Star Wars Legends Fan Group discussion

April 2022 Legends Group Read

Rule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn (Star Wars: Darth Bane #2)



The Group read starts on April 1st.

- First published in December 2007
- Set 1000 BBY– 990 BBY (era of the Old Republic)

"As the last surviving Sith, Darth Bane promulgated a harsh new directive: the Rule of Two.

Two there should be; no more, no less.
One to embody the power, the other to crave it.

Now Darth Bane is ready to put his policy into action, and he thinks he has found the key element that will make his triumph complete: a student to train in the ways of the dark side. Though she is young, Zannah possesses an instinctive link to the dark side that rivals his own. With his guidance, she will become essential in his quest to destroy the Jedi and dominate the galaxy.

But there is one who is determined to stop Darth Bane: Johun Othone, Padawan to Jedi Master Lord Hoth, who died at Banes hands in the last great Sith War. Though the rest of the Jedi scoff at him, Joshuas belief that there are surviving Sith on the loose is unshakeable.

As Johun continues his dogged pursuit of the man who killed his master, Zannah, faced unexpectedly with a figure from her past, begins to question her embrace of the dark side. And Darth Bane is led by Force-induced visions to a moon where he will acquire astonishing new knowledge and power, power that will alter him in ways he could never have imagined. . . ."

Rule of two won the poll but only by one vote. The Truce at Bakura was a close second with 16 votes. I guess that with such a result we need to give the book a second chance later this year.

Zuzana wrote: "Rule of two won the poll but only by one vote. The Truce at Bakura was a close second with 16 votes. I guess that with such a result we need to give the book a second chance later thi..."

Agreed about Truce at Bakura.

I read this ahead of time. I want to see what the group thinks before I share my comments. Can't wait to see what you guys think.

Dan, only thing I'd like to know for now: Did you like it better than Path of Destruction?

Zuzana wrote: "Don, only thing I'd like to know for now: Did you like it better than Path of Destruction?"

Simple answer: no, I don't like Rule of Two better.

A little more: they are the same in quality of writing, tone, and extent of story development. Each has elements I like and elements I dislike. Path of Destruction edges slightly past Rule of Two because of some 'creative' decisions in the latter. I know Karpyshyn's Rule of Two effort was a rush job, so I think we can forgive some of the book's shortcomings.

Dang it, I'm sorry to hear that. I read your review of Queen's Shadow and now this. Seems like a bad streak.

Zuzana wrote: "Dang it, I'm sorry to hear that."

Oh, it's not that bad. I am rereading Rule of Two because I blew through it fast on my first read in February. I am going slow this iteration and taking more notes. There is a lot of potential in the Darth Bane series. They could have gone another one hundred pages to tell a more deep and thorough story.

I have an irrational expectation of Star Wars books. I need to remember they are written for mass production, not to be master pieces. I do not want my unreasonable expectations to color anyone else's enjoyment. The last two years may sadly be showing me that Star Wars writing is just not for me. We'll never have a George Martin or Nora Roberts, and that is okay.

That's why I keep my expectations when it comes to SW reading quite low. I don't expect any brilliancy of style or literary excellence.
SW EU is like junk food to me - can be satisfying, tasty & enjoyable but it's also of dubious quality and unhealthy in large quantities.
For Star Wars I'm happy with action-packed fun, interesting/realistic characters and character-development, and/or immersive and imaginative world-building. If I get one or more of those I'm quite satisfied.
When I want more I turn to other genres of fiction.

I finished my second read of this book today. Anyone else making progress? There's a lot to talk about in this book: lots of good things and lots of bad things. I've posted over a hundred notes made on my second read.

I have an audiobook. Ready to start listening next weekend. Have to finish another group read in the meantime.

EDIT: There won't be any canon group read this month to distract me. Next month we're back to two books: Shadows of the Empire and Brotherhood.