The Starbird Files

  The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott (Del Rey) After a fantastic start to the High Republic with the first wave of books, the wait for the second releases has been excruciating, so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the second adult novel of the era, even if it was written by Cavan Scott who has been torturing us in the Marvel High Republic comic series. And I am pleased to say that he doesn’t disappoint in quality or emotional torment. The story picks up several months after the events of Light of the Jedi with preparations for the Republic Fair, one of Chancellor Soh’s Great Works, in full swing. The opening half of the book takes it’s time showing us the preparations for the Galactic Fair on Valo which I liked but I wasn’t really gripped until we catch up with Loden being tortured onboard the Gaze Electric. The tension builds with a real sense of impending doom until the Fair is attacked by the Nihil, and from then on the pace is frantic, the story gripping, and it never slows down....

  Writer: Daniel José Older Art: H. Tolibao, P. Rodrix, M. Bracchi, R. Nalty, JM Wood Issue 4 left us on a cliffhanger, with the padawans following Zeen to Quantxi as she tries to meet Krix, who shoots down the Vector she is flying, thinking it is a Jedi. The two have a confrontation and Zeen in anger chokes him, but Lula arrives to stop her and Krix escapes with Marchion Ro. The masters also arrive on Quantxi and stumble upon Elder Tromak who has escaped, he speaks with Yoda, and tells him the Nihil are seeking a ancient artifact only he knows the location of, and asks for Yoda’s help but only if he goes alone. Marchion searching for a mysterious artifact links heavily to The Rising Storm novel, and if like me you have finished that book you’ll know just what that link is, yet another example of the way these stories intertwine to such great effect. Mirroring the two youngsters contrasting experiences is something Daniel José Older has used to great effect throughout this run ...

  Writer: Cavan Scott               Art: G. Jeanty, K. Story, A. Leoni, J. Caramagna I’m starting to feel like a broken record but once again I have to gush over Phil Noto’s cover art for the sixth issue in the Marvel High Republic run, Avar Kriss riding a Rancor into battle feels iconic already, and together with the Bad Batch, Rancor fans have been fed well lately! The story of this issue takes place after a period of time has elapsed and across two fronts. The first aboard Starlight Beacon, where Sskeer is being treated for his Drengir infestation, kept in a stasis field which prevents the parasitic plants from spreading while Keeve refuses to leave his side. The second location see’s Avar still working with the Hutts fighting the Drengir on the planet of Daivak, the monsters have spread and infested hundreds of worlds during the time jump. When Avar commands all Jedi on Starlight to come to their aid, Keeve decides to take decisive action and ...