Yes, Haunted Starlight is Worth the Audible Subscription
A spoiler-free review of The High Republic: Haunted Starlight.
As The High Republic series draws closer and closer to its end, most Star Wars fans will take any and all stories they can get. That’s why the surprise release of yet another Star Wars Audible adventure, Haunted Starlight by George Mann, comes as such a welcome drop.
A sequel to Mann’s previous audio High Republic adventure, Seeds of Starlight, this short, action-packed and fast-paced tale follows the same characters as the previous book but this time on a mission with much higher stakes and an even more satisfying conclusion.
The crew returns once again — this time to the drowned ruins of Starlight Beacon. Danger lurks beneath the waves, and the murderous drengir seem to be growing in force. But maybe everything is not what it seems. Maybe these seemingly vicious, sentient plants aren’t the menacing monsters the Jedi have always believed them to be.
When it comes down to it, we’re all just trying to do anything and everything we can to survive. And that’s one of the lessons Mann seamlessly weaves into this short but powerful narrative. Desperate species revert to their raw instincts when backed into corners (or trapped on doomed planets). From very early on in the High Republic series, we’ve all believed the drengir needed to be defeated. Leave it to an Audible original story to show us that we were all making sweeping assumptions all along.
That’s one of many reasons I love these stories. The thing about books written with younger audiences in mind is that they often communicate the same ideas as other stories — just in a much more straightforward way. Mann has always been a master of this particular craft. It’s not about dumbing things down for kids; it’s instead about presenting themes in a way kids can relate to. And that’s exactly what Haunted Starlight does.
And using the always delightful Tep-Tep as the vessel for the book’s primary morals was also a brilliant move. She’s a lovable character, and when she wrestles with the task of learning what it means to be brave, utilize one’s strengths, and speaking up when others don’t see what you do, kids and adults alike might feel both seen and inspired.
And isn’t that what Star Wars is all about? Escaping into another universe while also simultaneously, perhaps subconsciously, being reminded what it means to bring more good into the world than you take out of it? Haunted Starlight teaches us that fighting a war isn’t always about weapons and battle tactics. Sometimes, it’s about facing fear, listening to those around you, and never giving up when all seems hopeless.
Who among us doesn’t need a reminder that in the most unfortunate, uncertain times, allies may be found in the most unlikely places? Not everyone can or should be trusted. But when you stop long enough to help someone, it’s quite possible you’re helping many more people than you think.
This story is 100% worth a listen. It’s short, less than five hours in total. It’s funny, it’s well-written, and most importantly, it’s an unforgettable High Republic adventure. There are only so many of these left. Not everyone prefers listening to their books, and Audible isn’t accessible for everyone. But I do hope you’re able to give this one a try one way or another. Mann’s work is just that good. And who knows what’s next in store for him, or when we’ll get more Mann adventures set in a galaxy far, far away?
Star Wars The High Republic: Haunted Starlight is available to listen to exclusively on Audible. Use this link to start a free one-month trial and gain access to this title and many more! Plus, support the show financially just by signing up.
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