Reviews

Into the Dark by Claudia Gray

tiedyedude's review against another edition

4.0

A very enjoyable entry in the High Republic era. Jedi and their chartered ship crew investigate some strange happenings on an abandoned space station. I loved that they included an asexual character. The sentient rock was by far the best part of the book. I enjoyed the way they examined the different philosophies of the various Jedi, something that was introduced in the prequels (Dooku leaving the order, Qui-Gon verbally expressing his discontent), but not fully explored. Slight spoiler, I also liked that once the initial adventure is over, they find they need to return to the same location. That just struck me as something you don't see too often. Lastly, I'm still not a fan of flashback chapters. The new Thrawn used them much more, but it was almost worse here because I don't read superfast, and since they were used so sparingly, it would take me a minute to remember what was going on in them. Still, overall, I am really enjoying the High Republic.

bioniclib's review against another edition

3.0

I gotta admit, I really connected with the first nerd padawan ever, Reath. A dude that would rather read in the Jedi archives than go have adventures (though a Jedi craves not these things) on the frontier? That's my kinda guy! Of course he goes and handles himself quiet well but still. Scholar Jedi!

It dovetails nicely into the new High Republic series and even mentions The Great Disaster depicted in The Light of the Jedi, since Reath is Jora Mali's padawan. It is cataloged as a YA book in most cases so it's a lighter read than The Light of the Jedi. With the exception of the seemingly tacked-on flashback, I enjoyed it. Now for some notes-cum-spoilers:

Spoiler

The Drengir, the new plant-based baddies that are seeped in the dark side and continue the tradition of non-bipedal Star Wars alien races.

I never thought that Dez died but I didn't see his basically becoming a meditating monk after being rescued. The twist works, though, he was the adventure-seeking former padawan of Jora and has his character arc towards introspection where the other former padawan of Jori, Reath, finds he can do the whole adventure thing.

I think Orla and her Wayfinder path is them putting a name to the thing that Asokha Tano did in the Clone Wars. I like it. There shouldn't just be Jedi and Sith. There should be unaffiliated but acknowledged, Force users.

cody_madden's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

amhall11's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

anthonybanthony's review against another edition

3.25

Rating: B

beasleysbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

xallikat's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tupoik's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

angelica87's review against another edition

4.0

Told from multiple points of view with flashbacks to 25 years previously, “Into The Dark” follows four Jedi and two Byrne Guild pilots as they take refuge upon an abandoned station in the middle of nowhere while on their way to Starlight Beacon— a Republic station meant to illuminate a newly opened portion of the galaxy.

The station is their port in the storm while hyperspace lanes are down due to some sort of disaster, and once there they all discover something troubling. In their quest to discover more, each character learns a little bit more about themselves and they all reckon with something that has haunted them.


All in all I thought that this was an amazing book. Definitely 4/5. Claudia Gray captures the feel of the Star Wars universe so well, and despite the numerous characters I found myself looking forward to each point of view change. In addition to that, I feel like the “High Republic” period is going to be a brilliant addition to the Star Wars universe and I can wait to read more books from this new era.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide / Disney Lucas Film Press for providing me with the eARC

gallaghergirl12's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

5.0