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probably_bob's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The added POVs were well done and helped add some tension and context to the scenes in this book. It’s cool to see some lore about other arts of the dark side, but I wish these with strongholds were a little more exciting to explore.
plasm4_4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
vikichann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I took a day to gather my thoughts to write this review. I'm going to start off by saying that I absolutely love this story. In the first book the story revolved around Bane, how he enters the dark side and how he destroys the Brotherhood from the 'rule of two' perspective. The second book does tell the story from different perspectives but we mainly read about Zannah. I like the entanglement with her cousin Darrovit and the continuing appearance of the Jedi Master Farfalla and Johun. As a reader I enjoyed each of the pieces connecting in the end as they all join in a battle where the Jedi lose and the Sith escape. This shows the cunning ways of the Sith as they slither their way out of situations.
What I found rather annoying is the naivety of the Jedi. I can understand that they will question the validity of a captive's statement but to completely rule it out is so stupid. Especially when it comes to the dark side which they consider a huge enemy/danger. This narrow mindset comes back at the end of the story when they arrive at the camp in Ambria, see mad-driven Darrovit and assume he is the Sith from the message that they received. They assume the message was from Caleb the healer but the message spoke was written in third person so it already seems weird. Not to mention, shouldn't they be able to feel how weak Darrovit is with the force especially since Zannah is focusing on hiding? The Jedi do not investigate nearly enough before making conclusions.
Another aspect I found interesting are the use of Orbalisks. Maybe It is very Sith of me but the Orbalisks made Bane survive situations he otherwise wouldn't have which makes him weak in my opinion. I can understand it as adapting to the situation but in combat with the Jedi and at the end when he is dying I was questioning how strong he exactly is. Isn't it a sign of weakness to use an alien creature as a catalyst for your dark force energy? It's just me being sceptical. The fact that Zannah in the end does choose to keep him alive says a few things. She does not see him as weak, because the weak deserve to die. Bane still has purpose to her, this she literally said when she claimed he still had much to teach her. She did waver. It was not clear to me if she actually considered turning away from the Dark side or if she only wanted Bane to stay alive. Darrovit did sense a goodness in Zannah but in the end this got him killed so is it save to assume she is consumed by the dark side?
I do want to say that it would be nice to get more deep with the character's so it will have a greater impact when they are in a fight. For Bane and Zannah the story really makes you feel the stakes when they are in combat whereas the Jedi that died, I could care less about so to say. I did not feel much empathy towards them so I missed those intimitate moments on their side.
All and all great story, can't wait to open the third and last of this trilogy!
What I found rather annoying is the naivety of the Jedi. I can understand that they will question the validity of a captive's statement but to completely rule it out is so stupid. Especially when it comes to the dark side which they consider a huge enemy/danger. This narrow mindset comes back at the end of the story when they arrive at the camp in Ambria, see mad-driven Darrovit and assume he is the Sith from the message that they received. They assume the message was from Caleb the healer but the message spoke was written in third person so it already seems weird. Not to mention, shouldn't they be able to feel how weak Darrovit is with the force especially since Zannah is focusing on hiding? The Jedi do not investigate nearly enough before making conclusions.
Another aspect I found interesting are the use of Orbalisks. Maybe It is very Sith of me but the Orbalisks made Bane survive situations he otherwise wouldn't have which makes him weak in my opinion. I can understand it as adapting to the situation but in combat with the Jedi and at the end when he is dying I was questioning how strong he exactly is. Isn't it a sign of weakness to use an alien creature as a catalyst for your dark force energy? It's just me being sceptical. The fact that Zannah in the end does choose to keep him alive says a few things. She does not see him as weak, because the weak deserve to die. Bane still has purpose to her, this she literally said when she claimed he still had much to teach her. She did waver. It was not clear to me if she actually considered turning away from the Dark side or if she only wanted Bane to stay alive. Darrovit did sense a goodness in Zannah but in the end this got him killed so is it save to assume she is consumed by the dark side?
I do want to say that it would be nice to get more deep with the character's so it will have a greater impact when they are in a fight. For Bane and Zannah the story really makes you feel the stakes when they are in combat whereas the Jedi that died, I could care less about so to say. I did not feel much empathy towards them so I missed those intimitate moments on their side.
All and all great story, can't wait to open the third and last of this trilogy!
brim010's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
josiah17's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A smidge better than the first book perhaps? Still collecting my thoughts. Ultimately it's more of the same from the first book. Predictable, although less so with the ending which was actually pretty decent. The side characters are a little better here, probably because they receive some more POV's dedicated to introducing them and trying to flesh them out enough for their role in the narrative. But even then, this series still has almost no nuance to it. Character motivations are expressed so one-dimensionsal to me and Karpyshyn's writing once again feels very readable, but superficial.
Darth Zannah is a decent character I think, and she takes more of the spotlight here as Bane shapes her into his apprentice. But I thought she turned to the dark side wayyyyyy too easily regardless of being a child. It felt like her naivety was turned up several notches.
I do admit I was glad to visit Tython for a little bit, and there was a pretty solid battle that takes place there. I also appreciated more of the exploration with Sith Holocrons as Bane tries to learn how to create one himself and ensure the Sith are preserved for generations.
Altogether, this book is just fine I think. I still really wish this series was better written and had some more depth to it. It's unfortunate, but whatever.
Darth Zannah is a decent character I think, and she takes more of the spotlight here as Bane shapes her into his apprentice. But I thought she turned to the dark side wayyyyyy too easily regardless of being a child. It felt like her naivety was turned up several notches.
I do admit I was glad to visit Tython for a little bit, and there was a pretty solid battle that takes place there. I also appreciated more of the exploration with Sith Holocrons as Bane tries to learn how to create one himself and ensure the Sith are preserved for generations.
Altogether, this book is just fine I think. I still really wish this series was better written and had some more depth to it. It's unfortunate, but whatever.
lonestar91's review
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It is clear to see how this story has had such longevity. The tonality and voice is reminiscent of some of the most prominent voices in sci-fi mid 20th century. But with the same stark imagery and vivid description, baffling to some extent, comes the same patronizing traits that came with what we now see being the echoes of toxic masculinity. Strange, of course, as this is a female author who chose to make our nameless female the objectified in her story. And yet, this only adds to its allure.
What is so striking and lasting about this novel is that it is a commentary of fixation, obsession. it is using the tool that was used against women of the time to highlight the contrast of how people and characters were handled. It is not only the world that is hard, decaying, and murky, but each of the characters is awash in grey-- traumatized, effected by their own hubris and surrender.
Also as astounding is the foresight Kavan had in what we now see as a rise in climate fiction. Not only in impending possible doom of a planet, but her commentaries and assumption of how the world governments and different populations would respond --how much goes ignored because people don't like to look at hopeless things-- is absolutely eerie.
While I can't say I adored this, I certainly see the craft within.
What is so striking and lasting about this novel is that it is a commentary of fixation, obsession. it is using the tool that was used against women of the time to highlight the contrast of how people and characters were handled. It is not only the world that is hard, decaying, and murky, but each of the characters is awash in grey-- traumatized, effected by their own hubris and surrender.
Also as astounding is the foresight Kavan had in what we now see as a rise in climate fiction. Not only in impending possible doom of a planet, but her commentaries and assumption of how the world governments and different populations would respond --how much goes ignored because people don't like to look at hopeless things-- is absolutely eerie.
While I can't say I adored this, I certainly see the craft within.
cjcardosa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
guywantread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
luckylikesreading's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0