Description
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader is a novel by James Luceno, published by Del Rey in 2005. The book directly continues the events of the film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and describes the first months of the Galactic Empire's existence.
At the center of the narrative is Darth Vader and his consolidation in his new role at Palpatine's court. A significant part of the text is devoted to the protagonist's inner conflict as he tries to separate himself from his former identity as Anakin Skywalker; the Emperor's early assignments serve him both as lessons in the Sith arts and as a means of strengthening the power of the young Empire.
The novel belongs to the Expanded Universe and the Legends continuity. Together with the same author's Labyrinth of Evil and Matthew Stover's novelization of Revenge of the Sith, it was included in the omnibus The Dark Lord Trilogy (2008). In February 2025 the book was reissued in The Essential Legends Collection series, and the abridged audio version was read by Jonathan Davis.
Related events
- Death of Senator Fang Zar on Alderaan — 19 BBY; exact date
- Fall of Kashyyyk and death of Roan Shryne — 19 BBY; exact date
- Vader investigates the unexecuted order on Murkhana — 19 BBY; exact date