Into the Dark Part 1 of 4

[colls]

Welcome to our first of four check-in and discussion posts for our Book of the Month.

This month’s book is Into the Dark by Claudia Gray
Part I, Prologue, Chapters 1-6

Into the Dark Part 1 of 4

1. This book is set during the same time frame as Light of the Jedi (which we read in September). Since these books aren't technically any sort of series, do you feel you would be able to follow this story so far if you hadn't read Light of the Jedi?

2. Star Wars canon/non-canon/etc seems to have varying opinions on the celibacy issue. The topics is touched on twice so far in this book. What are your thoughts?

3. Are any characters standing out as being particularly interesting to you?

4. How are you liking it so far?



FYI - There's no need to answer all (or any) of the questions above - they're just talking points to get us started. Informal chatter is more than welcome! In-person book clubs often veer off topic, it's okay if we do as well. :)
All I ask is that you try to avoid spoilers for things past Part I of the book.

Comments

[colls]

1. I actually really love that I know what went wrong with the hyperspace lane here. And I love getting to know Reath who is only mentioned off-hand near the end of Light of the Jedi from Master Jora. I also love how this is written by a different author, so it really has an authentic "where were you when XYZ happened?" vibe of someone telling their version of events.
I think the story could be followed without reading the first book - the cause of the hyperspace problems might be a mystery as I don't know that they'll be addressed here until their resolved or not. Otherwise it seems like it really can stand on its own so far.

2. The Jedi celibacy thing is can either be a fun debate or an annoying fan-battle.
My own opinion is that somewhere along the line some Jedi misunderstood or misrepresented the whole celibacy thing. 'No emotional attachments' view that we get during the Fall of the Republic seems part of the decaying Jedi Council overall - like admitting some of the ways aren't really practical or aren't really followed exactly.
What would drive a call for celibacy like that anyway? In the Catholic Church it was to prevent the passing of property outside the church. I don't really understand the call for it among the Jedi other than to push a narrative of a forbidden, star-crossed love.
I do know that some fans have a wide variety of viewpoints on this though - interested in hearing what others think.

3. Reath is obviously one of the main protagonists and I do find him interesting. I am desperate to know more about Geode and will be disappointed if he/she never speaks (LOL). But I think one of the most fascinating characters might be Orla - or at least premise of a 'Wayseeker' is fascinating - hopefully both will be.

4. It's pulled me in so quickly!! It's hard to pause - LOL

[brokenmnemonic]

I'm reading the Dawn of the Jedi comic run at the moment, which is based around a precursor order called the Je'daii, and there are some interesting differences between them and the Jedi. The biggest is that they believe in balancing the force and their use of it, rather than only working with with the light side of the Force. The Je'daii seem to be free to have relationships with people outside the order, but it also looks as if they can't be in the order and in a relationship at the same time (one character is the daughter of a Je'daii and a mobster, and the mother has left the mobster and returned to the Order). There's a character who's a third generation Je'daii. I'm not sure how much of the Je'daii is taken into the Jedi (I think I've read that there were two or three groups of force users who ended up merging into the Jedi?) but the differences are fascinating. I wonder if we'll ever get the context as to why things changed?

[colls]

I like the idea of different sects of Force users having slightly different dogmas. After many eons, it only makes sense.

I wonder if we'll ever get the context as to why things changed?
I think it's un-mined space for more 'official' material/content. To tell the story between times.

[kittywhite]

1. I think I would have actually preferred to read this one first for a few reasons. We have a smaller core cast to focus on so I can get a better feel for the characters unlike Light of the Jedi which swapped POV back and forth very quickly and also because we already know a big spoiler
about Jora Malli.
2. I’m sick of the issue honestly (mostly for personal reasons as I’m celibate myself by choice) and it’s been brought up alot in the High Republic (apparently it gets a mention in The Rising Storm too) so I’m thinking it will be a major plot point later in the series. If they have to mention it so much I want them to point out the real problem with it, that the Jedi must accept celibacy before they can fully consent to that choice, not just “omg no relationships!”
3. I want to know what the Byne Guild is really up to, Affie is my main interest so far.
4. Enjoying it so far, curious about what the “Shadow” is and Orla’s past.

[colls]

1. It was very hard to connect with characters in Light of the Jedi, I agree. It felt like a pilot tv episode in that there was a lot of setup without a lot of payoff (I did enjoy it, but noticed that).

2. I feel like they painted themselves into a corner (originally not understanding the consequences is my guess) and couldn't get out of it. Like you point out, they never really address it head on. And I kind of wish they wouldn't at this point, but maybe they're going to finally address it in a way that will make sense? IDK.

3. Affie is pretty interesting, I hope we get more focused on her in the next section. I think she's the one on the cover with Reath (?) so I'm assuming she'll have a decent sized chunk of material in this. And yes, something her foster mother isn't telling her about the Guild operations... hmm...

4. ooo... yes. Me too. I think the Shadow are Sith or Sith-related - but I thought that about the Nihil, too and was wrong on that score (at least so far).

[kittywhite]

The celibacy issue was probably misunderstood because we were mostly approaching it from a Western/Catholic perspective when it’s more in line with an Eastern/Buddhist ideal, think like in Avatar the last Airbender when Aang has to give up his attachment to Katara to fully master the Avatar State. It’s about not being tied to this mortal world by anything to achieve that greater spiritual power.

My pick for what is going on is that the Guild are in the illegal antiquities trade (we have two academics on board so that will come in handy) and if you aren’t Force Sensitive one nice statue or amulet looks the same as another...until it isn’t.

[colls]

I think you're right, both from the fan perspective but also some of the various creators/authors. I've not seen Avatar the Last Airbender, but have heard several people say good things about it.

Illegal antiquities trade would be cool! I love that take and yes, it makes sense with who they have on hand.

[brokenmnemonic]

I accidentally spoiled myself for some of the details this book by reading the issues of the High Republic comic book that are on Marvel Unlimited, which is a bit of a shame, although I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out.

1. I think so far I'd be ok following this story if I hadn't read Light of the Jedi, but I also think I'm enjoying it more because I know the background to the hyperspace disaster. One of the things I found interesting about this book is that in this, the emphasis is on objects littering hyperspace, while in the previous book, it was objects striking inhabited planets - it feels like seeing the disaster from another side.

2. I'm not sure I've read enough of the additional canon material to have a strong opinion on the Jedi and celibacy. I'm really not sure from what I've seen if the idea of celibacy as a constraint is meant to be a reflection of those philosophies where practitioners are taught to turn their sexual energies inwards as a part of freeing the mind for some kind of enlightenment, or if it's something that's been added as a doctrinal constraint, like when the Catholic Church decreed that priests could no longer marry. I'd prefer it if it was an issue of doctrine, because then it'd fit more neatly as a sign of the Jedi order becoming more bound by ritual and doctrine as time went on and it became more emneshed with the political structure of the Republic. It seems a bit illogical to have the Force be based on the interconnection between all living things, and have the Jedi later declare "but no romances!" whereas if the Jedi were becoming less of a mystical order and more an arm of the Republic structure, it doesn't seem impossible that the Jedi would decide that relationships with others should be restricted to prevent their impartiality coming into question.

3. I'm finding Reath interesting, but I think that's primarily because of the insights he's giving on life as a padawan from his perspective. And because of just how much he wants to be left alone i the temple library to study indefinitely. I'm finding Affie really interesting, particularly because she seems to be really observant, and I'm enjoying seeing her suspicions about the station play out.

4. Mostly, I'm enjoying this. I really want to know more about the Amaxine and the various artifacts on this station, and I like the way it's basically Jedi knights meet possibly haunted mansion space station. I'm curious to learn more about what Wayfarers are (Jedi Knight-Errants, perhaps?) but I'm struggling a little bit because I went for the audiobook of this novel, as the novel is only out in hardback here at the moment, and the audiobook was a third of the price. In some ways, it was a good choice - I find I'm rather enjoying the sound effects that've been added in some places - but I'm struggling with the fact that at least one of the characters has been voiced with a really, really determined attempt at a Woody Harrelson Goes Full Wild West Cowboy accent!

[colls]

It absolutely feels like that -seeing the disaster from another side - and I've enjoyed it a lot!

The haunted space station so far is really fun!

Star Wars audiobooks are usually pretty good with the sound effects, but yeah - sometimes a narrator can pull me out of the story.