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I’ve had such a hard time getting started on this review and it’s bugging me.

Ugh.

I think lately I’ve just been blowing through books, maybe a little too fast. I’ll frequently split my time between a physical copy & the audiobook edition of the same book. Which I love doing! A lot. But I think sometimes it just speeds up my time spent on a book so much, and then I’m on to the next thing. And then the list of things I “need” to review starts getting longer, faster. And it’s a bit of an endless cycle.

But at the very least, I need to get some thoughts down for DEFY THE STORM by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland. I think Phase Three of The High Republic has been amazing so far, and this first YA book in the phase is no exception.

After the trailer for “The Acolyte” FINALLY dropped, I had a few conversations with some folks about what books/comics might be considered “required reading” before watching the show. I’ll always be of the mindset that if you absolutely NEED to read something in order to enjoy or “get” a new Star Wars show, then that new Star Wars show is a total failure. It has to stand on its own, because I think it goes without saying that the audience for “The Acolyte” is going to be significantly larger than the audience for The High Republic books/comics.

That said, we know Vernestra Rwoh is in the show (it’s anyone’s guess just how much she will be in it, though), so…I guess people could just read the books that she’s in? But…I think that would make for some pretty choppy storytelling, to be honest. I think in a way, The High Republic has become kind of an unwieldy beast (in the best way), and it’s hard to recommend THIS or THAT piece of The High Republic without really recommending ALLL of The High Republic.

This is a long-winded way of saying DEFY THE STORM is a book that’s deeply focused on Vernestra’s story, and one that (I imagine) really starts painting a picture of who she will be when we catch up with her in “The Acolyte.” I also can’t help but wonder (and hope) that we will see Vernestra in the final adult novels of Phase Three. It kinda tracks with her progression from the middle grade novels of Phase One into the YA novels of Phase Three. So fingers crossed for that!

Obviously I’m a huge fan of Vernestra, I think she’s one of the standout characters in all of The High Republic! Here we find a character that is on something of a healing journey, away from the Jedi, away from the central conflict brought on by the Nihil. She’s grieving, but working through it by helping an alien species on a remote world.

But she’s pulled back into the fray by none other than Avon Starros, who has a lead on the possible location of Imri Cantaros, Vernestra’s Padawan. Vernestra has been living this whole time under the impression that Imri died when Starlight Beacon fell.

So Avon’s news changes everything.

One of my favorite things in DEFY THE STORM is the role that Deva Lompop plays! We saw her in MISSION TO DISASTER, but I also got to know her a lot more in the WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS and SANA STARROS comics. Her species (Shani) is known for a long lifespan, which means we get to see Deva’s story spread out over 100+ years! And she’s just a really cool bridge between the Nihil & the heroes of The High Republic. She’s tasked with looking after Avon Starros. So while Deva is technically Nihil, her dedication and allegiance to Avon is just…oof, really powerful stuff.

I loved this, which is no surprise at all. I wish I had a more cohesive review, but it just is what it is. DEFY THE STORM felt epic, in a lot of ways. There are some big ideas in this book, with particular regard to the Nihil, the Nameless, and the constant threat they pose to the Jedi and really, the whole galaxy. Phase Three is roaring along & I’m loving every last bit of it…so excited to see where the story goes & wondering how many different ways my heart can break!