First Excerpt From ‘Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade’ Available to Read Online
A new excerpt for Star Wars – Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade has now been posted on StarWars.com. It provides a snippet of the first opening scenes of the book, set to release on July 18, and written by Star Wars book veteran Delilah S. Dawson. She also wrote 2017’s Star Wars: Phasma and 2019’s Star Wars: Black Spire.
The excerpt takes place moments before the battle of Geonosis. Centering on Jedi Padawan Iskat Akaris and her Master Sember Vey, the two fly into the dusty planet with Clone Troopers by their side. We get some details about Iskat’s backstory as she and her master land. There’s even mention of Mace Windu, as Iskat and Master Vey are tasked with helping in the rescue of Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padme before they are executed in the colosseum. Check out a piece of the text, which you can check out in full on this link:
Iskat Akaris has spent much of her time as a Padawan traveling the galaxy with her Master Sember Vey, collecting artifacts and lost knowledge for the Jedi Archives. But after being recalled to the Jedi Temple, Iskat and her master are sent on a rescue mission. One that will change the futures of the Jedi Order, the Republic, and Iskat herself.
As the shuttle thundered through the atmosphere of the arid planet Geonosis, Iskat struggled to shut out the staggering cacophony of sensory input and focus on finding her center amid the chaos. This wasn’t just a rescue mission — it was a military operation. The Jedi were soldiers now, but they weren’t fighting alone. Thousands of clone troopers had appeared, seemingly overnight, to join them in supporting the Republic; there was even a clone flying their ship. After years of relative peace throughout the galaxy, the Jedi had swiftly mobilized to do their part as protectors of democracy, justice, and freedom.
Iskat was thrilled . . . and also overwhelmed.
She steadied her breathing and closed her eyes, one hand wrapped around her amulet, and the rest of the Jedi around her faded away to stillness.
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
Master Klefan had urged her to turn to this mantra in the early days after the accident, and Master Sember had repeated it with her many times. The words were stamped on her brain, on her hearts. They transported her to the quiet within, made her feel as if she were the Jedi she was meant to be: calm, cool, collected, peaceful.
Reflecting on the Jedi Code almost made her forget Tika, but did she want to forget—?
No. She couldn’t think about that now.
That was years ago.
It hadn’t happened again.
Her teachers had seen to that, as had Iskat.
She’d studied. She’d practiced. She’d gained the control demanded of her. And now she was on a rescue mission, surrounded by Jedi Masters, Knights, and Padawans. She’d never drawn her lightsaber in real combat before, but it wasn’t her courage or proficiency that worried her, that made her two hearts beat so loud she was certain Tualon could hear them from beside her. She risked a glance at her fellow Padawan, with his glossy black lekku and look of determination.
“You ready?” he asked with an encouraging smile.
“As ready as anyone,” she answered.
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade focuses on Iskat Akaris and her story of becoming the book’s main Inquisitor. According to the official synopsis and from everything we know about the book, Iskat is a Padawan when the Clone Wars begins. But as the Clone Wars rages on for years, Iskat begins to waver in her faith as a Jedi till she finds “salvation” in Order 66. From there, Iskat takes on the role of an Inquisitor.
Alongside the excerpt, a new poster was also revealed for the book. It is available for those who purchase the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition.
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade is another title that can be added to the growing list of Star Wars books that have been published just within the past three years. Recently, the popularity of Star Wars books have increased thanks to The High Republic initiative, which takes place centuries before The Phantom Menace. Alongside The High Republic, many Legends books are also being republished thanks to the “Essential Legends Collection.” Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade is a canon book, unrelated to either, but is set during the Fall of the Jedi and the Reign of the Empire.
Star Wars – Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade releases on July 18.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
