DVD Corner

Star Wars: Master Of Evil Book Review

“Star Wars: Master Of Evil” is in need of more Darth Vader.  

Written by Adam Christopher (who previously wrote the underrated “Star Wars: Shadow Of The Sith”), “Star Wars: Master Of Evil” largely takes place after “Star Wars: Episode 3- Revenge Of The Sith.” After a prologue involving Count Dooku looking for the Temple of Diso (which is strong in the dark side of The Force). After finding and excavating the temple, it is placed inside an advanced ship. The story cuts to the post Sith timeline where Emperor Palpatine and ISB Supervisor Korli Desler have assigned Royal Guard Commander Colonel Goth to keep an eye on the secretive Darth Vader. Goth and the Royal Guards are ordered to accompany Vader to Diso to investigate a force wielding resurrectionist/Shaman (whom Count Dooku met in the past). Vader soon finds himself becoming embroiled in a series of mysteries involving the Shaman, a distress signal, coordinates, and the mysterious Temple of Diso housed inside a ship. Vader isn’t the only one looking into the coordinates as Jarvic Keel (leader of the experimental SDE division at Cyboy Galactica) has his own agenda. The other key storyline here involves the Shaman’s family (his wife Ziroon and child Enoosha).

For those expecting ‘Master Of Evil’ to be a Darth Vader centric novel, it’s not. Yes, his presence looms large over the story, but this is primarily Goth’s story for better or for worse. On the plus side, Goth has an interesting arc here. He’s hiding the fact that he’s dying from an incurable ailment, he takes drugs for it, and has a loyal droid pal in TC-99 (who is a curious droid to put it mildly). Goth also seeks to extend his life much like Vader, but this storyline sadly goes nowhere. It would certainly be ripe with potential. Another curious angle here is that Goth investigates Vader whose past has been covered up. Again, this plot is also discarded, but that’s basically the story with this book. There’s a lot of potential with the subplots, but they never really go anywhere. The Temple story doesn’t have a satisfying ending, the Jarvic plot felt more like a Terminator plot, and the reveal of the Imperial secret society COMPNOR (Commission For The Preservation Of The New Order) felt like a set-up for something that never happened.

As frustrating as the novel can be, it does have its moments. The Count Dooku prologue was a nice touch. Always nice to see that character pop up. Vader’s exploration of the dark side (including a moment with a Kyber Crystal) was fascinating. The inclusion of 501st soldiers (now known as the Shadow Platoon) was a welcome touch. There’s even a few noteworthy scenes here with Vader interacting with the 501st (including a soldier named Appo). In general, Adam Christopher’s writing style is also on point despite the fact that the story folds in the second half. He’s very descriptive, creates an atmosphere, and has a way of getting into the character’s heads. 

“Star Wars: Master Of Evil” never lived up to its potential and was really in need of a stronger Vader centric story. It’s worth a read, but it’s far from a literary Star Wars classic. 

November 13, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Darth Vader, Star Wars, Star Wars Books, Star Wars: Master Of Evil Book Review