Red Harvest - Book Review

Jedi, Sith, and zombies! Joe Schreiber, in his novel Red Harvest, brings a different kind of villain to the Star Wars universe. Set in the days of the Old Republic on the planet Odacer-Faustin, Schreiber immediately sets the tone for what is sure to be remembered as one of the most chilling and disturbing tales of the Expanded Universe. Although Star Wars novels typically fall into the realm of the science fiction and fantasy genre, Schreiber manages to encapsulate the core ideas and themes of Star Wars while bringing in elements of horror and gothic fiction.

One the most notable aspects of Red Harvest is its ability to ensnare the reader’s interest from the first few pages. As many would agree, the dark side or Sith perspective is often more engaging for prospective readers, as it is shrouded in mystery. Not only do they want to unravel the character’s motives and desires—they cannot help but envision themselves in the villain’s shoes. Afterall, the dark side can be very seductive. Wim Nickter, the young Sith student provides insight into the sinister mind of an adolescent Sith prospect. Despite my immediate interest in the character of Nickter, some of the characterization was one dimensional and predictable. The novel’s heroine, Hestizo Trace, failed to capture my support in her journey to survive the botanical induced zombie plague. Rather, I found myself rooting for the Whiphid bounty hunter, Tulkh, and the reprogrammed HK-series assassin droid. Despite these minor flaws, the story was far from irredeemable.

Gothic fiction receives its name from architecture of the period in which it first emerged. Looming castles shrouded in mystery are often a motif in the horror and gothic genres. Red Harvest is no exception. The ancient Sith tower run by Darth Scabrous fulfills this literary trope. The tower is at the centre of the story’s dark and twisted plot. The top floors act as a laboratory, testing the power to extend life indefinitely. As one reads, they cannot help but be reminded of Shelley’s Frankenstein as the Doctor works tirelessly in his laboratory attempting to reanimate human flesh. The Sith quest to extend or even create life is not unfamiliar to Star Wars fans—many can quote the “Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise” and his failed attempt to conquer death. Schreiber’s take on this age-old quest nicely situated Red Harvest into the Expanded Universe.

Similarly, Schreiber’s vivid and often grotesque use of imagery helped to sell the horror elements of his novel. One can easily envision the decomposing corpses tearing at the flesh of the living in their never ending lust for dietary satisfaction. However, I would have hoped that there would have been some different elements ascribed to the “living dead” in order to separate or enhance them from the traditional zombies that we have come to know and expect in the horror genre. Schreiber’s incorporation of a botanical element, the rare Murakami Orchid, was a nice addition to the story and the creation of a “zombie plague”. However, it felt as though this part of the story needed some additional fleshing out (no pun intended). Further exploration of the plants and their mystical Force powers could have elevated certain aspects of the story in regard to the “space zombies”.

Schreiber’s Red Harvest is a bold addition to the Expanded Universe. Whether you are a fan of the terrifying and grotesque or you want to experience a previously unexplored concept in the galaxy far, far away, Red Harvest is almost as tempting as the undead consumption of human brains. If you dare to delve into this read, prepare to be shocked, spooked and satisfied.