Star Wars: Trials of the Jedi (The High Republic): Star Wars: The High Republic, Book 6 by Charles SouleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This closes the chapter on the High Republic. The book is stronger than many in the series; though probably longer than it needed to be. It closes out the story lines well, and I did find the last third of the book to be far more engaging than the rest.
The High Republic books were, at best, uneven. Never bad, but also not ones I was ever enthralled with. This was an intricate multi generational story with many different points of view told a new, and in some ways refreshing Star Wars story. This wasn't a rehashing or retelling of the Skywalker Saga. The dynamics of the Jedi, the Republic, and the Nihil were very different. It provides some interesting perspectives and questions about the Jedi order and Republic as we get closer to the Skywalker Saga era. Besides uneven writing, my main issues were: (1) they should have gone back farther in time; (2) the Nihil were either too much of a stereotypical brainless pirate or where criminal geniuses of epic proportions; and (3) the new Jedi characters were general too bland or generic.
I think they should have gone back farther to give much more breathing space for the story. I never mind having Yoda around, but I think it would have been far more interesting if Yoda was young. The technology is for the most part familiar and the same.
The Nihil were just never that believable as a great enemy. As brainless, nihilistic pirates just out for mayhem they can be scary, but not much of a match for the Jedi. On the other hand, Ro as a villain is too powerful. His foresight and power is just too much for a non-force-wielder. However, his motivations for the level of nihilism and evil are better explained here.
While there were a few Jedi I connected with, Burryaga and Bell stood out for me and Porter Engle and Elzar Mann were interesting, most of the rest were too generic as saintly warrior monks. I just never found myself that engaged with their stories.
I think there was tremendous potential with the High Republic; but it never quite got there. I enjoyed it but it could have been much better.
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