Ok, I know I've been rating most of the books I've read with 5 stars, but I really liked this book! This story continues the path of Darth Bane, and his desire to destroy the Jedi. In the 2nd installment of Bane's story, you get to learn much more about his apprentice, and her "special" abilities, as a Sith Sorcerer. This was my first look at what the Sith Sorcerer is and does. Bane continues to amaze in this story, bringing more of his great plan into fruition. Prior to reading this, and the previous "Path of Destruction", I was always under the impression that Bane was just a bad-ass that would whoop anyone who crossed him. I was only "slightly" wrong. He is not the greatest dueler, or even the most powerful dark side user, but he is the most intelligent and thorough I've seen, and he uses everything, and that is not an exaggeration, to his advantage. His understanding of the Dark Side and what it stands for really helps you appreciate what he has had to do. His apprentice also surprised me, she is much more deserving of his teachings than I had originally thought. She does not disappoint, her cunning and foresight allow her to prove that she truly is a Sith, even if you have doubts at times.