Churo the Hutt never wanted to leave the security of his greenhouse, but he has no choice when his sister sends him to steal a mysterious weapon from the Nihil. After he crash-lands on Palagosal, a once-peaceful planet, he meets Jamil Sollis, a human Jedi youngling who dreams of advancing to the rank of Padawan, and Zenny Greylark, the daughter of a Republic senator who’s searching for her sister. Despite Churo’s concerns about his family’s approval and his fear of encountering danger, he joins Jamil, Zenny, and their team as they set out to investigate the remains of an outpost that was evacuated after the Nihil’s invasion. Dangers lurk in the shadows of the wreckage, and the unlikely allies must rely on each other to confront it. Alternating between the perspectives of a cast of diverse and endearing characters, this High Republic adventure centers on three young heroes who are seeking to better understand themselves, their values, and their places in the galaxy. Through Churo, Córdova adds refreshing complexity to the Hutts, who are traditionally depicted as the embodiment of corruption. The characters’ emotional growth occurs amid high action and conflict with a daunting enemy. Final art not seen.
