Review by Frank Plowright

Before the Yuuzhan Vong invaded, the Galfridian family ruled Artorias. King Caled, a battle of Hoth veteran, now leads the underground resistance, although that’s imperilled by an infiltrator. His wife and daughter were abducted, although after a rebellion the latter has now taken control of a spacecraft, and Prince Finn escaped to train as a Jedi and is about to embark on a rescue mission. For full disclosures and much excitement see Invasion 1: Refugees.

In that Tom Taylor set four plots in motion, one apiece for three family members and the fourth and so far lesser plot concerning Tsalok, a Yuuzhan Vong killer shown mercy by Finn when had the positions been reversed he’d have slaughtered him. It’s an existential problem for him. Every plot is compelling. Taylor’s policy is to follow one for a few pages at a time, supplying a cliffhanger before switching to the next. It makes for very effective, page-turning! Along the way Finn and Kaya appear to have found their calling in adversity,

Because Taylor’s plot keeps the pages turning so rapidly perhaps there won’t be time to appreciate just how much Colin Wilson’s art ensures that’s the case. At first glance it seems sketchy, but that’s because Wilson’s loose line emphasises movement. Just look at the numbers and detail on the sample art and consider how many artists would have applied that effort. Effort is also there in the design of the Yuuzhan Vong, which makes them fiddly to draw. So many other artists would have gone for a simpler design, and wouldn’t have battles occur in poor weather. Thankfully Wilson also restrains himself from explicitly showing the cost of battle as practised by the Yuuzhan Vong.

The Galfridian family past is briefly spotlighted, showing why one member is far stronger than they’ve appeared, and another has developed an extremely useful talent. Each sibling is involved in a rescue mission and both prove bittersweet, but they also prove it’s possible to cause their foes trouble, and no other enemy of the Yuuzhan Vong has managed that.

Anyone who loves the original Star Wars material, before it became too complicated, ought to relish Taylor and Wilson channelling that spirit of adventure and excitement, and the conclusion arrives with Revelations. It’s been beautifully set up with a grave new danger introduced in the final pages.