Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi
by Charles Soule
380 pages
Published January 5th 2021
Synopsis:
Content Rating: As listed by Storygraph users: Death, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, War, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail
Long before the First Order, before the Empire, before even The Phantom Menace… Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in The High Republic
It is a golden age. Intrepid hyperspace scouts expand the reach of the Republic to the furthest stars, worlds flourish under the benevolent leadership of the Senate, and peace reigns, enforced by the wisdom and strength of the renowned order of Force users known as the Jedi. With the Jedi at the height of their power, the free citizens of the galaxy are confident in their ability to weather any storm But the even brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms defy any preparation.
When a shocking catastrophe in hyperspace tears a ship to pieces, the flurry of shrapnel emerging from the disaster threatens an entire system. No sooner does the call for help go out than the Jedi race to the scene. The scope of the emergence, however, is enough to push even Jedi to their limit. As the sky breaks open and destruction rains down upon the peaceful alliance they helped to build, the Jedi must trust in the Force to see them through a day in which a single mistake could cost billions of lives.
Even as the Jedi battle valiantly against calamity, something truly deadly grows beyond the boundary of the Republic. The hyperspace disaster is far more sinister than the Jedi could ever suspect. A threat hides in the darkness, far from the light of the age, and harbors a secret that could strike fear into even a Jedi’s heart.
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Review:
Happy May the 4th be with you! (I was going to post this yesterday, but the dark side was strong and got in the way of finishing touches, so I’m posting it for Revenge of the 5th instead.) I figured today was the best possible day to review the first book in the new High Republic series. So buckle up, and hold on this is going to be wild.
This book starts out by throwing you into chaos. It begins with chaos as a ship crashes into something in a hyperspace lane. Chaos continues as the pieces begin to come out of hyperspace near a peaceful agricultural planet. A potentially planet destroying catastrophe. The Jedi race from around the sector to save the planet. For the first third of the book it’s non-stop-action. You don’t know who will live and who will die.
Don’t dare get attached to characters the galaxy is a dangerous place.
As the scope of the catastrophe widens, the action switches and we are finally introduced to our main players. I don’t want to give anything away. This is a book you should not have spoilers for. Jump in and enjoy everything as it unfolds. The Jedi protagonists and the mysterious Nihil.
I will say that I have a couple new favorite Jedi, Loden Greatstorm and his Padawan Bell Zettifer. I loved their progression through the book. Especially, the way that Bell grows into the Force and into his own as a Jedi.
Also the Jedi have a pet, Ember the charhound. Which I just loved. We need more Jedi with pets!
The retired Jedi Porter Engle earned a special place in my heart. I hope we’ll get a book about a young Porter Engle.
There is a lot of description of how different Jedis view the Force. For Avar Kriss the force is a song. For Elazar Mann it’s a deep sea. The way each Jedi Master is able to use the force is partly determined with how they view it. This is something you can’t get from the movies and video games and I really enjoyed this look into the minds of Jedi.
Of course, the setting is familiar, at least to any Star Wars fan. Set on both on new and old planets and places within the Star Wars galaxy. Yet the addition of Nihil space keeps things fresh. Nihil space is intriguing and there are only a few hints about what it is within this book. I have a feeling more will be revealed as the series progresses.
Bottom Line:
An exciting read full of action and intrigue. Star Wars fans will feel right at home and be excited about new cannon for both Jedi and potential uses of Force powers.
"Then something happened. Three lines of light blossomed from the riders coming up fast behind them: one gold, one blue, one green, and Erika realized what was happening, who these people were. "By the light," she breathed. "They're Jedi." - Light of the Jedi