– Non-Spoiler and Spoiler Review –
The final novel release of The High Republic’s Phase I, Wave II, Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland is a riveting character-focused journey which might feel small scale but the ramifications of its events bursts open the era, begging for readers to see where it goes next. I’d go so far as to say Out of the Shadows nearly tied with Wave II’s adult novel, The Rising Storm, as my favorite of the era/Phase so far.
Set a few months after the events of The Rising Storm (released June 29), aka the attack on the Republic Fair, Out of the Shadows explores a smaller scale tale with big ramifications for the era, dealing with the fallout of TRS and the attack on Valo, while pushing the story forward and wrapping up some lingering threads from the opening wave. With the Jedi helping strike down Nihil bases alongside the Republic, Marchion Ro and his Nihil are on the run and backed in a corner, with Out of the Shadows looking at one of their projects to keep the Republic and the Jedi on their toes. Meanwhile, ships begin disappearing in an empty sector of space, and its deep history and its importance to two powerful families, the Graf’s and the San Tekka’s, hold the keys to what might be truly going on out amongst the stars and the Nihil’s mastery of hyperspace. A scientific inquiry and an effort to settle a property dispute of the mysterious sector of space brings a unique group of characters together: Xylan Graf, a scion of the powerful family who keeps his true intentions close to his colorful capes; Sylvestri Yarrow, a down-on-her-luck frontier hauler who’s the first person to survive the disappearances; and a cadre of Jedi we’ve met before sent to ensure the accuracy of the inquiry’s findings and hold back any Nihil in case they’re involved: the young Knight Vernestra Rwoh and her new Padawan Imri Cantaros, who we first met and saw their teaching relationship begin in Ireland’s Wave I novel, A Test of Courage; and Jedi Master Cohmac Vitus and his Padawan, Reath Silas, both from Claudia Gray’s YA novel from Wave I, Into the Dark. What secrets they uncover, be it within themselves, about the Nihil, and more rewards invested readers of the era but OotS can still be enjoyed by newcomers, as the fallout from something as simple as this property dispute has far ranging ripple effects on the era we’ll see explored in material ahead; between the final pages of The Rising Storm and all of OotS, there’s tons I’m eager for the era to react to and deal with in the coming years.
Ireland’s first entry, A Test of Courage, really delighted and offered some fantastic characters and complex issues to explore at a middle-grade level, and she makes the jump to young adult here with ease. In fact, I felt like she was truly able to spread her wings in this reader level, as she takes her deep character work already on display and adds more layers and nuance to it, immersing us into their lives and feelings in a way that resonates and attaches us to them quickly. I found myself an even bigger fan of Vernestra Rwoh by book’s end than I originally thought possible and it all stems from how Ireland handles the character dealing with the fallout from Valo and her journey here, be it personal revelations or her mentoring of Imri. The POV cast of characters aren’t simply reacting to plot points, but rather are actively involved and pushing through the events around them, as their personal goals, secrets, and whims control a lot of the events with OotS. The novel moves at a steady, sometimes brisk pace, where cryptic information early in the story becomes clear by the end and warrants a re-read so those sections click better, though there’s a bit of a slowdown around the mid-way point, as politics factor heavily into events and it’s a little hard to keep track of who is playing who, while there are several scenes of characters sitting around chatting about what they’re going to do next. The lapse is quickly forgotten when the story picks back up for a big, crescendo of a finale. Knowing Ireland is expanding her scope, writing the upcoming THR manga The Edge of Balance alongside Shima Shinya (out September 7) and also a comic one-shot in the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event featuring a THR-era character, I look forward to her exploring more reader levels and mediums, and I can’t wait to see her take over an adult novel, while I know a return to a middle-grade one would be just as compelling.
My disappointment realizing Avon Starros wouldn’t be in Out of the Shadows was very brief after meeting and thoroughly enjoying Sylvestri Yarrow, a truly down-on-her luck frontier hauler who tries her best to take advantage of (see: get credits and a new ship) the galaxy-changing events swirling around her. Recently losing her mom and left by her girlfriend, having to lose her ship as well to the Nihil and their mysterious new weapon is too much, so she makes a trek to Coruscant to bring attention to the growing situation in the Berenge sector. She soon finds herself wrapped up in a decades old fight between the Graf’s and the San Tekka’s, looking for the best way to get the credits and run, but a potential revelation about her past keeps her hooked to the unfolding machinations. Oh, and so too does running into her ex again, Jordanna Sparkburn, herself a member of the San Tekka family, which means Syl working for Xylan Graf causes some friction, beyond even their messy breakup in the past. That Jordanna has a deadly vollka (think like a giant cat) with electric powers and another cool ability only adds to her ex’s mystique, though a weapon she reveals later means Syl and her might have changed far more than either realized since their breakup. I enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship, and how it was secondary to the OotS‘ goals, but it still had its due and I’ll be curious to see how they interact and deal with their changes in the future. The young adult novels for THR so far have gone out of their way to include everyday people in the galaxy (the stellar Vessel crew from Into the Dark), caught up in these extraordinary events, and Syl is the perfect showcase of how well this works, because while it’s fun to follow the Jedi or Marchion Ro, the leader of the Nihil, without someone like Syl’s POV, the conflicts brewing would have no context and feel detached, whereas now we can put a name to who the choices of the Jedi and Nihil affect. But Syl’s choices have their own affect on the forces pulling strings across the galaxy, so this also shows how important it is for both sides not to lose sight of the denizens of the galaxy. Syl is just a fun, grumpy, determined character and watching her react to the growing realizations of her past and figuring out her feelings on her ex (who has changed in unique ways due to the hardships of her position as a marshal on a frontier planet) certainly drive OotS and held my interest throughout. Like Avon Starros, now I can’t wait for the next time we’ll get to spend more time with Syl and her best friend, Beti.
Shepherding Vernestra Rwoh and Imri Cantaros from A Test of Courage into Out of the Shadows allows Ireland to build on and expand her character work for the two characters, especially Vernestra, in exciting and spell-binding ways. Honestly, Vernestra was already a Top 5 Jedi character for the era for me, but by the end of the OotS, she’s rocketed up to Top Place thanks to the journey Ireland puts her through and the potential added to her story. Vern, not only dealing with survivor’s guilt for making it through the events on Valo, also is left debating the path of the Jedi going forward, as the conversation between much of the Jedi characters focuses on if joining the war effort is the right thing or listening to what the Force wants should continue to be first and foremost, even if it means lives might be lost. Vernestra’s eventual answer stems from the return of a unique ability, connected to her deeper bond with the Force: visions while in hyperspace, which her old Master Stellan Gios thinks could lead Vernestra to use the Force to navigate hyperspace (something we’re seeing in action already in some of the canon Thrawn books). But in Vern’s visions, she’s hearing the voice of a woman, and as she follows the messages, she uncovers one of the era’s big secrets and gains a surprising, interesting, and thrilling new purpose. While on that journey, despite being 17 and still a fresh Knight, she’s not only debating the future of the Jedi but she’s also training her Padawan, Imri. I felt like Ireland handled his emotional turmoil, and Vern’s ability to bring him back from the brink, very well in the middle-grade format, and how she builds on their connection and Imri’s growing empath abilities only gets better in OotS. It made sense that Reath Silas, the library-minded Jedi until his adventures on the Amaxine station, also helps out with Imri’s abilities, but I appreciated how it all came down to Vernestra with how they handle things going forward. What she all balances in OotS really highlights how capable and advanced a Jedi Vernestra is, regardless of her age, and it’s clear from the lightwhip design, the Force visions, to the quest she’ll eventually go on, she’s unique and important to the Force and the future of The High Republic story. She’s currently tied with Keeve Trennis from Marvel’s The High Republic comic as my favorite Jedi of the era.
While the eccentric crew of the Vessel stole a lot of Into the Dark, Reath Silas and his book-leaning ways was still a highlight of the novel for me and having him show up here and see how he’s adjusting to his new normal was a delight I didn’t know I needed so much. After becoming Master Cohmac Vitus’ apprentice, who also had an interesting crisis of faith during the events of the previous book, Reath finds himself on more adventures, understanding their benefit by seeing how they can help so many, something his time in the library couldn’t quite do anymore. Reath’s growth in the intervening year basically causes him an out of body experience, who is this Jedi who is ready for adventure and eager to stay out in the frontier, whereas a year earlier he pouted about being sent out? The discussion he has with himself, other Jedi—like Vernestra, where a hint of attraction lies—and more dive straight into the Reath content I wanted, with Ireland deftly handling him after Claudia Gray’s opening work. Reath and Vernestra have a past, having been in the same classes as younglings, and their friendship and Reath’s consideration of her progress compared to his are interesting angles Ireland explores for the character, while his potential feelings for her offer more opportunities to explore the unique place these Jedi are in during this era. Cohmac isn’t a POV character like Reath, and he’s not featured much, but he’s deep in the discussions unfolding regarding the Jedi’s role the fight against the Nihil and their working relationship with the Republic, something Reath has his own feelings on, and these debates are intriguing considering what he know of the Jedi and Republic by the prequel era.
Out of the several books and comics released so far, Nihil POV has been limited, and even when we do get it, it doesn’t always go as in-depth as it could. Out of the Shadows brings back Nan from Into the Dark, the younger Nihil woman who tricked Reath, and through her we see the growing perilous situation and double-dealings within the Nihil marauders. She’s a rather fascinating character, as written by Ireland, as she doesn’t need to pretend anymore and she can be her true self, a conniving and smart spy and big Marchion Ro fan. She’s a really fun POV, as it’s a stark contrast to all the Jedi characters and their viewpoints, be it her determined, deadly mindset to her quick-thinking, I found myself looking forward to her sections despite her alliances. Her sections also focus on and peel back a small layer on some of the regular Nihil and how they feel about Ro’s machinations and their fight against the Jedi/Republic, something I’ve been craving but we’ve yet to truly get (though the upcoming audiobook could change that). When she and Reath meet again, it’s maybe too brief, but the potential for them to run into another again, as they both change and grow with the choices in OotS brings lots of potential for future storylines, especially with how Reath makes up his mind regarding what he’ll do when they meet again. As she navigates a plan by Tempest Runner Lourna Dee (whose audiobook takes place after this novel), we get to see and learn more about one of the surprises from Light of the Jedi: Mari San Tekka, the ancient member of the family that Ro has hidden away on his ship, providing the Nihil with their deadly Paths. How Nan navigates the ever-evolving situation she’s stuck in and where she might go next, which brings us the first mention of a certain character seen in the films (!), is a compelling journey and thankfully it looks like this won’t be the last we’ll hear from her.
FOR LIGHT AND LIFE
DON’T CLICK IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS
Here are a few other things:
- There’s another long-lived character I geeked out quite a bit when hearing their name mentioned in this era (see the spoiler section if you dare), but the one name I had to drop the book immediately upon seeing (and yes, tweet vaguely about): Yaddle!! The sole female member of the same species as Yoda and Grogu (and only the third canon member), she’s barely been mentioned or used in canon yet, but she at least had some highlights in Legends. I hope this marks a change with a usage of the character, as her brevity in OotS shows there’s plenty to explore with her.
- This introduction to the Graf and San Tekka family feud was a compelling way to expand the era and knowing where their families end up raises questions I’d love to see answered: the Graf’s funding the building of Starlight Beacon, but by the time of the Rebellion against the Empire, they are simply cartographers without any money, while the only San Tekka we know about in the film eras is Lor, a reclusive member of a Force-focused religion who collects trinkets of the Jedi and Sith from across the galaxy, hardly hyperspace pioneers with influence all over the Republic. They join the Starros clan as a tale of riches to rags to follow through this era, as we met Avon in A Test of Courage and are introduced to her mother Senator Ghirra Starros in OotS, though we know Sana Starros in the time of the Original Trilogy lives a hard-scrabbled life as a smuggler.
- I also liked how Ireland continues to build up and focus on the Dalnan sector, as if it’s like her corner of the era to explore.
- The running thread about Vernestra’s piloting skills brought some good laughs, while a certain quartermaster Jedi character made for a memorable appearance, literally and figuratively.
- I loved the connection to the events of Into the Dark, regarding Affie and the Byne Guild, in regards to how Syl finds herself on hard times; it’s nice that it’s not just the Drengir stuff from there that gets continued forward into the story!
- The first details for the final wave of Phase I: Light of the Jedi were released at a SDCC panel, with the next batch of titles release in January 2022. Expect even more news about the next wave with a The High Republic Show the day after this book releases!
The High Republic – Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland throws some recognizable characters together, introduces fresh and enduring new ones, and weaves relatable emotions through their refreshing character-focused journeys, all the while expanding the scope of the era and offering plenty of hints for what will come next.
+ Vernestra Rwoh’s path through this novel
+ Sylvestri Yarrow and the everyday person’s POV
+ Returning characters from Reath to Nan handled well
+ Tons of potential with where the story can go next!
– Gets bogged down a bit in the middle
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher at no charge in order to provide a review. However, this did not affect the overall review content. All opinions are my own.