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Star Wars: The High Republic
Defy the Storm
Star The High Republic, the New York Times best-selling series, continues. . . . For light and life!One year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, the galaxy is in chaos. An anarchistic group known as the Nihil has taken over a section of space now known as the Occlusion Zone. Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh and scientist Avon Starros team up in an attempt to find a way through the Nihil Stormwall to save those on the other side.But what are the Nihil’s real plans? And what of the nameless creatures that can destroy the Jedi Order? The battle has just begun. . . .
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2024
115 people are currently reading
1748 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Gratton
81 books1,967 followersTessa Gratton is the author of adult and YA SFF novels and short stories that have been translated into twenty-two languages, nominated twice for the Otherwise Award, and several have been Junior Library Guild Selections. Her most recent novels are the dark queer fairy tales Strange Grace and Night Shine, and queer the Shakespeare retelling Lady Hotspur. Her upcoming work includes the YA fantasy Chaos and Flame (2023), and novels of Star Wars: The High Republic. Though she has lived all over the world, she currently resides at the edge of the Kansas prairie with her wife. Queer, nonbinary, she/any.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
January 21, 2025
Defy the Storm is another action-packed installment to the High Republic era of the Star Wars Canon.
Known as the Golden Age of the Jedi, the High Republic era predates all previously released Canon materials.
This is a YA story, co-written by two veteran Star Wars contributors, Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton, and is considered part of Phase III of the High Republic roll-out.
To put it in basic timeline order, at this point, the Nihil have destroyed the Starlight Beacon and have erected a barrier, the Stormwall, around territory they are now claiming as their own, an area known as the Occlusion Zone.
I got to know many of this era's recurring characters more intimately through this novel, which I appreciated.
We follow multiple different perspectives, including Avon Starros, one of my favorite characters, Jedi Knight, Vernestra Rwoh, former frontier deputy, Jordanna Sparkburn, and the human physicist, Xylan Graf.
Efforts are made by this group to cross the Nihil Stormwall, in order to save any Republic members trapped on the other side. A top priority for rescue is Vern's Padawan, Imri Cantaros, once thought lost on the Starlight Beacon.
I've read quite a few of the High Republic releases. Not all of them, but many. Enough to recognize the full cast of characters presented here and I loved being back with them.
Seeing them come together to work towards a common goal, fighting back against the Nihil, was very satisfying.
I particularly enjoyed the personal journeys that Avon and Vern went on over the course of the story. I feel like they both grew so much and learned a lot about themselves.
As mentioned above, Avon is one of my favorite characters and I easily stick by that after this installment. She's still working to get out from under the shadow of things her mother, a former Galactic Empire Senator, has done and I just feel for her so much.
Avon's mother is now on the side of the Nihil and it's because of her actions they were able to successfully strike down the Starlight Beacon. I don't blame Avon for wanting nothing to do with her anymore, still, that's tough for a kid.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and as always, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend that format. If you've never listened to a Star Wars audiobook before, particularly the newer ones, you just have to do so.
It's such an incredible listening experience. The sound effects, music and voice-work bring these stories to life. In fact, this one had so much action, it had be jumping at some of the intense sounds and moments.
Thank you to the publisher, Disney LucasFilms Press and Disney Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I've been impressed with all of the High Republic materials that I have read.
It's amazing to me how the authors for this era continue to bring all the heart to plots that are mainly action. It's really interesting how much I am feeling for these characters and I love it. I can't wait for more!!
Known as the Golden Age of the Jedi, the High Republic era predates all previously released Canon materials.
This is a YA story, co-written by two veteran Star Wars contributors, Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton, and is considered part of Phase III of the High Republic roll-out.
To put it in basic timeline order, at this point, the Nihil have destroyed the Starlight Beacon and have erected a barrier, the Stormwall, around territory they are now claiming as their own, an area known as the Occlusion Zone.
I got to know many of this era's recurring characters more intimately through this novel, which I appreciated.
We follow multiple different perspectives, including Avon Starros, one of my favorite characters, Jedi Knight, Vernestra Rwoh, former frontier deputy, Jordanna Sparkburn, and the human physicist, Xylan Graf.
Efforts are made by this group to cross the Nihil Stormwall, in order to save any Republic members trapped on the other side. A top priority for rescue is Vern's Padawan, Imri Cantaros, once thought lost on the Starlight Beacon.
I've read quite a few of the High Republic releases. Not all of them, but many. Enough to recognize the full cast of characters presented here and I loved being back with them.
Seeing them come together to work towards a common goal, fighting back against the Nihil, was very satisfying.
I particularly enjoyed the personal journeys that Avon and Vern went on over the course of the story. I feel like they both grew so much and learned a lot about themselves.
As mentioned above, Avon is one of my favorite characters and I easily stick by that after this installment. She's still working to get out from under the shadow of things her mother, a former Galactic Empire Senator, has done and I just feel for her so much.
Avon's mother is now on the side of the Nihil and it's because of her actions they were able to successfully strike down the Starlight Beacon. I don't blame Avon for wanting nothing to do with her anymore, still, that's tough for a kid.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and as always, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend that format. If you've never listened to a Star Wars audiobook before, particularly the newer ones, you just have to do so.
It's such an incredible listening experience. The sound effects, music and voice-work bring these stories to life. In fact, this one had so much action, it had be jumping at some of the intense sounds and moments.
Thank you to the publisher, Disney LucasFilms Press and Disney Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I've been impressed with all of the High Republic materials that I have read.
It's amazing to me how the authors for this era continue to bring all the heart to plots that are mainly action. It's really interesting how much I am feeling for these characters and I love it. I can't wait for more!!
November 19, 2025
This continues Phase III of The High Republic series. In this one three different teams attempt to breach the Stormwall for various reasons.
In my review of the first book to kick of Phase III of this series I had hope for this series. I did have caution that Disney would drag it out with offerings that really added nothing to the overall story. It looks like I was right as this book is exactly what I was talking about. Nothing of consequence really happened besides two minor plot points which I believe will lead to victory for our heroes. Did I need a whole book of useless meandering by boring characters just for these two points? Not really. Maybe one can say this book's purpose was to move along the character's story. That is fine but can we have some excitement. It would also help if we had one memorable character. This group is not that. I have a hard time imagining anyone saying any character from this book is their favorite. The only one that is somewhat interesting is Vern and her dealing with grief. Do we explore that? Nope as she receives very little screen time.
In all honesty I never found a reason to pick up this book. Obviously I did and the only reason was to finish it so I can move onto my next novel. When I saw these characters in a previous book I thought they were bland. That continues here. As for the actual purpose of this book I would argue that the characters are basically in the same exact spot at the end as the beginning. I really believe you could skip this book even if you are doing the whole series. Nothing was added to the overall story arc.
In my review of the first book to kick of Phase III of this series I had hope for this series. I did have caution that Disney would drag it out with offerings that really added nothing to the overall story. It looks like I was right as this book is exactly what I was talking about. Nothing of consequence really happened besides two minor plot points which I believe will lead to victory for our heroes. Did I need a whole book of useless meandering by boring characters just for these two points? Not really. Maybe one can say this book's purpose was to move along the character's story. That is fine but can we have some excitement. It would also help if we had one memorable character. This group is not that. I have a hard time imagining anyone saying any character from this book is their favorite. The only one that is somewhat interesting is Vern and her dealing with grief. Do we explore that? Nope as she receives very little screen time.
In all honesty I never found a reason to pick up this book. Obviously I did and the only reason was to finish it so I can move onto my next novel. When I saw these characters in a previous book I thought they were bland. That continues here. As for the actual purpose of this book I would argue that the characters are basically in the same exact spot at the end as the beginning. I really believe you could skip this book even if you are doing the whole series. Nothing was added to the overall story arc.
March 24, 2024
As a fan of the High Republic series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of "Defy the Storm" by Tessa Gratton. One of the aspects that drew me to this book was the promise of a focused exploration of Vernestra's character, whose journey I've been following with great interest.
However, upon delving into the pages of "Defy the Storm," I quickly realized that my expectations were not entirely met. While the book does offer insights into Vernestra's character, it felt like her narrative was overshadowed by the multitude of plot lines and subplots vying for attention. This dilution of focus detracted from what could have been a compelling character study.
Additionally, as a reader invested in the overarching narrative of the High Republic, I was hoping for significant developments and revelations that would propel the story forward, especially considering we are in the final phase of this era. Instead, "Defy the Storm" seemed to tread water at times, serving more as a connector between previous events and future story arcs rather than forging ahead with impactful new developments.
While there were some intriguing plot elements, they were overshadowed by the book's overall lack of direction and cohesion. Consequently, I found myself struggling to maintain interest and engagement throughout the story.
However, upon delving into the pages of "Defy the Storm," I quickly realized that my expectations were not entirely met. While the book does offer insights into Vernestra's character, it felt like her narrative was overshadowed by the multitude of plot lines and subplots vying for attention. This dilution of focus detracted from what could have been a compelling character study.
Additionally, as a reader invested in the overarching narrative of the High Republic, I was hoping for significant developments and revelations that would propel the story forward, especially considering we are in the final phase of this era. Instead, "Defy the Storm" seemed to tread water at times, serving more as a connector between previous events and future story arcs rather than forging ahead with impactful new developments.
While there were some intriguing plot elements, they were overshadowed by the book's overall lack of direction and cohesion. Consequently, I found myself struggling to maintain interest and engagement throughout the story.
June 21, 2024
does anybody else feel genuinely ill when the firebrands are mentioned or am i just insane
March 10, 2024
I actually enjoyed this book more than I anticipated that I would. Most of the YA books have been hit or miss, edging closer "missing". However, this book actually feels like a good blend of character development and plot, and feels like it's telling the High Republic story on a slightly smaller scale than the adult books, but on a slightly larger scale than the YA books. The balance of story in this phase is so far pretty good.
Avon trying to get Vernestra to leave her isolation felt like a better version of events in The Last Jedi. And Vernestra and Avon's search to find Imri really felt like Ahoska and Sabine looking for Ezra.
If I have to dock a few points, Gratton and Ireland do not have the best use of jumping between plotlines. Some plotlines go on for a few chapters, then are abandoned for a while, and it doesn't feel evenly distributed like it should. Towards the end it gets a little better, but its never quite where the intercutting of scenes should be.
If you are a fan of Vernestra, Avon, and Jordanna, then you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not the biggest fan of Jordanna, but I do like Vernestra and Avon and their plotlines were really interesting, although I'll say that Vernestra had the shortest of the plotlines.
I didn't like some of the character choices or focuses, but that is unfortunately the way the High Republic authors have decided to take the direction of the books.
Overall, this is an entertaining book, and stands above most of the other YA HR novels. However, its not a favorite HR story. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
Avon trying to get Vernestra to leave her isolation felt like a better version of events in The Last Jedi. And Vernestra and Avon's search to find Imri really felt like Ahoska and Sabine looking for Ezra.
If I have to dock a few points, Gratton and Ireland do not have the best use of jumping between plotlines. Some plotlines go on for a few chapters, then are abandoned for a while, and it doesn't feel evenly distributed like it should. Towards the end it gets a little better, but its never quite where the intercutting of scenes should be.
If you are a fan of Vernestra, Avon, and Jordanna, then you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not the biggest fan of Jordanna, but I do like Vernestra and Avon and their plotlines were really interesting, although I'll say that Vernestra had the shortest of the plotlines.
I didn't like some of the character choices or focuses, but that is unfortunately the way the High Republic authors have decided to take the direction of the books.
Overall, this is an entertaining book, and stands above most of the other YA HR novels. However, its not a favorite HR story. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
May 10, 2024
The duo of Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton, who got Phase II off to an impressive start with Path of Deceit, have this time failed to deliver a compelling and engaging story with Defy the Storm, resulting in a book that shines neither in introspection nor in its storytelling.
Plot:
Picking up the story immediately after the end of The Eye of Darkness, the book struggles to move forward the plot of Phase III, if only by a few steps, instead focusing on the personal stories of its characters.
However, unlike its adult counterpart, it fails to establish itself as an engaging and satisfying inner journey for the majority of its protagonists, proving rather weak and at times inconclusive.
The decision to split the book into three different storylines led by different characters - only one of which contributes to the main plot of Phase III, and only one of which is really engaging and manages to keep the reader's attention - is the weak nerve of the book, which struggles to maintain interest except in the last 40 pages.
The blight does indeed add to the already numerous plot points that future books will have to develop and satisfactorily solve, while also giving the reader a glimpse of what Tears of the Nameless will be, thanks to the interesting epilogue featuring Azlin Rell and Reath Silas, protagonists of the upcoming YA novel.
The different storylines don't merge smoothly, except in the finale, which makes for more downs than ups in the storytelling, often carried out with narrative devices that are not too elaborate or feel too convenient (eg. Xylan's kidnapping).
In particular, Imri's rescue plot is dismissed briefly, leaving little room for the development of a character originally central in the middle-grade novel narrative, resulting in the weakest part of the book, and also deeply affecting the solidity of Vernestra's arc, which is concluded in an almost non-sequitur that leaves the reader with a bitter taste in their mouth and a sense of inconclusiveness.
Character:
Xylan and Avon alone are the shining stars of the book, delighting the reader with their skirmishes and unexpected introspection, and driving the plot forward.
Gratton and Ireland have developed the fancy (ambiguous) guy, first introduced in Out of the Shadows, into a complex and multifaceted character.
Despite having been kidnapped by the Nihil and finding their chaos unbearable, Xylan is still torn between Graf's old habits and the need to help Jordanna and Avon for the greater good (and the sake of his own life).
His marriage to the young Cair San Tekka (whose relationship seems to be more affectionate than Xylan would like to admit) was a pleasant surprise, opening up an interesting scenario for the future development of the relationship between the two most famous prospector families in the Galaxy.
Avon is the character who has benefited from the transition to young adult narrative. Therefore, she becomes the most mature and complex character in the story, to whose development the author duo seems to have devoted more time and care. Her relationship with Deva Lompop offers the reader a new perspective on Nihil and her inner journey, despite being barely a teenager, proves to be the most immersive and meaningful.
After dismissing her mother Ghirra, and determined to help her friends in any way she can, together with Deva, she embarks on an ambitious plan to not only help her friends but also to free the Galaxy from Stormwall.
The antagonism with Dr. Mkambpa, started in Mission to Disaster, and the tortured desire to kill her in order to regain possession of her inventions and deactivate the Stormwall, is what drives her story and her development further between remorse, doubt and realization.
Again and again, Avon’s character is a tool for expressing how painful and exhausting it is to make choices during a conflict, and how those choices, no matter how right, can mark us forever.
Despite the expectations raised by the interesting short story included in Tales of Light and Life, Vernestra's character fails to evoke any emotion, and it is difficult to empathize with her troubles and doubts, which are too hastily introduced and resolved with little sacrifice.
Especially the short story, which perhaps should have been given more space into the book itself to be more solid and believable, is not convincing enough as a justification for her motivation to leave the Order and her duty, even if temporarily.
Little more than the first few chapters are spent on Vernestra's anguish and then immediately move on to Imri's frantic search, leaving little space to fully clarify the aims and motivations behind her personal journey. In particular, the closure with her now former Padawan betrays expectations, being limited to a few anti-climactic pages in which Imri proves to be more mature than Vernestra herself.
Indeed, Vernestra's development is not really one of growth, but rather moves along a subtle line of ambiguity (which seems more unintentional than a well-considered choice on the part of the authors), with the young knight more detached than ever from an Order that she sees as the main cause of her troubles, and to which she only returns for reasons of convenience, focusing more on the mission assigned to her by Mari San Tekka than truly reconciling herself with the Order to which she belongs.
Writing:
The book meanders and twists in several plots, the pace of which is often interrupted and dampened by frequent changes of point of view and events that do not merge into a single coherent narrative, inexorably breaking the built up tension. This makes it difficult to immerse and enjoy the various storylines and to be moved by any one of them.
Emotional involvement, particularly in the climactic chapters (some of which are too hurriedly dismissed), is absent or at least challenging, with Avon being the only character capable of truly conveying emotion.
Conclusion:
Defy the Storm fails both as a standalone adventure and as an introspective journey for its characters, imposing itself as a non-essential and unremarkable in terms of plot relevance, regardless of the intricacy of its development.
On its own it doesn’t offer a satisfying arc for its characters (except Avon), raising the question of whether it will serve as a stepping stone for character development or simply as an outline for the introduction to a new threat to be explored in future books.
Plot:
Picking up the story immediately after the end of The Eye of Darkness, the book struggles to move forward the plot of Phase III, if only by a few steps, instead focusing on the personal stories of its characters.
However, unlike its adult counterpart, it fails to establish itself as an engaging and satisfying inner journey for the majority of its protagonists, proving rather weak and at times inconclusive.
The decision to split the book into three different storylines led by different characters - only one of which contributes to the main plot of Phase III, and only one of which is really engaging and manages to keep the reader's attention - is the weak nerve of the book, which struggles to maintain interest except in the last 40 pages.
The blight does indeed add to the already numerous plot points that future books will have to develop and satisfactorily solve, while also giving the reader a glimpse of what Tears of the Nameless will be, thanks to the interesting epilogue featuring Azlin Rell and Reath Silas, protagonists of the upcoming YA novel.
The different storylines don't merge smoothly, except in the finale, which makes for more downs than ups in the storytelling, often carried out with narrative devices that are not too elaborate or feel too convenient (eg. Xylan's kidnapping).
In particular, Imri's rescue plot is dismissed briefly, leaving little room for the development of a character originally central in the middle-grade novel narrative, resulting in the weakest part of the book, and also deeply affecting the solidity of Vernestra's arc, which is concluded in an almost non-sequitur that leaves the reader with a bitter taste in their mouth and a sense of inconclusiveness.
Character:
Xylan and Avon alone are the shining stars of the book, delighting the reader with their skirmishes and unexpected introspection, and driving the plot forward.
Gratton and Ireland have developed the fancy (ambiguous) guy, first introduced in Out of the Shadows, into a complex and multifaceted character.
Despite having been kidnapped by the Nihil and finding their chaos unbearable, Xylan is still torn between Graf's old habits and the need to help Jordanna and Avon for the greater good (and the sake of his own life).
His marriage to the young Cair San Tekka (whose relationship seems to be more affectionate than Xylan would like to admit) was a pleasant surprise, opening up an interesting scenario for the future development of the relationship between the two most famous prospector families in the Galaxy.
Avon is the character who has benefited from the transition to young adult narrative. Therefore, she becomes the most mature and complex character in the story, to whose development the author duo seems to have devoted more time and care. Her relationship with Deva Lompop offers the reader a new perspective on Nihil and her inner journey, despite being barely a teenager, proves to be the most immersive and meaningful.
After dismissing her mother Ghirra, and determined to help her friends in any way she can, together with Deva, she embarks on an ambitious plan to not only help her friends but also to free the Galaxy from Stormwall.
The antagonism with Dr. Mkambpa, started in Mission to Disaster, and the tortured desire to kill her in order to regain possession of her inventions and deactivate the Stormwall, is what drives her story and her development further between remorse, doubt and realization.
Again and again, Avon’s character is a tool for expressing how painful and exhausting it is to make choices during a conflict, and how those choices, no matter how right, can mark us forever.
Despite the expectations raised by the interesting short story included in Tales of Light and Life, Vernestra's character fails to evoke any emotion, and it is difficult to empathize with her troubles and doubts, which are too hastily introduced and resolved with little sacrifice.
Especially the short story, which perhaps should have been given more space into the book itself to be more solid and believable, is not convincing enough as a justification for her motivation to leave the Order and her duty, even if temporarily.
Little more than the first few chapters are spent on Vernestra's anguish and then immediately move on to Imri's frantic search, leaving little space to fully clarify the aims and motivations behind her personal journey. In particular, the closure with her now former Padawan betrays expectations, being limited to a few anti-climactic pages in which Imri proves to be more mature than Vernestra herself.
Indeed, Vernestra's development is not really one of growth, but rather moves along a subtle line of ambiguity (which seems more unintentional than a well-considered choice on the part of the authors), with the young knight more detached than ever from an Order that she sees as the main cause of her troubles, and to which she only returns for reasons of convenience, focusing more on the mission assigned to her by Mari San Tekka than truly reconciling herself with the Order to which she belongs.
Writing:
The book meanders and twists in several plots, the pace of which is often interrupted and dampened by frequent changes of point of view and events that do not merge into a single coherent narrative, inexorably breaking the built up tension. This makes it difficult to immerse and enjoy the various storylines and to be moved by any one of them.
Emotional involvement, particularly in the climactic chapters (some of which are too hurriedly dismissed), is absent or at least challenging, with Avon being the only character capable of truly conveying emotion.
Conclusion:
Defy the Storm fails both as a standalone adventure and as an introspective journey for its characters, imposing itself as a non-essential and unremarkable in terms of plot relevance, regardless of the intricacy of its development.
On its own it doesn’t offer a satisfying arc for its characters (except Avon), raising the question of whether it will serve as a stepping stone for character development or simply as an outline for the introduction to a new threat to be explored in future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
Snippets of my review from my Space Wizards Book Club newsletter:
I had high expectations for this novel after Gratton and Ireland’s incredible Phase 2 entry Path of Deceit. While I had a great time with Defy the Storm, it didn’t meet those expectations. Instead, it delivered enjoyable and enlightening character studies that I didn’t know I needed.
For a young adult novel, Defy the Storm has a fairly large cast, with the main characters being the cover stars — Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh, teenage genius Avon Starros (Sunvale now), and frontier deputy Jordanna Sparkburn. We’ve met all of them before, but a lot has happened to them in the last year. As such, the book spends quite a bit of time catching up with major plot points of The High Republic through their eyes.
All three young women have important reasons for trying to find a way to traverse the Stormwall, and the novel charts how their paths and goals converge into a nail-biting mission deep into dangerous enemy territory.
While Vernestra seeks information about her lost Padawan and Jordanna wants to reach and help her family, Avon is out for revenge — against her mother and the Nihil scientist who stole and weaponized her research.
Because of the book’s multi-POV nature and setup, Defy the Storm can at times feel disjointed. The young adult novels typically excel at presenting a solid plotline that connects all the characters and moves their stories forward. Even if they start off separate, the characters usually still come together at some point.
In Defy the Storm, the characters are together at certain points, but their goals and stories remain fairly separate for much of the novel. What brings them together is their need to get across the Stormwall, but once they do, they go their separate ways to accomplish their missions before getting back together to go home.
On the plus side, these characters all know each other and have history together — for better or worse, especially where Xylan Graf is concerned. It’s nice seeing them catch up.
While the disjointedness is my main gripe with Defy the Storm, the novel allows more time to be spent in the heads of our main characters. Gratton and Ireland have created beautifully intimate character studies of Vernestra, Jordanna, and Avon in such a relatable way you can’t help but empathize with even their worst decisions.
Through their stories, there are still big and ominous teases to where Phase 3 of The High Republic is going next. With the events of The Eye of Darkness, the Jedi are steps closer to reaching those trapped in Nihil space. But with what’s hinted at in Defy the Storm, the Jedi probably won’t like what other horrors they find in the Occlusion Zone.
I had high expectations for this novel after Gratton and Ireland’s incredible Phase 2 entry Path of Deceit. While I had a great time with Defy the Storm, it didn’t meet those expectations. Instead, it delivered enjoyable and enlightening character studies that I didn’t know I needed.
For a young adult novel, Defy the Storm has a fairly large cast, with the main characters being the cover stars — Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh, teenage genius Avon Starros (Sunvale now), and frontier deputy Jordanna Sparkburn. We’ve met all of them before, but a lot has happened to them in the last year. As such, the book spends quite a bit of time catching up with major plot points of The High Republic through their eyes.
All three young women have important reasons for trying to find a way to traverse the Stormwall, and the novel charts how their paths and goals converge into a nail-biting mission deep into dangerous enemy territory.
While Vernestra seeks information about her lost Padawan and Jordanna wants to reach and help her family, Avon is out for revenge — against her mother and the Nihil scientist who stole and weaponized her research.
Because of the book’s multi-POV nature and setup, Defy the Storm can at times feel disjointed. The young adult novels typically excel at presenting a solid plotline that connects all the characters and moves their stories forward. Even if they start off separate, the characters usually still come together at some point.
In Defy the Storm, the characters are together at certain points, but their goals and stories remain fairly separate for much of the novel. What brings them together is their need to get across the Stormwall, but once they do, they go their separate ways to accomplish their missions before getting back together to go home.
On the plus side, these characters all know each other and have history together — for better or worse, especially where Xylan Graf is concerned. It’s nice seeing them catch up.
While the disjointedness is my main gripe with Defy the Storm, the novel allows more time to be spent in the heads of our main characters. Gratton and Ireland have created beautifully intimate character studies of Vernestra, Jordanna, and Avon in such a relatable way you can’t help but empathize with even their worst decisions.
Through their stories, there are still big and ominous teases to where Phase 3 of The High Republic is going next. With the events of The Eye of Darkness, the Jedi are steps closer to reaching those trapped in Nihil space. But with what’s hinted at in Defy the Storm, the Jedi probably won’t like what other horrors they find in the Occlusion Zone.
March 21, 2024
An okay story to push the high republic era going. There are about 3 major plot points that the authors jump around and I found it to be completely disjointing. Out of those 3 plots, Vernestra Rwoh’s story was the one that stood out the most. She has been constantly hurt and beaten by major events throughout most of the high republic. It was nice to see how she’s overcoming pain and still continue to be a Jedi. I cannot wait to see her live action portrayal in “The Acolyte” series.
March 15, 2024
This is what I mean by Star Wars books are hit or miss.
March 31, 2024
4.5 stars
xylan graf u will always be famous
xylan graf u will always be famous
July 17, 2025
If I had to pick three nondescript, interchangeable characters in the High Republic era, I might well select Jordanna, Avon, and Sylvestri. This book tells a story about all three of them. I always want to enjoy a book (otherwise, why read it?), but this one has so many factors working against it. I'm at a point in the High Republic when I just want to speed along to the conclusion, so these minor stories that I don't find interesting and that don't contribute a lot to the overall story arc are not great for me.
What I did like: seeing Imri finally grow out of being a petulant, helpless child. He's actually quite good in this book, and the scene where Vernestra knights him was surprisingly touching. I also like the continuing story of Vernestra's struggles, taking her from the obnoxious child prodigy who can do no wrong to a more conflicted, thoughtful person. Still quite a long way to go until she's the version we see in The Acolyte.
What I did like: seeing Imri finally grow out of being a petulant, helpless child. He's actually quite good in this book, and the scene where Vernestra knights him was surprisingly touching. I also like the continuing story of Vernestra's struggles, taking her from the obnoxious child prodigy who can do no wrong to a more conflicted, thoughtful person. Still quite a long way to go until she's the version we see in The Acolyte.
September 20, 2025
More of like a 3.5 stars. Time will tell if I'll round up to a 4 star rating.
March 29, 2024
vernestra rwoh my beloved 💜💚
March 11, 2024
In preparation to Defy the Storm I read Vern’s entire story from Phase 1 which included my first time reads of A Test of Courage and Mission to Disaster and a re-read of Out of the Shadows. Justina Ireland has fast become one of my favorite High Republic authors and her previous co-authored work, Path of Deceit, is my favorite High Republic novel, period. So yeah, I had pretty high hopes and expectations for this book.
I am so glad to say that it delivered on all fronts and then some; what an incredible piece of storytelling this is!
It is, once again, a focused, character driven story with each of them having their own motives and plots to follow. They are all flawed in some way but, each and every one, endearing and interesting in their own way. Morality is a core theme here as everyone struggles to find a balance in dealing with the Nihil while being influenced by the horrors being done by them.
Some characters are good people working for Nihil, while others aren’t bad but lose track of their morals in the pursuit of defeating their foes. There’s some wisdom to be had in the lessons these characters have to learn and the growth they go through is extremely satisfying, especially when you’ve experienced these character arcs from the start with A Test of Courage.
Most of all though, Out of the Shadows is the book this one leans on the most. Story arcs, characters and writing structure all continue from that book on and I was absolutely thrilled to see it all pan out like this.
The main plot revolves around a daring dive into the occlusion zone, with each character having their own motives for doing so. As such, the plots are slightly more separate than we usually get in these novels but in return we get to see a lot of life under oppression in Nihil space. That is not to say it is all separate though, there are organic ways in which all plotlines converge and diverge along the line which I enjoyed a lot.
Writing wise I was once again struck by the deep characterizations, wonderful prose and fantastically vivid descriptions. Especially the new planets and city locations on the other side of the Occlusion zone are rendered in fantastic imagery. Maybe not as pretty as Dalna was, but no less alive and detailed.
With works like this I am extremely interested in how such a collaboration works. Who writes what, how dynamic of a process is it, how do you keep track of everything being this well integrated.
I suppose it is only a step up from the tight collaboration and planning that goes into the High Republic writing in general. But having done a bunch of collaborative creative projects, it is mind boggling to me how well this works.
As said, the character arcs heavily rely on the events in Out of the Shadows most characters’ arcs continue on from there. There will be mild spoilers to which POV perspectives we get and what characters return so skip this part if you don’t like that.
-We find Vernestra dealing with the fall of Starlight and the loss of both her master and Padawan in her own way. During the course of the story, she’ll need to reconnect with the calm and confidence we associate with her. She’s older and wiser and her time training on her own has made her even more of a badass. Her gift for visions has grown and there are some quite chilling moments with the force showing itself in mysterious ways which reminded me a lot of in The Expanse (incidentally, another masterclass in co-authorship). Spoopy and huge in its implications.
-Jordana is a POV character now and seeing the lovely romance between her and Syl through her eyes is fantastic. She embarks on her quest to save her family and in so doing is confronted with some of the new horrors the Nihil are unleashing. Her steadfastness, practicality and determination are on full display and it is a joy to follow her on her path.
-Avon is under control of her mother in Nihil space and she has had to adapt her ways to survive in these circumstances, added to this is her determination for vengeance and stopping the Nihil taking her on dangerous paths that are, at times, quite chilling. Her brilliance is once again on display even if it is often haunted by morality issues of logic versus ethics. In this she is aided by Deva Lompop who met in Mission to Disaster. I absolutely loved having her back and she is a perfect example of a good (if terrifying) person making the best of a karky situation.
-Finally we have Xylan as a POV character. I loved his flair and attitude in Out of the Shadows and was absolutely delighted taking a deeper dive into his motives and thoughts. We find him working on the Nihil Storm wall and as such he is an important piece in trying to find a way to breach it.
With both him and Jordana we get a healthy dose of queer storytelling that the High Republic has become known for, and I’m all for it!
My one criticism about the characters would be that there are a lot of reappearing characters. So much so that we only get a small handful of new ones, the rest are minor or major characters from the rest of the series. In a sense, this interconnectivity is great and it’s fantastic to see where these people are at during the time of this novel. But it also consequentially suffers from an ailment Star Wars sometimes falls trap to. Namely, the Small Galaxy Syndrome, where people and families are all reappearing and interconnected to a level that it seems like a small town where everyone knows everyone instead of a huge galaxy of variety and explorations. It is not that everyone is intimately connected to each other, there are many moments of interaction with people we know, but they might not know each other at all. Still, I like my galaxy huge, surprising and fresh. A major component of The High Republic is that so many new characters (disconnected from the movies or anything that came before) can be introduced and we don’t need everyone to be connected to a family line, be they Skywalker, Ro, Starros or San Tekka.
This is only a minor gripe however and I do think it was handled well; I just wish we got to see slightly more new faces.
The plotlines might weave in and out of each other’s way, but in the end they all kind converge and it is the final chapters that switch gears and show just how incredibly important they are for the overall THR story as a whole. If this is an indication that the Phase 3 YA novels are as important to the main storyline as they were in Phase 2 I will be very happy with it. Also, some of the final chapters gave big hints on what direction Temptation of the Force might move in and I am absolutely stoked for it!
Either way, Ireland and Gratton have created another incredible installment in this ginormous undertaking of a publishing initiative. What a dream team they are, thank you for this experience!
I am so glad to say that it delivered on all fronts and then some; what an incredible piece of storytelling this is!
It is, once again, a focused, character driven story with each of them having their own motives and plots to follow. They are all flawed in some way but, each and every one, endearing and interesting in their own way. Morality is a core theme here as everyone struggles to find a balance in dealing with the Nihil while being influenced by the horrors being done by them.
Some characters are good people working for Nihil, while others aren’t bad but lose track of their morals in the pursuit of defeating their foes. There’s some wisdom to be had in the lessons these characters have to learn and the growth they go through is extremely satisfying, especially when you’ve experienced these character arcs from the start with A Test of Courage.
Most of all though, Out of the Shadows is the book this one leans on the most. Story arcs, characters and writing structure all continue from that book on and I was absolutely thrilled to see it all pan out like this.
The main plot revolves around a daring dive into the occlusion zone, with each character having their own motives for doing so. As such, the plots are slightly more separate than we usually get in these novels but in return we get to see a lot of life under oppression in Nihil space. That is not to say it is all separate though, there are organic ways in which all plotlines converge and diverge along the line which I enjoyed a lot.
Writing wise I was once again struck by the deep characterizations, wonderful prose and fantastically vivid descriptions. Especially the new planets and city locations on the other side of the Occlusion zone are rendered in fantastic imagery. Maybe not as pretty as Dalna was, but no less alive and detailed.
With works like this I am extremely interested in how such a collaboration works. Who writes what, how dynamic of a process is it, how do you keep track of everything being this well integrated.
I suppose it is only a step up from the tight collaboration and planning that goes into the High Republic writing in general. But having done a bunch of collaborative creative projects, it is mind boggling to me how well this works.
As said, the character arcs heavily rely on the events in Out of the Shadows most characters’ arcs continue on from there. There will be mild spoilers to which POV perspectives we get and what characters return so skip this part if you don’t like that.
-We find Vernestra dealing with the fall of Starlight and the loss of both her master and Padawan in her own way. During the course of the story, she’ll need to reconnect with the calm and confidence we associate with her. She’s older and wiser and her time training on her own has made her even more of a badass. Her gift for visions has grown and there are some quite chilling moments with the force showing itself in mysterious ways which reminded me a lot of in The Expanse (incidentally, another masterclass in co-authorship). Spoopy and huge in its implications.
-Jordana is a POV character now and seeing the lovely romance between her and Syl through her eyes is fantastic. She embarks on her quest to save her family and in so doing is confronted with some of the new horrors the Nihil are unleashing. Her steadfastness, practicality and determination are on full display and it is a joy to follow her on her path.
-Avon is under control of her mother in Nihil space and she has had to adapt her ways to survive in these circumstances, added to this is her determination for vengeance and stopping the Nihil taking her on dangerous paths that are, at times, quite chilling. Her brilliance is once again on display even if it is often haunted by morality issues of logic versus ethics. In this she is aided by Deva Lompop who met in Mission to Disaster. I absolutely loved having her back and she is a perfect example of a good (if terrifying) person making the best of a karky situation.
-Finally we have Xylan as a POV character. I loved his flair and attitude in Out of the Shadows and was absolutely delighted taking a deeper dive into his motives and thoughts. We find him working on the Nihil Storm wall and as such he is an important piece in trying to find a way to breach it.
With both him and Jordana we get a healthy dose of queer storytelling that the High Republic has become known for, and I’m all for it!
My one criticism about the characters would be that there are a lot of reappearing characters. So much so that we only get a small handful of new ones, the rest are minor or major characters from the rest of the series. In a sense, this interconnectivity is great and it’s fantastic to see where these people are at during the time of this novel. But it also consequentially suffers from an ailment Star Wars sometimes falls trap to. Namely, the Small Galaxy Syndrome, where people and families are all reappearing and interconnected to a level that it seems like a small town where everyone knows everyone instead of a huge galaxy of variety and explorations. It is not that everyone is intimately connected to each other, there are many moments of interaction with people we know, but they might not know each other at all. Still, I like my galaxy huge, surprising and fresh. A major component of The High Republic is that so many new characters (disconnected from the movies or anything that came before) can be introduced and we don’t need everyone to be connected to a family line, be they Skywalker, Ro, Starros or San Tekka.
This is only a minor gripe however and I do think it was handled well; I just wish we got to see slightly more new faces.
The plotlines might weave in and out of each other’s way, but in the end they all kind converge and it is the final chapters that switch gears and show just how incredibly important they are for the overall THR story as a whole. If this is an indication that the Phase 3 YA novels are as important to the main storyline as they were in Phase 2 I will be very happy with it. Also, some of the final chapters gave big hints on what direction Temptation of the Force might move in and I am absolutely stoked for it!
Either way, Ireland and Gratton have created another incredible installment in this ginormous undertaking of a publishing initiative. What a dream team they are, thank you for this experience!
March 3, 2024
Goodness gracious. Tessa and Justina kill it again.
March 18, 2024
avon starros MIGHT be angus tully coded
May 15, 2024
Fairly disappointed that this book did very little to advance broader storyline.
August 9, 2024
the way every Vernestra book is an instant 5-star read for me
June 30, 2024
3.5 stars
Defy the Storm is the first Young Adult novel of Phase III, Trials of the Jedi. As such, it introduces new major players, new opportunities and new adversaries, balancing characters with plot and expectations with reality.
Truly, the work Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland have put into the revelations this novel brings is refreshing and engaging. Both have a great sense of humor, occasionally quite dark, lifting the mood of the gloomy topics the novel addresses through witty remarks. Both authors have a talent when it comes to creating relatable characters, affirmed by how quickly they have made me fall in love with Xylan and Cair and how they made me question my own loyalties in this vast conflict.
Still, there are choices in this book that I didn't fully connect with, such as the extreme division of story arcs that even takes out a major character right at the start. While the convergence of all of these characters was extremely fun to follow, their separation led to too many divergent journeys, resulting in an uneven focus and a loss of internal insight as the story progresses. At times, it made the novel feel too jumpy for me, not keeping me invested enough to devour these pages as other High Republic books have.
In the end, I loved Defy the Storm when it came to new revelations, character progress and uniquely written characters. Although I appreciate the direction it took, aiming to be more character study than plot-driven action, I ultimately feel like the story was too much of a character repositioning and redefinition to have an effect on me as lasting as that of Into the Dark, Out of the Shadows or both Phase II YA novels. Given that this is the first YA novel of the Phase, I understand the choices that were made, and I also think this book just did not find me at the right time, yet I had hoped for more of an emotional punch. Still, Defy the Storm is a worthwhile read, amazingly rich in queer representation and the perfect book for readers who like to follow their favorites as they traverse the galaxy in search of family, purpose or revenge.
Defy the Storm is the first Young Adult novel of Phase III, Trials of the Jedi. As such, it introduces new major players, new opportunities and new adversaries, balancing characters with plot and expectations with reality.
Truly, the work Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland have put into the revelations this novel brings is refreshing and engaging. Both have a great sense of humor, occasionally quite dark, lifting the mood of the gloomy topics the novel addresses through witty remarks. Both authors have a talent when it comes to creating relatable characters, affirmed by how quickly they have made me fall in love with Xylan and Cair and how they made me question my own loyalties in this vast conflict.
Still, there are choices in this book that I didn't fully connect with, such as the extreme division of story arcs that even takes out a major character right at the start. While the convergence of all of these characters was extremely fun to follow, their separation led to too many divergent journeys, resulting in an uneven focus and a loss of internal insight as the story progresses. At times, it made the novel feel too jumpy for me, not keeping me invested enough to devour these pages as other High Republic books have.
In the end, I loved Defy the Storm when it came to new revelations, character progress and uniquely written characters. Although I appreciate the direction it took, aiming to be more character study than plot-driven action, I ultimately feel like the story was too much of a character repositioning and redefinition to have an effect on me as lasting as that of Into the Dark, Out of the Shadows or both Phase II YA novels. Given that this is the first YA novel of the Phase, I understand the choices that were made, and I also think this book just did not find me at the right time, yet I had hoped for more of an emotional punch. Still, Defy the Storm is a worthwhile read, amazingly rich in queer representation and the perfect book for readers who like to follow their favorites as they traverse the galaxy in search of family, purpose or revenge.
April 30, 2024
”They’d lost so much in the fall of Starlight, and yet here was a single thing, a valuable thing, that could be whole and unbroken.”
Set a little bit over a year after the fall of Starlight, this novel follows Avon Starros, a kid genius whose mother is literally sleeping with the enemy and who has a plan to save a Jedi trapped in the Occlusion Zone, Vernestra Rwoh, a young Jedi who abandoned the Order for a year to find her faith and hope again, Jordanna Sparkburn, a fierce young lady who yearns to rescue her family and fulfil her duty, and Xylan Graf, a rich bitch from the Graf family who is reluctantly working for the Nihil. Together, they attempt a daring mission across the Stormwall, but they all have their own agendas.
I had so much fun with this book. The story is exciting, fast-paced and I like how it nudged the High Republic story as a whole forward by giving us new questions, some answers and tools for the characters to, in the future, use in the fight against the Nihil. It is a very character-driven story, but it also delivers on the plot side of things and feels like an integral part of the THR saga. Gratton and Ireland's writing is engaging, fun and exciting. The way they described the danger and terror of life inside the Occlusion Zone, under Nihil rule, was very impactful and I just, overall, think they did a wonderful job on the themes, action and characters. This felt like a SW book, through and through.
All the characters had solid, satisfying arcs, and this book made me love some characters I had previously not considered characters I cared about too much. Xylan Graf became, just after a few pages, someone I adored. For some reason his first appearance in Out of the Shadows didn't stick with me, but this time I had a blast with him. I like characters like him who are openly and unashamedly selfish, a bit morally bankrupt and cocky, and I just love his gender nonconforming fashion, his witty dialogue and his love of all this fancy, expensive and beautiful. He could easily be a caricature or a comic relief, but he feels like a real person. Also, his relationship with his husband? Top notch, adorable, wonderful, wanna read all the stories about him. Jordanna still isn't a fave, but I appreciated what she brought to the story as a civilian, someone a bit more skeptical of the Jedi and a member of the San Tekka clan. Getting to know her a bit more and seeing just how devoted she is to her family and their legacy, was intriguing. Her love for Sylvestri is also really cute - who doesn't love sapphic sweetness in their Star Wars? Out of the new characters introduced, I loved Cair the most. He was a really fun character.
Vernestra and Avon were both characters I already loved and this book did nothing to make me love them any less. Vernestra is in a very interesting place. She kinda lost her faith in the Jedi and the Order after what happened on Starlight, and this story, once Avon drags her back into the fight, is all about her finding herself and the Force again, finding a new way to be a Jedi. She is reeling from a lot of loss - amongst them, her Master, Stellan - and she has been shaken to her core, but she is still that determined, clever young woman she always was. She has come so far from the perfectionist, always-perfect little Jedi she was in A Test of Courage and I am quite emotional about her. Avon goes on a wild ride in this book. She not only has to deal with her mother's horrible choices but also with her own darker impulses. She is very young but has already been through so much loss and trauma, and seeing the way it has shaped her, made her a bit tougher, made me sad. Just like all the characters but especially the kids in this story, she deserved so much better, to grow up in a safe environment. I love her brilliance, her cunning and her nerdiness, and I liked the journey she went on in this book. Also, her relationship with Deva was surprisingly sweet and I liked how this book kinda showed the origins of the Auntie Deva role we saw Deva inhabit in the Sana Starros comic: she and the Starros family have a long history.
I liked all the little cameos from familiar faces - Reath pops up in a meaningful way a few times which made me happy cause I love his geeky awkward ass, and of course, having the crew of the Vessel pop up is always a delight.
Like all the stories of phase 3 thus far, this book too dealt a lot with this kind of defiant hope that the Jedi and the Republic are holding on to. Things are bleak and helpless, but the characters are not giving up or admitting defeat, but finding their own ways to fight. And I like how the characters in this book all have their own ways of fighting: Jordanna and Syl have helped keep people on the frontlines fed and supplied, Vernestra is of course doing the Jedi thing and Avon is using her scientific brilliant mind to figure out a way out of this crisis. I am not including Xylan on this list cause who the fuck knows what he is actually after - through him, we get to see the point of view of someone just trying to survive and come out on top while avoiding screwing over innocent people too much or helping the Nihil too much. I loved this quote from the book: "We need to remember why we’re fighting. The battle itself means nothing if it isn’t done to save those that most need us. The Nihil take and take and take, and still they are not satisfied. We have to confront them not in the same way, but by defending what matters." This reminded me of Rose Tico's speech to Finn at the end of the Last Jedi and made me smile. This also made me feel all soft and warm with feelings about the High Republic Jedi and their genuine desire to just help and make things better: "The galaxy is built on pain, little Jedi. You can’t change that.” – ”Maybe. But I can help, just a bit. And if others help, as well, that’s better for everyone all around.”
This book ended with a brilliant epilogue that hints at what's to come in the next YA book and I truly cannot wait. Phase 3 continues to be wonderful and exciting, and I am so ready for what these authors have in store for us.
Set a little bit over a year after the fall of Starlight, this novel follows Avon Starros, a kid genius whose mother is literally sleeping with the enemy and who has a plan to save a Jedi trapped in the Occlusion Zone, Vernestra Rwoh, a young Jedi who abandoned the Order for a year to find her faith and hope again, Jordanna Sparkburn, a fierce young lady who yearns to rescue her family and fulfil her duty, and Xylan Graf, a rich bitch from the Graf family who is reluctantly working for the Nihil. Together, they attempt a daring mission across the Stormwall, but they all have their own agendas.
I had so much fun with this book. The story is exciting, fast-paced and I like how it nudged the High Republic story as a whole forward by giving us new questions, some answers and tools for the characters to, in the future, use in the fight against the Nihil. It is a very character-driven story, but it also delivers on the plot side of things and feels like an integral part of the THR saga. Gratton and Ireland's writing is engaging, fun and exciting. The way they described the danger and terror of life inside the Occlusion Zone, under Nihil rule, was very impactful and I just, overall, think they did a wonderful job on the themes, action and characters. This felt like a SW book, through and through.
All the characters had solid, satisfying arcs, and this book made me love some characters I had previously not considered characters I cared about too much. Xylan Graf became, just after a few pages, someone I adored. For some reason his first appearance in Out of the Shadows didn't stick with me, but this time I had a blast with him. I like characters like him who are openly and unashamedly selfish, a bit morally bankrupt and cocky, and I just love his gender nonconforming fashion, his witty dialogue and his love of all this fancy, expensive and beautiful. He could easily be a caricature or a comic relief, but he feels like a real person. Also, his relationship with his husband? Top notch, adorable, wonderful, wanna read all the stories about him. Jordanna still isn't a fave, but I appreciated what she brought to the story as a civilian, someone a bit more skeptical of the Jedi and a member of the San Tekka clan. Getting to know her a bit more and seeing just how devoted she is to her family and their legacy, was intriguing. Her love for Sylvestri is also really cute - who doesn't love sapphic sweetness in their Star Wars? Out of the new characters introduced, I loved Cair the most. He was a really fun character.
Vernestra and Avon were both characters I already loved and this book did nothing to make me love them any less. Vernestra is in a very interesting place. She kinda lost her faith in the Jedi and the Order after what happened on Starlight, and this story, once Avon drags her back into the fight, is all about her finding herself and the Force again, finding a new way to be a Jedi. She is reeling from a lot of loss - amongst them, her Master, Stellan - and she has been shaken to her core, but she is still that determined, clever young woman she always was. She has come so far from the perfectionist, always-perfect little Jedi she was in A Test of Courage and I am quite emotional about her. Avon goes on a wild ride in this book. She not only has to deal with her mother's horrible choices but also with her own darker impulses. She is very young but has already been through so much loss and trauma, and seeing the way it has shaped her, made her a bit tougher, made me sad. Just like all the characters but especially the kids in this story, she deserved so much better, to grow up in a safe environment. I love her brilliance, her cunning and her nerdiness, and I liked the journey she went on in this book. Also, her relationship with Deva was surprisingly sweet and I liked how this book kinda showed the origins of the Auntie Deva role we saw Deva inhabit in the Sana Starros comic: she and the Starros family have a long history.
I liked all the little cameos from familiar faces - Reath pops up in a meaningful way a few times which made me happy cause I love his geeky awkward ass, and of course, having the crew of the Vessel pop up is always a delight.
Like all the stories of phase 3 thus far, this book too dealt a lot with this kind of defiant hope that the Jedi and the Republic are holding on to. Things are bleak and helpless, but the characters are not giving up or admitting defeat, but finding their own ways to fight. And I like how the characters in this book all have their own ways of fighting: Jordanna and Syl have helped keep people on the frontlines fed and supplied, Vernestra is of course doing the Jedi thing and Avon is using her scientific brilliant mind to figure out a way out of this crisis. I am not including Xylan on this list cause who the fuck knows what he is actually after - through him, we get to see the point of view of someone just trying to survive and come out on top while avoiding screwing over innocent people too much or helping the Nihil too much. I loved this quote from the book: "We need to remember why we’re fighting. The battle itself means nothing if it isn’t done to save those that most need us. The Nihil take and take and take, and still they are not satisfied. We have to confront them not in the same way, but by defending what matters." This reminded me of Rose Tico's speech to Finn at the end of the Last Jedi and made me smile. This also made me feel all soft and warm with feelings about the High Republic Jedi and their genuine desire to just help and make things better: "The galaxy is built on pain, little Jedi. You can’t change that.” – ”Maybe. But I can help, just a bit. And if others help, as well, that’s better for everyone all around.”
This book ended with a brilliant epilogue that hints at what's to come in the next YA book and I truly cannot wait. Phase 3 continues to be wonderful and exciting, and I am so ready for what these authors have in store for us.
May 7, 2024
Another entry in the High Republic under my belt and I'm growing more and more excited as we move towards the end of this massive story. And it is massive. My main problem with this book isn't even anything in the book itself. We're in the third year of this sprawling interconnected narrative and, honestly, I'm starting to have a hard time keeping up. This book feels a little weird, in that it tells multiple pretty disconnected stories, and I had a hard time remembering the characters and what they had been doing last time I saw them. The ending was very exciting however, and I'm very interested to see where this story goes as we enter the second wave of the final phase of The High Republic.
November 21, 2024
This was good but in terms of characters in the HR I wanted to read about, not a lot of these are high on my list, and the ones that are were barely in it save for Avon and Vernestra.
July 15, 2024
3.5 Stars.
This book was good overall, but did suffer from some pacing issues. We take part of our typical High Republic young adult novel cast (this time, Vernestra and Avon, but barely Syl, and only a mention of Reath Silas) and throw them into the chaotic part of the story regarding the Nihil Stormwall. The San Tekkas and Grafs play a role in helping Avon begin the project of destroying the wall, and hopefully that will be completed soon.
BUT... this book also introduced "The Blight", a disease growing in the ground of some planets that acts similar to what the Nameless do to Jedi... all to dust.
Looking forward to the next book quite a lot, but also interested to see how the series ends and how it can connect to The Acolyte.
Recommend.
This book was good overall, but did suffer from some pacing issues. We take part of our typical High Republic young adult novel cast (this time, Vernestra and Avon, but barely Syl, and only a mention of Reath Silas) and throw them into the chaotic part of the story regarding the Nihil Stormwall. The San Tekkas and Grafs play a role in helping Avon begin the project of destroying the wall, and hopefully that will be completed soon.
BUT... this book also introduced "The Blight", a disease growing in the ground of some planets that acts similar to what the Nameless do to Jedi... all to dust.
Looking forward to the next book quite a lot, but also interested to see how the series ends and how it can connect to The Acolyte.
Recommend.
March 12, 2024
Wowzers! Normally during a young adult High Republic novel, I'm tossed between story lines that I love and chapters that I do not give a flying kriff about - not so with this one! Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton wove together story lines that left me more stunned than a small but manageable dose of Shani venom! We learned more about the Occlusion Zone™, got to see a darker side to Avon Sunvale, and had the opportunity to see some very heartwarming reunions. At the end of the day, I think a to-scale Plinka plush would sell like hot cakes and the idea of a lightsaber whip is somehow much cooler and more terrifying than that of a traditional lightsaber. Gotta hand it to them, they write a mean book. 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
This was really good book, it made me want the other phase 3 High Republic books to release all ready so I can read them. I'm glad Vernestra was in the book and I can't wait to see her in the Alcolyte. She did not hold back when talking to Elzar which was good because I don't like him either. I'm glad Avon got more mature from phase 1. I forgot all the stuff that happened between Xylan and Sylvestri but it worked out anyway. Cair was so sweet he should do better than Xylan. I really liked Jordanna she was really good and it was nice to see her from phase 1 again. I'm glad Reath was in it for like two seconds and the epilogue was so good and creepy with Azlin Rell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2025
the ending pissed me off so bad but i know it’s to set it up for the next one
June 27, 2024
*sigh* I really wanted to like Defy the Storm, but I had such a rough time getting through it. I have far more complaints than compliments unfortunately. The book just felt like a weak filler story that stagnated the current storyline of this phase of The High Republic. The ending was the only thing that felt like it added anything substantial to the overarching plot.
In addition, I really didn't care about most of the characters, as most were forgettable and uninteresting, or I didn't know who they were because I can't recall them from the previous YA books or they weren't characters initially from the past YA books (from my recollection at least), so I didn't have any attachment to them. And the characters I knew and liked didn't get much decent exploration or good development because of how overcrowded the cast of characters was.
Defy the Storm suffers from what many other Star Wars books seem to always suffer from; Too many characters, plots, and subplots, all fighting for attention, which ultimately just made the whole book feel disjointed, and even at times boring. The book would have benefited a lot from being centered solely on Vernestra and Reath, and not all these other characters, who for me personally, were forgettable. I really wish we would've gotten more of Reath Silas, as I've loved his character ever since his debut in Into the Dark.
In conclusion, I was really disappointed with Defy the Storm, especially after how much I liked Path of Deceit, and Path of Vengeance. In the end I'm going to have to give Defy the Storm 2 stars. The reveals at the end were good, and I liked most of Vernestra’s plot (although she could’ve used a lot more well-crafted attention and development), but ultimately those small compliments weren’t good enough to be the books saving grace and give it a higher rating.
In addition, I really didn't care about most of the characters, as most were forgettable and uninteresting, or I didn't know who they were because I can't recall them from the previous YA books or they weren't characters initially from the past YA books (from my recollection at least), so I didn't have any attachment to them. And the characters I knew and liked didn't get much decent exploration or good development because of how overcrowded the cast of characters was.
Defy the Storm suffers from what many other Star Wars books seem to always suffer from; Too many characters, plots, and subplots, all fighting for attention, which ultimately just made the whole book feel disjointed, and even at times boring. The book would have benefited a lot from being centered solely on Vernestra and Reath, and not all these other characters, who for me personally, were forgettable. I really wish we would've gotten more of Reath Silas, as I've loved his character ever since his debut in Into the Dark.
In conclusion, I was really disappointed with Defy the Storm, especially after how much I liked Path of Deceit, and Path of Vengeance. In the end I'm going to have to give Defy the Storm 2 stars. The reveals at the end were good, and I liked most of Vernestra’s plot (although she could’ve used a lot more well-crafted attention and development), but ultimately those small compliments weren’t good enough to be the books saving grace and give it a higher rating.
March 5, 2024
Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland, picks up on many of the bigger threads connecting throughout The High Republic storytelling. The characters themselves find that the path forward is littered with difficult choices and the challenges they face aren’t just as simple as mortal peril. As the danger and complications multiply in enemy territory can Avon and Vernestra find what they are looking for?
Defy the Storm is an action-packed tale full of complications, conniving, and twists. The characters all have ulterior motives and watching their choices play out is deeply intriguing. The world-building and bigger threads move forward fascinatingly and finish in fresh territory. The bigger questions leave me looking forward to wherever The High Republic takes us next!
This is a must-read for Vernestra and Avon fans! Their journey takes them through challenges and choices they never saw coming!
Defy the Storm is an action-packed tale full of complications, conniving, and twists. The characters all have ulterior motives and watching their choices play out is deeply intriguing. The world-building and bigger threads move forward fascinatingly and finish in fresh territory. The bigger questions leave me looking forward to wherever The High Republic takes us next!
This is a must-read for Vernestra and Avon fans! Their journey takes them through challenges and choices they never saw coming!
Read
July 29, 2024DNF at 75%
I tried to engage with this as an audiobook but ultimately failed. I won't rate it, as such, since I don't really feel I was the right audience for the story the authors were telling.
Light whip and out.
I tried to engage with this as an audiobook but ultimately failed. I won't rate it, as such, since I don't really feel I was the right audience for the story the authors were telling.
Light whip and out.
June 18, 2025
Definitely better in the second half than in the first but still not my favorite. I liked Xylan and Jordanna a lot more than I did in out of the shadows, but I wish this had been more squarely focused on Vernestra who I thought was the most interesting of the POV characters.
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