Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, Vol. 3: For Light And Life!

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures (2021) (Collected Editions)

by Daniel José Older, Toni Bruno (Illustrator), Harvey Tolibao (Illustrator)

The trials of young Jedi Padawan Lula and her friends continue as they face the Nihil once more! From the Jedi Temple on Takodana to the streets of Corellia and beyond, their battles with these fearsome pirates will test them in ways they never could’ve imagined.

As Lula struggles with her new responsibility, Zeen is shocked at how quickly her old friend Krix has descended into evil. Facing challenges both emotional and physical, the Padawans near their final test to prove themselves ready to become Jedi Knights. Whatever the future has in store for them, they are guided through it all by wise words of the Jedi: For Light and Life.

Collects Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures issues #9-13

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Space Opera, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2022

About the author

Daniel José Older is the New York Times bestselling author of the Young Adult series the Shadowshaper Cypher (Scholastic), the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series (Penguin), and the upcoming Middle Grade sci-fi adventure Flood City (Scholastic). He won the International Latino Book Award and has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize, the Mythopoeic Award, the Locus Award, the Andre Norton Award, and yes, the World Fantasy Award. Shadowshaper was named one of Esquire’s 80 Books Every Person Should Read. You can find his thoughts on writing, read dispatches from his decade-long career as an NYC paramedic and hear his music at http://danieljoseolder.net/, on youtube and @djolder on twitter.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection that ties in with all the novels and various other materials of this series. This is the final collection on this phase and not a starting point. The adventures run has several stories with different characters. Even though there are several stories they all tie in with each other. In this one, Lula is having doubts about her ability to be a Jedi. We also follow along a story for Qort.

This collection and series is meant for the younger children even though it coincides with the darker developments that are happening in the novels. Basically this is lighter reading material. There were things that I liked and things I did not like. Obviously I am not the target audience of these collections and I can feel that during my reading of it. The main plot has a nice message and I can stand behind what they are trying to accomplish. The problem is that the main character of this plot, Lula, does nothing for me. I have been saying this for awhile now and I just do not connect with her. The B plot I actually enjoyed quite a bit. This collection made me really connect with Qort and I cannot wait to see more of his adventures. The artwork is the same and not my favorite. But it fits the target audience it is intended for.

I haven't been the biggest fan of the overall series of The High Republic. The novels, comics, and audiobooks just has not captured me. That being said I do think this little subset of the overall series is actually one of the better offerings. I liked the whole run. It never blew me away but never disinterested me either. That is how I feel about this collection.

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this book. I love the continuity between the novels and the comics (even comics across companies).

This book spotlights Qort guest stsring Maz Kanata. The middle story is a bit of fun. The final story concentrates on Luna and Zeen. Also I like Luna takes time to make her decision on the Jedi order.

An enjoyable book for anyone following the High Republic and a chance to catch up or get to know characters from the comics. The book finishes with a cover gallery.

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es el volumen final de The High Republic Adventures de la Fase 1.
Después de meses se reencuentran Lula y Zeen con Qort y Farzala. Se presentan a sus nuevos conocidos: Ram Jomaram y Ishnar Ti-Kharatal. Krix Kamarat desde el volumen 1 ha ido con los Nihil al sentirse traicionado por su amiga Zeen. Por ello, ahora Marchion Ro le encomienda ir al templo jedi de Takodana donde está un solo jedi (Zav Malagan) y Maz Kanata a destruirlo.
Lula se reencuentra con su maestro Kantam y también con el maestro Buck. Kantam fue discípulo de Yoda y refiere que sigue perdido. Todos tienen un momento de diversión en la carrera Jedi incluso aparecen Maru, Stellan y Emerick.
El volumen trata sobre el enfrentamiento en Takodana y la posterior caza de Krix quien tiene enemigos entre los propios Nihil. Al final los sentimientos de Lula y Zeen afloran.
El epílogo habla sobre la intervención del equipo en la caída del Starlight. Me gustó este número por las diversas aventuras que tiene y además se vuelve mucho más comprensible.

[Holly (The GrimDragon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There has been so much fighting in the past year. So much death."


LULA & ZEEN HAVE MY HEART!!! Sweet Cinnamon Roll Farzala! Maz!!! Ahhh! Favorite volume by far!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the sapphics as well as the adorable friendships and the way Lula was allowed to question her place in the Jedi and even if she wants to be there. I just wish this comic could've been a literal identity/coming out story for Zeen rather than just a metaphorical one.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

231 BBY.
The conclusion of the first phase of The High Republic Adventures, this book sees Lula, Farzala and Qort on the cusp of Jedi Knighthood. However, they each face unique challenges, with Lula's growing attachment to Zeen being the most problematic. Amid their coming-of-age, the young Jedi confront the Nihil on Takodana and finally hunt down their long-time antagonist Krix.

There were two parts of this book I particularly enjoyed, with the first being the exploration of the previously enigmatic Qort. Here we learn his history and connection to the pirate queen Maz Kanata, as well as getting some more details about his people and culture.
I was particularly pleased to have the mystery of why his mask resembles that of Darth Krayt from the ('Legends') Legacy comics revealed. It's a nice and, honestly, surprising callback to the Expanded Universe canon that I found disproportionately satisfying.

The other element here I particularly enjoyed was how the book explores the feelings between Lula and Zeen. Quite aside from the fact that it's a nice bit of LGBTQ+ representation, it's really nicely handled, with each of them unsure of the other's feelings and troubled by what those feelings mean for the future. Despite their reservations, however, there's something really wholesome about their love, when Jedi being in love is usually handled as being a terrible thing that leads to expulsion or the dark side (at least it is in the new canon, the EU had some great Jedi romances - Luke and Mara, for example).
I'm not sure when Star Wars adopted the ethos that 'falling in love will ruin everything', but I can't say it's a viewpoint I particularly appreciate (and before you say anything; being in love didn't send Anakin to the dark side, him being a tool did).

Beyond Qort and the Lula/Zeen romance, the rest of the book is just fine. There's nothing groundbreaking on offer but also nothing so awful that it should put you off reading altogether.

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *

[Melody Soundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. The High Republic warms my heart everytime I read a different novel or in this case novel. I absolutely love this era. This comic was a gift from my sibling but before that I had never read any High Republic Adventures before but this honestly has made me want to read more novels.

My only problem is that the wrap up felt very incomplete and I also felt like we didn't get to see enough of other characters but I still feel like Older did a brilliant job.

I loved the art it was beautiful and very breathtaking. I also loved how every detail was considered and that everything visually was purposely made to stand out but also not too visually overwhelming with bright colours.

Also the characters, I'm so glad that Maz my love appeared. Lula and Zeen are such an amazing couple and both their arcs had me emotional. I'm glad Lula unlike Anakin is less impulsive and aware she can't devote herself to the order if she chooses Zeen. I also enjoy Kantam and Qort getting to train a youngling the same species as him.

Highly recommend the High Republic. I'm definitely going to do my best to check out more High Republic comic books.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been two years since I've read to series, so I didn't really remember the whole plot I remember the ongoing war between fractions but it seemed to have disappeared here. Instead focusing on Maz Kanata helping to bring a young stow away to the Jedi. Then subsequently giving that character a big moment, it nice but it would brought down by weird dialogue in fact most of this volume has this problem, you read it and it's completely nonsensical.

Then the second half of this brings our protagonist of the last two volumes back for a rather nice send off, Lula is easily the best character in this series, it's just a shame they had such a clunky story be it more streamlined this could have been one of the best Star Wars comics. The send off whilst emotional doesn't write her out forever so hopefully they can develop her a bit more.

Overall the series has been vastly superior to the Disney/Marvel comics version of the High Republic which was just terrible from the get go.

[S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very low-stakes instalment to the High Republic. I do love seeing all the different Jedi during this phase of the galaxy, but I felt like not enough focus was really put on Zeen's plotline, which is what I thought these comics were mainly aiming at. I didn't really enjoy the first story and the race one felt a little silly. I realise this is supposed to be YA, though, so its a good chance I just don't fit the target audience.

It was very obvious to me from the start that something was going on with Zeen and Lula. I am interested in seeing what happens with their relationship, but considering how other YA romances have worked out in this phase I'm a little on the fence about it. Hopefully it will be fleshed out and treated well!

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10:
There’s a lot going on in this collection, and that’s to the detriment of the entire thing. I love the moments with Qort, but honestly, I still don’t really care about most of these characters.

And my goodness; the art has been abysmal yet again and Daniel José Older’s writing still doesn’t translate well to comics (especially when other works characterize characters in a certain way and this run removes all of that).

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than the previous instalments, I think because I was reading Midnight Horizon at the same time and it was really neat to see some of the scenes from the perspective of both the comic and the book. The stories here are also really neat, and I did enjoy Krix getting his comeuppance quite a lot…

[Xiankowaty01 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niby jest to zakończenie serii, a jednak furtka jest otwarta (bo wydarzenia zateasowane w komiksie są kontynuwane w książce Midnight Horizont), co daje trochę nieskam. Ale sam komiks spoko. Mamy podbudowę postaci z tej serii, z mangi, a nawet z trylogii sequeli. No i bardzo i się podoba ta kreska, inna niż w pierwszym tomie.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest arc in this series, in my opinion, though the characters have developed well. The Star Wars adventures line is typically very mediocre, but this story is the strongest of the bunch. The ongoing format really helps it out, and so we get to develop of lot of great new characters in Lula, Qort, Torban, Zeen, etc. I'm not a huge fan of the art sadly, as it feels super busy.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10.
+ This is largely a retelling of Lula and Zeen's scenes in Midnight Horizon as they hunt Kris, which was kind of nice to see in pictures.
- However, there's a lot of fluff aimed at children. I give it a minus point because I still believe it's possible to write good children's stories that still appeal to adults.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

SAV!! And Maz! And now I understand why they chose Sav for THR adventures Phase 2 comics, they introduced her story perfectly! Hopefully we’ll find out what happened to Zeen, Krix, and Lula with the Phase 3 THR Adventures comics

[devyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

gay people make me want to kill myself

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

9-10, Back Together and Away Again, ☆☆☆☆
Galactic Bake-Off Spectacular, ☆☆☆
11, The Great Jedi Rumble Race, ☆☆☆☆
12, Let Go, ☆☆☆☆☆
13, For Light and Life, ☆☆☆☆☆

[Books_gang_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roztomilý. Hřejivý. Pěkná queer reprezentace v dětském komiksu

[Mike Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first phase of the High Republic has been so much fun. I really love what Daniel José Older has done with these comics. Great stories and great artwork!

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very surprised by this one. The two previous TPBs were subpar and hard to force myself through. But third time lucky, I guess? An excellent collection.

[Elijah Prusa · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5

I love these characters so much 🥹

[Tyson]

need to make a playlist for them so immediately

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still that feeling of cobbled together arcs but it ends on a high note.

[R. Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

DANIEL JOSE OLDER. HOW COULD YOU END IT LIKE THAT. IS ZEEN SAFE? IS SHE ALRIGHT?

[RachelUndercover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lula and Zeen sm!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't adored the artwork or this storyline, I have to say. I did like Qort's story.

[Roman Colombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two volumes were a lot stronger. It felt like it rushed to the end.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

So when they find out the title is being cancelled, the author goes full lesbian space witch.

One should never go full lesbian space witch.

[as' · Rating 4 out of 5]

lula and zeen😭😭😭😭