Rebel Rising by Beth Revis explores the untold story of Jyn Erso between the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyand her childhood escape from the Empire. The novel delves into her life with Saw Gerrera, her struggles with trust, and her journey toward independence.
The story begins with Jyn Erso being rescued by Saw Gerrera after her parents are taken by the Empire. Her father, Galen Erso, is forced to work on the Death Star, while her mother, Lyra, is killed. Saw, a militant leader of a rebel faction, takes Jyn under his wing, raising her within his insurgency.
As Jyn grows up, she learns survival skills, combat tactics, and espionage from Saw and his fighters. She becomes skilled in deception and guerrilla warfare, yet she struggles with the harsh realities of Saw’s extremist methods.
Though Saw cares for Jyn, he remains emotionally distant, viewing her more as a soldier than a daughter. Over time, Jyn begins to question his brutal tactics, particularly when innocent people become casualties of his war against the Empire.
When a mission goes wrong, Saw decides that Jyn is a liability. Fearing that her connection to Galen Erso could put his movement at risk, he abandons her on a hostile planet, leaving her to fend for herself. This betrayal deeply scars Jyn, reinforcing her distrust of both the Empire and the Rebellion.
Forced to survive on her own, Jyn drifts through the galaxy, using false identities and engaging in petty crimes to stay alive. She becomes adept at forging documents and manipulating situations to avoid Imperial capture.
During her time alone, she briefly finds companionship with a man named Hadder Ponta and his family, who are sympathetic to the Rebellion. For a moment, Jyn considers a future where she can live peacefully, but the Empire’s growing oppression makes that dream impossible.
The Empire’s crackdown leads to Hadder’s death, further disillusioning Jyn. She realizes that no matter how much she tries to remain neutral, she is always caught between the conflict of the Empire and the Rebellion.
Eventually, Jyn is captured by the Empire and sent to the labor camp on Wobani, where Rogue One begins. The novel ends with her imprisonment, setting the stage for her rescue by the Rebel Alliance and her reluctant return to the fight.
Rebel Rising portrays Jyn’s complex moral journey, highlighting the gray areas of the conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion. It emphasizes her resilience, her deep-seated abandonment issues, and her struggle to find a place where she truly belongs.
The novel provides crucial context for Jyn’s character in Rogue One, showing how she evolved into the hardened, cynical fighter who ultimately chooses to sacrifice everything for the greater good.