Jedi who meet Darth Vader a couple of times and then run away.

Darth vader is a central character in this story, as heought to be, but I found myself More...

0 comments like

Mar 10, 2010

Richard rated it:

OK, I like The Dark Lord despite the fact that it was not a great novel, but a very good and enjoyable novel. In some ways The Dark Lord reads more like a TV show, which is not a bad thing. The novel follow events that take place after The Revenge of the Sith (And, we all know that Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, The Dark Lord of the Sith) and the execution of Order 66. Although it is called The Dark Lord, Darth Vader is a secondary character during the first half of the novel which focus More...

0 comments like

Dec 27, 2010

Mike rated it:

Some people didn't feel that this book focused enough on Darth Vader and it is true that he is not the primary focus, despite the title. It does include some pretty cool new characters like Roan Shryne and Olee Starstone.

I'm just going to give a brief word as other reviewers have thoroughly discussed it. The book picks up right before Order 66 is given, when Shryne and a group of Clones were on a raid. The order is given and Shryne escapes. In the mean time, you get a look at how Vade More...

0 comments like

Feb 23, 2009

Andrew rated it:

I love Darth Vader. He's probably my favorite character in the original trilogy. Had it not been for Hayden Christensen and, to some extent George Lucas, the character could have been much more dark and much more evil in the prequel trilogy. I was hoping to find that image of Darth Vader in the original trilogy in this novel. I never read any of the "Extended Universe" books before, but wandering though the library, this one caught my attention.

I only made it 100 pages in. More...

0 comments like

Aug 10, 2011

Sonny rated it:

Quick and overall enjoyable read. Didn't have the emotional attachment to the main characters as I did with previous Star Wars novels. Starstone annoyed me to no end, felt like her character was full of hot air- all talk and no action. Shyrne's internal conflicts and loss of faith in the future of the Jedi order felt rushed and not portrayed deep enough to give him such an epiphany in his last stand with Vader. Chewbacca's involvement in the story felt too construed, and Vader's "Rise" More...

0 comments like

Jun 17, 2009

Greg rated it:

As a punishment I had to read this book. It is the only Star Wars novel I've ever read. It's possible that this book makes those crimes against my childhood that Lucas calls Episodes 1 through 3 look like masterpieces compared to this.

The saving bit that earned this book a star?

The author felt it was necessary to explain in detail how Darth Vader urinates and defecates. Yup, if you ever wondered how he does then this book will teach you that most secret of all Jedi t More...

4 comments like (6 people liked it)

Jan 17, 2011

John is currently reading it

Most of the writing skill goes towards Star Wars knowledge, not actual prose and syntax that my favorite wordsmiths possess. But, it's to read a parallel story to the Star Wars films.

The characters are left almost entirely unrendered, so I'm imagining the main character as Ewan McGregor's Obi Wan Kinobi...which is unfortunate (not to slight McGregor...he was a great Kinobi); but it'd be nice to have some of the blanks filled in.

I just got started so things could change, More...

0 comments like

Jan 19, 2011

Trinity rated it:

A must read for any star wars fan. Goes over the time when Anakin Skywalker was just turned into Darth Vader. At one point he shows what kind of mechanical monstrosity he has become and actually instills fear in the hearts of the few remaining Jedi. Then later on you actually feel sorry for him because you learn that he still Anakin and full of regret and heartache because of all the pain and suffering that he helped cause. GO READ IT NOW MY FELLOW STAR WARS GEEKS!

P.S. To better under More...

0 comments like

Feb 05, 2011

Daniel rated it:

If it wasn't for some of the dull-ish B-stories taking place away from the main plot, this would be one of THE best Star Wars novels in recent years. It's a fabulous exploration of the early days of Vader: his emotional struggle to become the ultimate Sith Lord, discard all vestiges of Anakin Skywalker, and deal with the complications of his suit and prosthetics. Full of rich detail, and with a potent writing style, "Dark Lord" makes for an exceptional read...which is surprising, as More...

0 comments like

Oct 11, 2011

Yves rated it:

La guerre des Clones est maintenant finie. Anakin Skywalker est maintenent devenu Darth Vader. Il est complètement soumis à son maître Sith, Darth Sidious. Vader est donc envoyé en mission par son maître pour éliminer les Jedi survivants et mater la rébellion des Wookies sur la planète Kashyyyk. Cependant, Vader rêve surtout de prendre sa revanche contre Obi-Wan.

Ce roman reste dans la lignée des deux précédents, ils sont centrés sur Anakin et Vader. Le premier (Labyrint More...

0 comments like

Oct 02, 2011

Megan-Marie rated it:

First of all, in no sense of the words is this horrible book a "must-read" (as the cover boldly states). Second of all, I bought this book years ago off the $2 rack at Half Price Books; I assume that price had more to do with its missing dust jacket and less to do with its wretched contents--if I'd been paying by content, I would've been overcharged. For two dollars, I could've bought some trash from a vending machine that would've tasted good while it lasted and been instantly forgott More...

0 comments like

Oct 28, 2008

Joseph rated it:

It was a good book, but at the same time a little dissappointed in it. I read this right after Labyrinth of Evil and that book showed how he was turning into Darth Vader, this book (I thought) was how he was becoming a more powerful Sith. Well it wasn't. It seemed like he was too confused on if he should be bad or not. It was just a mix bag of good writing, then bad writing.

I liked how it showed how Vader couldn't move around so much and he would probably have to rely on other me More...

0 comments like

Sep 24, 2008

Victor rated it:

I bet that you think that this book is going to rule, don't you. Well, it doesn't. Not only is Darth Vader in less than half of the book, it is primarily about a couple of Jedi trying escape from the Jedi purge that the Emperor has put into effect. Worst of all, this is the book that says that the reason why Darth Vader cannot use Dark Force Lightening is because he has bionic arms. I personally think that a better reason would be because the Emperor was not stupid enough to teach Darth Vade More...

3 comments like

Jul 25, 2008

LonewolfMX rated it:

Before I begin to let everybody know out there I am a big Sci-Fi fan and love Star Wars, but don't love it to the point I become an Otaku geek.

Where to begin the book begins with the last few hours of the Clone Wars on Murkana in which 3 Jedis the two main characters Shryne Roan a Jedi Master who has lost his faith in the force and with him is another Jedi Master Choltak along with her apprentice Jolee Starstone fighting against the separatists before Darth Sidious' Order 66 turns th More...

0 comments like

Dec 04, 2007

Stephanie "Jedigal" rated it:

I read all the Star Wars universe adult novels, and many of the young adult and children's novels, so they had my money regardless. I was very excited about this particular book being the first chronologically after Episode III, and the first to present Vader in his new persona. I was disappointed on that front, and also because Luceno's other Star Wars titles have been so much better.

It's not that Luceno makes any mistakes, it's just that he didn't capture my imagination this time. More...

0 comments like

Aug 04, 2011

Jason added it

The story takes place in the weeks after the events of Revenge of the Sith and shows Darth Vader struggling with his new body and just starting to come into his own as an evil Sith lord and still unsure of himself. James Luceno has a knack for immersing you in the Star Wars universe. The words read fast and it was hard to put the book down. This is another example of how the Star Wars universe of novels and comic books help round out the movies and give you more depth.

0 comments like

Jul 22, 2011

Josh rated it:

This book isn't what the title suggests--a book from the the POV of the Sith Lord; it starts with a force of Jedi and clone troopers on Murkhana just before the infamous 'Order 66' and then moves on from there.

Now don't get me wrong, Vader and his psychological adjustment to his new role in the galaxy is certainly a major part of the book. However, the larger part of the novel focuses on the escaped Jedi as they lead Vader on a wild gundark chase from Coruscant to Alderaan to Kashyyyk More...

0 comments like

May 06, 2011

Callie rated it:

I thought this book was a very good book. It summed up everything that happened after Star WarsIII Revenge of the Sith. It told me what Darth Vader was thinking after his makeover. It also told me what happened to other Jedi just not Obi-Wan. I give this book five stars because it kept me interested til the end It also me interested because it expanded on what I like to watch the Star Wars movies. If you love Star Wars and readin, you should really read this book.

2 comments like

Dec 31, 2008

Nicole rated it:

It's really hard for me to read a book when I know that I won't really be able to find any redeeming quality in the main character. This is the main problem with the character of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Yes, as a whole, the character is redeemable. But broken up into smaller journeys, well, it's just difficult to get to care about him.

Overall, I found it difficult to read this book. Something seemed to be missing.

0 comments like

Jan 16, 2010

Aaron rated it:

A fairly acceptable continuation of the adventures with introduction of new characters to further flesh out the story of Darth Vader. Characters are ok. I say ok because some of them are just mind blowingly stupid. The Vader moments were we get to see inside his mind and his early interactions with the Emperor are great and really add something to the legend and story of the Dark Lord of the Sith. A good summer read that won't change your life and might bring a smile to your face.

0 comments like

Jan 18, 2009

David rated it:

For a Star Wars novel, this was really good. If you want to see the transition of Vader from just another one of the Emperor's pawns who gets no respect from the web of people involved in the Empire, to a merciless bad-ass who cuts people down if they disrespect him, then this is the book for you. It also gets into the whole enslaving of the Wookies and how Chewbacca loses his family. It's epic.

0 comments like

Mar 24, 2010

Clestian rated it:

An enjoyable read, this book picks up with some of the clone troopers and a couple of Jedi in action together. I couple of chapters go by before the reader hears from Vader but it is the truly the development from Anakin to Vader that this book is about. Through it, the reader sees Vader move over to the dark side, a task that was not fully completed in the third movie.

0 comments like

Jun 25, 2010

Scott rated it:

Vader parts: 4 stars
Jedi cannon-fodder (Vader-fodder?) parts: 2 stars.

Gives Vader some added depth and eases the transition from Darth Pissypants to Galactic Badass. Almost makes him a sympathetic character. The sequence that describes his ill-fitting suit and the fact that he's been played really drives home that sometimes it's tough to be a Sith.

0 comments like

reviews