“We need the chaos.”
The Mother
Axel is imprisoned and the Battle of Jedha has decimated the peace talks between Eiram and E’ronoh. The Jedi head to Dalna to learn more about The Path of the Open Hand. But The Mother won’t be caught unprepared.
Lydia Kang sets Phase II of The High Republic ablaze with the most action-packed entry yet! And once the action kicks off, it does NOT stop. The characters are all pushed to their limits and every time I thought I knew where the story was going, things twisted and kept me guessing!
Political family drama! Weaponized zealots! Lightsaber theft! Solid dad jokes! Nameless horrors! And a Yaddle in battle!
SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!
Imprisoned in Prison
Axel Greylark is still imprisoned for his crimes. But Gella Nattai thinks he might have some knowledge of the Path of the Open Hand. But will he be willing to share with Gella after everything they’ve been through? Or will he continue to be the black sheep he knows the galaxy thinks of him? And what of his mother, Chancellor Kyong? Will he continue to disappoint her or find a way to undo the shame he has brought the Greylark name?
Trail of Shadows
The Path of the Open Hand has made itself known throughout the galaxy, and with the disintegration of peace talks on Jedha, the Jedi have questions. They decide to head to Dalna to find out more about The Path, The Mother, The Herald, and what part they may be playing in interfering with the Jedi across the galaxy. While The Path seems openly against the Jedi, they also appear to be non-violent.
But something isn’t quite right and someone is targeting the Jedi.
Allegiance
Chancellor Kyong Greylark and Chancellor Orlen Mollo have their work cut out for them. Working with Xiri and Phan-Tu of the twin worlds of Eiram and E’ronoh to end the Forever War that has been affecting so many systems is proving more difficult than anticipated.
And the added complication of Axel being arrested for his crimes only complicates things for Chancellor Kyong.
Is the path to peace impossible? Or just impossibly difficult?
For Light. For Life.
The Jedi search for answers. Each Jedi follows their instincts and all their paths seem to be converging. But will they find the answers they seek? Or only more questions? Gella Nattai thinks Axel holds answers. Creighton Sun and Aida Forte think Dalna is the key. Yaddle and Yoda feel there is something else at play.
Bits and Pieces
Cataclysm shifts into overdrive and doesn’t let up on its characters or the readers. The action is used wonderfully to give the characters moments of growth, choice, and power in a way that is often missed in action-heavy media. Relationships are twisted, tested, and reforged and some of the questions we have had since Phase I start to be answered.
This is a must-read for any High Republic fan who wants to dig deeper into the threat the Path represents for the Jedi and the relationships among the characters we’ve met along the way!
- Sal P.
“Have you heard the one about the charhound that tried to work in a Coruscant bakery? He was fired.”
Orin Darhga
The High Republic: Cataclysm is available now!
The Rogue Rebels 