The illustrations in A TEST OF COURAGE are absolutely gorgeous, allowing the reader to be drawn into the world of Stars Wars more thoroughly. However, it is not super engaging with the actual storyline. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5.

"A Test of Courage" is one of the best middle-grade novels I've read from Star Wars Publishing. Not only is it an easy read that you'll be unable to put down, but it also deals with many adult concepts, such as dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one. Justina's latest tale sees each character grapple with their own test of courage, such as the temptation of the dark side, and leaves nothing off the table for a younger audience. The book even grapples with higher-level concepts of colonialism and the free will of droids.

Vernestra Rwoh should easily become a fan favorite as the only Jedi in many generations to earn the status of Knight at the age of fifteen. I love her portrayal in that while she is wise beyond her years, she doesn't let that pride overcome her a the expense of her leadership qualities. I can see her making an even greater impact throughout the High Republic era, and I'm excited to see where Justina takes Vern in her upcoming YA novel.

Even though Vern is sort of the "central" character, the book perfectly balances the others as well. We spend a lot of time with Imri Cantaros and Honesty Weft dealing with grief and overcoming their own thirst for vengeance. Likewise, Avon Starros spends her time coming to terms with past misfortunes through the help of her newest companions. It's a beautiful tale about the power of friendship, especially against what seems like insurmountable odds.

For our full spoiler review on this title, please visit: https://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com/episodes/episode/d7190db6/a-test-of-courage-the-high-republic-spoiler-discussion.

Rating: 7.0/10

Thanks to the publisher and author for a listening copy of Star Wars: A Test of Courage (The High Republic) for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.

I want to start off my review by stating that I am clearly not in the intended audience for this story. A Test of Courage is for grade levels 3-7 (age ranges 8-12), so a solid 18 years younger than me. That being said, while the content may not live up to my expectations, Ireland is a phenomenal writer who provides a fantastic story for a much younger audience.

This is now the 3rd book so far that I’ve read/listened in the High Republic series (Light of the Jedi by Soule and The Great Jedi Rescue by Scott) and while both of those focused on the major disaster plaguing the galaxy, this one is a bit smaller in scope. It was little refreshing not having the same plot from a different perspective.

I really enjoyed the characters Ireland portrayed here and definitely became fast friends with the lot of them. While I wasn’t too keen on the ‘stranded’ plot, it provided an opportunity to really peel back each character and learn more about their past. Vernestra is a character I want to see more of and one I hope becomes a mainstay in future novels. And of course, like all Star Wars novels, you get a quirky droid that provides the comic relief.

I think this is a perfect starting point for young readers who want to get into Star Wars (or have been forced into watching it by their nerdy parents – my daughter will be one of those). The characters are enjoyable, the plot isn’t too cumbersome or weighty, and it is just a fun adventure to get lost in.

Oh. and if you do enjoy audio, Keylor Leigh does a PHENOMENAL job with the added sound effects SW audiobooks are known for.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book following Light of the Jedi, knowing that it was a junior novel, but my expectations were far exceeded. It has a central storyline that the book focuses on throughout the story, unlike the jumping of Light of the Jedi. It introduces new characters and planets and offers insight into what the younger and less experienced Jedi were like during the era. While there is a main villain in the Nihil, the majority of the story focuses on non-tangible evils like revenge and fear, concepts that all people deal with. Even though this junior novel is aimed at younger readers, I found very little that would take away the experience from older fans. It’s a shorter book with larger print and a few illustrations here and there, but other than that it’s perfect for older readers. While the book follows a group of younger Jedi and delegates who are all teenagers, the themes present are important for all people. It finds the sweet spot where both children and adults can enjoy the story and characters. A Test of Courage includes brand new characters in the era, but that doesn’t stop you from loving them and connecting. Each character is unique and has a trait or experience that every reader can connect to, no matter the age. You have a young Jedi Knight thrown into the role of a leader, a Padawan who doubts himself in the wake of a loss, a tech-savvy girl with a knack for finding trouble, and a boy that feels he doesn’t belong. Each bring something new to the story, and every chance to get inside their head makes them more and more interesting and relatable. Whether you have read the other stories from the era or not, A Test of a Courage will be great for you. The main storyline stays away from the events of the other releases, with occasional references to the Great Disaster and Starlight Beacon that reward the invested fan. The majority of connectivity in this book come near the end, but as a reader you are able to go into this book without needing to know anything.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Highly enjoyed this one. Great focus on a smaller group of younger protagonists with diverse backgrounds, and how they must come together with their individual skills to survive tragedy and an ever-pressing threat. Though intended for a younger audience, still enjoyable for adults.

In this second book from the High Republic Era, A Test of Courage is author Justina Ireland’s newest Middle-Grade/Junior novel in the Star Wars universe. After subsequent occurrences of dangerous anomalies in hyperspace routes known as “Emergences”, travel throughout the galaxy is now a dangerous endeavor. As such, when a diplomat and Jedi carrying ship, the Steady Wing, is faced with an explosive accident, its occupants are lead to believe that the situations are connected. However, when the remaining teenage survivors are stranded on the jungle moon of Wevo, they find that this event has less to do with the Great Disaster and more to do with a few meddling Nihil...

Overall, I really enjoyed A Test of Courage as my first venture into the new High Republic universe! Though aimed toward a younger audience, I never felt like I was being talked down to, with the story focusing more on character development and action, similar to Rebels or some episodes of the Clone Wars. Not only did I enjoy seeing Star Wars from a new time period and POV (very much like the Old Republic or SW: Legacy), I also loved the fun character dynamics that Ireland wove into her story. I definitely walked away with love for the lightwhip wielding Vernestra, the tinkerer Avon, & the sassy seld-programming droid, J-6, and can’t wait to see their next adventures through the universe :)

I am all in favor of anything that will get school-aged kids to read. Books based on a popular television or movie franchise are a great way to get kids reading, and is there any better franchise out there right now than the Disney-owned Star Wars series?

There's a new space station about to be commissioned and there will be many high-level dignitaries arriving for the dedication. A ship on the way to the ceremony experiences catastrophic explosions, ripping the ship apart. Fortunately, a maintenance in the area is able to rescue the passengers and they are able limp along to a habitable moon while they wait for rescue. But is the moon already inhabited? Are there unknown dangers?
Teen Jedi, Vernestra, is among the survivors. She is currently charged with protecting her padawan, a young inventor (Avon Starros) and J-8, Starros's unusual droid. The two will face a number of tests, challenging the youth to stay the course and trust in the Force.

The writing is crisp and there's plenty of intrigue and action to keep young readers engaged. And having our protagonist a young girl is a sure-fire way to get all genders of young readers interested.

I'm not particularly well-versed in the Star Wars world but I know that there are many dedicated fans who know all about and regularly discuss (argue) Star Wars canon. In fact, I don't much care one way or the other what is 'canon' - I just want to read a good story. But knowing just the little I do about this world, I have to wonder about the idea of having a fifteen or sixteen year old Jedi Knight. Not as a padawan, but a full-fledged Jedi. Great for selling books and maybe even a Disney television show, but as part of their 'official canon'?

As a book, this works just fine. This doesn't have to be set in the Star Wars universe - this could be any teenage sci-fi hero. We get plenty of teen concerns - doubts about their own abilities and trying to find their way in an adult world while still struggling with the awkwardness of coming out of childhood.

How this fits in the Star Wars: High Republic universe, I have no idea, but that's not part of my milieu.

Looking for a good book? A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland is a good middle-grade sci-fi adventure book that happens to be set in the Star Wars High Republic universe.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Disney Lucasfilm Press for the eARC of this new installment of Star Wars The High Republic. My family has really been enjoying Star Wars stories this year, so I was thrilled to have a chance to read the new book as well! A Test of Courage tells the story of the young Jedi, Vernestra, who escapes a shuttle disaster with a small group of other young people. Though they don't really know each other, they have to work together to find a way to survive. Set centuries before The Phantom Menace, this book (and series) shows the Golden Age of the Jedi. If you (or your kids, as this is a middle grad book) like Star Wars, or just fun space adventures, you should definitely give this book a try!

The wait is over and the High Republic is here! Justina Ireland's middle-grade story tosses us into the mix with a group of young characters who find themselves in a dangerous situation. While Light of the Jedi introduces us to the grander galaxy at this time, filling us in on the politics, exploration, and state of the denizens of the galaxy this story is much more focused on the characters and their adventures. The protagonists are all fresh-faced teens and Justina brings us into each of their points of view which is wonderfully refreshing!

As usual, the pace of a middle-grade novel feels swift and cinematic... Faster and more intense? The plot moves along smoothly much faster than the pace of the adult novels. I love the energy and it's a story that I picked up one night and didn't go to sleep till I realized I was almost halfway through the book!

All in all the book is wonderfully done and really does an excellent job of creating new characters for us to know and love! The cover art is adorable and there are a few illustrations inside as well. I'm so happy to have a little bit of art to visualize the story!

This book is a must-read for any Jedi fan or those interested in The High Republic. Watching these young ones rise to the challenges before them is masterfully done and I can't wait to see what else is in store. So grab some Nuna jerky or Joppa stew dive in!

Did I mention there's a LIGHTWHIP?

A new era of Star Wars has begun! And with comes excitement and expectations. I read Light of the Jedi first before I started this book in order to have a nice background understanding of what exactly was going on. A Test of Courage is obviously aimed at a younger audience but if you're like me, you try to read anything with the STAR WARS emblem on it.

A Test of Courage shares a bit of the same plot from Light of the Jedi. A new group of baddies have entered the realm known as the Nihil and they are destroying planets and civilizations with attacks known as Emergences. This book follows a group of characters on their way to Starlight Beacon, a new Republic station in the Outer Core. Things go wrong and we're back in action!

I thought this was a good book, specifically the beginning and the end. The pacing in the middle was a bit slow and I felt my mind start wandering. As is the case with any new entry or expansion, I was unfamiliar with some of the characters so I kept getting them confused in my head. A dramatis personae would have been a nice addition to this book like we've seen in other Star Wars titles. The illustrations were such a nice feature in this book. I loved the artwork and the depth they brought to the story.

I would definitely recommend this book (and Light of the Jedi) to anyone wanting to jump into Star Wars literature. This is a nice entry point into a whole subgenre that might be intimidating to start reading.

As I have sat down to write this review twice now, I have found myself a little speechless and unsure how to talk about this book. It's not because I didn't like it, because I loved it, and it's not because it didn't challenge me, because it did. It was a truly wonderful book and I don't know how to put it all into words, but I'm going to give it a shot!

A TEST OF COURAGE is the first middle grade entry into Star Wars' new large publishing initiative The High Republic. Set in a time 200 years before The Phantom Menace, A TEST OF COURAGE follows young Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh on her first assignment alone. Tasked with guarding Avon Starros. a senator's daughter as they travel to the Starlight Beacon, Vernestra feels that this mission is more babysitting than anything else. But when the ship they are travelling on is blown up by a mysterious enemy, Vernestra, Avon, nanny droid J-6, son of an ambassador Honesty Weft, and Jedi Padawan Imri Cantaros are the only survivors. Together, they have to navigate their grief and devastation, a moon with a hostile climate, and the mysterious enemy set on destroying them all. This story is a test of courage indeed.

The shining star of this book is its characters. Each of them has a really wonderful backstory and way of dealing with their experience that allows for really dynamic interactions and discussion of difficult topics. While I could focus in on Honesty's kindheartedness, Imri's passion, or Vernestra's uncertainty for her place, the standout character in this story is Avon Starros. Daughter of a senator, Avon has been isolated from peers her age from most of her life, rather spending it with books and holos, becoming a bit of an inventor and tinkerer. She's funny, smart, and really has a curious eye. She is a wonderful addition to the Star Wars universe and I hope we get to see so much more of her throughout the High Republic over her lifetime.

A TEST OF COURAGE deals with loss and grief with grace. One thing that's often missing in Star Wars is the recognition of the magnitude of loss, and letting characters be in those emotions for any time at all. We get hints of it throughout the movies, but it's certainly not as exciting and punchy as the action. A book is a format which allows these conversations to soar. The grief discussed in this book doesn't bog it down or make the book particularly sad, but it allows for a middle grade audience to explore this difficult topic within a fantastical setting. The relationship that most exemplifies this is between Avon and Honestly. Honesty's father is one of the people who died on the ship, and Avon bases herself and worldview more in logic and math. Honesty is struggling and sad, and Avon is doing her best, but not empathizing with Honesty on his level. Both of their interpretations of the situation are valid, and in knowing Honesty, Avon is able to understand a new point of view and see grief up close. Her character keeps it light, all the while growing, and allowing the reader to grow as well.

While this book is a fairly quick read, one thing that slowed me down a little was how long it seemed to take to get to the adventure. Even as I write that, though, I recognize that I wouldn't want the book to be structured differently, because the slower time spent in the first half was exactly what allowed the emotions to come to the fore. I would be interested in listening to the audio of the book to see if that changes for me.

All in all, this is a fantastic entry into The High Republic and Star Wars canon. I feel that many adult readers skip the middle grade titles, but I hope that trend will end here. A TEST OF COURAGE tells an important, timely story about grappling with devastating loss, persevering through new challenges, and what it means to be exactly where you need to be. It is a wonderful book that I hope all Star Wars fans pick up, no matter what age.

Share this book with any young star wars fan to experience a Jedi Knight's first mission and the mishaps that befall the cast of characters. It should thrill and delight young readers while allowing them to further explore the galaxy!

The second book to be released set in The High Republic era is A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland, the first being Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule. A Test of Courage opens with the targeted destruction of a luxury ship, the Steady Wing, on its way to the opening ceremony for the Starlight Beacon space station. Two members of the Nihil, an organized group of pirates dedicated to instilling fear in the Republic, are responsible.

In the aftermath of the destruction, four young individuals are left stranded on a moon far from known space lanes. Among the survivors are newly minted Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh, Padawan Imri Cantaros, Honesty Weft, son of the ambassador for the planet Dalna, and Avon Starros, daughter of Senator Ghirra Starros. (The name Starros is likely familiar to readers of Marvel's Star Wars comics, which have featured a character named Sana Starros. Since this story takes place 200 years prior to The Phantom Menace, there's no confirmation there's a relation.)

Vernestra, or Vern as she's nicknamed, is young for a Jedi Knight. At just 15 years of age, she is considered a prodigy in the ways of the Force. Avon is a tech wiz, an inventor, and a bit precocious to say the least. She's a challenge for Vern, who is tasked with her safety. Imri's master, Douglas, was killed in Steady Wing‘s destruction. This leaves him feeling unmoored and vulnerable to the temptations of the dark side of the Force. Honesty's father was also killed in the explosion and he's left with anger and feelings of guilt over things unsaid. The four are also accompanied by Avon's droid, J-6. Avon has made certain adjustments to the droid's programming, making it a real character in its own right.

As the four try to find their way on the mysterious moon where they've become stranded, they encounter dangers both from the natural world and the two Nihil pirates responsible for the Steady Wing‘s destruction, who also find themselves stranded.

A Test of Courage is a middle-grade book aimed at readers between 8-12 years of age, so I'm not the targeted audience. That said, I found it quite enjoyable. The characters are developed nicely, each with a distinct personality and the pros and cons that follow. Imri in particular is troubled by self-doubt, something he experienced while his master was alive and is greatly amplified after his death. Once the pirates are discovered, Imri decides to take the situation into his own hands, and he sees Honesty's anger as a useful tool. Vernestra finds herself having to deal with the aftermath, and bringing Imri back from the precipice of falling into darkness.

There are some pretty mature themes found in A Test of Courage, but they're handled responsibly. It didn't feel like things were just tossed into the mix because it's a “kids book” and no one will take it seriously. There's a real plot and the things that happen to the characters do so for actual reasons, and there are valuable lessons to be learned.

A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland was released the same day as Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule. While the stories set in The High Republic era are interconnected, you don't need to read everything to follow the story. However, having read Light of the Jedi first, I found A Test of Courage to be complementary. The younger intended audience and adult readers alike will find something to appreciate in this well-crafted tale.

Thank you to Disney Lucasfilm Press for providing an uncorrected galley proof for review purposes.

This review was published as part of a larger Star Wars The High Republic special which can be found here:
https://unaltered.at/2021/01/13/special-reviews-star-wars-the-high-republic/

Star Wars Leser wissen vermutlich bereits, dass Disney, Del Rey und Co. ihre Bücher in mehrere Kategorien unterteilen, von Romanen für erwachsenes Publikum über Jugendbuch bis hin zu Kinderbuch. Während sich darüber streiten lässt, ob jeder Roman der ersten Kategorie auch für ein jüngeres Zielpublikum geeignet ist, besteht jedoch kein Zweifel daran, dass auch Erwachsene mit den Werken letzteren beiden Kategorien durchaus Spaß haben können – und A Test of Courage beweist dies nur einmal mehr.
Das Jugendbuch von Justina Ireland spielt parallel zu den Ereignissen von Light of the Jedi, folgt jedoch der jungen, gerade zur Jedi-Ritterin ernannten Vernestra Rwoh, dem bloß wenig jüngeren Padawan Imri Cantaros, der mit seinem Temperament kämpft, sowie den beiden Senatorenkindern Avon Starros und Honesty Weft, die nach einem Angriff der Nihil allesamt auf einem fremden, unwirtlichen Planeten stranden und dort bestehen müssen. A Test of Courage fokussiert sich dabei nicht nur auf das Abenteuer selbst, sondern insbesondere auch auf die Versuchungen, denen junge Jedi ausgesetzt sind, und erforscht, welche Gedanken und Handlungen zur dunklen Seite führen und ob einzelne Ereignisse bereits den Weg dorthin beschließen können.
Obwohl das Werk auf Charaktere aus anderen Büchern Bezug nimmt, kann das Buch auch durchaus vor Light of the Jedi gelesen werden – sowohl von Jugendlichen, für die Charles Soules Buch womöglich etwas zu schwere Kost ist, wie auch von Erwachsenen, die mitunter nur auf der Suche nach einem kürzeren Ausflug ins Star Wars Universum sind.

I am left quite surprised by this book! At first, I didn’t think this would come remotely close to Light of the Jedi in terms of piquing my interest, but I was totally wrong! I read this book in a couple of days, mostly because of how invested I was in the story but also slightly because of the easy-to-read plot, which is expected since it is a middle grade novel. However, the designation of middle grade should not deter anyone from picking up this story, especially if you prefer more focused stories rather than large-in-scope books like Light of the Jedi is. The character development of the main characters is compelling, with the main Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh leading the way and showing her personal growth as a Jedi and as a leader despite her young age. Jedi Padawan Imri Cantaros undergoes a lovely character arc that was a bit unexpected for me in some ways, and I’m quite intrigued by the potential future of this character. Avon Starros is a lovely addition to the High Republic, especially for comic fans, and her personality really shined through the pages and via her eccentric, L3-37-esque droid, J-6. And the last character in this main crew is Honesty Weft, who was my least favorite character of the bunch, but even still he goes through great character growth that is satisfying. Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an interesting and contained plot that still has some consequences for the rest of the High Republic era. I’m excited to read about what happens next with all of these characters, but with Vernestra in particular as she’s really one of the more stand-out Jedi in my eyes so far in the High Republic.

Star Wars fans are often hesitant to explore stories and content beyond what is marketed directly toward us. It's not our fault -- that's the way we've been taught to judge what we'll read, watch, and listen to. All of us, our whole lives.

I was first introduced to Justina Ireland through SPARK OF THE RESISTANCE. I hadn't picked up a middle-grade novel since I would have been the recommended age for it -- if that's even what they called the genre then? My publishing knowledge logistically isn't too current. But I wanted to read the entire publishing line leading up to TROS. So I did.

Not only is Justina Ireland an amazing storyteller ... but middle-grade books, especially in Star Wars canon, are also so much fun!

A TEST OF COURAGE, the second book in the brand-new THE HIGH REPUBLIC era, is a quick read. But though it's written with kids in mind, and there are many lessons kids can take away from the story, it's just as enjoyable for adults. The characters struggle with the same issues as older Jedi -- the same confusion about emotions, the same temptations from the dark side. Kids get to see themselves in this story, and adults get to follow them through their struggles and triumphs.

I do think that if you're new to books for younger readers, it really helps to listen to A TEST OF COURAGE instead of or in addition to reading it physically. The language isn't dumbed down or too simplified, but the cadence of the dialogue flows much better when you're hearing it. It can be harder for some to get into it when it's just there on the page left up to your own interpretation. But as always, how you read Star Wars books (and if you read them at all) is fully up to you.

All this to say, if you want to read all things THE HIGH REPUBLIC in the order they're released, this one won't feel like a chore. I, personally, was very sad to hit that final page.

But there's much, much more to come -- and no doubt something for everyone no matter what you love.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51734016-a-test-of-courage" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="A Test of Courage (Star Wars: The High Republic)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582737315l/51734016._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51734016-a-test-of-courage">A Test of Courage</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5833089.Justina_Ireland">Justina Ireland</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3695648810">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
The High Republic is here! In this middle grade story we meet young Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh who is joining a delegation of Jedi Masters, diplomats and padawans to celebrate the activation of Starlight Beacon.<br /><br />This book is in alignment with the events of Light of the Jedi but what is great about the HR universe so far is that you can read this book without reading Light of the Jedi.<br /><br />Though the reader is very quickly introduced to some representatives of the Nihl the main leads of this book are in the dark of the events that unfold. <br /><br />When bombs explode on the the ship heading to the beacon a group of children/teens make their way to an escape pod and find themselves the last survivors.<br /><br />Venestra and Avon shine in this novel. Their personalities are very different but they both quickly realize the benefits of collaboration. I also enjoyed that Ireland doesn't shy away from exploring the emotions of loss as the son of a diplomat and a Jedi padawan deal with the death of their Father and Jedi Master.<br /><br />Add a sassy robot and adventures on a small planet with deadly acid rain and you get a fast paced and satisfying adventure.<br />It's been recently announced that we will see more of these characters in the future and I'm really excited for it. Especially Avon Starros.
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1583976-kai-charles-fiction-state-of-mind">View all my reviews</a>

This is a wonderful middle grade read for any Star Wars fan, or for any young reader who enjoys a story of adventure with an interesting setting and relatable characters. Parents will appreciate the themes of courage and resiliency through grief, hardship, and anger, as well as the strong female protagonists who are adept at leading and learning. The Force is strong with this one.

I had an absolute blast reading this book. We get introduced to some wonderful characters, and a few truly despicable villains. None of these characters are perfect, but to survive a mysterious planet they will need to work together. Just when they seem to be getting along, it turns out they aren’t alone. One person decides to do something drastic, and afterwards they have a hard time getting over it. Yet as this book comes to a close, the destinies of two people will have changed forever. Fans of Star Wars will definitely want to check this book out.

Justina’s plotting is exceptionally good, always has been, and A Test of Courage is no exception. You know exactly where her characters are in the story, always. There’s a defined path for each of them and all find purpose by the book’s end, with each experiencing some sort of catharsis. Those goals of course vary depending on the person’s particular hitch, but to the person, find some resolution.

A Test of Courage is a middle grade book which makes it terrific fare for kids no doubt, but the underpinnings of its story lie in Justina’s ability to convey empathy which should universally speak to any age group. However, combined with the PG aesthetic of Star Wars, she keeps things age appropriate as far as content is concerned. This doesn’t stop her from dealing with some weighty issues however as this group, regardless of where they come from, have to come to terms with the fact that living in this galaxy isn’t always predictable, and rarely safe. And that having status doesn’t always protect you from experiencing grief, loss, and trauma. This of course is the essence of conflict, both outward and inward, and the arc they fulfill as individuals is both important and necessary.

By the end we can clearly see where Vernestra and Imri fit in, still with a job to do and a place to do it on the Starlight Beacon. Avon’s path less obvious however, but for the first time in a while, she’s clear-minded and resolute in her purpose, especially after dealing with some long overdue family issues. How big of a role she’ll play in future High Republic stories, your guess is as good as mine, but I’d bet on substantial.

Unlike the bombastic Light of the Jedi and the methodical Into the Dark, Justina plays this one a little more intimately while also setting up her next novel, Out of the Shadows, which got a cover reveal at the launch event on Monday. And who should be on that cover? Why Vernestra Rwoh of course! We also know that Avon is in the book, we just don’t know how much.

Yes, A Test of Courage is a great MG book that kids will love, but it’s also just a great Star Wars book period, with great character work, emotional resonance, a ton of heart. I encourage you to not sleep on it regardless of your age.

See full review at link below.