“Breaking certain patterns can be… challenging. Especially for someone suffering from the disease that afflicts [redacted], me, our entire culture.
“Breaking certain patterns can be… challenging. Especially for someone suffering from the disease that afflicts [redacted], me, our entire culture. We’re addicted to violence.”
This was a surprisingly insightful and lovely issue, all things considered.
Getting to catch up with some old friends and learning a bit more about these characters's motivations is always a delight, especially when they connect with the themes of the story so beautifully.
Honestly, I never thought we would see some of these faces again, so it was a welcomed surprise.
“I realized that – hard as it may be to accept – even someone like [redacted] has people who love her deeply. Executing her only would have brought them gunning for me and everyone else I care about. So instead, I decided to break the cycle.”
“I can’t stop Eren. I don’t think anyone can. All I can do is keep my promise to him.”
While the first volume of this spin-off manga was center
“I can’t stop Eren. I don’t think anyone can. All I can do is keep my promise to him.”
While the first volume of this spin-off manga was centered around Annie, this second volume is all about Mikasa.
It certainly was a fun, nuanced look into the character, putting her in a different light that helps reveal other aspects of her personality that perhaps get buried in the main series. Even if the setting was a but unique.
Honestly, I feel like I learned more about Eren than I truly did about Mikasa; which is not a bad thing, just not exactly what I was expecting to get based on the cover.
Really, the take is psychological and interesting, and allowed me to see some things more clearly, even if they were not particularly revelatory in nature.
“I don’t get it. I don’t get any of it. My life is full of things I don’t get. I’d been forced to do what seemed like meaningless marti
3.5 stars.
“I don’t get it. I don’t get any of it. My life is full of things I don’t get. I’d been forced to do what seemed like meaningless martial arts training for as long as I could remember, then I was sent here. Now, I’m just trying to carry out my mission. And what has that brought about? And tomorrow, I’m sure, I’ll find my hands stained by even more blood.”
What an excellent character study of Annie Leonhart.
As far as side stories go, this one was absolutely delightful. Funny, insightful, entertaining, and engaging in all the right ways to make you feel closer to Annie's character.
The way that the story utilized every component of it smartly enough to flesh out her character without making it overly obvious or overbearing, subtle and yet poignant, makes this complementary material quite the worthy read; and so easy and enjoyable that it will never feel like a lose.
Plus, the art was just perfect for setting the ambiance and giving some levity with its versatile style, going from adorable to very grungy and serious without a flaw.
I could have read much more with this art style.
As an Annie fan, this was the perfect little story to get to understand her character a little bit more.
“Except, unless I’m doing something, I start thinking about tomorrow, and get depressed. So, for the time being, I’ll amuse myself by playing soldier.”
“That’s not like you. If you’re content with leaving things unknown, how can we ever expect to defeat the titan
10/5 emotionally charged stars.
“That’s not like you. If you’re content with leaving things unknown, how can we ever expect to defeat the titans? When will we ever know enough to face our enemies?”
Brutal, devastating, life-changing, are some of the words that come unbidden to my mind when I think about this section of the story. Chills run down my spine, my heart squeezes between an inch of itself, and awe feels every last space of my being all in a rush by the mere memories.
If there ever was a set of volumes to call a masterpiece, this is the one I would point out to.
From beginning to end, there's not a single moment where my brain wasn't being fried with information and with so much meaning and thought through it all. Even the quiet, still moments are filled with impact and meaning. There's no respite, there's no hiding, there's no salvation, we're right there with the characters through it all.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
“That’s absolutely right. It doesn’t make a single difference. No matter what dreams or hopes you may have, no matter what kind of blissful life you’ve led until now, what happens to your body when it gets crushed by a rock is the same. Everyone dies sooner or later. Does that mean all life is meaningless? Was the fact that you were ever born meaningless from the start? Would you say the same of your dead comrades? Were those soldiers’ lives meaningless? No, they weren’t! And our fight gives meaning to those soldiers’ lives! Those brave fallen men and women! Those poor fallen men and women! The only ones who can remember them are us, the living! So we will die here, and trust the meaning of our lives to the next generation! That is the sole way we can revel against this cruel world! My soldiers! Rage! My soldiers! Scream! MY SOLDIERS! FIGHT!”
Seeing the way that Isayama describes and portrayed war in these volumes was chilling, creepy, and crushing. He does not diminish its horror, and the honest view of both sides of the conflict, the familiar faces, the resonant themes make all the events a devastating, oppressive cloud hanging overhead.
It is nothing if not impressive and humbling to witness.
Witnessing the maturity and growth that the characters have had, putting their mettle to the test, and gaining a deeper understanding of them will never be tiresome; especially, with characters that feel so human and raw, and thus so easy to love and burrow deep into my heart.
“I have people I wish I could bring back, too. Hundreds of them. Ever since I joined the Survey Corps, every day has brought a new farewell. But, you understand, don’t you? Everyone you meet will be parted from you one day. I know it’s difficult to accept. It’s hard to stay sane, living like that. It’s painful. So painful. I know that. But, even so, we need to move forward.”
Even though the emotional impact is what first comes to mind when thinking about this set,
the twist that was revealed does not go unnoticed at all.
I am still reeling from it.
Such a deep twist, one that accomplishes what this one is doing, is not an easy thing to do, much less making it feel so right and substantiated by previous happenings and information as this one does.
What will it mean for the future? is the question permeating everything now, and I suspect, only time will tell.
“Who was in the wrong? Me? Or this world? It was probably both. I was foolish and ignorant, and the world was unfair and insane.”
“As you’ve realized, the Survey Corps was built upon countless such sacrifices. There are still too many things we don’t know about the
4.5 stars.
“As you’ve realized, the Survey Corps was built upon countless such sacrifices. There are still too many things we don’t know about the outside world. But if it means taking back the world for humanity, I’m sure none of them regret dedicating their hearts to that cause. Not one.”
Gosh, this is so very painful.
While I'll be remiss to think that anything in the world of Attack on Titan is anything resembling cheerfulness and joy, the fact that there were happier times, filled with camaraderie and relative peace does make everything all the more hard-hitting. And Levi's life is no exception to the rule.
Farlan and Isabella were wonderful additions to the cast. Their personalities bringing different sides to Levi's in a delightful manner. I just wish we could have had more of them.
The resolution of this little plot was nothing that surprised me; certainly not considering what we know about the future, but the fact that it felt perfectly in line with everything else makes it perfection in all its dire, cruel, hopeful glory.
More than anything, however, learning how the relationship between Erwin and Levi came to be what it is in the present storyline was all I wanted from this flashback manga. After completing it, I feel as if I have a true insight into what made them what they are. And there's nothing else I could have hoped for.
“In this wide, open place, there are no walls, no matter how far you go. Here, there might be something to free us from our despair.”
“I don’t understand. I never have. I trusted in my own strength… I trusted in the decisions of comrades who had earned my faith. But st
4.5 stars.
“I don’t understand. I never have. I trusted in my own strength… I trusted in the decisions of comrades who had earned my faith. But still, no one knew what the result would be.”
If there is one thing that I wanted but thought we would never get, that was Levi's backstory. So, the fact that we actually get two full volumes of it is beyond anything I ever imagined.
First of all, just the world-building of it all is really cool. Through Levi's eyes we can venture into a new side of the familiar world we have explored in the main series so far. Getting to see the underbelly of this already chaotic world was fascinating.
While it would have been hard to maintain Levi as the mysterious character after revealing so much about his past, all the blanks that still exist about his life keep him firmly shrouded in questions and wonder. Just enough that he feels like the same character while being completely reformed.
Then we have the incredible bonus of seeing Levi and Erwin's first meeting, a moment that would turn out to be monumental and fundamental for the rest of the story, and just how vastly different their dynamic was at that point.
Generally speaking, there's just no way that learning more about the vast world of Attack on Titan won't get me excited, so this feels like a treat in every way.
“Are these the wings of revolution? And if they are, how hard will it be to fly on them?”
“So your wings are the real thing, after all, Levi.”
“Just because I was raised by pacifists doesn’t mean my family wasn’t constantly fighting. We fought for shelter, for survival. And th
3.75 stars.
“Just because I was raised by pacifists doesn’t mean my family wasn’t constantly fighting. We fought for shelter, for survival. And thanks to the way Mom waged our battles, we sometimes even won. But the close of that day was the first time since [...] that we’d managed to secure the most elusive of victories… an actual happy ending.”
Well, I wasn't expecting that.
From how things had been going I expected everything to take a much more darker turn but I'll admit that the more hopeful, and very ephemeral, I'm sure, the way we close this issue feels well-earned and greatly appreciated.
The composition of the issue in itself, with the way things were placed and where we had the cuts, make this one of my favorite recent chapters, It was very creative and added a good resonance. Plus, I'm always a big fan of parallel narratives.
Certainly, this feels like the end of an era and as if we are about to venture into a new arc. I'm excited.
“Never forget that Wreath is a moon. Turning tides is what we do.”
“It was supposed to be one of the most important days in a young Jedi’s life, and don’t get me wrong, it was amazing […] All I remembe
2.75 stars.
“It was supposed to be one of the most important days in a young Jedi’s life, and don’t get me wrong, it was amazing […] All I remember that day as is the moment I realized I was never going to be a Jedi. I didn’t really know what I’d do instead until I ended up running off with Maz Kanata’s pirate crew. It felt like the rest of my life suddenly became much clearer.”
That was quite a bit of fun.
One of the things I like the most about the High Republic comic series is how it weaves and connects with the main story being told and, usually, the different installments give us unique and important information that complements and broadens the central plot. It's really cool. And the fact that this series is finally getting there, getting involved in the larger conflict, is exciting.
However, the fact that the book run of this series is already finished and the story concluded makes me a bit apprehensive as to what else could be added.
For what it matters, this issue was dynamic and fun and made me pass a good time. It might not be my favorite thing out there but it does make for an enjoyable read. ...more
“This is not a matter for the Jedi alone. It affects us all, and only by working together will we discover the truth.”
I'll admit, reading this o
“This is not a matter for the Jedi alone. It affects us all, and only by working together will we discover the truth.”
I'll admit, reading this one after reading Path of Vengeance was a bit funny because all the fates of these characters are explored there, though it was still really nice and rewarding seeing them conclude this leg of their journey.
One thing needs to be said and will remain true no matter how much time passes, Vildar Mac and Tey Sirrek have my heart, and their dynamic and interactions have become a new obsession, especially when you add Matty Cathley to the mix.
This was a very satisfying ending. Sweet, suitably hopeful, and uniting in a way that befits it well.
Really, I might even go as far as to say this is my favorite Star Wars comic run to date.
“[Has the battle ended?] If it is, I’m not sure who’s won. Jedha is a disaster. How can we ever come back from this?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do. Because all life is precious. Because we’re Jedi.”
Well, that's a wrap.
The Nameless Terror was certainly
“Because it’s the right thing to do. Because all life is precious. Because we’re Jedi.”
Well, that's a wrap.
The Nameless Terror was certainly a terrifying little story to accompany the tale of the nameless, and while I didn't always like it, the connection to Ty and present time did end up being more meaningful than I was expecting and I liked it.
In the end, it was a horror story that ended as it was prophesized from the beginning. In sorrow and dread.
“There will be time to mourn our loss later, now, we must make that loss count for something.”
“And we all get scared from time to time. Guardians, daring-but-handsome thieves, even overtalking Padawans. The question is how we de
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. ____________
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....more
“The Force connected everything, and so, apparently, did Planet X.”
Quest for Planet X. was everything a middle grade story shou 2.75 stars.
“The Force connected everything, and so, apparently, did Planet X.”
Quest for Planet X. was everything a middle grade story should be, a fun, fast-paced, coming-of-age adventure that leaves you some good messages. It certainly accomplished its purpose well.
With the returning cast from Quest for the Hidden City, we venture into another little adventure, if admittedly a bit less action-packed, where our characters can find their places in such a vast galaxy and the value of friendship.
It became glaringly clear, pretty fast, that I was not the target audience for this particular story - something that can be more or less obvious depending on the middle grade story - but I could enjoy a nice, fast pace that kept me engaged and turning the pages all the way to the end.
“A lightsaber could be used to attack or defend; it was flexible and adaptable. But the shield was always a shield. A shield was devoted to being itself.”
While this was a fun and nice adventure to go on it is nothing that will be on my mind further than when I finish writing this review. There is nothing noteworthy in here and even the implications for the bigger picture felt a bit small, though I did appreciate the connection.
Mostly, its strong point is the way they present how different people, with different ideals and goals, can come together and leave their differences aside in order to coexist and even form strong and meaningful friendships. And it is a beautiful and well-executed message.
Coupled with the permeating message of finding yourself and we have a very nice, easy-going, and fun story.
“This was all Sky’s guts and genius, plus Dass’s courage and Rooper’s certainty.”
As for the characters, well, I certainly like Rooper quite a bit, and having her back was a treat, but I did not connect with either Dass or Sky one bit and that did make the story drag a little bit.
It was a bit disconcerting, though, the way the plot went. It was not what I was expecting. While in the end it all worked out well I am still a bit dissatisfied about that.
For what it was, I quite enjoyed it and appreciated having a fun, little break.
“Know yourself, and you’ll find your own confidence.”
______________
That was fine. I enjoyed my time if nothing else.
RTC. ______________
With everything currently going on in this series I have no idea what this middle grade story could even be about; if nothing else, the name sounds fun and adventurous, which is something.
Considering how fresh and fun Quest for the Hidden City was I can only hope this one will resemble it and be a quick and entertaining read.
Plus, seeing Silandra and Rooper again is going to be fun....more
“Maybe the people who help us most in life recognize a missing piece of themselves in us, something that has to be protected, or else they’ll never
“Maybe the people who help us most in life recognize a missing piece of themselves in us, something that has to be protected, or else they’ll never be whole again.”
Well, aren't self-fulfilling prophecies a lot of fun? The answer to that is no, by the way, this is dreadful.
That being said, the way this issue gathered all the loose threads from the last couple of issues and started to unite them is satisfying. I just wish the portrait they start to form wasn't one so grim and gloomy.
All I can say now is that I hope it all ends quickly so that we won't agonize in pain for too long.
“And yet, the Friends and even acquaintances my family left in our wake continued risking their lives to take care of me. What the hell did I ever do to deserve them?”
“The Council has sent Jedi to the farthest reaches of the frontier in search of answers, but I believe there is one place we have not
3.5 stars.
“The Council has sent Jedi to the farthest reaches of the frontier in search of answers, but I believe there is one place we have not searched thoroughly enough […] The past.”
This was fascinating and terrifying all at the same time.
We've waited a long time for some of the answers that are being offered to us now, and it's great to finally get them, but, oh boy, those answers just make things more complicated and cast the situation at hand with horrible shadows.
Aside from that, the planet we visit in this issue was incredibly interesting and I really liked that aspect that this series, in general, keeps exposing to us, that of the different ways others use the Force and what it all means to them.
The characters all seem to be a lot of fun, which is always a plus.
“Perhaps this planet, more than any other, is one with the Force, but only a fool believes that the Force brings nothing but mercy. Without an end, there can be no beginning. The first demand of life is death. Closeness to the Force does not spare us from death – it only gives us meaning in life. Never is that meaning clearer than when – than at – the moment we die.”
“It’s okay. I was scared too. It’s all right to admit it. But what we cannot do is allow that fear to fuel us. To drive our thoughts and decisions.
“It’s okay. I was scared too. It’s all right to admit it. But what we cannot do is allow that fear to fuel us. To drive our thoughts and decisions. To dwell upon it. We must stand in the face of that fear and carry on.”
Oh, yes, this series continues to make my heart race and rankle my nerves with every turn it takes.
I like the themes and ideas that are being explored, I think they really encompass what needs to be done for the overall plot of this chronicle, but I don't like the execution of said themes because I cannot see them ending in anything but doom.
Now, with everything going on, it's starting to feel like we are nearing the end and that is not a comforting feeling.
Just as with the previous issues, having Ty breaking the pace of the story every so often is really distracting and not something I appreciate much; which is sad, because I love her character a lot.
“We’ve learned something else, too. That no matter how much pain it suffers its sheer hunger will override any concerns for its own wellbeing. Which makes it even more dangerous than we thought. Perhaps more dangerous than anything the Jedi Order has ever encountered before.”
“Unlike most of the other Jedi I’d met, Tera Sinube didn’t act like rules and protocols were what made the galaxy go ‘round. He could make any subj
“Unlike most of the other Jedi I’d met, Tera Sinube didn’t act like rules and protocols were what made the galaxy go ‘round. He could make any subject feel alive, and that made me want to learn about it, too.”
Oh, so now this series is joining the puzzle of the overall story, cool! I had missed the continuity.
For the most part, however, this remains a simple little fun adventure with pirates, which is not bad.
The antagonist are a little guffy and gullible but that is to be expected. They're an odd bunch, for sure, and it seems like they're bound to be a lot more interesting, and informative than it first appeared.
Getting a budding friendship now is surely not out to complicate things in any way.
“They don’t know who I am. What I am. And that’s how it’s gonna stay. Sometimes the only way to beat 'em, is to join 'em!”
“I was put on this ship to put out fires. And here you are, searching for an inferno about to spark.”
What an intense ride this was.
Following
“I was put on this ship to put out fires. And here you are, searching for an inferno about to spark.”
What an intense ride this was.
Following the events of Convergence I was ready for another highly political and scheming story but that couldn't be further from what Cataclysm actually gives us.
With the foundation for this era firmly established, a fun and diverse cast of characters, and a plot that we've been piecing together for several installments now we get an epic, catastrophic, and nerve-wracking adventure, an adventure that will answer long-standing questions and start the ending of an era.
It was thrilling and heartfelt and quite a fun way to say goodbye to these characters.
“We’ve been so busy following the blueprints of our own mutual destruction that we can’t see the obvious. That we can be the architects of good.”
From beginning to end, we really have no moment of rest or peace.
Thanks to the events from The Battle of Jedha we have an intense re-entry into our story, something that makes it comfortable and natural. The escalation of events is dreadful and increasingly terrifying but well-executed and gripping. I liked it a lot. However, this being a more physical entry does mean that much of what absolutely dazzled me in the previous book is gone in this one, and that is a loss I felt deeply.
In a way, this continuation felt somewhat dissonant to what had been built before. It felt, at times, like the story was trying to reach much more than it was supposed to.
Now, this might sound like I disliked it, when the case is the contrary. Yes, I was expecting this book to focus on the two warring planets Eiram and E'ronoh, and it still did in a way, but the story expanding and becoming much bigger was not a bad element to add. After all, it all was treated pretty naturally and organically, so the shift was not jarring or off-putting, just confusing and a bit befuddling.
“There is no losing, until there is nothing worth saving., And there is much to save, Master Sun. Even when we feel most alone, there is always something to save.”
Mostly, though, the things that kept me captivated and turning pages were the characters.
The cast is massive, gathering characters from all across a few books to converge into a huge conflict. Each of them with some previous attachment created in their own stories, which made it easy to care deeply about the results of all of this.
Axel Greylark remains, without a shadow of a doubt, my favorite character of this phase and will pass to the halls of my favorite Star Wars characters. The way his arc was handled was really compelling and believable. His story is something that we needed more in this universe. Couple that with how fun and complicated his relationships with Gella and Kyong are and we have the mix for quite an explosive cocktail.
While we did not get as much of Xiri and Phan-tu as I would have wanted, what we did get was exactly what I wanted from the two of them. I continued to enjoy their relationship a lot.
Surprisingly, while I did not care for her much in the first book, Kyong Greylark became quite the highlight of the book for me. Her vibrant, strong, heartbroken, and dignified way of carrying herself, so full of contradictions and so imperfect, endeared her to my heart a great deal. I can safely say that the Greylarks are just some of my favorite people.
As for the rest of the cast, well, I really did enjoy all of them. It is impressive that Kang wrote so many little story arcs so well, so tightly, to the point that everyone can find someone to relate, to resonate with.
“It occurred to her that this wasn’t sadness. And it wasn’t weakness, either. Her tears were part of her. And they would evaporate and leave their faint watermarks upon her, like so much of the last few months.”
In the end, Cataclysm honors its name with quite the massive, terrifying clash between our two factions. Epic, thrilling, and devastating are some of the words that come to mind when thinking about it; and it most certainly made an impression on history.
Of course, as was to be expected from this little detour into the past, there are some pretty major connections to present-time events and mysteries that enrich the overall plot and just chill the blood, which is fun to connect and see.
One thing is certain, Cataclysm fits perfectly alongside the standard and epicness of the rest of The High Republic Era stories and earns all my love.
“Everything had converged into a cataclysm of violence.”
___________________ While this book does not compare to its predecessor in the way it stole my heart it was a fine way to conclude this story.
I really like how it ended up connecting to the present time in The High Republic Chronicles.
Plus, Axel Greylark. That's it. ____________________
I can't believe this took me so long to pick up... though, I guess, it wasn't all that long either way.
Be it as it may, I am beyond excited to read this sequel to Convergence which was a book I greatly enjoyed. Getting to see the beloved characters again will be amazing, though without Axel I'm not sure it'll be quite the same.
Whatever the case, I'm ready for this, hopefully, action-filled political thriller and to be terrified of The Path of the Open Hand all over again....more
“There’s no such thing as a zero percent chance. It’s just that we’re all too lazy to bother with minuscule percentages, so we pretend they’re zero
“There’s no such thing as a zero percent chance. It’s just that we’re all too lazy to bother with minuscule percentages, so we pretend they’re zero percent instead.”
After reading a few of Fujimoto's works I can say that his style of writing is very unique, filled with deep ideas and thoughts left open for the reader to interpret and fulfill as they will, and aspect that is really intriguing and compelling.
His writing is, in short truly iconic and a work of art.
Because of this, getting to see four of his earlier works was a really fun treat.
Each story is wildly different from the last, yet, all of them have undeniable charm and heart that is so intrinsically mixed into them that, at the very least, one of them will resonate deeply with you.
Unique, vibrant, fun, sad, and touching. This collection of one shots made me laugh, feel deeply, and be appalled all in the spend of a few minutes.
Really, after reading them I am all the more convinced that Fujimoto excels at telling shorter stories; and even though these are his older works I can say that I found some of my new favorites between them.
“Still, I want you to remember one thing [...] Remember that a couple of chickens were still kicking in the schoolyard.”
“To Pako, Ambar, and the disciples of the Path of the Open Hand, it was a monster. And a fierce and terrible one at that. Just ask the three people
“To Pako, Ambar, and the disciples of the Path of the Open Hand, it was a monster. And a fierce and terrible one at that. Just ask the three people it caught up within the airlock. But to those like the Jedi, people who used the Force, it was the worst thing they could ever have imagined. A thing of nightmare that existed only to consume the living Force.”
Yeah, I don't see a way for this whole thing to end well...
The heavy sense of doom and dread that permeates every page is certainly not fun but it is very contagious.
As much as I like having Ty back in the story in some capacity, cutting to her every so often is a little distracting and breaks the dreadful mood of what's happening. Which is not great.
“Beneath all that pomp and arrogance, you’re just as scared and lost as the rest of us, aren’t you?”
Alexandra Elend Wolf
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![藤本タツキ短編集 17-21 [Fujimoto Tatsuki Tanpenshū 17-21]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657398442l/59347250._SY75_.jpg)
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