(Lightsaber edit: Alyssa Bradley)
As someone who prefers the Dark Side, I've been looking forward to reading Star Wars: Secrets of the Sith for several months now, and I can't thank Insight Editions enough for sending it to me and early review copy! Star Wars: Secrets of the Sith is out today and you can order your copy from Insight Editions for 15% off using my discount code: "ANGEL15". This code will be good until one week from today.
I was so surprised to discover that this book is narrated by Palpatine himself which made the experience of learning more about the Sith both haunting and intriguing. Author, Marc Sumerak, did an excellent job of capturing the essence of Palpatine - there are moments in which he refers to some of our favorite heroes with complete disgust that you can't help but cringe, no matter how Dark Side you are. It was so interesting to see a different perspective of the Skywalker story and to learn more about things like the Sith Eternal, and how red kyber crystals are obtained!
Peace is a lie, There is only Passion.
Through Passion I gain Strength.
Through Strength I gain Power.
Through Power I gain Victory.
Through Victory my chains are Broken.
The Force shall free me.
Not all who worship the dark side are strong with the Force. Some are merely fanatics who understand that the dark side is the one true path to victory-even if it is a pather they are not capable of walking themselves. One such group of adherents was the Acolytes of the Beyond. They believed that the Force is akin to a river and that the dark side is the only means of changing its currents. To alter the future in their (the Acolytes) favor, they devoted themselves to gathering Sith arcana, destroying the objects, and releasing the dark energies within as a sacrificial offering to the ancient Sith Lords. Later, the Acolytes wisely decided that these irreplaceable artifacts should be revered, not destroyed. Led by a number of extreme loyalists - including my (Palpatine) former Imperial advisor, Yupe Tashu - the Acolytes relentlessly pursued Sith secrets, fueling their unwavering devotion to my cause.
Star Wars: Secrets of the Sith features content from all sides of the galaxy and ties everything together beautifully. So, whether you're a fan of the Original Trilogy, the Prequels, the Sequels, the animated series, the books, the comics, and even the video games, you'll find something that captures your attention. I gained a lot of new insight on the origins of the Acolytes, Palpatine's son, the power of a Dyad, and more!
Throughout this book, you'll find hidden gems that bring you deeper into the story. One of my favorites was this worn piece of paper that can be pulled out to reveal the announcement that Chancellor Palpatine has been granted emergency powers by the Galactic Senate. Goosebumps!
Snoke was a temporary measure at best. My (Palpatine) faithful followers in the Unknown Regions still sought to produce a body worthy of my infinite might. Using a technique known as Strand-Casting, countless modified clone bodies were produced from my genetic template. All but one of them were utter failures. The lone subject that survived the cloning process lacked any connection to the Force. I rejected this useless creature, but I chose to let it live. Even if this "son" was undeserving of my legacy, I surmised that the Palpatine blood rushing through its veins might someday become useful. As always, my theory would soon prove correct...
Besides the great storytelling, the artwork featured on every single page is truly awe-inspiring. The way that Sergio Gómez Silván illustrates our favorite characters with bold colors and dramatic expressions as well as pivotal scenes expressed with great detail really affected my emotions in a deep way. You'll feel connected to these characters on the same level that you experience when watching them on screen. There is one page in particular that opens open to reveal a Skywalker family tree. I audibly gasped upon seeing it for the first time. It meant so much to see Shmi there front and center as I feel like she's usually left out.
For a millennium, the Sith have adhered to the Rule of Two. But this decree is said to merely be a pale imitation of its predecessor, the Doctrine of the Dyad. Legends claim that two beings sharing this profound connection gain access to a great number of abilities-skills beyond the grasp of even the most powerful Force wielder. Members of a dyad were believed to be capable of transferring their life force to heal others. Some could even pass physical objects through time and space in an instant. If two Sith were bonded so deeply as to transcend their physical beings, the power they could unlock together would know no limits.
If any of what I shared with you today interests you, trust me when I tell you that there's much more where that came from! If you also prefer the Dark Side, and Star Wars lore in general, I truly believe that you will enjoy Star Wars: Secrets of the Sith.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this title! You can leave a comment below or get in touch with me on Instagram or Twitter.
Disclaimer: This post was a collaboration with Insight Editions. All opinions are 100% my own. Affiliate links were used in this post meaning if you purchase something from Insight Editions, I will receive a commission.
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