I absolutely loved this book, I didn’t know SW could even have the ability to get this real. It almost frightened me a little with how real it got. The tone was just right. I thought it kinda had a lull period from where she gets recruited and her 1st mission as an inquisitor. Ultimately, this is probably one I’ll revisit a lot. 9/10
Hey Jonathan, thanks for this review! I got my copy this week too, so looking forward to diving into it soon. Your comment about how the easter eggs/references are relatable to James Luceno's books has me really excited to read it since I'm finishing Catalyst right now, which is awesome. Excited to dive into another novel that deals a lot with the Clone Wars.
After BATTLE SCARS tried so hard to address the very loud 0,4% of the average readership, I decided to wait for a few reviews before I buy the next canon books, so thanks for being so quick here. I think I will give it a try, although I was hoping for a true Inquisitor book with a strong focus on the dark side. But on the other hand, it's titled "RISE of the Red Blade" and not "Adventures of a fully developed Jedi slayer" ;-)
This is one book I listened to on Audible and appreciated so much I had to also have a hardcover copy of (bonus: it’s autographed!). Sadly, I could relate to Iskat far too much 😅 The author’s introduction was also uncharacteristically emotional for a Star Wars book, in my experience
I know you're a Star Wars fan. In Rise of the Red Blade, I found this interesting paragraph: "None of the inquisitors had been friendly, but she especially disliked the Seventh Sister; she was needlessly cruel, delighting in the pain of others. There was something broken about her, something unnaturally jagged. They had shattered something inside her, when they turned her away from the Jedi, and what was left felt like a blade that ached for blood." This quote is on page 246. I say it is talking about the Seventh Sister. It seems to imply that Seventh Sister was broken. See what I am saying?
@jonathankoan that paragraph is exactly what is says in the book, Rise of the Red Blade, on page 246. I am saying that paragraph is briefly talking about the Seventh Sister. It goes on to say there was something broken and shattered about the Seventh Sister that caused her to become this inquisitor who takes joy in hurting others.
@jonathankoan This is not a larger point to Iskat's story. It just implies that Seventh Sister was broken like Ninth Sister and Trilla despite not telling us how. That is what I want to convey. Does that make sense?
When promoting the book, Dawson has talked about Stover being the biggest influence on the book of other authors, and throughout the book the descriptions of the dark side and the way the force is written is very similar to the way Stover wrote it in his Episode 3 novelization! And several of the plot beats mirror Revenge of the Sith as well.
I only started getting into star wars novels about 2 months ago listening to audio books while at work. So far I'ved gone through a new dawn, battle scars (bleh) and ahsoka and I've been plesently surprised at how much I've been enjoying them (especially a new dawn) Little disapointed that its mostly clone wars since the empire dark age is my favourite point in the star wars lore but I'm glad this book is seemingly good cos the inquisitors are probably my favourite thing about the new canon. Also very interested in giving phasma a look since I got so hyped for her only to recieve nothing from the movies.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the books. They’ve done a good job of balancing the different eras, so I’m sure there are more in the empire era that’ll appeal to you. Thank you for watching!
@@jonathankoan oh yeah im definately spoilt for choice Personally looking foward to reading through the rouge one related novels like rebel rising and catalyst and maybe the novelisation
Its a pity that phasma was released just in time for the last jedi, and her character was competly wasted. Where does Black spire take place in the timeline?
That’s too bad, but I hope you do get back to this one if you have the chance. It is an excellent prequel era book, particularly if you enjoy Revenge of the Sith. Have you read any other recent books? I thought Brotherhood was also fantastic.
I absolutely loved this book, I didn’t know SW could even have the ability to get this real. It almost frightened me a little with how real it got. The tone was just right. I thought it kinda had a lull period from where she gets recruited and her 1st mission as an inquisitor. Ultimately, this is probably one I’ll revisit a lot. 9/10
Just finished this book today. I loved it
Hey Jonathan, thanks for this review! I got my copy this week too, so looking forward to diving into it soon. Your comment about how the easter eggs/references are relatable to James Luceno's books has me really excited to read it since I'm finishing Catalyst right now, which is awesome. Excited to dive into another novel that deals a lot with the Clone Wars.
After BATTLE SCARS tried so hard to address the very loud 0,4% of the average readership, I decided to wait for a few reviews before I buy the next canon books, so thanks for being so quick here. I think I will give it a try, although I was hoping for a true Inquisitor book with a strong focus on the dark side. But on the other hand, it's titled "RISE of the Red Blade" and not "Adventures of a fully developed Jedi slayer" ;-)
I do hope there are more books, because it feels like an introduction book, even though it covers a later portion in the story.
Just finished this book and wow What a ride!
I loved this book. She is one of the most promoting authors for SW in my opinion.
Wow I’m interested in in inquisitors and always want to know more about them
Just picked this up the other day; on my soon-to-read pile.
I hope you enjoy it!
I was excited before and after your review not only am I more excited; but now I’m gonna have to buy Brotherhood!
This is one book I listened to on Audible and appreciated so much I had to also have a hardcover copy of (bonus: it’s autographed!). Sadly, I could relate to Iskat far too much 😅
The author’s introduction was also uncharacteristically emotional for a Star Wars book, in my experience
I know you're a Star Wars fan. In Rise of the Red Blade, I found this interesting paragraph:
"None of the inquisitors had been friendly, but she especially disliked the Seventh Sister; she was needlessly cruel, delighting in the pain of others. There was something broken about her, something unnaturally jagged. They had shattered something inside her, when they turned her away from the Jedi, and what was left felt like a blade that ached for blood."
This quote is on page 246. I say it is talking about the Seventh Sister. It seems to imply that Seventh Sister was broken. See what I am saying?
It’s a nice paragraph, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at, sorry. Can you elaborate?
@jonathankoan that paragraph is exactly what is says in the book, Rise of the Red Blade, on page 246. I am saying that paragraph is briefly talking about the Seventh Sister. It goes on to say there was something broken and shattered about the Seventh Sister that caused her to become this inquisitor who takes joy in hurting others.
@jonathankoan do you see what I am trying to say, now?
@@purr-u5p I see the paragraph and what you said in the replies, but I’m unsure of the larger point to it. I might be just reading it wrong.
@jonathankoan This is not a larger point to Iskat's story. It just implies that Seventh Sister was broken like Ninth Sister and Trilla despite not telling us how. That is what I want to convey. Does that make sense?
I missed the Mathew stover reference. Can you clue me in to what it was?
When promoting the book, Dawson has talked about Stover being the biggest influence on the book of other authors, and throughout the book the descriptions of the dark side and the way the force is written is very similar to the way Stover wrote it in his Episode 3 novelization! And several of the plot beats mirror Revenge of the Sith as well.
Dawson has become my favourite canon author
I only started getting into star wars novels about 2 months ago listening to audio books while at work. So far I'ved gone through a new dawn, battle scars (bleh) and ahsoka and I've been plesently surprised at how much I've been enjoying them (especially a new dawn)
Little disapointed that its mostly clone wars since the empire dark age is my favourite point in the star wars lore but I'm glad this book is seemingly good cos the inquisitors are probably my favourite thing about the new canon. Also very interested in giving phasma a look since I got so hyped for her only to recieve nothing from the movies.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the books. They’ve done a good job of balancing the different eras, so I’m sure there are more in the empire era that’ll appeal to you. Thank you for watching!
@@jonathankoan oh yeah im definately spoilt for choice
Personally looking foward to reading through the rouge one related novels like rebel rising and catalyst and maybe the novelisation
Its a pity that phasma was released just in time for the last jedi, and her character was competly wasted.
Where does Black spire take place in the timeline?
Blackspire takes place right after The Last Jedi and goes a few months afterwards, and follows Vi Moradi and Cardinal from the Phasma book.
Wow, this was fast! I’m really looking forward to reading this one after your review. Glad you enjoyed it
Wasn't a fan of Phasma, will pass on this too.
That’s too bad, but I hope you do get back to this one if you have the chance. It is an excellent prequel era book, particularly if you enjoy Revenge of the Sith.
Have you read any other recent books? I thought Brotherhood was also fantastic.
@@jonathankoanJust some comics, have to research books before I decide to take a crack at them as they can be more hit or miss.