When Rey said that she was Rey Skywalker, fans didn’t take this in the right way. Many fans didn’t like it because what set Rey apart from other Star Wars protagonists was the fact that she didn’t have a family legacy. She came from literally nowhere but was able to chart her own destiny.

But her last saying that she was “Rey, Rey Skywalker” established that she wasn’t just genetically related to Palpatine by being the daughter of one of his rejected clones, but she was a Skywalker too. So she went from “no one” who had full freedom to chart her own destiny to becoming related to pretty much every major heroic Star Wars character.

It was out of nowhere and, as a result, jarring. But a new Star Wars book might shed new light on what Palpatine thought of the Skywalkers. And in turn, this might change how Star Wars fans think about that controversial final reveal.

New Star Wars Book Reveals Palpatine’s Thoughts

On the StarWars.com website, there’s a recently released sneak preview of the upcoming novel Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith. It’s an oral history of the events of the Star Wars universe told by Darth Sidious, Sheev Palpatine himself. Now there isn’t much so-called new content in the book, but it’s worth buying due to the gorgeous art.

Also, it’s a great book if you want to know what went on in Palpatine’s head throughout the Star Wars chronology. As such, it will help you understand the character better. But here, we will refer to those parts of the story that deal with Skywalkers and Chosen Ones.

Sheev Palpatine Talks About Skywalkers

For example, on a page about the Chosen One, Palpatine talks about his story, but with a bold claim:

“None in this galaxy has ever proved my equal in the power of the Dark Side.”

Now, this is just him boasting. But he then follows it up with an honest and shocking admission:

“But in matters of the Force, there is one bloodline that cannot be ignored — the Skywalkers.”

After that, Palpatine talks about the life of Anakin Skywalker, right from his birth on Tatooine to his turn in assisting Luke in overthrowing the Empire. Sheev Palpatine does it all in his signature Palpatine voice. He says:

“Anakin Skywalker was reborn just in time to die.”

Now, it’s interesting that he skips over that time when he got pushed into a pit and fell to his assumed death. But overall, the book reveals a lot about Palpatine. It explains what he was up to in the years he was in Exegol: concentrating on writing a memoir for the next Sith generations to come. Complete with photorealistic illustrations too.

But, this book also reveals a lot about the Skywalker family. It’s basically a tribe that has existed to be his pawns and then became his sworn enemies when that maneuver failed.

Palpatine’s Worst Fears Came True

Now, it’s pretty safe to assume that the book was penned before the events and incidents of Rise of Skywalker. So there’s just no way that Palpatine would have been able to predict the threat that was coming.

It was a Skywalker, not by blood, but in name, all the while disguised as a Palpatine. It’s something he wouldn’t have been able to ever expect. So this establishes even more motivation for Rey’s claims to the name of Skywalker.

After all, Palpatine said that only a Skywalker would be able to match his Force use. Overall, Star Wars as a franchise is pretty hero-oriented. So to get this peek into one of the main villain’s minds is rare and valuable.

Also, it should be remembered that Palpatine is more than just a dictator, a Senate, and pretty much the embodiment of evil. At his core, he’s a man who knows that he has to face powerful and formidable enemies.

So it’s possible that ahead of The Rise of Skywalker, he even felt some sort of fear of betrayal. After all, he must be still bitter from Anakin’s turn. So the betrayal in Rise of Skywalker must have hit home closer.

You can buy Star Wars: Secrets Of The Siths from October 5

Check Out: 10 Moments Which Showed That Emperor Palpatine Had A Heart