Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp is a Star Wars novel set in the early days of the Galactic Empire, following Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader as they face a deadly insurgency on the Twi’lek homeworld of Ryloth. The novel explores their master-apprentice relationship, Vader’s struggle with his past, and the brutality of their rule.
The story takes place after the fall of the Republic, with the Empire tightening its grip on the galaxy. On Ryloth, resistance leader Cham Syndulla, father of Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels), leads the Free Ryloth movement in a desperate fight against Imperial occupation.
Cham and his second-in-command, Isval, learn that Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader will be traveling to Ryloth aboard the Star Destroyer Perilous. Seeing an opportunity to strike a devastating blow to the Empire, they devise a plan to assassinate both Sith Lords.
As Palpatine and Vader arrive, the rebels execute their ambush, successfully destroying the Perilous and forcing the Sith to crash-land on Ryloth. Though the rebels believe they have gained the upper hand, they underestimate the raw power of the Sith.
Stranded in the Ryloth wilderness, Palpatine and Vader must fight their way through hostile terrain and relentless rebel attacks. The novel showcases Vader’s immense power, as he cuts down wave after wave of enemies with brutal efficiency.
Palpatine, ever the master manipulator, uses the situation as a test for Vader. He constantly pushes his apprentice to embrace his anger and pain, reminding him of the Sith philosophy and deepening his commitment to the dark side.
Meanwhile, Cham and Isval struggle with their own moral dilemmas. While they are willing to fight for their people’s freedom, they also face the reality of using brutal tactics that blur the line between resistance and terrorism.
As the Sith carve their path through the jungle, Vader demonstrates his mastery of the Force in terrifying ways, including pulling a crashed TIE fighter from the sky and using its weapons against his enemies. His growing power both impresses and pleases Palpatine, reinforcing their bond.
The battle culminates in a final confrontation between the Sith and the rebels. Despite their strategic planning, Cham and Isval fail to kill Palpatine and Vader, who prove to be nearly unstoppable. Isval sacrifices herself to allow Cham and some of his fighters to escape.
With the rebellion crushed for now, Palpatine and Vader emerge victorious, reinforcing the Empire’s dominance over Ryloth. Cham realizes that defeating the Sith will take more than just one battle, setting up future conflicts in Star Wars Rebels.
Lords of the Sith provides a rare, in-depth look at the terrifying power of Vader and Palpatine as a duo. It highlights Vader’s transformation from Anakin Skywalker into the Dark Lord of the Sith while also offering a compelling story of rebellion, oppression, and the struggle for freedom in a galaxy ruled by fear.