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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This is the weakest of the High Republic adult novels. Next to no dramatic tension, no addressing of the cause of some of the most interesting ideas (like the mysterious creatures that pull from the force users). The best of the main characters get sidelined, a major character dies after a lousy arc. Almost no time spent with the Nihil. Incredibly repetitive prose, some additional characters I couldn't give less of a shit about. And all for a rehashing of the "great disasters" of the previous two books which ends in a fairly obvious way. This could have easily been about 100 pages shorter. Disappointment.
A slow burn detective space fantasy disaster psychological horror epic?
Maybe a few of those. It’s like Claudia Gray caught every little issue I had with The Rising Storm’s structure and sought to resolve it. Less (and longer) chapters. Less dumb similes. More Elzar Mann. More Bell Zettifar. Stellan Gios, but cool. Matthew McConaughy. Interesting Nihil terrorists. Constant deaths. Geode. The ending is clear from the outset, but I’m so invested in these characters and their built-up trauma through Gray’s depiction that I continue to follow their journey anyways.
The Nihil have won. The Republic is humiliated. The Jedi are in free fall. It’s Speed (1994) but Star Wars. I almost wish it was standalone so I could recommend it to normal people. Best book of Phase I.
Maybe a few of those. It’s like Claudia Gray caught every little issue I had with The Rising Storm’s structure and sought to resolve it. Less (and longer) chapters. Less dumb similes. More Elzar Mann. More Bell Zettifar. Stellan Gios, but cool. Matthew McConaughy. Interesting Nihil terrorists. Constant deaths. Geode. The ending is clear from the outset, but I’m so invested in these characters and their built-up trauma through Gray’s depiction that I continue to follow their journey anyways.
The Nihil have won. The Republic is humiliated. The Jedi are in free fall. It’s Speed (1994) but Star Wars. I almost wish it was standalone so I could recommend it to normal people. Best book of Phase I.
Let me start this by saying I am someone who tries to keep up with all Star Wars literature, and love it all. I am a Star Wars apologist and I typically try and only find the good in all of Star Wars storytelling. (Remember the Star Wars mantra, from a “certain point of view”) With that out of the way, I am not exaggerating when I say this book is a must read for Star Wars fans, along with the other two high republic novels already released. Another absolutely amazing piece to the high republic puzzle. When project luminous was announced, and still an unknown, my hype was at an unbelievable level. A sustained, interconnected, multi year story arc with many wonderful authors, including the queen of Star Wars canon? I didn’t even need to know what the stories revolved around to be excited. And here we are at the end of phase one, with a cast of characters, many of whom I care about as much as those from movies or tv. The continuity and character development from Soule, Scott, and Gray, (as well as the other storytellers involved outside of the adult novels) has made these books such a rewarding experience. With the news that phase 2 of the high republic initiative will precede these stories, the pressure was on to deliver a memorable story to punctuate phase one, while we presumably take a small break from these characters. Boy was this a treat!! Gray once again solidifies herself as an all time great Star Wars storyteller. Amazing character development, wonderful horror elements, and terrific pacing drive this nail biting novel. I could not be more satisfied and heartbroken by what I’ve just read. I will say there were a couple times I had trouble comprehending how they were moving about Starlight Beacon, however I am an idiot with zero reading comprehension. (I am the type of reader who tries to thoroughly comprehend each sentence no matter how inconsequential. A blueprint of Starlight Beacon would help me a ton! :/) Thank you to all the high republic authors for phase one. What an unforgettable journey!
Mild spoilers!!!!
I CANNOT believe some of the characters who die in this book!!!
What the f is the leveler!!!!!
Cmon bell, please fulfill your mission!!!!
Cannot believe what Elzar did!!
Chapter 2 is some of my favorite content about the force, period!!! (Gray is the best at all things force related in my opinion)
Cannot wait for phase two, and hopefully an eventual return to the characters in this portion of Star Wars history!!!
Mild spoilers!!!!
I CANNOT believe some of the characters who die in this book!!!
What the f is the leveler!!!!!
Cmon bell, please fulfill your mission!!!!
Cannot believe what Elzar did!!
Chapter 2 is some of my favorite content about the force, period!!! (Gray is the best at all things force related in my opinion)
Cannot wait for phase two, and hopefully an eventual return to the characters in this portion of Star Wars history!!!
Incredible. I could not put this book down. Claudia Gray is the MVP of the new Star Wars EU in my opinion.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
fast-paced