Convergence is a discreet novel, whose strong point is its diversity which, however, perhaps is not fully exploited. While on the one hand the political and military situation turns out to be intriguing and the atypical chorality of the novel allows us to explore the various characters well (although this is more true for the supporting characters than the protagonists), the lack of main antagonists and a bland twist do not make Córdova's work fully stand out.
The great strength of Convergence is knowing how to decline its setting in a varied way, changing genre and atmosphere, without exaggerating but with great balance. For an adult novel, however, I expected a more marked evolution of the overall plot, although I think we will see its effects more long-term than in this single work.

I love the writing of Zoraida Cordova and I love Star Wars: The High Republic, so it's no surprise that I loved this book! With romance, politics, and action, this has all the elements of Star Wars I adore most.

As the Forever War rages on between Eiram and E’ronoh, enemies are forced to become allies – and maybe even more. Read my review of The High Republic: Convergence now!


When we as readers were still at the tail end of The High Republic Phase I, we were of course shocked to learn that the second Phase of the initiative would turn to the past. 150 years in the past, to be exact. Now, we are almost at the conclusion of the first wave of Phase II, and it’s been an interesting ride. I am a huge fan of the first Phase of the initiative – I read everything, collected every variant cover of each book, and quite a few comics, as well. I’ve found myself liking Phase II a little less, but I don’t think that’s a quality issue, but instead an “issue” of focus and genre.

Both Path of Deceit, co-written by Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton, and Convergence, by Zoraida Córdova, are primarily romance books. In PoD, a Jedi falls in love with a member of a Force-group known as the Path of the Open Hand. That romance didn’t quite work for me, as it felt like way too big of a jump for the Jedi, Kevmo, to fall in love so suddenly after living his entire life as a Jedi, trained to put those feelings away and focus on the Force. And, as I came to read The Princess and the Scoundrel, a book I had quite a few good things to say about, I realized that maybe romance isn’t for me in a lot of ways. This probably pre-disposed me against this book from the start.

Usually, I like to start with the things that I like about novels before I focus on the things that didn’t work quite as well for me. In this case, I think the things I didn’t like partially overshadowed the things that I did like, unfortunately. The core romance of the book is between two characters from opposing sides of the war: Xiri Al’baran and Phan-tu Zenn. These two represent the warring planets of Eiram and E’ronoh, the main participants in the so-called Forever War. This War has been raging so long that the entire galaxy has begun to feel the effects: shipping lanes are closed, hyperspace travel in the area is becoming more unstable and dangerous, and supplies that come from the planet are threatened as supplies are harder to get into the systems. As the two planets war, Xiri and Phan-tu, heirs of the crowns of their respective systems, come together to make an arrangement with an idea to end the war. There are two things that undercut this plot for me: a typical romance and not enough backstory.

High Republic Convergence Final CoverAs I read about Phan-tu and Xiri coming together with their plan to unite their systems, I felt like I knew what Zoraida was going for, but almost felt that…too strongly? To put it a different way: their romance felt fairly typical, almost like hitting certain “romance beats” that every major romantic story needs to hit. Sometimes I think that can still build a solid foundation for the characters, and even create a compelling story, but I never felt myself falling in love with these two’s love story. Instead, I felt more like it was checking boxes on their inevitable plan to come together. I began to like the characters on their own, but as a couple, I didn’t feel especially moved. One would be in a dangerous spot, saved by the other; one would have a moment of vulnerability and the other would meet them in surprising ways.

I hate to play a game of comparison, but my mind couldn’t help but shift to Lost Stars, another major Star Wars story that seemed like Romeo and Juliet in Space. The two main characters there, Cienna Ree and Thane Kyrell, were on opposing sides of the Galactic Civil War, but I think I rooted for both of them as characters (In a limited sense for Cienna, considering she *is* a space Nazi). But I was at least sympathetic in the way that I understood where each of them was coming from, and I could empathize with their decision making process. And even as a young adult novel, I felt like I could see their ideological differences come out to play and inform their characters. I didn’t feel as much with Xiri and Phan-tu. Instead, their ideological differences were built on past events that we didn’t see, ideological differences that felt more like stock reasons rather than developed and personal ideologies that each character held, and felt like these characters could have been any one else and the story would have played out similarly.

The second major thing that hampered my enjoyment of this book is that it’s built on the Forever War, a normally fairly interesting plot-device. Planets that have been at war with one another for a long time serve as great plot devices and settings and contexts, but I just didn’t feel a lot of connection to these planets. I felt a bit more to Eiram, considering how much “screen-time” it had in Phase I, but both planets were, again, almost basic enough that they could have been any other planets. I didn’t feel like either planet had anything too wildly unique about them that would make me remember them as individuals and not as a pair. There were times when their interesting backstories were brought up: their individual names for a shared moon, their creation myths based on their contexts, their cultural norms. But I didn’t feel like these had come up enough, and I didn’t find myself empathizing with either side very well. Even some things that brought flavor to the planets, like a duel to the death, were somewhat generic duels to the death.

But I do want to talk about the two things that have grown on me, and it’s not even fair to call them things, because they’re people: Axel Greylark and Gella Nattai.

Axel Greylark might be the stand out character from this novel to me. He’s the swanky son of a Senator, but he’s also the seedy son of a famous figure. At times, he flaunts his great wealth as a millionaire playboy, making news and not caring about whom he hurts. Other times, he finds himself in trouble, bringing a shadow over the Greylark family name. He hates the Jedi for reasons explained over the novel, and I find those reasons as fairly compelling reasons. He has been burned by a group, an Order, that most of the galaxy hasn’t even come across. How does that affect someone in this era? And I think that’s where Axel becomes the most interesting character in the novel: he feels like one of the only characters who can *only* exist at this time. The Forever War, Phan-tu and Xiri, and some of the other Jedi in the story feel like they could’ve easily been in the Clone Wars era and nothing would need to change about their story. But it’s really in Axel that we lean into this exact era. It’s not a spoiler to say that we’re going to see him again – the cover for Lydia Kang’s Catalyst proves that. I am excited to see him again, and I am curious to see where his story goes.

Gella Nattai is the next person that I really liked, but I felt a little less connected with her. As I said about Axel, I think Gella is one of the few characters really shaped by the “when” of her story. Her backstory is built on the Phase II promise of exploration – she has some experience with the Pathfinders and looks forward to a time where she can visit Jedha – but I felt like I wanted a bit more out of her story. The events that place her where she is when the book starts are kinda explored, but again happen off-screen. This means we’re told why she is the way she is, but I would’ve preferred to see that story rather than hear about it. When her story is brought up in the novel, I know it’s supposed to inform her actions and her beliefs, but I don’t think it does a solid enough job characterizing her. That being said, she did provide an interesting point of view in the story, and I think I would like to hear from her again about what makes the Jedi at this time unique.

Other than that, not a lot of the book spoke to me. And trust me, that does not bring me any joy. I wasn’t as attached to every single POV in the novel, so the constantly shifting POV didn’t do a lot for me. Different plot devices felt fairly routine, but a late-game twist brings some life to the story, thankfully. The plot moves along, mostly working in traditional Star Wars routines, but I enjoyed most of it. I felt like the pace was fairly slow, and I found myself enjoying character moments more than action scenes or major plot scenes.

I noted above how much I love The High Republic, and I am still entirely all-in on the initiative. I love what the creators have done, and even if this wave didn’t work for me entirely, I am extremely curious to see where Wave II of Phase II brings us. If these stories serve only as set up to the second Phase, I think I’ll be okay with that. Even if this one novel doesn’t speak to me entirely, I value it for the characters it created and for the set up it provides, and the interesting nuances it brings to the main story.

You can follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisWerms, and of course, you can follow the Manor on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor!

DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher at no charge in order to provide an early review. However, this did not affect the overall review content. All opinions are my own.

Phase 2 for The High Republic Era of Star Wars has now been in full swing for over a month now. Through a junior novel, youth novel, and comic series, fans have begun to learn more about the galaxy as it was 380 years before the Battle of Yavin. As the phase progresses, the hype around this time period continues to grow after the smash success of Phase 1. One of the staples of The High Republic storytelling has been adult novelizations, so it is no secret that the excitement for Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence is at an all-time high.

Published by Del Rey, Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence is written by Zoraida Córdova. While Córdova did not take the helm for any of the publications in Phase 1, she is no stranger to the franchise. With credits in From a Certain Point of View and The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark as well as a tie-in young adult novel in A Crash of Fate, Córdova is primed to make her presence felt in the larger Star Wars mythos.

Unlike the Galaxy Far, Far away that we know today, The High Republic era is still very much in a time of exploration. In Phase 1, fans saw an era where the Jedi were much more prominent figures rather than myths and legends. Hyperspace was much more complex to traverse and the Outer Rim was even more unruly than in the Skywalker Saga. Further, phase 2 takes fans back even further than that to a time when communication wasn’t as easy as popping up a holo device. As the exploration continues, the Jedi Council sends Jedi Pathfinders to the far reaches of the galaxy to maintain balance. Convergence follows one such Jedi, Gella Natti, who volunteers to settle a dispute between two planets in forever war.

At this point in the timeline, the galaxy is at relative peace. The differences between planets and even the two acting Chancellors have been the primary conflict thus far. As always, darkness and villainy are always lurking, but largely unseen to the powers at be. In Convergence, the primary conflict is between Eiram and E’ronoh, two planets that have been at war for generations and generations. When an assassination plot on the two heirs of the royal planetary families, it is up to Gella Natti to protect the two people who may finally bring the two warring planets to peace. However, she has to do with Axel Greylark, the son of Supreme Chancellor Kyong Greklark who is not certain if the Jedi are the pillars of morality they are made out to be.

Convergence shines in its ability to run the theme of dichotomy and the search for a middle ground. This is largely done with the backdrop of two warring planets but writer Córdova expertly brings themes down to its characters. Phan-tu Zenn, the prince of Eiram, and Xiri A’lbaran, the princess of E’ronoh, have prominent roles in the story as they try to break the generational cycle of war despite their difference. Axel and Gella but heads on more than one occasion and given his ideals and his prominent role in the sister book, Star Wars: The High Republic: Cataclysm, it’s safe to say those differences may not be as easily resolved as their banter suggests.

Further, Gella also provides yet another interesting look at how different the Jedi of this era are compared to the Jedi of the Skywalker saga. Her age puts her on a different stage than the young padawans and Jedi Masters that are typically the focus of other Star Wars stories. Her search for what home means as a Jedi is refreshing and makes one of my favorite Jedi to be introduced in Phase 2.

While the plot may not be as complex as others in the franchise, the characters and themes make Convergence fly by page after page. Córdova’s writing blends charm, humor, tension, and action together in a way that makes every chapter have substance. If you are coming off reading Path of Deceit or Quest for the Hidden City, there are enough connections to add to the world-building. However, Convergence is largely contained to the story that is trying to tell. For some, this may be a bit jarring compared to the other iteration in The High Republic. Convergence doesn’t have the same kind of galaxy-shifting events that were seen in the early novels in Phase 1. I would be lying if that wasn’t my expectation going in. So much has been made about the lingering darkness that is going to emerge to be the major conflict of this time period. By the end of Convergence, there isn’t a whole lot gleamed about these threats.

After sitting with Convergence, I think that is a great addition to the ever-expanding lore for Star Wars. This time period is a time of peace. While I was hoping for more scale and world-building in the conflict, Star Wars at its best is not about the conflict between the Light and the Dark but about the characters that inhabit the galaxy and the stories they tell. Córdova nails that. The characters are compelling; not as black and white as the premise may lead on. The conflict is important to the inhabitants of these two worlds and deserves to be told.

The galaxy is and always has been about more than just the lightsabers and politics. While it may not be the shock and awe of Light of the Jedi, everything great about the High Republic is represented in Convergence and Córdova’s writing.

The High Republic Phase two is a great starting point for new readers but for those of us who have been with the initiative since the beginning the phase 2 books have been highly anticipated and highly speculated on.

The High Republic flows throughout several genres: Middle Grade Books, YA and this book which is considered an Adult read. Phase two of HR has been really focused on the building blocks of what we know about the galaxy from Episode 4. The two Chancellors of The Republic are at the forefront of a great galactic expansion that includes hyperspace prospectors, Pathfinder collaborations, and the Jedi who find themselves in the center of the galaxy as advisors and peacekeepers.

With this foundation Zoraida gives readers an intimate story about A Jedi, A Chancellors son and two brave royals fighting to end an war that has spanned generations and devastated both planets. This book is an emotional action thriller that culminates the first wave of phase to spectacularly and both pulls and expands of the threads from Path of Deceit and Quest for the Hidden City. Gella and Axel are the emotional center of this novel.
It would seem that a Jedi and a Chancellors son would have zero mutual experiences but they are drawn to each other. Axel's teasing nature hides a deep pain and mistrust of the Jedi. Gella lives a life of fierce concentration and dedication to the Jedi order, and finds herself feeling very unsure of her future. Axel brings more than a series of frowns to Gella's face. Both have an almost unconscious tug to each other. Gella trusts that the Force will reveal all to her but she and the small family she has created with the Prince & Princess of the two warring worlds discover a shocking truth about Axel that can possibly hinder their quest for a cease fire.

This book has so much heart and some surprising twists. Axel is going to worm his way into so many hearts when they read this book! Gella owns my heart. She has a strength I aspire to and though she isn't perfect she has such a tremendous certainty and faith that her path will be revealed through the Force.
I did a combination of Audio And physical book with this book and I highly suggest the audio version! You have to hear Marc Thompson's Axel! And the scenes between Axel and Gella with the swells of Star Wars music will touch your heart so deeply ! I'm so excited to see how the HR community responds to this one. Zoriada found such a new way to work our feels. Such a great read and I hope to see more of this characters again soon.

Eerder deze week verscheen The High Republic: Convergence van auteur Zoraida Córdova. Dit is haar eerste uitstapje in het High Republic tijdperk, eerder schreef ze al korte verhalen in From a Certain Point of View, The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark, en de Galaxy’s Edge roman A Crash of Fate.

Met de tweede fase van The High Republic maken we een sprong terug in de tijd, 150 jaar voor de verhalen uit de eerste fase. Het verkende deel van het sterrenstelsel is nog kleiner dan het in de eerste fase was. De Jedi en de Republic sturen teams van Pathfinders naar de randen van het sterrenstelsel om veilige hyperspace routes te vinden en nieuwe planeten te ontdekken die zich mogelijk bij de Republic willen voegen. En natuurlijk doen de Jedi hun best om de rust en vrede in het sterrenstelsel te bewaren.

De zusterplaneten Eiram en E’ronoh – een oplettende High Republic lezer zal zich deze twee planeten herinneren uit flashbacks in The Fallen Star – zijn verwikkeld in een al generaties lang durende oorlog. Een oorlog die al zo lang duurt dat eigenlijk niemand meer weet waarom hij ooit begonnen is. Fun fact: dit is niet hetzelfde conflict als in The Fallen Star. Eiram is bedekt in zoutwater, E’ronoh bestaat vooral uit zand en steen. Beide planeten kampen met schaarste van middelen om hun bevolkingen in leven te houden dus hebben ze de hulp van de Republic ingeroepen.

Maar wanneer er tijdens een tijdelijke wapenstilstand schepen van de republiek arriveren om de planeten humanitaire hulp te bieden en te bevoorraden gaat er het een en ander mis. Een fighter van het leger van E’ronoh raakt stuurloos en maakt koers naar Eiram. Xiri A’lbaran – kapitein in het leger en princes van E’ronoh – doet een poging het schip te redden maar samen storten ze neer op de planeet van de vijand. Xiri wordt na de crash door Phan-Tu Zenn – prins van Eiram – van de verdrinkingsdood gered en samen besluiten ze dat er eindelijk een einde moet komen aan de generaties lang durende oorlog. Xiri en Phan-Tu zijn gedurende het boek de hoofdpersonages.

Naast Xiri en Phan-Tu volgen we ook Jedi Knight Gella Nattai – te zien op de door Yihyoung Li vervaardigde omslag van het boek – en Axel Greylark, de zoon van Chancellor Kyong Greylark. Gella is een ander Jedi personage dan we over het algemeen zien, ze is een Jedi Knight, zonder Padawan. Haar vorige missie liep uit in een tragedie en ze is sindsdien opzoek naar hoe ze haar leven als Jedi verder wil voortzetten. Gedurende het avontuur ontmoet ze Axel, de gokverslaafde rijkeluiszoon die door zijn moeder naar de planeten gestuurd wordt om de situatie voor haar in de gaten te houden. Hij heeft wat mij betreft een van de beste verhaallijnen in het boek, we ontmoeten hem in de lagere niveaus van Coruscant waar hij meer geld vergokt dan hij bezit. Hij is een klassieke nietsnut die zichzelf heel wat vindt, maar zijn persoonlijke groei in Convergence is erg interessant om mee te maken. Ook het concept van zijn droid, QN-1, die hem sinds het overlijden van zijn vader emotioneel ondersteund is leuk gevonden. En zeg nou zelf, wie zou er nou niet constant een droid bij zich willen hebben die wanneer nodig een flacon alcohol aanbied! Mensen die geen alcohol dringen waarschijnlijk, maar dan kan er frisdrank of een sapje in 😛

Convergence vertelt een leuk verhaal waarin de Jedi wat meer op de achtergrond staan dan verwacht, maar uiteraard wel een belangrijke rol spelen. Net als Path of Deceit en Quest for the Hidden City staat ook dit verhaal op enkele referenties na mooi op zichzelf, dus het maakt niet uit in welke volgorde je de eerste wave van deze tweede fase leest. Duidelijk is wel dat Cataclysm van Lydia Kang een vervolg op Convergence zal zijn, net zoals Path of Vengeance en Quest for Planet X de verhaallijnen uit Path of Deceit en Quest for the Hidden City voort zullen gaan zetten. Het verhaal leest verder vrij makkelijk weg, al is het midden wat traag, maar een twist zorgt ervoor dat het tempo verder naar het einde weer flink omhoog geschroefd wordt. Córdova introduceert vier compleet nieuwe personages die elk heel ver zijn uitgediept, elk heeft zijn eigen persoonlijkheid en geschiedenis. En ook de achtergrondpersonages voelen echt aan. Ik kijk uit naar wat Lydia Kang voor Gella en Axel in petto heeft.

De dertien en een half uur durende audioversie van het boek is ingesproken door Star Wars veteraan Marc Thompson. Zoals we van hem kunnen verwachten maakt hij er weer een mooi spektakel van, alle personages hebben een duidelijk herkenbare stem en hij weet altijd erg veel emotie in hun woorden in te brengen wat het verhaal nog wat meer diepgang kan geven. Ik heb het idee dat Penguin Random House Audio – die het audioboek produceert – de laatste tijd een stapje terug doet wat betreft geluidseffecten. Er zijn uiteraard nog genoeg effecten en muziek te horen, maar ze zijn over het algemeen wat zachter en minder overweldigend aanwezig. Wat naar mijn idee een goede zet is. Het boek is een genot om naar te luisteren.

Mensen die minder weg zijn van romantiek in Star Wars zullen even door een zure appel heen moeten bijten, want zoals de officiële beschrijving van Convergence al doet vermoeden lijkt een huwelijk tussen Xiri en Phan-Tu de enige manier om de oorlog te stoppen, maar naast de ontspringende romance tussen deze twee zijn er nog twee tegenpolen die elkaar toch meer aantrekken dan zij zelf zouden verwachten. Dit wil niet zeggen dat het hele boek alleen maar om romantiek draait, zeker niet, maar als het romantische aspect in The Princess and the Scoundrel je te ver ging, dan kun je Convergence beter links laten liggen. Al is het wel een must-read voor de rest van The High Republic, Phase 2 natuurlijk. En wat mij betreft is er niets mis met het verkennen van gevoelens en aantrekkingskracht in Star Wars.

In grote lijnen verwacht ik dat iedereen die tot dusver van The High Republic genoten heeft zich ook prima gaat vermaken met Convergence, al kan hij wat mij betreft niet tippen aan de Del Rey romans uit Phase 1.

We talk a lot about "entry points" when discussing Star Wars books, and it's safe to say CONVERGENCE is the latest addition to this ever-growing list.

Though the book is set in a galaxy far, far away and takes place in the popular High Republic era, it does not feature characters that would be familiar to veteran readers. It is, however, a classic Star Wars story -- one about war, and hope, sacrifice and the meaning of life. Purpose. The reasons we fight.

It is connected to PATH OF DECEIT and QUEST FOR THE HIDDEN CITY, but you could easily read this without having read those and still very much understand and enjoy the story. And it's a GOOD story. Two planets at war. A Jedi questioning her path. A Coruscant "celebrity" having long ago given up on ever making his mother proud.

I adored this book. I can't wait to read it again with the audiobook. Highly, highly recommend.

I really enjoyed the first book of The High Republic’s second phase! While Convergence starts off a bit slow, it picks up toward the end and leaves you wanting more. It’s a character driven story that focuses on inter-galactic politics, war, and peace… while sprinkling in bits of romance and betrayal into the story! Gella, Axel, Phan-tu, and Xiri are so well written and really made me love this book and their stories. Axel, you messy messy boy… I WOULD DIE FOR YOU!!!!

Convergence is a great starting point for anyone who wants to dip their toes into The High Republic! MTFBWY!

Convergence is the first adult novel and the third book in Phase 2 of The High Republic. It builds upon what has been set up in the previous two books and sets the stage nicely for what’s to come in the future.

This book follows Jedi Knight Gella Nattai while she attempts to help establish a peace between the waring worlds of Eiram and E’ronoh. To make things even more interesting the chancellor’s son Axel Greylark is sent to represent the republics best interests and report to his mother. But of course everything is not as it seems and it makes for quite an exciting story. It has the very classic themes of two enemies needing to work together for the betterment of their worlds and I enjoyed that.

I will admit that I struggled a little bit with this book. There were times where I wasn’t quite sure where the story was going, certain parts of the book felt very rushed, and others didn’t feel fleshed out enough. But by the end I could hardly put the book down and was absolutely hooked.

I loved the relationship between Axel and Gella. Both of them had the most interesting characters to me and really kept me engaged. His arrogant and self-centered nature worked so well with Gellas Jedi viewpoint. Axel might just be one of my favorite High Republic characters overall!

If you’ve read Path of Deceit you’ll see that a lot of story threads are starting to come together and can likely get a good idea of where Phase 2 is going. I also feel that at this point you really do need to be reading each book in the series to truly understand what’s going on. For me that’s not a problem at all but I know some people might find it hard to keep up with every book that comes out. I know that I am even more excited for the future of The High Republic after reading this book!

Star-crossed lovers! Two Houses, both alike in dignity! Dual lightsabers! Bitter enemies! And a celebrity wedding!

Zoraida Córdova brings us a story of hope, peace, compromise, and finding new answers to age-old enmities. The settings of this story are immaculately fleshed out. Which can be rare in these space adventures that so often span the galaxy, giving us mere glimpses into different places. The characters are also dimensional and layered. Each with their own prides… and prejudices…

Convergence dives deep into its characters and their complex motivations, beliefs, and cultures. The twists and turns throughout the story bring plenty of excitement! Not to mention all the lightsaber swinging and pew pews! Even in a fake and in space galaxy the struggles they face are familiar. How does one find common ground with another so diametrically opposed? How far can we go to compromise to find a path forward for everyone? Can people ever truly let go of these deeply held generational grudges? Every one of these questions is something we find ourselves facing every day. This story is something wonderfully special and there are a few threads I can’t wait to see pulled on.

This is a must-read for any High Republic fan looking for an unlikely romance with a dash of thrilling mystery!

Sal P.

From my review for Dork Side of the Force:

In the first novel of The High Republic Phase 2, all eyes in the galaxy are on two warring planets, their betrothed heirs, and the Republic and Jedi characters dropped into the middle of the historic conflict to help broker peace. Star Wars: Convergence by Zoraida Córdova is a riveting story of hope-filled star-crossed lovers and the high cost of both war and peace.

Set 150 before the events of Phase 1, this phase of storytelling is more than three centuries before the saga of the Skywalkers. As such, the majority of the characters are unfamiliar, giving the authors the space to flex their creative skills in fleshing out the Star Wars timeline without having to worry too much about interfering with the established stories of the prequels, original trilogy, and sequel era.

Phase 1 of The High Republic tackled the Great Hyperspace Disaster, the terrorist on the Republic Fair, and the destruction of Starlight Beacon. Essentially, the first phase was all about the Jedi and the Republic vs. the ruthless Nihil space pirates.

Convergence is the third book released from Phase 2, which is shaping up to be a bit of an origin story for the Nihil and their big baddie Marchion Ro. The young adult novel Path of Deceit gave us a deep dive into the Force cult the Path of the Open Hand, and Quest for the Hidden City was a lore-filled and horror-tinged standalone middle-grade book that added so much depth to this era of exploration.

The locales of note (so far) in Phase 2 include Dalna, Jedha, Eiram, and E’ronoh. The last two are where Convergence largely occurs — twin planets orbiting the same moon that couldn’t be more different. Eiram and E’ronoh have been locked in a Forever War for generations, and no one seems to remember why the war started in the first place.

The heirs of these two planets — Xiri Albaran from E’ronoh and Phan-tu Zenn from Eiram — become the star-crossed center of historic efforts at peace between the worlds. Their betrothal and subsequent barge tour around the planets become the glue holding together the shaky ceasefire.

Along the way, they face death and attempted assassinations from differing parties — some vehemently against brokering peace with the other planet and others with more mysterious and nefarious purposes.

One of those groups with a heavy hand in mucking up the already chaotic war between Eiram and E’ronoh is the Path of the Open Hand. This group of Force fanatics was introduced in Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland. Essentially, the Path believes the Force should be free — no one should use it, or else the galaxy becomes unbalanced.

Needless to say, followers of the Path aren’t fans of the Jedi. Leading the Path is a mysterious figure called the Mother, who we learned in Path of Deceit isn’t just spreading the word of her religion but using her influence and power for more nefarious reasons.

As this is a Star Wars story, accompanying these heirs are our main characters, Jedi Knight Gella Nattai and Axel Greylark, the son of one of the Republic’s chancellors.

At first, there’s no love lost between these two — and between Axel and pretty much every other person he encounters. Gella is steadfast and dedicated to the Jedi Order and the Force, even as she’s struggling to understand her place in the galaxy — as a Jedi Master eventually or possibly something else like a wayseeker.

Axel, on the other hand, is a gambling playboy with mommy issues. He embodies all the best tropes of a morally gray, not-quite villain. Behind all his arrogance and ego is a deep pain he constantly tries to mask. Throw in some animosity, forced proximity, and maybe a dash of enemies to…something more, and you’ve got an excellent, classic Star Wars romance.

At its core, Convergence is a character-driven story. What it does well is dropping right into the action from the first page as well as telling a romantic, hope-filled war story with a poignant focus on a small number of characters.

One of the criticisms leveled at some of the books of Phase 1, especially the adult novels, was their bevy of different characters and POVs. While Light of the Jedi was a thrilling introduction to this era, its POV bouncing at times made for a bit of a disjointed and overwhelming read.

Convergence remedies this by having only four characters share the POV and leaning more on the locations of scenes rather than whose eyes we’re experiencing the story through.

The evolving relationships between these core four main characters are also a bright spot. Even in the midst of war and peace talks, Xiri and Phan-tu still have quiet moments that showcase their growing intimacy and trust in one another. Their selfless and future-looking love story is beautiful and one I hope we get more of in future Phase 2 books.

Then there’s the flirty animosity and banter between Gella and Axel. It is textbook “these two are going to fall in love,” but their journey from distaste to…something more still feels fresh and comedic.

Where Convergence falls a bit flat, however, is in its pacing. Though broken up into parts, these titled chunks don’t feel necessary and are sometimes distracting when the pacing is actually steady.

Like many other Star Wars books, Convergence does fall victim to the sagging middle phenomenon of storytelling. The first and the last thirds of the book are both action-packed and focused on character introduction and development. And while there are moments in the middle third that kept me engaged and turning pages, most of the standout scenes and lines came at the beginning or at the climactic end.

Though not a short novel, Convergence also could have used a few dozen more pages to give us even more of that delicious character development.

Overall, Convergence is a solid addition to The High Republic era of storytelling and sets up some captivating plot lines to be explored in future books. It embodies the dark, ominous tone of The High Republic while still giving its characters — and its readers — peace and light to hope for.

The High Republic continues with Convergence, the first adult novel of Phase II which is centered around the Forever War between Eiram and E’ronoh. Author Zoraida Córdova (A Crash of Fate) delivers a complex and character-driven story that sets up the larger events of Phase II while still planting the seeds of an unknown evil that was introduced in the YA novel, Path of Deceit.

The political intrigue of Convergence has a very similar vibe to that of the Prequel trilogy, with the two factions, Eiram and E’ronoh constantly looking (whether in space or at a round table) to end their rivalry in death and destruction. Their final demise is delayed by the strong will of the two heirs, Phan-tu Zenn of Eiram and Xiri A’lbaran of E’ronoh who plan to marry as a last hope for peace. Unexpected circumstances revolving around a supply delivery to both worlds lead the Jedi Order and the Republic—Jedi Knight Gella Nattai and Chancellor Kyong’s son, Axel Greylark representing the parties respectively—converging at a peace summit, where they will play a key role in mediating the long discussions to end once and for all this useless conflict. Although at times the pace of the book feels a bit dragged, Convergence has so many emotional moments that will make readers laugh, cry, laugh, and cry again.

Zoraida Córdova created a compelling story with incredible characterization. The social dynamics between Gella Nattai and Axel Greylark are intriguing and never black and white. Gella’s goodness is juxtaposed by Axel’s need for chaos, but it’s when the two characters come together and really understand each other that the readers get something really special, relatable protagonists. They are far from perfect, in fact their actions are motivated by mistakes and the need to find a way to live with them. In contrast, Phan-tu and Xiri have lived different lives, both grown up as royals in two opposite worlds that have more in common than they ever imagined. Their arranged marriage is far from forced, and the two young heirs will eventually madly fall in love. The dynamics between all four characters is even stronger, Phan-tu, Axel, Xiri, and Gella become great friends à la Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewie—and that is Star Wars at its essence.

It is fascinating to see this slight shift in storytelling from bold and epic to subtle, mysterious, and political in The High Republic Phase II. Whereas the Jedi were front and center in Phase I, the citizens of the Republic, the mysterious Force cult Path of the Open Hand, and even characters outside the Republic take the spotlight. Axel Greylark in particular really shines—not because he is an extravagant, funny, live-fast-die-young guy—but because his scars run deep, and his pain is only masked by his flamboyant persona. Córdova does an amazing job at teasing the future of this character at the end of the book, which will be the official protagonist of Cataclysm, the next adult novel by Lydia Kang.

Witness the Eiram and E’ronoh’s Forever War first hand in The High Republic: Convergence, the newest adult novel of the all-new era of Star Wars storytelling. The book is available in hard copy, digital, and audiobook (narrated by Marc Thompson), all with a gorgeous cover art by Yiyhoung Li featuring Gella Nattai! Grab your copy today and let us know your thoughts on social media.

The High Republic phase 2 has kicked off unlike any other so far, with the YA novel Path of Deceit out first, followed by middle grade book Quest for the Hidden City (LINK BOTH). Third on the release schedule is the adult novel, Convergence, by Zoraida Córdova. Córdova’s no stranger to the Star Wars universe, with entries in two anthologies - Star Wars: From A Certain Point of View, The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark - and novel A Crash of Fate (a book I thoroughly enjoyed). Convergence takes what’s been introduced so far in phase 2 and tonally makes a 180 turn, filled with politics, mystery and even a little romance.

Front and center in Convergence is Gella Nattai, a relatively young (my guess is late 20’s or early 30’s) Jedi Knight who is capable, strong, and even keeled. Gella’s characterization is similar to the Knights and Master’s we came to love from phase 1 (Stellan, Avar, Elzar), confident in who she is as a Jedi, strong in the Force, and dedicated to her cause. The war between E’ronoh and Eiram has reached a fever pitch, and Gella and her Jedi companions, with the best of intentions, decide to intervene, resulting in steps finally being taken towards peace. The Jedi successfully get everyone - including themselves, Republic officials, and representatives from both planets - in the same room to start hashing things out and that’s when things get messy.

Everyone has their own best interests in mind as the talks towards peace commence. The Jedi just want to be facilitators, the planets are only looking out for their own, and the Republic (with only one of the two Chancellor’s present) have galactic governance on their minds. Not to be left out, the Republic’s other Chancellor sends her son, Axel Greylark, to keep an eye on the proceedings. Axel’s a spoiled rich kid who lives life to the fullest (ie, dangerously). He’s a narcissistic rogue with a hidden agenda that could ruin everything. E’ronoh’s princess, Xiri A’lbaran, thinks the best way forward is less political and more relational, a strategy involving herself and the son of Eiram’s leader Phan-Tu Zenn. With this strategy in place Gella, Axel, Xiri and Phan-Tu set off on an interplanetary tour to spread their message of collaboration to the inhabitants of Eiram and E’ronoh.

My favorite element of Convergence is how Gella, Axel, Xiri and Phan-tu bond during their time touring the planets. It was great to see how each unique character was introduced and then how they changed as they learned from the perspectives of others. They are four very different people, with varying backgrounds, motivations, and personalities. It reminded me of summer camp, when for a very set period of time, kids would come from all over the place to have a singular experience. Cordova knows the power in these types of shared experiences, how they can quickly bond people. She uses this type of experience in a way that draws the reader into the lives of these four. We want them to succeed (both personally and politically), so it’s all the more exciting when they do, and heartbreaking when they don’t.

Axel Greylark is easily my favorite character of Convergence. He’s a braggart and cocky, but he also nurtures a deep-seated pain. His motivation isn’t as rooted or noble as Gella’s, which makes for a complex character that is a joy to read. I love seeing how he breaks down relational walls, particularly with Phan-tu and Gella (one a bromance and one an actual romance). By the end of the novel we see Axel has changed but what he chooses to do with his future remains to be seen.

I struggled most with the political aspects of Convergence. I can understand the necessity of setting the stage for the novel, but I felt a lot of the chapters lacked an urgency that I enjoy when reading Star Wars. Getting a large group of characters in a room to talk strategy is only entertaining to a point for me. I guess I was hoping that, as an adult High Republic novel, there would be more shocking cliffhanger moments (don’t get me wrong there are a few) and action. This was definitely a case of me having a set of expectations that weren’t me, which isn’t a knock to the book, just a reminder to keep an open mind. I also wish The Path of the Open Hand had a bigger presence but in the interest of spoilers, that’s all I’ll say about that. There are definitely plot and character moments that I’m positive will continue to play out in The High Republic phase 2, so it’s definitely worth a read in that regard.

The High Republic: Convergence is a story of striving towards a common goal amidst opposition, and coming out on the other side changed, for better or for worse. I give Convergence by Zoraida Cordova 3/5 - recommend.

I enjoyed the intimate, character-driven nature of Convergence. It was a nice change of pace from having a High Republic novel center around a major disaster like in Phase I, and I feel like I adequately got to know the new set of characters so I’m invested in subsequent stories. Really looking forward to Cataclysm and more Axel Greylark (and Gella, too!)

Convergence is a remarkable book. While many reviewers might find its less-expansive scope and focus on character disappointing, I certainly did not. Unfortunately, there is a trend in fandom storytelling to water down what is "important" or "good writing" to the big, blockbuster moments: battles, reveals, and deaths. Instead, this book takes a deep breath and dives into the characters at the heart of the conflict between the twin planets, Eiram and E'ronoh. The plot is relatively straightforward, allowing the characters to shine, and focusing on a small cast of characters allows us to get to know them in a relatively short time frame. Because this phase of the High Republic is shorter overall than phase one, I think this is a smart choice. The novel's connections to the greater High Republic and Star Wars stories are certainly there, but the book is also refreshingly self-contained. At no point did I feel I was reading something only to get to read something else later. Instead, Convergence tells a complete story–its characters encounter challenges, grow, and change in satisfying and surprising ways. An obvious stand-out is Axel Greylark, a character sure to irritate some but a character who I found immediately engaging and irresistible. His relationship with Gella Nettai is, in my opinion, the book's highlight. While often subtle, the dialogue between Greylark and Nettai features some of the most expertly written romantic writing in all of Star Wars.

All in all, Cordova has created what feels like an in-universe "Jedi Romance Novel." To be clear, I say this with the highest praise. Star Wars should be home for all genres and modes of storytelling, and Convergence now happily ranks among my favorite Star Wars books.

I love Zoraida as an author and I love the High Republic already, so I may be a bit biased, but Convergence really came out of the gate swinging. As the first adult novel in the High Republic Phase II, it had a lot of ground to cover setting up the titular Star War of this period in the galaxy, and yet it also somehow managed to give us 4 distinct and interesting main characters, 2 M/F romances that reminded me, a queer reader, that M/F romance can still be good, and the magic of storytelling about Jedi that makes the High Republic so great.

Reading this after Path of Deceit and Quest for the Hidden City, the YA and middle grade books that started out the phase, really was a knockout. Path of Deceit is a tense and dark setup for this troubled time in the galaxy, Quest for the Hidden City a fun mystery, and Convergence had that perfect mix of adventure, tragedy, romance, and hope that makes Star Wars special.

Gella Nattai, like the trio of the Phase I adult novels (Avar, Elzar and Stellan), is a refreshing departure from focusing only on young padawans or old masters, and delving into what it's like for a Jedi Knight in their late 20s/early 30s just trying to figure out who they are. There's so much more that I want to say that would sell you on this book, but it is full of spoilers, so you'll just have to trust me. There is something in this novel for everyone, I promise, and I am on the EDGE OF MY SEAT waiting for the Battle of Jedha, the audio drama that will follow it.

Hearing that Zoraida Córdova was going to be writing for The High Republic, one of my absolute favourite ongoing series, was an exciting prospect. Not only because of the stories she’s previously told in the Star Wars universe, but because as a fan of her work generally, I was excited to see how the larger political/historical framing of the era would fit together with the kind of character- and emotion-driven stories she usually tells.

Needless to say her novel Convergence, the first adult-geared novel in Phase II, did not disappoint in any respect. It was exactly what I could have hoped for and then some.

The story is centered around the worlds of Eiran and E’ronoh who have been at war for five years, and naturally everyone involved is suffering for it. When a relief shipment delivered by the Jedi coincides with an escalation in tensions, E’ronoh’s princess Xiri and Eiran’s prince Phan-tu decide they should get married, and begin a goodwill mission to convince their people of the ceasefire and to garner their support for the union.

Along for the ride are Jedi Knight Galla Nattai, who is attempting to keep the two safe from the dangerous factions that would see one or both of them dead, and the space rake himself Axel Greylark, son of one of the Republic’s chancellors, who has reasons both above- and below-board for coming along on the trip.

Convergence has all the hallmarks of what makes The High Republic so great, with that interconnected story we love to see, and elements of other stories popping in to round out the mystery and intrigue. But what really, really makes this book soar are the core cast of characters.

Xiri and Phan-tu were such a surprise, because the official description of the book made me think the two of them would be background characters, secondary to the concerns of the Jedi and the Republic. Don’t ask me why. I should have known Córdova would never do that to us.

A marriage of convenience? In my Star Wars? Between two people just trying to do their best? I’m all in.

Galla Nattai is yet another reason why The High Republic is such a fascinating study in the Jedi. She is dedicated to the Force, and feels it keenly as a part of herself, and is particularly attuned to the feelings of those around her. She has a curiosity and a desire to learn that she never apologizes for, and indeed never lets it hold her back. She feels both like the purest expression of what it means to be a Jedi, and so grounded in the reality and messiness that is life, that she stands wholly apart in her own way.

And then of course we have our space rake Axel Greylark. A Chacellor’s son with just enough damage/I-can-fix-him-ness mixed with just enough redeemability and angst that he is going to steal the hearts of readers everywhere. Every era of Star Wars just gifts me with a broody, angry, dark-haired boy to root for, and Phase II is no exception.

I sound like a broken record at this point, but if you’re not reading The High Republic, you are genuinely missing out. More to the point, if you are a romance reader, who is in any way interested in Star Wars, then this book more than any other is for you. The characters and tropes hit that sweet spot just so, and will have you anxiously awaiting the next book (is it spring yet?)

Convergence hits shelves on November 15, 2022. Special thank you to Del Rey for the advance copy for review purposes.

As part of The High Republic’s Phase II: Quest of the Jedi’s first wave of content, The High Republic – Convergence is the first adult novel of the new Phase. Marking Zoraida Córdova’s THR debut, Convergence follows Jedi Knight Gella Nattai as she, and seemingly the rest of the galaxy, get wrapped up in a high stakes peace summit to bring the Forever War of E’ronoh and Eiram to a close. As the prince and princess of the warring worlds draw closer, so too do all the forces conspiring to keep the planets apart, a small-scale struggle with greater galactic meaning, making Convergence an often intriguing, exciting, and character-focused next great entry in Phase II.

While most of the galaxy is at peace some 150 years before the start of Phase I, E’ronoh and Eiram, two planets with only a moon between them, are not, locked in a Forever War that its current combatants on either side can’t quite remember why it all started in the first place. As a ceasefire looks to crumble as both sides desperately reach out to the galaxy to replenish dwindling supplies, and outside forces are working in the shadows to ensure war resumes, Jedi arrive to help Eiram per their requests, but the seemingly random appearance of Chancellor Mollo of the Republic, one of two in this era, begins a series of irreversible events that could change the system for ever. The Princess Xiri Al’lbaran of E’ronoh crashes on Eiram, where she’s saved by the Prince of Eiram, Phan-tu Zenn, and the negotiations between the two sides for Xiri’s return lead the two young heirs to see a new path forward: marriage, in the name of peace. Will it be enough? And can the Jedi help them make it to their wedding day, as the forces against them grow in desperation?

Convergence features a relatively large cast, jumping POVs often, even multiple times in a chapter, though besides some side characters who feel more like they exist only to tell us more about the main ones, the depths and variety Córdova manages to provide makes each of the main cast memorable, unique, and ones you can get attached too. Her descriptions of both Eiram and E’ronoh, which we haven’t visited before but have dealt with in Phase I, painted visually distinct worlds with opposing features that aren’t that dissimilar when you think about it, like the great desert seas of E’ronoh and the great actual sea of Eiram, helping to show how on the surface this battle against one another is frivolous. Despite Convergence being all about securing peace, there is plenty of action as different factions attempt to halt the proceedings, and while these scenes didn’t always feel cohesive at times, especially when switching POVs, they are overall easy to follow and bring plenty of excitement to the novel. There were also some moments in the prose that I had to reread a time or two due to how things were worded, while a surprising demeanor change for a character later made sense, but the initial moment felt too out of left field and some motivations weren’t always the clearest even by novel’s end, though never even to take me out of the book. Otherwise, I loved how instead of this being around a big event like some of the previous adult novels, it is more about the characters affecting a situation and how they navigate the consequences; between this and Path of Deceit, and even The High Republic – Phase II comic, this Phase certainly feels more intimate and it’s really paying off, especially since we have a shorter time in this Phase so all this character focus helps endure them to us quicker. Overall, this isn’t Cordova’s first Star Wars and it shows, and while this might be her first THR entry, she slips into the era as if she’s been in it from the start, and I’m glad to know there’ll be more Star Wars from her in our future!

Jedi Knight Gella Nattai, who graces Convergence’s cover, is struggling with her place in the Force. While the details remain light at the start, we learn she’s been assigned to Jedi team bringing Eiram supplies because her last mission with a Pathfinder team didn’t go so well. What’s supposed to be an easy mission, drop off supplies and return, feels like a punishment by the Order for what went wrong, though it quickly gets complicated when they find the tentative peace between the worlds is shattered by an out-of-control ship. She’s impulsive and doesn’t wait for others to follow along, listening to the first thing the Force tells her and going for it, so she often leaves the other Jedi behind, like she does in the opening to go out and assist the unfolding situation. Despite her fears of failure, of needing to learn to work with others, she’s impressively skilled, pulling off a levitation trick she learned from a different Force religious group, and confident in those gut calls from the Force. Her time interacting with the other Jedi of the story, like Master Creighton Sun, Master Char-Ryl-Roy, and Padawan Enya Keen, gives us a glimpse at her knowledge and control, but both hints at how she wants to be and how maybe she shouldn’t be as a Jedi. I really enjoyed her character overall, as well as the journey so goes on to eventually come to terms with her failures and find greater faith in her connection with the Force, and it all comes from her interactions with the Chancellor’s son, Axel Greylark, and the two heirs Xiri and Phan-tu, as they team up to start a tour across E’ronoh and Eiram to distribute supplies and show the people a united front in these burgeoning peace talks around the young couple’s betrothal. Axel and Gella share a common issue with what they perceive as personal failures in their pasts, something that draws them together and begins to bond them, even after certain revelations come to light. With Xiri and Phan-tu, Gella sees how leaders act, not only individually like she does already, but together and with the team around them, helping guide her path to overcome her past and find her future. The novel ends with Gella making an exciting choice and I hope, unlike with a character in Phase I, we get to explore this a little before the next incident, but regardless I’m looking forward to the next step of her journey in Phase II.

While Gella’s a memorable new Jedi character, it’s Axel Greylark who steals the show in Convergence for me. To most of the galaxy, he’s Chancellor (one of two) Greylark’s son, a pompous, rich, glamorous, celebrity of sorts, but to those who aren’t so interested in watching reality holos, he’s likely to owe them more credits than he’s actually worth. I really liked how Convergence shows us Axel at his worst to start, gambling away credits like he’s made of them, even though he knows he isn’t, drinking to forget nightmares from a memory which always haunt him. He talks about how the holos believe he is, what the galaxy thinks he is, and it’s certainly a stark difference from how he really is, but those hints of the charming, handsome son of Chancellor come out as he joins the crew on their mission across the two planets. The masks he wears are hard for people to discern, even his own mother, but even harder for him to keep separate as he bonds with the royals and Gella specifically, their time together forcing him to face the choices he’s made through the grief he’s suffered. His arc overall, as Convergence starts with his worst and ends with him at his own personal best, though everyone rightfully has opinions on his ultimate choices here, remains a fascinating one and the most intriguing of the novel, his fate and next steps the most enticing thread I want to see continued in Phase II. I also really enjoyed his little emotional support/therapy droid Quinn, who offers Axel calming lights and a flask, like any good therapist should! Their connection and bond was a neat undercurrent to the story and Axel’s actions and emotional journey.

As for the couple to be, both Xiri and Phan-tu are complex characters with various obstacles to get over from their planets and their planets’ pasts, including coming to admit the growing feelings they have for one another. Xiri, the daughter of E’ronoh’s Monarch, a spiteful man who seems only interested in dragging on the war, especially thanks to the whispers of his Viceroy in his ears, has had enough with the fighting and the dying and can’t muster the same hate for Eiram like her father. She’s proud of her planet and wants to help the people but knows there’s another way. Phan-tu, who was adopted by the Eiram Queen and her consort, came from nothing and cares most about his people, eager to do whatever it takes to help them, even if it means marrying the E’ronoh’s princess despite her holding a blade to his throat after he rescues her from their sea. As they go on the mission to deliver supplies and show the planets they really mean to bring an end to the all the fighting, the two struggle with their feelings for one another, buried behind decades of resentment built in by cultures, and watching them come to express their real feelings despite all the baggage was a highlight of their partnership. Their budding relationship isn’t without strife, be it the depth of E’ronoh’s isolationist factions and the lengths they’ll go to keep the war going forever or Eiram’s hidden plans for a failsafe if this peace breaks, these truths testing the resolve of both sides to keep the union and peace alive. Overall, their plan to marry echoes Rose’s famous line from The Last Jedi, about saving what we love, not fighting what we hate, a powerful message one would hope could resonate more across our own world and nations.

As I mentioned earlier, as expected some side characters don’t feel as fully fleshed out, more there to help Córdova pull back the perspective and fill us in on events if she skips time, be it for character injuries or help keep the plot moving, and I enjoyed these little moments setting the table or getting readers up to speed especially thanks to the change of tone/perspective at times. Of the side characters, some of the villains against the peace treaty and wedding felt vague in some cases, where it wasn’t always clear why one faction wanted a certain item Eiram has or the E’ronoh who don’t want peace were two dimensional, but it doesn’t diminish the fun or stakes of the novel. Otherwise, I particularly enjoyed Chanceller Mollo, a Quarren, the second of the two chancellors of the era, who roams the galaxy to be with the people while Axel’s mother rules from Coruscant. His desire to see peace, and be the one who provides it, covers an interesting array of reasons and I’m hoping we’ll get a little more about how these two chancellors work together while furthering their own goals. Two characters operate from the shadows on behalf of the Path of the Open Hand, the Force cult introduced in Path of Deceit (which reveals some intriguing ties to Phase I), and their desire for devotion or promotion from the cult adds even more concerns to the group and what chaos it’ll cause throughout Phase II. The way these characters talk about the Mother, the cult’s leader, compared to one character shows she’s not as persuasive as she’d like to think, but Convergence only scratches the surface of what she’s all up to. Jedi Master Creighton Sun and Padawan Enya Keen are great juxtapositions to Gella while rounding out all the various ways Jedi act in this era compared to the ones in the films; Sun with his commanding voice and measured attitude, and Enya with her eager and unburned world-view, continued THR’s trend of a more supportive Order, especially as Gella tries to figure out how to move forward after her failure.

The High Republic – Convergence by Zoraida Córdova continues Phase II’s character heavy focus to fantastic effect, making a larger scale conflict feel intimate and engaging, with a great cast of characters I’m interested in seeing more of as Phase II continues.

{Link included will go live on embargo date}