The High Republic: The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott – An In-Depth, Book Review on Jedi, Nihil Chaos, and Galactic Intrigue

Greetings, Star Wars enthusiasts and curious onlookers! If you’ve been keeping up with the High Republic series, you already know that Cavan Scott’s The Rising Storm is no walk in the park. It’s more like a chaotic sprint through a park that’s been set ablaze by Nihil raiders. But I’m getting ahead of myself. In this review, we’re going to dissect the good, the bad, and the space-weird in this thrilling second installment, all while keeping things light, neutral, and just a tad sarcastic. Oh, and if this piques your interest, you can grab a copy here.

Setting the Scene – Galactic Peace and Precarious Parties

In case you’re still catching up on The High Republic timeline (no judgment here), let’s paint a picture. We’re in an era set 200 years before the Skywalker saga, back when the Jedi were at their peak and didn’t have to worry about Sith Lords popping out from behind every asteroid. The galaxy is more or less thriving—or at least trying to convince itself it is. Enter The Rising Storm where, surprise, things aren’t as shiny as they seem.

The central event here? The Republic Fair—a massive showcase of unity, technology, and diplomacy designed to demonstrate just how together everyone is. Naturally, the Nihil see this as the perfect opportunity to remind everyone that they’re still very much a problem. Cue the chaos, dramatic battles, and a generous side of soul-searching.

The Characters – Old Friends, New Faces, and Bad Guys We Love to Hate

Stellan Gios – The Poster Boy of Jedihood

Stellan Gios enters The Rising Storm with a reputation that would make even Yoda give a small, approving nod. This guy is polished, confident, and basically the Jedi your mom wants you to marry. But being in charge of the Republic Fair is no picnic. Stellan’s journey from calm diplomat to stressed-out protector shows just how quickly the galaxy can go from “peaceful gathering” to “total dumpster fire.” Scott brilliantly fleshes out Stellan’s arc, exploring what it truly means to carry the weight of expectations, especially when you’re one missed lightsaber swing away from disaster.

Elzar Mann – Messy, Human, and Oh So Relatable

Ah, Elzar Mann, the Jedi who could star in a reality show titled When Force Users Go Rogue. He’s the kind of character you root for even while screaming at the pages when he makes yet another impulsive decision. This time around, Elzar is haunted by visions of catastrophe and a lingering sense of doom. He’s a man on edge, trying (and failing) to keep it together, and his internal struggles highlight the human side of Jedi life. Let’s be real: who among us hasn’t made a bad call and then awkwardly tried to Jedi-mind-trick ourselves out of the consequences?

Bell Zettifar – The Padawan’s Padawan

While Bell Zettifar might not have top billing in every scene, his growth and grief over losing his Master, Loden Greatstorm, add a hefty dose of emotional weight. The Rising Storm doesn’t shy away from Bell’s pain, his doubts about the Jedi Order, and his attempts to find purpose amidst chaos. If you’re looking for a character who encapsulates resilience (without being annoyingly perfect), Bell is your guy.

Marchion Ro – The Villain Who Knows How to Plan

Marchion Ro, the twisted leader of the Nihil, steals every scene he’s in. He’s not your average Star Wars baddie twirling his space mustache. No, Marchion is cunning, vengeful, and chillingly methodical. His brand of villainy isn’t about galaxy-wide domination (at least, not yet); it’s about making the Jedi and Republic suffer, one masterstroke at a time. Scott uses Marchion to full effect, crafting a villain you hate to love and love to hate.

Plot Deep Dive – When Fairs Go Very, Very Wrong

A Grand Showcase (With a Side of Tension)

The Republic Fair starts as a beacon of hope. Imagine a futuristic World’s Fair but with a lot more lightsabers. It’s a politically charged event, designed to show the galaxy just how capable and benevolent the Republic is. Naturally, this makes it a prime target for the Nihil. Scott uses the Fair as both a literal and metaphorical stage, showing how fragile peace can be in a galaxy teetering on the brink. There are speeches, grandiose displays, and a bit of “anything you can do, I can do better” from the various Republic factions.

Chaos Unleashed – Nihil Style

When the Nihil strike, they don’t hold back. Explosions, sabotage, terror—the works. This is no ordinary attack; it’s a message. Scott’s descriptions of the chaos are vivid, visceral, and just the right amount of horrifying. You can almost hear the blaster fire and feel the heat of the explosions. The Republic Fair goes from a symbol of unity to a symbol of its own naivety. The attack is relentless, pushing the Jedi to their limits and forcing them to confront just how woefully unprepared they might be for the threats of this era.

The Battle Within – Jedi vs. Themselves

What makes The Rising Storm more than just a book about fighting is how Scott dives into the emotional and mental toll of being a Jedi in such turbulent times. Elzar’s visions of destruction haunt him. Stellan’s doubts creep in as he grapples with leadership. Bell wrestles with grief. The Jedi are strong, but they’re also vulnerable, and it’s this vulnerability that makes their stories compelling. As readers, we’re given a front-row seat to their struggles—reminding us that even space wizards aren’t immune to self-doubt and pain.

Themes and Symbolism – Digging Deeper

The Cost of Peace

Cavan Scott asks an uncomfortable question: What does it truly cost to maintain peace? The Republic is throwing galactic fairs, but at what price? The Nihil’s attack lays bare the reality that peace often demands more sacrifice than anyone’s ready to admit. It’s a theme that feels especially poignant given the state of the galaxy, and one that resonates with our own world (minus the starships and Force powers… sadly).

Political Theater vs. Reality

Much of The Rising Storm’s tension comes from the divide between public perception and actual reality. The Republic Fair is a PR stunt as much as it is a genuine attempt at unity, and it’s this duality that exposes the Republic’s weaknesses. Scott’s exploration of propaganda and political theater adds a layer of realism that grounds the story, even amidst space battles and Force visions.

Hope and Despair – Two Sides of the Same Coin

Hope is a recurring theme in Star Wars, but here, Scott isn’t afraid to drag it through the mud. Sure, the Jedi hold onto hope—but for how long? The Rising Storm shows us that hope isn’t just about believing things will get better. It’s about fighting tooth and nail to make sure they do, even when the odds are stacked against you.

The Highs, Lows, and Everything In-Between

Highs – Pacing, Stakes, and Depth

The pacing of The Rising Storm is relentless, in the best possible way. Scott balances high-octane action scenes with quieter moments of introspection, ensuring that you’re never quite ready to put the book down. The stakes are real, and the characters feel genuinely at risk. The depth given to each major player makes every victory and loss that much more impactful.

Lows – Too Many Characters?

Okay, real talk: this book juggles a lot of characters. If you’re not keeping up, you might feel like you accidentally walked into a different Star Wars story halfway through. For some, the sheer volume of storylines may feel overwhelming. But hey, if you enjoy mentally charting character connections like a conspiracy theorist’s corkboard, you’ll be right at home.

Why The Rising Storm is a Must-Read (Spoiler: It’s Great)

If you’ve made it this far, you probably have a pretty good idea why The Rising Storm is worth your time. Cavan Scott delivers a Star Wars novel that’s more than just blaster fights and Jedi quips (though, there’s plenty of that too). It’s a thoughtful, gripping exploration of what it means to be a hero when everything seems lost. It’s about resilience, hope, and the sometimes crushing weight of responsibility.

So, if you’re ready for heartbreak, adrenaline, and maybe a little bit of yelling at fictional characters, grab your copy here. Trust me—you’ll need the emotional support after this one.

Final Thoughts – The High Republic is Here to Stay

With The Rising Storm, Cavan Scott has firmly planted The High Republic as a force to be reckoned with in Star Wars canon. It’s dark, thrilling, and a little too real at times, but that’s precisely why it works. Scott understands that a galaxy far, far away still needs to feel grounded. So, buckle up, because the storm is just getting started.

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