Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For a junior novel, this might be some of the most invigorating storytelling and writing in the entire High Republic series. Older understands the material on a personal level (as he is one of the crafters of the overall story of the High Republic era) and it is clear that he takes telling the antics of Rom, Luma, and Zeen very seriously.
Like A Test Of Courage, this was also a super fun book! Didn't like it as much as that one (the way the Drengir talked wasn't really my jam) but still highly recommend it! Fun and interesting characters and good humor (I loved V-18) and it's a very quick read.
Although this was a very good children’s book, I don’t think it was as well written/developed as A Test of. Courage, however, it is worth reading to fully flesh out the overarching story of the High Republic.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The whole for the whole, each part for the role it plays."
A fun little adventure that connects with the events of the Rising Storm and ends up serving also as a sequel to the High Republic Adventures run. It introduces us to an unconventional Padawan named Ram Jomaram, who has a huge passion for mechanics but not as much for organic life. There are some very interesting lessons about attachments and balance, as well as different interpretations regarding the Force in relation to organic and non-organic life that left me thinking.
It's not essential to the overall narrative of The High Republic, but it was still enjoyable and interesting to get to know a Jedi different from what we saw in the Prequels.
A fun little adventure that connects with the events of the Rising Storm and ends up serving also as a sequel to the High Republic Adventures run. It introduces us to an unconventional Padawan named Ram Jomaram, who has a huge passion for mechanics but not as much for organic life. There are some very interesting lessons about attachments and balance, as well as different interpretations regarding the Force in relation to organic and non-organic life that left me thinking.
It's not essential to the overall narrative of The High Republic, but it was still enjoyable and interesting to get to know a Jedi different from what we saw in the Prequels.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is such an adorable little read that really helps shape the world of Valo leading to its destruction. It connects and supports The Rising Storm beautifully!
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Because I care about life. And the light. I’d save them because it’s the right thing to do."
Race To Crashpoint Tower, written by NYT best-selling author Daniel José Older is the 2nd middle-grade novel set in the new High Republic Era of Star Wars. In this novel, we are placed on the beautiful planet of Valo, where the Republic Fair is to be hosted. Race To Crashpoint Tower is a fast-paced book, with entertaining action, and with fun twists and turns to be excited for. This is a quick and fun book, and the adventure that we are taken on is a pleasure to read.
Set simultaneously with the adult novel The Rising Storm, Race To Crashpoint Tower follows in its middle-grade predecessor (A Test Of Courage) in which we focus on a smaller set of younger characters during a slice of the main action and battle. These delightful characters are Ram Jomaram, who loves to work as a mechanic and fix up machinery, and the force helps him understand machines like droids or ships more than others could! Speaking of droids, his trusty V-18 and the cute and entertaining Bonbraks help bring light and humor to the story. Ram reminded me of a young Anakin Skywalker. Although not expecting (or wanting) to be involved in the action, Ram faces up to the challenge of fixing the broken comms tower, which the Jedi desperately need to be fixed after the Nihil sabotaged it!
Secondly, we have Lula Talisola, the main character of Daniel José Older’s IDW High Republic Adventures comics. Although she stars in that, and it would be helpful to read at least the first issue to get more background on her, Older does a great job of understanding that and introducing her so that the audience won’t miss out on her backstory! (However if you can, that comic line is great and I highly recommend!) When we first see her, we feel the envy and self-doubt she has for herself, after hearing and seeing Jedi like Vernestra Rwoh, who happens to be 17 and already a fully-fledged Jedi Knight, and the youngest knight in generations. She even gets to interact with Vernestra, and their interactions are sweet and heartfelt, in which Vern acts as a role model and guides and comforts Lula. This was probably my favorite parts of the book for me. Lula’s goal is to be the best Jedi she can be, and as someone who is very ambitious herself, I can relate A LOT to Lula, and I think many younger readers will as well. We also see Lula’s closest friend, Zeen Mrala, who is force-sensitive, but was found too late to be trained in the ways of a Jedi (yet that doesn’t stop her), the way Lula and Zeen interact and act as a support system for one another is great!
I can’t write this review and not mention the GORGEOUS illustrations from Petur Antonsson. They help bring the story to life, and aid the readers in picturing the scenes we are reading about.
One of the main things I love about this Era is its connectivity to each other. Every book there are characters that interact with one another, and who overlap (such as Vern from ATOC appearing yet again in this book, and how Lula stars in both the IDW comics and Race to Crashpoint Tower!). Although that could hurt some readers experience if they aren’t reading every book, I just think it’s a great way for people to read more and feel excitement when a character they love makes a unexpected appearance. This helps make the High Republic era feel so much more fleshed out, especially with other media types (like movies and TV shows) not being represented (Unless? Maybe soon? Hopefully? Sign me up!) I cannot wait to read more of Lula, Zeen, Vernestra, and Ram in the other books during the next waves/phases.
I give Race to Crashpoint Tower 4.5 stars! I would highly recommend and encourage the High Republic fans to not skip these middle-grade novels, and if you have children or you’re a younger reader, pick this one up, you won’t regret it!
Race To Crashpoint Tower, written by NYT best-selling author Daniel José Older is the 2nd middle-grade novel set in the new High Republic Era of Star Wars. In this novel, we are placed on the beautiful planet of Valo, where the Republic Fair is to be hosted. Race To Crashpoint Tower is a fast-paced book, with entertaining action, and with fun twists and turns to be excited for. This is a quick and fun book, and the adventure that we are taken on is a pleasure to read.
Set simultaneously with the adult novel The Rising Storm, Race To Crashpoint Tower follows in its middle-grade predecessor (A Test Of Courage) in which we focus on a smaller set of younger characters during a slice of the main action and battle. These delightful characters are Ram Jomaram, who loves to work as a mechanic and fix up machinery, and the force helps him understand machines like droids or ships more than others could! Speaking of droids, his trusty V-18 and the cute and entertaining Bonbraks help bring light and humor to the story. Ram reminded me of a young Anakin Skywalker. Although not expecting (or wanting) to be involved in the action, Ram faces up to the challenge of fixing the broken comms tower, which the Jedi desperately need to be fixed after the Nihil sabotaged it!
Secondly, we have Lula Talisola, the main character of Daniel José Older’s IDW High Republic Adventures comics. Although she stars in that, and it would be helpful to read at least the first issue to get more background on her, Older does a great job of understanding that and introducing her so that the audience won’t miss out on her backstory! (However if you can, that comic line is great and I highly recommend!) When we first see her, we feel the envy and self-doubt she has for herself, after hearing and seeing Jedi like Vernestra Rwoh, who happens to be 17 and already a fully-fledged Jedi Knight, and the youngest knight in generations. She even gets to interact with Vernestra, and their interactions are sweet and heartfelt, in which Vern acts as a role model and guides and comforts Lula. This was probably my favorite parts of the book for me. Lula’s goal is to be the best Jedi she can be, and as someone who is very ambitious herself, I can relate A LOT to Lula, and I think many younger readers will as well. We also see Lula’s closest friend, Zeen Mrala, who is force-sensitive, but was found too late to be trained in the ways of a Jedi (yet that doesn’t stop her), the way Lula and Zeen interact and act as a support system for one another is great!
I can’t write this review and not mention the GORGEOUS illustrations from Petur Antonsson. They help bring the story to life, and aid the readers in picturing the scenes we are reading about.
One of the main things I love about this Era is its connectivity to each other. Every book there are characters that interact with one another, and who overlap (such as Vern from ATOC appearing yet again in this book, and how Lula stars in both the IDW comics and Race to Crashpoint Tower!). Although that could hurt some readers experience if they aren’t reading every book, I just think it’s a great way for people to read more and feel excitement when a character they love makes a unexpected appearance. This helps make the High Republic era feel so much more fleshed out, especially with other media types (like movies and TV shows) not being represented (Unless? Maybe soon? Hopefully? Sign me up!) I cannot wait to read more of Lula, Zeen, Vernestra, and Ram in the other books during the next waves/phases.
I give Race to Crashpoint Tower 4.5 stars! I would highly recommend and encourage the High Republic fans to not skip these middle-grade novels, and if you have children or you’re a younger reader, pick this one up, you won’t regret it!