This is the final installment in Drew Karpyshyn’s fun and sometimes surprisingly dark Darth Bane trilogy. I’ve reviewed the first two books in the series, as well, so if this sounds interesting you may want to go back and check those out. Since it’s the end of the trilogy this review will have to be the most vague. I won’t include spoilers not included on the back cover or on the cover art! 
I’m only a casual fan of Star Wars, but even I am vaguely aware of the Sith’s Rule of Two. It’s funny that followers of the Dark Side have strict rules, but that’s neither here nor there.
The Rule says there can only be two Sith at a time – the Dark Lord and an apprentice. The Dark Lord is the strongest user of the Dark Side of the Force, and the carrier of all Sith knowledge and plans. The apprentice learns from the Dark Lord and eventually attempts to usurp the Dark Lord. What a wild tension – they rely on one another for the good of the whole and also are destined to fight to the death.
This system ensures that only the most powerful Sith are on top. Perhaps more importantly, it also keeps coalitions of Sith from banding together to take down their leader, thereby weakening the organization as a whole. It’s an intriguing check on the pure ambition and lust for power characterizing the Dark Side. The system was created by Darth Bane to strengthen the Sith. As you can tell by the cover, he’s the Dark Lord and is now at odds with his younger apprentice.
I had a blast reading the trilogy. At times the writing felt a little…commercial? Paint by the numbers (I lost count of how many people dodge a blaster bolt or light saber by a centimeter)? However, Karpyshyn creates fun characters and ideas, and I would recommend the series for even casual Star Wars fans.