Star Wars: Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
After her attempt to strike at the heart of Coruscant with a deadly virus, the sinister Ysanne Isard sets her sights on destabilizing the New Republic by seizing its medicinal bacta production. Under the guise of a mere power struggle between corporations on the planet Thyferra, the Imperial mastermind has taken control of one of the galaxy’s most precious resources.
The heroes of Rogue Squadron are desperate to liberate the planet, and free prisoners trapped by Isard, only to find their plans foiled by the politics of the New Republic, which is set on assigning the squadron elsewhere. With timing and resources running short, Wedge Antilles, Corran Horn, and the other rogues have no choice but to resign from the New Republic.
The team must now go truly rogue to chip away at Isard’s power, defeat her powerful complement of Star Destroyers, and free Thyferra from her iron rule. But when she discovers the Squadron’s secret base, its pilots must scramble for survival in a winner-take-all battle against Isard’s overwhelming and seemingly superior force.
Author: Michael Stackpole
Cover artist: Doaly
Publisher: Del Rey
Release date: November 1, 2022
Pages: 349
ISBN: 9780593498927
What’s it’s about?
The New Republic is still crippled by the Krytos virus that plagues it’s citizens. Ysanne Isard is now in full control of the the only cure, Bacta, after making her escape on the Lusankya, a Super Star Destroyer that was hidden within the bowels of Coruscant. Wedge Antilles, Corran Horn and the rest of Rogue Squadron have gone truly rogue, resigning their posts to devote all their attention and resources to bringing Isard down and restoring balance to the galaxy.
Should I read this book?
I assume that if you’re reading this review you’re either interested in the series as a whole or you’ve already read the first three and want to see if this lives up to it’s predecessors. If it’s the former then the answer is no. Go and pick up a copy of Rogue Squadron (and more importantly Wedge’s Gamble) immediately because this series is fantastic. If it’s the latter then I imagine you’re hooked already but I will say, to put your fears at ease, that this is a great conclusion to the original Rogue Squadron series. It may be as relentlessly driven as Wedge’s Gamble and The Krytos Trap but what it lacks in pace it more than makes up for in it’s characters.
What did you like?
What did you not like?
These don’t really detract too much from an otherwise fantastic conclusion to a rollercoaster of a story.
What’s next?
This marks the end of Stackpoles X-Wing run but fear not! Aaron Allston took over the mantle with the beloved Wraith Squadron series which carries on the spirit and themes presented here. Corran Horn can also be seen in the classic I, Jedi.
Anything else to add?
Next up in the Essential Legends Collection we take a brief sojourn into the Old Republic with Revan and Deceived. Keep your eyes peeled for those reviews!
