EPISODE IX: THE LAST JEDI CONFER...

The emotionally troubled Rey's uncertainty as a Jedi in the light of the recent revelations of her parentage, and of her Grandfather, sees a return to the legendary world of Ahch-To, where she is soon helped back on her path to good and light by the spirit of her former mentor, Luke Skywalker, in a nice, and most welcome, moment between the two characters during The Rise of Skywalker.

EPISODE IX: LANDO LEADS THE CHARGE!

Back with a smooth vengeance against the First Order and the resurrected Empire, the ever cool space hustler Lando Calrissian has no plans to retire anytime soon, especially when proving himself yet again as an effective leader capable of saving the day. A great image of our hero from The Rise of Skywalker - it was great to see Billy Dee Williams back again in the role he was born to play - he'd been absent for far too long in the Sequel Trilogy!

EPISODE IX: THE TIE WHISPER MAKES ITS MARK!

Spanning the galaxy to do Kylo Ren's evildoing as the supreme force of the First Order, the memorable TIE Whisper fighter was a fine addition to the Sequel space craft universe, making its way from the mysterious world of Mustafar to the evil realms pf the Dark Side on Exegol, during the exciting beginning to The Rise of Skywalker.

EPISODE IX: REUNITED JEDI!

It's a time of darkness and emotional trauma for Rey, having now discovered the truth about her shocking bloodline from Kylo Ren. She looks ready to give it all up on the far off world of Ahch-To. Fortunately, a friend and teacher from the past returns to guide her back on the right path against the oncoming firestorm that is the Dark Side, and the return of Palpatine.

A memorable scene from The Rise of Skywalker.

EPISODE IX: A FAMILY PURSUED...

Dathan and Miramir - fugitives from the Emperor!

Seemingly abandoned by uncaring parents whom Kylo Ren would later describe to her as filthy junk traders who literally sold her off for drinking money, Rey ultimately discovers the truth about her parentage, and the real reason for her being left behind on the desert world of Jakku, by the time of The Rise of Skywalker. In actuality, her parents were to prove unique in the sequel saga backstory, her father Dathan (Billy Howe) being the fugitive son of Emperor Palpatine himself, whilst her mother Miramir (played by Killing Eve's soon British superstar Jodie Comer) proved herself brave and courageous to the end in protecting her daughter-in-hiding, successfully fooling the Sith Assassin who would ultimately slay Rey's parents...

Miramir (Jodie Comer) cradles her daughter one last time.

EPISODE IX: TRAINING... AND MORE TRAINING!

Since the galactic takeover by the First Order, Rey's skills and latent abilities as a Jedi are needed now more than ever as her training, under the tutelage of former Jedi General Leia Organa, continues within the expansive forests of Ajan Kloss. Making sure that her opponent remotes are not in safe mode, Rey proves confident, yet she is so far unable to contact any of the Jedi who have passed into the nether world of the Force...

A great scene from The Rise of Skywalker filmed in Black Park, Buckinghamshire, nearby to Pinewood Studios, and used in many classic blockbuster films (including previous Star Wars films) and sci-fi/horror TV series.

EPISODE IX: FROM THE STREETS OF KIJIMI!

On the winter night streets of the beleaguered world of Kijimi, the ongoing tyranny of First Order control and their kidnaping of local children to their brutal cause soon sees underground emergent action and retaliation from a brave few whose past histories are less than perfect. One such individual, the helmeted and enigmatic Zorri Bliss, who is soon reunited with a former friend now potential Resistance enemy, from The Rise of Skywalker.

EPISODE IX: RISE OF THE VILLAINS!

Assembled villainy has never been nastier in the sequel trilogy than with the combined forces of the First Order, under the brutal command of Supreme Leader Kylo Ren (with assistance from his onscreen underused Knights and the shady General Hux) and the original First Galactic Empire, under the command of Allegiant General Pryde in the name of the resurgent Emperor Palpatine. The galaxy will quake under their terrifying future plans...

EPISODE IX: COMPLETING LEIA'S TRAINING...

Brother and sister Skywalkers match unique fighting moves and cement their powers in the Force, as Leia Organa soon goes on to make a life-changing decision linked to her Jedi destiny, in a terrific and moving flashback moment from The Rise of Skywalker.

Luke And Leia's Lightsaber Fight Flashback In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Got Trimmed

EPISODE IX: LANDO'S RETURN!

Old pilots are still bold pilots as the legendary Lando Calrissian returns to aid the Resistance in its darkest hours, what with the passing of their beloved General Leia Organa and the resurrection of the Emperor on Exegol.

Why it took so long for Lando - such a charismatic and vital presence in the saga -  to return to the Sequel Trilogy with The Rise of Skywalker, I still don't know....

EPISODE IX: BLOWING OFF STEAM!

He may have been captured and restrained by the First Order on Pasaana, but that isn't going to let the mighty Chewbacca let rip against his loathsome enemy General Hux, in this priceless moment from The Rise of Skywalker, though its a shame that our Wookiee hero's painful reuniting with the former Ben Solo on the First Order Star Destroyer was cut. There is, however, a brief moment linked to it within the Michael Kogge-written junior edition film novelisation.

Kylo Ren Tortured Chewbacca in Filmed The Rise of Skywalker Deleted Scene

EPISODE IX: EMPRESS OF EVIL

A shocking vision of alternate destiny and evil, as the head of the Sith powerbase on Exegol, is briefly but memorably revealed to a dark Force powered Rey in a memorable but all too brief moment from The Rise of Skywalker. 

Star Wars: Rey Was Originally Obi-Wan's Daughter

Daisy Ridley enjoys some quality throne time.

EPISODE IX: THOSE OTHER RESISTANCE HEROES!

Hip deep in intense warfare against the Final Order's legion forces on their secret homeworld of Exegol, our diverse supporting Resistance hero stars of The Rise of Skywalker - mechanic/specialist Rose Tico, archaeologist Beaumont Kin, and communications/operations officer Kaydel Ko Connix - show their mettle in a do-or-die mission rounding off the sequel trilogy.

Dominic Monaghan Reflects on 'Star Wars' - Star Wars News Net

THE CINEMATIC RETURN OF REY SKYWALKER...

The torch now passed to Daisy Ridley as Rey Skywalker.

Finally getting the unique and exciting character showcasing she deserves, the news of Daisy Ridley's return to the saga as Jedi Knight Rey Skywalker, for an all-new cinematic adventure, is most welcome.

SWCE 2023: Three New Star Wars Movies Announced | StarWars.com

Daisy Ridley's Rey: New Star Wars Film Will Focus on Her Story - Variety

Star Wars: Three New Movies Confirmed At Celebration – Including Daisy Ridley’s Return As Rey | Movies | Empire

Daisy Ridley returning as Rey in new Star Wars movie set 15 years after Rise of Skywalker | GamesRadar+

Kathleen Kennedy on 'Star Wars' Future, Daisy Ridley and Taika Waititi - Variety

EPISODE IX: THE MYSTERY MAN OF PASAANA!

Hunted by the First Order's forces of the desert world of Pasaana, it looks like our heroes have finally been cornered, until the arrival of a mysterious helmeted warrior comes to their rescue, soon revealing himself as the legendary Lando Calrissian and bringing important info to Rey on a previous mission he'd undertook on this world with Luke Skywalker - searching for the dangerous Sith Assassin, Ochi of Bestoon!

Lando Calrissian, back in action!

A detailed look at Lando's disguise. Image: Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props Blogspot.

Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker movie costumes on display... Original film costumes and props on display

Find out more about the missing adventure of Luke and Lando with the newly released paperback version of the acclaimed Shadow of the Sith, written by Adam Christopher, and out now in bulky Arrow paperback.

Original Aficionado article on hardback:

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: OUT THIS WEEK: 'SHADOW OF THE SITH'

Get the paperback here:

Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith: Amazon.co.uk: Christopher, Adam: 9781529150070: Books

EPISODE IX: TO MURDER A SITH LORD!

Newly arrived on the mysterious and doom-laden realm of Exegol, home to the legendary Sith Lords of old, the First Order's new Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren, is a man on a disturbing mission - to slaughter the re-emergent Dark Side force that is Darth Sidious (aka Emperor Palpatine) and prevent his own empire from being usurped, in this effective and memorable beginning to The Rise of Skywalker.

EPISODE IX: THE PHYSICAL CLUE!

After months of pursuit, Kylo Ren has caught up with 'the scavenger' Rey, his unique Force bond with her finally gaining the clue to her whereabouts: the desert world of Pasaana, in this intriguing moment from The Rise of Skywalker.

EPISODE IX: INTO THE ASTEROIDS (AGAIN!)

Under relentless First Order pursuit, the Falcon, piloted by Poe Dameron, flees enemy fire skimming the smuggling vessel into an asteroid belt, in this lovely unused concept art by Andree Wallin linked to The Rise of Skywalker's opening hyperspace jumping sequence. 

FALLEN EVIL!

Amongst the colorful sunset beauty of Bespin and its iconic Cloud City, a First Order Cruiser falls to its doom in this memorable scene from the near-end to The Rise of Skywalker, as first captured in conceptual art by James Clyne.

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