Vortex: Star Wars (Fate of the Jedi)

I’ll admit, I went into *Vortex* skeptical. The *Fate of the Jedi* arc has its detractors, and after Abeloth’s cosmic chaos, I wondered if Denning could keep the momentum. Spoiler: he does—by flipping the script entirely. This isn’t a story about defeating a godlike villain; it’s about the fallout when the dust settles, and the Sith remember they *hate* each other more than they hate the Jedi. Luke’s gambit—to play Sith factions against one another—is one of his most cunning strategies since *Thrawn*, and Denning sells it with razor-sharp dialogue and a body count that’ll make you wince. Marc Thompson’s performance is *the* reason to listen, not just read. His Luke is weary but razor-focused, his Sith voices (especially the slippery Vestara Khai) ooze with layered malice, and the action sequences—like the ambush on Klatooine—feel ripped from a lost *Clone Wars* arc. My only gripe? The pacing stumbles in the middle during a protracted political subplot on Coruscant (even Thompson’s gravitas can’t save a few too many Senate debates). And while the ending lands with a punch, some character arcs (looking at you, Ben) feel rushed in the final act. Still, for *Star Wars* fans who miss the morally gray, high-stakes storytelling of *Legends*, *Vortex* is a vicious, satisfying ride. Just don’t expect any easy answers—or survivors.