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  • Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

  • By: James Luceno
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
  • Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (764 ratings)
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Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader cover art

Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

By: James Luceno
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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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.

What listeners say about Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

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.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Bane Legacy Fulfilled

Just finished "Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader" and, man, do I enjoy James Luceno’s Star Wars storytelling. I recommend reading John Jackson Miller's “Kenobi” either after or before this because they tie in neatly. Excellent story writing and characters easily worthy of a movie. I love the subtle links back to the Darth Bane legacy and the motives of the scarred Anakin to serve Sidious even though he knows his plotting. It’s not all spelled out like painting-by-numbers, rather it’s all woven carefully and unfolds very nicely. A book written for fans and not to placate Hollywood’s lowest common denominator. Superb entertainment.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good but abridged

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

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Class!

Properly got into this one. If you like Star Wars then don’t debate. Just listen. And enjoy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Awesome story if your into your old Star Wars cannon, enjoyed every minute. Would highly reccomend.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

story sux

tried listening a few times.... can't maintain it. isn't what I expected. not to mention it's too short for some reason.

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