Star Wars Legends Fan Group discussion

March 2025 Legends Group Read

Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson



The Group read starts on March 1st.

- First published in July 2023.
- Timeline: 22 BBY–14 BBY.

When the Jedi Order falls, an Inquisitor rises.

Padawan Iskat Akaris has dedicated her life to traveling the galaxy alongside her master, learning the ways of the Force to become a good Jedi. Despite Iskat’s dedication, peace and control have remained elusive, and with each setback, she feels her fellow Jedi grow more distrustful of her. Already uncertain about her future in the Jedi Order, Iskat faces tragedy when her master is killed and the Clone Wars engulf the galaxy in chaos.

Now a general on the front lines contributing to that chaos, she is often reminded: Trust in your training. Trust in the wisdom of the Council. Trust in the Force. Yet as the shadows of doubt take hold, Iskat begins to ask questions that no Jedi is supposed to ask: Questions about her own unknown past. Questions the Jedi Masters would consider dangerous.

As the years pass and the war endures, Iskat’s faith in the Jedi wanes. If they would grant her more freedom, she is certain she could do more to protect the galaxy. If they would trust her with more knowledge, she could finally cast aside the shadows that have begun to consume her. When the Jedi Order finally falls, Iskat seizes the chance to forge a path of her own. She embraces the salvation of Order 66.

As an Inquisitor, Iskat finds the freedom she has always craved: to question, to want. And with each strike of her red blade, Iskat moves closer to claiming her new destiny in the Force—whatever the cost.

***

I recently read this one. I compared her to Anakin in a way. Great read.

Glad you enjoyed the book, Daniel! I’m really hoping for this to be a great Disney canon read. My last three - A Test of Courage, Padawan, and A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy - were all pretty disappointing.

I’ve yet to read those three. Sad to hear they were disappointing. I’m sure I’ll get around to sooner or later. Ive spent the first half of this month reading a couple other titles. Not sure if I’ll reread this title.

I’m only two chapters in, but here’s my early prediction: Iskat is of the Sith species. I could be completely off, but her skin color, heightened senses, physical strength, and natural pull toward the Dark Side all seem to hint at it. If that’s the case, though, I can’t imagine Yoda and the other Masters wouldn’t recognize it.

That said, I really hope I’m wrong, because I don’t want this to turn into yet another attempt to frame the Jedi as irredeemable liars who abused their Padawans and somehow deserved genocide. I’m getting tired of authors inventing new flaws for the Order instead of actually exploring the complex issues Lucas already laid out in the prequels. Looking at you, Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray and Padawan by Kiersten White.

Anyway, if I’m wrong about the Sith species angle, just ignore my rant!

I read the first two chapters again and I disagree. I haven’t really read where an author has moved to blaming the Jedi for their ways and deserved the genocide, unless of course it’s in the view of the separatists or empire.

It’s coming back to me but I’ve found that the Jedi are exhibiting the same fear that they had with Anakin. However being Masters, i feel has clouded their minds to the point that they may not recognize their own fear or if they do, mediation removes it. Yoda did acknowledge the failure to see past the orders ideals in the sequel trilogy. I think they know exactly who she is but just like they did with Anakin, they ignored his faults and just pressed on with their Jedi training and ideals.

Popping in to ask a question. Sith have always been an ideology, philosophy, and alignment. What is meant by Sith Species?

Rebecca wrote: "Popping in to ask a question. Sith have always been an ideology, philosophy, and alignment. What is meant by Sith Species?"

The Sith were an actual pure blood species back in the day, if you Google Sith species you'll see they were like red with little like mini tentacle things on their faces lol. But yes they were a species once upon a time.

Thank you!

Daniel wrote: "I read the first two chapters again and I disagree. I haven’t really read where an author has moved to blaming the Jedi for their ways and deserved the genocide, unless of course it’s in the view o..."

Daniel, you could have saved yourself some time by rereading what I actually wrote. After the first two chapters, I simply suspected that Iskat might be of the Sith species and that the Jedi Masters were aware of it.

My second paragraph was just me hoping the book doesn’t turn into another “genocide was justified” narrative.

From your reaction, I’m guessing I was right about the species theory, but you don’t think my concerns about the book’s direction are warranted - which is actually reassuring!

Rebecca wrote: "Popping in to ask a question. Sith have always been an ideology, philosophy, and alignment. What is meant by Sith Species?"

In the Old Republic era, the Sith were originally a species naturally strong in the Force and inherently aligned with the Dark Side. After their failed attempt to conquer the Republic, they retreated to the far reaches of space, where the Republic likely assumed they had been wiped out. Their Emperor secretly plotted another war against the Republic - until Revan intervened to disrupt his plans. The Sith species plays a significant role in Revan by Drew Karpyshyn.

Just wrapped up Part 1. Can you imagine if Iskat was teamed up with Anakin instead of Ahsoka? What would Palpatine have done?

An anger combination unmatched!

I have finished but will save more thoughts for later I do have a tangential question though.

Are there any novels that follow a Jedi that does archiving for the entire story and enjoys it? I feel like that would be an intriguing storyline in my opinion. lol

Not that I know of.

I read this one last year and just wrapped up Chapter 25. Completely forgot about!

Spoilers





I really enjoyed this one. I just assumed it would have been set post-Revenge of the Sith but the Clone Wars era was used well. As much as Filoni has explored this era extensively this was a unique approach as Iskat is left behind for so much of the book while the war goes on around her. I appreciate how her journey from Jedi to Inquisitor actually starts out with apathy and grows to anger, gives the conflict more nuance that doesn't just end up being "Jedi are bad." Kind of bummed that it ended how it did.. not that it was a bad ending, I liked it.. just genuinely enjoyed her character and I wanted to see where she would go past that moment.