Star Wars: The High Republic: Escape from Valo

by Daniel José Older, Alyssa Wong, Petur Antonsson (Illustrator), Petur Antonsson (Artist)

Overview

Centuries before the Clone Wars or the Empire, it is a dangerous time for the galaxy, and the Jedi of the High Republic must face their greatest trials yet. . . .

The villainous Nihil control an area of space known as the Occlusion Zone, where no one is safe, least of all Jedi. One of the Jedi stuck behind enemy lines is Padawan Ram Jomaram, doing his best to help the people of his home planet, Valo, survive Nihil occupation while keeping his Jedi identity hidden. When Ram discovers a trio of young Jedi living in the ruins of the city zoo, he finds himself in a position he never could have imagined: leader.

Ram and the others will have to band together to face their fears and protect the people of Valo as only the Jedi can!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368093804
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/30/2024
Series:	Star Wars High Republic Series
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	15,978
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 7.10(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Daniel José Older, a lead story architect for Star Wars: The High Republic, is the New York Times best-selling author of the young adult urban fantasy series Outlaw Saints, the sci-fi adventure Flood City, and the monthly comic series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures. His other books include the historical fantasy series Dactyl Hill Squad, The Book of Lost Saints, the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series, Star Wars: Last Shot, and the young adult series the Shadowshaper Cypher, including Shadowshaper, which was named one of the best fantasy books of all time by TIME magazine and one of Esquire’s 80 Books Every Person Should Read. He won the International Latino Book Award and has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, the Locus Award, and the Mythopoeic Award. You can find out more at www.danieljoseolder.net.

Alyssa Wong writes award-winning fiction, comics, and games. Their stories have won the Nebula, World Fantasy, and Locus Awards and were short-listed for the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and Shirley Jackson Awards. Alyssa also writes comics for Star Wars (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, War of the Bounty Hunters: Boushh #1), Marvel (Deadpool, Alligator Loki, Iron Fist, Extreme Carnage), and DC (Spirit World, Batman: Urban Legends). They have received multiple GLAAD and Eisner Award nominations. Previously, Alyssa worked at Blizzard Entertainment on Overwatch and Overwatch 2. They live in North Carolina.

Editorial Reviews

"This coming-of-age adventure thrusts into hyper speed from the opening scenes, fueled by high action, suspenseful conflict, and perilous stakes. . . . Color illustrations capture the cinematic drama at key moments in the story, and vivid descriptions bring the Force to life. The narration provides enough context for this installment of the High Republic series to stand alone. An immersive and compassionate adventure." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-01-19
Far from Republic aid, beyond the impassable Stormwall, four young Jedi and an aspiring space pirate band together to fight the tyrannical Nihil regime.

After the fall of Starlight Beacon, Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram followed his instincts back to his home planet, Valo, in hopes of gathering a resistance, but when he arrived, the conquering Nihil had already beaten Valo into submission. Under the guise of the Scarlet Skull, Ram persists alone, until three stranded younglings discover his hideout and insist on joining him. Fourteen-year-old Zyle Keem, descendant of a legendary pirate, burns for the chance to prove themself on a dangerous mission, but once again, their mother leaves them behind in boring safety. When Zyle overhears rumors about a treasure trove of medical supplies submerged on a sunken ship on Valo, they seize the opportunity for glory. This coming-of-age adventure thrusts into hyper speed from the opening scenes, fueled by high action, suspenseful conflict, and perilous stakes. Older and Wong develop a racially diverse and casually queer cast of complex characters, including the antagonists. As Ram, Zyle, and the younglings team up, they navigate attachments, duty, stirring romantic crushes, and desire for belonging. Color illustrations capture the cinematic drama at key moments in the story, and vivid descriptions bring the Force to life. The narration provides enough context for this installment of the High Republic series to stand alone.

An immersive and compassionate adventure. (timeline) (Fantasy. 8-13)

Kirkus Reviews