This article was originally published on TatooineTimes.com
Set in the Old Republic era, Knight Errant was first published in 2011 and follows the adventures of Jedi Knight Kerra Holt, whom John Jackson Miller introduced readers to in the Dark Horse comic book series of the same name in 2010.
Holt has been tasked with bringing justice to the lawless Sith-controlled territories of the Grumani sector. As she navigates treacherous political landscapes and confronts dangerous Sith lords, Holt must balance her Jedi ideals in a world consumed by darkness. As she battles against the Sith’s tyranny and corruption, Holt’s journey becomes a testament to the resilience of the Jedi Order and the enduring hope for peace in a galaxy torn apart by conflict.
Knight Errant wastes no time catapulting readers into its storyline, albeit one that might be better served by additional context. For readers who haven’t engaged with Kerra Holt until now, getting the lay of the land might prove to be hard to do. Knight Errant takes place in 1032 BBY, after the events of the Aflame storyline from the Knight Errant comic book. Without the context and visual cues present in the comic, I personally found this book challenging to really sink my teeth into and Kerra, as the protagonist, someone I could connect with. Miller’s writing is easy to engage with, but I found myself more often than not fairly confused about the timeline, current socio-political landscape, and (most importantly) the history of a protagonist I’m supposed to be rooting for. I can only imagine how much more enjoyable the experience of reading Knight Errant would be having read the comic book series first.
Context aside, Knight Errant also struggles with issues of pacing and plot. The book starts with one set of storylines and continues to pick up more along the way, making for an overall scattered narrative experience. Plus, there’s a revolving door of characters whose species, characteristics, and plotlines end up getting muddled. One standout element is the book’s focus on Sith and what it looks like to live in Sith space in this era. Sith Lord Daiman is an egomaniac and completely off his rocker, literally thinking he’s the creator of the entire galaxy. His brother Odion, also a Sith, is at odds with Daiman and has a goal of utter destruction. Odion reminded me of the Nihil leader Marchion Ro from The High Republic, someone who will risk anything and anyone to get exactly what he wants. Still, Knight Errant just jumps right into this Sith world without explanation, so an elementary knowledge base of Sith lore is needed for full comprehension and enjoyment.
Knight Errant became part of The Essential Legends Collection in 2024, complete with new gorgeous cover art by Dominik Mayer. For fans of the comic book and original release, Knight Errant serves as a comforting return to a time before the Skywalkers; otherwise, it’s an okay Legends story that requires some pre-work to fully enjoy.
I receive commissions for links in this post
This Dad Reads 