Star Wars Visions: Ronin: A Visions Novel (Inspired by The Duel)

Emma Mieko Candon

Oct 2021 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Joel de la Fuente

About this audiobook

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A mysterious former Sith wanders the galaxy in this stunning Star Wars tale, an original novel inspired by the world of The Duel from the Star Wars Visions animated anthology.
 
The Jedi are the most loyal servants of the Empire. 
 
Two decades ago, Jedi clans clashed in service to feuding lords. Sickened by this endless cycle, a sect of Jedi rebelled, seeking to control their own destiny and claim power in service of no master. They called themselves Sith. 
 
The Sith rebellion failed, succumbing to infighting and betrayal, and the once rival lords unified to create an Empire . . . but even an Empire at peace is not free from violence. 
 
Far on the edge of the Outer Rim, one former Sith wanders, accompanied only by a faithful droid and the ghost of a less civilized age. He carries a lightsaber, but claims lineage to no Jedi clan, and pledges allegiance to no lord. Little is known about him, including his name, for he never speaks of his past, nor his regrets. His history is as guarded as the red blade of destruction he carries sheathed at his side.
 
As the galaxy's perpetual cycle of violence continues to interrupt his self-imposed exile, and he is forced to duel an enigmatic bandit claiming the title of Sith, it becomes clear that no amount of wandering will ever let him outpace the specters of his former life.

Ratings and reviews

Do you like AU Gundam and it's willingness to use familiar tropes to create a new universe? if so this story is the perfect mix of familiar Star wars weapons and setting but with completely fresh and new uses of the force and different takes on what it means to be "Jedi and Sith". Please read this book if like me you have little interest in the stock standard Star Wars tropes and instead want a new universe with more that the usual Male or Female generic Jedi saving the galaxy by being the best (and usually only) force user around.

Some characters and parts I enjoyed, but overall poor plot, writing, and confusing ending. The audio book itself makes it difficult to differentiate between characters towards the end as well

It gets boring after the first fight! There are quite a few names that all sound alike. 85 % of the characters have no point in the story whatsoever. I regret purchasing this book.

About the author

Emma Mieko Candon is a queer author and escaped academic drawn to tales of devouring ghosts, cursed linguistics, and mediocre robots. Her work includes Star Wars Visions: Ronin, a Japanese reimagining of the Star Wars mythos, and The Archive Undying (2023), an original speculative novel about sad giant robots and fraught queer romance. As an actual cyborg whose blood has been taken for science, Emma’s grateful to be stationed at home in Hawaii, where they were born and raised as a fourth-generation Japanese settler. By day, they edit anime nonsense for Seven Seas Entertain­ment, and by night they remain academically haunted by identity, ideology, and imperialism. At all hours of the day, they are beholden to the whims of two lopsided cats and relieved by the support of an enviably hand­some wife.