877: Defy the Storm pushed the High Republic forward
In this episode, I was reunited with some favorite characters…
Friends, friends, friends.
Welcome back to Teatime Reading where there are books in progress.
It is no secret that I am a big fan of the High Republic period. As we’ve gotten deeper into Phase 3, I have become more and more intrigued by the implications of the Nihil and their chaotic rule.
After the varying events of Eye of Darkness, the comics run so far and Escape From Valo, I was happy to go into Defy the Storm fairly blind. I didn’t know who would be the primary protagonists here.
Vernestra Rwoh has always been my favorite character from Phase 1 and I was blown away by her growth and character development in this book. The developments between her, Avon Starros (now Sunvale, due to her mother’s fall from grace as a Nihil Collaborator), Xylan, Cair, and Jordana made for an interesting story.
Eye of Darkness was a story about escaping the Occlusion Zone. Escape from Valo was a story set inside the Occlusion Zone, and Defy the Storm was one part rescue mission, another part infiltration, and yet another a test of Nihil Might.
Could Vernestra and Jordana rescue the people closest to them, could Avon make hard choices, and could everyone get in and out of the Nihil Occlusion Zone without losing vital information?
This installment in phase 3 went in interesting directions I couldn’t have predicted, however, I loved this book most because I got to see compelling characters in difficult conditions. Vernestra’s growth as a Jedi was only topped by Avon’s struggles with vengeance, revenge, and justice. Vernestra’s former Padawan Imri brought me to tears with his evolution from the last time I saw him, and even the secondary characters stood out for me. Xylan, Cair, and Jordana often felt like primary protagonists in their own rights.
Defy the Storm was an excellent YA installment in Phase 3 of the High Republic. This time period has been an investment that continues to pay off.
I hope you give it a try.
Until next time, keep your bookmarks close.
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.