Books The High Republic: Midnight Horizon by Daniel José Older

Sold!

 

Cover reveal.
https://www.starwars.com/news/the-f...ealed-on-the-star-wars-the-high-republic-show

 

Reath? My goodness, you've grown.

 

I like those guys... glad they're getting some focus here.

 

Could this place they are on be Jedha, Malachor or Moraband as the background seems familiar

 

I simply can't wait til the next High republic books come out.

 

Surely they're going to run out of light imagery to use for titles.

Ironically my avatar comes from a cover design for a story I wrote yeeeears ago called 'Destiny Eclipse' so clearly I'm a bit partial myself.

 

No need to worry we are still flying half a ship, I mean station

Still I did not expect this to happen so soon. Assuming the cover isn't a lie of course.

 

Synopsis.

Spoiler

Centuries before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, in the era of the glorious High Republic, the Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy!


After a series of staggering losses, the Republic seems to finally have the villainous Nihil marauders on the run, and it looks like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Until word comes of a suspected Nihil attack on the industrial cosmopolitan world of Corellia, right in the Galactic Core.

Sent to investigate are Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, along with Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram, all fighting their own private battles after months of unrelenting danger. On Corellia, Reath and Ram encounter a brazen young security specialist named Crash, whose friend was one of the victims of the Nihil attack, and they team up with her to infiltrate Corellia’s elite while the Masters pursue more diplomatic avenues. But going undercover with Crash is more dangerous than anyone expected, even as Ram pulls in his friend Zeen to help with an elaborate ruse involving a galactic pop star.

But what they uncover on Corellia turns out to be just one part of a greater plan, one that could lead the Jedi to their most stunning defeat yet….

The New York Times best-selling series continues.... For light and life!

 

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-high-republic-midnight-horizon-exclusive-excerpt

Spoiler

“Ram? What’s the matter?”

“Hm?” Ram Jomaram looked up from the tiny reactor core he’d been taking apart and putting back together for the past . . . he’d lost track of how long. The flickering hologram of his master, Kunpar Vasivola, blinked back at him, concern in his wrinkled old eyes. “Nothing,” Ram said, and went back to fiddling.

“Vakateebakbak!” one of the small furry Bonbraks — Tip, probably — yelled from across the room. False statement, basically, which normally would’ve riled Ram up, but he couldn’t be bothered. What was the point?

“Your little friend is right,” Master Kunpar said. “I’ve known you your whole life, Ram Jomaram. And I know when something’s wrong, even if you refuse to admit it.”

“I . . .” Ram stood and pulled his goggles up to his forehead. His Padawan robes were covered in grease, as always — no matter how many times he washed them, the stains stayed where they were.

“It’s just . . .” He’d fully intended to explain himself when he opened his mouth. But then, as had happened so many times recently, the words dried up and evaporated. Maybe language just couldn’t encapsulate what he felt and he should stop trying. But then he’d keep hearing about how he was stubborn from Master Kunpar and the Bonbraks and anyone else who felt like piling on, too, probably. V-18 was gone as usual, otherwise he’d surely join in. Since they’d left Valo, Ram’s droid had spent most of his time rummaging through Starlight’s scrap bin, looking for new upgrade parts.

Ram shook his head, trying to clear it. “I don’t know,” he finally said.

The old Ongree nodded sagely, stroking his face tentacles like he always did before saying something incredibly wise that would take Ram about eight years to untangle the meaning of. “That’s a good start!”

Ram scoffed, picked up the rusted metal casing around the core, then released it, letting the Force hold it midair in a slow spin. “It’s like . . . I’ve faced down Nihil, right?” he said, watching the core instead of his master. “And the Drengir. I’ve been shot at, almost eaten. Arrested. Had things exploding all around me more times than I can remember . . . and that’s just in the past couple months!”

He wasn’t even exaggerating. Ever since the Nihil had attacked the Republic Fair on Ram’s home planet, Valo, he’d been trying to stay alive and keep balance in a galaxy that had seemed to go from peaceful to war-torn overnight. In the midst of that battle, Ram had met Lula Talisola, a Padawan from Starlight Beacon, and she’d been so poised in the storm of fighting — somehow a compassionate warrior and the very essence of what Ram imagined the Jedi were supposed to be — he’d realized he had to do whatever he could to help make the galaxy safe again, just like Lula was doing.

So he joined her and her friend Zeen, who was Force-sensitive but not an actual Jedi-in-training like Lula and Ram, when they returned to Starlight, and he’d been with them ever since, running missions and making more friends than he’d ever thought he’d have in his life — and almost getting killed in every way imaginable (and a few more).

But somehow, none of that was the problem.

“It’s been a very difficult time for the whole frontier,” Master Kunpar said, “but especially you young people caught up in the fighting.” He shook his old head sadly. “It shouldn’t have been like this.”

“But that’s not it,” Ram said, trying not to let the frustration he felt singe his voice. After all, if he couldn’t find words or meaning behind what was wrong, how was his master supposed to? Ram sighed and the tiny core casing clattered to the desk.

“Fraka-botá!” yelled the other Bonbrak, Breebak. That was a Bonbreez word that was best left untranslated.

“Sorry,” Ram called. He looked back at the holo of his master, scrunched up his face, and spat out the words without thinking about them: “The problem is the opposite. I don’t feel anything, not right now. Not even when we got into battle. I don’t feel fear, I don’t feel sadness. I’m not excited when we win. I barely even . . .” He shook his head, letting the words turn to dust again, wishing the thoughts would, too.

“Go on,” Master Kunpar said kindly.

“I barely even feel good when we save people.”

Ram wasn’t sure when it had started, this terrifying emptiness. During the attack on the Republic Fair, it had seemed like he felt all the emotions possible at the same time. Lonisa City, his city, was under attack; people were dying all around, and it seemed like the Nihil had come to stay. He was heart-broken and terrified, and he was meeting new friends, friends he was pretty sure he’d have for the rest of his life — he just wasn’t sure how much longer that would be. And together they had really made a difference, restoring planet-wide communications so the Republic could organize its counterattack. Death and destruction were all around, but they’d been part of the solution, and it had felt amazing to be able to help.

And then at some point he’d arrived on Starlight Beacon, somewhere amid all those explosions and rescues and shootouts — a change had happened inside him. It felt like someone else had taken over his body. Someone cold. “I know we’re supposed to be unattached and all that,” Ram said. “But this feels like . . . something else.”

“Mmm,” Master Kunpar said, eyes closed. “You are striving for balance, young Ram.”

“I guess. But what do I do?”

“Keep searching, Ram. Don’t stop.”

“Ramamalamaaa!” Zeen Mrala sang, sliding in through the open door and executing a near-perfect pirouette across the room. “We have a mee-eeting!”

Zeen had grown up among people who hated and distrusted Force users, so she’d kept her abilities secret for most of her life. Then her home planet, Trymant IV, was nearly demolished by an Emergence from the Great Disaster and she’d been taken in by the Jedi. She’d helped Ram and Lula fight off the Nihil when they attacked Valo, and Ram had felt close to her ever since. She was a relative newcomer to the space station, just like him, and she always knew how to cheer him up. Unlike Ram, she somehow managed to always look fashionable and clean, whether she was wearing her flight jacket and had blasters strapped to each hip or was in the sleeping robes Lula had loaned her or, like now, had on just a casual flowy robe over a sleeveless shirt.

“Yeah,” Ram said, already putting the reactor core parts away in their box and getting up.

“Is that my favorite Mikkian?” Master Kunpar said, his little holo form squinting as Zeen sailed past with a graceful lunge.

Zeen laughed, popping back up over Ram’s shoulder; her head tendrils brushed lightly against his cheek. “Hey, Master Kunpar! How many Mikkians do you know?”

“Enough to have a favorite!”

Zeen beamed and got back to her dance.

“You know, you can take a break if you need to,” Master Kunpar said, turning back to Ram. “Come back to Valo, help the rebuilding effort.”

Ram nodded, but he knew that wasn’t going to help him find balance. The very notion of going back home made him nauseous. There was so much happening out here that the Jedi needed his help with. “Thanks, Master Kunpar.”

“A break would be absolutely wizard!” Zeen said, using Ram’s favorite word for when something was completely amazing and the best possible thing ever. She only did that when she was trying to make him feel better. Zeen winked at Master Kunpar, who stared blankly back at her over the holo connection.

“What’s wizard?” the old Jedi asked. “That something you kids are saying these days?”

Zeen looked scandalized. “Ram! I thought that was something people on Valo said!”

Ram had to laugh. “No, I totally made that up. Isn’t it wizard?”

“All righty, I’ll just be going now,” Master Kunpar said. “May the Force be with you both.”

“Can’t believe you made up a whole slang word and didn’t tell us,” Zeen said, clearly using the Force to elevate her flying cartwheels a little higher. “You okay?”

Ram shrugged off the compliment and the question and picked up his holoprojector. “You’re such an amazing dancer, Zeen. Can I take a holo to send back to Valo?”

“Of course,” she said, twirling. She stretched her arms wide. “Send it out to the whole galaxy! Haven’t you ever dreamed of being a star, Ram?”

“Absolutely not,” he said, sidestepping to keep her in view.

“I have. I don’t think I’d really love it, but I always wanted to try, just for a day or two. Be like those fancy singers on the holos, with the whole galaxy cheering.” She pirouetted again, then spun into an elaborate bow.

Ram applauded.

“I’ve always thought maybe in another lifetime, I would’ve been a famous star!” A sad smile crescented her face; then she looked away. “But that’s not for me, not really. . . .” She shook off whatever fantasy she’d gotten lost in and directed a sharp glare at Ram. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you dodged my question.”

“I . . .”

“Hey!” Lula Talisola popped her head in from the hallway. “They just upgraded this to a mission briefing. Something happened on Corellia. We going or we dancing?”

 

Spoiler

Wondering if Crash and her team are part of CorSec.

 

https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-midnight-horizon-sees-yoda-dispensing-wisdom-exclusive-excerpt/

Spoiler

Star Wars: The High Republic entered its second year in January, with tales of Jedi awesomeness and terrifying threats more than 200 years before the events of The Phantom Menace playing out in novels and comics. The era's third wave of stories is now rolling out, with Claudia Gray's The Fallen Star seeing nasty space pirates the Nihil making a bold attack on the Jedi's base in the galaxy's Outer Rim.

Daniel José Older's Midnight Horizon, which comes out Feb. 1, takes place before The Fallen Star. The Nihil are seemingly on the run, so the Jedi are shocked to learn of them making a suspected attack on Corellia (Han Solo's homeworld, as seen later in the timeline in Solo).

Sent to investigate the incident are Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, with Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram. Like many Star Wars stories, Midnight Horizon also features flashbacks that reveal more about its characters.

"This excerpt is from a thread we follow in Midnight Horizon that focuses on the past -- it's one of my favorite throughlines of the book and it gives us a chance to step outside the present day action and get a deeper understanding of the complex emotional issues many of these characters face, both in terms of their roles within the Jedi Order and the galaxy as a whole," Older said of these sections in a release to CNET.

The author noted that we get to learn about Kantam Sy, a non-binary Jedi also seen in Older's High Republic Adventures comic series.

"When we meet Kantam in the present day storytelling, they are Lula's master and renowned for their calm and measured responses. One inspiration for Kantam was Jin from [beloved anime] Samurai Champloo, a paragon of both discipline and chill, but also a fierce warrior when that's what's needed," Older said. "I wanted to explore some of what led up to that epic calmness, and Kantam's turbulent Padawan era was a perfect way to do that."

Older also hinted at Yoda's role in his novel, since this excerpt sees him training an uncertain Kantam.

"Can't tell you much, of course, but we've had a lot of discussions about this, and what I can say is that Yoda has been going through some very, very rough times. Of course, it would have to be bad for it to keep him out of commission all this time, when the galaxy needs him most," the author said. "I can't confirm whether or not we'll see Yoda again during this particular storytelling era of the High Republic… but the good part is he's been an active member of so many of our Jedi's lives, and that's why it was so important to bring him in with these flashback sequences, like the one we have here."

 

https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-the-high-republic-midnight-excerpt/

Spoiler

Star Wars: The High Republic will send two of its Adventures characters on a brand new journey in Midnight Horizon. The upcoming novel by Daniel José Older will split up Zeen Mrala and Lula Talisola, with Zeen joining Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jamoram on Corellia and Lula leading her own task force elsewhere.

In a CBR-exclusive excerpt from Midnight Horizon, Zeen and Lula mediate on their upcoming adventure. The thought of leaving one another brings some intense feelings to the surface, with both Force-users realizing the nature of their relationship has led them to reconsider the paths they're on.

"Zeen grew up with people who don't believe anyone should use the Force, and being Force-sensitive herself meant she had to suppress those abilities. So when she fell in with Lula and the other Padawans of Starlight Beacon -- the very people she'd been told to hate -- it felt like finally finding a home she hadn't even known she'd lost," Older explained to CBR. "Her and Lula quickly became inseparable and after months of having adventures and hunting the Nihil together, they're finally closing in on Zeen's former best friend, Krix Kamarat, and simultaneously realizing how strong their bond is."

"Midnight Horizon is truly a wild, rambunctious, and heartfelt ride through the galaxy," Older shared. "It's an emotional rollercoaster and action-packed like Star Wars should be. Plus there are tons of weird creatures, Corellian politics and lore, new characters, and the coolest, most intense battle scene I've ever written."

"Zeen is really coming to understand her own role in the galaxy as a whole and how to step up and use her abilities for good," he teased for the journey ahead. "She's recognizing herself as part of something important, and trying to juggle what that means when war seems to be breaking out all around. Ultimately, she has to figure out how to help her friends and stay alive in the process. Sometimes that means going undercover at lavish Corellian cocktail parties, and sometimes it means fighting for your life against impossible odds..."

 

https://gizmodo.com/star-wars-high-republic-midnight-horizon-excerpt-1848428041

Spoiler

When Star Wars fans think of Corellia, they think of Han Solo. They think of Qi’ra. Maybe they think of piloting the Millennium Falcon there for Hondo Onaka. What they don’t think of is Jedi roaming the streets, but that’s going to change in Star Wars: The High Republic: Midnight Horizon by Daniel José Older—and we’ve got a look inside.

Set centuries before Han was Solo, Midnight Horizon is a YA novel telling a story in the High Republic Star Wars timeline. It’s out February 1 and follows two Jedi Masters, Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, and their Padawans, Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram, who are dispatched to Corellia to investigate an attack by the evil Nihil. All of this occurs around the same time as the events in Claudia Gray’s The Fallen Star. Of course, as Padawans tend to do, they go off on their own and that’s where this exclusive excerpt picks up.

“One of the most fun parts of Midnight Horizon is the chaotic, joyful, sometimes dangerous camaraderie among the Jedi and their allies,” Older told io9 via email. “In this scene, we find Ram and Reath learning about the mean streets of Corellia with a new friend who they’re not sure if they can trust. As you can probably tell, I had a lot of fun writing this.”

Oh, you can definitely tell—it’s a section filled with fun, witty Star Wars banter, as well as familiar creatures, catchphrases, and more.

 

Oof…I’m a couple chapters in and I don’t think I like this writing style.

 

Not a big fan of Older's writing style, but I rather liked this book, mostly because of

Spoiler

Reath's role (and his bromance with Ram), the Nihil's plan and Yoda's epic return. Sadly, Corellian politics was only barely touched (and some moments just need to be explored further - like how strong is Corellian isolationism during the HR era, criticism of Chancellor Soh's megaprojects, how one of the Tagge family became part of the Corellian elite). Also it's kind of sad that CorSec's only role was suppressing student protest instead of fighting the Nihil.

Grindalid mafia is just terrifying.

 

Yeah the writing style is certainly something. I personally didn't mind it but this book definetely has an intresting mix of really goofy and tackling very serious themes. Overall I really liked it though and the ending is absolutely amazing.

 

I have liked Reath since I first read him in Into The Dark....but now Reath and Ram are my new buddy Jedi action duo.

 

Love it

 

Just finished chapter 8. I can’t stand the humor in this book.