Book Review: Star Wars - The Battle of Jedha

 

This is now the second book in the Star Wars canon, both in the High Republic era and overall (at least for the moment). It is set on the Jedha, which is the moon that was introduced during Rouge One. This book is another one of what has become fairly common for the adult canon books being released, in that it is written as a script. It follows the events of the novel Convergence, and the battle between the planets Eiram and E'ronoh depicted in that book. Jedha is preparing for a Festival of Balance in which different groups worshiping and/or studying The Force, including the Guardians of the Whills, are included. The festival will be used as a backdrop to peace negotiations between the Eiram and the E'ronoh, to be aided by two Jedi Masters. 

The book introduces a new group named Path of the Open Hand, who hate the Jedi's use and manipulation of The Force and sets up a clear precursor to the Nihil, who are the group of pirates that are the protagonists in the other High Republic books. There are tie-ins to the later novel, including introducing the monster that can sever the Jedi's connection to The Force, although what it is exactly, remains a mystery in this book. Of course, the negotiations go sideways and the Jedi must try to protect the citizens of Jedha, many of whom do not want them there at all. 

The book introduces even more characters (at least if you read this before Convergence as I did) and still does not utilize Yoda (which has been my big issue with all of the High Republic books to this point), just casually mentioning him at the very end. The book is one of the longer ones at just under 500 pages, but it is a fairly quick read. If you are a fast reader it can easily be finished in a couple of days. I think the story is good, but not great. It is not one of the canon books I would classify as a must-read, but I do think it is worth reading at least once for those who are keeping up with the stories outside of the movies and tv series.