I just finished James Luceno's Dark Lord last night, and I thought I'd offer a few thoughts on the novel.. though likely most of you have beaten me to it. Okay, I'm a slow reader. Two little kids constantly jumping on my head tends to break my concentration...

I will warn you now, I BEGIN THIS REVIEW WITH A SPOILER. Get ready:

Anakin Skwalker is Darth Vader!!! YES!!! RLY!

I kid.

First of all, I think the novel utterly succeeds in its primary goal. To transform broken, crippled Anakin into fearsome, cold-hearted Vader. Luceno does a stellar job of turning Vader into a monster filled with anger and lust for power. And the end of the novel gives us an extremely credible reason for Vader never returning to Tatooine: He cannot risk reawakening "Anakin Skywalker," because Skywalker is weak and broken and Vader cannot afford to be anything but strong and cold.

Luceno also gives us a great object lesson in why the Jedi cannot regroup, reform, and oppose the Empire. If you ever wondered why the Rebellion does not include any Jedi, Luceno takes us step by step through a Jedi's attempt to do just that, and its tragic outcome.

And finally, I thought he did a great job translating the limitations and claustrophobia of "the suit"-- and specifically how it adversely affects Vader's power and mental state. Having worn the suit myself (and I cannot say why or when-- and for those of you who know, please keep quiet for the sake of others), I can say the description is totally accurate. And not only that, but Luceno then crafts it as Vader's prison.

All in all, I found the novel to be highly enjoyable. I also continue to enjoy Luceno's balanced nods to EU detail neepery. I like that he doesn't dive deeply into it, but he also doesn't shy away.

So if any of you were on the fence about this one, I highly recommend it.


p.s. as a final enticement, there is a scene where Vader, saber-flashing, wades through a crowd of raging Wookiees. Come on, people, THAT ALONE is worth the price of admission.