Rule of Two (Star Wars: Darth Bane Book 2) Review

Genre: Science Fiction Space Opera | Author: Drew Karpyshyn | Release Date: 2006

It is the second installment of the Darth Bane series. Follows Darth Bane as he establishes the Sith rule that only two—one master and one apprentice—can exist at a time. Bane trains his apprentice, Zannah, in the dark side while they hide from the Jedi who remain unaware of the growing Sith threat

Story:

Darth Bane: Rule of Two is a highly entertaining dive into the dark and complex world of the Sith. The story continues the journey of Darth Bane, who has solidified his position as the sole Sith Lord after the destruction of the Brotherhood of Darkness. Alongside his new apprentice, Darth Zannah, Bane begins to implement the Rule of Two—a philosophy that ensures only two Sith exist at any time, one master and one apprentice. This sets the stage for a deeply immersive exploration of the Dark Side.

The novel successfully balances fast-paced action with introspective moments, humanizing the Sith without losing their menacing nature. Zannah’s internal struggle between her loyalty to Bane and her growing desire for power is a gripping subplot. Another key subplot follows Johun Othone, a Jedi Knight determined to hunt down Bane after the Jedi believe the Sith to be extinct. His pursuit adds tension and moral conflict to the story.

The world-building is rich, and the narrative weaves multiple plotlines together without confusion. The climax delivers a satisfying resolution, laying the groundwork for further development while providing a great conclusion to Bane’s continued legacy of darkness.

The story delivers compelling characters, with Darth Bane standing out as an imposing and well-developed figure. Bane is a character with presence—he's intelligent, driven, and has a clear sense of purpose. However, while he's a strong protagonist, I still find characters like Darth Vader, Palpatine, Maul, and Malgus to be more iconic. One thing that caught my eye was the cover art, where Bane resembles Quan Chi from Mortal Kombat.

Bane’s struggles with the parasitic orbalisks added an interesting layer to his story, though I wish their development had been explored further. The novel shifts its focus to his apprentice, Darth Zannah, who proves to be a standout in her own right. Zannah is ruthless, cunning, and skilled in the dark arts of Sith sorcery, which adds an intriguing new dimension to the Force. Her loyalty to Bane and her complex relationship with him provide much of the novel’s depth.

On the Jedi side, Johun Othone is an interesting character. For some reason, I kept picturing him as Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. His subplot is engaging, and I would have liked to see even more of him. The supporting cast adds diversity to the narrative, each bringing a unique perspective to the larger conflict. Even the orbalisks contribute meaningfully to the plot, enhancing both Bane's struggle and the overall story.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Production:

Drew Karpyshyn delivers an impressive continuation of the Darth Bane series with Rule of Two. His storytelling effectively contrasts the ideologies of the Sith and Jedi, offering sharp insights into the darker side of the Force. The action sequences are well-presented, with a fast-paced narrative that keeps the reader engaged throughout. Karpyshyn excels in creating vivid, descriptive scenes and strong character interactions, making the relationships between the characters compelling. However, the novel doesn't shy away from graphic violence and gore, which can feel overwhelming at times.

While flashbacks are utilized, they’re handled effectively and add depth to the story without feeling out of place. Karpyshyn’s writing is of high quality, though the time jump in the plot feels like a missed opportunity for more in-depth storytelling. It serves its purpose but can come across as a shortcut, leaving certain developments feeling underexplored. Despite this, Rule of Two succeeds in delivering a solid follow-up with rich characterization and a gripping portrayal of the Sith's ruthless philosophy.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Verdict:

In the end, Rule of Two (Star Wars: Darth Bane Book 2) is one of my favorite Star Wars books. It takes an obscure character and fleshes him out and his influence on the entire Star Wars mythos. I'm a huge fan of the Jedi but I appreciated a story that focused on the Sith and their ideology. There's so much to like about the book including the authors' writing and direction, the story was good, the characters are well-written and engaging, and the established Rule of Two was solidly established. Rule of Two (Star Wars: Darth Bane Book 2) gets 5 out of 5.