1) What crises face the Starganauts in the HQ battle? What did you think of Tazen’s stand and of his character, in general?

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A: The Guard HQ is overrun by Grunn’s forces, especially after they crash a ship through the roof and start pouring in. The result? Vexador loses its command center and leaders. Thunderbane and Vipress also get injured, the former seriously.

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Tazen’s noble stand always moves me. He’s given everything to defend his people and still goes out fighting, confident of Heaven. What a leader! The part where he calls the Starganauts “family” hits me in the feels every time.

 

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2) The Lord tells Samantha to forgive Jixa, and then warns her. For whose life does Samantha fear? Why do you think I set the last battle inside the Vandorlel?

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A: The prophetess fears Kexid will die, because God says her heart will be pierced. The Vandorlel is Grunn’s flagship and thus symbolic. It stands for his power and might. He first faced the Starganauts there, and this will be the last place he confronts them.

 

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3) Jixa traps the Starganauts and initiates a countdown.  How does Samantha’s declaration, “The God I serve says vengeance is His. Pursuing it will only make you empty” encapsulate Grunn and Retribution’s major theme?

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A: Samantha’s quote summarizes the key idea of the entire story. Retribution is about Grunn’s misplaced quest for vengeance and what happens when we resent rather than forgive. It shows the devastating consequences of clinging to anger and bitterness instead of letting them go. Vengeance belongs to the Lord only. When we take it into our own hands, it leads to destruction. However, my story also shows another theme, as seen in the next question...

 

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 4) What breaks Jixa Grunn? What surprising thing happens when Samantha visits him, and how did you feel about it?

 

A: He loses it when Daxell shoots Kexid. He truly loved her, regardless of his other evils, and losing her makes him fall apart.

 

When Samantha sees him, Grunn asks questions about the Gospel and the prophetess explains it. Amazingly, he accepts Jesus! I felt excited, because Grunn is the first Trylithian convert. I know all the things that will be set in motion from this in future books. Also, it’s a powerful picture of how God’s grace extends to even the worst sinner. No one is beyond His ability to save.

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5) Who was your favorite character in Retribution? What scene did you love most, and why?

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A: For me, Kaity and Kexid rank at the top. Both grow so much and had a lot to overcome. Kaity’s struggles correlate to my own. She learns to accept God’s calling for her life and set aside her own desires to instead follow His lead. Kexid is just fascinating, and I deeply feel for her. I like her strong sense of justice.

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I have SO many favorite scenes! However, the winner is Grunn giving his heart to Christ. I can’t read it without being moved to tears. It’s amazing to think that the God of the universe could forgive even our most grievous sins. Wow. Grunn’s conversion is an illustration of this.

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Some runners-up for top scene were Tazen’s last stand, Dudeman’s tahlimo run on Voolok Sea, Samantha using the Lord’s Prayer to block Kexid, and the beginning of the siege of Syvoric. What was yours?

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If you've read this far, and/or participated in the Read-Along, thank you SO MUCH!!! I had fun, and I hope you did, too. 😊 Did you enjoy reading my answers or have questions of your own? Comment below! I'd love to hear your take. In the meanwhile, follow me on Instagram for more Starganauts content and to see who won the Read-Along contest. Giveaway post tomorrow!