Path of Destruction (Star Wars: Darth Bane, #1) in The Expanded Universe

Feb 24, 2023 Scott Rhee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: star-wars, old-canon-legends, the-old-republic

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 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 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. ...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviews, own-physical, favorites

One of the best books out there. I read all these things about people hating this book and it makes no sense to me. The storyline is great, the characters are amazing, and the writing is fantastic. Darth Bane himself is so complicated and complex I don't know how someone would hate him.

I've heard people say that it's unrealistic(which is a given anyway, since it's sci-fi) in the fact that an unimportant miner could turn into someone as great and feared as Darth Bane. If they paid any attention a One of the best books out there. I read all these things about people hating this book and it makes no sense to me. The storyline is great, the characters are amazing, and the writing is fantastic. Darth Bane himself is so complicated and complex I don't know how someone would hate him.

I've heard people say that it's unrealistic(which is a given anyway, since it's sci-fi) in the fact that an unimportant miner could turn into someone as great and feared as Darth Bane. If they paid any attention at all to the books, they should be able to figure this out. It's not like he's normal one day and then SNAP, he's a dark Lord the other.

**SPOILERS BELOW**

Dessel worked in a mine where he grew not only to hate his father but also in physical form- it's stated a few times that he has a lot of muscle because of his life in the mines. The hatred of his father is what led him on the path of darkness, combined with his physical strength and uncanny ability to access the dark side so much without any training.

After he flees from his home planet and joins the fight against the Republic, he still holds most of his morals- he's willing to give his life to save his fellow soldiers, which he proves when he mutineers against his commanding officer. It's only after this that he realizes only he can look after himself and throws away all his past morals. Now he's only going to look after himself and no one else.

Which is when Des, the measly cortosis miner, becomes Bane. Not Darth Bane, not yet. I think most people overlook this. I've heard so many people saying that he just up and throws away all the Sith teachings, is automatically smarter than all the other Sith combines. This isn't true! For a while he goes along with it. It's only when he realizes later how wrong they are that he starts to slowly form his own theories, his own ideas. Only after he's had about three Sith tutors does he become powerful enough to destroy the Sith. Also, you need to realize this is someone with a much more powerful connection to the Force than most. It's stated several times that he's more connected than others.

So, in conclusion, I just wanna say that this is one freakin awesome book. Darth Bane is a freakin beast. ...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Pickle rated it it was ok

Shelves: star-wars, library-books

Maybe this isnt my favourite SW era and this could be the reason for the lack of enjoyment from this.

Good: it was very easy to read, darth bane was reasonably interesting in places
Bad: felt like the typical coming of age melodrama and was rather boring. Didnt feel like a SW story.

I wont be reading any more from this author or from this era in the SW universe.

2/5 :(

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Feb 22, 2011 William rated it it was amazing

Shelves: star-wars, hardcover, canadian-content

Drew Karpyshyn has penned what must be considered a modern day Sith Holocron. Really, this well written book kept me up late into the night. Bane emerges as, and perhaps Vader would disagree, the most powerful Sith of all time. Karpyshyn vividly describes Bane's transformation from Dessel the miner to the mighty Sith Lord, Darth Bane. All the while, Karpyshyn delves deep into (and creates) Sith history and allows us (and Bane) to explore the immense vault of "dark side" knowledge so rarely talke ...more

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