Reviews

The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott

newageairbender's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

ericadawson's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book proves to me that the strongest leg of the High Republic is the adult books. After facing the disappointments of the MG and YA installments for Phase I, I went into this one hoping that I'd enjoy it as much as I did Light of the Jedi -- and I did. 

The Rising Storm focuses on Elzar Mann, recently-elevated Jedi Master who is in charge of keeping a massive Republic fair safe. It's a political thing, a PR thing, a safety thing -- but he also gets repeatedly kicked in one way or another throughout this book. I loved all the characters in this book, and my appreciation for Lourna Dee has skyrocketed as I watched her plot and plan and be as brutal as necessary to get what she wants. 

I was so glad to see Bell again as he is by far one of my favorite High Republic characters. Next would be Loden and maybe Elzar. I also love Ty Yorrick and can't wait to read about her in the comic run she's a part of. Otherwise, Scott is really good at developing cliff hangers and building tension, especially in scenes of mass chaos. He wasn't afraid to have the Jedi get beaten down again and again and again. I loved the politics and the political machinations; I love that we can see how the Jedi become so entangled with the Republic through Stellan and Lina Soh. I've already added the next adult book to my TBR.

I haven't got much to say other than I love this book and I love the High Republic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Violence

heartbrekker's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark

4.5

philza's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

4.0

theroguerebels's review against another edition

5.0

Cavan Scott brings the ruckus with the follow-up to Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi! You can pick this one up and dive in and enjoy it if you want, but if you are keeping up on the other High Republic stories you’ll get a lot more out of it! This book picks up on many of the threads left in Light of the Jedi and pulls on things from The High Republic Adventures. I suppose that’s kind of a Star Wars rule in general. This book is not as grand in scope as Light of the Jedi. It is definitely more focused. Whereas Light of the Jedi gave a lot of context around the galaxy and different points of view, The Rising Storm focuses on its characters to pull us into the events.

Sometimes, a Star Wars book reader can feel like the stories are focused on smaller events that only add to the grander narrative being told somewhere else in a film or TV series. The High Republic feels like it’s able to take full advantage of the narrative and creative freedom to deliver epic storytelling. If you’re one of those readers who feels that way, this series might be what you are looking for. Galaxy-wide stories with an epic scope of events that feel far-reaching and grand.

And the events are like… legit.

And when you think things can’t get crazier… they do.

Remember when way back the whole Project Luminous thingie was inspired by somebody asking “What scares the Jedi?” Yeah, I think this book delivers on that idea and more. The story juggles each character with ease although now that we have multiple books and comics we might be a bit more familiar with each one. I’ve already talked about how wonderfully each piece of the high Republic puzzle fits together but the whole endeavor is shaping up beautifully.

This is a must-read for any High Republic reader and those interested in the Jedi facing a well-thought-out enemy. Enemies who can rise to the threat level that strikes fear in even a Jedi master!

tupoik's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

its a LOT of pov and details for the one major event. its feels intense and suspenseful and all that. i cried a couple times ngl

arcticwolfaaka's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

I loved this book so very much. I couldn’t put it down. You usually think of the middle books as the “fillers” but I’d almost count this one as the best high republic novel yet. 

patricia_pistachio's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

kristasorocks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

andrewr15's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious 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? N/A

3.75