This week, I had the pleasure of reading The Shadow Command, a very ambitious and action packed story by one of our own very talented student writers here at JVA, Willem G.. His writings are inspired by the Lore of Star Wars and The Mandolorean.
The story opens with the remnants of the Empire, now operating under the secretive “Shadow Command,” plotting a calculated move to destabilize the fragile New Republic. From the outset, the stakes are very high, with some surprisingly intricate schemes, daring space battles, and some very morally complex characters driving the plot. Willem’s use of vivid descriptions truly brings the galaxy to life. Whether it’s the cold, calculating bridge of an Imperial dreadnought or the fiery chaos of a bombarded city, every scene feels cinematic with pure description.
One standout element that I would like to recognize of The Shadow Command is its characters. From the cunning Grand Admiral Runge to the resourceful Director Jyan, his cast is rich with exceedingly intriguing personalities who each bring their motives and secrets to the unfolding conflict at hand. The relationships between the characters add layers of depth that are refreshing, particularly as alliances are tested and old wounds resurface.
What impressed me most overall was the level of detail in the world-building from Willem. He seamlessly integrated political intrigue, tactical decisionmaking, and even economic pressures into the narrative, which was not an easy feat by any means, but it makes the story feel both grounded and immersive. To be honest, book one by Willem, isn’t just a tale of good versus evil… it’s a nuanced exploration of how factions struggle to rebuild and survive after a galaxy-wide war.
It’s clear that a lot of effort and imagination went into crafting this epic, and it’s exciting to see such a strong piece of writing from one of our own to Willem, all of us here in the newspaper are extremely excited for more book volumes to be released!
