Darth Vader has little Vader in it but that's fine as it's something that makes sense to do with the people that he's pulled around him to accomplish his work. Vader does make clear early on that he is Sith and that he is not Anakin and it doesn't feel like most anyone is trying to reach that side of him, which makes sense and ties into how Luke will end up reaching him eventually because of a different kind of connection. I really liked seeing Dorme may her way through the Imperial ship and deal with Ochi but I was surprised how much fun the bits with the Techno Union was. It's something that needs a lot more exploration and done richly which we won't get here, but just to acknowledge them a bit more hits a sweet spot. Read Full Review

The two-halves of the story fit well-enough together as Dorm learns bits and pieces about Sab's recent actions (which she still doesn't understand) while her fellow former handmaiden, only momentarily swayed by what she finds on the planet, completes the assignment given to her by Vader and the Emperor by becoming an assassin for the Empire. Read Full Review

Vader now has two handmaidens working for him to do his bidding and that of his master. Yet what influence will they have over him as they cause him to remember Anakins lost wife? Only time will tell, and for Darth Vader time is running out. Read Full Review

There's not too much narrative progression, so we can't say it's an entirely thrilling book, but for something that essentially serves as a prologue, it piques our interest about what sort of allegiances Sab will be making in the future and who she'll ultimately align with. Read Full Review