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Star Wars: The High Republic
Quest for the Hidden City
The New York Times best-selling series continues.... For light and life!
A fun and action-packed middle grade adventure set in the world of the High Republic, 150 years before the storytelling of Phase I. Meet hyperspace prospectors, bold explorers, Jedi peacekeepers and more! Don't miss these other adventures of Star Wars: The High Republic! A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland, Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel José Older, and Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland.
A fun and action-packed middle grade adventure set in the world of the High Republic, 150 years before the storytelling of Phase I. Meet hyperspace prospectors, bold explorers, Jedi peacekeepers and more! Don't miss these other adventures of Star Wars: The High Republic! A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland, Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel José Older, and Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2022
146 people are currently reading
1427 people want to read
About the author
George Mann
360 books674 followersGeorge Mann is an author and editor, primarily in genre fiction. He was born in Darlington, County Durham in 1978.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
July 10, 2024
A very good book, this book runs alongside Convergence in another part of the frontier. Great new characters. One of the things I liked was having the Jedi in action as well as using their lightsabers as a weapon and delivering the killing stroke.
While the Forever War is still going on, other planets on the frontier have their own problem, and some of them want/need the Republic's help. However, when the Republic finds answers, they might not like what was found.
A very good continuation of Phase 2 (set before Phase 1) of the High Republic books. Again, great new characters, a bit of a slow start to the book, but an action-packed end to the book. I look to see what is next for these characters and the High Republic in general.
While the Forever War is still going on, other planets on the frontier have their own problem, and some of them want/need the Republic's help. However, when the Republic finds answers, they might not like what was found.
A very good continuation of Phase 2 (set before Phase 1) of the High Republic books. Again, great new characters, a bit of a slow start to the book, but an action-packed end to the book. I look to see what is next for these characters and the High Republic in general.
November 4, 2023
ROOPER!!
November 10, 2022
The tricky part about writing a Middle Grade book is the audience. Good Middle Grade books work with their intended audience. Great Middle Grade books work for all audiences old and young. This book is effective at reaching the younger audience, but not necessarily at being appealing to older audiences.
First off, George Mann hit exactly what he was aiming for. He was trying to write a short action thriller story set in the High Republic. This adventure is really fun and the fact that it is shrouded in mystery is what makes it great. Adult audiences will be able to tell the mystery from the beginning, but younger audiences should have a delightful time putting the pieces together.
This is the longest and most complex Middle Grade book in the High Republic thus far. That works in its favor because it is able to jump between multiple characters while previous books focused really on one or two POVs. I liked that this book had more complexity there and I thought Mann did an excellent job intercutting the storylines at the right times.
The themes in this book are pretty heavy handed, even for a kids book. However, they are themes that are relatable and work well for the type of story this is. Themes such as Environmentalism, Greed, and the value of Hope are all explored excellently here.
Where this book stumbles is in its character development. There isn't enough in this book to differentiate the characters from other High Republic stories. I might possibly remember these characters if they show up in future media, but I think its unlikely that most audiences will. Most of the characters just fit exactly whats needed and are pretty one-dimensional.
Overall, this is a very fine and exciting Star Wars middle grade book. I think it approaches the greatness of the "Young Jedi Knights" or the "Jedi Apprentice" series, but doesn't quite get there. When comparing it to other High Republic Middle Grade books, it is just below my ranking of "Mission to Disaster". I'd give this book an 8.0 out of 10!
First off, George Mann hit exactly what he was aiming for. He was trying to write a short action thriller story set in the High Republic. This adventure is really fun and the fact that it is shrouded in mystery is what makes it great. Adult audiences will be able to tell the mystery from the beginning, but younger audiences should have a delightful time putting the pieces together.
This is the longest and most complex Middle Grade book in the High Republic thus far. That works in its favor because it is able to jump between multiple characters while previous books focused really on one or two POVs. I liked that this book had more complexity there and I thought Mann did an excellent job intercutting the storylines at the right times.
The themes in this book are pretty heavy handed, even for a kids book. However, they are themes that are relatable and work well for the type of story this is. Themes such as Environmentalism, Greed, and the value of Hope are all explored excellently here.
Where this book stumbles is in its character development. There isn't enough in this book to differentiate the characters from other High Republic stories. I might possibly remember these characters if they show up in future media, but I think its unlikely that most audiences will. Most of the characters just fit exactly whats needed and are pretty one-dimensional.
Overall, this is a very fine and exciting Star Wars middle grade book. I think it approaches the greatness of the "Young Jedi Knights" or the "Jedi Apprentice" series, but doesn't quite get there. When comparing it to other High Republic Middle Grade books, it is just below my ranking of "Mission to Disaster". I'd give this book an 8.0 out of 10!
April 13, 2023
these middle grade books are some of the most fun books i’ve read 😭
September 20, 2023
This is a middle grade book that is part of the second phase of The High Republic Era. In this one some jedi and padawans go missing as they were helping the inhabitants of a dying planet. A different group goes looking for the missing.
Like I said the target audience is children and this is a good book for them. As for adults it is a little bit lacking and there was one minor concept I had an issue with. For me none of the characters stood out. I would actually say that this book had too many characters or the author did not develop some of them properly. Some of the minor characters never stood out and I never connected with them. I also thought the reason for this drama was lacking. The planet is dying because of mining. We have done this before with the Empire stripping planets. The concept that I had a problem with was the main character who is a padawan and how she feels the force. With colors. Just no. Why does the new generation of writers continue to go against the established canon with these absurd concepts? That is what we are doing now. The force with colors. Good grief.
I have said it before and most likely I will say it again. I haven't enjoyed the High Republic arc. The characters and the story are boring. This book continues the tradition as I will probably forget the characters within a couple of weeks.
Like I said the target audience is children and this is a good book for them. As for adults it is a little bit lacking and there was one minor concept I had an issue with. For me none of the characters stood out. I would actually say that this book had too many characters or the author did not develop some of them properly. Some of the minor characters never stood out and I never connected with them. I also thought the reason for this drama was lacking. The planet is dying because of mining. We have done this before with the Empire stripping planets. The concept that I had a problem with was the main character who is a padawan and how she feels the force. With colors. Just no. Why does the new generation of writers continue to go against the established canon with these absurd concepts? That is what we are doing now. The force with colors. Good grief.
I have said it before and most likely I will say it again. I haven't enjoyed the High Republic arc. The characters and the story are boring. This book continues the tradition as I will probably forget the characters within a couple of weeks.
January 2, 2023
me, any time they mentioned eiram or e’ronoh: nice convergence reference
November 1, 2022
What are Jedi? The sword? The shield? Neither? Both? It is an interesting conversation I think we have all engaged in by this point, even if you are the most minute Star Wars fan. Jedi protect, but what does protecting entail, and how far can they go? Alas, I shall stop myself for an interpretation of the Jedi’s role is a path (see what I did there) that doesn’t really result in a sound insurmountable conclusion.
Quest of the Hidden City by George Mann l however does take on a more literal perspective, courtesy of a Jedi Master I think you all will come to love, Silandra Sho. As some saw after the July High Republic show, she hangs a shield on her back and she can throw it with the Force, something that was met with quite the amount of fervor and excitement. Well, she does that and more, but I don’t want to lay too heavy into spoilers territory.
By the end of this novel, you will come to see the shield side of things. And no, I do not mean that simply because Silandro Sho has an amazingly epic shield, though that is a great metaphor for what she views the Jedi to be. It is because that is the philosophy that guides these Jedi in this novel.
The novel itself has a pretty horrific story for being a middle-grade book. The villains literally being the victims of pollution, dark crystals flooding their body and taking control, zombifying them. Nothing more than glorified husks.
The symmetry we’ve been getting in Phase II from problems in the books to problems in the real word does continue here. Pollution corrupted and killed these husks, really no different than pollution here in real life, save the husks part.
People at the top do not care about the cost it has on people, only that a cheap fuel can be used. It is a symmetry that I rather appreciate, though I doubt the intended audience range will fully connect that message to the world we live in.
One gripe I have is the lack of queer characters. Perhaps there were a few hints of queer characters, but nothing was confirmed and after Path of Deceit and what we got in Phase I, it left me extremely disappointed.
All in all, Quest for The Hidden City was a fun read, and something that I’m sure middle-grade readers (and adults) will find to be quite the pleasant read.
January 26, 2023
3.5 stars.
Quest for the Hidden City is the first middle grade book in phase 2 of the High Republic and an absolute blast to go through and get to know a tiny piece of the galaxy.
If you're looking for an engaging and fun ride perfect to lose yourself for a little while in a galaxy far, far away; this is the perfect installment for you; and the implications that are to be uncovered are quite the treat to the overarching plot from the series.
The characters that come alive between the pages of this book are, maybe not the most memorable bunch, but charismatic and great vessels to enjoy the adventure through.
Master Sho is a very interesting Jedi as she uses a shield to symbolize her beliefs, Jedi being the protectors and not warriors of the galaxy, alongside, if not more than, her lightsaber. It is a unique take that made her stand out in a good way and an interesting angle to explore.
As fun as the adult characters were they were not the focus of the story and the journeys of both, Rooper and Dass take front and center as they struggle to understand and find their roles in a vast galaxy and how the labels that they have been granted from birth apply to them as individuals. It's a nice coming-of-age character arc that had some heartfelt and touching moments.
Without a doubt, the easy and fresh way that these characters interact and discover the world makes it a complete thrill and breeze to get through the book and turn page after page non-stop.
The driving mystery in itself, while not too complex, it's presented in such a way that it had me hooked and enchanted the whole time.
Intriguing, a little dark, and filled with whimsical and fantastical connotations and elements the story moves at a fast pace not losing one second for anything and setting threads that are sure to connect to other times and places in the High Republic setting. While we see a very particular face of the planet the clues are planted right there to be picked and dissected.
While it is firmly a middle grade story, there are some darker elements that creeped me out and chilled my blood quite effectively, enhancing the experience and making me more obsessed with turning the next page.
It might not be the most remarkable or mindblowing story offered to us in this storytelling initiative but it is certainly one that was fun and enjoyable to pass the time and engage in an adventure.
Returning to this setting, meeting the characters again, or learning more of the mysteries that are held in this book is something that I would not mind doing and can look forward to.
_____________
It's been a long time since the last time I read a book in one day but, well, this one was extremely fun and engaging and I couldn't put it down.
Honestly, I had a blast with this one and I found it absolutely intriguing. It surprised me in the best way possible.
RTC.
_____________
Well, then, I'm ready for this new adventure!
After the amazing introduction that Path of Deceit gave us to this new period of the Republic's story, I am more than a little curious to see where we go from there.
Mann is a new author for this series and that makes the whole experience more exciting, as I have never read anything by him, and, well, generally speaking middle-grade books then to be simply fun, so that's good.
Either way, I am excited!
“For the first time, Rooper thought she understood why the Jedi were out there on the frontier, why Silandra was always so focused on doing whatever needed to be done to help people, whether that was dealing with diplomats and politicians or fixing water pumps on agricultural worlds. Because it wasn’t about them, the Jedi. It wasn’t about adventure and having fun. It was about doing what was necessary. About saving lives. And when a Jedi put themselves in danger, it wasn’t for the thrill. It was because someone needed to stand in the way of the monsters. Always the shield. Perhaps what Rooper had mistaken as sensible and boring in Master Sho was really just a deep sense of compassion and duty. Shielding everyone else from harm’s way, just like she shielded Rooper every day.”
Quest for the Hidden City is the first middle grade book in phase 2 of the High Republic and an absolute blast to go through and get to know a tiny piece of the galaxy.
With the Jedi and the Republic's pathfinders working together to chart the unmapped regions of the galaxy we embark on an adventure to rescue a missing team in the mysterious planet Gloam; an adventure that will uncover deeply hidden mysteries and dangerous forces that will be unrooted.
Tasked with the rescue mission Master Silandra Sho and her padawan Rooper Nitani are trusted front and center to discover the secrets that could shape the galaxy.
If you're looking for an engaging and fun ride perfect to lose yourself for a little while in a galaxy far, far away; this is the perfect installment for you; and the implications that are to be uncovered are quite the treat to the overarching plot from the series.
“Yes, a Jedi had a duty. A responsibility. Rooper understood that. But it didn’t mean they had to be bored. What was the point in being out there if they didn’t at least try to enjoy it?”
The characters that come alive between the pages of this book are, maybe not the most memorable bunch, but charismatic and great vessels to enjoy the adventure through.
Master Sho is a very interesting Jedi as she uses a shield to symbolize her beliefs, Jedi being the protectors and not warriors of the galaxy, alongside, if not more than, her lightsaber. It is a unique take that made her stand out in a good way and an interesting angle to explore.
As fun as the adult characters were they were not the focus of the story and the journeys of both, Rooper and Dass take front and center as they struggle to understand and find their roles in a vast galaxy and how the labels that they have been granted from birth apply to them as individuals. It's a nice coming-of-age character arc that had some heartfelt and touching moments.
Without a doubt, the easy and fresh way that these characters interact and discover the world makes it a complete thrill and breeze to get through the book and turn page after page non-stop.
“That’s the thing about the Republic. It isn’t so much a place as an idea. A way of living. A way for people from different worlds and backgrounds to come together and help each other. Sometimes that works. Other times it’s harder.”
The driving mystery in itself, while not too complex, it's presented in such a way that it had me hooked and enchanted the whole time.
Intriguing, a little dark, and filled with whimsical and fantastical connotations and elements the story moves at a fast pace not losing one second for anything and setting threads that are sure to connect to other times and places in the High Republic setting. While we see a very particular face of the planet the clues are planted right there to be picked and dissected.
While it is firmly a middle grade story, there are some darker elements that creeped me out and chilled my blood quite effectively, enhancing the experience and making me more obsessed with turning the next page.
“Dass looked up. It was a habit, always looking to the stars for answers.”
It might not be the most remarkable or mindblowing story offered to us in this storytelling initiative but it is certainly one that was fun and enjoyable to pass the time and engage in an adventure.
Returning to this setting, meeting the characters again, or learning more of the mysteries that are held in this book is something that I would not mind doing and can look forward to.
“Looking after me doesn’t just mean protecting me from harm. You’ve shown me the stars. There are people out there who live their entire lives in one world, in one city, in one house. Because of you, I’ve stood under starships breaching hyperspace. I’ve had adventures and met droids, dozens of different species, and… and I’ve learned that it’s okay to be scared. But that you shouldn’t let it stop you doing the right thing anyway.”
_____________
It's been a long time since the last time I read a book in one day but, well, this one was extremely fun and engaging and I couldn't put it down.
Honestly, I had a blast with this one and I found it absolutely intriguing. It surprised me in the best way possible.
RTC.
_____________
Well, then, I'm ready for this new adventure!
After the amazing introduction that Path of Deceit gave us to this new period of the Republic's story, I am more than a little curious to see where we go from there.
Mann is a new author for this series and that makes the whole experience more exciting, as I have never read anything by him, and, well, generally speaking middle-grade books then to be simply fun, so that's good.
Either way, I am excited!
October 24, 2024
A fun little side quest in Phase II. I liked the two main Jedi, Rooper and Silandra, and their dynamic. I liked the sense of adventure and darker themes for a middle grade novel. It falters a bit with the overall plot as I felt like I’ve read this kind of story before and it was very average in execution. Having read most of Phase II, this definitely isn’t essential to your understanding of it but is entertaining and inoffensive enough.
November 1, 2022
Phase 2 of STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC is here and it is So. Much. Fun. George Mann’s QUEST FOR THE HIDDEN CITY is the first middle-grade installment of Phase 2 and it was an absolute joy to read. In this book, we visit new planets, adventure with new characters, and solve new mysteries, all with the familiar charm of Star Wars that feels like coming home to an old friend. Our main Jedi are Padawan Rooper and her Jedi Master Silandra. THR has consistently given readers amazing Jedi Master/Padawan dynamics and these two are no different. I loved getting to know them and their unique approaches to the Force. This story also has nods to the horror genre, with monsters lurking around every corner. Readers will both delight in exploring this uncharted point in the Star Wars timeline and revel in all of the exciting new theories for what is to come. If you haven’t picked up these books yet, now is the time!
Thanks to Disney Lucasfilm Press for the advance copy!
Thanks to Disney Lucasfilm Press for the advance copy!
November 22, 2022
There was a LOT of hefty setup to get through with this book. The length of the setup for the story took me out of it a bit and required a lot of effort to pull me back in. This had nothing to do with this book being intended for a younger audience. However, once the story launched into the height of adventure, I was drawn in and enjoyed the darker atmosphere of the book.
May 17, 2023
A fun survival adventure, maybe a little crowded with characters. The audiobook production was, as always, impecable.
Jedi Master Silandra Sho and her Padawan Rooper Nitani
Jedi Master Silandra Sho and her Padawan Rooper Nitani
February 1, 2024
The middle grade titles in The High Republic continue to be among the most entertaining in the whole of the series. There might have been too many characters in this one, as it bounces back and forth between the action. I sometimes found myself having to take a second to remember who was who. Rooper was a particular standout character. I hope we see her again down the line in the series.
November 19, 2022
Fun little side story in the 2nd High Republic phase. If you read the Phase 1 middle-grade novels and enjoyed those, you will most likely enjoy this one aswell. If you are only interested in the "main story" of Phase 2, you probably don't have to read it, but its a quick one.
I enjoy the illustrations in the middle-grade ones, but sadly there were only 2 in this one. Would be better with 4-5.
Overall adding to the strong start to the Phase, and I am excited for Convergence and the next middle-grade.
I enjoy the illustrations in the middle-grade ones, but sadly there were only 2 in this one. Would be better with 4-5.
Overall adding to the strong start to the Phase, and I am excited for Convergence and the next middle-grade.
Want to read
May 29, 2022Cover (and author?) revealed at Celebration!
January 27, 2023
Quest for the Hidden City was an underwhelming read for me. I wanted more character development, particularly as the plot of the middle grade High Republic releases typically don't have a big role in the overall action of the phase.
February 12, 2023
I admit I went into this with high expectations, and while it didn’t quite live up to the phase one books, this is still a fun story with charming characters. Did I miss Ram and Vernestra the whole time? Yes. Was it still a fun ride? Also yes.
April 28, 2025
"Trust in the Force."
September 2, 2023
I listened to the dramatized audio book. They did such a good job with the sound effects. It took it from being an okay story to a very solid story. I did like the alien race they introduced here as well.
October 15, 2022
QUEST FOR THE HIDDEN CITY, the second book in Phase II of The High Republic series, is so far one of my favorite books set in this newer era of Star Wars. But that can be said for the other middle-grade books in the series as well. There is something magical about telling stories of hope and hardship, through the eyes of younger characters, in-between much darker stories crafted for slightly older audiences.
I've always considered these books to be palate cleansers to hold you over between one High Republic book and the next. They're just as important and just as impactful. But they do tend to be a little bit more heartwarming, and that's essential.
George Mann has written a truly delightful story, one that should not be skimmed or ignored simply because it's a middle-grade book, or because it's not one of the "main" High Republic novels. Any chance you have to read Mann's Star Wars content in any capacity, I beg you -- take it.
I've always considered these books to be palate cleansers to hold you over between one High Republic book and the next. They're just as important and just as impactful. But they do tend to be a little bit more heartwarming, and that's essential.
George Mann has written a truly delightful story, one that should not be skimmed or ignored simply because it's a middle-grade book, or because it's not one of the "main" High Republic novels. Any chance you have to read Mann's Star Wars content in any capacity, I beg you -- take it.
April 1, 2023
2.5 stars
Some History:
George Mann has written a lot of books: steampunk historical adventures, Doctor Who tales, Sherlock Holmes short stories, and more. But within the Star Wars universe, his main contribution thus far has been three themed anthologies: Star Wars: Myths & Fables, Star Wars Dark Legends, and the Star Wars Life Day Treasury. For the first round of Phase II of the High Republic series, Mann wrote the middle grade novel Quest for the Hidden City as well as the audio drama The Battle of Jedha.
Summary:
When a Pathfinder team's communications droid is found drifting damaged in space, Jedi Knight Silandra Sho and her Padawan Rooper Nitani are sent to find the missing team members. Their investigation leads them to the planet Gloam, a ravaged world said to be haunted by mythical monsters…
Timeline Disclaimer:
Quest for the Hidden City is set 150 years before Light of the Jedi, and it seems to occur concurrently with the adult novel Convergence--there are references to multiple Jedi being on Eiram and E’ronoh for diplomatic reasons.
The Good:
—I liked getting to meet new Jedi, like Silandra Sho and her apprentice Rooper Nitani. Rooper has very Force abilities: she’s able to use the Force to sense the concentration of life around her, and she views that life force as colorful auras. This comes in handy, especially when they first land on Aubadas and can’t find the Katikoot settlement—Rooper can see those concentrations of colors and lead them in the right direction, and she uses her abilities on Gloam as well. Unlike some other padawans we’ve encountered, she seems pretty confident in what she wants to do…and it helps that she has a supportive master.
—Her Master, Silandra Sho, is so focused on being a peacemaker that while she does wield a lightsaber, her first response is always to equip her shield. I thought this was a pretty cool concept, and harkens back to some other shield that we’ve seen in Legends materials, like the vibroshields in Matthew Stover’s Shatterpoint. Silandra tries to approach situations defensively, and she feels different from the prequel-era Jedi we’ve come to know.
—I appreciated that Mann wrote a Star Wars horror novel, but kept it very kid-friendly! I am not a horror reader at all (too scared), and especially in a children’s book I’m always worried that it will be too scary for younger readers. While Quest for the Hidden City was rife with threatening situations, it never got too dark. As an adult reader, I figured out the origin of the monsters of Gloam pretty quickly, and I suspect that even young readers would pick up on the fact that Gloam was Not What It Seems.
The Meh:
—Rooper is a horrible name. Her last name (Nitani) is perfectly fine, but Rooper?? Sometimes the names in Star Wars are too close to Earth equivalents (still can’t get over “Erika” in Light of the Jedi), and sometimes the authors go to the opposite extreme and create dreadful names. I like Rooper, but she deserves a better name.
—Pacewise, Quest for the Hidden City seemed to have trouble getting off the ground. They find the droid, they figure out where it came from, they go to Aubadas, they find the Katikoot, they talk to the Katikoot, and only then do they learn that the other team is missing on Gloam. There were so many steps to get Rooper and co. to Gloam—then once they arrive on Gloam, they break up into groups and don’t reunite and defeat the baddie until the very end. Once I hit the last third of the book, the pace picked up for me, but the first half or so was pretty slow.
—There were way too many characters here, and I didn’t feel particularly attached to any of them by the end. There were so many to keep track of: Rooper and her Master and their Pathfinding team, and the OTHER Pathfinding team, and Dass and his dad Spence who are hyperspace prospectors stranded on Gloam, and the Katikoot they meet on Aubadas as well as the Katikoot who accompany them to gloam. With that many characters, I didn’t remember all of their names or roles, so I wish that the character list had been pruned a little. (Silandra & Rooper and Dass & Spence seemed to be most important here.)
—Finally, I found Quest for the Hidden City surprisingly standalone. I prefer when the middle grade novels tell a complete story that doesn’t rely on knowledge from the adult or YA books, but I was surprised when there were no connections to other stories. It’s mainly just a monster story in which Rillik is motivated by greed.
My Verdict:
Quest for the Hidden City starts this Phase II of the High Republic series by introducing young readers to Jedi with interesting items or abilities, through the conceit of a horror/monster story. There's way too many characters, though, and the pace was pretty slow for the first half of the book.
My YouTube review: https://youtu.be/tmoLmezudR0
Nilah Magruder’s illustrations: https://imgur.com/a/MSgxK8z
Some History:
George Mann has written a lot of books: steampunk historical adventures, Doctor Who tales, Sherlock Holmes short stories, and more. But within the Star Wars universe, his main contribution thus far has been three themed anthologies: Star Wars: Myths & Fables, Star Wars Dark Legends, and the Star Wars Life Day Treasury. For the first round of Phase II of the High Republic series, Mann wrote the middle grade novel Quest for the Hidden City as well as the audio drama The Battle of Jedha.
Summary:
When a Pathfinder team's communications droid is found drifting damaged in space, Jedi Knight Silandra Sho and her Padawan Rooper Nitani are sent to find the missing team members. Their investigation leads them to the planet Gloam, a ravaged world said to be haunted by mythical monsters…
Timeline Disclaimer:
Quest for the Hidden City is set 150 years before Light of the Jedi, and it seems to occur concurrently with the adult novel Convergence--there are references to multiple Jedi being on Eiram and E’ronoh for diplomatic reasons.
The Good:
—I liked getting to meet new Jedi, like Silandra Sho and her apprentice Rooper Nitani. Rooper has very Force abilities: she’s able to use the Force to sense the concentration of life around her, and she views that life force as colorful auras. This comes in handy, especially when they first land on Aubadas and can’t find the Katikoot settlement—Rooper can see those concentrations of colors and lead them in the right direction, and she uses her abilities on Gloam as well. Unlike some other padawans we’ve encountered, she seems pretty confident in what she wants to do…and it helps that she has a supportive master.
—Her Master, Silandra Sho, is so focused on being a peacemaker that while she does wield a lightsaber, her first response is always to equip her shield. I thought this was a pretty cool concept, and harkens back to some other shield that we’ve seen in Legends materials, like the vibroshields in Matthew Stover’s Shatterpoint. Silandra tries to approach situations defensively, and she feels different from the prequel-era Jedi we’ve come to know.
—I appreciated that Mann wrote a Star Wars horror novel, but kept it very kid-friendly! I am not a horror reader at all (too scared), and especially in a children’s book I’m always worried that it will be too scary for younger readers. While Quest for the Hidden City was rife with threatening situations, it never got too dark. As an adult reader, I figured out the origin of the monsters of Gloam pretty quickly, and I suspect that even young readers would pick up on the fact that Gloam was Not What It Seems.
The Meh:
—Rooper is a horrible name. Her last name (Nitani) is perfectly fine, but Rooper?? Sometimes the names in Star Wars are too close to Earth equivalents (still can’t get over “Erika” in Light of the Jedi), and sometimes the authors go to the opposite extreme and create dreadful names. I like Rooper, but she deserves a better name.
—Pacewise, Quest for the Hidden City seemed to have trouble getting off the ground. They find the droid, they figure out where it came from, they go to Aubadas, they find the Katikoot, they talk to the Katikoot, and only then do they learn that the other team is missing on Gloam. There were so many steps to get Rooper and co. to Gloam—then once they arrive on Gloam, they break up into groups and don’t reunite and defeat the baddie until the very end. Once I hit the last third of the book, the pace picked up for me, but the first half or so was pretty slow.
—There were way too many characters here, and I didn’t feel particularly attached to any of them by the end. There were so many to keep track of: Rooper and her Master and their Pathfinding team, and the OTHER Pathfinding team, and Dass and his dad Spence who are hyperspace prospectors stranded on Gloam, and the Katikoot they meet on Aubadas as well as the Katikoot who accompany them to gloam. With that many characters, I didn’t remember all of their names or roles, so I wish that the character list had been pruned a little. (Silandra & Rooper and Dass & Spence seemed to be most important here.)
—Finally, I found Quest for the Hidden City surprisingly standalone. I prefer when the middle grade novels tell a complete story that doesn’t rely on knowledge from the adult or YA books, but I was surprised when there were no connections to other stories. It’s mainly just a monster story in which Rillik is motivated by greed.
My Verdict:
Quest for the Hidden City starts this Phase II of the High Republic series by introducing young readers to Jedi with interesting items or abilities, through the conceit of a horror/monster story. There's way too many characters, though, and the pace was pretty slow for the first half of the book.
My YouTube review: https://youtu.be/tmoLmezudR0
Nilah Magruder’s illustrations: https://imgur.com/a/MSgxK8z
August 7, 2024
I’d read several of the Phase 1 High Republic books as they were published, and I didn’t enjoy them. After really loving The Acolyte, I decided to try the Phase 2 books. This first one, Quest for the Hidden City, is not the worst Star Wars book I’ve read, but that doesn’t mean it’s an amazing book. Like a number of other Star Wars stories recently, it begins to introduce elements of (lite) horror, with one species undergoing a rather horrifying, if entirely nonsensical, transformation. There was the possibility of making this into more of an Alien kind of story, but the author didn’t take it that far.
Because the story is almost entirely planet-bound, it feels overall much more like Trek than Wars. (Also, we’re told a number of times that the pathfinder Jedi are “seeking out new life and new civilizations”—not in exactly those words, but pretty close.) The heavy-handed environmental themes would be very appropriate in a Third Doctor story (in fact, a lot of this story reminded me of “The Green Death”).
The novel introduces a few elements that I find intriguing:
• I love the idea of the pathfinder Jedi. This is closer to what I’d imagine the Jedi to be when there were just the original three movies. I pictured Jedi as wandering ronin-type characters, not as a unified community with a central hub on Coruscant. In hindsight, I guess I was more interested in the lone knight on a quest than in the political intrigues at the Round Table. The prequel trilogy was very Round Table–ish, and I didn’t care for the story very much. In this novel, we see the Jedi traveling the galaxy with small teams, exploring unreached places and trying to do good wherever they go. Bringing this together with The Acolyte makes a very interesting story arc—that the Jedi originally serve the colonizing force of the galaxy (the Republic), and by the time of The Acolyte, they’ve become the police force of the galaxy. With all that background in mind, the events of the prequel trilogy, especially the way Palpatine successfully deceives the Jedi, take on deeper and more intriguing resonance.
• Nitani’s synesthetic perception of the Force is a great addition. Taking only the movies and TV series, we really have little idea what it means to sense things through the Force. This book pulls back the curtain just a bit to show how one padawan understands the Force and uses it as a guide for movement and action.
• Though we’re not yet far enough back in the timeline to see a Star Wars without droid assistance, this book presents droids as simpler “tools” rather than as essentially sentient beings. The droids do what they’re made for, and they communicate, but none of the droids here speaks, aside from electronic warbles. There is indication of emotional response and even humor, but these still seem to be a lower level of droid than in later eras of Star Wars. I would still like to see an era that has no droid assistance whatsoever. (This is another aspect of The Acolyte that I enjoyed—very little interaction with droids, and few droids that manifest human-like personalities. I like that astromechs are mentioned but never shown, so we don’t know if at that point in the timeline they were anything like R2-D2.)
A problem I’ve had throughout the High Republic stories is that I couldn’t care less about any of the basically interchangeable Jedi the stories introduce. I don’t know what it would take to make a distinct, interesting Jedi, but in this book I really don’t care about any of them. One of them is distinguishable by her use of a shield (which seems to me like an odd accessory for a Jedi), but the others could switch places in just about any part of the story and it wouldn’t make any difference. It may be that the way Lucas envisioned the Jedi is simply a dead end for character development. How can you make an attachment-less, emotionally balanced character different from all the others? The Acolyte solves that problem by showing the different ways each member of Jedi team responds to a tragedy they caused (vow of silence; solitary exile; frontier life; and living with unaddressed remorse in the Jedi temple).
I didn’t want to give up any of my real reading time for this book, so I listened to the audiobook during my daily commutes. Though the music and sound effects included in the audiobook are a good addition, the reader didn’t succeed for me. The voices she used for the younger characters all sound like kids on a 1950s sitcom. And in general, I felt like she was holding back. A good audiobook reader feels like they’re reaching out and connecting with the listener; it’s a compelling performance. A lesser reader feels like they’re sitting by themselves, reading into a microphone. The reader for this book definitely seemed like she was on her own with a microphone.
Quest for the Hidden City wasn’t the worst High Republic book I’ve read, and it includes enough interesting elements that I’m curious to see more of Phase 2.
Because the story is almost entirely planet-bound, it feels overall much more like Trek than Wars. (Also, we’re told a number of times that the pathfinder Jedi are “seeking out new life and new civilizations”—not in exactly those words, but pretty close.) The heavy-handed environmental themes would be very appropriate in a Third Doctor story (in fact, a lot of this story reminded me of “The Green Death”).
The novel introduces a few elements that I find intriguing:
• I love the idea of the pathfinder Jedi. This is closer to what I’d imagine the Jedi to be when there were just the original three movies. I pictured Jedi as wandering ronin-type characters, not as a unified community with a central hub on Coruscant. In hindsight, I guess I was more interested in the lone knight on a quest than in the political intrigues at the Round Table. The prequel trilogy was very Round Table–ish, and I didn’t care for the story very much. In this novel, we see the Jedi traveling the galaxy with small teams, exploring unreached places and trying to do good wherever they go. Bringing this together with The Acolyte makes a very interesting story arc—that the Jedi originally serve the colonizing force of the galaxy (the Republic), and by the time of The Acolyte, they’ve become the police force of the galaxy. With all that background in mind, the events of the prequel trilogy, especially the way Palpatine successfully deceives the Jedi, take on deeper and more intriguing resonance.
• Nitani’s synesthetic perception of the Force is a great addition. Taking only the movies and TV series, we really have little idea what it means to sense things through the Force. This book pulls back the curtain just a bit to show how one padawan understands the Force and uses it as a guide for movement and action.
• Though we’re not yet far enough back in the timeline to see a Star Wars without droid assistance, this book presents droids as simpler “tools” rather than as essentially sentient beings. The droids do what they’re made for, and they communicate, but none of the droids here speaks, aside from electronic warbles. There is indication of emotional response and even humor, but these still seem to be a lower level of droid than in later eras of Star Wars. I would still like to see an era that has no droid assistance whatsoever. (This is another aspect of The Acolyte that I enjoyed—very little interaction with droids, and few droids that manifest human-like personalities. I like that astromechs are mentioned but never shown, so we don’t know if at that point in the timeline they were anything like R2-D2.)
A problem I’ve had throughout the High Republic stories is that I couldn’t care less about any of the basically interchangeable Jedi the stories introduce. I don’t know what it would take to make a distinct, interesting Jedi, but in this book I really don’t care about any of them. One of them is distinguishable by her use of a shield (which seems to me like an odd accessory for a Jedi), but the others could switch places in just about any part of the story and it wouldn’t make any difference. It may be that the way Lucas envisioned the Jedi is simply a dead end for character development. How can you make an attachment-less, emotionally balanced character different from all the others? The Acolyte solves that problem by showing the different ways each member of Jedi team responds to a tragedy they caused (vow of silence; solitary exile; frontier life; and living with unaddressed remorse in the Jedi temple).
I didn’t want to give up any of my real reading time for this book, so I listened to the audiobook during my daily commutes. Though the music and sound effects included in the audiobook are a good addition, the reader didn’t succeed for me. The voices she used for the younger characters all sound like kids on a 1950s sitcom. And in general, I felt like she was holding back. A good audiobook reader feels like they’re reaching out and connecting with the listener; it’s a compelling performance. A lesser reader feels like they’re sitting by themselves, reading into a microphone. The reader for this book definitely seemed like she was on her own with a microphone.
Quest for the Hidden City wasn’t the worst High Republic book I’ve read, and it includes enough interesting elements that I’m curious to see more of Phase 2.
June 2, 2023
my first journey into the High Republic was a success! I really enjoyed this! Star Wars audiobooks with the added music and sound effects are very fun, it really makes for an immersive experience. The characters are loveable, the plot is intriguing, I had a great time, and I can't wait to read more! 4 stars from me!
October 30, 2022
I LOVE ROOPER!!!!!
May 19, 2024
those middle grade books are always hitting different
January 17, 2023
i love a fun read!! the high republic middle grade novels are so fun to read while still providing awesome story!! it was so fun seeing new characters, and more expansion of phase 2! very excited to read more the high republic!!
November 8, 2022
"Because it wasn’t about them, the Jedi. It wasn’t about adventure and having fun. It was about doing what was necessary. About saving lives. And when a Jedi put themself in danger, it wasn’t for the thrill. It was because someone needed to stand in the way of the monsters. Always the shield.”
Quest for the Hidden City is the first middle grade novel of Phase 2 of the High Republic saga. Padawan Rooper Nitani and her Master Silandra Soh are sent on a mission to find a missing team of pathfinders, people who travel across the galaxy, finding new planets and cultures. The Jedi duo and their team end up solving a mystery featuring a poisoned, dying planet, terrifying monsters, old secrets long forgotten and an ancient city built into a mountain.
I really enjoyed this book. George Mann's writing is enjoyable and exciting, and the story kept me hooked from the beginning with its twists and turns and fun characters. I like how this book expanded upon the pathfinders and prospectors (something Path of Deceit, the first Phase 2 novel only briefly mentioned) and thus deepened the world building for this era of SW history. The book was also just a whole lot of fun and action and adventure. As someone who loves movies like Indiana Jones and the Mummy, I'm a sucker for stories set in ancient cities and ruins. I also love a good creepy monster story and this novel definitely had that amazing monster goodness.
Rooper Nitani was an enjoyable lead character and I liked her journey of realising what being a Jedi actually means. She is an excitable young girl with a thirst for adventure and heroics, but that's not what being a Jedi is. We've known that since Yoda's iconic speech in Empire Strikes Back. The Jedi are about compassion and helping everyone who needs it, even people who are not always kind or good. I loved how this novel really emphasised the role of the Jedi as shields, protectors and guardians of every living being in the galaxy. I also enjoyed Rooper's master Silandra as a character, and I think her use of a shield was super cool: it made sense as a symbol of her philosophy but it was also just a cool nod to classic knights with their swords and shields. Dass was a sweetie and I loved how he felt like a real kid: he was a bit goofy at times, a bit stupidly brave and he got scared at times and had to lean on his father. I loved the relationship between him and his dad. We have so many shit dads in SW, so it's always cool to see a really loving, warm and trusting bond between a father and their child.
The world building of the twin planets the story is centred on, Aubadas and Gloam, was cool. The Katikoot culture was a cool new addition to the SW lore and I like how their two planets were described. I also enjoyed how George Mann was able to touch on big themes and issues such as climate disasters and how people can destroy a planet with things like greedy mining and thoughtless industry. I think it's super important that kids are given spaces in books to explore real world challenges and dangers - such as climate disasters - because reading a fictional story about a fictional species ruining a fictional planet can feel safer, more understandable and an easy way to get to know these kinds of difficult themes. I really appreciate George Mann for incorporating this commentary into this novel for kids.
I also enjoyed the themes of the importance of remembering the past and your culture's history with all its ugliness and mistakes because in remembering you can more easily avoid repeating same blunders. The Katikoot, in this story, have to face the consequences of their thoughtless past, and I liked seeing this culture try and be better than it used to be. I also think the book touched on many important lessons kids should learn, such as the bravery that it takes to ask for help and that it's okay to be scared but that you also shouldn't allow fear to make you do things you know are wrong.
This is definitely my second favorite High Republic middle grade! It's an action packed story full of fun twists, action, monsters, ancient ruins and characters with real heart to them!
Quest for the Hidden City is the first middle grade novel of Phase 2 of the High Republic saga. Padawan Rooper Nitani and her Master Silandra Soh are sent on a mission to find a missing team of pathfinders, people who travel across the galaxy, finding new planets and cultures. The Jedi duo and their team end up solving a mystery featuring a poisoned, dying planet, terrifying monsters, old secrets long forgotten and an ancient city built into a mountain.
I really enjoyed this book. George Mann's writing is enjoyable and exciting, and the story kept me hooked from the beginning with its twists and turns and fun characters. I like how this book expanded upon the pathfinders and prospectors (something Path of Deceit, the first Phase 2 novel only briefly mentioned) and thus deepened the world building for this era of SW history. The book was also just a whole lot of fun and action and adventure. As someone who loves movies like Indiana Jones and the Mummy, I'm a sucker for stories set in ancient cities and ruins. I also love a good creepy monster story and this novel definitely had that amazing monster goodness.
Rooper Nitani was an enjoyable lead character and I liked her journey of realising what being a Jedi actually means. She is an excitable young girl with a thirst for adventure and heroics, but that's not what being a Jedi is. We've known that since Yoda's iconic speech in Empire Strikes Back. The Jedi are about compassion and helping everyone who needs it, even people who are not always kind or good. I loved how this novel really emphasised the role of the Jedi as shields, protectors and guardians of every living being in the galaxy. I also enjoyed Rooper's master Silandra as a character, and I think her use of a shield was super cool: it made sense as a symbol of her philosophy but it was also just a cool nod to classic knights with their swords and shields. Dass was a sweetie and I loved how he felt like a real kid: he was a bit goofy at times, a bit stupidly brave and he got scared at times and had to lean on his father. I loved the relationship between him and his dad. We have so many shit dads in SW, so it's always cool to see a really loving, warm and trusting bond between a father and their child.
The world building of the twin planets the story is centred on, Aubadas and Gloam, was cool. The Katikoot culture was a cool new addition to the SW lore and I like how their two planets were described. I also enjoyed how George Mann was able to touch on big themes and issues such as climate disasters and how people can destroy a planet with things like greedy mining and thoughtless industry. I think it's super important that kids are given spaces in books to explore real world challenges and dangers - such as climate disasters - because reading a fictional story about a fictional species ruining a fictional planet can feel safer, more understandable and an easy way to get to know these kinds of difficult themes. I really appreciate George Mann for incorporating this commentary into this novel for kids.
I also enjoyed the themes of the importance of remembering the past and your culture's history with all its ugliness and mistakes because in remembering you can more easily avoid repeating same blunders. The Katikoot, in this story, have to face the consequences of their thoughtless past, and I liked seeing this culture try and be better than it used to be. I also think the book touched on many important lessons kids should learn, such as the bravery that it takes to ask for help and that it's okay to be scared but that you also shouldn't allow fear to make you do things you know are wrong.
This is definitely my second favorite High Republic middle grade! It's an action packed story full of fun twists, action, monsters, ancient ruins and characters with real heart to them!
November 1, 2022
Thanks to Disney-Lucasfilm Press for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is spoiler free.
Quest for the Hidden City, written by George Mann, is the second novel in phase 2 of The High Republic. It joins the ranks of the other middle grade books in the Lucasfilm publishing initiative and includes illustrations by Nilah Magruder.
Central to the tale is Jedi Padawan Rooper Nitani, age 14. After another Pathfinder team’s communication droid is found drifting in space bearing a mysterious message, Rooper and her Master Silandra Sho are assigned to investigate. Their paths take them to the planet Audabas which is home to a bat-like alien race called Katikoot, an advanced civilization thriving in the Outer Rim. The Jedi learn that the Katikoot also have history on neighboring planet Gloam, a place seemingly abandoned. The Jedi take their investigation to Gloam, where horrors are unleashed, mysteries are revealed, and lives are forever changed.
Author George Mann has woven an intricate tale that unfolds in a fast-paced and exciting way. Quest for the Hidden City’s target audience might find it challenging to keep up with the number of characters and settings initially, but by the latter third of the novel, everything clicks into place, making for a satisfying thriller/mystery. The story also has elements of (age appropriate) horror that will keep readers on their toes. As with most Star Wars middle grade novels, there are life lessons throughout that younger readers can benefit from like inclusivity, confidence, and teamwork.
Taking all this into account, Quest for the Hidden City could have done a better job of keeping the characters distinctive. There are a number of perspectives at play and I found myself having to really concentrate to stay connected with whoever’s perspective was featured. There are numerous Katitook, numerous Jedi, a communications team, a prospector duo, and a pair of droids. I think Quest for the Hidden City could have benefitted from a reduced character count without sacrificing story or overall enjoyment of the book.
All in all, Quest for the Hidden City is an enjoyable and a required read for The High Republic completionists. There’s also no telling how the events and characters in this book might spill over into future storylines, so it deserves to be read for that reason alone.
Quest for the Hidden City, written by George Mann, is the second novel in phase 2 of The High Republic. It joins the ranks of the other middle grade books in the Lucasfilm publishing initiative and includes illustrations by Nilah Magruder.
Central to the tale is Jedi Padawan Rooper Nitani, age 14. After another Pathfinder team’s communication droid is found drifting in space bearing a mysterious message, Rooper and her Master Silandra Sho are assigned to investigate. Their paths take them to the planet Audabas which is home to a bat-like alien race called Katikoot, an advanced civilization thriving in the Outer Rim. The Jedi learn that the Katikoot also have history on neighboring planet Gloam, a place seemingly abandoned. The Jedi take their investigation to Gloam, where horrors are unleashed, mysteries are revealed, and lives are forever changed.
Author George Mann has woven an intricate tale that unfolds in a fast-paced and exciting way. Quest for the Hidden City’s target audience might find it challenging to keep up with the number of characters and settings initially, but by the latter third of the novel, everything clicks into place, making for a satisfying thriller/mystery. The story also has elements of (age appropriate) horror that will keep readers on their toes. As with most Star Wars middle grade novels, there are life lessons throughout that younger readers can benefit from like inclusivity, confidence, and teamwork.
Taking all this into account, Quest for the Hidden City could have done a better job of keeping the characters distinctive. There are a number of perspectives at play and I found myself having to really concentrate to stay connected with whoever’s perspective was featured. There are numerous Katitook, numerous Jedi, a communications team, a prospector duo, and a pair of droids. I think Quest for the Hidden City could have benefitted from a reduced character count without sacrificing story or overall enjoyment of the book.
All in all, Quest for the Hidden City is an enjoyable and a required read for The High Republic completionists. There’s also no telling how the events and characters in this book might spill over into future storylines, so it deserves to be read for that reason alone.
December 1, 2022
Thanks, Disney Books for sending an ARC of Quest for the Hidden City!
From my review for Dork Side of the Force: https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2022/1...
A wrecked droid floating in space. A missing Pathfinder team. A mysterious world haunted by mythic monsters. Those are the key elements of Star Wars: Quest for the Hidden City, the next middle-grade novel in The High Republic’s second phase of storytelling.
Arriving on Nov. 1, it’s the perfect quick Star Wars read to keep the spooky season going. But at its core, Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann is about teamwork, community, and keeping hope through immense hardship — all told through the eyes of young people.
This Star Wars story is also good old-fashioned fun. Its pacing and action-packed adventure make it a breeze to fly through the book’s 240 pages. And it feels very much like a George Mann story — packed with intriguing lore like his in-universe Myths & Fables books.
What Quest for the Hidden City does the best is encapsulate the key elements of The High Republic’s era of exploration. In this book, we get a better read on what makes the Pathfinding teams tick, how previously uncontacted worlds feel about the Jedi, and the possibility of joining the Republic.
Quest for the Hidden City also pushes the boundaries of what’s normally considered a middle-grade or junior novel, but in the best way. This book would be perfect for Goosebumps or scary movie-loving kids, as it leans farther into more horror elements than previous middle-grade Star Wars books.
And while the middle-grade novels aren’t essential to understanding the larger arc of The High Republic, it would be a shame to skip these rich, loveable character-filled stories.
Mann has created one of the best books for younger readers of The High Republic. And I can’t wait to see Dass, Rooper, and Silandra again, as well as more George Mann-crafted Star Wars horror.
From my review for Dork Side of the Force: https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2022/1...
A wrecked droid floating in space. A missing Pathfinder team. A mysterious world haunted by mythic monsters. Those are the key elements of Star Wars: Quest for the Hidden City, the next middle-grade novel in The High Republic’s second phase of storytelling.
Arriving on Nov. 1, it’s the perfect quick Star Wars read to keep the spooky season going. But at its core, Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann is about teamwork, community, and keeping hope through immense hardship — all told through the eyes of young people.
This Star Wars story is also good old-fashioned fun. Its pacing and action-packed adventure make it a breeze to fly through the book’s 240 pages. And it feels very much like a George Mann story — packed with intriguing lore like his in-universe Myths & Fables books.
What Quest for the Hidden City does the best is encapsulate the key elements of The High Republic’s era of exploration. In this book, we get a better read on what makes the Pathfinding teams tick, how previously uncontacted worlds feel about the Jedi, and the possibility of joining the Republic.
Quest for the Hidden City also pushes the boundaries of what’s normally considered a middle-grade or junior novel, but in the best way. This book would be perfect for Goosebumps or scary movie-loving kids, as it leans farther into more horror elements than previous middle-grade Star Wars books.
And while the middle-grade novels aren’t essential to understanding the larger arc of The High Republic, it would be a shame to skip these rich, loveable character-filled stories.
Mann has created one of the best books for younger readers of The High Republic. And I can’t wait to see Dass, Rooper, and Silandra again, as well as more George Mann-crafted Star Wars horror.
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