The book we will be covering for the next two months is Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn.

In case you want check it out, votes and voting results can be found at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/JanFeb09-results

Like last time, the only thing we ask is that you be courteous to others' opinions. Disagree in a respectful manner. But do feel free to disagree.

Tangents are fine. But if they get too far off topic, we will ask you to start a new thread to continue discussing the tangent. But error on the side of saying what you have to say. It could lead to an interesting discussion.

If you are not a member and would like to be, go ahead and jump in on the discussion and consider yourself a member (no obligations: participate as much or as little as you like).

Always feel free to let me, or any of the PooBahs (i.e., book club facilitators), know if you have any questions, comments, grips, and/or concerns.

And be sure to stop by the voting thread to cast you vote for the next book you'd like to see the book club cover: http://tinyurl.com/vote-MarchApril09

Mar 1, 2009 8:39 AM | Report Abuse reply

As with the last two books, here is a link to a the free, complete online text of the book:
http://www.wattpad.com/94242-Star-Wars-Darth-Bane-Path-of-Destruction

You can read it online, download it to your computer, or even have it sent to your cell phone.

Mar 1, 2009 9:09 AM | Report Abuse reply

Third to post!

I've started and it's pretty interesting. I find Des's start similar and dissimilar to another famous Sith--Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader--interesting. Des comes from a harsh world, like Anakin. He lives in near slavery, like Anakin. He would probably never in his own normal life leave the planet, like Anakin. And, like Anakin, a curious change of events gives him passage offworld.
Unlike Anakin (his beginning, not later on when he grew up), I think Des had far more anger and resentment. He didn't have the loving parent(s) Anakin did. He had no friends.
Okay, so that's my two cents. Stay tuned to see who I decide is a Mary Sue in this book! ((Just joking!))
C

Mar 1, 2009 10:21 AM | Report Abuse reply

*jumps up and down in anticipation of the next Mary Sue or Stu*

Technically, your the second to post, but your post is the third overall post.

As for the similarities between Ani and Des...*****BEWARE SPOILERS*****



...There are more. And it seemed pretty intentional to me. ***MAJOR SUPER SPOILERS****


They are both "Chosen One's", with similar prophesies. Bane is like the Anti-Vader in a Way: Vader killed all the Jedi and Bane killed all the Sith. (Well, they both didn't kill them ALL, but you get what I mean.)

Mar 1, 2009 5:26 PM | Report Abuse reply

I know where I was when I started reading this book the first time. I was waiting in line at a Def Leppard/Journey concert. The concert rocked, but I did get asked about the book. I think I read four chapters while in line. I loved the sabaac (sp) part...

Mar 1, 2009 5:47 PM | Report Abuse reply

Im on Chapter 7 and I have to admit, im hooked! That sabaac game scene was awesome, it's what hooked me actually! The whole beginning was expected (Des not knowing he has powers and stumbling onto them by accident) but I did not anticipate the way Des got into the Sith! That whole vibro-blade scene caught me off guard because it was so bloody and quick! The gurgling part was the cherry on the cake, LOL! That ensign got it bad!

Mar 2, 2009 11:52 AM | Report Abuse reply

What I think is so cool/weird is how the Sith's existence is so ho-hum. In the prequel era and the classic trilogy eras, the Sith are so eschewed/forbidden/hush-hush that to see a large scale war between Jedi and Sith is cool. I can't wait to see how Bane hushes up the existence of the Sith to what we see in the movies!
C

Mar 2, 2009 12:45 PM | Report Abuse reply

I have to admit the death of the ensign gave me the shudders. Brrr...talk about frightening. But I really liked Groshik...for a Nemoidian. He wasnlt actually that bad a character, dear old Groshik.

Mar 2, 2009 1:30 PM | Report Abuse reply

This series is actually my favorite and for the book club i am forced to read it for fourth time( oh the pain). But yes Des is certainly a greta character.

Mar 2, 2009 2:29 PM | Report Abuse reply

That's what makes this book (and thus series) so different than the other Star Wars books (I'm not counting comic books here) because it takes place 1000 years before ANH. It happens at a different time period in the Star Wars universe. I love that. Yeah, comics have delved into this time period, but never a book.

That whole sabaac scene hooked me, too. After that, I had to force myself to stop reading (well, the concert started, and then I had to drive home--can't read and drive) just so I could sleep. It only took me three days to read it the first time. This time, I'm taking my time and I can already see I'm behind.

I gotta go and read some more....

Mar 2, 2009 2:44 PM | Report Abuse reply

LOL @ Aphrodite's last comment! I could imagine you getting a ticket for reading and driving!

I just read this line and thought it was such a great diss on the Jedi, I had to post it!

"But he is also older. We prefer to find our students when they are younger and more ... malleable. Now you sound like a Jedi," Kopecz sneered. "They seek younger and younger pupils, hoping to find them pure and innocent. In time they will refuse any who are not infants."

I love the way Karpyshyn did that!

Mar 2, 2009 4:40 PM | Report Abuse reply

that is a great quote. Maybe we should all pick our favorite line out of the book so far and discuss them.

Mar 2, 2009 6:43 PM | Report Abuse reply

In some ways, that line of thought was the demise of the Jedi. Keeping their trainees from their parents chased away Xanatos, Dooku, and even Anakin Skywalker. Others, like Nejaa Halcyon, ignored the rules regardless.
I second Quslaar's motion!

Mar 2, 2009 7:12 PM | Report Abuse reply

I agree with Quslaar as well!

Mar 3, 2009 9:48 AM | Report Abuse reply

Nejaa Halcyon didn't so much ignore that as he came from a DIFFERENT tradition...remember the stuff about Jedi who were specifically CORELLIAN from the novel "I, Jedi"?

In theroy I agree with Quslaar, but in pratice I disagree. Why? Because in my case there are so many quotes that I like that I find it impossible for me to pick just *ONE* quote.

Mar 3, 2009 2:15 PM | Report Abuse reply

Ah, true, but he did defy the Jedi Mandate explicitly--well, that is if you actually believe "Jedi Trial" is canon. (Sarcastic humor, sorry, I hated that book with a passion)
C

Mar 3, 2009 4:51 PM | Report Abuse reply

That wasn't the only book that talked about Corellian Jedi tradition. I believe that the X-Wing series also talked about it as well.

Mar 3, 2009 5:08 PM | Report Abuse reply

First off, thanks to Stymie for posting the online link to this book. :)

Second, I've only been reading for a few hours and am already at Chapter 23. I can't believe how fast I'm reading this.

Okay, now for my comments. I agree with DB and Aphrodite on the sabaac scene. The amount of details really sucked me into the scene and most definitely hooked me on this book. The scene outside the cantina at night with the vibroblade was als quite good, and I think that it was quite interesting how Bane ultimately ended up with the Sith. Overall, from what I've read, this book has been quite enjoyable and definitely provides, at least for me, an interesting perspective on the ways of the Sith (I usually tend to favor the Jedi perspective). This book is awesome and I'm definitely going to read the next one, even if that's not the next book the book club covers.

Oh, and I totally agree with Cassus on the point of wanting to see how Bane develops his Rule of Two that makes the Sith how we know them in the movies.

Mar 3, 2009 5:27 PM | Report Abuse reply

I just have to finish Jedi Search and Ill jump right in. I already have my copy sitting on my desk

Mar 4, 2009 7:55 AM | Report Abuse reply

Well, I've finished the book, and I must say, I really enjoyed reading it. The way the book was written really helped me to see Bane's feelings and point of view and I found myself feeling a little sorry for Bane and siding with him throughout the story, which is something I didn't think I could do (being a Jedi fan and all). It left me wanting more and I can't wait to read the next one.

Mar 4, 2009 9:12 AM | Report Abuse reply