Deceived (Star Wars: The Old Republic, #2)

Title: Deceived (Star Wars: The Old Republic, #2)

Author: Paul S. Kemp

Published in: 2011

Date read: 28th June 2018

Score: 4/5

Genre: Science fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Deceived" by Paul S. Kemp is a Star Wars Legends novel set during the tumultuous period of the Old Republic, prominently featuring the brutal Sith Lord Darth Malgus and the events surrounding the infamous Sacking of Coruscant.

The story centres on three main characters whose paths converge amidst the escalating war between the resurgent Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic:

Darth Malgus: A powerful and merciless Sith Lord, Malgus is at the forefront of the Sith's aggressive campaign. The novel delves into his philosophy, his unwavering belief in the strength of the dark side, and his complex relationship with his Twi'lek companion and lover, Eleena Daru. He leads the devastating assault on Coruscant, the Republic's capital world and the home of the Jedi Temple, as depicted in the cinematic trailers for "Star Wars: The Old Republic game".

Aryn Leneer: A skilled and empathetic Jedi Knight, Aryn is caught off-guard during peace negotiations when she feels the agonising death of her beloved Master, Ven Zallow, at the hands of Darth Malgus during the attack on Coruscant. Consumed by grief and a burning desire for revenge, Aryn defies the Jedi Council's non-attachment philosophy and embarks on a dangerous personal quest to hunt down and kill Malgus.

Zeerid Korr: A former Republic soldier now operating as a smuggler, Zeerid is trying to make enough money to provide for his paralysed daughter. He gets inadvertently drawn into Aryn's mission when she seeks his aid to reach Coruscant and track Malgus. Their uneasy alliance provides a street-level perspective on the galaxy's upheaval.

As Aryn pursues Malgus across the galaxy, her journey challenges her Jedi convictions, blurring the lines between light and dark as she grapples with her thirst for vengeance. Meanwhile, Malgus, despite his victory on Coruscant, experiences his own internal conflicts, questioning the rigid doctrines of the Sith Empire and its leaders.

The novel culminates in a climactic confrontation between Aryn and Malgus, a duel fueled by raw emotion and contrasting ideologies. Their battle, and the overarching narrative, explores themes of revenge, the corrupting influence of the dark side, the struggle for identity, and the moral complexities faced by both Jedi and Sith during a galactic war. "Deceived" provides a visceral look into one of the Old Republic's most significant historical conflicts and the personal toll it takes on those caught within it.

Comments:
After reading this, I have been praying that Disney will make some projects from this period in Sith history. Fantastic stories.

Books that we've read by Paul S. Kemp (2):
Star Wars: Crosscurrent (2010), Deceived (Star Wars: The Old Republic, #2) (2011)