[Warning: Article contains spoilers for the novel Star Wars: Shadows of the Sith.] Treading the landscape of the Star Wars sequel trilogy is a perilous task. Of the three trilogies that make up the Skywalker saga, this one is now widely regarded as the worst. Nonetheless, Disney remains big on sequels, from Galaxy’s Edge at its resorts to a slew of books and comics. Fortunately for them, Shadows of the Sith knocks him out of the park, and in the process does The Rise of Skywalker infinitely better.

Who has been Ochi from Bestoon? What really happened with Rey’s parents? How did Luke and Lando team up to seek out Exegol in the first place? The Rise of Skywalker (and the sequel trilogy, in general) left all of those questions unanswered. Shadows of the Sith, by Adam Christopher, answers all of them, and even some. In doing so, the film’s saga finale suddenly becomes much clearer. If nothing else, it makes us appreciate Lando Calrissian all the more.

Shadows of the Sith is the sequel to the story we needed

Rey’s parents aren’t ‘people’ anymore, as director Rian Johnson would have you believe The Last Jedi. His father Dathan is indeed a failed clone of his “father” Sheev Palpatine. He finds himself on the run from Ochi of Bestoon with his wife, Miramir, and their daughter, Rey. Their fate in the Force takes an unexpected turn thanks in large part to Lando. In Shadows of the Sith, Lando is desperate and heartbroken by the disappearance of his daughter. Hearing Ochi in a bar by chance or by chance propels him on a new mission: to help this family at all costs. Lando’s pain is palpable. Having failed to find his own daughter, he will do everything to ensure that another child does not suffer the same fate.

Of course, he gets help from his old friend, Luke Skywalker. Luke’s own efforts to seek out the riddle of the Sith, Lando’s mission, and Rey’s journey all converge in spectacular fashion. Ghosts of the Sith haunt an acolyte from the afterlife, turning her into a puppet determined to get to Exegol on her own. This leads to a dramatic confrontation with Luke in a subplot as intriguing as the main story.

Lando Calrissian in a whole new light

Make no mistake: Lando Calrissian is the heart and soul of Shadows of the Sith. The anguish he feels over the loss of his own daughter and his ultimate failure to protect Rey’s parents is truly moving. While we see the nuances of the suave ferryman, this story is about an older, more mature, and sadly broken man. It shows us so much more of Lando and provides critical context for The Rise of Skywalker. You will see the film very differently when you watch it after reading Christopher’s sublime work with this novel.

It’s such a shame that we didn’t get any of that lead in the sequel trilogy itself. Had The Last Jedi even touched on some of the themes explored in Shadows of the Sith, I have no doubt that the sequels would have been much better received. Fortunately, we now have the novel to help us enjoy at least The Rise of Skywalkerand Rey’s trip, a bit more.

Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith by Del Rey Books is available now from booksellers worldwide.