After the opening wave of novels for Phase I of The High Republic released in January, two comic series continued the era’s story and now Wave II begins with the concurrent release of more novels. The Rising Storm, written by Cavan Scott, is the second adult novel, and is a more personal, focused book, though it moves at a relentless, exhilarating pace, and expands the scope and dangers of the era in a way that’ll leave readers speechless. It’s a book you’ll be thinking about long after you finish it!

The Rising Storm picks up one year after the events of Light of the Jedi, the Great Hyperspace Disaster still fresh in everyone’s mind but the galaxy is eager to move on from, Republic Chancellor Lina Soh pushing ahead with the Republic Fair as a way to bring the galaxy together as they expand into the Outer Rim. The threat of the Drengir has spread far and wide, but with it only affecting the frontier and Marshal of Starlight Beacon Avar Kriss handling the problem (playing out in The High Republic comic from Marvel, also by Scott), the Republic and the Jedi don’t consider it much of a concern, nor do they worry about the Nihil, whom they believe they beat back but are actually resting on their laurels, looking for the right time and place to strike. The novel follows characters we’ve already met and brand new ones for the era, while spending more time with the Nihil and their dastardly plans, converging on the event of the era, the Republic Fair, in a big, action-packed, and intense way that no-one in the galaxy will forget. Well, that’s until the book’s finale, which answers an important question the team of Luminous authors sought to answer and will leave you eager to see what will come next.

Honestly, much of Scott’s writing and pacing will leave you breathless, as he masterfully hooks you from cliffhanger to cliffhanger in the big action sequences, builds up to those moments with teeth-chattering tension, and lets you cherish the quiet parts before the storm. The best example of how he builds tension and keeps readers hooked throughout the lengthy action sequence is thus: after we learn how the Nihil plan to strike fear and chaos in the Republic next, Scott takes us to the Republic Fair and there are several chapters were everything is going perfectly and no problems are on the horizon as far as the characters are concerned, but we as readers know something is coming and the wait is excruciating in the best way possible, so when the other foot drops, it drops hard like a rancor’s stomp. And while the sequence afterwards runs for nearly 30 chapters, it’s a breathless, exciting, well-written roller coaster of a ride, where Scott uses cliffhangers at the end of chapters, only to return later to resolve them, all the while adding new ones in-between, to keep the tension palpable over such a prolonged period. It’s somewhat similar to the opening disaster of Light of the Jedi, but where Charles Soule used a large variety of character POVs, Scott’s list is a little tighter, and as you grow attached to certain characters, it helps raise the stakes considering we don’t know the fates of really anyone involved. And when you get to the ending? Scott proves his mastery of the craft and leaves you needing more, because things will never be the same after this and he delivers the moment like a boxer taking out their opponent before they even knew what hit them.

With Scott focusing a little more on a core cast than LotJ, there’s some really great development on specific characters and certain relationships only teased or mentioned across the content out already. In particular, I really enjoyed the true brotherly friendship between Jedi Master Elzar Mann and Jedi Master/Council Member Stellan Gios; their third counterpart isn’t in the novel, Avar Kriss (who did feature in LotJ), as she’s off fighting back the Drengir in the on-going The High Republic comic, but revelations regarding their histories with one another do arise. With Kriss not really in the picture then, Scott focuses on the brotherly friendship, and by making its Prequel Trilogy parallel obvious, it helps highlight the unique place the Jedi Order is in during this time period. Mann struggles with the terrifying vision he received at the end of LotJ and over the past year he’s tried to figure it out on his own, even visiting an ancient Jedi site on a moon of Tython. Like most Jedi before and after him, as things start going well, he believes he has things figured out, but that couldn’t be further than the truth. With Stellan, he’s now in the spotlight, a poster-boy for the Jedi as Chancellor Soh wants the entire process regarding the Republic Fair, and the Jedi’s involvement, documented by a reporter named Rhil Dario. He’s charming and puts on a great smile, but he’s uncomfortable with the role but trusts wholly in the Force to guide him through it and his role in the spotlight. Reunited on Valo, the Fair’s hand-picked planet, it’s clear almost instantly, at least for me, that Elzar and Stellan are this era’s Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi: Elzar has visions he must contend with, as well as forming attachments forbidden by the Order (both with Jedi and others, which I felt Scott handled well here), while another similarity I couldn’t ignore is their impatience, especially since they both casually jump from great heights (one from a speeder, another from a…dragon!); and with Stellan, he’s the studious Master, adhering to the Order’s rules hence his poster-boy status, though he has his own struggles from time to time, much as Obi-Wan did. There are some key differences, as they don’t have the weight of a Chosen One prophecy between them, nor are they in a conservative Order, while they’ve trained together since Padawans so there’s a deeper bond. Thanks to those differences inherit in the era, Elzar and Stellan can foster and rely on their bond, and be open to one another as their emotional states swing with the giant events within The Rising Storm, and it’s a highlight to read these friends teasing one another, being there for one another, and helping one another even when one of them takes a dangerous first plunge towards the dark side. This support system the Jedi Order doesn’t fight against as much in this era makes one wonder what would’ve happened between Obi-Wan and Anakin if they could’ve been more open with one another, and it’s fascinating to see the potential play itself out, so far, with Elzar and Stellan. I’ll be very interested where the story of THR goes from here in Phase I and I hope Elzar and Stellan, and definitely Avar Kriss, stay important to the story so we can watch how it all unfolds and compare if it with the events on similar characters in the prequels.

Padawan Bell Zettifar, alongside his Master Loden Greatstorm, were highlights of LotJ, which made Loden’s capture by the Nihil hit that much harder at the end of that book. I liked Bell quite a bit, but I didn’t realize how much I cared for the character until TRS, as Scott puts him through a killer ringer multiple times, which nearly led me to tears on a few occasions and had me cursing Scott’s name several times throughout, but watching him emerge stronger and more assured than before is compelling reading. Bell struggles with Loden’s disappearance even a year later, not convinced like the other Jedi that his Master is one with the Force, but thankfully he has the absolute best girl ever at his heels, Ember the amazing space dog/charhound. Their bond, as someone who has had a dog all his life, is a big part of why Bell’s sections tugged at my heartstrings more than expected, and it’s clear by the end of the book she’ll be vital for Bell going forward once again. Tied with Bell for my interest in TRS is new character Ty Yorrick, much like I imagined I’d fall in love with as we were slowly introduced to her in the build-up to the book’s release. Ty has a murky history with the Jedi Order, one we just get a glimpse of here that connects to an Easter Egg in Scott’s Dooku: Jedi Lost, and she’s made her own way for a long time now, becoming a saber-for-hire, mainly to deal with monsters. The book opens up with a memorable and endearing scene with her dealing with a lone Drengir, though her next job puts her in the sights of the Order, exactly what she’s been avoiding for years. How they clash, and how she reacts to the growing chaos at the Republic Fair, are some of my favorite parts of the book, as she’s an interesting character with lots of potential and we get a wonderful glimpse of that here. Reading Race to Crashpoint Tower, Daniel José Older’s middle-grade book releasing the same day as TRS, will offer fans more time with the character thanks to some fun overlapping,* while she’ll next be in IDW’s Star Wars Adventures – The Monster of Temple Peak, a 4-issue miniseries starting in August, again from Scott, and it’s a prequel to her appearance here. I’m eager to see where her story goes from here!

In LotJ, Chancellor Lina Soh’s big Great Works project was the launch of Starlight Beacon and it’s been successful despite the Nihil’s attacks as it continues to transmit Avar Kriss reassuring words across the galaxy, though it’s had its own problems with a Drengir infestation Kriss is gathering Jedi together to deal with, events playing out in the comic as I mentioned before. Now Soh focuses on the Republic Fair, trying to show the galaxy, and specifically the Outer Rim, the splendor of joining the Republic and how glorious things could be if they all work together. There’s some pushback of course, personified by Senator Tia Toons from Sullust, who brings some salient points to the table about the overspending used on the Fair could’ve gone elsewhere, while he’s vying for a Defense Force Program, which would create a Republic Army, because if the Jedi were ever to fail, who or what does the Republic have to defend themselves beyond the limited coalition forces. Whether he has good intentions or something more insidious in mind with his ideas, especially as he mixes up with the mysterious client Ty Yorrick brings to Valo, is an enjoyably infuriating thing to keep track of throughout the book. The repercussions of the Nihil’s attack on the Republic Fair, and the shocking events of the book’s finale, make one consider some of Toons points, but Soh and Master Gios have their counterpoints that revel in the era’s optimism, though knowing how things are by the Prequels adds extra dimensions to these discussions. I also grew to enjoy the reporter Rhil, especially once her backstory is explored a little and how she contributes to the fight against the Nihil. I hope we'll see more of her in the future, helping paint a better picture of the events than all the reactionary news reports from the big attack.

The Nihil have largely been absent from material since the opening novels, and while Eye of the Storm Marchion Ro features in The High Republic Adventures, he’s not the focus, but TRS brings them back in a big way. And where I felt like LotJ could’ve spent more time with the Nihil, TRS does have several POV chapters with Ro and Tempest Runners Lourna Dee and Pan Eyta, it still feels like we need more to better understand their wants and needs as well (though we will have more in Scott’s other upcoming project, audiobook Tempest Runner, starring Lourna Dee). Lounra Dee was my favorite Tempest Runner and non-Ro Nihil character in the opening book and she continues to impress, as her ability to mask her reactions and keep everyone around her on edge, thanks in part to how she doesn’t trust anyone, make her a formidable foe and ally; even the Jedi find out she’s not to be messed with lightly. How she reacts and deals with the power shifts within the Nihil hierarchy, Pan’s designs against Ro as some of his secrets (see: the Paths) get out, cultivating the newest Runner, or Ro’s own eye-popping schemes are among my highlights from TRS and makes me even more eager for the audiobook about her. As for Marchion Ro, he’s just as unpredictable and willing to evolve his plans as ever, and as TRS unravels what he’s up to (which you can get a taste of in one of the excerpts), it becomes clear it’s going to change the era forever, while getting to find out what happened to Loden only adds to his dangerous plans for the future. With Scott able to add unbearable tension throughout the extended fight on Valo, consider the tension building up to what exactly Ro has planned hair-pulling-ly good, and the payoff looks to truly answer a vital question for this era: what scares the Jedi? It's a moment I can't stop thinking about since I read it and thinking about it only makes it more daring and hit hard again. Ro doesn’t disappoint and my hate (see: love) for him grows again here.

The High Republic – The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott takes all the promises of the era from Light of the Jedi and builds and expands on them with a breathless thrill ride cradling an emotional core thanks to focusing more on specific characters, while it pushes the story of the era into a larger, frightening new place for the Jedi, the Republic, and citizens alike.

{Link will be live on release date, June 29}

The High Republic’s epic storytelling continues with the second wave of books, starting with The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott. Following the dramatic events of Light of the Jedi, The Rising Storm depicts the celebratory events of Chancellor Soh’s next Great Work: The Republic Fair. However, as we all know the threat of the Nihil is still very much present—and what began as a beautiful fair representing the spirit of unity across the galaxy soon turned into the most horrific and devastating attack in all Star Wars history.

Very much like Light of the Jedi, The Rising Storm consists of a multitude of storylines from the equally plentiful main characters’ points of view. Perhaps one of the main critiques from the former book was the focus on the bigger picture while introducing too many new characters with not enough development. Light of the Jedi was an incredibly ambitious story to fit within the pages of just one novel—Charles Soule’s efforts in starting this all-new era of Star Wars truly paying off as the new heroes and villains are now grounded within our beloved galaxy far, far away with new stories exploring each character in depth. Although past Light of the Jedi readers had the opportunity to get to know some of the new characters in more detail through the incredible Marvel’s The High Republic and IDW’s The High Republic Adventures comic series—along with Justina Ireland’s A Test of Courage and Claudia Gray’s Young Adult novel Into the Dark—The Rising Storm is the true sequel to Soule’s introductory novel.

Cavan Scott is no stranger to Star Wars, having written a wide variety of stories spread across different media and publishers. His Marvel debut with the ongoing comic series The High Republic left a mark and stole the hearts of many fans—his efforts paired with some of the most talented artists in the galaxy. The Rising Storm (the author’s very first Del Rey Star Wars novel) is probably Scott’s greatest achievement and most likely the best Star Wars book of the year—through and through an absolute masterpiece.

As mentioned before, The Rising Storm is centered around The Republic Fair. Cavan Scott beautifully takes the reader through the event as if it were the next Disney park attraction—gracefully diving into the details of each pavilion while jumping from one character’s viewpoint to the next. Then, in horror fashion, like a stab in the gut, just when the reader begins to feel serene through the spirit of unity, the storm of the Nihil descends on the celebration—brutally destroying and murdering everything and everyone on sight. Scott’s utterly graphic description of each horrific act is at a level never seen in Star Wars publishing—showcasing the Nihil’s true nature and how far they are willing to go to destroy the Republic and the Jedi. It’s no surprise from the master of Star Wars horror—this time Scott really taking the reality of the new villain threat to a larger scale, superseding the Great Hyperspace Disaster from Light of the Jedi.

With Seventy-Six short but satisfying chapters, Cavan Scott was able to structure a nice pacing from one storyline to the next. The Rising Storm truly delves into each main character development—from one side: Stellan Gios, Elzar Mann, Ty Yorrick, and Bell Zettifar to the other side: Marchion Ro, Pan Eyta, and Lourna Dee. Each protagonist is enriched with new experiences and background stories, but what really stands out in the book is the emotional level explored by Scott. The author does not shy away from portraying characters with strong feelings that are not afraid of making mistakes—especially the Jedi. Elzar Mann in particular is one character that redefines what it represents to be a Jedi, focusing on love (yes, Jedi can love!) but also on the willingness of seeking help during the most challenging moments while at the same time trying to make amends. On the other side of the conflict, Scott further exposes what it’s like to be a Nihil and really sets up the hype for Tempest Runner, one of his next stories within The High Republic. In particular, the author takes the character of Lourna Dee to the next level—making her one of the most feared villains of the era. And speaking of villains, The Rising Storm only continues to feed into the mystery that shrouds Marchion Ro, the Eye of the Nihil as the author takes the reader on a mystical journey that will ultimately lead to the unleashing of true fear—something that even the Force will not be able to shield the Jedi from.

The Rising Storm also shines the spotlight on Chancellor Lina Soh and her inspiring strong will to do good but also on a new character: Ty Yorrick, the Tholothian Force-sensitive monster hunter and mercenary that will be the protagonist of yet another upcoming story from Cavan Scott: The High Republic: The Monster of Temple Peak. She is definitely one of the most intriguing characters coming out of the novel—the Padawan-turned-saber-for-hire right in the middle of the conflict, giving the reader a unique point of view.

The Rising Storm is an incredibly emotional story that will forever define the Star Wars universe—pushing the limits in terms of storytelling and reading experience. This next installment of The High Republic is an essential must-read and one that will without a doubt take its place among the best Star Wars stories of all time.

Cavan Scott had a difficult task while writing The Rising Storm. He had to develop the story from Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi and put together all the other works from the High Republic. The Rising Storm does this and so much more in an outstanding way.

The novel has a fast pace, it is rich in action as well as introspection within the Jedi and their difficulties. The novel slows down just a bit during its central pages but for the rest of them it is carried forward by the diversified character cast and its awesome villain Marchion Ro, which is now even more charismatic and disturbing at the same time.

Scott's writing style is rich and detailed and brings the reader to an explosive and sudden finale. The major fault of The Rising Storm is that it finishes too soon and during its most mindblowing sequence.

Scott gives the reader an unparalleled sense of the enormity of the Star Wars galaxy in The High Republic: The Rising Storm. But when the time comes to get down to business (namely, the assault by the Nihil on the optimistic Republic Fair), Scott's focus smartly narrows to a handful of characters on both sides of the battle, including compelling newcomer and "saber-for-hire" Ty Yorrick.

Scott keeps the pace swift and develops his characters throughout the conflict, while saving his biggest surprises for the final chapters. Behind the scenes, Marchion Ro - a Star Wars villain for the ages - has been pulling strings and building up to his most horrific act yet. Scott brings us the first real experience of the threat to the Force itself, the one promised by The High Republic's promotional materials. In his hands, the threat is as terrifying as anything the Jedi could possibly encounter. And it will leave you desperate to learn more about it.

--Allen Voivod, Star Wars 7x7

Star Wars: The High Republic is a publishing initiative marking an all-new era of Star Wars storytelling, and wave 2 begins June 29, 2021 with some great titles. Here are all the details we know so far through July 2021, including some initial spoiler-free reactions. (My reactions are in blue) If you’re just jumping in to The High Republic, be sure to catch up with all the details here.

Several books, comics and serialized fiction comprise The High Republic wave 2, written by the same familiar authors as the first wave. Cohesion is in the DNA of The High Republic, with a story set 200 years before The Phantom Menace and all stories written by the same group of authors. In fact, Disney Publishing Worldwide calls them Story Architects, and they are Claudia Gray (Lost Stars), Justina Ireland (Lando’s Luck), Daniel José Older (Last Shot), Cavan Scott (Dooku: Jedi Lost), and Charles Soule (Star Wars, The Rise of Kylo Ren). Wave I back in January of 2021 astounded fans with the depth and breadth of story.

So without further ado, let’s get into Wave 2!

The Rising Storm

Initial Thoughts: The most difficult part about The High Republic series was learning all the character names. Throughout the first wave of novels, we’ve learned the names and general outlook of each character. The Rising Storm, therefore, jumps right in to the action, and I am eagerly swept along.

Right now I’m in the first half of the book, and it’s jumping around between several different characters, planets and action, often leaving an action scene just as it gets good to start in a quieter place in another scene. While this type of storytelling is quite effective in a movie, in this book it is a little disconcerting, especially if you aren’t reading straight through. With each chapter I must reacquaint myself with the characters and remember where we last left them 20 pages ago. But as the overall plot is revealed, my interest grows and I see how these 4 or 5 separate stories will eventually merge into a climax. Storylines are about to clash, and I’m sure the novel will be a rip-roaring read to the finale!

Cavan Scott has a beautiful way of jumping into different characters’ POV. Yet he never shares certain main characters’ thoughts. You only get a feel for what they’re thinking based on the characters around them. Specifically Marchion Ro, Eye of the Nihil. He is the leader, and in order for us, the readers, to be surprised by the plot as he gradually continues his plan to take over the known galaxy, Scott cannot share Ro’s exact thoughts. So he chooses the people surrounding Ro, like a Force-sensitive being. It’s a simple, yet effective device. Similarly, Lina Soh, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic – it is only through the eyes and ears of people surrounding her post do we understand her vision for the galaxy.

I look forward to finishing out this book, and I’ll be updating this article as I finish each book leading up to their release. Look for the blue!

Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm was written by Cavan Scott. Scott has written several Star Wars stories such as the audio-drama script for Dooku: Jedi Lost, comics, and young reader books.

SUMMARY: Marchion Ro, The Eye of the Nihil, demands that the raiders stay hidden in the shadows to ease the tension in the galaxy before making their next move. Since the events of the first High Republic novel, Light of the Jedi, the Republic and the Jedi have been on the lookout for the vile group. Although the galaxy is still recovering from the damage the Nihil have caused, the Chancellor has prepared a Republic Fair on the world of Valo, to celebrate the Republic and its cultures.

This story is gripping from page one! Just... wow!

Tension stirs within the Nihil! The raiders are anxious to get back to work, to emerge from the shadows to pillage and kill. Marchion Ro eases the tension by ordering the Nihil to crash the Republic Fair. This is their time to strike, to spread the storm over Valo, to bring destruction and death!

CHARACTERS: The High Republic characters continue to impress! Here's a breakdown of a few before getting to my overall thoughts.

Bell Zettifar, the former Padawan of Loden Greatstorm, struggles to accept the loss of his old master. Loden had told Bell that he was ready for the Jedi trials, to rise up from Padawan to Knight. However, Bell feels he isn't ready. He has remained a Padawan, under Master Indeera. Indeera also believes Bell is ready for the trials, but Bell feels so empty, a piece of him is missing. In this novel, Bell attempts to overcome his fears, to reconnect and trust the Force.

Tia Toon, the Sullustan Republic senator, is an annoyance to Chancellor Soh. He is dead set on the creation of a Republic Defense Force Program, and any time he has the opportunity to speak his mind to the chancellor and challenge her decisions and actions, he does. While the Chancellor and some of the Jedi find his tactics annoying and rude, Toon certainly proves valid points. While billions have died throughout the galaxy and planets work to rebuild their cities, Toon is furious that the Chancellor would rather fund a giant party with the Republic Fair, than establish a defense program that could potentially prevent the galaxy from suffering at the hand of the Nihil.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Cavan Scott, well done sir! This book knocked me off my feet! The Rising Storm is a sequel to Light of the Jedi and ties in with other High Republic material such as Young Adult novels, Junior Reader books, and comics. I highly recommend that you read that other material from the first wave of The High Republic before diving into this book.

I seriously did not want to put The Rising Storm down! Each chapter kept building up tension, mystery, or awesome revelations were spilled. A real page turner for sure! The Rising Storm seriously has one of the greatest openers to a Star Wars book to date!

Star Wars politics is a touchy subject for some... but really, what part of Star Wars do folks not complain about? The politics were handled wonderfully! I love how it was a recurring theme in the book. The Republic is under the leadership of Chancellor Soh, some like that, others don't. The conflict taking place between members of the Republic Senate was just as tense as all the other action and drama taking place throughout the story.

Scott handles each character so well. It really feels like I've been reading about most of these characters for a long period of time now, knowing their traits and how they'll react. In my opinion, that is excellent character development. The dialogue is fantastic as well! The relationships between characters are mostly great, I do have a few issues with a few, which felt a bit unnatural and awkward. However the friendship and banter between Elzar Mann and Stellan Gios is absolutely fantastic.

Honestly, I do have a few issues with the story. I mentioned some of the relationships felt odd, but the other issue I have, is that some teases at the end of a chapter really didn't pay off in the next or following chapter(s).

The plot of the story is great, yet extremely dark. The book is loaded with destruction and death. Scott explores new areas of the Force and how the Jedi can manipulate it for the greater good, and also abuse it. The Nihil are disgusting, geocidal maniacs. Yet, Scott creates a unique power struggle within the group that somehow leaves you routing for one of the villains in a strange twisted way. I really enjoyed The Rising Storm. The plot was driven forward by familiar characters while many new characters are also introduced.

RATING: I give Star Wars: The Rising Strom, an A!

Published by Del Rey, Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm is written by franchise staple Cavan Scott with cover art by Joseph Meehan and is the next adult novel in an ever-expanding High Republic era of Star Wars. Following the events from the first set of books in the High Republic media, The Rising Storm takes place around the same timeframe as its junior and young adult novels counterparts: Race to Crashpoint Tower and Out of the Shadows. The High Republic is recovering quickly from the ripples of The Great Hyperspace Diaster. The Republic Fair, a celebration of unity, is being planned by Chancellor Lina Soh as she attempts to bring stability back to the High Republic. However, not everyone is eager to celebrate the High Republic’s accomplishments as a storm brews from a familiar enemy who has been quiet for some time.

As the adult novel of the second books in Phase 1, Cavan Scott has a tall order following up the previous smash hit adult novel Light of the Jedi. The stage has been set and now The Rising Storm is expected to build off that momentum to give fans Star Wars as they have never seen it before. Scott is perfect for this role. If you are familiar with Scott’s other works in Star Wars media, you know that he is a masterful storyteller. From his audio drama, Dooku: Jedi Lost to comics like the Tales from Vader’s Castle series as well as the currently running Star Wars: The High Republic series, Scott, in my opinion, has always been one for a slow build to a climactic ending that leaves you wanting more. The Rising Storm is no exception.

The Rising Storm follows multiple character perspectives throughout much of the book. Readers follow familiar Jedi from wave one like Stellan, Bell Zettifar, and Elzar Mann, new characters like Force-sensitive Ty Yorrick, the interworkings of High Republic politics with Chancellor Lina Soh, and even the Eye of the Nihil himself, Marchion Ro. While the back and forth perspectives may be jarring for some, the foreshadowing of an epic conflict in the prelude lets the reader know that there will be an eventual payoff to meeting new characters and learning more about others. Even as someone who enjoyed the politics of The Prequel Trilogy because of its importance to the overall story, I felt bogged down with planning of the Republic Fair as I wanted to get back to other characters. However, Scott’s slow-burn process is justified. There are multiple instances where Scott uses these perspectives as loose mirrors of each other as we see dissension in the ranks of both the High Republic and the Nihil as well as the multiple perspectives of the Force and beings connected to it.

One of the biggest issues that many may have with the High Republic publication line, is that it might be too interconnected forcing fans to have to read everything. However, as the writer of the Marvel Star Wars: The High Republic series, Scott expertly weaves in the other media to give readers all the context they need even from his own work. As a non-major spoiler example, early on in the novel, it is mentioned that the Jedi are working the Hutt Cartel to combat the Drengir which may come as a surprise to some.



However, by the time that The Rising Storm releases comic book readers would have known this from the events of Star Wars: The High Repulic #5 over a month prior. The exposition for details such as this is in no way hamfisted throughout the novel. As someone who has not read the other two novels in this second wave, I never felt like I needed more than what was presented to me to understand the significance of events.

While the Jedi in The Rising Storm may not be my favorite of the era (it is hard to top Keeve Trennis and Vernestra Rwoh) the focus on Jedi we have seen in The Light of the Jedi shows that Jedi of this era are not as rigid to what it means to be a Jedi as we are used to in the Skywalker Saga. Further, in this era, we continue to see more and more examples of beings and cultures who are blatantly Force-sensitive without being Jedi. The Rising Storm continues this trend giving new aspects to the Force and our understanding of its power as fans. Readers also learn more about the hierarchy within the Nihil and how their cause, in their eyes, is a righteous one.

Scott’s characterization of the Nihil leader Ro fits in with what we see in other media like Star Wars Adventures: The High Republic which even had me rooting for the marauder at times throughout the novel. Even seeing the races such as the Togrutas who are staples in the Skywalker Saga, being introduced into the ranks of the High Republic shows how much the Galatic Senate has expanded in the last 300 years leading up to the films. It is this kind of galaxy building that leaves readers open to experience a multitude of stories in this era as it slowly transforms into the Republic we know by The Phantom Menance.

Without spoiling too much, The Rising Storm is as its name implies. Readers learn more and more about the galaxy following the events of The Great Hyperspace Diaster. As the characters we follow move closer and closer to each other tension builds as the calm before the storm quickly vanishes as they converge at the Republic Fair. Readers are thrown into an action-packed climax that left me stunned as the final pages of The Rising Storm swept by. It is the perfect follow-up for this era of novelizations. While The Light of the Jedi was the foundation of this era, The Rising Storm is the hurricane of events that will truly let fans know, they will never see what’s to come in this era even if a prelude shows the storm on the horizon.

Star Wars The High Republic: The Rising Storm is available June 29, 2021 wherever books are sold.

Cavan Scott delivers some excellent character moments amidst some intense action and peril. This is a dark novel and the stakes feel real. Some side plots detract from the overall narrative/pacing a bit but this is a worthy follow-up to The Light of the Jedi.

When I had the opportunity to read the prologue of this book at the beginning of May, I thought to myself “Oh no, this isn’t going to go well for our heroes.” With an opening line like “The screams had never left Elzar Mann,” what else are you supposed to think!?

I’m happy to report that the book lived up to that chilling expectation! After the events of Light of the Jedi, I immediately knew that this series I was already wildly invested in was not one that will likely be ending with a happily ever after, so part of the fun of it all (and really really scary part of it all, let’s be real) is watching how bad things get.

The Rising Storm takes place months after the Great Hyperspace Disaster, in a galaxy that is working to rebuild trust, unity, and hope after such destruction. In an attempt to rally everyone together, Chancellor Lina Soh plans a Republic Fair on the world of Valo to showcase innovation, culture, and art around the Republic. It is meant to be a time of peace and prosperity, not one of destruction…But the Nihil have been lying in wait for the perfect moment to strike. And they’ve found their moment.

The Rising Storm clocks in at about 450 pages, but that’s nothing to be intimidated about. The book itself is compelling and a page-turner. Just when things are getting exciting (aka: bad for our heroes), they somehow get even more exciting (aka: worse for our heroes) and you have no choice but to read on! Yet, even when we aren’t in battle, this book is still a thrill ride. I personally adored the politics in this book and hearing how the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace Disaster affected perceptions of the Republic and Chancellor Soh. I also enjoyed getting to know some of these characters better and learn more about their relationships with their friends and peers.

The standouts in this book are the relationships between characters. Without getting into spoilers, the constantly shifting dynamics between Marchion Ro and his Tempest Runners is wild to watch play out. Getting more Padawan Bell Zettifar and his charhound Ember is absolute perfection. The rapport between my personal favorites Stellan Gios and Elzar Mann is a delight. Speaking of Elzar Mann, his relationship with everyone and everything is fascinating to watch unfold, without a doubt providing me with some of my favorite moments in this book. I hope we get to see more of this interpersonal character exploration in future installments, now that we’ve been introduced to such a strong host of Jedi in this era. They are original and fun to watch!

For those that struggled with the scope and breadth of characters in Light of the Jedi, I’m not sure you’ll have an easier time in this installment. While Scott’s writing feels less choppy than the heavy-on-the-details world building of Light of the Jedi, the book still bounces from many points of view and characters, especially during our big battle. While I enjoy the cinematic scope of this era of Star Wars and find following many characters a gift (it’s like Christmas but for the whole book!), even I have struggled to keep up with the settings and figuring out where we’re hopping to during particularly intense sequences. I hope this is something that The High Republic will continue to refine, and I hope that we will get some smaller stories for adult audiences too.

Ultimately, The Rising Storm is a thrilling second installment in the adult offerings of The High Republic. It completely surpassed my high expectations, shocking me more than a few times. It has emotional highs, emotional lows, and provides the same level of excitement and enjoyment that you’d expect from your favorite Star Wars movie. It has set us up for even greater stories, and I applaud author Cavan Scott and the whole High Republic team for making me even more worried than before.

We've all heard about the 'darker middle chapter' of trilogies and just sequels as a whole are often incredibly difficult to follow-up, especially with a series like the High Republic that started out so strong. Yet somehow, by some will of the Force, Cavan Scott delivered with a bang. The characters we met in Light of the Jedi we get to learn more of, as well as meeting new friends and foes as the darkness known as the Nihil close in on what is meant to be a celebration of Light at the Republic Fair.

The stakes are raised, we end with answers and even more questions, yet somehow it doesn't seem unfulling. If anything, it's only our first steps into a larger world that we've only just begun to explore and I for one cannot wait to see what's next!

In the wake of The Great Disaster, Chancellor Lina Soh plans to show off the strength and unity of the Republic with a grand Republic Fair, but the Nihil have other plans in mind for the celebrations on Valo. Will the Jedi be able to stave off another disaster? 

When Star Wars: The High Republic launched in January with Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi, readers were fully immersed in a new era of Star Wars with a new cast of characters, locations, and stories that had never been seen before. This posed a challenge for some, like myself, who struggled to visualize such a robust catalog of new characters. Fortunately, since the first wave of novels were released, Marvel and IDW have had two comic series to help acquaint us with the core cast of Jedi and the Nihil. 

While the first phase of The High Republic helped to establish the world-building aspects within the era, The Rising Storm places readers into a fully actualized world filled with all of the new characters that we have come to love. Though this review does not contain major spoilers, there are allusions to some of the bigger plot points in the novel. Reader discretion is advised. 

Cavan Scott’s The Rising Storm is a masterpiece. He deserves the title of Path Finder because he has navigated a path through a complex plot by interweaving dozens of individual stories that were scattered across the galaxy into one converging incident. 

He expertly balances a massive cast of still-brand new characters, giving each of them their own unique voices and narratives, which is no easy feat. The Rising Storm is filled to the brim with compelling characters that are thrown head-first into action-packed sequences, heart-pumping battles, slow-burn intrigue, and even a little romance. 

Romance? In my Star Wars? You best believe it. 

The Rising Storm is a lot like Light of the Jedi in the fact that there isn’t one central character to anchor the plot, but there are at least six core characters whose points of view help to navigate readers through the storm. Stellan Gios is, at long last, introduced to us; Elzar Mann returns sans Avar Kriss; Bell Zettifar grapples with the loss of his master Loden Greatstorm; the former Jedi Padawan Ty Yorrick makes a grand entrance; while Marchion Ro and Lourna Dee wreak havoc. 

I have loved every previous glimpse of Elzar Mann we have had over the past six months, but I am absolutely enthralled by Scott’s characterization of the flirtatious and charming Jedi. At the close of Soule’s Light of the Jedi, Elzar Mann was faced with a dark vision of the future. One that may just come true in The Rising Storm as the Nihil reign down terror on the Republic Fair. 

Marchion Ro, the Eye of the Nihil, finds himself facing a different kind of storm on the rise. One where his control over the Nihil is gradually slipping now that some of the Nihil have learned the truth about the paths. But even in the face of potential mutiny, Marchion Ro remains steadfast in his personal pursuits. 

On an entirely personal note, Marchion Ro has filled a Kylo Ren-shaped hole in my heart and I am begging The High Republic not to break me in the same ways that the sequel trilogy did. There are so many little things about this character that have quickly endeared me to him. From his “obsession” with his collection of relics to his daddy issues, his subordinates usurping his control, his really cool mask, and of course his unclear aspirations with the power that he does have. 

For those who read my reviews of The High Republic-era content, you have probably been reading this review and just waiting for me to dive into my feelings about the Nihil and the Jedi. I don’t want to get too deep into the meat of the story, so you will have to wait until some poor soul invites me onto a podcast to discuss the Nihil again, but I do still fully support them. Are they bad? Do they do bad things? They sure do, but they still make a lot of really compelling points about the Republic and the Jedi who uphold the Republic’s colonization tactics. 

Our core group of Jedi all have very strong feelings about the Nihil, which is understandable given the absolute chaos that has been created by them, but at the same time, I find some of their ideas about the Nihil to be extremely frustrating. Which they’re supposed to be! I think.  Ultimately both sides of this conflict are being driven to extremes and brushes with the Dark Side of the force. It makes for an incredibly fun read. 

These are the kind of stories I’ve been longing for in Star Wars. I have read a lot of Star Wars books over the course of my life (like, all of the Expanded Universe) and I feel confident in my assertation that The Rising Storm ranks among my personal Top 5 Star Wars novels. 

As with anything in the Star Wars universe, there is a lot of pressure on the core authors tasked with bringing The High Republic to life, but for anyone with remaining hesitations about diving into this era, rest assured that The Rising Storm is a blast from start to finish.

It was always going to be tough to follow Light of the Jedi, Charles Soule’s non-stop, action-packed introduction to the High Republic era, but Cavan Scott has done so, and done so brilliantly. The Rising Storm picks up a year after the events of the first book, with the galaxy still contending with the new threats that pose a challenge to the peace and prosperity they’ve become accustomed to. There are the Nihil of course, the Outer Rim marauders who were the primary antagonists in the last book, but there are also the Drengir, who were introduced in the fantastic Marvel comics run, also written by Cavan Scott.

Despite these problems, they are determined to proceed as if nothing were amiss, with Chancellor Soh arranging for a Republic Fair on the mid-rim world of Valo. This exhibition, a World’s Fair type event, is designed to showcase the “Spirit of Unity” between all worlds that exist under the Republic banner.

But the best laid plans of MSE droids and men often go awry, and that is exactly what happens when the Nihil get wind of the event and decide to strike back against what they perceive to be an encroaching threat on their territory and their way of life.

In a word, this book is phenomenal. It has adventure, it has so much character development, it even has some romance. Romance so clear and spine-tingling it made my jaw drop. Wholly unexpected and delightful. Where it really thrives, in my opinion, is with its characters. Now that the first wave of Phase One - remember, this is not Phase Two, merely wave two - has passed, and the audience is firmly rooted in the High Republic era, we have time to really dive in deep with them and explore what it means to live in this time period.

Standouts include returning Padawan Bell Zettifar, who is learning what it means to live without his Master after the latter was taken by the Nihil in Light of the Jedi, and Valo’s Jedi administrator Master Elzar Mann, who is given much more time now than he was in the first book. Elzar, and his longtime friend Master Stellan Gios absolutely stole the show for me on the Republic side of things. Theirs is the kind of intense, healthy male friendship that I think media both sorely lacks and desperately needs. They are complete opposites, and spend half their time thinking the other one is an idiot, but they also respect and trust one another.

I also suspected, going in, that I was going to love Stellan Gios and I was right. This assessment was based solely on his concept art, which was somehow reminiscent of both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ben Solo, two of my all-time favourite characters, and I am proud to report that the bearded dorky Jedi Master with a crossguard saber is now, in fact, one of my favourites from this era.

Another new character who completely blew me away was Ty Yorrik. I won’t dare spoil anything about her here, but she might be a new favourite of mine too. Is it possible to have too many favourites? This whole book is an embarrassment of riches, really.

Speaking of favourites, I haven’t even talked about the Nihil yet.

It’s no secret to those who know me that I absolutely love the Nihil. It’s not just their steampunk-space pirate aesthetic, but the fact that they’re unlike any villain we’ve seen before, at least in the new canon.

I also use the term “villain” extremely loosely, because like most well-written antagonists, they are highly motivated, and in a way that is juuust understandable enough that you at least see where they’re coming from, even if you don’t outright agree.

From the outset, I got the impression that the Nihil view the Republic as an antagonistic, colonialist, oppressive force, and in that respect, I do agree with them. It’s also wonderful to see that Cavan Scott does not shy away from this either, fully spelling this out for the reader to show that whether or not the ends justify the means, the Nihil have a reason for living and acting the way they do.

And then of course we have Marchion Ro. The Eye of the Nihil. The man himself. How anyone expected to put a morally ambiguous man in a mask front and centre, give him a tragic, mysterious backstory and a righteous cause, and not have me be fascinated (and maybe fall a little in love) is beyond me. Marchion Ro is a fascinating character, his personal goals remain a complete mystery, and any time he appears the chapter never goes the way you expect it will. I suppose my one regret with this book is that we don’t get more time with him, but hey, if that just means that the mystery surrounding him will continue to be built out, then I can’t complain.

With the book as a whole, Cavan Scott also never lets you forget just how interconnected these stories are, not only within each wave, and not only in the way you would expect a sequel to, but within the High Republic tapestry as a whole. There are many offhand references to the Marvel and IDW comics, as well as hints at the plots of the Young Adult and Middle Grade entries in wave one that are noticeable if you’ve decided to go all in and read everything, but do not detract from the story if you prefer to just read the adult-aimed entries. These references are absolutely a reward and a treat, but in no way a punishment for a lack of time and inclination.

That said, do yourself a favour and read the whole thing, if you can. As we move into subsequent waves and phases, I wouldn’t be surprised if the characters who are children now will grow to star in the adult-focused novels down the line, and it’s much easier to keep up now than to catch up later. But that’s just my extremely biased opinion.