Amidst the turmoil and ongoing war with the Old Republic and the Jedi, an angry, lone miner on the planet Apatros named Dessel finds his destiny. Son to an abusive father, trapped in never-ending debt to a faceless corporation, Des has become hard, mean and vicious to survive in the Outer Rim. Although he has always had precognitive senses, a violent turn of events with a Republic ensign puts him on the run.

Des joins the legions of the Sith army, working his way to sergeant, when his true power with the Force is discovered. At the Academy on Korriban he learns the ways of the Sith, renouncing his past life and taking the name Bane. But buried in the ancient tomes of the planet's library, Bane learns that those who teach him have lost their way. He takes it upon himself to bring true Sith Darkness back to the universe.

Star Wars: Darth Bane: Path of Destruction is very different from most of the Star Wars Expanded Universe fiction. Told entirely from a Sith perspective it brings the Dark Side users into much greater focus than any other tale. While the Sith are inherently evil, it's interesting that, as Obi-Wan once said, when seem from a "certain point of view," perspectives and allegiances can be radically altered. With all the frustration and hardship Bane endures, the reader literally cheers as he makes his leaps with the Dark Side of the Force.

The novel is an historic tale, presenting an older version of the Jedi who are much more fallible than those of the modern era. It's interesting to see so many different types of Sith Lords (a surprising number of which are Twi'leks), some working together, like Bane's mentor Blademaster Kas'im. But they all have ulterior motives, scheming to increase their own power at any expenses.

The cast of characters is unique as well, from turncoat Jedi Giffany, who thinks she may become Bane's initial apprentice, to Army of Light General Hoth who has been fighting a war for so long, it's difficult to distinguish him from those he fights. The book also features the history and meaning of the Darth title.

Adding a new twist to the Expanded Universe, Darth Bane: Path of Destruction is a interesting, psychological read. It shows than even the wielders of the Dark Side have more layers to them than the casual observer might imagine and fills in the much questioned mystery of why there really should only be two Sith.