Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived
The Sith Empire rises from the ashes, set on a path of destruction and devastation in the wake of one of its most sinister dark lords—Darth Malgus.
Our time has come. For three hundred years we prepared; we grew stronger while you rested in your cradle of power, believing your people were safe and protected. You were trusted to lead the Republic, but you were deceived, as our powers of the dark side have blinded you. . . . You were deceived and now your Republic shall fall.
It is a time of vengeance in a galaxy far, far away.
Darth Malgus steps out of the shadows to lead the Sith in striking a fatal blow to the heart of the Jedi Order. Crimson blades rain death and pain upon the Republic, seizing control of Coruscant. But even in triumph, Darth Malgus discovers betrayal by his own brethren, a quest for peace with the Republic that will only corrode their hard-won power.
As the dark lord plots against the Sith leading their own kind to ruin, vengeance hunts him in turn. Her name is Aryn Leneer—a Jedi with nothing left to lose on a quest to avenge her slain master.
Author: Paul Kemp
Cover artist: Dominik Mayer
Publisher: Del Rey
Release date: November 1, 2022
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780593498941
What’s it’s about?
Set over 3500 years before A New Hope, Sith Lord Darth Malgus leads an attack on the Republic capital world of Coruscant. Thousands of lightyears away, at a peace treaty between the Republic and the Sith Empire, Jedi Knight Aryn Leneer feels the death of her master and the decimation of the Jedi Temple. What follows is a tale of revenge, faith, love and loss.
Should I read this book?
Absolutely you should. Author Paul S. Kemp has given us a rollercoaster ride filled with great and memorable characters and a strong emotional core. Despite being tied to the videogame “The Old Republic” and based off the cinematic trailer teasing said game, this is very much an isolated tale that’s easy for any casual fan to pick up and get drawn into. The world building layered within the story and never feels laboured and despite all of the action this is very much a universal character driven tale. I strongly recommend you pick this book up if you’re a fan of the Jedi and the Sith.
What did you like?
The attack that launches the story acts as a catalyst for the blurring of what it means to be both a Jedi and a Sith. Aryn and Malgus’ devotion to their respective faith’s are tested and the strict light and dark lines are heavily blurred in some truly fantastic character work by Kemp. I also enjoyed how, despite this story being set to the back drop of warring empires, this is very much a street level story. Aryns companion on her quest is smuggler Zeerid Korr and I couldn’t help but get drawn into his story. His plight is far less grand than the others in the book but the stakes are no smaller. The window he provides into the murky underworld of the galaxy, Coruscant in particular, roots this book to the ground and gives it a tangible heart and grit that elevates it beyond other books in this series (looking at you Revan).
What did you not like?
As soon as I finished this book I went straight to Wookiepedia to see where I could meet these characters again and was so disappointed to find that any remaining story takes place exclusively in the videogame. I understand that videogame fans deserve to have their own great stories, I am one of them after all, but surely you have to realise that if you release a Star Wars book set 3600 years before the movies and it involves the sacking of the Jedi Temple that the book readers are going to devour it. Don’t get me wrong this is a complete story. The journey these characters go on in ended in a satisfactory way for all involved so don’t let these comments put you off, I just wanted to maybe read a comic or two about my new literary friends!
What’s next?
Next in the Old Republic series is Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams. This is not related to Deceived other than the time it is set in. If you like this book I’d also recommend Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves. This isn’t related but I found it to be a similar story with a similar vibe.
- Kemp, Paul S. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 11/01/2022 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
