This was a good start to the High Republic book series. Things were set up and I am interested in how they will play out.

[SPOILERS]

I am curious as to why they dissolved the Byne Guild, and what will happen to Affie, Leox (a new favorite) and the iconic Geode. We need more Geode.

This was a fun book to read. In it, the characters have an adventure set in the frontier of space, where they find a mysterious abandoned space station. I loved the mystery the space station presented. Who built it? When was it abandoned? And most importantly, why was it abandoned?

Padawan Reath Silas, one of the main characters, is a refreshing character in that he doesn't want to go on adventures; he'd rather read about them. Also in this book are Orla and Cohmac, two Jedi who are questioning what path they should take, Dex, a Jedi who craves adventure, and Lenox and Affie, who crew the ship the Jedi travel on throughout the novel.

The story is told from multiple characters' POV, which works in some ways, but doesn't in others. It was nice during the action sequences, when all the characters split up, to be able to see what was happening. But there were a lot of characters to get to know in just one book, so the multiple POVs made it difficult to get to know the characters very well. However, it definitely seems that this book is going to be a part of a larger narrative, so I'm guessing these characters will show up again in future books.

4/5 stars, and I'm looking forward to the next book set in the High Republic Era!

This was a fun Star Wars story. I felt a little more like some of the old expanded universe books in style. The story is told from multiple characters view points and changes frequently. I didn't have hard time following but some people might not like the style.

Into the Dark introduces us to new characters who, through adventures, introspection, and dealings with one another and the Force, set us on paths to new locations in the galaxy far away. This novel leads us to conversations about colonialism, loyalty, and what to do when mistakes are made.
Each character has their own issues to resolve. Do they follow the Jedi way? Or will they/should they question what they have been taught? Where are the differences between revenge, retribution, and forgiveness? The similarities? How do we learn from the past and guide others while still struggling with our own teachings?
I enjoyed the interwoven storylines between the characters and found them each well developed. While a bit predictable at times, I still enjoyed the ride Into the Dark and look forward to reading the other titles in The High Republic series. If you enjoyed any of the other recently publiished Star Wars novels or are looking forward to any of the forthcoming shows from Disney, then this is a new series to pick up.

"Into the Dark" is a solid follow-up to "Light of the Jedi" without being a direct sequel to the events of the latter. However, I do recommend reading "Light of the Jedi" before "Into the Dark," as it sets up crucial connections and context.

I also had high expectations for this new Star Wars: The High Republic book, especially as it comes from one of my favorite SW authors: Claudia Gray. While "Light of the Jedi" bops between about a dozen different characters' storylines, "Into the Dark" sticks with the Jedi and showcases the complex, challenging relationships between Masters, Knights, Padawans, and the Jedi Council. The book also has a beautiful, human take on how Jedi (taught to suppress emotion that could lead them to the dark side) deal with grief and anger and try to turn those emotions into light.

While there are flashbacks for other Jedi Masters, the central character is Reath Silas, a padawan who has his strength and connection to the Force tested to its limits after being forced into a frontier/Outer Rim mission when he really just wants to stay cozied up in the Jedi Archives. But what he, two Jedi Masters, and a ragtag guild crew find on a seemingly abandoned space station goes far beyond the dangers imposed by the Nihil space pirates -- see, "Light of the Jedi." Some spoilers without context: Think Ents from the Lord of the Rings meets Audrey II from "Little Shop of Horrors" but saturated with the dark side.

Like the first book in the High Republic series, "Into the Dark" pits the Jedi against a foe armed to the teeth with little to lose and so much to gain, while also dropping in hints of a more malevolent dark force yet to come. "Light of the Jedi" was more world-building, but "Into the Dark" built up the wants, needs, flaws, and strengths of characters you can't help but fall in love with. Especially, Geode. We need a standalone story for him ASAP.

Padawan Reath Silas is being sent from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier-and he couldn’t be less happy about it. He’d rather stay at the Jedi Temple, studying the archives…

I was blown away by so many things in this book… This is going to be a difficult (and rambling) review to write because I just have so much to say! Also, you are cautioned: Very Minor Spoilers.

Here are my thoughts on Into the Dark:

This book is so many things: Coming-of-Age. Slice of Life. Action/ Adventure. Emotional Roller Coaster. Reath’s move to the frontier brings on a drastic challenge to his character. He’s always seen himself as a future archivist, but his master sees an opportunity for herself as the head Jedi on the new Starlight space station. But Master Jora Malli knows that this trip is just what Reath needs. He needs some time away from the his steady life at the temple on Coruscant… and Reath finds adventure in spades. As the contingent jet across the galaxy to meet Master Jora on Starlight, they are pulled out of hyperspace because of a broken hyperlane… There they find a mysterious abandoned space station that holds all sorts of dangers.
You will find a different view of the force in this book… I witnessed several new uses and examples of the Force in this novel that furthered my understanding of the balance in my favorite universe. There won’t be any spoilers about this, but let’s just say that I was glued to these chapters!
This book gives readers another piece of The High Republic puzzle. I was lucky enough to get an ACR of A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland. The two books share several major events but obviously the reader sees them from vastly different perspectives. It felt a bit like treasure hunting to now be reading Into the Dark which continued to add to this spot in the Star Wars timeline. i.e. The characters from both books are headed to the opening of the new space station called Starlight Station…
I also want to say a word about this book being a YA novel. YA is for all! (Ok, I can say more.) This book’s characters’ are complex. Its plot is twisty and totally unpredictable. The POV changes kept me on my toes. Everything about this book was challenging… content to delivery. I loved it and all Star Wars fans should get their hands on it.
I felt free in this world. I didn’t have to remember any background from this movie or that comic. The only character that is even mentioned who I had known about before is Yoda. As I Star Wars fan, I know the basics, and that’s all you gots to know to read this book. You are ready to meet these characters and experience a whole new adventure in The High Republic.

5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Lucasfilm Publishing, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

This took me FOREVER to read.

Its plot is fine. The characters are fine. Overall, I wasn't too invested. The most important thing here was that they RECANONIZED THE SITH SHRINE AT THE HEART OF THE JEDI TEMPLE.

There were a lot of other interesting details as well. Sometimes I think "maybe I should stop reading EVERY new Star Wars title and just concentrate on the ones I'm really invested in." But then I would miss out on all the important tiny details I NEED to know, such as the addition of new canon rooms of the Temple, and more light shed on nuances of Jedi philosophy.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this fun book!

I can finally say that I've read a Disney Star Wars book that is actually good and isn't just rehashing and repackaging old ideas in a less ideal packaging. Into the Dark is a fun story that is worthy of being part of the Star Wars canon. The plot centers around several characters, Jedi and otherwise, who discover something dark lurking on a seemingly abandoned space station. The perspective shifts between characters throughout the book, and we get to know several of the characters very deeply. The main character, Reath, is a Padawan who is reluctant to go on this adventure, but ends up learning a lot about himself and his place within the Jedi Order and the Republic, and many of the other characters learn and grow throughout the book as well. The plot has several twists, some of which I didn't anticipate, and Claudia Gray's writing captures the Star Wars universe so well.

I really enjoyed this particular installment in the new High Republic series, and I very much recommend it to Star Wars fans, as well as anyone who enjoys a good sci-fi action story.

A great start to an exciting series. The characters are well written and engaging. I'm looking forward to recommending this to all of my Star Wars readers.

Join a young Jedi Archivist as a mission to Starlight Beacon turns into an unexpected adventure in the first Young Adult outing for The High Republic, Into the Dark by Claudia Gray.
Young Padawan Reath Silas has just been assigned to travel to Starlight Beacon – where his Master has been sent to be the Jedi liaison. Problem is, he’d rather spend his days in the archives than on the Frontier of space. Jedi Orla Jareni and Chomac Vitas are also going to Starlight for their own assignments. The three travel together on the chartered ship The Vessel, but when debris of a destroyed ship knocks the Vessel and other ships out of hyperspace, the group is forced to take refuge on an abandoned space station. But the station has many secrets and discovering them will be dangerous for all.
A second storyline involves a mission twenty-five years previously that involved Orla and Chomac as Padawans and shaped the Jedi they became. This is told in flashback from each of their perspectives and serves to remind the characters to always trust their instincts and the Force.
The Nihil, The Byne Guild, and The Drengir
We are introduced to two new groups here: the Nihil, who appeared in A Test of Courage, and the Byne Guild, are a shipping and transport company. The Nihil are further set up here to be the villains of this series. Responsible for the destruction of a Byne Guild ship traveling in hyperspace and conspiring to claim the abandoned station for themselves, they give the three Jedi more than a spot of trouble. As for the Byne Guild, they own the Vessel too, but it’s copilot, Affie Hallow, will find secrets on the station that point to nefarious activity on behalf of the Guild and must come to terms with it.
The Drengir are a new species introduced that are plant based. No, not sentient plants, but actually made of plants. They are also drenched in the Dark Side. I’m not exactly sure if the were being set up to be another new ongoing enemy, or if this is their only appearance, as they were “defeated” in the end, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I hope we learn more about them because I think they are very interesting.
Plot and Structure
While this story was slow to start, I think this was mainly due to all the set up involved in introducing so many different characters and new things. Reath may be the main character, but all the characters get point of view chapters at least once. These introductions take time. But once everything was set up, and characters introduced, things picked up. The action started, and by halfway through we are hit with not one but two major plot twists that made me gasp out loud in shock.
I did not see the twist coming that certain refugees the Jedi and Vessel crew helped would turn out to be the “bad guys” and that’s a testament to Gray’s writing ability. She really knows how to throw something out of left field.
Overall, despite it’s slow start, the story is engaging, full of action, adventure, and mystery. We get fight scenes, a bit of old Jedi Lore, and more than one mystery to solve about the station.
The Queen of Star Wars Books
Claudia Gray is the bestselling author of Bloodline, Lost Stars, and Leia: Princess of Alderaan. All three of which are beloved by Star Wars fans. Her non Star Wars books include the Firebird Trilogy, which has Sliders vibes if you remember that show, and the Constellation series which begins with Defy the Stars.
Into the Dark is for teen readers, but due to the multiple view points of adult characters, and Gray’s ability to craft both adult and teen novels, this novel will appear to readers fourteen and up.

Claudia Gray has done it again! The renowned queen of Star Wars fiction introduces readers to jedi of the High Republic era and new threats to the light and wellbeing of rhe galaxy. She masterfully tells the story from the point of view of several unique characters, giving a diverse and captivating account of the aftereffects of the Great Calamity.

Padawan Reath Silas has a lot to learn, and he'd really prefer to stay at the Jedi temple on Coruscant to keep studying, but as a padawan, he's at the mercy of the Jedi and they've determined that he has to visit an un-(or under-)developed area farther out. But the trip goes awry when a galactic-wide disaster knocks the ship out of hyperdrive and Reath and his his traveling companions seek refuge on an abandoned space station but soon find themselves in the center of some serious action. The High Republic is a glorious era, but a new enemy threatens the peace.

This middle-grade reader is an exciting foray into the 'new' world of the High Republic. The book works quite well on a couple of different levels. First, it is a really nice introduction to this High Republic era. Disney is doing well to keep the franchise alive and staying current to attract new readers.

But I think this is even more successful purely as an adventure story. Author Claudia Gray has captured the spirit of a middle-schooler quite well and although training to be a Jedi Knight, Reath feels like an 'everyman' character - someone young readers will connect to and identify with. His struggles aren't just the unique challenges facing a Padawan, but often they are thoughts and worries that strike most youngsters as they transition from puberty to adulthood. Reath is full of questions and self-doubt, but learns to trust himself (and the Force) and those he's chosen to surround himself with.

Overall, this was a lot of fun and full of exciting adventure. It will do well to keep interest high in the Star Wars franchise and will keep younger readers interested in checking out the local bookstores for new Star Wars titles.

Looking for a good book? Into the Dark, a Star Wars: The High Republic novel by Claudia Gray is an exciting story in the new Star Wars world of the High Republic.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Reath Silas is a Jedi Padawan on his way to meet his master on the new Starlight beacon when disaster strikes in the hyperspace lane they're traveling in. Being keepers of the peace, they reach out to other ships needing support and decide to dock in a nearby area to await news about what happened. On the station however, they find strange artifacts and even stranger plants. This book has amazing twists and turns, you won't see it coming.

Star Wars: The High Republic: Into The Dark is a young adult novel written by Claudia Gray and published by Disney Lucasfilm Press. Jedi Padawan Reath Silas is on a mission to explore the galactic frontier, alongside Jedi Knights Orla Jaleni and Dex Rydan and Jedi Master Cohmac Vitus. When an unknown disaster knocks them and their transport out of hyperspace, the Jedi take refuge in an abandoned space station. However, the station was home to an ancient evil and Reath soon finds himself pushed to his limits when it is unleashed.

Gray is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having written for the From a Certain Point of View anthologies as well as Leia: Princess of Alderaan and the starcrossed romance Lost Stars and. With Into The Dark, she has a chance to explore a new era of the Star Wars universe. The High Republic takes place 200 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, so while there are familiar elements such as Jedi Knights and hyperspace, they’re presented in a new light. The Jedi are in their prime, with robes and lightsabers more akin to medieval knights than samurai warriors. The Sith are long extinct. And hyperspace travel, which is a common mode of travel, is even riskier than we’ve known it to be—and can be disrupted by outside factors.

Gray keeps the same strong sense of characterization that has permeated her other Star Wars books. Nowhere is this more evident than with Reath. His entire journey features him more or less learning to step out of his comfort zone. Unlike other Padawans, he prefers to stick to his research and feels extremely uncomfortable being separated from his master and going into the frontier. This is quite different from Luke Skywalker, who yearned for adventure, and even Rey who wanted nothing more than to find her parents. However, like those heroes, Reath rises to the occasion, putting his life at risk to save his friends and using his research to benefit them.

Other characters who get major focus are Orla and Affie Hollow, the copilot of the shipping vessel the Jedi board. Orla introduces a new concept into the Jedi lore as she is a Wayfinder; a Jedi who often breaks from the order to forge their own path. This is a clean break from established tradition, which often presented a rigid code that Jedi have to follow. It was this rigidness that led to the birth of Darth Vader, so it’s nice to see an era where Jedi can challenge previously held beliefs. Affie undergoes her own crisis of confidence, as she learns a dark secret surrounding the guild she’s part of. This left me slightly divided; while I enjoyed the unraveling mystery, it felt a little out of place in the main plot.

Rounding out the book is the introduction of two new groups of villains, the Nihil and the Drengir. The Nihil reminded me a lot of the Reavers from Firefly; with cobbled together spaceships as well as body painting and frightening helmets. The Drengir, on the other hand, are a Lovecraftian nightmare. A race of sentient plant creatures, they refer to other beings as “meat” and feature horrifying elements including poison thorns and Venus flytraps for mouths. These beings are meant to be the stuff of nightmares, and in my opinion, they more than succeed.

Star Wars: The High Republic: Into The Dark is a wonderful new entry into the Star Wars mythos, giving a glimpse into a new era and painting the Jedi in a new light. Hopefully, this is the start of many more great stories in the High Republic era.

Into the Dark was the first piece of High Republic content that I got to read, and it pays respect to the wonder that the era holds, pushing my excitement even further. The book does a fantastic job balancing a diverse cast of characters, and has an intriguing plotline with numerous twists and turns. For a rather contained story, the stakes continued to increase throughout the book. Into the Dark was a spectacle to read and I cannot wait to see what's next in the High Republic.

While my particular interest in new eras of Star Wars content isn't at super enthusiastic levels, I was very interested in Claudia Gray writing within that era and so was delighted to see this title show up on NetGalley for review. I've really enjoyed both of her other Star Wars books, Lost Stars and Leia were among my favorite books in I've read in the new canon, and I feel as if Gray has a firm grasp on this world and writing within it which makes her a great choice for this new era.

Into the Dark is the second of the High Republic books I read, and introduces Jedi and pilots during the High Republic era. They are set on an adventure towards the frontier, as the Republic is inviting more worlds in, and after being caught up in a hyperspace incident they take refuge in an abandoned space station where most of the action takes place.

One of the things I have enjoyed in the High Republic books thus far, and was absolutely a part of this one, is a willingness to engage with the Jedi, with differences of opinion within the Jedi order, and how individual Jedi work within that. This book reminded me, in a positive way, of some of my favorite Legends stories, only with a set of characters that were brand new introductions. Leia probably remains my favorite of Gray's Star Wars books, but this was a quick and enjoyable read and a fun romp in the GFFA. I'm looking forward to reading additional titles in this time period.

Ok, I have many thoughts. Let’s preface this review with some quantifying statements.
-This is technically a young adult star wars book, I don't believe that I have read a star wars book specifically for that demographic yet, so that was interesting
-I am a huge Star Wars fan. I have read several of the books and am well versed in the universe.
-There is no order for this review, I am going to go through the notes I made while reading and give my thoughts as they arrive within my brain.
-Quantifying the previous statement, Jedi are not my favorite element of the Star Wars universe. So this book does have to stand outside of Jedi being cool.

Continuing off of that last qualifying statement, this book has done leaps and bounds for my perception of the Jedi. There was a lot of internal conflict from all of our Jedi characters about their relationships with the force and how they see themselves as Jedi. It was very deep and thought-provoking. It really brings life into the Jedi order.

Before we completely lose ourselves to the madness of the review that is to follow I do have to say that I loved this book. It was so much fun. There was action, humor, and mortal danger what more could you want from Star Wars. I highlighted so many lines that just brought a smile to my face. There were also so many elements of this book that were so thought-provoking to me as a Star Wars fan. The mix of familiar elements that can be found mixed with the unfamiliar is what makes being a fan so exciting.

I am quite glad that I read [book: A Test of Courage|51734016] before this one. They don't truly intersect but having read that one gave several events within here some weight and helped me better understand the situation our characters found themselves in. I am very much in favor of this interconnected story thread that gives the incentive to read everything that is happening in the High Repulic series. And although there is no direct contact between the two stories of these books there is a reference to the main characters all being friends which are rewarding as it makes sense.

The characters here were all wonderful. Over time we got to know a lot about them and their individual struggles and goals. And when I say individual l goals I mean it, at all times through this book there are at least 3 things going on that have significant ramifications. In the beginning, I found it a bit hard to follow but as I kept reading I got the hang of it.

I also have to mention it again because I have a problem. There are several elements of this story that make me think of Thrawn. The utilization of art and foreign cultures to help solve the issues of the present is key. The personal philosophy of several Jedi also makes it seem like they would have gotten along very well with Thrawn.

I'm no good at explaining the plots of books so let's just say this one is great. It has a great setup, great actions, significant conflict, and a worthwhile conclusion. Around the middle of the book, I was a bit confused because it felt like we had resolved the conflict and were wrapping things up. This was however not the case and thinking back on it, it was more like we were entering into the second act of the book.

I need to ask what is with this series and killing off Jedi masters? It's a bit strange. It has happened a couple of times now and I am not comfortable with it, even if there are a lot of Jedi at this point in time. It feels wrong in my soul.

I have a few slight issues with the book that I don't feel are big enough to mention. There were just a few things that confused me and it may just be that I was reading an arc and some paragraph formatting is off, that's all. Overall I really enjoyed everything that this book had to offer.

Claudia Gray strikes back! Although some readers may find too many different roads at the beginning of the book, Into The Dark proposes a compelling and never predictable story, with a rich ensemble of characters.

They grow and bond during the novel, as this is one of the most important themes of Into the Dark.

The "darkness" in which we dive into, as the title suggests, is as unexpected and menacing as the Nihil marauders, but it is also the one made of secrets and fears of the Jedi: only by accepting their flaws, they are able to succeed.

Claudia Gray's prose is divine, with rich details and great introspection. Action scenes are well portrayed, especially when the Jedi use and "see" the Force.

Claudia Gray is probably the best writer currently working with LFL. I've loved all of her Star Wars books thus far and this entry in a new era of galactic conflict is no exception. I'm very excited to see where the High Republic goes from here.

Star Wars Into The Dark was a fantastic introduction to a new era of Star Wars. Claudia Gray continues to prove that she is an absolute master at storytelling, characters, and world building. The adventure started out a little slow but it allowed Grey's fantastic prose to shine as she introduced her wide array of characters. She juggled the different personalities well and gave each an opportunity to shine. The tension builds as the mystery unfolds into a fantastic second half of the book that I could not put down. I am very excited to see how she continues on in this new Star Wars era!