Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray

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.