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Drew Karpyshyn2006 – Del ReyApproximately 1003-1000 Years Before The Battle of YavinSite Rating =
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SPOILER ALERT: This Will Spoil The Plot of the Book!
After the Battle of Korriban, Lord Kaan, founder of the Brotherhood of Darkness, looks over the Sith victory. Lord Qordis is eager to begin the Sith Academy, but Lord Kopecz isn’t sure the time for celebration is at hand.
Dessel has been working the cortosis mines on Apatros since his teenage years. His deceased father, also a miner, was an abusive man that frequently referred to his son as the bane of his existence. Des can sense things before they happen and on this day that serves him well in a fight with another miner.
After Des is suspended for the fight, he ventures into the lone cantina to play sabacc with several Republic officers who have dropped in to collect a new supply of cortosis. During the game, the soldiers try to enlighten Des on the sides of the ongoing war and why the Republic is now winning thanks to General Hoth, a Jedi. They explain that the Jedi are good and the Sith are evil, but Des isn’t impressed. As the night grows late, Des and an antagonistic ensign are both going hard to win the now enormous sabacc pot. Des is goading the man throughout and after he takes down the pot, the ensign erupts in rage and nearly causes a riot. After the bartender, Des’s friend named Groshik, clears the room, he warns Des to watch his emotions as his anger seemed to infect the entire room.
On his way home, Des is attacked by several soldiers and despite the total darkness he can see his opponents and kills one of them. Knowing he is deep trouble, he returns to Groshik who tells him he has Sith connections and can help him join their army instead of going to jail. Knowing that he has little choice, he agrees and stows away on a ship and escapes.
After a year in the service, Des is now a sergeant in the Sith Army, earning his strips during the invasion of Kashyyyk by using his abilities to sense nearby enemies to lead his squad from harms way. His current mission, however, is shrouded by bad feelings. He receives an order that they all know is not only suicidal, but not productive. Des takes matters into his own and knocks out the Lieutenant and decides to do things his way.
When they reach their target, a Republic Outpost, the situation is grim. Somehow Des is able to sense the location of all the enemies and takes down at least a dozen with a sniper rifle he’s never even used before. His amazing feat turns the battle their way and his troops are amazed by his actions. When they return to camp, however, the Lieutenant is waiting and Des is arrested. After spending several hours in containment, he is removed and flown strangely to Korriban.
On Korriban, Des is taken before Lord Kopecz who tells him of the dark side of the Force and that Des has only scratched the surface of his true power. He invites Des to become a member of the Brotherhood of Darkness. Des is shocked by this, but accepts the offer and is reborn as Bane of the Sith.
Lord Qordis is suspicious of Kopecz’s new trainee, but Kopecz insists that Bane will become a great master and perhaps even the Sith’ari!
Bane is introduced to the Sith Code and Lord Qordis tells him he is on Korriban because it is the Sith Academy that is reserved for those who can someday be Sith Lords.
Bane is already behind most of the students, but his abilities allow him to progress quickly and he dedicates himself to studying the Sith archives. He knows he can rely on no one but himself in this endeavor.
At the First Battle of Ruusan, Lord Kaan and a Jedi Master are engaged in a test of wills with each fighting for control of the minds and emotions of their armies. Kopecz infiltrates the Jedi ship and fights his way to the Master and kills her. The battle instantly turns and the Sith score a decisive victory.
After several months, Bane has surpassed most of his peers in his Force abilities. Lightsaber training with Blademaster Kas’im begins. Bane challenges another student to a training duel to avenge an earlier defeat. He is again defeated, but when his opponent taunts him, he uses the Force to choke the life from his opponent. As he leaves, Sirak, the top apprentice, tells him he is looking forward to their future duel.
Bane is called before Qordis who pardons his actions. Bane asks about the Sith’ari and Qordis tells him it is the legend of a perfect being that is to one day lead the Sith. Not all believe it to be true and others believe it to be Sirak.
Alone in his room, Bane thinks through the Sith creed as it relates to his actions and begins to think that the teachings would not account for the energies that feed on emotions and build through the Dark Side. He dreams of his father’s final beating of him and how he had wished so hard for him to be dead. With a jolt he realizes that it was his thoughts that caused his father to die in his sleep!
Over the following week, Bane struggles with his training. He no longer feels passion and his failures mount as he feels the Force lessen in him each day.
On the Nightfall, Kopecz brings Kaan the news that an army of Jedi, the Army of Light, has reclaimed Ruusan. Kaan tells him to gather the Sith from all academies except those on Korriban to counter the Jedi threat.
Lord Kas’im learns of the Sith Army from Qordis, but when he tells him of Bane’s regression, in attempt to discredit Kopecz, he orders that Bane receive no more special attention or training.
Knowing that the other students will begin challenging him soon, Bane takes the initiative and challenges Sirak. Vastly unprepared, Bane is destroyed by the apprentice and awakes later in a bacta tank. He knows that he is now doomed to a life of servitude not unlike that he had in the cortosis mines.
While Kaan and the others strategize the 4th Battle of Ruusan, a Jedi named Githany enters and gives them information vital to the weakness in the plans of the Jedi.
Now an outcast, Bane retreats to the ancient archives on a regular basis, and even finds a book by the last Sith to use the “Darth” name, Darth Revan. One day, Githany, now a Sith Apprentice, comes to see him hoping for an ally against Sirak. They speak of Bane’s troubles and she is able to briefly reawaken his Force abilities. She promises to train him in secret, although her motives, like any Sith, are for her own advancement.
Bane ventures to Kas’im’s room after hours and persuades the Blademaster to secretly train him at night so he can get revenge on Sirak. With two secret teachers (both hidden from each other), Bane’s power returns quickly. He continues to hide it as he bolsters it even further with his archive studies.
When Bane masters Force lightening in only an hour, Githany begins to wonder if she chose wisely in her ally. She reveals to Bane that she left the Jedi after an affair with a fellow Padawan. He is somehow able to console her and after he leaves, she begins to think that perhaps she now has feelings towards Bane.
Bane and Kas’im’s sparing sessions grow more intense as Bane’s skills grow. After one session, Kas’im tells Bane the “Darth” title was abandoned by the Brotherhood because it was only used by those wishing to be above the other Sith. Bane knew this to be flawed since only through individual pursuits could the dark side’s true power be uncovered.
Githany comes to Bane hoping to manipulate him into assassinating Sirak, but he surprises her by saying that he plans to challenge him openly again to a duel. Her plan has worked, but not as she intended. Her close feelings for Bane also continue to disturb her.
At the next opportunity, Bane challenges Sirak to the surprise of everyone. It doesn’t take long for Bane to realize that Sirak has no stamina for long duels and baits him until his desperation causes a fatal mistake and Bane crushes him, but stops short of killing him. Githany chastises him for not finishing him off and recognizes this inherent flaw in Bane’s mind.
Kas’im comes to Bane’s room and gives him his master’s lightsaber. He tells Bane he took it from him after he killed him and Bane has earned the right to carry it.
Again Qordis summons Bane and tells him he is no longer allowed to see Githany or study the ancient texts. Bane is incensed by this and says he would rather learn from the tombs of the long dead masters than the new weak ones. Qordis throws him out of the office and tells him to live in the tombs if he wishes.
Kas’im confronts Qordis and he learns of Qordis’s plan to teach Bane a lesson that nothing remains in the valley and he’ll see the error of his ways.
Angry that Bane has left without speaking to her, Githany visits Sirak and suggests they form an alliance against Bane. They have both underestimated him although for different reasons.
By nightfall, Bane enters one of the tombs. Once inside he is devastated to learn that nothing of value remains inside and he feels no ancient Sith power within them.
After surveying the tattered remains of the Sith army, Kopecz storms into Kaan’s tent and demands that he call in the Korriban academy. Kaan is resistant but after a brief and strange seizure of some sort he suddenly changes his mind.
After two weeks of failure in the tombs, Bane is returning to the academy, now convinced that the Brotherhood are the real enemies of the Sith, not the Jedi. None are worthy, expect for Githany.
Qordis is not pleased to learn of Bane’s return, but he knows they cannot afford to have him disobey Kaan’s orders.
Before they leave for Ruusan, Sirak and Githany’s plot of revenge centers on her luring Bane into the archives to an ambush. Sirak will bring back up.
Qordis comes to Bane to tell him he is now in the Brotherhood and gives him a new lightsaber crystal. He tells him of the summons to war, but Bane rebukes him and Qordis stomps out.
After meeting in his room, Githany leads Bane to the archives where Sirak and the others are waiting. Bane turns the table on Sirak and Githany reveals she secretly took Bane’s lightsaber from his room and now hands it over to him! She dispatches the others, while Bane handles Sirak eventually killing him while he begs for mercy. Afterwards, she tells him wants to join Kaan’s army, but Bane scolds her ignorance and walks out.
Bane storms into Qordis’ office and accuses him of sending Sirak after him. The master denies it as many others gather to see what’s going on. Bane insults Qordis and tells them all his name is now Darth Bane and he will not participate in Ruusan. No one tries to stop him as he takes a ship and leaves Korriban and the Brotherhood behind.
On Ruusan, a beaten down General Hoth meets with two of his top Jedi to discuss their situation. One of them, a rather vain Jedi named Farfalla promises to persuade 300 Jedi to take up the cause as many of them have chosen to avoid it up to now because of Hoth’s gruff demeanor. Hoth decides to wage guerilla fighting techniques to buy him the time he needs.
The Korriban reinforcements reach the dilapidated Sith camp. Their arrival, however, rallies the troops. Kopecz is looking for Bane, but Qordis tells him he is no longer with them.
Bane visits Lehon, also known as the Unknown Planet. It was once witness to the Battle of the Star Forge and home to the Rakata, an extinct force sensitive race that enslaved the galaxy. Darths Revan and Malek had discovered their existence. The world was thought to be strong in the Dark Side and was deemed off limits by the Republic. Once he lands, he tames a rancor with the Force and it takes him to an ancient Rakatan temple.
Bane arrives at the temple and at first is discouraged at its lack of information. But in the lower level he comes across an ancient Sith Holocron that contains the teachings of Darth Revan! It reveals to Bane the true awesome power of the Dark Side of the Force.
Githany has a vision of Bane coming to Ruusan to kill the Brotherhood. She takes the information to an increasingly erratic Kaan in hopes of bringing Bane back into the fold. He agrees to go after Bane and visits Kas’im tell him to bring Bane back to the Brotherhood or kill him.
Bane takes in all the knowledge Revan has to off him. The Holocron is fading and Bane rushes to gather its knowledge before it fades. Revan tells Bane to cast aside any notions but power and the pursuit of more power. He also teaches that any Master with more than one Apprentice is doomed to be killed by them. In the end, Bane destroys the empty shell that remains of the crystal.
As Bane contemplates the various Sith lessons, he has a revelation. There shall be only one Master and One Apprentice: The Rule of Two. Kas’im interrupts his meditation and after few words they begin their epic battle. Each gains the upper hand, but when Kas’im splits his double blade into two separate sabers he takes command. Bane makes for the temple exit and unleashes a blast of energy that brings the temple down on the Blademaster killing him.
Bane returns to his ship and sends a message to Kaan that will no doubt lead to further problems for the Sith on Ruusan.
After Hoth’s men are ambushed, Farfalla returns and saves them saying hundreds of Jedi are in orbit, but are being blocked by the Sith fleet. Hoth curses him for taking so long and Farfalla warns him his anger will only lead to the dark side.
Kaan plays Bane’s message to Githany. Bane appears remorseful for Kas’im’s death, and Githany believes he is still weak and agrees to go to him. Kaan doesn’t show her the other part of the message – instructions on creating a thought bomb!
On Ambria, Githany comes to Bane and poisons him with a kiss. He laughs knowing it cannot kill him, but not letting on he knows of her deceit. They discuss the Sith situation and she says that after the war some Sith may defect and Bane agrees to return with her.
Once she leaves, Bane thinks through his plan to have Kaan use the thought bomb and destroy the Sith and the Jedi for him. He is suddenly overcome by the poison and realizes that he misjudged the dose and his body is failing. He stubbles around the area looking for help from a man rumored to live nearby. A father and two boys find his lightsaber and it comes to life and kills them. Bane feasts on their misery and wards off the poison for the time being.
Hoth begins to worry that he has indeed doomed the Jedi to defeat. He has a vision from a fallen friend who helps set him on the right path. In the morning, he makes amends with Farfalla.
With his energy fading, Bane is again overcome. He finds Caleb, a healer, who refuses to help until Bane threatens to kill his young daughter. After an evening, the poison is gone and Bane leaves for Ruusan.
Once there, he lands and finds a recent battlefield. He finds the lone surviving Sith and kills him. The purge is on!
As Kaan and the other dark lords discuss strategy, Bane enters the tent to the surprise of all and challenges Kaan’s strategy. He proposes a ritual to fight the Jedi, when in reality it will be the beginning of the end. Afterwards, Githany comes and declares her loyalty to him.
As Bane begins the ritual, the Jedi can sense something is coming their way. They flee the woods just as an inferno destroys the forest. Kaan breaks the ritual and sends the Sith after them. Githany joins them much to Bane’s dismay. While the others are fighting, Bane heads back to the camp. Qordis comes to him and pledges loyalty, but Bane chastises him and swiftly kills him. He next enters the communications tent and sends orders to the fleet in orbit that is blockading the planet to attack the Jedi fleet. They are surprised at the command, but obey.
The Jedi quickly find themselves in the jaws of death. Kaan takes aim for Hoth, but his ship is suddenly rocked by explosions. The Jedi fleet has broken the blockade and is joining the attack! Shocked, the dark lords are forced to flee leaving their troops to be killed or captured.
Once united on the surface, Farfalla tells Hoth how the battle is won. Farfalla wonders if they have an ally in the Sith camp, but Hoth suspects it is more likely they are turning on each other.
Kaan returns to his tent where Bane tells of his treachery. Kaan pushes at Bane’s mind and believes he has convinced Bane to remain hidden while he takes the Sith into the nearby caves and uses the thought bomb to destroy the Jedi. Bane plays along masterfully.
Hoth looks over the new Jedi camp when Farfalla brings the news that the remaining Sith are heading towards the caves. Hoth knows it is probably a trap but he sends Farfalla to enlist the troops for an attack.
Inside the cave, Kaan’s crazed look has returned and Githany realizes he is indeed a mad man. She decides to make an escape as the ritual begins, but Kaan keeps her close. Kopecz is already on his way out to fight off the Jedi. As the ritual gets intense, Githany fights against it and eventually breaks free and makes a run for it.
Outside the cave, the Sith troopers surrender easily to the Jedi. A gravely wounded Kopecz catches sight of Farfalla who he had known before his turn to the dark side. He tells him of Kaan’s plan in return for a quick and honorable death. The Jedi obliges.
When Hoth arrives with the rest of the army, he is thrilled at the sight of the surrendering troops, but all is forgotten when Farfalla tells him of the thought bomb. He decides to take volunteers in after the Sith while the rest of the Jedi escape to ensure the legacy.
Hoth chooses ninety nine Jedi to accompany him and they head into the cave. They reach the Sith circle with Kaan in the middle. The two men exchange brief words, but before Hoth can reach him, Kaan claps his hands and unleashes the bomb. It vaporizes everyone instantly!
Githany makes her way out of the caves, but she feels the oncoming blast and is disintegrated!
The remaining Jedi escape the blast, but Farfalla sends some back to ensure that no Sith have escaped.
Bane feels the blast as well and senses all the Sith are gone. They will now become the talk of legend. He alone will rebuild them with the rule of two knowing at some point in the future, when the time is right, the galaxy will bow down to a Dark Lord of the Sith. He heads quickly back to his ship.
A young girl named Rain thinks about her recruitment by the Jedi and how it has lead to her being abandoned on this planet during the attack. She is speaking with a local creature when two Jedi come through and kill it thinking they are saving her. She goes into a rage and kills both Jedi with the Force! Moments later, Bane comes upon her and sees the situation and wonders if fate has intervened. He speaks to her and she tells him she knows of the Force, but is willing to have him teach her how to use it.
Comments
Wow, this book was good. I really had no idea what to expect from this, but I couldn’t read it fast enough.
Bane’s journey from Dessel to Dark Lord is a fascinating one that sees him travel various extremes of life and thought. He is a complicated character throughout particularly his during his early training sessions.
His transformation is handled so smartly and even subtly that I was amazed at how well things fit together in the larger scheme of Sith lore. His study of the ancient Sith and Darth Revan literally had me looking ahead to see what revelation he would make next.
The glimpses we see of the Jedi are also intriguing as they are not unlike what the Jedi would faced during the Clone Wars a millennia later at the hands of another Dark Lord.
Don’t miss out on this one.
Major Characters |
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Darth Bane/Dessel
Valenthyne Farfalla Githany Hoth Kaan |
Kas’im
Kopecz Qordis Darth Revan Sirak |
Why Should You Read This Book? |
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| An excellent history lesson on where Darth Sidious got a few ideas. | |
Good Moments |
Bad Moment |
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Revan teaching Bane. |
Nothing comes to mind.
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Previous Novel |
Next Novel |
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Knight Errant
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