If you want to read a minor-spoiler review check out:
rj_peter's review
And
Smuggler Jedi's review

This review has major SPOILERS below!





When I heard about the sequel I wondered if it could live up to PoD. When I heard about the rushed time line on Drew's blog, I got even more concerned. I pre-ordered my copy of Rule of Two on amazon and was shocked that it arrived on the 24th! If my family did not spend Christmas with me and my wife I would have had the time to get a jump start on reading. I had to settle for a twenty page tease instead. I read Rule of Two in only a few days, I even snuck in a couple of chapters at work (not like anything happens during the holidays anyway). The book exceeded my expectations, and I am just going come right out say it - this series is on equal ground with Heir to the Empire as the best of the EU (in my opinion) . You just cannot beat great story telling!

Throughout the novel I worried the additional characters would take focus away from Darth Bane. The initial development of the story followed by the 10 year jump worked really well. After the 10 year jump I was excited to find out what happened to Johun and Tomcat. I did not like them in the beginning, but they grew on me quickly once I saw where they ended up after 10 years. I am curious about some of the things that happened during those 10 years. I think Zannah's early training, the Ruusan reformations, and how Bane established his network of resources are all interesting areas to expand. At the same time I support decisions Karpyshyn made because the overall story is so well done, he covered a lot of ground in about 300 pages.

A key part of many Star Wars novels is the relationship between master and apprentice. The nature of the Rule of Two puts a twist on the master - apprentice relationship. The Dark Lord of the Sith, must find a capable successor, one that can surpass the master. Rather than pass the mantle from master to apprentice, the Rule of Two requires the apprentice destroy the master once the apprentice has acquired the master's knowledge and power. The master knowingly chooses an apprentice that can surpass them. The nature of the relationship puts Zannah against Bane at times, despite the admiration she feels for him. Karpyshyn explores the relationship well and shows how both Zannah and Bane use the Rule of Two to serve their own ends. I think that the Rule of Two is central to develop one of the greatest skills in the Sith arsenal, the ability to manipulate people with nothing more than their wits.

The Rule of Two left Karpyshyn with a challenge of his own. He created a great character in Darth Bane, but Zannah must fulfill her master's wish and surpass him, and ultimately destroy him. Likewise Karpyshyn, has to create a character capable of such a feat. In my opinion Zannah has to be a very strong character, one the reader can identify with and one the readers wants to see succeed. Bane is raw - all determination and strength (physically and mentally), he reacts, he destroys, and he is relentless in his pursuit of power. Zannah is smart and more reserved, she knows early on how to deal with Bane and challenges him on occasion. She is smart enough to see weakness in her own actions, but always manages to stay on Bane's good side and on the path to becoming Dark Lord of the Sith. Karpyshyn succeeded, I want to see Zannah fulfill the Rule of Two, at the same time I do not want to see her destroy Bane.

The end fight was remarkable! If only they could redo the fight between Sidious, Windu, and the other Jedi in ROTS to be more like the fight at the end of Rule of Two. I can just see Mace Windu throwing a shield around Sidious with his last dying breathes, the lightning scarring him as just like it fried Bane. Oh well. I hope the series does not end with the next book. It feels like the end is close, Bane lost his crab armor and Zannah has taken a big step towards becoming his successor by sacrificing Tomcat. I want to see Karpyshyn write more EU material, so I am torn between seeing the series continue and seeing it end in the next book.

If they ever decide to make that Darth Plagueis novel I sure hope Karpyshyn writes it.