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abigail_reads06's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use
flyingryndeer's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
akswhy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Come for the Stellan Gios content, stay for the NON-STOP action and the Stel and El banter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Grief
asexualandriod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Man, this book had me gripped by the balls and dragged through, beginning to end. There were twists where I expected them, and ones I never saw coming. I got the vindication of figuring things out as well as being taken by surprise. The character exploration and development were brilliant across many characters. The changing PoVs were executed exceptionally well, to excellent comedic effect at certain points. And of course, there was devastating heartbreak. Cavan Scott, I am coming for you over that last paragraph
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and War
phantasmaboo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott is the second book in the High Republic Series. The book follows several characters introduced in the first book as they navigate the opening of the Starlight Beacon while under threat from the Nihil.
I very much wanted to love this book, and there were some highlights:
Diversity
As in the first book, the cast of characters is diverse. Although the text doesn’t delve too deeply into these areas, it was nice to have Black Jedi and LGBTQ characters highlighted throughout the text. There is a brief exposure to a LGBTQIA+ relationship.
Compelling Arcs
We see characters introduced in the first book really dealing with their demons in this one. Topics such as anger, grief, loss, and trauma are handled well. The characters’ flaws are on full display and, for the most part, we see them working through them.
There were, however, some issues with this text that made me rate it 3.5 stars instead of 4 stars:
Too Many Characters
Nearly every character in this book (and there are many) is treated as a main character. At last count, there were over ten major characters that the reader has to keep track of. Most of them were not even introduced in this book. I felt like I needed a notebook to keep track of who was who and who was doing what at all times. Moments of significant character growth and progression were lessened by the constant interruption of secondary characters. It was very frustrating to read.
Too Many Plots
There are several plots at play in the book, and I think that it overall weakened the experience. The two main plots were fine, but were weighed down by the remaining secondary plots. This is ultimately tied to the number of characters. Several significant plot points were not resolved, as if the author just kicked them down the road for the author of the next book to take care of (which they will have to).
Overall, the book was worth the read, but it was significantly weaker than the first book (which also had a touch too many characters). My experience was neither good nor bad. I am still thinking about some of the major revelatory plot points. I just hope the third book is more streamlined than this one.
My recommendation: Read this as soon as you are done with the first book. That way, you’ll h fully remember everyone and maybe your experience will be more positive .
I very much wanted to love this book, and there were some highlights:
Diversity
As in the first book, the cast of characters is diverse. Although the text doesn’t delve too deeply into these areas, it was nice to have Black Jedi and LGBTQ characters highlighted throughout the text. There is a brief exposure to a LGBTQIA+ relationship.
Compelling Arcs
We see characters introduced in the first book really dealing with their demons in this one. Topics such as anger, grief, loss, and trauma are handled well. The characters’ flaws are on full display and, for the most part, we see them working through them.
There were, however, some issues with this text that made me rate it 3.5 stars instead of 4 stars:
Too Many Characters
Nearly every character in this book (and there are many) is treated as a main character. At last count, there were over ten major characters that the reader has to keep track of. Most of them were not even introduced in this book. I felt like I needed a notebook to keep track of who was who and who was doing what at all times. Moments of significant character growth and progression were lessened by the constant interruption of secondary characters. It was very frustrating to read.
Too Many Plots
There are several plots at play in the book, and I think that it overall weakened the experience. The two main plots were fine, but were weighed down by the remaining secondary plots. This is ultimately tied to the number of characters. Several significant plot points were not resolved, as if the author just kicked them down the road for the author of the next book to take care of (which they will have to).
Overall, the book was worth the read, but it was significantly weaker than the first book (which also had a touch too many characters). My experience was neither good nor bad. I am still thinking about some of the major revelatory plot points. I just hope the third book is more streamlined than this one.
My recommendation: Read this as soon as you are done with the first book. That way, you’ll h fully remember everyone and maybe your experience will be more positive .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
darthban's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
anu_wil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
WOWOWOWOW what an improvement! The interpersonal connections, the in-depth character development and Force exploration achieved during nearly non-stop action...damn this was a good Star Wars book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Blood
Minor: Grief
margaridams's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death
ehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It took me a second to get into this one, but it's still a fun ride through the High Republic era. Picking up about a year after the last main High Republic novel left off, we meet our heroes trying to set up for a big ol' intergalactic fair while also dealing with the threat of the lawless and violent Nihil. I usually struggle to get through the villain's chapters in Star Wars books that aren't already focused on them, and there's a lot of set up we go through with the villains in the first half. But all of my favorites (except for Avar, my beloved) and new really fun (and gay) characters show up along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death and Medical content
Minor: Child death
e_flah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Rising Storm was an excellent addition to The High Republic collection. It was fast-paced with lots of gripping action scenes that were anchored by compelling characters. I really loved being reunited with many of the characters I'd grew attached to in Light of the Jedi, like my die-hard fave Bell Zettifar. There were also some great new additions, such as the journalist Rhil and the Jedi archivist OrbaLin.
Because I am an utter Star Wars dork, the lore and insights into the Force continue to be some of my favorite things about The High Republic content. Scott explores these aspects in incredibly interesting ways that added to what was already a gripping story.
Last, I've got to say that this ending punched hard. Given the title, it was clear that The Rising Storm was going to have higher stakes than Light of the Jedi but just...wow. It's been two days since finishing this book and I am 100% not over it.
If, like me, you were on the fence about Light of the Jedi, I really recommend giving The Rising Storm a try. I can't wait to read the rest of the wave 2 releases and am so excited to see what wave 3 has in store.
Because I am an utter Star Wars dork, the lore and insights into the Force continue to be some of my favorite things about The High Republic content. Scott explores these aspects in incredibly interesting ways that added to what was already a gripping story.
Last, I've got to say that this ending punched hard. Given the title, it was clear that The Rising Storm was going to have higher stakes than Light of the Jedi but just...wow. It's been two days since finishing this book and I am 100% not over it.
If, like me, you were on the fence about Light of the Jedi, I really recommend giving The Rising Storm a try. I can't wait to read the rest of the wave 2 releases and am so excited to see what wave 3 has in store.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, and Violence
Minor: Torture