Star Wars: The Rising Storm (The High Republic)

By: Cavan Scott

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

New York Times Best Seller • The heroes of the High Republic era return to face a shattered peace and a fearsome foe, following the dramatic events of Light of the Jedi.

In the wake of the hyperspace disaster and the heroism of the Jedi, the Republic continues to grow, bringing more worlds together under a single unified banner. Under the leadership of Chancellor Lina Soh, the spirit of unity extends throughout the galaxy, with the Jedi and the newly established Starlight Beacon station at the vanguard.

In celebration, the chancellor plans the Republic Fair, a showcase of the possibilities and the peace of the expanding Republic - a peace 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 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 from which even the Force cannot shield them.

©2021 Cavan Scott (P)2021 Random House Audio

An absolutely great Star Wars story

I love the direction this series is going!!! I can't believe people hate this series. This series has great characters, great world-building, and puts Star Wars in a new direction that I hope they explore more of. Easily one of the best Star Wars books I've ever read and listened to!

almost perfect

great book! only small issue there are moments where the sound effects or music over powers the narrator and your can't stand great the story. nothing huge but something I noticed.

A big step up in Star Wars storytelling!

A great follow up, much better than Light of the Jedi. Cant wait to for tale to continue.

Incredible

The High Republic is some of the best Star Wars storytelling right now next to the Mandalorian. Light of the Jedi and The Rising Storm are hands down the best Star Wars books ever made. Incredible characters, all who get plenty of development. A ton of action and suspense. This book has a gut-wrenching ending, but still so good. If you’re a Star Wars fan you absolutely need to read these books. My only minor complaint is that the books need a chart at the back of the book with characters, species, and planets, so that way the reader doesn’t have to go to Wookipedia for a refresher when they forget characters. But beyond that these are the most entertaining books I’ve read in a long time and I’m anxiously awaiting book 3 in January!

fantastic

Another stellar entry in the High Republic storyline and its thrilling that Marc Thompson continues his work with this series. Can't wait for the next book!

great book

loved it wasnt a struggle like the first book. I got a bone to pick with you though You brought back my favorite character then killed him off This I hate you for that

Entertaining Cinematic Action Star Wars Tale

The action sequences are very well described and the FX Sounds and music really add depth to what is happening.

Thrilling Episode in this Epic Saga

The Rising Storm picks up not long after the events of ‘Light of the Jedi’, but for those that are reading all of the ‘High Republic series, it should be noted, that this also picks up just after the events of the books ‘A Test of Courage’ and ‘Into the Dark’, the Young Adult books in the series. If you want a more complete version of the events that take place in this Era, it is worth reading these books to.
At the start of this book, multiple things are taking place, we find Marchion Ro off on a side quest for an unknown item to aide the Nihil, something else that only his family have known about.
At the same time, at the Cyclor ship building facilities, the Innovator, one of Chancellor Soh’s new creations is being finished off to be presented at Republic Fair. The Republic Fair is a huge event to be held at the planet of Valo to highlight the addition of Valo as the latest member of the Galactic Republic, but also bring attention to the Outer Rim of the Galaxy. As we are introduced to the Cyclor shipyards however, a Nihil ship attacks, and in the process of defending the Innovator tragedy strikes young Padawan Bell Zettifar again after only just losing his Master Logan Greatstorm.
As the story progresses events unfold, showing us the beauty of Valo, and we are introduced to numerous new characters, as well as continue the stories of not only many from Light of the Jedi, but also several from A Test of Courage and Into the Dark, making this series a true Saga, and just flow so well through each of the books.
The other threat that has been creeping up are the Drengir, sentient mobile trees that are Force Sensitive and were first introduced in ‘Into the Dark’. Those on Starlight Beacon are having to deal with this threat, believing that the Nihil threat was dealt with previously.
However, (and without giving too much away), as the Fair is underway, and the people believe that they are safe and enjoying themselves, the Nihil descend from their ‘Storms’, bringing with them nothing but death, fear and rage.
As the Nihil unleash the full savagery of all 3 Tempest’s onto an unsuspecting Fair, those below are cut off from calling help, and so the Jedi there must rally and try their hardest to fight.
This is a fascinating story, as these are the Jedi of the High Republic, the Guardians of Peace and Justice, and they are not trained to fight, they do not want to kill or take lives, but the Nihil do not have the same issues, they hate the Jedi and want to see them dead, they are there to sow fear and terror. This element of the story is intriguing as we see the Jedi in a new light, something we have not seen before as we have become accustomed to those we have seen in the Clone Wars Era, taking on battle droids and being Generals of the Clone Army.
The two opposing forces are exceptionally well written, and the initial despair, confusion, as the Jedi just don’t know how to deal with combatants that even after losing limbs, still won’t surrender is very well done.
As with the previous books in this series, the character work is outstanding, there are some main characters that tell the story, including the introduction of a Force Sensitive mercenary who is hired by someone, and ends up on Valo, in the middle of the attack. Her interaction with the Jedi is another fascinating aspect to this story, and shows that not all Force Sensitive beings at the time end up becoming Jedi.
The other enthralling aspect to this book (and the other books in the Saga), is that characters from the other books appear in this story, such as Vernestra Rwoh from Test of Courage. This adds a continuity to the series that really gives the series an additional edge making it a true saga and just that much more engaging.
As with all the Star Wars books, the world building continues to be exceptional, but Rising Storm takes it one step further with the Republic Fair, the descriptive work of this breathtaking spectacle for the Galactic Republic is just remarkable. The different events, creatures, aliens, all leave you in complete awe.
The High Republic series continues to be a series that is a truly inspired, every Star Wars fan should read (or listen) to this series as it is an epic saga, but something that does not involve Jedi vs Sith or a Skywalker, the Jedi are faced with different challenges, and each of them are interesting unique individuals (Vernestra, the youngest ever Jedi Knight at 15, Elzar, who feels the Force differently and feels love as well, Padawan Reath who prefers books to adventure, and his Master Cohmac, who is also a revered Archivist, and even the unique Wayseeker Orla for just a few), there are so many characters within the Jedi, each with these fascinating and compelling stories, each told so well. Just as wonderful are the Republic and Nihil characters, there are dozens of stories of characters from all walks of life, leaders of the Nihil, from Tempest Runner, to the lowest Strike, as well as intriguing tales of Republic citizens, from cargo haulers, to Senators, to those trying to set up the Republic Fair – each just as wonderfully told as the next.
This is a Saga that is a must for any Star Wars Fan, and Rising Storm is a thrilling part of this tale and an absolute must read!! One of the best parts yet!
Marc Thompson is easily one of the best Narrators there is today. His ability to create different voices is just incredible, whether, male, female, or a range of different alien species that exist in the Star Wars universe, Thompson creates them with consummate ease. Thompson not only creates these voices, but does a remarkable job of bringing them to life with so much emotion and life, really making each of his characters so believable. His voices are so unique, you can easily tell who is talking, just by the voice, never needing to be told who is talking. His character work, combined with the amazing array of sound effects he uses to really bring the story to life, makes any story that Marc Thompson narrates just something special. Without a doubt, any Star Wars story narrated by Marc Thompson is one that absolutely should be listened to as they are just Epic Performances equal to the movies.

Surprisingly well done.

It was just like the first book, better than I thought it would be. I am becoming a fan of the High Republic.

Awesome addition to the story

Any Star Wars fan would be pleased. Thanks for the creativity to all who contribute to keep it interesting.