Published: January 5, 2021 (US); February 18, 2021 (UK)
Author: Justina Ireland
Cover Artist: Petur Antonsson
Publisher: Disney-Lucasfilm Press
Formats: Hardback (240 pages), ebook (240 pages), Audiobook (274 minutes)
Timeline: 232 BBY
The synopsis;
Long before the Clone Wars, the Empire, or the First Order, the Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in a golden age known as the High Republic!
Vernestra Rwoh is a new Jedi Knight at age sixteen, but her first real assignment feels an awful lot like babysitting. She’s been charged with supervising twelve-year old aspiring inventor Avon Starros on a cruiser headed to the dedication of a wondrous new space station called Starlight Beacon.
But soon into their journey, bombs go off aboard the cruiser. While the adult Jedi try to save the ship, Vernestra, Avon, Avon’s droid J-6, a Jedi Padawan, and an ambassador’s son make it to an escape shuttle, but communications are out and supplies are low. They decide to land on a nearby moon, which offers shelter but not much more. And unbeknownst to them, danger lurks in the forest…
The review;
Lightsabers blazing against streaks of purple lightning, Jedi Knight Vernestra Kwoh and her group of young charges stand ready on the cover for A Test of Courage. Unusually, at least for a Star Wars book, the cover features multiple characters and lots of details, all in bright colour. The slightly cartoonish style is unusual too, but works really well, and Antonsson’s artwork is sure to engage children, with the several illustrations inside also being absolutely amazing.
As part of the High Republic publishing programme A Test of Courage is the only mid-grade novel yet released and it’s a brilliant, quick read that isn’t one to skip just because it’s aimed at kids.
On the way to Starlight Beacon disaster strikes the ship that Jedi Knight, Vernestra Rwoh, has been assigned to on her first real mission. She has to escape the ship with fellow Padawan Imri, along with her troublesome charge Avon Starros and ambassador’s son Honesty Weft. Stranded in space with only the Force as her guide, she has to take the lead while looking out for everyone else. Things seem hopeless until they manage to land on a seemingly lush jungle moon, but they soon realise that the planet is toxic, and they might not be alone…
Where Ireland’s previous novel Spark of the Resistance was an action-adventure, this book is much more character driven. The dialogue is very natural, helping to move the story along, whilst also revealing more about each character. From Vernestra formulating plans as she takes charge, to Avon babbling away about mathematics and science. Ireland has given every character their own unique voice and it makes them very engaging to read about. That’s not to say that this is a slow book, as there are some great action sequences, but its main focus is the kids.
“Kids” is doing them an injustice really. Ireland proves that kids can handle themselves and are tougher than they look. At only sixteen, Vernestra is a natural leader, while twelve-year-old Honesty already has the makings of a cool-headed diplomat. Although they might be young, age is not a barrier to what they want to accomplish, which will definitely inspire young readers.
In the time of the High Republic the Jedi are a bit different to what fans know and Ireland suggests this quite a bit throughout the novel. Vernestra is only the second Jedi in the modern canon (sorry Revan) to have a purple lightsaber, and she’s modified it into a lightwhip, which is great to see taken from the Legends timeline. There’s reference to both the living Force and cosmic Force, which has been mentioned before but it is quite important for Imri. He’s an empath, a Jedi who has particularly heightened senses for emotions through the Force, which is fascinating. Having specialised paths and abilities is something new for the Jedi and it will be exciting to see it developed even further in the other novels.
One thing that really stands out about A Test of Courage is that Ireland doesn’t hold back emotionally with the story. Even though it’s aimed at kids, and so is about a group of them, what they have to go through is tough. Both Imri and Honesty must face the realities of losing someone they care about and having to work through their grief, whilst also trying to survive on the hostile moon. Avon realises not every problem can be solved through science and sometimes her Starros wit is a bit too blunt. While Vernestra learns to believe in others as much as she trusts in herself. Every character grows during the story and Ireland writes each one masterfully. She’s created an amazing group of characters that both children, and adults, will relate to.
It’s really great to see that there’s a High Republic novel for almost every age range, and because it’s Star Wars there is nothing stopping a reader of any age reading any one of them. A Test of Courage is a fantastic, yet emotional story for kids, that’s exciting but also inspiring. For those wanting the complete picture of the High Republic, then this is also a must-read because these characters are undoubtedly going to appear in other stories – especially the genius that’s eventually going to get Avon Starros into trouble.
Availability;
Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland is published by Disney-Lucaslfilm Press. It was released on January 5, 2021 in the US and February 18, 2021 in the UK. It is available in hardback, audiobook and ebook formats from all good bookstores and through online retailers including Amazon in the UK and US.
