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Knight Errant (Star Wars Universe)

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57 · rating details · 494 ratings · 49 reviews

An original adventure featuring Jedi Kerra Holt—star of the hot new Dark Horse Knight Errant comic series

A thousand years before Luke Skywalker, a generation before Darth Bane, in a galaxy far, far away . . .

The Republic is in crisis. The Sith roam unchecked, vying with one another to dominate the galaxy. But one lone Jedi, Kerra Holt, is determined to take down the D...more

Mass Market Paperback, 372 pages

Published January 25th 2011 by Del Rey Books (first published January 1st 2011)

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Apr 06, 2012 Crystal Starr Light rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars, so-boring-it-s-boring

Kerra Holt is stuck in Sith space (for how she got there, see Star Wars: Knight Errant, Volume 1: Aflame). Isolated from fellow Jedi and deep in enemy space, Kerra struggles to stay alive and try to do her Jedi duty. But things get complicated when she attempts to kill Daiman, a Sith lord at war with his brother, Odion.

I've been wanting to read this book pretty much since it came out. It is the first Star Wars novel to follow a female main character (whose name isn't Leia or Mara). There are def...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Siobhan Parker rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of comics (other than newspaper strips, such as Peanuts or Garfield) or graphic novels. That may sound strange coming from a longtime superhero fan, but I've always preferred regular novels and movies/television shows to non-humorous comics. I have found that, when a comic book or graphic novel is turned into a movie or non-illustrated book, the results tend to be quite pleasing. Most of the books and movies (especially the former) about the likes of...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Varad rated it 3 of 5 stars

Knight Errant is a good title for the book since that is what the eponymous heroine, Kerra Holt, is most reminiscent of: a knight errant trapped in feudal nightmare of warring lords trying to destroy each other and consolidate power in the Sith-ruled portion of the galaxy. At other times the story reads like a fugue on the Western, with Kerra as the lone gunslinger in a frontier town (such a large frontier!) beset by belligerent cattle barons and ranchers. And then at the end it turns out she's...more Knight Errant is a good title for the book since that is what the eponymous heroine, Kerra Holt, is most reminiscent of: a knight errant trapped in feudal nightmare of warring lords trying to destroy each other and consolidate power in the Sith-ruled portion of the galaxy. At other times the story reads like a fugue on the Western, with Kerra as the lone gunslinger in a frontier town (such a large frontier!) beset by belligerent cattle barons and ranchers. And then at the end it turns out she's really trapped in a mafia story, with one large family tearing itself apart for control. The twist being that the family is composed of Sith Lords. No wonder they communicate by the Star Wars equivalent of Skype instead of getting together in one room.

Kerra is a promising character: barely out of her apprenticeship, she has through misfortune (and Sith armies) been left as the sole Jedi in all of Sith space. Unsurprisingly, this has left its mark on her personality, as she oscillates between a sense that she is the only light standing between the galaxy and utter darkness and a sense that her focus should be on her personal mission to strike whatever blows she can against the Sith, instead of one futile, glorious, impossible blow that is beyond her ability to throw, let alone land. Headstrong, impetuous, and young, she often behaves in ways that are distinctly un-Jedi-like. But that makes her a more interesting character.

The plot itself is an expository travelogue which finds Kerra journeying through several of the sectors of Sith space and learning about their masters. It's a survey presented through Kerra's eyes, and that is the main flaw in it. Much of it is simply scene-setting for the comic book series of the same name to which this novel is an introduction. I'd just as soon read another novel or two to get the story than a whole bunch of comic books. One thing I'm curious to see is how the story in Knight Errant will be tied to that of the Darth Bane books. Kerra's story takes place a generation before Darth Bane's rise, so a lot must happen in the intervening twenty-five years or so to lead up to Bane's recreation of the Sith Order, which led to their disappearance from the galaxy for a millennium, until that fateful day on Naboo.

8/13/12(less)

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Apr 07, 2011 Bjoern rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, science-fiction, star_wars

A good complimentary to the comic series of the same name this might also be the greatest weakness of JJMs narrative: without the comic book you can't really get close to the setting and character until very far into the book, too much is expected to be known to you at the beginning.

Other than that it's the start of a new timeslot in the ever growing star wars franchise, but not too distinct from the rest of the show to be unrecogniseable. There's a lot of similarity to the background of the Kot...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Mersini rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-books, star-wars, science-fiction

This book wasn't particularly impressive when it first started out, taking a little bit of time to get into and enjoy, but by the end, I found it quite interesting. While the novel reads more like fanfiction than a canon Star Wars novel, particularly because of the insights into the world of the Sith, it was nevertheless fascinating.

This is the sequel to a comic about the protagonist Kerra Holt, and thus there isn't enough backstory in the novel. Without it, some of Kerra's motives aren't entir...more This book wasn't particularly impressive when it first started out, taking a little bit of time to get into and enjoy, but by the end, I found it quite interesting. While the novel reads more like fanfiction than a canon Star Wars novel, particularly because of the insights into the world of the Sith, it was nevertheless fascinating.

This is the sequel to a comic about the protagonist Kerra Holt, and thus there isn't enough backstory in the novel. Without it, some of Kerra's motives aren't entirely clear, not is it clear why she's there in Sith space alone. However, putting that aside, and trying to accept the fact that you're coming into a story with a seasoned character, it starts to become enjoyable.

While the beginning is essential to set up the rest of the narrative, the real interesting parts do not begin until the third part of the book, where we are shown the history and the web of connections amongst the fighting Sith Lords. This is also the most unbelievable part of the novel, in my opinion, as some, if not all of the Sith we meet in the story are not at all like the Sith we have come to know in the rest of the canon universe. Even set thousands of years before the time of Anakin Skywalker, the Sith were a fearsome group of people, sewing death and disorder throughout the galaxy, and yet, in this novel, those we meet are mostly childlike, not at all as ruthless or fearsome as we have come to expect of those who call themselves Sith. Having said that, it does bring to light some interesting connections among the Sith at this time in the galaxy's history.

Other than that, it contains much the same as any other typical Star Wars novel; manipulation, betrayal, hidden agendas, the Jedi who wants to do good by everybody, the villain who is only interested in themselves, action packed battles and adventures to numerous planets. In all, a good novel to have slotted into the Star Wars timeline, but not entirely essential, and ultimately, not connected to any of the characters who appear more often in canon. (less)

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Sep 11, 2011 Beth rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: cannot-finish, star-wars

I really wanted to like this book. I read the first few issues of the comic and enjoyed it. I did not keep up with the comic but plan to read the trades. I love the character of Kerra Holt but could not get into the story. I tried for about 100 pages then gave up. I hate not finishing books but with so many out there I want to read, it seemed silly to keep going. Kerra is an interesting character and the basics of the plot set up a compelling narrative but something, unfortunately, got lost in t...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Yves rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bd, sf, star-wars

L'histoire se passe un peu plus de 1000 ans avant l'Épisode IV. La Galaxie est dominé par les Sith et la république et les Jedi sont réduit à presque rien. Malgré tout, la Jedi Kerra Holt voyage seule dans l'espace Sith bien déterminée à se débarrasser des Sith.

John Jackson Miller est un auteur de bande dessiné que j'aime beaucoup mais je le trouve moins efficace dans ce roman. J'ai trouvé qie son livre manquait un peu de dynamisme et qu'il y avait trop de répétition chez les méchants. L'idée gé...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Adam Kranz rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, star-wars, appleton-public-library

This was a completely disappointing novel. John Jackson Miller won my great respect and gratitude for his classic comics "Knights of the Old Republic," which totally earned the name it shares with the classic games. Those comics have some of the best characters, plots, and visuals to be found in the Expanded Universe. But this book lived up to none of that promise. The plot seemed bafflingly irrelevant and tangential, and the characters were largely boring. I'dn't recommend it. It was redeemed o...more

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Mar 05, 2012 D. McAtee rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book though I can see how having read the first comic series (Star Wars: Knight Errant, Aflame) might be needed. The story doesn't require you to have read the comic but the character development does. This book is more about world building and action rather than character background. There is character development but again you wouldn't see it if you hadn't read the comic first. This really is the second of a trilogy, the first and third books just happen to be the comics. The st...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Jeff Cothern rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Apr 08, 2013 Marly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars

Set just over a thousand years before the prequels, Knight Errant follows newly-minted Jedi Knight Kerra Holt as she struggles to help civilians and overthrow feuding Sith Lords in an area of space that has been completed abandoned by and cut off from the Republic.

This book should have been right up my alley--it's set in the Old Republic and features a strong female character as the protagonist--and yet I found it a difficult slog until more than halfway through the book.

The Knight Errant era i...more Set just over a thousand years before the prequels, Knight Errant follows newly-minted Jedi Knight Kerra Holt as she struggles to help civilians and overthrow feuding Sith Lords in an area of space that has been completed abandoned by and cut off from the Republic.

This book should have been right up my alley--it's set in the Old Republic and features a strong female character as the protagonist--and yet I found it a difficult slog until more than halfway through the book.

The Knight Errant era is one that was wholly conceived by the author, John Jackson Miller, and while it's technically an Old Republic book, it blazes its own path. I didn't like it. I love the Knights of the Old Republic era, and I even enjoy some aspects of the Tales of the Jedi/Darth Bane era. But this just didn't work for me. I don't like the idea of the Republic basically ceding a huge swath of space and untold number of planets (and Republic citizens) to a bunch of Sith Lords, and I really don't like the idea of that many Sith Lords running around in the first place. I realize this is before Bane's Rule of Two, and the kind of infighting that goes on between the Sith in the Knight Errant era is exactly the kind of thing that leads to the Rule of Two, but frankly I'm sick of Sith. Lightsaber duels are great and all, but since the prequels came out there have been far too many Sith running around the SW EU. Inventing Sith to use as antagonists has become a creative crutch.

I enjoyed Kerra herself, and her decision to stay in Sith Space and work as an undercover saboteur against the Sith was noble, but I just couldn't work up much interest in the novel's plot. Part of this was because I didn't like Jarrow Rusher, the mercenary captain Kerra inadvertently falls in with. I was annoyed by how often Kerra had to chase after him, and how reluctant he was to have a serious conversation with her. He was just bothersome, and unfortunately played too big of a role in the book.

My interest perked up with the introduction of Arkadia Calimondra, one of the many Sith Lords in Sith Space. She's an interesting twist on a Sith Lord, in that she's clearly evil and not above torture and murder, but favors logic over rage, treats her people relatively well, and wants to assert order over chaos. I loved her verbal sparring with Kerra and how she shook up the Jedi, and would have loved to see them interact more. With the cancellation of the Knight Errant comic series, that doesn't seem very likely, and that's a shame.

In spite of how much I enjoyed the Kerra/Arkadia dynamic, it didn't occur until about 80% of the way through the book, which was way too long to go without something really grabbing my interest.(less)

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Jan 19, 2013 Jason Hamilton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although I have long been a fan of John Jackson Miller's work, I must say I was dissapointed with this novel. I can give the author a break since he works mostly with comics and this is his first official novel. However, there were a lot of flaws throughout the novel, even though it was also interlaced with a number of golden threads that Miller has always shown a talent for.
Star Wars: Knght Errant Full Review

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Jun 03, 2012 snedr rated it 2 of 5 stars

I never read any of the comics, and don't plan to, but this novel seemed to stand up on its own, so it doesn't seem as though it's necessary to delve into Kerra Holt's backstory.

Knight Errant started off decently; the idea of having two Sith brothers battling each other was interesting and the novel was, for the most part, well-written and paced.

Unfortunately, however, boredom sets in not far into the novel when we're treated to a mediocre plot centered on a bland gunner team and the rescue of a...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Des rated it 4 of 5 stars

Surprisingly good. Miller does one thing right: he remembers that Jedi are supposed to be human beings (well, at least the human Jedi), and should act accordingly. Most writers of Republic-era Jedi, including George Lucas himself, forget this. Miller gives us a likeable Jedi, instead of jts giving us a Jedi and telling us we're supposed to like her.

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Jul 22, 2011 Bee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, old-republic-era, science-fiction, star-wars

A thousand years before Episode I, Sith Lords are warring with each other in Sith space. Kerra Holt, a young Jedi Knight, is stranded there. What's interesting about Kerra is she's a flawed character/Jedi: intent on revenge, eager to kill (earlier on) - she doesn't even realize she's flirting with the Dark Side. But neither does the narrator, which is strange. Kerra is also incredibly self-righteous, but I let it go since she's pretty young, like in her late teens. I liked Narsk, a Bothan spy wh...more

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Mar 17, 2011 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars

This is another novel from the Star Wars Expanded Universe - set a thousand years before Anakin Skywalker. The Jedi referred to in the book's title is Kerra Holt who became abandoned in Sith territory. During her adventures she battles six Sith lords, rescues some refugee children, and works with a mercenary general. Lots of action with new characters and new worlds to explore.

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May 16, 2011 Derrick rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, star-wars

A razor thin plot with forced jumps from one sith lord/action scene to another. Kerra Holt is a pathetic excuse for a jedi character and she seems to really be skirting the darkside edge, with all her anger and hate. Miller needs to stick to his short stories and leave the novels to those who can handle it.

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May 22, 2013 Jaimie added it

Shelves: discarded

The writing was fine - good, even. I just couldn't get into it. Despite my general liking for dystopia, the bleary milieu of Sith space repelled me from the story. I guess when I was looking for popcorn of the Star Wars variety, I was looking for something a bit more lighthearted and fun.

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Aug 21, 2011 Don rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wanted to like this book. A lot. John Jackson Miller's Knights of the Old Republic comic book series was, in my opinion, the closest any comic series has come to capturing the sense of adventure that made the original Star Wars such a fun movie. And this book and accompanying comic have a great premise-a Jedi trapped behind Sith lines in the time of the Old Republic. Plenty of room for a great adventure there.

Sadly, the book was just average at best. I bought it new, in February and just now f...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Jeremy Stephens rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-of-2011

What I liked about this book: The idea of a rogue Jedi causing trouble for various Sith Lords throughout the universe was an interesting concept.

What I didn't like: The Sith depicted in this book are cartoonish and are hard to take serious.

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Feb 26, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

All in all I enjoyed it. It kind of felt like Stargate SG1 with all the Sith Lords. I always thought there was only one at a time. Shows you how much I know. I probably would have given it more than 3 stars, but this was my first sci-fi book and it took some getting used to. I would have enjoyed it as a movie.

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Feb 12, 2012 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: star-wars, science-fiction

The story of a young jedi stuck in Sith space trying to make life better for the normal people. Kerra does tend to get angry a lot though, and that usually leads to the dark side. There's some nice alien worlds, and fun siths described. Not a bad read.

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Jan 17, 2013 Adam rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a surprisingly decent book. I really enjoyed the first and last third of the book. The part with the Dyarchy seemed too Twilight Zoneish for me so it gets three instead of four stars.

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Feb 28, 2012 Maddoganchorite rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was pretty slow to begin with. But when it picks up, it picks up. Interesting characters, I really like the main character Kerra, she was a great tough warrior that I enjoyed reading about. The Sith were actually pretty interesting and different. There was a few instances of comic book dialogue, but that didn't really bother me. Overall, a good read.

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Aug 18, 2011 Luke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Set in a universe waaaay before the Star Wars universe we all know and love, Knight Errant follows the adventures of Kerra Holt, a young Jedi marooned deep in Sith territory.

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to see a new take on the Star Wars Universe. The Sith were really interesting too with all their varying philosophies.

A great read!

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May 27, 2012 Cameron Truesdell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very exciting novel, interesting story. Characters are really fleshed out nicely, each Sith Lord has a different personality. alittle long to get through but worth every second.

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Mar 03, 2012 Ed Schwartz rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book had a decent storyline, but the writing was hard to follow during battles and several other key points. The story was also a bit too long: the protagonist ventures through *three* sith lords' territories in this book, and while each was different, I started tiring of the book before the end.

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Feb 27, 2011 Myk rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars

I liked this book, but my main problem is that for a Jedi hunting Sith she really doesn't kill any. I really like that this story does not involve any of the main characters. Sure I like the main characters, but they are not the only people in the Star Wars Universe.

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Aug 21, 2012 Jordan Lahn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dropbox_library, star_wars

Interesting story. In some ways it felt like 3 successive story arcs in the comic series rather than a single cohesive story, but the ending tied it all together nicely.

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Apr 11, 2013 Jonny Blaze rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a whole, it was a good story. However, it just seemed very drawn out. Probably would've been better in its original graphic novel format.

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About John Jackson Miller

John Jackson Miller is an American comic-book writer and commentator, whose most notable work is the Knights of the Old Republic and Knight Errant comic series published by Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote the short story Labor Pains and co-wrote the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide.

He has edited magazines including Comics & Gamers Retailer, Comics Buyer's Guide, Scrye: The Guide to...more

More about John Jackson Miller...

Books by John Jackson Miller

Precipice (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #1)

Skyborn (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #2)

Paragon (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #3)

Savior (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #4)

Purgatory (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #5)

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Knight Errant (Star Wars Universe)

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