Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by Sean Williams introduces Darth Vader’s secret Sith apprentice, who has been raised since before his memory by Darth Vader with no other name besides the Apprentice. Codenamed Starkiller, he is being trained to aid Darth Vader in overthrowing the Emperor and seizing control of the Empire. In preparation for that day, he is sent on missions by Darth Vader to destroy his many enemies—including those Jedi around the galaxy that have survived Order 66. As Starkiller defeats Jedi and becomes overly familiar with his new pilot, Juno Eclipse, he begins to question his role as Sith apprentice and his past with Vader. Who is he exactly? Where did he come from? And does he have room in his future for anyone but the Dark side of the Force?
I have mixed feelings about this novel. Part of me is ecstatic about anything that is Star Wars—provided the creation is not something horrible, like Jar-Jar Binks or Endor. While The Force Unleashed is definitely not horrible, my excitement about it is basically pathetic, on the same level as a typical fanboy. As an appraiser of literature, The Force Unleashed is beyond mediocre. I would not be exaggerating by stating that if you have played the video game, then you have read this novel. Ninety-nine percent of the dialogue is from scenes from the video game; I didn’t notice any action that was not expressed in the game. The characters, which have such amazing potential, especially Juno Eclipse, whom I feel is the first female character in Star Wars who is not annoying, have not been explored beyond the surface level. Simply put, this novel should have been more, akin to the Revenge of the Sith—instead of just a summary of the game.
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