Knight Errant (Star Wars)

Title: Knight Errant (Star Wars)

Author: John Jackson Miller

Published in: 2011

Date read: 2nd October 2013

Score: 4/5

Genre: Science fiction, Fantasy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Knight Errant" by John Jackson Miller is a Star Wars novel set over a thousand years before the events of A New Hope, during a tumultuous period in the galaxy known as the Old Republic era, a generation before the rise of Darth Bane. It ties into a comic book series of the same name also written by Miller, with the novel exploring a specific part of the protagonist's journey. This period is characterized by the galaxy being fractured, with the Republic only weakly holding together and many sectors, particularly in the Outer Rim, being dominated by numerous, constantly warring Sith Lords.

The story focuses on Kerra Holt, a young, newly knighted Jedi. Unlike most Jedi who operate within the more stable Republic space, Kerra is stuck deep behind enemy lines in "Sith Space." The Republic has effectively cut off communications and abandoned these systems to the feuding Sith, making travel and escape extremely difficult. Kerra's personal mission has become one of self-assigned heroism: to save as many innocent lives as possible from the tyrannical and often bizarre rule of various Sith Lords. She believes that the Jedi Order and the Republic have failed the people in these lost territories.

Kerra is truly a "knight errant," wandering through the chaotic, Sith-controlled regions, constantly moving from one desperate situation to another. She is a solitary figure, often working alone or with temporary, reluctant allies. The novel explores her relentless efforts to undermine the Sith fiefdoms, rescue refugees, and find a way back to Republic space – or at least, a way to make a lasting difference.

The novel features several distinct and eccentric Sith Lords, each with their own unique brand of madness and power:

Lord Daiman: Who believes himself to be the creator of the universe and everything within it, including his enemies. He commands a cult-like following and attempts to reshape reality to his whim.

Lord Odion: Daiman's brother, who is his antithesis, believing that all existence is suffering and desires to destroy everything. He is a force of pure entropy and chaos.

The curious siblings Quillan and Dromika: A pair of manipulative and cruel Sith who control a slave planet.

Kerra finds herself caught between the destructive machinations of these warring Sith. She doesn't seek to fight glorious battles; rather, she uses her intelligence, resourcefulness, and Jedi abilities to exploit the Siths' infighting and weaknesses to help those trapped under their rule. She often has to make morally ambiguous choices, pushing the boundaries of the Jedi code in her desperate efforts to save lives.

A key element of the story is Kerra's reliance on unexpected alliances. She finds herself working with a mysterious Sith spy, Narsk, who has his own complex loyalties, and a clever mercenary general, Rusher. These partnerships are uneasy, built on necessity rather than trust, and Kerra constantly questions whether they will be her salvation or her undoing.

The novel is characterized by its gritty portrayal of a galaxy fragmented by war and ruled by despotic Sith. It showcases Kerra's determination and resilience as she faces overwhelming odds, constantly trying to be a beacon of hope in a very dark corner of the galaxy. "Knight Errant" is a character study of a Jedi operating completely off the grid, struggling with her faith in a collapsing order, and fighting a seemingly endless battle against overwhelming evil.

Comments:
Great book, I remember it well and wish that there was more from this era made into mainstream media. Keep them going!

Books that we've read by John Jackson Miller (8):
Skyborn (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #2) (2009), Precipice (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #1) (2009), Paragon (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #3) (2010), Purgatory (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #5) (2010), Savior (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #4) (2010), Knight Errant (Star Wars) (2011), Sentinel (Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith, #6) (2011), Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories (2012)