Melissa detours to the galaxy far, far away to review “Battle of the Force” from The High Republic saga.
It’s time to return to The High Republic era. While the Battle of Jedha rages, the three allies find themselves separated. Master Vildar is trapped in the collapsed almshouse with the Path of the Open Hand members. They are attempting to hold up the ceiling so the group isn’t crushed alive. Tey has been taken back to the Temple of the Kyber by his former brothers and must convince them to help the city’s citizens rather than barricading themselves in the temple.
Matty is determined not to find help or lose Master Vildar and the Path members. Meanwhile, in the desert, Oliviah Zevaron and Master Leebon battle Path members Yana Ro and The Herald for Force artifacts as the Leveler stalks them. While Vildar and Tey go to the rescue of Oliviah and battle The Herald, Matty is forced to do everything she can to protect the Path members and other refugees in her care with help from a reluctant and unlikely source.
BATTLE OF JEDHA
I still haven’t had a chance to listen to the Battle of Jedha audiobook. But this comic series connects it and the two YA novels together. In Path of Vengeance, we see the battle in the desert through Yana’s eyes. Thus, we don’t know who the Jedi and his companion are. This shows the events from Vildar and Tey’s perspective. It also explains the death of Master Leebon, who is Matty’s Master, and Oliviah’s injuries, which are mentioned but not explained in Path of Vengeance.
REVIEW
A lot happens here quickly: Jedi die and become one with the Force, the Herald is arrested, and a friendship is forged. All in a matter of hours. I liked these three characters and wish we could see more of them in the novels. Only Matty gets significant page time and some Point of View chapters in Path of Vengeance. The three make an excellent team, too. I can see them gallivanting around Jedha City, trying to get all the factions to cooperate. Sadly, I don’t think that’s until Phase 2 has ended.
Overall, I give this volume and the two volumes together four lightsabers. This score is due to the introduction of memorable characters and the filling in of some gaps between the novel and the audiobook.
Star Wars: The High Republic Phase 2 Vol. 2: Battle of the Force is available to buy now.
I’m Mina, the Jedi Librarian. I’m a Program Specialist Librarian, lover of all the books, and a lifelong Star Wars fan. I’m also secretly a Jedi.
