The High Republic: The Rising Storm UK Paperback
Following the dramatic events of Light of the Jedi, the heroes of the High Republic era return to face a shattered peace and a fearsome foe.
In the wake of the Great Disaster and the heroism of the Jedi, the Republic continues to grow, bringing more worlds together under a single unified banner. Led by Chancellor Lina Soh, the spirit of unity extends throughout the galaxy, with the Jedi and newly established Starlight Beacon station at the vanguard.
In celebration, the chancellor plans “The Republic Fair,” a showcase of the possibility and peace of the expanding Republic—a precept the Jedi hope to foster. Stellan Gios, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, and others join the event as ambassadors of harmony. But as the eyes of the galaxy turn toward the Fair, so too does the fury of the Nihil. Their leader, Marchion Ro, is intent on destroying this spirit of unity. His storm descends on the pageantry and celebration, sowing chaos and exacting revenge.
As the Jedi struggle to curb the carnage of the rampaging Nihil, they come face to face with the true fear their enemy plans to unleash across the galaxy. The kind of fear that even the Force cannot shield them from.
Author: Cavan Scott
Release date: 6th January 2022
Page Count: 480 Pages
ISBN: 9781529101911
While on paper the concept of the Republic Fair might not appear to be the most dazzling setting for a story, as the era of The High Republic continues to unfold it’s both a logical backdrop and a key moment in the fight between the Nihil and the Republic, with the warriors of the Jedi doing much of the fighting on their behalf. Fold in the cries for a Republic Army to protect that grand institution should anything happen to the Jedi and you have all the pieces in play for what is yet another captivating chapter in the first phase of The High Republic.
The determination of Sullustian Senator Tia Toon to orgaise a more formal defence force for the Republic, really does loom large over proceedings, and writer Cavan Scott does a grand job of casting doubt on the intentions of Toon in The Rising Storm. He is seen as an agitator, a nuisance and a thorn in the side of Republic Chancellor Lina Soh, especially as all eyes and attentions turn to the Fair, a statement of Republic inclusivity and ambition that aims to showcase the scope of their goal to bring every corner of the galaxy into the Republic, be there Core or Outer Rim worlds. There are certain parallels to the naivety of the post-Galactic Civil War era, when the New Republic determined to lay down arms and instil a new era of peace. There may be no Sith on the scene at this point of history, but the galaxy is far from a peaceful place, as the Nihil show led by Marchion Ro and his storm of lieutenants, most vocally the hulking Dowutin Tempest Runner Pan Eyta who challenges Ro at every turn, questioning his leadership and abandonment of the old ways while striving to take the throne for himself. There are twists, turns and betrayals at every turn within the ranks of the Nihil, making for a fascinating sequence of events as Ro masterfully (and often brutally) manipulates the playing field to strengthen his own position.
Meanwhile, the Jedi are in turmoil. Clearly not ready or prepared for such a situation, they appear to be in disarray. While the threat of the Drengir only warrants a chapter of the story, the Nihil are very much at the forefront of their thoughts, even while their own relatinships come under pressure. Our primary characters here are Stellan Gios and Elzar Mann, both coming under immense strain, balancing personal feelings for other Jedi with the gut-punch of losing Loden Greatstorm, or so they believed. His return and the scenes with Loden’s padawan Bell Zettifar are the most heart-wrneching scenes in The High Republic so far, and the realisation that Marchion Ro has a weapon of incredible power at his command fills the Jedi with dread and fear.
Noiw available in the UK as a paperback release via Penguin UK, Cavan Scott once again demonstrates a firm command of his characters taking them all on journeys, be they ‘good’ or ‘bad’, while the wider story continues to develop as heroes and villains are changed by these events, all of which combines to create an engrossing Star Wars story that is highly recommended to all followers of stories set in the galaxy far, far away.
- Audible Audiobook
- Cavan Scott (Author) - Marc Thompson (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 06/29/2021 (Publication Date) - Penguin Audio (Publisher)
