I recently read Lydia Kang's High Republic novel Cataclysm, the follow-up to one of my other recent reads, Convergence. Phase II of the High Republic continues to be captivating for me, and I am so glad to have this book that follows up on the characters and storylines from Convergence, while also tying in to the rest of the bigger picture for Phase II of the High Republic. We got to see a lot of great Jedi action as well as a dive into the political problems facing the Republic at the time. It's well worth the read, and makes for a fantastic duology with Convergence!
Spoilers ahead for Cataclysm by Lydia Kang!
Axel Greylark's arc was probably the most compelling for me in this book. As I detailed in my Convergence review, Axel was a character that took me a little bit to like, but I ended up totally falling in love with him- until he betrayed everyone, including me! This book, I found my thoughts on him aligned very closely with Gella Nattai's perspective in the novel as well. I wanted to believe in him, but felt too burned to trust him again, though I did find myself unwittingly beginning to trust him sometimes, only for him to once again pick the selfish choice.
That's all what made his story so compelling here! He's a character who is very much struggling with right and wrong, with his own desires and doing what's right, trying to hold on to the past to the detriment of the future. He stumbles and makes many, many mistakes, seemingly dodging every chance he's given to make things right. In the end, though, Axel makes an important choice to outright go against the Path, and he and Gella are able to (barely) escape a harrowing battle to safety. Axel does have to carry out his remaining prison sentence, but he's on the path to reconciling with his mother (who stepped down from Chancellorship realizing it had gotten in the way of their relationship for far too long) and starting the long journey to self-improvement. Axel as a character is equally frustrating and entertaining in this book, and I was happy to see his growth here.
I also loved seeing Xiri and Phan-Tu again. While Eiram and E'ronoh's fragile temporary alliance fractures throughout the book, their relationship is very strong. I loved seeing them work as a team, and the ups and downs that come with being a relationship that, while based in love, is also important politically. But it was so very heartwarming to see the two of them working together, and learning when to put each other first, and when to put their planets first.
This book also surprised me with an appearance from Yaddle! I was aware she was in Phase II, just wasn't quite sure when she'd be showing up. She has a youngling, Cippa, in tow, and their dynamic is delightful. Yaddle perfectly slides into the kind, patient yet very tired mentor watching over the clever, rowdy and disobeying child, and it's a very fun dynamic in the best of times, and one that pulls on your heartstrings at the worst of them.
Which brings me to the battle on Dalna. Much of the later parts of the book all surround this battle. A couple different groups of Jedi, unable to communicate due to the Path of the Open Hand, all ended up on Dalna coincidentally. Gella Nattai is captured and loses her Jedi friend Orin Dargha (who was a very hilarious comedic relief character up until his demise), but the rest of the Jedi sneak around slightly more successfully- though not for long. Once they're discovered, a huge battle breaks out between the Path, the Jedi and Dalnan bystanders who rush to help. It's a well-written but very tough to read battle, that makes you really feel the carnage and features some hard to stomach deaths. The Leveler breaks loose, killing some Jedi, and others die from the overwhelming forces, including Aida Forte who dies next to a gravely injured Creighton Sun, as well as wise, funny Cerean master Char-Ryl Roy.
Char Ryl-Roy's death brings me to my personal standout character from this book, which was Enya Keen. Enya was in Convergence, and I did quite enjoy her character there- she's a sassy, curious and very fun young padawan, proud to be Jedi and eager to learn and help out as much as she can- she'd fit right in with the likes of The Acolyte's Jecki Lon and early The Clone Wars Ahsoka Tano. This book not only shows her adorable commitment to the project of repairing a broken astromech she's found and then her affection for the droid as she teaches him how to interact with the galaxy, but also her incredible strength in the face of adversity. When Char Ryl-Roy, Enya and Xiri arrive to Dalna to try and negotiate with the Path, they are asked to give a gift, otherwise they won't be able to speak with them. After several failed attempts to find a gift to the Path's liking, Enya offers her kyber crystal. It's a hard choice, as the relationship between a Jedi and their kyber crystal is a very spiritual one, but Enya believes in their mission to try and make things right and come to peaceful negotiations.
That is admirable enough, to make such a sacrifice when even her master told her she didn't have to and it's clearly hard for her to make such a choice- but Enya's strengths don't stop there. Throughout the battle, she never gives up, pushing through doubt and physical pain to keep fighting, to save as many lives as she can. Her battle scenes are really amazing to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed her character in this book. At the end, she is now the padawan of Master Creighton Sun, who no doubt will teach her well.
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