| Title | : | Path of Vengeance (Star Wars: The High Republic) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1368082882 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781368082884 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 517 |
| Publication | : | First published May 2, 2023 |
Marda and Yana belong to the Path of the Open Hand, a group led by a charismatic woman called the Mother, which believes the Force must not be used by anyone. While Marda joins a perilous expedition to Planet X in search of more mysterious creatures to use against the Jedi, Yana finds herself forming an unexpected alliance with the father of her dead lover in attempt to wrest the Path from the Mother’s control. These two young women will face a crossroads, forced to choose not only their own fates, but that of the galaxy itself.
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Cover art by Corey Brickley
Path of Vengeance (Star Wars: The High Republic) Reviews
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This is quite the final book for Phase 2 of the High Republic (technically there is another book coming out later this year, but as of now this wraps up Phase 2 and launches into Phase 3).
This book is momentous because of how long it is. Not only is it the longest High Republic YA book in terms of page count, but it also has the smallest font size of the books, really emphasizing the length. Because of the font change, I do believe this also marks the longest YA novel in all of Star Wars, surpassing “Lost Stars”.
This book certainly covers a lot of ground. We follow the characters Yana Ro and Marda Ro as they leave Jedha and prepare for the final showdown with the Jedi on Dalna. We’ve already gotten the Jedi perspective of what happens in “Cataclysm”, but here we get the villains perspective. I quite enjoyed seeing how Marda and Yana developed opposite viewpoints as the book progressed, and we see how they change over time. If you enjoyed reading about them in “Path of Deceit”, you will really enjoy this book.
We also get some Jedi in the book, Mattie and Oliviah. These Jedi characters are fine, but don’t stand out in the greater High Republic storyline. Probably the biggest problem in Phase 2 is that the Jedi aren’t necessarily as memorable as the Jedi in Phase 1.
In many ways, this book pays off storylines from the adult, YA, and even the Middle Grade storylines. It truly is a finale book. However, “Cataclysm” was an “Event” book and felt bigger and grander. This story pays off quite a lot, but because it is so focused on the villain characters and the perspectives are much narrower, it doesn’t feel as “eventful”. I prefer the style of the adult books, but I must say Cavan Scott does a good job with YA. It overall didn’t feel cheesy, and with a few exceptions I did enjoy the way he handled teen characters and romance.
Much like “Path of Deceit”, this book does an excellent job of examining how cults work. The Path of the Open Hand says some nice stuff, but when you see the things the Mother does in this book, its quite horrific. The way the members of the Path all accept what the Mother says blindly and how they all follow her lead was really well handled.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable book. I certainly like this book and “Path of Deceit” way more than I like the YA books of Phase 1. However, I don’t believe the story will stick with me the way other types of SW books will. It will not be a favorite, and these characters are well written, but not that impactful to me. I’ll give the book an 8 out of 10! Well done Cavan Scott! -
3.75 stars.
“And we all get scared from time to time. Guardians, daring-but-handsome thieves, even overtalking Padawans. The question is how we deal with it. Do we run and hide, or do we face our fear and damn the consequences?”
Path of Vengeance is the last book in Phase Two, Wave Two of The High Republic Chronicles and quite the perfect way to close this era of the series with a bang and a very twisted, eerie, and dark atmosphere, appropriate for the things we know will come.
While it is not as action-packed as its counterpart, Cataclysm, it was nothing short of an entertaining and fascinating conclusion that checked all the expectations that had been set up and tied into Phase One quite well.
Filling in the blanks to the events from Cataclysm and closing the story of The Path of the Open Hand, Cavan Scott delivers the closing notes to this period in a very befitting turn of events.“The past was gone, the future was empty, and the present was only pain.”
Tying everything together in this last installment was really fun, especially including the characters from the comic series to the rooster, and quite prominently at that.
Vildar and Tey will forever be some of my new favorite characters, especially Tey, and expending any extra amount of time with their banter and sassiness, even if it is two different brands of it, was exactly what I needed to make this book the perfect ending. Exploring more of Oliviah's character was nice but the definite highlight was having Matty here.
Through the comic series I fell in love with Matty's character and giving her more time to shine, alone and undisturbed, here just cemented that idea in my head. She is quite possibly one of the coolest characters from this rooster based solely on her tremendous courage and temerity.
It is, however, just a little bit inconvenient bringing characters from the comic series into the main book series, but it's intertwined in a mostly seamless way, so even if you have never read from them before you'll be quick to get the idea of who they are and form some attachment to them.
Certainly, the only characters I really cared about were Matty, Yana and Marda. And these three girls really bring everything to a head and quite the perfect close.“The Force would be free only if people like her stayed on the path she had chosen, the path that offered gifts freely given, including the gift of life.”
While there are certainly a good many things going on through the story, one of the most compelling ones is seeing the twists and turns that the stories of cousins Marda and Yana Ro take and how those paths will guide them and shape the galaxy, in the most subtle of ways.
Truly, the cousins' experiences shaped and defined this book completely.
As the title suggests, this is not a happy-go-lucky story in the least; no, it's dripping with paranoia, darkness, and the most cloying fanaticism there is. All so vividly explored through the cousins in ways that more than once made my skin crawl.
It was certainly an appropriate feeling for what needed to connect to less happy times, to more dire situations, to strife and pain.
Yes, it was not happy, but it was certainly fascinating. The Path of the Open Hand has been a very ominous presence in the story since the beginning of this Phase and seeing the way things twisted and ended up was satisfying and unnerving all at the same time. And, of course, their fate was very closely tied with the fate of the Ro cousins.“But maybe this was reality for her cousin, a future as jagged as the lighting bolts on her face.”
While I mostly liked the ending and was quite pleased with it, I do have to say that the ultimate end of the Mother and the revelation of her motivations and objectives fell a bit flat as it came a little too late to really make an impact.
For a character that carried such a big impression through much of the story, one would really expect the Mother's character to be more impactful than it was... yet again, it is not a complete loss as her flatness does enhance the jagged and sharp edges of other characters.
It all did come together quite well in the end, and we end up with quite the adventurous and distorted story to set the mood for the next, and last, Phase of this series.“Jedi can be afraid. Jedi can be scared. There’s no shame in it. Everyone is scared at one time or another. The difference for a Jedi is that we know fear is fleeting and should never win. A Jedi never runs from their fear. They face it, safe in the knowledge that the Force is with them, and they are one with the Force. The Force is with them, and they are one with the Force. The Force is with them, and they are one with the Force!”
____________
Well, that was a trip, for sure and certain.
Honestly, the highlight of the book for me was the little cameos of Vildar and Tey that I wasn't expecting but I certainly adored.
RTC.
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I'll be honest, I'm afraid of this book; or, rather, I'm afraid of how much pain this book will inflict in me. Considering my growing dislike for The Path of the Open Hand I don't see myself having a good time reading about them... but, gosh, I'm so morbidly fascinated.
As things go, I need to know how this whole fiasco is going to end, because this is the last book in this wave and in this phase which just makes things more complicated and nerve-wracking.
Hopefully, I'll get some satisfaction out of how things go in this book, though I'm afraid of the things that need to align so that what happens in previous books can happen. -
Maybe it was all about the friends we made along the Path?
This is Oliviah Zeveron. Turns out she was important. Who knew?
I will reserve a little judgement until after I've read volume 2 of the author's comics run, but I wish it did not have to be so. -
Phase 2 of The High Republic concludes within the pages of "Path of Vengeance," and as I began the book, anticipation lingered in the air. Setting off on this final journey, the saga unfolded with the promise of climactic moments, only to leave behind a bittersweet aftertaste of dissatisfaction.
Phase 1 of the High Republic series saw each book propel the story forward, contributing to its progression. In contrast, Phase 2, particularly "Path of Vengeance," takes a different approach by revisiting familiar events from alternate perspectives. While the concept has potential, its execution left much to be desired. If Phase 2 had been extended, this angle could have been more enjoyable. Unfortunately, as it stands, this narrative choice was a significant letdown.
The book is divided into three parts, with the first section delving into extensions of previously unexplored scenes from earlier material. While a few new elements are introduced, the tone feels predominantly expository. Given that this book serves as our conclusion, this approach comes across as redundant. This has been a recurring concern for me throughout phase 2. Although I usually hold a deep appreciation for Cavan's narratives, this pattern further underscores the muddled nature of this phase.
The writing style, while not a significant concern, did manage to catch me off guard. The inclusion of terms like 'baddie' and contemporary 2023 slang within the context of The High Republic's setting seemed discordant and disruptive. While integrating modern language into a futuristic world can enhance the narrative, it should seamlessly uphold the immersion without detracting from the story. Regrettably, in this instance, it came across as a rather awkward endeavor to resonate with younger readers, but the execution ultimately fell short of the intended impact.
With a hefty page count surpassing 500, my expectations were primed for a substantial feast. However, I found myself nibbling on a series of appetizers, only to be informed that the kitchen had abruptly closed before the main course could be served. The book propels forward like a whirlwind, maintaining a feverish pace as we transition from character to character, covering an extensive amount of ground. Yet, this rapid movement comes at a cost — the sacrifice of meaningful character development and emotional resonance. The depth and weight that would have enriched the narrative seem overshadowed by the rapid progression.
Fans of the comics will find satisfaction in the prominent appearance of characters from this phase. While certain character explorations are limited due to pacing, this continuation rewards those invested in the full story, creating a deeper connection as narrative threads interweave. This integration of familiar faces not only adds familiarity but also reinforces the tapestry of the author's expansive universe, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Without getting into spoiler territory, by the time I was turning the last pages, I found myself left with a plethora of unanswered questions, each one casting a shadow over the intricate tapestry of experiences woven throughout this installment, ultimately leaving an undeniable ache in the wake of the journey. It's as if the book intentionally left us suspended in mid air, pondering the fates of specific characters and story arcs. While a bit of mystery can be engaging, in this case, and for the purpose of this phase, it left me feeling incomplete and unsatisfying.
Overall, the Path of Vengeance provides an entertaining reading experience. Taken on its own merits, I might even consider giving it a higher rating. However, when viewed as a conclusion to an arc, even this assessment feels somewhat generous. -
Thank you, as always, to Disney Books for sending a review copy of Path of Vengeance.
Some snippets from my review for Dork Side of the Force:
"As the concluding novel in phase two of The High Republic, Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott proves to be one of the boldest and bleakest entries in Star Wars literature. The overall theme of the book is women in their villain eras, and we’re just along for the deliciously dark ride."
"It’s not easy to discuss Path of Vengeance without spoiling too much, but the story does overlap with key events in The Battle of Jedha and Cataclysm. The first several chapters are recaps of sorts but also plunge right into the chaotic action of the Battle of Jedha — this time, from Marda’s and Yana’s perspectives."
"It’s no surprise that author Cavan Scott has landed another hit with Path of Vengeance. The author is one of the most beloved writers in Star Wars literature.
While vastly different stories, Path of Vengeance is easily comparable to Scott’s The Rising Storm. Both books are thrilling page-turners that fly through epic battles without missing a character beat or crucial detail. Scott spares no expense detailing the horrors of war and the Nameless creatures that turn Force-users into petrified husks.
The novel more than delivers on its promises of despair and darkness but with just enough touches of hope and light. Path of Vengeance is an incredible book, and together with Path of Deceit, represents a masterpiece in Star Wars storytelling." -
I loved this book!!! Cavan Scott’s writing is taut and thrilling, the action is fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down!
I love these characters and loved how deep we went into the thoughts of the narrators. Highly recommend if you’ve read the rest of The High Republic phase 2 -
This is a Cavan Scott book.
So I probably don’t need to tell you it’s full of complicated characters, gut-wrenching fear, mortal danger, and emotional damage.
Marda Ro is ready to guide the Path against those who abuse the Force. And she’ll use whatever she can to restore balance. After the Battle of Jedha, the Mother readies the Path to defend themselves on Dalna. With the Jedi closing in, will Marda and her cousin Yana free the Force? Or will they bring nothing but sorrow?
Cavan Scott once again brings the pain in yet another edge-of-your-seat thrilling book. While the events overlap with both The Battle of Jedha and Cataclysm, nothing feels repetitive. In fact, the story adds depth and layers with brand-new points of view. The story twists like a knife, savage and shocking. And while it seems that Phase II is at an end, the threads left leave us wondering about the future, and where they connect to the Nihil, The Jedi, and the upcoming trials. Like all High Republic books this one is enjoyable on its own, but if you’ve followed Marda and Yana’s story in other books and comics you’ll get much more enjoyment out of it. Brace yourself for all the tension, apprehension, and misdirection you can handle. The story is a beautiful dark web of fear, hope, and darkness.
This is a must-read for fans of Marda and Yana and any who might be curious about the origins behind familiar evereni!
Sal P.
Full review at
https://theroguerebels.com/2023/05/01... -
This book is weird... It came out after 'Cataclysm' but honestly should be read before.... But this book does have a much more satisfying conclusion to the path of the open hand and Phase 2 as a whole... So I'm not sure which to recommend reading first!
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"Path of Vengeance" is the final entry of The High Republic’s Phase II, concluding this stage of the story before readers are whisked back to the “future” setting of Phase I and the upcoming Phase III. The good news? It’s about as strong and compelling a wrap-up to the chapter as one could hope for, with author Cavan Scott nicely balancing the innate storytelling requirements that come with concluding a multi-book narrative with the oh-so-particular necessities accompanying any self-contained story. He also manages to wrap up most, if not all, of the lingering subplots and character arcs that have been built up since “Path of Deceit” (the first book of Phase II) in ways that feel genuinely earned and well-thought out – a not insignificant task. Good, good stuff.
Bring on Phase III. -
I will call this a very strong 3.5 star book. The conclusion to the Open Hand storyline is solid, and the writing is first class...but...I'm sorry, these are the stupidest Jedi ever. They have all the evidence in front of them that the Leveler exists as a creature...but apparently they are so dumb that they can't put 2 & 2 together to figure it out. There is arrogance...but this is beyond arrogance. How did they even survive to get this far? To say nothing of how a creature like the Leveler exists...that needs some explanation. It's irritations like this that keep me from loving this series, and merely admiring it at best.
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“I didn’t know it before, but I know it now. They will come for us. The Nameless Horror. The Shrii Ka Rai. They will come for us all. The storm shall rise and the stars fall, all because you cross the Veil. Because of you. The Force will die. The Force no more.”
Path of Vengeance is the finale of Phase 2 of the High Republic saga. The book follows three young women - Evereni cousins of the Path Marda and Yana Ro, and Padawan Matty Cathley - as they face their greatest challenges yet and carve their own paths. Featuring terrifying monsters, epic battles, shocking twists and awesome character work, this book wraps up Phase 2 really well, giving the reader answers to some of the most burning questions surrounding the High Republic, while also leaving fans desperate for Phase 3.
Phase 2 of the High Republic has been a mixed bag for me. I have loved aspects of it and I love the overall story arc, what it has to say about philosophical clashes, fanatic faith and the Force, but on the other hand, none of the characters have stuck with me like the characters of Phase 1 did. Because of that, none of the books in this phase have hit me like, say, Midnight Horizon or The Fallen Star. I think Path of Vengeance is a wonderfully written book and it feels like a satisfying conclusion to this phase, but I just didn't love it. I do think Phase 2 is absolutely worth the read for any High Republic fan. It develops this era so well and I cannot wait to see how the events of this phase effect phase 3 and my eventual re-read of phase 1.
The character work in this novel was wonderful. Marda and Yana have been two of the standout characters of this phase for me, and I really enjoyed how their stories were wrapped up. Following Marda as she becomes more and more zealous and fanatic was intriguing, although sometimes frustrating and unsettling. Seeing Yana try to free herself while also trying to save her cousin from slipping and fulfilling what she sees as her duty to the girl she loved and lost, was cool. The fracturing relationship between the cousins was well done and developed. Matty is a delight and I loved getting to spend more time with her. Her arc of dealing with her grief, learning to conquer her fear and finding strength within herself was very satisfying - through her, Scott dealt with classic Jedi stuff, like, how to handle negative emotions and the significance of the Force for the Jedi, and as someone who has always loved the Jedi and all the more mystical and philosophical sides of that lifestyle, I was living. The side characters were all solid - for example, I really enjoyed the Mother's storyline and finally getting to see what her deal was, as I did Oliviah's plot line, even though I do hope she would've been a more prominent character in the phase before this, as she is super crucial to the plot now. Some of her scenes would've probably hit harder if she had been more than a supporting, irregular character before this.
The clash between the Path and the Jedi has been wonderful to follow. Seeing the way different people interpret the Force and the debates surrounding what the Force is and means, has always been something I have found very interesting - it has been one of my favorite aspects of phase 2. The Path's development from a peaceful, pacifist organization to a more militant, aggressive group we see them become in this novel has been fascinating, just like following the power dynamics shifting between the Mother, the Herald and Marda has been. I like what this phase has had to say about religion. Faith in itself can be beautiful and life-affirming, but when faith turns into cult-like behaviour, mindless obedience and a tool used to brand other people as evil, monstrous or inhuman, that's when things get dangerous. That's when faith becomes something bad. Especially Marda's journey deals a lot with these themes and ideas of free will vs. obedience, and how people good at heart can be twisted into something else by manipulative leaders and harsh dogmas.
Path of Vengeance left me feeling both satisfied and more desperate than ever to get the first book of phase 3 in my hands. We got answers to many questions - such as who began the Nihil, and where does the Shrii Ka Rai lullaby come from - but we were also left confused about some things in the best of ways. Even if this phase has not been as dear to me as phase 1, I do think it was, overall, built and crafted really well. It gives a lot of backstory and depth to things already introduced earlier and leaves you off with mysteries to be wrapped up later on all the while feeling like a complete, individual story.
One more thing before I wrap up, I just have to say that knowing how much Cavan Scott loves writing horror and creepy shit, I can only imagine how joyous writing some of the sections surrounding the Nameless must have been for him. The Nameless are truly terrifying, alien, creepy and strange, and I loved seeing more of where they come from, what they are like and how they behave. Planet X, the home planet of the Nameless, was another delightfully weird and spooky place while also sounding like an absolute paradise, and I definitely want to learn more about that planet!
No, I lied before, this is my one last comment: how cute are Tey and Vildar?!?!!
So, overall, I really enjoyed this novel even if I didn't love it. It's a great conclusion to this phase and yet another great story by Cavan Scott. He truly is one of the best writers working in SW right now! -
3.75/5
a great conclusion to phase 2.
the first two parts were slightly boring but the third act was just amazing. -
ro family sexy
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Finished reading this last night. It was an intense read with some horror elements and some significant lore details that make this feel like truly essential reading for Phase II of the High Republic era and shed some more light on the question of what we were supposed to learn from this extended "flashback" as it were to the Phase II era from the Phase I era before traveling forward in time again to Phase I.
This book really cemented Mattie as a favorite High Republic Jedi of the Phase II era. She is just very upbeat, energetic, and doesn't hesitate to pour out exactly what is in her mind and heart. It's very endearing and I want all the best things for her.
I do enjoy the continued expansion of the culture and various Force religions on Jedha. We get a lot of interesting lore like the hidden Archives under the statue of the Jedi that was destroyed in the Battle of Jedha.
What a bombshell drop that the Rod of Daybreak and the Rod of Seasons are combined what is needed to control the Leveler and that the Rod of Daybreak was hidden in the Archives beneath the Jedi statue. It really connects back to Path of Deceit and also makes the Yoda and Creighton Sun decision to cover up everything related to the Levelers all the more infuriating. Since it might have been possible to figure out more about the Levelers just by analyzing what was stolen from the Archives.
Some horror vibes with both Marda and Yana seeing the "ghosts" of those they have lost: Kevmo and Koi respectively. Kevmo especially seems to be far more bitter as a "ghost" than he ever was in life.
Marda's story really shows how people can be radicalized by a cult.
We do finally get to go to Planet X, home of the Levelers and see the Force nexus planet where the Levelers are from. It feels like great payoff especially since we didn't get to visit Planet X in the book entitled Quest for Planet X. It is just very satisfying to be able to travel to this planet at last after hearing so much about it during the Phase II era.
I think most people expected the Mother to be related to Oliviah from the comics but it is kind of a cool twist to have her be Oliviah's sister rather than Oliviah's mother. And to have her grudge against the Jedi not be that the Jedi took a family member away from her but that the Jedi didn't choose to train her.
I think this was my favorite and most moving depiction of the battle of Dalna in all the Phase II materials we have gotten so far.
And reading about the aftermath of the Battle of Dalna in this book really makes it all the more frustrating for me to think about the "coverup" that Yoda and Creighton Sun did in terms of keeping information on the Levelers out of the Temple Archives because it feels like the Jedi are collecting the clues and could have started to piece them together and unravel the mystery if the truth wasn't actively suppressed because Yoda and Creighton didn't want the other Jedi to panic:rolleyes:
Overall, this feels like a worthy sequel to Path of Deceit.
Final verdict: 5 out of 5 stars -
Wow! I love the high republic! Marda and Yana both got amazing storylines that let me satisfied. Full review on Instagram @admiralreads 5/14
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I just finished this, and I freaking LOVED IT. Best book of Phase 2 of The High Republic for me. By far. I will have to let it settle a while to write an actual 'review' for it (let's be real here, my reviews aren't reviews but just me rambling on an on about the book) but it will come!
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marda ro girlie you have got to go to therapy!!! this is not good for you!!!
yana ro give me one chance -
It's safe to say that Path of Vengeance is the book that got the most insane reactions out of me this year. In terms of reading experience, this one gets a 5+ star rating, and I'd give a lot to experience it for the first time again.
Path of Vengeance is divided into three parts, with the first one overlapping quite severely with the comic run of this phase of The High Republic. While that leads to some inital confusion, I liked this approach and getting to see these scenes both in art and in prose. Accordingly, PoV introduces Matty Cathley and Oliviah Zeveron as new protagonists and therefore ends up being a novel told completely from the perspective of women. While I loved Matty and her character arc much more in the novel than in the comic, where she was often only a sidekick, Oliviah turned out to be quite the disappointment for me. In this book, she seemed distant and downright unlikeable, which is truly a shame after the comic showed her to be a badass and steadfast Jedi.
The second part of the novel is truly a ride, and Yana and Marda's chapters show some of the best storytelling this Phase has to offer. These chapters leave you reeling, shocked, confused and so much more. It is in the third part of the novel that - just like Cataclysm - it slightly lost me. Unfortunately a big plot twist does not work as it was spoiled in a character video on YouTube months in advance, and additionally, the ending leaves too many questions unanswered. Thus, after closing the book and letting it sink in for a while, after the adrenaline subsides, the ending turns into a double-edged sword: both extremely satisfying and a logical conclusion to each character's arc, as well as not quite fulfulling due to the many answers still owed to us.
In the end, when I combine my excellent reading experience with the flaws of the plot, Path of Vengeance becomes an intense journey worth following and reading, yet one that might only unveil its full force when Phase III calls back to it. In the meantime, I will be hoping for more tales of the Ro cousins, whereever they may be. -
This story brought together so many threads from the rest of phase 2, and I … I just want more. This story was a lot! And I think it would overwhelm some who want to skip to the end, but the build up of the other stories and through the 500+ pages pays off beautifully like only Star Wars stories can. Take your time. Enjoy it. And we’ll all be ready for Phase 3! 5⭐️
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I was gonna give this 4 stars, and then I read part 3. Every piece of the puzzle becomes relevant as our heroes (and villains) hurtle towards the conclusion. II was truly invested in every character from Yana to Matty to the Mother and yes, even Marda. It took me forever because I didn’t want it to end but I am so glad I read this.
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So chilling. A fitting end to Phase 2! This book was such a treat, and I didn’t want it to end. Cavan, as always, did a fantastic job creating an enticing story for Star Wars readers. The character work, the pacing, and the action was very well done. Bravo!
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Low 7/10
Phase 2 certainly wasn’t a waste of time. I honestly loved Cataclysm, Path of Deceit had an insane ending, Battle of Jedha was pretty good (although would’ve been better as a novel) but I also feel a little confused on its existence. This is an issue that will likely be made more clear (whether in a good or bad way) in phase 3.
The book itself is good but has a lot of characters that had very dramatic shifts in character pretty fast. Marda Ro goes on a rollercoaster this book and I’m left feeling completely unsure about her as a character. Another problem I have with this book and pretty much this entire phase is how mid the Jedi are. Phase 1 had Loden, Stellan, Avar, ELZAR, and Bell who are ALL way better than any Jedi in this phase. This books Jedi characters are Azlin, Oliviah, and Maddy and they are all fine. Nothing bad but nothing exceptional in anyway.
I still quite like The Mother and the Path in general but I really wish more focus was given to Jedi this phase as there were some that were good but just came out underdeveloped
This might actually be my least favorite book of the phase, I think Path of Deceits ending raises it above this even though this is probably more consistent and Convergence deals more with the Jedi and the state of the galaxy which is more interesting to me. -
i feel like i’m going insane
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2.3 stars or some such. Warning: Review contains uncensored spoilers for previous High Republic stories.
Cavan Scott doesn't write good books, but he does write entertaining ones. In a similar vein to The Rising Storm, the prose is sloppy and melodramatic but has a certain charm and readability to it. You want to like Cavan Scott, not necessarily as an author but as someone who would be a blast to hang out with. He's having fun writing Star Wars stories and he wants you to have fun reading them.
Path of Vengeance is the sequel to Tessa Gratton's Path of Deceit, and just as that book kicked off the main storyline of Phase II, this book ends it. Neither "Path" book is a masterwork by any stretch of the imagination, but they both have compelling elements, particularly the characters Marda and Yana Ro. The Ros' journey throughout this duology was, for the most part, quite well executed. The ending of Deceit set them on a very interesting trajectory, and although they were pretty much ignored in the intervening adult and middle grade stories, Vengeance finally picks up the threads and resolves them with, I thought, surprising deftness. The shortcomings of the writing are mostly made up for by these two memorable characters. (Ros before prose, as they say.)
All this being said, most of what I really liked in this book was concentrated at the very end. The opening reads like a frantic and awkward plot summary of the Battle of Jedha as depicted in previous media. One of the storylines almost immediately devolves into an uninspired teen romance which I felt was completely disposable and added very little to the narrative. I am forever irritated by YA writers' insistence on inserting romance into every single story, seemingly for the sole purpose of conforming to genre expectations.
I'd like to talk about a major element of the story that's introduced at the very beginning, but I'll spoiler-censor it just in case you want to experience it completely fresh.
The third storyline in Vengeance is that of Matthea Cathley, from Cavan Scott's other contribution to Phase II, the flagship "High Republic" comic. I didn't think she was served as well here as in the comic, however. Her relationship with her reluctant mentor Vildar Mac was the emotional core of that story; in Vengeance, she is paired with Oliviah Zeveron, an extremely half-baked and inconsistent character with whom the reader never fully connects. Most of this storyline boils down to Matty feeling vaguely uncomfortable around her coworker, which, compared to the drama of the Ro cousins, feels decidedly underwhelming. And I really wish Oliviah got anything beyond the most perfunctory of character development, considering how key she is to this phase.
I've said about all I can without getting into major spoilers about the ending, so here we go.
Something I realized reading Path of Vengeance is that Phase II of the High Republic was published in the wrong order. This book opens with what feels like a retelling of events in the High Republic comic, rather than their definitive portrayal. But these comic issues came out after the book had already published. Furthermore, the key events of the Battle of Dalna are depicted in Vengeance and merely hinted at in Convergence and Quest for Planet X, despite those books being released beforehand. As a result, Convergence and Quest have very vague and unsatisfying climaxes that give the impression, again, of retelling a previously established story, even though that story had not yet been published.
This phase as a whole is far from an unqualified success, but I respect its ambition. These creators could have given us a rote adventure story, but instead chose to explore some thorny questions about the nature of faith and religion. Rather than the Sith, who are technically a religious sect but mostly believe in nothing but selfish pursuit of power, Phase II's antagonists are an overtly religious community, spanning all ages and backgrounds, whose primary mission is to convert the galaxy to the ideals they genuinely believe in. This provides a lot of interesting moral ambiguity and dilemmas, not all of which are resolved with nuance or skill by the writers, but which at least signify a certain creative ambition beyond mindless entertainment. Marda's radicalization and the manipulation of people of faith by a false prophet provide surprisingly incisive commentary on religious extremism.
However, I am, as always, disappointed by the High Republic authors' refusal to portray the Jedi as anything other than the Unambiguous Good Guys. The Jedi force their adherents to repress their emotional and physical desires, and are selective and secretive about their recruitment, pressuring families into giving up their children for a "greater cause." The Path of the Open Hand is a loving familial community, open to everyone and, before their radicalization by the Mother, are nonviolent in opposition to the Jedi warrior creed. What makes the Path a "cult" and the Jedi a "religion?" At least the Path don't trample all over the separation of church and state like our glorious Warrior-Monk Police Force do.
I'm not saying the Path can't be portrayed in a negative light—I understand they're meant to show the dangers of extremism—but why must the Jedi be held up as the One True and Infallible Religion? What could have been a more even-handed and nuanced depiction of theological disagreements instead feels dogmatic. Jedi philosophy is not the only valid path, but because most of the non-Jedi religious characters are villains or at least misguided, Phase II's overarching message is that there is only one correct value system, and that the Jedi's frontier expansion and their heavy involvement in government affairs is an unambiguously good thing. This is my biggest problem with the High Republic; even if I may enjoy many individual Jedi characters, I have trouble rooting for the Jedi Order as a whole.
Would I recommend this book? Maybe. If you care about the characters in Path of Deceit, it's worth reading Vengeance to see where they end up. But if you were indifferent to them the first time around, no need to stick around for the second. -
The High Republic Phase II has been more solid than much of Phase I. While there is an overabundance of books and comics aimed at youth, young adults and adults, the majority of the series is YA based. Phase II has a much more coherent story that began with Convergence, the audio drama the Battle for Jedha and Cataclysm, the series ends with this book Path of Vengeance. There are a number of authors who write for the series and some are stronger than others. I miss the legends days when one author could do a trilogy. Cavan Scott is the finest writer in the new canon series. The Rising Storm was the best book in Phase I and this book is excellent. It's supposed to be YA, but adults will enjoy it. Scott weaves a tight narrative that moves quickly and ties many of the storylines up. While Cataclysm focused on the larger conflict from Eiram and Eronoh, the aftermath of the Jedha conflict and the big battle on Dalna, this book focuses mainly on the Path of the Open Hand, the cult that hates the Jedi and the two cousins Marda and Yana Ro. Each has a journey to undertake and lessons to be learned. There are Jedi who become involved as well and to mention too much would give the story away. Some people learn hard truths and others get what they deserve. An excellent book. I wish Scott would have more of them.
Emily O'Brien does an great job with narration, her voice clear and concise. -
Typically Cavan Scott is stronger than this with his novels. It's not weak per se but I have the odd gripe. Like the reveal of who The Mother is near the climax of the novel. It didn't really do much for me and led to a rather weak explanation for the Path of the Open Hands existence. Though the Mother being force sensitive wasn't a surprise. There is also some context I know I'm missing having only read the Adult and YA novels for Phase 2. Some of the characters undoubtedly feature in the Junior novels and I felt as though I didn't have enough context to really care about Matty or Oliviah (or any of the Jedi characters really).
Marda and Yana are definitely the two brighter spots in this novel though I didn't like Yanas actions locking up Sunshine it seemed counter to her desire in the moment to escape but did set up for the rest of the final act. -
Probably unpopular opinion, but OMG FINALLY. I'm (mostly) DONE with Phase ii. This book was better than I thought, but also I am so over the entire path of the open hand & the examining of them vs the jedi I could scream. This entire phase/events could be 2 books max. Not 7 + graphic novels. If this wasn't Star Wars I would have quit after the 2nd book. I'll finish the graphic novels @ some point, but if you want to know the overall details of this phase just read the Path of Deceit & this one. The rest can be quickly looked up if needed.
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Dieser Band hat mich nicht ganz so sehr gepackt wie die anderen Teile der Reihe, dies könnte aber auch daran liegen, dass sich mein Unterbewusstsein dagegen gewehrt hat, um erneute gebrochene Herzen zu vermeiden.
Dennoch treffen wir auch hier wieder auf liebevolle Figuren. Drama, Schmerz, Kämpfe, Freundschaft Familie. Alles, was Star Wars ausmacht. Auch bekommt Die Mutter ihre Hintergrundgeschichte, auch wenn ich denke, dass diese doch noch etwas besser hätte ausgearbeitet werden können.
Aber vielleicht bekommt sie ja sogar ihr eigenes Buch?
Auf jeden Fall passiert hier so einiges und es geht Schlag auf Schlag. Qualitativ nicht ganz auf der Höhe der anderen Titel, aber dennoch ein wichtiges Buch für die Reihe.
