I have a Star Wars confession. I really like Daniel Jose Older and Alyssa Wong. The Star Wars stuff that they’ve been working on for the past seven years has been tremendous. Whether it’s Last Shot or the High Republic Adventures for Older or Wong’s tremendous Doctor Aphra comics, I think they’re terrific, and I’ll fight you if you disagree. I’ve been excited ever since hearing that they were going to be writing a Phase 3 book on The High Republic.

So, look, I loved Escape from Valo. I don’t care that this book is targeted as a “junior reader”, it is outstanding. While I have really enjoyed all of the books set during the High Republic so far, of the books targeted toward a younger audience, this is by far my favorite.

Like the other books and comics that have been released during Phase 3, Escape from Valo is set in that first year or so following the destruction of Starlight Beacon. Everyone’s favorite, Ram Jomaram, has returned to his “home” planet of Valo following the Nihil’s invasion of the planet and the construction of the Stormwall.

Read more about the Stormwall in my review of George Mann’s The Eye of Darkness.

Ram meets up with three young Jedi who have been surviving on their own after nearly all of the Jedi Masters in Valo were murdered. Together, they must figure out how to not only escape the planet but also survive long enough to get to that point.

Yes, Ram is the hero in this story, but he didn’t do it alone. Kyldo and Tep Tep don’t receive a big arc; however, we do get one from the youngling Gavi. I enjoyed Gavi’s journey in the book fun questioning his future to knowing his purpose.

Also, who doesn’t love pirates? Zyke talking about the Dank Grandma, who were introduced in the High Republic Adventures Phase II comics 150 years prior, was great. I love call backs like that. It’s rewarding to people who consume everything, but it doesn’t immediately alternate new readers.

While the villains are mostly one-note as you’d expect in a junior grade novel, there were two exceptions for me in this bin, and they’re the ones who are likely continuing on in future books and comics.

I really liked Driggit. She is a perfect example of a person who, while not completely evil, is willing to partner with evil to survive. The other villain that I enjoyed was the introduction of Niv Drendow. This certainly wasn’t the least appearance of the teenage Nameless-wrangler. I’m excited to see his growth as a character alongside Driggit.

The Eye of Darkness provided glimpses of life in the Republic side of the Stormwall in addition to the Nihil side. As the adult novel, it is a more bleak adventure at times for our heroes trapped in Nihil space. In Escape From Valo, Older and Wong manage to explore that evil while still keeping the story light and enjoyable for younger readers.

They recently were on Star Wars Explained to talk about the book, and you should check out the non-spoiler and spoiler interviews.

Plus, Ram is essentially Batman at times in this book, and I loved it. That always made me laugh.

If you are already a fan of The High Republic, then you have to read this book. It’s terrific. Escape From Valo is one of my favorite junior novels that Star Wars has ever released.