874: Escape From Valo had my attention
In this episode, I was impressed with a story’s nuance and heart…
Friends, friends, friends.
Welcome back to Teatime Reading where there are books in progress.
You know my feelings on the High Republic. Most recently, I talked about the first novel in Phase 3: The Eye of Darkness and I am also reading the various comics as they are released. I loved Phase 1 and I was pleasantly surprised by Phase 2, but Phase 3 has a lot of promise.
Escape From Valo by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong was a book geared towards middle-grade and it took readers on an interesting journey in the middle of Nihil occupied territory.
But where there was conflict, there were also brave souls willing to fight for freedom. In this middle-grade tale, a group of hopeful young Padawans, Younglings and a non-binary pirate banded together and overcame their fears.
Despite the book's target audience of younger readers, this was not a sanitized book. The threat of the Nihil loomed large and menacing, their chaos and danger pitting them against the Republic , but also the normal people who had no say in the matter. And the young heroes were forced to confront harsh truths about the fragility of peace and the sacrifices it demands.
One of the joys was the endearing ensemble of characters that quickly captured my heart. From Ram Jomaram's steadfast determination, to the unique quirks and strengths of his Jedi younglings, every character seemed to leap off the page. The infatuation and sweet nascent relationship between Gavi and Kildo was incredibly beautiful. Even the antagonists carried intriguing shades of nuance that made me empathize with their humanity. One character in particular, really had me feeling particularly bad for her lot
My favorite character by a wide margin was Tep Tep. This adorable little Jedi youngling had so much spunk, passion, and heart, that I would do anything for this little one. Not only that, but her force connection with animals made me so happy!!
Escape From Valo struck a deft balance, presenting high-stakes action and adventure through an accessible, engaging lens for the middle-grade audience. While the tone and writing naturally skewed younger, I was nonetheless immersed in the perils the heroes faced. Their struggles, fears, and perseverance all felt earned.
I desperately wanted to shield these young heroes from harm, to reassure them their sacrifices weren't in vain. Their plights evoked protective instincts, as for the most vulnerable among us. The characters were young, but not passive bystanders - called upon to make difficult choices and help shape the galaxy's fate.
All in all, I thought Escape From Valo was a stellar next step in Phase 3. It is absolutely worth the read.
Until next time, keep your bookmarks close, and may the Force be with you.
Peace, Love, Pages.
Note: As Always, Affiliate Links are here for your convenience at no cost to you. All reading was at my own expense.