Path of Destruction

There’s no canon like the old canon, I’ve decided. After having read a dozen or so books in the growing new canon Star Wars collective, I have sadly deduced that they aren’t that great. Most of them are mediocre at best, with only a few standing out as somewhat decent. I am, of course, not giving up on them, but I’ve decided that I just need a little break from the new canon. There are so many old canon novels on my bookshelves that I haven’t read yet, so I figured now’s the time.

I’ve wanted to read Drew Karpyshyn’s trilogy featuring Darth Bane for a long time, but the one thing stopping me was the fact that I didn’t really like Karpyshyn’s only other contribution to the SWEU, “Revan”, a novel set in the Old show more Republic. Apparently, that novel (and, I think, a video game character based on it) has gained cult status among SWEU fanatics. I don’t play video games, so it didn’t interest me much. I thought the novel was Meh and read like a video game, i.e. boring.

Maybe the fact that my expectations were low going into “Path of Destruction” was what helped, but I actually really enjoyed the novel. It is fast-paced, action-packed, and the characters are well-developed. Things that tend to be missing from some of the new canon novels I have read.

The evolution of the anti-hero Bane is a fascinating one. Raised on a rough mining planet, abused by a heartless drunk of a father and shown little to no compassion or affection, Bane’s path toward becoming a Sith is somewhat inevitable. When he finds himself on the run for the murder of a Republic officer, Bane escapes off-planet and becomes a part of an army called the Brotherhood of Darkness, led by Sith Masters in the continuous war against the Republic and the Jedi Knights protecting it. (This novel is set during the Old Republic.)

A Force-sensitive, Bane is hand-picked by a Sith Master to attend an academy for young Sith. It is there that he learns to hone his Force abilities. Very quickly, he starts to overcome even his Masters. Against the wishes of his masters, Bane sneaks into the ancient library and studies the forbidden Sith scrolls. It is there that he learns of the accounts of Revan, one of the most powerful Sith Lords in history. He vows to become the most powerful Sith Lord ever. To do so will involve mass murder on a phenomenal scale.

It’s weird to enjoy a novel about a truly evil character, but the story of Bane is nevertheless gripping. One almost roots for Bane to succeed, partly because there are few other likable characters anyway. Even the few Jedi in the novel are douche-bags.

In the SWEU old canon timeline, this trilogy is a must-read, if only because it explains why, a hundred years later during the era of Skywalker, there are only two Sith Lords that can ever exist at any given time, by design. show less

Star Wars is the gift which keeps on giving. It avoids the fluctuating zeitgeist of the times to emerge renewed, and what can be more symbolic of this continued rebirth other than the Old Republic fandom? With ancient lightsabers (not that we can tell), the mystical powers of the force and equal amounts of antagonist Jedi and Sith warring with each other there will always be fresh material for the post-Star Wars generation.

'Path of Destruction' is a telling of the rise and legacy of Darth Bane. Hearken back to the Phantom Menace and remind yourself that Mace Windu and Yoda explain to Qui-Gonn and Obi-Wan that the Sith are only ever two. Why? 'Path of Destruction' offers the entire explanatory story. Bane, originally Des, is a force show more sensitive miner recruited by the Sith and witness to their infighting. After a sanguinary war in which the Sith foolishly unleash a force bomb rendering a holocaust of all force sensitive Beings within close proximity of the battle, survivor Bane stumbles across the battlefield slaying all Jedi and Sith he comes across.

Finally, he is found by a young force-sensitive girl who he takes under his wing. He renames her Darth Zannah ('Darth' being a Sith honorific) and commences to annihilate all other surviving Sith Lords.

Spoilers aside, 'Path of Destruction' is a meditation on the nature of power. The Sith crave power, this is the very reason for their existence but also their downfall. The Jedi wish to entrust it to the Galactic Republic. Though radically opposed to the notion of Sith Imperialism, Bane is not opposed to Sith dominance. It is this binary which he cleverly exploits to form the rule of two. The Jedis' numeracy will blind them to the existence of two Sith who will forever be eluding them. One Sith will be master, the other apprentice. Ultimately the apprentice will slay the master and take on an apprentice of their own. Through the generations they will aim to corrupt the galactic republic from within.

Karpyshyn weaves a very picturesque and captivating story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. show less

Dessel has lived all his life in the small mining community on the far-off planet, Apatros, in the Outer Rim; and he's probably going to die there too. If his chances of getting off the planet were slim before, it feels like a distant day dream once his father dies and his debts are transferred to Des. But when he kills a Republic soldier in self-defense after an intense card game, he realises he'll be lucky if he gets out of the trial alive. With the help of a friend, Dessel is smuggled off Apatros to join the Sith army in their war against the Republic and their Jedi.

At first he is skeptic about his new allies. Even if he's never been a fan of neither the Republic or the Jedi Knights, he's never really cared about the Sith either. show more But as he advances within the Sith military, the Sith Lords soon discover his force sensitivity; that strange gift Dessel has had for as long as he remembers. Soon, he is sent off to study at one of the Sith Academies along with other brilliant young minds.

Although as Dessel notices the mistakes of his Masters at the Academy and as he reads all the old texts in the library they simply ignore; he starts to realise that the Sith has forgotten the proper Sith way. There is only one solution. They must all go. The only one capable of carrying on the Sith flag is Dessel - as Darth Bane shall he rule as the single Dark Lord until his apprentice is strong enough to kill him; because there can only be two. The Master and the Apprentice. One to embody power, the other to crave it.

This was such a good read. I really like reading the stories taking place a long, long time ago as it often lets us see different sides of the Sith, and this book definitely didn't disappoint me. Dessel was an interesting character who changes quite a lot throughout the story and it was a pleasure doing that journey with him; he just becomes more and more evil. He reminds me a little bit of Tom Riddle, actually, except Dessel struggles with guilt and remorse for quite a big chunk of the novel. It was interesting to see him struggle like that because it's more common to read about Jedi Knight struggling than a member of the Sith.

Even though I disagreed with most of his actions and his philosophy, it was hard not to like Dessel. He felt very human; especially considering his background. I will also admit that his work is quite impressive even if it is terrifying. I firmly believe he would have been a good Jedi if they would've found him first.. show less

Despite everything, I liked Darth Bane in most of this book. His dissatisfaction with the Sith organization - his desire to reform it - his seeking after Sith knowledge. It was all interesting. However, there is something weird about "rooting" for someone who is pursuing such evil intentions.

Karpyshyn, the writer behind the scenario and dialogue of the excellent game Knights of the Old Republic, turns his hand to novel-writing in the Star Wars universe, and proves quite adept. He gives us the perspective of a man who has wholeheartedly turned to the dark side of the Force: how he got there and how he thinks. Darth Bane’s worldview fits together well enough that his perspective remains sympathetic even as he plumbs the depths of evil— perhaps because he eschews petty evil even as he makes plans with galactic scope. Karpyshyn weaves his tale into the Star Wars history by providing the origins of the thought bomb on Ruusan, but his tale stands well enough on its own that it’s just a side note in the story of a determined show more man’s progress from cortosis miner to Dark Lord of the Sith. show less

"Piece is a lie. There is only passion. . ."
"Through passion, I gain strength . . ."
"Through strength, I gain victory . . ."
"Through victory, my chains are broken . . ."
"The force shall set me free . . ."

This was an amazing read. I enjoyed the first book in the Bane trilogy so much that I had to keep turning the pages.

Bane has a similar background to Anakin, and I wondered if many Sith don't start out that way. Or most of them - many things lead to the dark side.

I know I will be a horrible Jedi, haha.

Bane joins the brotherhood of darkness as a footman in their war. One dark Lord notices his force abilities and takes him to a sith Academy. This is where his training begins.

What I loved was how Bane found enlightenment and how his role show more came in fruition of what aspired the evens of the prequel trilogy.

This novel was beautifully plotted, and I ate it all up.

Now - to continue my journey in Star Wars. I am sorry, Disney, but this novel will be part of my canon. show less

3.5

This is my first audio book since listening to Danny, Champion of The World when I was like 6.

I like Star Wars, and I've always wanted to believe that there was some quality EU (expanded universe) fiction out there that would be worth my while. The first book in the Darth Bane trilogy isn't exactly what I'd call "quality", but I certainly enjoyed it much more than I expected to.
There's clunky prose, cringe worthy dialogue and some annoyingly underdeveloped characters, but I still found it to be a lot of fun.
If I had read this rather than listened to it then I possibly wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. What I listened to was an unabridged version that was also bordering on being a dramatisation. Despite the narrator having some show more extremely annoying quirks, the whole experience is definitely increased tenfold by the addition of classic Star Wars sound effects and the music of John Williams. Light saber duels in particular were a lot of fun. I normally dislike action in books since the writing is never really able to keep up with the pace of what is meant to be going on. Having the sound of 2 people clashing lightsabers, however, while the highlights of the battle are narrated to you is sometimes pretty awesome!

Although the majority of the story was fairly predictable, I did actually find myself caught up in some of the character relationships and I was happy to see that every qualm I had with the inner workings of the Sith, the main character also shared.
It's also quite fun (as well as confusing) to be rooting for the dark side, as well as learning more about the history of the sith.

All in all, I found it a drag to begin with, but quickly became sucked in. It's a fun ride on audio book, but I can't imagine I would have liked it as much if I'd read the book on its own. The ending was also a bit weak... (Thought Bomb? Come on...) show less