Last week I read Defy the Storm as I continue to catch up on The High Republic Phase III, and I really loved it! It brought together some of my favorite characters from Phase I for a thrilling adventure, while also exploring the state of the galaxy at this point in time and how everybody is struggling under the Nihil's reign of terror.
Spoilers ahead for Defy the Storm by Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton!
Vernestra Rwoh was my immediate favorite character in the High Republic books, and she still is today. I was really excited to be able to catch up with her here, though she's undoubtedly in a rough spot. Vernestra is reeling from the loss of life in Starlight Beacon, including her master, Stellan Gios, and her padawan, Imri Cantaros. She's taken to isolating herself from the Order for a bit, fitting into a local community. But when she's recruited by Avon for a mission across the Stormwall and finds out that her padawan is alive, she jumps at the chance. I loved reading Vernestra's meditations on grief and healing, as well as her role of a Jedi in a galaxy that has changed so drastically from the one she grew up in. She continues to represent the best of the Order, even though she herself is a flawed (and interesting) character.
I loved when she found Imri, and when he said he needed to stay and help the people subject to Nihil rule fight back, that she was proud of him. She knighted him of her own accord and said her goodbyes, knowing her place is with the rest of the Order as they try to make this fight work.
One of my favorite moments of hers here was at the end of the book, when she learns the truth about Chancey Yarrow's death at the hands of Elzar Mann from The Fallen Star. She's no fan of Elzar's and is deeply disappointed in his actions, but does not report to the Council- she instead brings her evidence to Elzar, and tells him to tell the Council himself. They have a solemn talk about Stellan and his legacy, and in a book filled with fantastic Vernestra moments, this is very much my favorite.
Avon Starros is another character I love, though the young genius is much different from when we first met her. She's been trapped in Nihil space because of her mother's dealings with them, and she's been miserable and worried about her friends. She does have the companionship of her bodyguard, Deva Lompop, but besides that she's very lonely. She's able to convince her mother to allow her to go to a school on Coruscant, and uses the opportunity to round up resources (including Vernestra) on a rescue mission for Imri. At least, that's what she tells Vernestra to convince her. Avon, though, has been changed by her hardships under Nihil rule. Her real mission is one of revenge, killing a Nihil scientist responsible for the Stormwall and blowing up one of their stations. Before she can complete it though, Avon can't deal with the loss of life at her hands. She still plants a deep thorn in the Nihil's side, but escapes back to Coruscant to help the Republic with their fight using her knowledge. It was so fascinating to read through Avon's thought process during all of this, and I was so happy to see that there is still hope for the sweet girl we met in A Test of Courage.
While Vernestra and Avon are two of my favorites, there is plenty in this book for everyone. If you're a fan of Jordanna Sparkburn, her arc about where she fits in to the galaxy and balancing wanting a life for herself and her role as a protector is amazing. Xylan Graf is equally hilarious and compelling here, as well as his husband Cair San Tekka (and Xylan's dog, Plinka, is just the cutest and I really NEED a plushie). Not to mention this book is pretty crucial in understanding where the galaxy is with this conflict on both sides of the Stormwall. If you're following the story of the High Republic, you definitely don't want to miss Defy the Storm!
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