OUT THIS WEEK: 'SHADOW OF THE SITH'

Its dramatic and dangerous events mysteriously referred to during the beginning of The Rise of Skywalker, Adam Christopher's eagerly awaited novel features a pre-The Force Awakens Luke Skywalker, back to being a Jedi Knight in fully heroic, determined protectorate mode, notably teamed once again with that old smoothie and former Rebel Alliance hero, Lando Calrissian. Together, this formidable, likeable duo must search for a vicious and clever Sith Assassin who many know the path to the secret, hideous Sith planet of Exegol! 

Although the book is a tad too long, Christopher does a fine job of building up plotlines and events to The Rise of Skywalker, with the Luke/Lando combination working well. Plus, lots of great Easter Eggs and links/nostalgia references to all kinds of prior types of saga media buried within its storytelling. There's also the all-important task of bringing depth to the origins of Rey's previously elusive parents, which is done in a more than adequate way and how their beloved young daughter Rey had to be separated from the evil forces pursuant to them.

Shadow of the Sith makes an exciting debut in UK Del Rey hardback from June 28th, 2022, and, with its unique timeline setting, looks like another publishing winner.

Official book publicity information:

Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian return in this essential novel set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

The Empire is dead. Nearly two decades on from the Battle of Endor, the tattered remnants of Palpatine's forces have fled to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. But for the heroes of the New Republic, danger and loss are ever-present companions, even in this newly forged era of peace.

Jedi Master Luke Skywalker is haunted by visions of the dark side, foretelling an ominous secret growing somewhere in the depths of space, on a dead world called Exegol. The disturbance in the Force is undeniable...and Luke's worst fears are confirmed when his old friend Lando Calrissian comes to him with reports of a new Sith menace.

After his daughter was stolen from his arms, Lando searched the stars for any trace of his lost child. But every new rumor only led to dead ends and fading hopes—until he crossed paths with Ochi of Bestoon, a Sith assassin tasked with kidnapping a young girl.

Ochi's true motives remain shrouded to Luke and Lando. For on a junkyard moon, a mysterious envoy of the Sith Eternal has bequeathed a sacred blade to the assassin, promising that it will give him answers to the questions that have haunted him since the Empire fell. In exchange, he must complete a final mission: return to Exegol with the key to the Sith's glorious rebirth—the granddaughter of Darth Sidious himself, Rey.

As Ochi hunts Rey and her parents to the edge of the galaxy, Luke and Lando race into the mystery of the Sith's lingering shadow and aid a young family running for their lives.

Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith - Exclusive Book Excerpt | StarWars.com

'Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith': Exclusive excerpt shows Rey's parents

Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith - Exclusive Excerpt From the Episode IX Prequel Novel - IGN

Get the book here:

Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith (Audio Download): Adam Christopher, William DeMeritt, Penguin Audio: Amazon.co.uk: Audible Books & Originals