Cataclysm

Star Wars: The High Republic, Book 7

By: Lydia Kang

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Length: 16 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

After the thrilling events of The High Republic: Convergence, the Jedi race to confront the Path of the Open Hand and end the Forever War.

After five years of conflict, the planets Eiram and E’ronoh are on the cusp of real peace. But when news breaks of a disaster at the treaty signing on Jedha, violence reignites on the beleaguered worlds. Together, the royal heirs of both planets—Phan-tu Zenn and Xiri A’lbaran—working alongside the Jedi, have uncovered evidence that the conflict is being orchestrated by outside forces, and all signs point to the mysterious Path of the Open Hand, whom the Jedi also suspect of causing the disaster on Jedha.

With time—and answers—in short supply, the Jedi must divide their focus between helping quell the renewed violence on Eiram and E’ronoh and investigating the Path. Among them is Gella Nattai, who turns to the one person she believes can unravel the mystery but the last person she wants to trust: Axel Greylark. The chancellor’s son, imprisoned for his crimes, has always sought to unburden himself of the weight of his family name. Will he reconcile with the Jedi and aid in their quest for justice and peace, or embrace the Path’s promise of true freedom?

As all roads lead to Dalna, Gella and her allies prepare to take on a foe unlike any they’ve ever faced. And it will take all of their trust in the Force, and in one another, to survive.

©2023 Lydia Kang (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“While part of a larger story, Cataclysm has all the traits of the best Star Wars books—courageous Jedi, fearsome villains, and love powerful enough to change the fate of the galaxy.” —Dork Side of the Force

“Lydia Kang delivers a High Republic masterpiece. . . . Happy and sad tears will drip from your face onto the pages, but the heart of Cataclysm is as pure as Star Wars can be. The fight for survival, love, and a future fuels a book that will leave your heart racing.” —Star Wars News Net

“Cataclysm is definitely the must-read climactic finale of this arc.” —Laughing Place

Phase 2 Continues to Impress!

The High Republic author team has consistently written some of the best Star Wars books I've ever read. Cataclysm brings the current Phase to a thrilling peak, and perfectly pays off Convergence and Battle of Jedha. It's well worth the commitment!

And as if it needs to be said by now, Marc Thompson is the greatest narrator of our generation. He brings emotion and uniqueness to every character and scene he reads!

Worth the wait

I feel like it’s been forever since Battle for Jedha was released, but the wait was worth it. This was fast paced and nonstop surprises, action, or payoff. My only complaint is that I will miss these characters and I hate not knowing how their personal stories continue. Fingers crossed for some fill in the gap comics.

Wow it’s so good!

The best of the Phase II High Republic stories and its up there with the Phase I books. I can’t wait for Path of Vengeance and Phase III! The battle on Dalna is non stop action and when you listen to the audiobook version its like your listening to a movie. I love how Master Yoda and Yaddle are in it too. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. I like how Phase II ties back to Phase I with the Nameless. I am looking forward to see in Phase III if they will figure out how to defeat the Nameless. And it explains near the end of this book why in Phase II they didn’t know what they were facing and Yoda knew all along! So good this book is one of my new favorites!

Early On

Another chapter with good work from the Jedi, Palawan’s, leadership of Republic, Monarchs. Queens & droids.

As read for you by Marc Thompson.

Another wonderful installment presented by my favorite voice actor of all time. You forget that you are listening to ONE MAN.

Easily the best High Republic story

Lydia Kang wrote and excellent book that is brought to life by the just as excellent Marc Thompson. I am very excited to see how this phase of the high republic will tie into the first.

Excellent

Overall - this is a SOLID outing in THR, & rivals Convergence as best written book of THR Phase 2.

Two criticisms:
- Unlike other outings in THR, I was painfully aware of the absence of information other story-venues were filling in (various comics). This has not been so apparent in other works, and yet was painfully so in this one.
- Axel Greylark. The writer of this work did not capture the fullness of his backstory that was evident in Convergence. It’s like they didn’t know whole details of his backstory. He was a genuine fighter& apt at survival in a fight. This book missed that entirely. Axel was a much paler version of the much more richly developed character he was in the previous book.

Still - overall, excellent.

A slog at first, but WOW what an ending!

I had become very bored of the Forever War. I started this book, got about one third into it and then left it alone for five months. I randomly decided to go back, and I’m so glad I did. That final battle was incredible! It felt kind of like a blend of the climaxes of The Fallen Star and Midnight Horizon. I’m excited again for High Republic and don’t want to miss anything else again.

master roy

Died by a poison glove.
Then contradicted to die by The spiked creature There's a couple contradictions.
In the story. Over all good

Finally got me hooked on High Republic

This book and Convergence both got me hooked into the High Republic era. Great story and, of course, great narration.