NGP Review : Lords Of The Sith

NGP Review : Lords Of The Sith

Coming off of my first (personally) disappointing Star Wars canon novel,  Heir to the Jedi, my expectations were set pretty low as I entered author Paul S. Kemp's successor, Lords Of The Sith. Taking place eight years after the events of the Clone Wars, and before the events of both Tarkin and A New Dawn, the story follows a small pocket of resistance fighters known as the Free Ryloth movement, led by none other than Rebel pilot Hera Syndulla’s father, Cham Syndulla (a familiar face to fans of the Clone Wars TV Series) as they take a daring chance at striking a fatal blow against the Empire.

Cham Syndulla

A surprisingly unexpected high speed thriller, Lords Of The Sith jumps out the gate with a bang and all of my misconceptions were quickly dispelled within the opening act. Primarily set on Ryloth, a planet crucial to the Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as "spice", Cham Syndulla and his small band of Rebel insurgents learn that Emperor Palpatine and his 'associate', Darth Vader, plan to accompany the planet's Galactic senator, Orn Free Taa, to the system aboard the Star Destroyer Perilous.

Orn Free Taa

Knowing that taking out both Palpatine and Vader simultaneously would strike a crippling blow to the Empire, Syndulla makes the decision to focus (and exhaust) his resources on the element of surprise by placing hundreds of mines just outside of the hyperspace lane. Among the mines, two dozen shield bleeders were also hidden within the confines of the trap, which upon contacting the Perlious’ shields, wouldn’t explode, but rather latch onto the energy signature setting up a counter grid that would weaken the Star Destroyer for the second attack wave.

Not a terrorist. But a freedom fighter.

Successful in their ambush, the Rebel attack continued with the launch of re-purposed Separatist Vulture Droids carrying Buzz Droids equip with suicide bombs set to destroy the Perilous from the inside out. As the Star Destroyer crumbles, Palpatine and Vader, constrained to rely not only on The Force but one another for survival, make their narrow escape to the Ryloth surface below intent on revenge …

Vulture Droid

Although knowing that the survival of Vader and Palpatine is a given, Kemp does a tremendous job keeping the reader on their toes as he explores not only the previously unseen master/apprentice relationship between the two Sith lords but also the lengths at which Palpatine is willing to go in order to prevent the galaxy from learning his true identity.  Lords Of The Sith is by far my favorite Star Wars canon novel to date, and comes highly recommended especially for those new to branching out to the novels medium. Lords Of The Sith serves up a great high speed, action packed story that serves as a perfect jumping on point and does an exceptional job tying in elements of both the films and TV series to further explain and expand the Star Wars universe.

5/5

With only one additional published canon novel left to conquer, I will be taking a brief hiatus from the Star Wars universe to immerse myself in Ernest Cline's sophomore novel, Armada, before doubling back for the highly anticipated Quinlan Vos/Asajj Ventress centric Dark Disciple!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!

Until next time True Believers,

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NGP Review : A New Dawn

NGP Review : A New Dawn

In the wake of this weeks debut of the new trailer for The Force Awakens, I have completed my first journey into the newly pointed Star Wars Canon novels with A New Dawn. Although I'm a bit late to the party, with the novel releasing in September of 2014, I've made it a point to catch up and maintain speed now that the possibility of keeping up with continuity is within reach.

A New Dawn is the first novel published as part of the new canon, and with it brings the story of how Rebels Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla first cross paths and together alongside a Sullustan splicer, Zaluna, and a human Clone Wars veteran, Skelly, spark a Rebellion when the Empire threatens to destroy their way of life.

Taking place on the planet Gorse, and it's thorilide rich moon, Cynda, eight years after the birth of the Empire, Count Denetrius Vidian acting in his own interests, attempts to blow up Cynda in order to maximize his short-term thorilide yields to maintain the favor of Emperor Palpatine. Why thorilide, you ask? It just so happens to be a vital resource in the construction of Imperial Star Destroyer turbolaser batteries.

Straight out the gate, A New Dawn is a great starting point for the new era of Star Wars novels. However, if you're looking for epic lightsaber duels and exhilarating starship battles you won't find it here. Although Kanan is a Jedi, it's important to remember that his place in the galaxy at this point in history is nothing more than a drifter - forced to conceal his identity and force sensitivity as one of the lone survivors of Order 66. That may sound like a buzzkill, but don't let that deter you. The story still has plenty to offer, as we are introduced to a great cast of new and interesting supporting characters (some of whom may just appear in the Star Wars : Rebels TV series) and plenty of action to keep things exciting and on pace.

Additionally, the beauty of A New Dawn being canon is that everything fits together. From the Rebels TV series to the newly launched Kanan : The Last Padawan comic series, bits and pieces fall into place and connect through every medium helping to expand and amplify the story.

3/5 Toast Rating

I can't wait to get started on the next adventure, as I dive head first into the history and rise to power of one of the Empire's most notorious agents, Wilhuff Tarkin.

And for those of you who may have  missed it, behold the beauty of what's to come this Christmas in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE     

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Star Wars Rebels: First Impression

Today is my birthday and I am posting on a topic that I love, Star Wars!

I knew that Star Wars Rebels was going to be good before it started because it was from the creators of Star Wars The Clone Wars, but I didn’t know it was going to be freaking awesome! Just a warning if you haven’t seen the first episode/movie for Star Wars Rebels then there may be some SPOILERS in this post.

Here is the short plot summary for Star Wars Rebels and the characters provided from starwars.com :

“Set between the events of Star Wars Episodes III and IV, the Star Wars Rebels story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost – cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and grumpy old astromech droid Chopper – will face threatening new villains, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.”

I like that they are going deeper into the events between Episodes III and IV, but I would also like to see Starkiller from the blockbuster videogame series, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, show up in the series. Starkiller was a big part of the start of the Rebellion and would only be proper to fit him in.

Overall, I am truly excited for the rest of the season. I hope we get to see some more familiar faces (you do). If you haven’t watched it the second episode is available on the Watch Disney XD app with a few surprise guests. Also ABC will be airing ‘Spark of the Rebellion’ again with an extra scene featuring Darth Vader and voiced by none other than James Earl Jones! It will be aired on Sunday, October 26 at 7pm EST. I will be watching it again for that extra scene and because it was truly amazing. Disney is doing an excellent job so far with this series and is giving me a peace of mind that Episode VII will be great.

What are your thoughts on Rebels so far? Tell us in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook.

Side Comment:
If you haven't watched Star Wars The Clone Wars, you absolutely need to. That series is probably the best thing that came from LucasFilm since the Original Trilogy. All the seasons are available on Netflix including the unaired Season 6. Don't be a whiny Sith and just do it!

May the Force Be With You!

-  Da_Fettman

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Star Wars Rebels Premiere Dates

Star Wars Rebels Premiere Dates

Since the Clone Wars ended there has been something missing from fan’s hearts, a hole that can only be filled by exquisite animation and amazing storylines.  We have been teased with trailers this past year for Rebels and all I can really say is that I’m excited! I have purposely been staying away from posts and new trailer promoting the new series just so when I first watch it I will be blown away (hopefully).

Starwars.com recently posted the dates for the one-hour premiere, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion, in an easy to read timeline. Here is that timeline:

"MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 - Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion one-hour movie will be available on Disney Channel SVOD and to verified users on WATCHDisneyXD.com and the WATCH Disney XD app for smartphones and tablets.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 - Television premiere of one-hour movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 - Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available for purchase through Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Disney XD VOD.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 - Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) premieres on Disney XD.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 - Star Wars Rebels (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) series premieres on Disney XD.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 - Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will be available on DVD in retailers nationwide."

I will be watching that Monday, September 29, on my Apple TV via the Disney XD app. I cannot wait to see all the new characters, especially Sabine, the Mandalorian, and the new villains.

Are you as excited as I am? Do you think Rebels will be as epic as Clone Wars was?

Please comment below.

As always keep checking back with us for the latest Star Wars news.

Thanks for reading our 50th post and May the Force Be With You!

- Da_Fettman

Source: starwars.com

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