Star Wars: Spoiler-Free Book Review – Into The Dark by Claudia Gray - The High Republic Era (Phase 1, Wave 1)

This week Mike is doing another spoiler-free book review from the High Republic era; Into The Dark by Claudia Gray! Although the book is a “young adult” novel, it’s still an excellent read for teenagers & adults alike and is part of the first wave of the first phase of High Republic content, focusing primarily on padawan Reath Silas & the drengir!

In more detail, for the first half of the episode, Mike gives a bit of information on the other releases for The High Republic (the first two waves within Phase 1) and then delves into his spoiler-free review; primarily providing information from the blurb and within the first few pages; talking about the book’s themes, what he enjoyed about it and how it impacts the rest of The High Republic.

In the second half, Mike provides more details on the characters within the story and gives examples on how the book’s themes work with the story being told and how it fits in with other High Republic material, which falls into light-spoiler territory. He gives plenty of warning before delving into his more detailed review, so you can listen to as little or as much info about Into The Dark before picking it up yourself – Mike ends the review with a general overview of the other High Republic books (released & soon to be released) and talking about where they fit chronologically with the comics & other High Republic content.

Into The Dark was released February 2nd 2021 by Claudia Gray. She has also written the young adult novels Lost Stars and Leia: Princess Of Alderaan, as well as the “adult” novels Master & Apprentice and Bloodline. She has also recently announced The Fallen Star; the third “adult” book in The High Republic era.

Into The Dark is from Phase 1, Wave 1 of The High Republic, also in Wave 1 is Light Of The Jedi and A Test Of Courage. Phase 1, Wave 2 includes The Rising Storm, Out Of The Shadows and Race To Crashpoint Tower and Wave 3 (due early 2022) will include Claudia Gray’s “adult” novel The Fallen Star plus junior-novel Mission To Disaster and young-adult novel Midnight Horizon.

Mike also interviewed Claudia Gray on December 12th 2020 on this very feed, so make sure you check that out if you haven’t already!

Other High Republic content currently available includes; Light Of The Jedi – an “adult” novel by Charles Soule, A Test Of Courage – a junior novel by Justina Ireland, The High Republic comics by Cavan Scott and High Republic Adventures comics by Daniel José Older, plus Cavan Scott’s sequel novel to Light Of The Jedi, named The Rising Storm is available now along with Out Of The Shadows by Justina Ireland, Race To Crashpoint Tower by Daniel José Older and the audio drama; Tempest Runner, also by Cavan Scott.

Check out the last episode of SWCIC for the third full chapter in the War Of The Bounty Hunters crossover, with a ton of action, characters & connections! Join Mike as he takes you through the 6 issues where Valance & Dengar are hunted by Deathstick, Zuckuss gets more canon backstory, Qi’ra takes on Darth Vader, Boba Fett fights everyone’s favourite wookiee and Luke reflects on his time against the dark lord all while Aphra & Sana Starros try to hide from the action while stealing some high-value artifacts – all of this plus many facts & connections from Mike!

Mike & Megan spoke with Alex & Mollie of Star Wars Explained, you can listen on this very feed or check out the video version on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/R2fr4-TdbQA

Mike on Star Wars Timeline’s Timecast, talking about the SW trilogies, found here: https://youtu.be/W03gonK4rtw

Intro & outro by BZ The Voice: http://www.bzthevoice.com/

Intro arranged by Mike Burton, backing music by Eric Matyas at www.soundimage.org