Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil-Drew Karpyshyn

Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil
Drew Karpyshyn
Del Rey, Dec 8 2009, $27.00
ISBN: 9780345511560

The Jedi Order believes the Sith are gone, but whenever they hear of the discovery one of their artifacts they quickly confiscate them. However the truth is that two Sith survived, Darth Bane and his apprentice Zannah. The loyal acolyte must kill her Master in order to become the next Sith Lord with her own apprentice. Bane concludes Zannah is not worthy to one day succeed him because she has failed to challenge him; the key step to becoming the Sith Lord.

His body is failing from years of using the Dark Side of the Force, but takes heart in learning of a dead Sith Lord Darth Andeddu who transferred his essence into another body living for centuries. Bane sends Zannah to Doan where a Jedi was assassinated looking for Sith artifacts while he goes to Prakith to find the information so that he too can transfer his essence into another body. Zannah meets and defeats dark Jedi Set Herth making him her apprentice. They learn that Princess Serra of Doan kidnapped Bane with plans to torture him for what he did to her and her father over twenty years ago. However, Bane’s abduction forces Zannah to mount a rescue because she must kill him as she is ready to do now to become Dark Lord of the Sith.

The third Darth Bane Old Republic saga continues the escapades of those who traverse the dark side of the Force. There are several subplots that move forward the overarching theme from the previous books in this arc, Path of Destruction and Rule of Two; especially the latter. The cast driven of strong personalities embrace the dark side for differing motives. Darth Bane has no redeeming qualities while ambitious Zannah waits for the right moment to strike against her mentor. Set is ironically a dark version of Solo while Serra lives for one thing: vengeance. Drew Karpyshyn provides a fascinating look at the dark side during the Old Republic era.

Harriet Klausner