So this is kind of it, the last full length novel in Phase Two of The High Republic. There’s still a handful of issues of the different comics to come, THE EDGE OF BALANCE: PRECEDENT (the manga, which I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for!) is out in like a week, and there’s also the upcoming YA short story collection.
But as far as any full length novels of any type, Cavan Scott has the last word with PATH OF VENGEANCE. I loved this one a whole lot, and I’ll obviously get into the reasons why. I definitely couldn’t help but feel like I had a slight hangover from the outright masterpiece that was CATACLYSM.
Additionally (and this one is on me, because I knew what I was getting into), I do kinda wish I had waited until the Marvel comic was finished before reading PATH OF VENGEANCE. As I’m writing this, I think there’s just one or two issues left, but PATH OF VENGEANCE is set after the events of the Marvel comic. And so while the trade-off for me was outstanding (having Matty, my fav character from the comic being one of the main characters in PATH OF VENGEANCE), it did feel a little odd/spoilery jumping ahead in time like this, before actually reading the conclusion of the comic.
BUT ANYWAY!
The heart of this story was always going to be the relationship between Yana and Marda Ro. And while there are of course big moments in this book that were set up in other books/formats, this aspect of the story really picks up where PATH OF DECEIT left off.
There’s this sort of relentless push & pull, a wavering of loyalties where Yana and Marda are concerned. As The Mother has gotten more & more…let’s say unhinged, things just feel super tumultuous within The Path of the Open Hand. There’s a lot of anger & grief & resentment & feelings of helplessness boiling inside Yana, and it all comes to a head in some really emotional ways.
All roads lead to Dalna, and as I mentioned, it’s characters from the Marvel comic leading the way here. Matty Cathley has been far & away my favorite new Jedi from the comics, so for her to get main character status in this book meant the world to me. She’s just such a vibrant character, kind of the best of the Jedi, while also being a bit of an awkward & relatable mess. I loved getting a deeper look at her character, something the comics don’t necessarily allow for.
Same goes for Oliviah Zeveron, another fav of mine from the comic. Oliviah & Matty team up in PATH OF VENGEANCE, and it felt like we really got to know them both so much better. There’s almost a standoffishness to Oliviah that gets explored, something that’s not really even hinted at in the comic. Comic readers will know that Oliviah is Going Through Some Shit, and it just felt right having Matty along for the kind of chaotic & upbeat support she provides.
I started this review quite awhile ago & in the meantime, have been hit with some profoundly awful news & so this really isn’t coming together the way I’d hoped. All that said, this is of course essential High Republic reading & a really incredible way to close out (for the most part) the second phase of this epic Star Wars publishing initiative.
New we wait for Phase Three news/cover reveals and I am READY!
May the Force be with you!!
Grimdark Dad 