Just wanted to bump this. I recently read both Bane novels and, while the first is better, both do a better job of charting the fall to the dark side of Bane (first book) and his apprentice (second) than anything Lucas has ever been involved with.
I didn't think Jedi vs. Sith was that great, but the novels were well done.
I'd say worth a read for the Star Wars fans, and I'm not a huge EU fan apart from the first Zahn trilogy.