“Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi. Your fear. This is the way.”
— Luke Skywalker's Force spirit speaks to Rey on Ahch-To.
Archivist's Choice
The Rise of Skywalker
Rae Carson (2020)
Genre
Fantasy / Science Fiction / Young Adult
Reading Time
240 min
Key Themes
See below
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Emperor Palpatine returns, and Rey, Finn, and Poe race against Kylo Ren to find ancient Sith secrets and start the final rebellion that will decide the Skywalker legacy.
Synopsis
Emperor Palpatine, long thought dead, broadcasts a message across the galaxy, revealing his return and a massive Final Order fleet on Exegol. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren senses a threat and hunts for the signal's source, discovering Palpatine's survival and plans. Meanwhile, Rey, Finn, Poe, and the Resistance seek a Sith Wayfinder, the only path to Exegol, to confront Palpatine. Their mission leads them to old artifacts, new allies, and dangerous fights. Rey struggles with her past and the darkness within her. Kylo Ren, driven by his connection to Rey and his own conflict, pursues her, leading to intense duels and the revelation that Rey is Palpatine's granddaughter. As the Resistance prepares for a final stand against the Final Order, Ben Solo, redeemed by his mother's sacrifice and Rey's compassion, joins the fight. He confronts his former master and helps Rey in a battle against the Emperor. The galaxy unites, and Rey, with help from past Jedi, defeats Palpatine. She sacrifices herself but is resurrected by Ben Solo, who then dies. The Resistance wins, ending the Sith and bringing a new era of hope.
Reading time
240 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Epic, Adventurous, Hopeful, Action-packed
✓ Read this if...
You want the full, expanded story of the final Star Wars film, including deleted scenes and extra character insights.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike the film and don't want to revisit its plot, or prefer the visual experience of the movie over a novelization.
Plot Summary
The Emperor's Return and Kylo Ren's Hunt
A message from Emperor Palpatine, long thought dead, spreads across the galaxy, causing fear. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, leading the First Order, feels a disturbance in the Force and sees Palpatine's return as a challenge. Desperate to secure his power and understand Palpatine's survival, Kylo tracks down the broadcast's source. His journey leads him to Exegol, a desolate Sith planet, where he confronts the resurrected Emperor. Palpatine reveals his plans for a Final Order and tries to manipulate Kylo further.
The Resistance's New Mission
On the jungle planet Ajan Kloss, Rey continues her Jedi training under General Leia Organa. She struggles with dark side visions and her connection to Kylo Ren. Finn and Poe Dameron, leading the Resistance, learn of Palpatine's return and his new fleet, the Final Order, hidden on Exegol. To find Exegol, they need a Sith Wayfinder. Their first clue takes them to Pasaana. During their mission, Rey accidentally uses Force lightning, nearly destroying a First Order transport, showing her raw power and inner conflict.
The Festival of the Ancestors and Ochi's Dagger
Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewbacca, BB-8, and C-3PO arrive on Pasaana during the Festival of the Ancestors. They meet Lando Calrissian, who says a Sith assassin named Ochi of Bestoon once sought a Wayfinder and provides a clue to his ship's location. They are nearly swallowed by quicksand but are saved by a creature. They find Ochi's ship and a dagger with Sith carvings. C-3PO, bound by programming, cannot translate the Sith text, which is the key to finding the Wayfinder and Exegol.
Kijimi and Babu Frik's Intervention
To translate the Sith dagger, the Resistance goes to Kijimi, a hub for smugglers. They seek Babu Frik, a droidsmith who can reprogram droids. With the First Order near, Babu Frik temporarily overrides C-3PO's programming, allowing him to translate the Sith text. The translation reveals coordinates to the Wayfinder on the oceanic moon of Kef Bir. However, the process erases C-3PO's memory, a sacrifice he makes for the mission.
Rey's Lineage Revealed
While on Kijimi, Rey has a Force-bond confrontation with Kylo Ren. During this intense duel, Kylo reveals that Rey is Emperor Palpatine's granddaughter. This news shakes Rey, forcing her to face the dark legacy within her. Kylo, still trying to get her to join him, explains that Palpatine arranged her parents' hiding and deaths to prevent her from being found. This truth fuels Rey's inner struggle, as she fears the darkness within her and what it means for her role in the galaxy.
Kef Bir and the Second Wayfinder
Following the translated coordinates, Rey, Finn, Poe, and Chewbacca travel to the ocean moon of Kef Bir, where the second Death Star wreckage lies. Rey, drawn by the Force, goes into the ruins alone, seeking the Wayfinder. She has a powerful Force vision, confronting a dark reflection of herself with a red double-bladed lightsaber. This vision increases her fear of falling to the dark side. She finds the Wayfinder, but her internal struggle with her Palpatine lineage continues.
Duel on the Death Star Wreckage
Kylo Ren arrives on Kef Bir and confronts Rey among the stormy Death Star ruins. They fight a brutal lightsaber duel, their Force bond connecting them. During the fight, General Leia Organa uses her last strength to reach out to Kylo through the Force, calling to her son, Ben. This distracts Kylo, allowing Rey to impale him with his own lightsaber. Overcome with guilt and grief, Rey uses the Force to heal Kylo, choosing compassion, before fleeing in Kylo's TIE Whisper. Leia dies peacefully, having saved her son.
Exegol and the Final Confrontation
Rey travels to Exegol alone, determined to confront Palpatine and end his reign. She finds him on his Sith throne, frail but powerful, surrounded by his cultists and the Final Order fleet. Palpatine reveals his plan to transfer his essence into Rey, taking her power and creating a new Sith Empire. He says he orchestrated all major events, including Snoke and Kylo Ren's manipulation. Rey faces a choice: succumb to her dark lineage or resist the Emperor's power.
The Battle of Exegol
As Rey confronts Palpatine, the Resistance fleet, led by Poe Dameron and Lando Calrissian, arrives at Exegol, having gathered allies from across the galaxy. A large space battle begins against the Final Order's Star Destroyers, each with planet-killing superlasers. Though outnumbered, the Resistance fighters bravely engage the enemy, buying Rey time. Finn, aboard the Millennium Falcon, rallies ground troops and works to disable the Star Destroyers' navigation towers, essential for their escape and for the Resistance to strike.
Ben Solo's Redemption and Sacrifice
After Leia's sacrifice and Rey's healing, Ben Solo sheds his Kylo Ren persona and arrives on Exegol, guided by the Force and his mother's influence. He battles the Knights of Ren and other Sith loyalists, fighting his way to Rey. Together, they confront Palpatine. Palpatine drains their Force energy to restore his own power, appearing revitalized. Rey, empowered by past Jedi, deflects Palpatine's Force lightning back at him, destroying him. The effort drains her life force, and Ben sacrifices his remaining life energy to heal her, sharing a final kiss before he dies.
Victory and Legacy
With Palpatine defeated and the Final Order in disarray, the Resistance wins. Celebrations erupt across the galaxy as planets rise against the First Order. Rey, now the last Jedi, travels to Tatooine, to the Lars homestead where Luke Skywalker grew up. She buries Luke's and Leia's lightsabers in the sand. When asked her name, she says, "Rey Skywalker," embracing her chosen family and legacy, showing the continuation of hope and the triumph of light. She looks at the twin suns, like Luke, ready for the future.
Principal Figures
Rey
The Protagonist
Rey evolves from an orphan seeking her past to a powerful Jedi Master who chooses her own family and legacy, ultimately defeating Palpatine and bringing balance to the Force.
Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
The Antagonist / Deuteragonist
Kylo Ren undergoes a profound journey from a conflicted dark side user to a redeemed Jedi, Ben Solo, who sacrifices himself for the light.
Finn
The Supporting
Finn evolves from a reluctant hero to a confident and Force-sensitive leader within the Resistance, finding his purpose in fighting for good.
Poe Dameron
The Supporting
Poe matures from a reckless but skilled pilot to a capable and inspiring leader of the Resistance, embracing the mantle of command.
General Leia Organa
The Supporting
Leia guides the Resistance and Rey, ultimately sacrificing herself to bring her son, Ben, back to the light.
Emperor Palpatine
The Antagonist
Palpatine attempts to re-establish his Sith Empire and secure immortality through Rey, but is ultimately defeated by her and the combined power of the Jedi.
Lando Calrissian
The Supporting
Lando returns from isolation to inspire and lead a massive allied fleet, demonstrating the enduring power of hope and unity.
Zorii Bliss
The Supporting
Zorii moves from a neutral, self-interested stance to actively aiding the Resistance, showcasing the ripple effect of heroism.
Jannah
The Supporting
Jannah, having already defected, provides crucial aid to the Resistance and joins the final battle, finding solidarity with Finn.
Babu Frik
The Supporting
Babu Frik uses his unique skills to provide a crucial technical solution for the Resistance, enabling them to progress their mission.
Themes & Insights
Legacy and Identity
The novel explores how people deal with their heritage and the choices they make to define themselves, regardless of their family. Rey's struggle with being Palpatine's granddaughter is central, as she fears falling to the darkness of her bloodline. However, she chooses to become 'Rey Skywalker,' embracing the family she chose. Similarly, Ben Solo deals with the Skywalker legacy and the dark side, eventually returning to the light and honoring his family. This theme is clear when Rey buries the Skywalker lightsabers on Tatooine, marking an end and a new beginning for the legacy.
“"People keep telling me they know me. No one does. No one."”
Redemption and Forgiveness
The possibility of redemption, especially for Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, is a strong theme. Despite his actions as Kylo Ren, Leia Organa never gives up on her son. Her final act of reaching out to him through the Force causes his return to the light. Rey also chooses to heal Ben instead of killing him, showing compassion. Ben's sacrifice to save Rey completes his story, showing that even those who fall deepest into darkness can find their way back. This theme suggests redemption is always possible, even at the cost of one's life.
“"I've been every voice you've ever heard inside your head."”
The Power of Chosen Family and Hope
The novel shows that family is not just about blood, but about the bonds formed through shared experiences, love, and loyalty. The Resistance is a chosen family, united against tyranny. Rey finds her true family in Finn, Poe, and Leia, who support her regardless of her origins. Lando Calrissian's return to gather allies shows that hope can inspire many to unite for a cause, forming a diverse 'family' of resistance fighters. The final scene on Tatooine, with Rey claiming the Skywalker name, shows that love and connection go beyond biological ties.
“"Never be afraid of who you are."”
The Enduring Struggle Between Light and Darkness
The conflict between the light and dark sides of the Force is the main theme. Palpatine is the ultimate darkness, a persistent evil that returns. Rey's struggle with her Palpatine lineage and her dark side visions highlight the constant temptation and the effort needed to choose the light. The novel reinforces that while darkness can be powerful, the light, fueled by compassion, hope, and connection, will win. The final fight between Rey and Palpatine, where she uses the power of all past Jedi, symbolizes the collective strength of the light side against evil.
“"A thousand generations live in you now. But this is your fight."”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Sith Wayfinder
An ancient artifact necessary to navigate to the hidden Sith world of Exegol.
The Sith Wayfinder serves as a crucial MacGuffin, driving much of the plot. It is a pyramidal device that contains the navigational data to the uncharted, dark side-rich planet of Exegol. The pursuit of the Wayfinder leads the Resistance heroes across several planets, forcing them to confront new challenges and uncover vital information. Its existence emphasizes the secrecy and ancient power of the Sith, and its acquisition is essential for the heroes to confront Emperor Palpatine and the Final Order, making it a key element for plot progression.
The Force Bond
A powerful, telepathic connection between Rey and Kylo Ren, allowing them to communicate and interact across vast distances.
The Force bond between Rey and Kylo Ren is a central plot device, serving multiple functions. It allows for direct communication and even physical interaction (such as passing objects) between them, regardless of their physical distance. This bond is initially a source of conflict and manipulation but evolves into a conduit for emotional understanding and ultimately, Ben Solo's redemption. It also serves as a narrative tool to reveal crucial information, such as Rey's parentage, and to heighten the emotional stakes of their intertwined destinies, culminating in their final, shared confrontation with Palpatine.
Palpatine's Resurrection
The unexpected return of Emperor Palpatine, revealed as the true architect behind the First Order.
Palpatine's resurrection serves as the primary inciting incident, drastically altering the galactic conflict. His return is a massive twist, re-establishing him as the ultimate antagonist and the true source of evil behind the First Order. This device raises the stakes exponentially, providing a clear, existential threat that unites the galaxy. It also retroactively explains Snoke's existence and Kylo Ren's manipulations, consolidating the villainy into one overarching figure and giving the Skywalker saga a definitive final antagonist to overcome.
The Sith Dagger
An ancient artifact containing a map to the Wayfinder, written in Sith script.
The Sith Dagger is a key plot device that propels the heroes on their quest for the Wayfinder. Discovered in Ochi's ship, its unique blade, perfectly shaped to align with the ruins of the Death Star II, reveals the location of the Wayfinder. Crucially, the dagger bears untranslatable Sith text, leading to the journey to Kijimi and the introduction of Babu Frik, who can translate it. This device creates a multi-stage puzzle for the heroes to solve, adding layers of mystery and urgency to their mission.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression—the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.”
— Yoda's words, recalled by Luke, about the dark side.
“The Force brought us together. It always has.”
— Rey says this to Ben Solo, acknowledging their Force dyad connection.
“I am all the Jedi.”
— Rey declares this to Palpatine during their final confrontation.
“And I...am...all the Sith!”
— Palpatine's response to Rey's declaration.
“Long have I waited. And now, your coming together is your undoing.”
— Palpatine speaking to Rey and Ben Solo on Exegol.
“Never be afraid of who you are.”
— Leia's advice to Rey, encouraging her to embrace her identity.
“Some things are stronger than blood.”
— Rey's realization about family and chosen connections.
“A good fighter doesn't need to be afraid to fail.”
— Poe Dameron's advice to Finn about leadership.
“You're a good man, Finn. You always have been.”
— Jannah's compliment to Finn, recognizing his inherent goodness.
“The Resistance is a spark that will light the fire that will restore the Republic.”
— Leia's enduring hope for the future.
“No one's ever really gone.”
— Luke's comforting words to Rey, signifying the presence of those lost through the Force.
“Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi.”
— Luke's Force spirit reiterates a core Jedi principle to Rey.
“There are things you can't undo, and there are things you can. The Force will guide you.”
— Leia's final lesson to Ben Solo through the Force.
“You have your mother's heart, and your father's courage.”
— Lando Calrissian tells Jannah, hinting at her potential parentage.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The novelization expands on the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, detailing the Resistance's renewed fight against the First Order, led by Supreme Leader Kylo Ren. A mysterious signal reveals Emperor Palpatine's return, forcing Rey, Finn, and Poe to embark on a perilous quest to uncover the truth and confront the ultimate threat to the galaxy.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
