We’re back with more High Republic hijinks as we’re reunited with everyone’s favorite young Knight/Padawan team: Vernestra and Imri! Out in digital and audiobook back in January and out in print finally today, Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland is one of the final books in this Phase of the High Republic.
While it seems as if the Jedi are doing well in their fight against the Nihil, the threat remains. Vernestra Rwoh is taking advantage of the relative lull in hostilities to continue her padawan Imri’s training. That doesn’t last for long though as Starlight Beacon ask them to help investigate a Nihil attack on a nearby settlement. Meanwhile, their friend Avon Starros has been kidnapped by the Nihil and her brilliant brain is about to both help her and potentially cause some further trouble even as she tries to get herself out of this extremely tricky situation.
It should be stated first and foremost that Mission to Disaster’s bizarre publication situation was clearly not the ideal situation nor was it what Star Wars wanted. That’s on the current state of the world. It’s incredibly unfortunate for the book itself as it might get swept under the rug when it comes to discussion amongst fans online as some have already read it digitally while others waited until now. The other downside of the partially shifted publication date is that the book feels like it doesn’t quite fit in the wake of The Fallen Star. Chronologically, it does take place before that book so perhaps if I had read it closer to its initial publication date, it would have felt a bit more like the Wave 3 book it is instead of more akin to Wave 2. But instead, we’ve now lived with the fall of Starlight Beacon for two months and it’s a little bit jarring. This isn’t the fault of Ireland and feels almost unfair to mention but it certainly did affect my reading of the book.
That aside! Vernestra remains one of my favorite characters to be introduced in this era of Star Wars. Her growth over the last few books has been somewhat subtle but it’s been wonderful watching her come into her own as both a surer and more confident Jedi Knight and master to her apprentice. She had a heavy burden placed on her shoulders by being knighted so young and she has worked so hard to learn how to make that weight lighter. I know she’s fictional and yet I am so incredibly proud of her. (Also? People should stop calling her Vern!)
Mission to Disaster also sees the return of Avon Starros which was a genuine delight. As mentioned in a previous High Republic review, one of my fears earlier on in the publishing program was proven to be proven to be for naught as many of the non-Jedi characters have reappeared outside of their debut novels. One of the hardest things about the High Republic’s plan to go back in time for Phase 2 is that it means we won’t get to see most of this batch of characters for (likely) a long time. Avon is one of those whose reactions to the fallout from the destruction of Starlight Beacon and the end of this book I am particularly eager to see.
Mission to Disaster is a must read book for fans of both Vernestra and the Starros clan. It’s also a must read for fans of the High Republic who want to continue to enjoy this era of Star Wars storytelling but without the staggering weight of galaxy shattering events. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Vernestra, Imri, and Avon.
Thank you to Disney Lucasfilm Press for providing a copy of the book for review purposes.
