Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage (Star Wars: The High Republic (Middle Grade))
Long before the Clone Wars, the Empire, or the First Order, the Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in a golden age known as the High Republic!
Vernestra Rwoh is a new Jedi Knight at age sixteen, but her first real assignment feels an awful lot like babysitting. She's been charged with supervising twelve-year old aspiring inventor Avon Starros on a cruiser headed to the dedication of a wondrous new space station called Starlight Beacon.
But soon into their journey, bombs go off aboard the cruiser. While the adult Jedi try to save the ship, Vernestra, Avon, Avon's droid J-6, a Jedi Padawan, and an ambassador's son make it to an escape shuttle, but communications are out and supplies are low. They decide to land on a nearby moon, which offers shelter but not much more. And unbeknownst to them, danger lurks in the forest....
"Rich internal third-person dialogue reveals dollops of inner turmoil for each character at key moments as well as providing some much-needed world-building to make this a winning choice. A great read for Star Wars fans young and old." -- Kirkus Reviews
"The comfort food that a Star Wars adventure ought to provide." -- SlashFilm
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If you prefer video reviews, I do have a YouTube channel, THE NERDY NARRATIVE, where my husband and I filmed a non-spoiler review of this book that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/bPfQy0w2XAQ
Vernestra, a young Jedi Knight on her first assignment that appeared to be an easy job of glorified babysitting - 12 year old Avon Starros quickly proves to be smarter than the average bear and more slippery than a greased pig. The two are on a cruiser to attend the dedication of the space station we heard about in the previous books, the Starlight Beacon. That plan quickly veers off course when the cruiser is bombed - Vernestra manages to get Avon, her android J-6, a young Jedi Padawan, Emory and an ambassador's son, Honesty safely aboard an escape ship. The group mourns the presumed death of the rest of the party left aboard the cruiser and lands on a nearby moon to attempt to find supplies and help and instead find something that could be the end of them.
I loved the characters in our small group that the story focuses on in this book! I loved the friendships and bonds formed, but J-6 was the superstar standout character for me. I'm not surprised - the droids always seem to be my favorites in the Star Wars movies, so it stands to reason this one would find its way into my heart.
I really enjoyed that the author showcased some of the struggles young Padawans face when learning the ways of the Force and walking on the Light side. Ireland also delighted me with Vernestra's light saber...which is a touch unorthodox, but really cool.
Ireland did a great job tying this narrative in with the previous books and what information I got about the Starlight Beacon leads me to believe I know where the next book in the series will go. I could be completely wrong, lol! Justina Ireland checked all the boxes for me when it comes to a Star Wars book and what I look for, I'm really grateful after the previous book that I felt was lacking on all fronts.
I look forward to seeing where the next book will lead us!
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