Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade

With the fall of the Jedi Order, an Inquisitor will emerge.

Iskat Akaris, a Padawan, has devoted her existence to journeying across the galaxy alongside her master. She has been learning the ways of the Force to become a skilled Jedi. Despite Iskat's commitment, serenity and mastery have proven elusive. With each setback, she senses a growing distrust from her Jedi peers. Already harboring uncertainties about her place within the Jedi Order, Iskat is confronted with tragedy when her master meets their end and the Clone Wars plunge the galaxy into pandemonium.

Now serving as a general at the war's forefront, contributing to the chaos, she is constantly reminded to have: Faith in her training. Faith in the Council's wisdom. Faith in the Force. However, as shadows of doubt creep in, Iskat begins to ponder questions that Jedi are forbidden to ask. She begins to question her own mysterious origins. These are questions that the Jedi Masters deem perilous.

As the years advance and the war persists, Iskat's belief in the Jedi diminishes. She believes she could contribute more to the galaxy's protection if they granted her greater autonomy. She feels she could finally dispel the encroaching shadows if they entrusted her with deeper knowledge. When the Jedi Order ultimately collapses, Iskat seizes the opportunity to chart her own course. She embraces the salvation offered by Order 66.

As an Inquisitor, Iskat discovers the freedom she has always yearned for: the freedom to question, to desire. And with each swing of her crimson blade, Iskat progresses toward claiming her destined role in the Force—regardless of the consequences.

Iskat Akaris, a Jedi Padawan, discerns that a book she and her master, Sember Vey, acquired from a shop is actually a Sith text by using the Force to sense it. They start traveling to Bar'leth with the text, which is alluring to Iskat, but they are summoned back to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Upon arrival, Vey instructs Akaris to train with the other Padawans in preparation for an imminent significant event. Akaris encounters a friend named Tualon Yaluna and engages in sparring matches with Charlin Plaka and then Onielle, but Iskat's aggression escalates during the fight with Onielle. Due to her species' heightened hearing, Iskat overhears Charlin and Onielle's gossip about her. She recalls an incident from her time as a Jedi Initiate where she used the Force to topple an entire column onto another initiate, Tika, instead of levitating the lightsaber on top of it to her. Subsequently, Sember reveals that they have been dispatched to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi from a Separatist threat.

Iskat and Sember journey to Geonosis accompanied by clone troopers and a group of other Jedi. Their objective is to eliminate any cannons situated atop the area where Kenobi is being held alongside his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, and Senator Padmé Amidala. The Jedi infiltrate the arena through an underground passage, but they are ambushed by Geonosians, one of whom fatally wounds a Padawan named Fvorn. Iskat defends herself from a Geonosian attacker with her lightsaber, and the act of killing startles her. However, while safeguarding other Jedi, Iskat falls into a rhythm of eliminating Geonosians, continuing until all attacking Geonosians are dead. She is no longer disturbed by killing and is satisfied with her actions. Iskat and Sember ascend to the area's summit as the First Battle of Geonosis commences in the arena below. They successfully disable a turret before concealing themselves. Ordered to retreat, they begin their withdrawal, but Iskat lingers to observe the battle, yearning to engage. A Geonosian shoots Sember, causing her to fall to a lower platform. Iskat discovers her and Sember begins to deliriously apologize to Feyra, saying that she did her best to train her before dying. Iskat is forced to abandon Sember's body as she flees with other Jedi, angered by the other Masters' insistence that she should rejoice that her master has become one with the Force.

Upon returning to the Temple, Iskat is instructed to resume her regular schedule. She is also tasked with clearing out Sember's quarters, where she uncovers a concealed lightsaber that appears tailored to Iskat's species' large hands and long fingers. Intrigued by Feyra, Iskat searches for the name in the Jedi Archives and discovers that she is an individual who departed the Jedi Order and whose species is unknown, mirroring Iskat's own situation. As weeks pass, Iskat grows increasingly frustrated by the lack of a new master assignment. While training with Tualon, a bell echoes throughout the Temple, summoning them to the courtyard. There, Jedi Master Mace Windu announces a mass knighting ceremony where Iskat, along with other Padawans like Tualon and Anakin Skywalker, is chosen for knighthood.

Following the ceremony, Master Kenobi assigns Iskat the task of escorting a group of younglings back to Master Kelleran Beq. Upon departing, she overhears Charlin and Onielle saying that Iskat shouldn't have been knighted and killed too many people. Iskat defends her actions before Noxi Kell finds her and informs her that Master Jocasta Nu wishes to speak with her in the Archive. Iskat declines Nu's offer to work in the archive, as Sember had wanted her to, knowing she was called to battle. Iskat attempts to extract additional information about her species and Feyra from Kell and Nu, but they provide none. Iskat retreats to a garden adjacent to the archive where she meets Heezo, a Temple worker and a Selonian. The two immediately connect and understand each other. Upon Iskat's inquiry, Heezo reveals the existence of hidden locations within the Temple containing knowledge, but that they're all connected to the dark side of the Force. After thanking Heezo, who encourages her being different, Iskat is summoned to another garden where Yoda and Adi Gallia assign her a mission to destroy a Separatist droid factory on Thule alongside Tualon and a Jedi Knight named Josk Nivar.

Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones establishes that clone troopers were not involved in the First Battle of Geonosis until Yoda arrived with the Grand Army of the Republic after the battle had already commenced and most of the Jedi strike force had perished. However, Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade depicts a clone trooper pilot transporting the Jedi to Geonosis before the battle even begins, raising questions about the origin of this specific trooper and how he reached the Republic ahead of his comrades.

The genesis of Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade lay in exploring the reasons behind a Jedi's decision to become an Inquisitor of the Galactic Empire. The concept of crafting a novel centered on an Inquisitor arose from their presence across various Star Wars narratives, notably their role in Obi-Wan Kenobi. The book was codenamed Treadle during its development. Author Delilah S. Dawson dedicated significant effort to the story.

Editor Tom Hoeler assured readers that the book is replete with references and connections to other Star Wars works, yet remains accessible to all without causing confusion. Dawson included a reference to Disney Park secret tunnels via the secret hallways used by temple staff as an easter egg. The reference to Kelleran Beq was incorporated late in the production phase. Hoeler's personal favorite reference was a speaking cameo from Noxi Kell. Hoeler also hinted that the encounter between Akaris and Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine during the Clone Wars might not have been coincidental, as Akaris presumed.

• ISBN 9780593598580 ; July 18 , 2023 ; Random House Worlds ; US hardcover [2]
• ISBN 9780593600115 ; July 18, 2023; Random House Worlds; Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition [16]
• ISBN 9780593598597 ; July 18, 2023; Random House Worlds; eBook download [17]
• ISBN 9780593598627 ; April 2 , 2024 ; Random House Worlds; US paperback [18]