SWBC: 'Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade' — One of the most important Star Wars stories ever
The new novel from Delilah S. Dawson may make you glad the Jedi Order fell at the end of the Clone Wars.
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade | Review
This one’s for fans of the prequels and The Clone Wars. It’s also for those who’ve long questioned the sanctity and righteousness of the Jedi — how their historic role as peacekeepers and protectors grew increasingly murky during the Clone Wars. Order 66 and the fall of the Jedi Order was a tragedy, but the Jedi weren’t wholly the victims of their own demise.
In Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade, author Delilah S. Dawson answers the question of why a Jedi would turn to the dark side and become a Jedi-hunting Inquisitor. She also explores the psychological trauma and neglect experienced by the main character — most often inflicted by the Jedi Order.
“Rise of the Red Blade is one of the boldest and darkest entries in Star Wars publishing yet. It offers heartbreaking yet illuminating perspectives of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order’s suppressive religious dogma, and Order 66. This thrilling and introspective novel is clearly written for the biggest fans of the prequel era, especially those who question the righteousness and arrogance of the Jedi during this period.”
“Spending more time during the Clone Wars in a novel with “Inquisitor” in the title is far from a bad thing. Rise of the Red Blade’s goal is to show why a Jedi would fall to the dark side and become a Jedi hunter.
The book … shows just how badly the Order failed Jedi like Iskat and Anakin Skywalker. Even when Iskat is at her most rageful and violent, you can’t help but empathize with her (sometimes murderous) actions.”
“While Star Wars fans know that many of the Inquisitors (like Trilla/Second Sister from Jedi: Fallen Order) were tortured and brainwashed into the dark side, Iskat is one of the few who needed very little coaxing. Her life with the Jedi was more than enough to convince her to embrace the freedom offered by the destruction of the Order.”
My full review is up at DorkSideoftheForce.com.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
On the timeline: 22 BBY - 14 BBY
Fun facts from author Delilah S. Dawson
Ahead of her newest novel’s release, author Delilah S. Dawson wrote a special behind-the-scenes post for StarWars.com sharing details about the making of Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade.
“…I’m honored to know that I’m developing a reputation for writing violent women, including Captain Phasma, Vi Moradi, Asajj Ventress, and Bazine Netal. Outside of Vi, most of those women are also what we would consider evil, or at least villainous. Iskat Akaris begins her story as a naïve young Padawan who wants only to please her Master and help the Republic, but we soon learn that the Clone Wars are a battlefield not only for the galaxy at large, but also for the hearts and minds of those fighting on the front lines.”
On drawing inspiration from Legends, the Revenge of the Sith novelization and Mike Chen’s Brotherhood:
“Confession: When I found out I’d be working in the prequel era, I went directly to the novelization of Revenge of the Sith to immerse myself in exactly the sort of Star Wars book I wanted to write.”
“We knew that Iskat would begin as a Padawan and become a Jedi Knight as her story progressed, but we also knew that there weren’t going to be Knighting ceremonies every month during the Clone Wars. That meant that Iskat had to be included in a very important event — the ceremony in which Anakin Skywalker also becomes a Jedi Knight.
Luckily for me, Mike Chen had already written that exact scene, which meant that I was able to use Mike’s framework (and directly crib his Mace Windu speeches!) while showing the ceremony from Iskat’s point of view, which is very different from Anakin’s.”
For Dawson, Iskat’s story was personal:
“When I was crafting Iskat’s backstory, I wanted to begin with a character who felt different from everyone around her, because that’s how I’ve always felt. Iskat is more sensitive than her fellow Padawans, and she often remains silent and avoids others because she believes that her particular way of being makes the other Jedi uncomfortable. She feels as if everyone else somehow learned the secrets of serenity and belonging without her, which is exactly how I felt as a kid: like everyone else understood how to make friends and how to dress and what to do and say, whereas I was always awkward and committing social blunders.”
Read more of Dawson’s thoughts at StarWars.com.
What’s next in Star Wars books
Just when I thought there would be a lull in new Star Wars books ahead of The High Republic Phase 3, I make this list of new titles and their release dates.
We will not be hurting for new Star Wars stories for the rest of the year.
July 25
The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life ebook
Aug. 15
The Essential Legends Collection:
The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance
Republic Commando: Triple Zero
Outbound Flight
Survivor’s Quest
Aug. 29
From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi
Sept. 5
The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life
Sept. 12
The Mandalorian Vol. 1 manga
Oct. 10
Crimson Climb
Star Wars at San Diego Comic-Con
One of the biggest nerd conventions of the year returns this weekend, and, of course, there are plenty of Star Wars exclusives for every kind of fan and collector.
My top pick is the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive edition of Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade. The dust jacket features gorgeous artwork of Iskat Akaris and Tualon — as Jedi and then flipped as Inquisitors. The edition also comes with an Inquisitor lightsaber pin.
Needless to say, I am desperate for this edition. So if any of you are going to SDCC this week and could help me out — you’d be my bff!
Another pick is SHAG X Geeki Tikis by Beeline Creative’s 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi artwork, which includes a funky twist on the Max Rebo Band on a set of highball glasses and a Jabba the Hutt Geeki Tiki mug with a Salacious B. Crumb swizzle stick.
There are also plenty of Funkos, and Young Leia with L0LA from Obi-Wan Kenobi will be first-to-market at SDCC.
Another first-to-market item comes from RockLove, which has been producing gorgeous collections of Star Wars-inspired jewelry. The Crystal Lightsaber line features rings, necklaces, and earrings styled after fan-favorite character lightsaber hilts and colors. There are also Darksaber rings, earrings, and necklaces.
For the comic collector, Dark Horse has a convention-exclusive variant cover of the Hyperspace Stories annual. It features black-and-white art of cult favorite space bunny Jaxxon.
Want more SDCC exclusives? Check out a full guide at StarWars.com.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
July 18
July 19
Return of the Jedi: The Rebellion #1
Doctor Aphra #34
I'm over 100 pages in and I love it so much. The scene of Geonosis is haunting as the order sent so many young padawans to their death b/c they weren't trained for combat yet.
Hey there! I’m at SDCC and am getting an extra copy of Red Blade for you!