Star Wars: Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland is the 3rd book in The High Republic middle grade series. All the stories in the High Republic ( 200 years before A New Hope) are weaved in to fit this world. So far in the High Republic Series I have read 2 of the adult novels, 2 two of the YA novels, 2 of the graphic novels and with this book 3 of the middle grade novels. I’m pretty invested in the story telling for this series and have been intrigued where the story has gone. Mission to Disaster follows Vernesta, Imri, and Avon all characters that were established in A Test of Courage the first middle grade book in the High Republic. I was happy to see these characters back. The book starts off with excitement making be really excited, but then the story fell a little flat. The Avon scenes really steal the show and as a reader I wanted more of her, having just watched Obi Wan she reminded me of a young sassy Leia. Vernestra and Imri scenes were just okay some interesting scenes but as a whole just okay. There’s a small amount of action the Ice Gators fight was a stand out, but the other major battle scene the bad guys kind of run away. The ending offers hope but points to the next book more than anything. I will say one thing that I was impressed by is this book has repercussions for the main story in the High Republic, someone of major importance could be a spy for the Nihil. The events in this book happen right before the next adult novel in the High Republic called The Fallen Star. I reviewed this book thanks to Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide, Disney Lucasfilm Press. Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland was published on March 1 2022.

The Plot Summary: Avon is working on Imri’s broken cyber crystal when a Nihil invasion occurs and steals her and the other children in hops of indoctrinating them to join the Nihil. Avon tells them a different last name (since I guess Avon is not a uncommon name in the Star Wars universe) and they do not realize they have a Senator’s daughter in their clutches. Vernestra has a force vision when Avon is taken and wants to find her, she brings her padawan Imri, but in their search for Avon they find that other children were taken. The Jedi Code has every life equal to the same so instead of find Avon they help others. Meanwhile Avon tries many attempts to escape which makes the Nihil take notice of her creativity and puts her on the weapons division, she likes science an experimenting but must be careful not to make a weapon that could hurt others, but it could mean death if she does not. Can the Jedi save her in time?

What I Liked: That this story wasn’t just a one shot, it has repercussions in it’s discoveries. Avon is the standout, her chapters where so good, I was light forget the Jedi I want to stay with the middle grade aged science prodigy, and her attempts to use science to escape. I like the final out come of what happen between Avon and Dr. Mkampa and how dark it got. This story was still for kids but did not shy away from hinted death.

What I Disliked: Was the shift in focus, for the Jedi are looking for Avon then they get stuck helping these other missing kids, it ends eventually tying up the two stories but it was a huge momentum killer. The finale is mainly the enemy instead of fighting even a little bit leave and let the Jedi clean up the mess.

Recommendation: The story is just okay on this one there’s only two reasons that I would recommend this book for the Avon chapters and this book will probably lead to bigger things in the High Republic to what is suspected at the end and who could be helping the Nihil. I rated Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland 3 out of 5 stars.