Book Review – Star Wars: Master of Evil

      Ricky Church reviews Adam Christopher's Star Wars: Master of Evil.

      In this new novel, readers return to the early days of Darth Vader, exploring Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into the menacing Darth Vader, set shortly after Revenge of the Sith. The narrative offers a nuanced depiction of Vader, primarily through the perspectives of various characters in this engaging story.

      The plot occurs specifically after the first arc of Charles Soule’s 2017 Darth Vader comic series, which begins right after Vader dons his suit and exclaims 'Noooooooo!' in Revenge of the Sith. During this arc, Vader acquires a new lightsaber by 'bleeding' a kyber crystal to make it red, experiencing a vision of himself redeeming by killing Palpatine and finding Obi-Wan only to plead for death. Motivated by this vision and the power he perceives, Vader embarks on a personal quest to harness this power while reluctantly working alongside Halland Goth, the captain of Palpatine’s royal guard, who has been tasked with spying on him.

      Given that Vader’s backstory is so well-known to even casual fans, one might question what else could be explored during this early phase of his career, especially after Soule’s impactful comic series. Christopher effectively addresses this by portraying Vader as still reeling from his defeat on Mustafar and mourning Padmé, showcasing the lingering remnants of Anakin Skywalker within him. The most captivating aspect is how Christopher presents Vader from the viewpoints of others, primarily Halland and his devoted droid TC-99. This approach lends Vader an otherworldly aura to those unfamiliar with him (which is nearly everyone during the Empire's early days) and instills a sense of mystery regarding his true intentions as we follow Halland's investigation.

      Halland serves as an intriguing central character for the novel. A staunch believer in both the Empire and Emperor, he differs from many Imperial officers by not being overtly malevolent or ruthless. While he perceives the Jedi as corrupt well before the Clone Wars and their near extinction, he possesses honorable traits that have aided his ascent to Palpatine’s personal guard, including a secret that heightens his interest in Vader’s mission.

      Having Halland reflect on figures like Vader and Palpatine, as well as his thoughts on the Force, provides a fresh perspective akin to what Andor has accomplished. Christopher crafts him as a compelling character who is somewhat oblivious to how deeply he is involved. Like many Star Wars stories, the bond between human and droid is significant. Halland’s relationship with TC-99 (whom he often calls Nines) includes humorous moments and strong chemistry, as Nines offers both companionship and support for Halland’s health needs.

      The pacing of the novel is swift, as Vader and Halland follow one lead after another in their quest. Christopher weaves an engaging narrative featuring several interested and conflicting parties that come together cohesively in the final act. The story never feels overloaded, nor does Christopher neglect character development as Vader seeks greater power while Halland grapples with increasing physical and mental challenges. Subtle hints regarding Vader are effectively implemented, revealing, in small yet impactful ways, that Anakin still exists within him, such as Vader’s unexpected attentiveness to the clones he commands at this stage of his evolution.

      Star Wars: Master of Evil is an enjoyable page-turner that examines Darth Vader’s persona and his further descent into darkness. Christopher’s writing is captivating, and the new characters he introduces are well-developed and reflect Vader’s journey. Fans of the iconic villain and this particular era in Star Wars will appreciate Christopher’s narrative.

      Rating: 8/10

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and geek discussions.