Star Wars: The High Republic: Tears Of The Nameless Book Review
“Star Wars: The High Republic: Tears Of The Nameless” is a long, but fulfilling story.
Written by George Mann, “Star Wars: The High Republic: Tears Of The Nameless” is the latest book in Phase 3 of The High Republic. Clocking in at 500 pages, this is a big story filled with a lot of character arcs. Vernestra Rwoh investigates a possible informant, Byne Guild members Affie, Leox and Geode aid the Jedi on several missions, Cohmac Vitus (Reath’s former Master) deals with leaving the Jedi Order all while trying to find the lost world of Tolis which may hold clues on how to defeat the Nameless and the Blight, an experimented on Jedi Hunter (Sicarus) leads the Nameless on assignments to take out Jedi, Jedi Master Eve Byre is kidnapped (won’t say by who), and Jedi Master Mirro Lox and Jedi Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo embark on a mission to capture Nameless for research purposes.
The central story here revolves around Jedi Reath Silas. Reath is investigating possible connections between the Blight and the Nameless (which Amadeo helps with). He consults with fallen Jedi (Azlin Rell) who fears the Nameless and has visions of the future. Reath is also struggling with the departure of his Master Cohmac who (as you can probably guess) returns to tell Reath about Tolis. The reunion leads to a mission to Tolis where the duo just might be able to find ways to save the galaxy from the Blight and Nameless (or at least get one step closer to it).
Many of the YA High Republic novels tend to feel like side quests or shorter character pieces, but ‘Tears Of The Nameless’ is the exact opposite. Sure, some of the younger characters like Reath and Amadeo get the spotlight, but this is a bigger and much darker story that delves into the effects of the Nameless on the Jedi, the unsettling Sicarus story, a Sith Temple, and Azlin Rell’s Hannibal Lecter esque role. Moreover, Mann’s story is thematically darker as doubt and fear come heavily into play. There’s a lot going on here for fans and readers to absorb.
Darker elements aside, the story is also about hope and the strength of the Jedi Order. Reath in particular really comes into his own here as both a Jedi, a character and a hero. He overcomes a lot, but he also steps up to the plate. He even gets to go on an Indiana Jones-like adventure with his former Master. Naturally, the dynamic between the Master and the Apprentice is also a pivotal part of the story as a whole. Basically, if you’re a Reath fan, you’re going to be really happy about this one to say the least.
‘Tears Of The Nameless’ isn’t without a few downsides. For one, the story is needlessly long. There are more than a few instances that could have used editing particularly with the retelling of the Tolemite legend and Reath pondering the same things over and over. It becomes a bit too tedious and stalls the flow of the story.
For those fearing that ‘Tears Of The Nameless’ might be another filler book, it’s not. This is an eventful tale filled with peril and game changing moments that will impact the overarching story as Phase 3 approaches its conclusion.
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