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

Emma Mieko Candon

Oct 2021 · Sold by Random House Worlds

About this ebook

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

Pretty good. Some slow parts that are a slog but OK. However, I feel like this would have been better off not being connected to Star Wars. If this story was set in another universe it would have been way better.

The writing style was good but the author tried to cram LGBTQ into every square inch of the story. The character who identified as they them made following the story especially difficult, compounded by the fact that they went by no less than 3 different names during the story. Inclusion is great but this book was excessive and at the detrament to the story.

I was enthralled by Star Wars Visions, this novel only expanded on one of my favorite episodes of the series and made it into it's own amazing tale, I loved every page. Always remember Peace is a lie, there is passion Through passion, I gain strength Through strength, I gain power Through power, I gain victory Through victory, my chains are broken The Force shall set us free.

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.