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Star Wars: The High Republic
Tears of the Nameless
The New York Times best-selling series continues in this heart-wrenching sequel to Defy the Storm where fans will reunite with fan-favorite Jedi Knight Reath Silas.
Written by the author of The High Eye of Darkness, The High Quest for the Hidden City, Dark Legends, and Myths & Fables, this next High Republic installment is perfect for fans of investigative mysteries, mythology, monster-hunting, and apocalyptic sci-fi.
It’s been over a year since the fall of the Starlight Beacon space station, and both heroes and villains alike must face the consequences of their decisions. When Jedi Knight Reath and Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo are sent on a mission to test their theories about the Nameless, they’ll come face-to-face with the terrifying creatures once thought to be myth—and learn the true meaning of fear . . . fear that fallen Jedi Azlin Rell advised them to embrace if they have any hope of defeating the monsters . . .
Written by the author of The High Eye of Darkness, The High Quest for the Hidden City, Dark Legends, and Myths & Fables, this next High Republic installment is perfect for fans of investigative mysteries, mythology, monster-hunting, and apocalyptic sci-fi.
It’s been over a year since the fall of the Starlight Beacon space station, and both heroes and villains alike must face the consequences of their decisions. When Jedi Knight Reath and Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo are sent on a mission to test their theories about the Nameless, they’ll come face-to-face with the terrifying creatures once thought to be myth—and learn the true meaning of fear . . . fear that fallen Jedi Azlin Rell advised them to embrace if they have any hope of defeating the monsters . . .
14 pages, Audiobook
First published September 24, 2024
85 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read
About the author
George Mann
365 books675 followersGeorge Mann is an author and editor, primarily in genre fiction. He was born in Darlington, County Durham in 1978.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
September 28, 2024
This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. We finally got answers about the Nameless and the blight. We saw the reunion of Reath and Cohmac. We got inside the head of Jedi when they are attacked by the Nameless. It was such a satisfying read overall. George Mann delivers!
Reath Silas is my favorite High Republic character. I have loved him since Into the Dark and George Mann has the BEST voice for him. If you’re a Reath fan buckle up, some of his greatest moments are in this novel. I also loved everything that was done with Cohmac and his relationship. If Midnight Horizon left you disappointed, this book will more than make up for it in terms of their dynamic. We are so back!
This book’s other main character, Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo, is also interesting. Whereas Reath is our more bookish character, Amadeo and his master Mirro Lox supply a lot of the action in the book. I also enjoyed their dynamic and how it paralleled Reath and his former master. He also had some of the best lightsaber action!
Vernestra is also in this book and while it’s a smaller role than usual for her she does leave an impression!
While a lot of the High Republic novels have a “disaster movie” theme to them, I would say this book is the first to have a true horror tinge. There are some creepy and disturbing moments, particularly with Azlin Rell (oh if you’ve been wanting more answers about Azlin you’re in luck, he’s a big character in this) and some members of the Nihil who’s roles I won’t spoil. There are some moments in this novel where my heart was pounding so fast because I was scared to turn the page and see one of my favorite characters had died. There are a lot of perilous journeys in this book and I was very scared for them. Like the other High Republic novels, there is death, so bring tissues. This book is pretty Marchion Ro-less I’m sorry to say, but the book is so loaded with other antagonists already I don’t think we needed him.
Don’t be turned off by this being labeled a YA novel. Its characters may be younger, but they are very much in deadly adult situations and the author doesn’t change much of his writing style from Eye of Darkness. This is probably the best YA novel I’ve read for the High Republic and one of my favorite novels in the series PERIOD!
I’ve tried to think of any critiques but I’m coming up short. I can’t even complain about length because every page felt necessary. Many other YA novels in this series might be enjoyable reads but have felt like they didn’t move the overarching story forward in a meaningful way, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for this novel. It is ESSENTIAL! Don’t skip it. We’ve got 1 YA and 1 Adult novel left, so I’m curious where we go from here, but this definitely kicks off the final act of this initiative.
Reath Silas is my favorite High Republic character. I have loved him since Into the Dark and George Mann has the BEST voice for him. If you’re a Reath fan buckle up, some of his greatest moments are in this novel. I also loved everything that was done with Cohmac and his relationship. If Midnight Horizon left you disappointed, this book will more than make up for it in terms of their dynamic. We are so back!
This book’s other main character, Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo, is also interesting. Whereas Reath is our more bookish character, Amadeo and his master Mirro Lox supply a lot of the action in the book. I also enjoyed their dynamic and how it paralleled Reath and his former master. He also had some of the best lightsaber action!
Vernestra is also in this book and while it’s a smaller role than usual for her she does leave an impression!
While a lot of the High Republic novels have a “disaster movie” theme to them, I would say this book is the first to have a true horror tinge. There are some creepy and disturbing moments, particularly with Azlin Rell (oh if you’ve been wanting more answers about Azlin you’re in luck, he’s a big character in this) and some members of the Nihil who’s roles I won’t spoil. There are some moments in this novel where my heart was pounding so fast because I was scared to turn the page and see one of my favorite characters had died. There are a lot of perilous journeys in this book and I was very scared for them. Like the other High Republic novels, there is death, so bring tissues. This book is pretty Marchion Ro-less I’m sorry to say, but the book is so loaded with other antagonists already I don’t think we needed him.
Don’t be turned off by this being labeled a YA novel. Its characters may be younger, but they are very much in deadly adult situations and the author doesn’t change much of his writing style from Eye of Darkness. This is probably the best YA novel I’ve read for the High Republic and one of my favorite novels in the series PERIOD!
I’ve tried to think of any critiques but I’m coming up short. I can’t even complain about length because every page felt necessary. Many other YA novels in this series might be enjoyable reads but have felt like they didn’t move the overarching story forward in a meaningful way, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for this novel. It is ESSENTIAL! Don’t skip it. We’ve got 1 YA and 1 Adult novel left, so I’m curious where we go from here, but this definitely kicks off the final act of this initiative.
September 29, 2024
This is a really good book. George Mann just has a writing style that works well for me in Star Wars, and this book felt much more like the adult novels rather than the YA ones (which really helped with my enjoyment).
The book has some excellent pacing and plotting, and the action at the end was a good counterbalance to the setup and scientific work at the beginning of the book. The book never really felt boring, as George Mann plotted it out very well.
There are also some great character interactions in this book. The friendship dynamic between Reath and Vernestra and the friendship between Reath and Amadeo was great. I think that in previous authors and books there would have been an inclination to write a romantic relatinoship between Reath and Amadeo, and it was so refreshing that George Mann focused on writing a good friendship instead, which really was the right move.
I also really was intrigued by the themes of the book. The themes about loss and regret and moving on from a loved one's death I thought were really excellently handled, and still accessible for Young Adult readers.
The exploration of the Nameless, the Nihil, and the Blight was all interesting. The villain in the book is only "good", but the way that George Mann is tying together threads from the entire High Republic series makes this book not only entertaining to read, but it also makes me feel much more rewarded for reading the other books.
Overall, I really loved this book. I'll give it a 9 out of 10! Well done George Mann! This is not only my favorite YA book in the High Republic, I think this is the first and only time that the YA story has surpassed the adult and Middle grade stories in its "Wave".
The book has some excellent pacing and plotting, and the action at the end was a good counterbalance to the setup and scientific work at the beginning of the book. The book never really felt boring, as George Mann plotted it out very well.
There are also some great character interactions in this book. The friendship dynamic between Reath and Vernestra and the friendship between Reath and Amadeo was great. I think that in previous authors and books there would have been an inclination to write a romantic relatinoship between Reath and Amadeo, and it was so refreshing that George Mann focused on writing a good friendship instead, which really was the right move.
I also really was intrigued by the themes of the book. The themes about loss and regret and moving on from a loved one's death I thought were really excellently handled, and still accessible for Young Adult readers.
The exploration of the Nameless, the Nihil, and the Blight was all interesting. The villain in the book is only "good", but the way that George Mann is tying together threads from the entire High Republic series makes this book not only entertaining to read, but it also makes me feel much more rewarded for reading the other books.
Overall, I really loved this book. I'll give it a 9 out of 10! Well done George Mann! This is not only my favorite YA book in the High Republic, I think this is the first and only time that the YA story has surpassed the adult and Middle grade stories in its "Wave".
September 21, 2024
George Mann, you did it. You really did it. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
April 10, 2025
reread prior to into the light:
I'm still mad I had to wait for this book due to the late audio release, but I have it, i read it, and I loved it.
I wouldn't be able to review this anywhere near as well as other people have if I tried.
So I will just say this book gave me everything I have wanted and more in a star wars book, and answered most of the questions I have needed answers for since the start of the high republic.
The perfect penultimate book in the YA series and a fabulous and emotional read that THR is known for. George Mann killed this one!!!
I'm not ready for the final wave of this series of books that I have followed and loved since the announcement of project luminous way back when.
I'm still mad I had to wait for this book due to the late audio release, but I have it, i read it, and I loved it.
I wouldn't be able to review this anywhere near as well as other people have if I tried.
So I will just say this book gave me everything I have wanted and more in a star wars book, and answered most of the questions I have needed answers for since the start of the high republic.
The perfect penultimate book in the YA series and a fabulous and emotional read that THR is known for. George Mann killed this one!!!
I'm not ready for the final wave of this series of books that I have followed and loved since the announcement of project luminous way back when.
January 16, 2025
George Mann does not miss with Star Wars, I’m so (not) ready for wave 3
November 18, 2024
I cannot believe people skip Junior/YA Star Wars High Republic books. We learn so much in this book, it might be one of my favorite Junior novels of the HR series. Reath and Affie are some of my favorite characters so I was happy to get a lot more of them.
September 29, 2024
This pushed the series forward quite well and developed the broader plot in an interesting way, but I was disappointed that most of the big reveals were things that the reader already knew, even if the characters had not know prior.
October 7, 2024
I'm rounding this up to 4 stars. While there are a number of sub-plots that didn't interest me, the central struggle between Reath and Azlin more than made up for lack of interest elsewhere in the novel. Overall, this felt far more satisfying to me than most of the recent High Republic books.
September 25, 2024
Thanks to Disney Publishing Worldwide for the review copy of this book. This review is spoiler-free.
This dad read Tears of the Nameless by George Mann, the newest Young Adult novel from The High Republic phase 3. Like most Star Wars novels, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this one and I can conclusively state that it ranks among the best YA books in the entire High Republic initiative. I attribute this to its central characters, its story progression, exploration of lore, and writing by George Mann.
Reath Silas has been a favorite since his introduction by Claudia Gray in 2021’s Into the Dark. His bookishness was a huge part of his appeal but it’s been his growth over the years that’s truly affirmed how stellar of a character he really is. In Tears of the Nameless, Reath is still reeling from Master Cohmac Vitus’ exit from the Jedi Order; he can’t help but think he was somehow part of the problem. Now, being thrust into knighthood and with the galaxy in greater peril than ever, Reath finds himself somewhat adrift as he dives headfirst into learning more about the blight (his Jedi bro Ram Jomaram is doing his own thing in the Occlusion Zone). Thus enters Amadeo Azzazo, a padawan introduced in the YA anthology Tales of Light and Life, in which he and his Jedi Master Lox were called back to Coruscant following the destruction of Starlight Beacon. Amadeo is young, energetic, and just the sidekick Reath needs to break out of his funk. The fast friendship they form catapults them into a breakthrough that could be the key to ending the terrors of both the Nameless and the blight.
Also along for the ride is the crew of The Vessel: Affie, Leox, and Geode. It’s always a joy getting to spend time with this crew, who now are more dedicated to helping the galaxy and their Jedi pals than ever. Affie’s determination combined with Leox’s swagger and Geode’s technical skills make them the perfect trio to aid the Jedi in their quest again the Nihil.
Azlin Rell, the centuries old Jedi who famously turned to the dark side after his experiences with the Nameless, is also present and I love how his true motivations are unclear the entire time. Is he trying to aid Reath in his quest or turn him to the dark side? With the absence of a clear villain like Marchion Ro (save for one particularly nasty and unforgettable Nihil), Tears of the Nameless shows that sometimes the scariest villains can be right under your nose.
George Mann brings his penchant for lore into Tears of the Nameless in a stunning way. Mann’s Dark Horse miniseries Echoes of Fear similarly dives into Reath and Amadeo’s research into the Echo Stone, which a portion of Nameless is dedicated too as well. Once all issues of the miniseries are released it will make for a fun interquel to Tears of the Nameless, filling in small research gaps in the Jedi Archive on Coruscant. Nameless contains quite a bit of deep exploration and discovery about not just the Echo Stone, but other Force artifacts, mysterious long-forgotten planets, and the origins of the Nameless. This book takes a gigantic step forward in terms of getting questions that have been around since phase 1 answered while keeping the tension and mystery intact. Without giving anything away I was absolutely floored by what’s revealed in this book and can’t wait to see where things go from here.
In the acknowledgements, Mann mentions the personal struggles he was going through as he wrote this book. The emotions of what he went through are seeped into every chapter, both the hard times and the triumphs. I applaud George for his bravery, both in his personal battles and for the work it took to get this book into our hands. Tears of the Nameless is simply put, outstanding, I give it 🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢/5 – highly recommend!
This dad read Tears of the Nameless by George Mann, the newest Young Adult novel from The High Republic phase 3. Like most Star Wars novels, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this one and I can conclusively state that it ranks among the best YA books in the entire High Republic initiative. I attribute this to its central characters, its story progression, exploration of lore, and writing by George Mann.
Reath Silas has been a favorite since his introduction by Claudia Gray in 2021’s Into the Dark. His bookishness was a huge part of his appeal but it’s been his growth over the years that’s truly affirmed how stellar of a character he really is. In Tears of the Nameless, Reath is still reeling from Master Cohmac Vitus’ exit from the Jedi Order; he can’t help but think he was somehow part of the problem. Now, being thrust into knighthood and with the galaxy in greater peril than ever, Reath finds himself somewhat adrift as he dives headfirst into learning more about the blight (his Jedi bro Ram Jomaram is doing his own thing in the Occlusion Zone). Thus enters Amadeo Azzazo, a padawan introduced in the YA anthology Tales of Light and Life, in which he and his Jedi Master Lox were called back to Coruscant following the destruction of Starlight Beacon. Amadeo is young, energetic, and just the sidekick Reath needs to break out of his funk. The fast friendship they form catapults them into a breakthrough that could be the key to ending the terrors of both the Nameless and the blight.
Also along for the ride is the crew of The Vessel: Affie, Leox, and Geode. It’s always a joy getting to spend time with this crew, who now are more dedicated to helping the galaxy and their Jedi pals than ever. Affie’s determination combined with Leox’s swagger and Geode’s technical skills make them the perfect trio to aid the Jedi in their quest again the Nihil.
Azlin Rell, the centuries old Jedi who famously turned to the dark side after his experiences with the Nameless, is also present and I love how his true motivations are unclear the entire time. Is he trying to aid Reath in his quest or turn him to the dark side? With the absence of a clear villain like Marchion Ro (save for one particularly nasty and unforgettable Nihil), Tears of the Nameless shows that sometimes the scariest villains can be right under your nose.
George Mann brings his penchant for lore into Tears of the Nameless in a stunning way. Mann’s Dark Horse miniseries Echoes of Fear similarly dives into Reath and Amadeo’s research into the Echo Stone, which a portion of Nameless is dedicated too as well. Once all issues of the miniseries are released it will make for a fun interquel to Tears of the Nameless, filling in small research gaps in the Jedi Archive on Coruscant. Nameless contains quite a bit of deep exploration and discovery about not just the Echo Stone, but other Force artifacts, mysterious long-forgotten planets, and the origins of the Nameless. This book takes a gigantic step forward in terms of getting questions that have been around since phase 1 answered while keeping the tension and mystery intact. Without giving anything away I was absolutely floored by what’s revealed in this book and can’t wait to see where things go from here.
In the acknowledgements, Mann mentions the personal struggles he was going through as he wrote this book. The emotions of what he went through are seeped into every chapter, both the hard times and the triumphs. I applaud George for his bravery, both in his personal battles and for the work it took to get this book into our hands. Tears of the Nameless is simply put, outstanding, I give it 🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢/5 – highly recommend!
September 25, 2024
Grief, horror, and history collide in this hauntingly hopeful High Republic young adult novel.
From my review in my newsletter: https://spacewizardbooks.substack.com...
While reading Tears of the Nameless, I often forgot I was reading a young adult novel. The new High Republic novel by George Mann was that intense, thrilling, and so full of horror.
Tears of the Nameless is the newest book set in the third and final phase of The High Republic. It’s a lengthy (over 500 pages) and information-dense book that signals a major turning point for the Jedi and Republic’s yearslong conflict with the Nihil and their Nameless weapons. Like all Star Wars stories, there is hope amid devastation — but at what cost?
The book showcases some of Mann’s finest Star Wars work yet and builds on the success of his The Eye of Darkness, which came out last year. At this point in The High Republic timeline, the Jedi have figured out how to puncture the Stormwall and gain somewhat of an advantage against the Nihil. But this fight has never been just between two groups. Over several years, the Jedi have struggled and lost so much trying to keep the Republic safe and to understand why the Nihil and their leader Marchion Ro do what they do.
In Tears of the Nameless, a large cast of beloved characters all have one goal — uncovering the origins of the Nameless and how to stop them.
The book chiefly follows Reath Silas, a young Jedi Knight we haven’t seen much of since the gutwrenching ending of Midnight Horizon. Over the last year, Reath has burdened himself with being the lead investigator into the origins of the Nameless — their biology, their Force-eating effects on the Jedi, and what, if at all, the Jedi can do to defend themselves against their fear-induced hallucinations. Reath has been working himself to the point of bleak exhaustion coupled with the grief and turmoil of his Master Cohmac Vitas abruptly leaving him and the Jedi Order.
In the absence of his former master, Reath seeks insight into the Nameless from Azlin Rell — a disgraced former Jedi fueled by the dark side in a centuries-long quest to find answers about the Nameless and defeat the creatures. In Azlin, Reath sees someone not to look up to or find clear answers, but someone who understands his fear and loneliness.
Besides Reath, Jedi Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo is the core to the story alongside his Master Mirro Lox. These two were introduced in Tales of Light and Life, and Amadeo’s field experience turns out to be key to understanding the connections between the plague-like Blight and the Nameless.
Through Reath and Amadeo’s perspectives, we get the core of the novel — grief, trauma, fear, and exhaustion. These two young men are put through the wringer in Tears of the Nameless. They accomplish so much and more than prove themselves in the face of abject horror and edge-of-death experiences. Their findings will absolutely move the needle in the fight against the Nameless. But at what cost to their health and wellbeing?
Leaning a bit into adult Star Wars novel style, Tears of the Nameless bounces between POVs of Reath, Amadeo, the Vessel crew, Vernestra Rwoh, flashbacks with Cohmac Vitus, and new villain character Sicarus. In my review copy of the book, I wrote “like Icarus?” in the margins. Without spoilers, I can confirm that yes, just like Icarus — the boy of Greek myth who flew too close to the sun.
Tears of the Nameless builds upon the overarching High Republic question of “what scares the Jedi?” by adding “what can incapacitate the Jedi?” Jedi being Jedi, it’s difficult for them to prioritize their health and safety over that of others in danger. The Jedi are the front-line first responders of the galaxy, but we’ve seen many of them perish under the life-sucking tentacles of the Nameless because of their selflessness.
This book forces the Jedi to face their fears and prioritize their safety — not for selfish reasons but because their knowledge is key to helping the entire galaxy.
Perhaps more so than any other young adult High Republic book, Tears of the Nameless is an epic and essential story to this era of Star Wars. It’s chock full of history and lore-filled answers to some of The High Republic’s biggest questions. And it clearly lays out what the Jedi are going to do next as The High Republic heads to its conclusion next year.
By probing the Nameless’s heartbreaking history and exploring a potential path to peace, Tears of the Nameless cements itself as one of the most intense High Republic stories out there. Through explorations of grief, horror, and history, the novel is a haunting and exceptional piece of Star Wars storytelling.
From my review in my newsletter: https://spacewizardbooks.substack.com...
While reading Tears of the Nameless, I often forgot I was reading a young adult novel. The new High Republic novel by George Mann was that intense, thrilling, and so full of horror.
Tears of the Nameless is the newest book set in the third and final phase of The High Republic. It’s a lengthy (over 500 pages) and information-dense book that signals a major turning point for the Jedi and Republic’s yearslong conflict with the Nihil and their Nameless weapons. Like all Star Wars stories, there is hope amid devastation — but at what cost?
The book showcases some of Mann’s finest Star Wars work yet and builds on the success of his The Eye of Darkness, which came out last year. At this point in The High Republic timeline, the Jedi have figured out how to puncture the Stormwall and gain somewhat of an advantage against the Nihil. But this fight has never been just between two groups. Over several years, the Jedi have struggled and lost so much trying to keep the Republic safe and to understand why the Nihil and their leader Marchion Ro do what they do.
In Tears of the Nameless, a large cast of beloved characters all have one goal — uncovering the origins of the Nameless and how to stop them.
The book chiefly follows Reath Silas, a young Jedi Knight we haven’t seen much of since the gutwrenching ending of Midnight Horizon. Over the last year, Reath has burdened himself with being the lead investigator into the origins of the Nameless — their biology, their Force-eating effects on the Jedi, and what, if at all, the Jedi can do to defend themselves against their fear-induced hallucinations. Reath has been working himself to the point of bleak exhaustion coupled with the grief and turmoil of his Master Cohmac Vitas abruptly leaving him and the Jedi Order.
In the absence of his former master, Reath seeks insight into the Nameless from Azlin Rell — a disgraced former Jedi fueled by the dark side in a centuries-long quest to find answers about the Nameless and defeat the creatures. In Azlin, Reath sees someone not to look up to or find clear answers, but someone who understands his fear and loneliness.
Besides Reath, Jedi Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo is the core to the story alongside his Master Mirro Lox. These two were introduced in Tales of Light and Life, and Amadeo’s field experience turns out to be key to understanding the connections between the plague-like Blight and the Nameless.
Through Reath and Amadeo’s perspectives, we get the core of the novel — grief, trauma, fear, and exhaustion. These two young men are put through the wringer in Tears of the Nameless. They accomplish so much and more than prove themselves in the face of abject horror and edge-of-death experiences. Their findings will absolutely move the needle in the fight against the Nameless. But at what cost to their health and wellbeing?
Leaning a bit into adult Star Wars novel style, Tears of the Nameless bounces between POVs of Reath, Amadeo, the Vessel crew, Vernestra Rwoh, flashbacks with Cohmac Vitus, and new villain character Sicarus. In my review copy of the book, I wrote “like Icarus?” in the margins. Without spoilers, I can confirm that yes, just like Icarus — the boy of Greek myth who flew too close to the sun.
Tears of the Nameless builds upon the overarching High Republic question of “what scares the Jedi?” by adding “what can incapacitate the Jedi?” Jedi being Jedi, it’s difficult for them to prioritize their health and safety over that of others in danger. The Jedi are the front-line first responders of the galaxy, but we’ve seen many of them perish under the life-sucking tentacles of the Nameless because of their selflessness.
This book forces the Jedi to face their fears and prioritize their safety — not for selfish reasons but because their knowledge is key to helping the entire galaxy.
Perhaps more so than any other young adult High Republic book, Tears of the Nameless is an epic and essential story to this era of Star Wars. It’s chock full of history and lore-filled answers to some of The High Republic’s biggest questions. And it clearly lays out what the Jedi are going to do next as The High Republic heads to its conclusion next year.
By probing the Nameless’s heartbreaking history and exploring a potential path to peace, Tears of the Nameless cements itself as one of the most intense High Republic stories out there. Through explorations of grief, horror, and history, the novel is a haunting and exceptional piece of Star Wars storytelling.
May 18, 2025
I can definitely see why this novel is so popular, and it's possibly the second best YA novel of the High Republic initiative so far for me. This is what I wanted from the YA novels of this series, more development for Reath and the Vessel crew, some awesome action, and a plot that is both important yet doesn't take away from the adult novels. I have no idea why this took so long, with the, for me, lame Vernestra novels and such. Amadeo is really lovely, and seeing everyone I loved from phase one's YA novels be the focus again here was perfect. I also loved how dark and disturbing this novel got at times. Loved it. Phase three is really strong so far. 9/10.
November 30, 2025
This is alongside Into the Dark the best YA Novel in the High Republic initiative.
November 19, 2024
Peak High Republic 🥰
December 27, 2024
This was peak
October 12, 2024
Well, they did it. The bastards finally did it.
Here's a High Republic entry that doesn't feel like just another middle chapter. It's got a worthy mystery, a satisfying resolution, a villain who comes and goes at the correct times (see my previous nitpicks about how the HR has gotten too "precious" about these Nihil villains and seems to be saving all of their deaths until the sure-to-be-busy final book). It feels like a standalone adventure while also contributing something valuable to the larger narrative of the Jedi's struggle against Marchion Ro, putting our heroes well on their way to being remembered as the "defenders of peace and justice" old Ben always made them up to be.
The story focuses on the theme of selflessness, and how every well-adjusted, sane person in the universe possesses the instinct to help others in need (and conversely, how anyone who doesn't have this instinct, or who claims to want to help but never seems to actually do it, is an untrustworthy, unhinged psychopath). Not extremely complex stuff, but apt when your narrative centers on two teenage boys living under the rigid tenets of an ancient, set-in-its-ways organization and trying to find their place in the galaxy during the biggest conflict ever seen.
I've had my issues with this series, particularly THE FALLEN STAR and the entirely unnecessary "prequel era" of the HR (seriously guys, didn't we learn our lesson with prequels a long time ago?), but Phase III is really knocking it out of the park. The Nihil always felt like a threat, but now they're interesting beyond that. The introduction of the Ministers, who all have their own reasons for sitting in these positions of power (none of which seem to take Marchion Ro's personal desires and goals into account) is such a perfect way to illustrate why the Republic, for all its flaws, is a better system: Lina Soh may be kind of vapid and delusional, but she truly believes the galaxy can be one community working together, rather than a gaggle of scattered warlords clinging to power and steamrolling whoever they please with impunity. It really goes to show why the Rebel Alliance worked so hard to restore this structure: neither iron-fisted fascism nor complete anarchy (both of which, in the context of Star Wars, are born from the selfish whims of one dude) work for the people.
Sicarus is a nice addition to the rogue's gallery, feeling like a worthy opponent without wearing out his welcome. His involvement also cements Boolan as a classic Star Wars villain, among the other intriguing Minister characters, which is a godsend at this point in the series, given that Lourna Dee, the HR's greatest breakout character, has been inexplicably relegated to a duology of fifth-rate audio dramas and no longer has a part in the real story.
Maybe best of all, this is the only book so far that even remotely attempts to explain Marchion Ro's motivation, and it succeeds in one or two sentences (bonus points because Ro isn't even in the book): he's simply a bully who didn't get enough love and now needs to make it everyone else's problem. Sadly, Ro hasn't been interesting since LIGHT OF THE JEDI and pales in comparison to his lackeys, but at least we didn't have to sit through more of his boring-ass perspective here.
Other stuff:
-The Nameless are possibly the worst thing ever introduced in canon. For one thing, they are repeatedly called the "Nameless" (as in, something that doesn't have a name), but they have names! Lots of them! Shrii Ka Rai, Force Eaters, Levelers - all way better and more intimidating names than "Nameless." More importantly, hear me out here: the prequel movies completely defanged the Jedi and turned them from a unique monastic order who had a special connection to the very essence of nature, to a gestapo of interchangeable sorcerers who take on video-game missions and all die like total chumps. The past 25 years of Star Wars material should've been working to get us OUT of that rut, but the Nameless (to use another video game term) are essentially one-hit-kill machines, which would have been fine if they'd appeared in a single book, but it's been YEARS of watching powerful (and sometimes beloved) characters abruptly turned to ash after whimpering like babies. The Nameless showed up in the third HR novel, were the entire focus of Phase II (no surprise that these were prequels!), and have yet to be defeated in any way that isn't a total fluke. Their background, revealed in this book, isn't all that compelling, either: an ancient race of dweebs poached them from their homeworld, realized that was a bad idea, and put them back. So after all the creepy poems about them, all the Cthulhu stuff...they're just animals? I guess that's fine if we can just kill them/get rid of them in the next one.
-This book is a bit of a sausage fest, not to mention that Reath and Amadeo aren't starkly different characters (seriously, give me three unique traits of either of them, other than "teenager," "good guy," and "likes to do research"). Thankfully, we DO get some of Vernestra, the series's other breakout (and one of my favorite Jedi of all time), though she's mostly relegated to hanging out in the Jedi Temple and spying on shifty guards. Mostly, her involvement amounts to the writers reminding us of the series's biggest MacGuffin: she has a special Path in her brain, given to her by Mari San Tekka, which will likely be the deus ex machina in the final book.
-George Mann has seemingly never heard of coordinate adjectives. Take a shot for every sentence that comes off like "He looked at the long tall sleek silver awesome interesting droid." The lack of copyediting on these books leaves me in even more awe than their fierce action and beautiful setpieces do.
-Not that I rate these books by the artistry and technical prowess of the writing, but damn, could we work on the storm of cliche'? "Breath of fresh air," "sight for sore eyes," "butterflies in the stomach" (which also implies some sort of anachronism OR the existence of Earth), etc. I know this entry is marketed as Young Adult, but don't we want our young adults to experience good writing, especially if they want to be writers?
-On the upside, we get Dorian, a transgender medic whom Amadeo develops the hots for. I appreciated Dorian because he actually comes out to Amadeo in a meaningful way during a difficult time, and while Amadeo doesn't think of it as a big deal, it still hits home. One of the nitpicks I usually have with queernorm fantasy universes is that the very concept of "queernorm" is often used to dodge the responsibility of depicting queer characters as, well, queer. Even in a world where trans people are universally respected for who they are, with nobody thinking of it as a big deal, trans people would still need to go through the process of realizing they're trans, transitioning, and telling their loved ones about it. So while we will probably not see Dorian again, he's an excellent standout here.
Overall, this was a good entry, and it feels like we're ramping up to the end. The stakes feel high for the upcoming finales of the flagship comic, HR Adventures, and The Edge of Balance. Mostly, I hope they give room for every character to have a meaningful ending. Either way, I'll be here to complain about it :) Seeya then!
Here's a High Republic entry that doesn't feel like just another middle chapter. It's got a worthy mystery, a satisfying resolution, a villain who comes and goes at the correct times (see my previous nitpicks about how the HR has gotten too "precious" about these Nihil villains and seems to be saving all of their deaths until the sure-to-be-busy final book). It feels like a standalone adventure while also contributing something valuable to the larger narrative of the Jedi's struggle against Marchion Ro, putting our heroes well on their way to being remembered as the "defenders of peace and justice" old Ben always made them up to be.
The story focuses on the theme of selflessness, and how every well-adjusted, sane person in the universe possesses the instinct to help others in need (and conversely, how anyone who doesn't have this instinct, or who claims to want to help but never seems to actually do it, is an untrustworthy, unhinged psychopath). Not extremely complex stuff, but apt when your narrative centers on two teenage boys living under the rigid tenets of an ancient, set-in-its-ways organization and trying to find their place in the galaxy during the biggest conflict ever seen.
I've had my issues with this series, particularly THE FALLEN STAR and the entirely unnecessary "prequel era" of the HR (seriously guys, didn't we learn our lesson with prequels a long time ago?), but Phase III is really knocking it out of the park. The Nihil always felt like a threat, but now they're interesting beyond that. The introduction of the Ministers, who all have their own reasons for sitting in these positions of power (none of which seem to take Marchion Ro's personal desires and goals into account) is such a perfect way to illustrate why the Republic, for all its flaws, is a better system: Lina Soh may be kind of vapid and delusional, but she truly believes the galaxy can be one community working together, rather than a gaggle of scattered warlords clinging to power and steamrolling whoever they please with impunity. It really goes to show why the Rebel Alliance worked so hard to restore this structure: neither iron-fisted fascism nor complete anarchy (both of which, in the context of Star Wars, are born from the selfish whims of one dude) work for the people.
Sicarus is a nice addition to the rogue's gallery, feeling like a worthy opponent without wearing out his welcome. His involvement also cements Boolan as a classic Star Wars villain, among the other intriguing Minister characters, which is a godsend at this point in the series, given that Lourna Dee, the HR's greatest breakout character, has been inexplicably relegated to a duology of fifth-rate audio dramas and no longer has a part in the real story.
Maybe best of all, this is the only book so far that even remotely attempts to explain Marchion Ro's motivation, and it succeeds in one or two sentences (bonus points because Ro isn't even in the book): he's simply a bully who didn't get enough love and now needs to make it everyone else's problem. Sadly, Ro hasn't been interesting since LIGHT OF THE JEDI and pales in comparison to his lackeys, but at least we didn't have to sit through more of his boring-ass perspective here.
Other stuff:
-The Nameless are possibly the worst thing ever introduced in canon. For one thing, they are repeatedly called the "Nameless" (as in, something that doesn't have a name), but they have names! Lots of them! Shrii Ka Rai, Force Eaters, Levelers - all way better and more intimidating names than "Nameless." More importantly, hear me out here: the prequel movies completely defanged the Jedi and turned them from a unique monastic order who had a special connection to the very essence of nature, to a gestapo of interchangeable sorcerers who take on video-game missions and all die like total chumps. The past 25 years of Star Wars material should've been working to get us OUT of that rut, but the Nameless (to use another video game term) are essentially one-hit-kill machines, which would have been fine if they'd appeared in a single book, but it's been YEARS of watching powerful (and sometimes beloved) characters abruptly turned to ash after whimpering like babies. The Nameless showed up in the third HR novel, were the entire focus of Phase II (no surprise that these were prequels!), and have yet to be defeated in any way that isn't a total fluke. Their background, revealed in this book, isn't all that compelling, either: an ancient race of dweebs poached them from their homeworld, realized that was a bad idea, and put them back. So after all the creepy poems about them, all the Cthulhu stuff...they're just animals? I guess that's fine if we can just kill them/get rid of them in the next one.
-This book is a bit of a sausage fest, not to mention that Reath and Amadeo aren't starkly different characters (seriously, give me three unique traits of either of them, other than "teenager," "good guy," and "likes to do research"). Thankfully, we DO get some of Vernestra, the series's other breakout (and one of my favorite Jedi of all time), though she's mostly relegated to hanging out in the Jedi Temple and spying on shifty guards. Mostly, her involvement amounts to the writers reminding us of the series's biggest MacGuffin: she has a special Path in her brain, given to her by Mari San Tekka, which will likely be the deus ex machina in the final book.
-George Mann has seemingly never heard of coordinate adjectives. Take a shot for every sentence that comes off like "He looked at the long tall sleek silver awesome interesting droid." The lack of copyediting on these books leaves me in even more awe than their fierce action and beautiful setpieces do.
-Not that I rate these books by the artistry and technical prowess of the writing, but damn, could we work on the storm of cliche'? "Breath of fresh air," "sight for sore eyes," "butterflies in the stomach" (which also implies some sort of anachronism OR the existence of Earth), etc. I know this entry is marketed as Young Adult, but don't we want our young adults to experience good writing, especially if they want to be writers?
-On the upside, we get Dorian, a transgender medic whom Amadeo develops the hots for. I appreciated Dorian because he actually comes out to Amadeo in a meaningful way during a difficult time, and while Amadeo doesn't think of it as a big deal, it still hits home. One of the nitpicks I usually have with queernorm fantasy universes is that the very concept of "queernorm" is often used to dodge the responsibility of depicting queer characters as, well, queer. Even in a world where trans people are universally respected for who they are, with nobody thinking of it as a big deal, trans people would still need to go through the process of realizing they're trans, transitioning, and telling their loved ones about it. So while we will probably not see Dorian again, he's an excellent standout here.
Overall, this was a good entry, and it feels like we're ramping up to the end. The stakes feel high for the upcoming finales of the flagship comic, HR Adventures, and The Edge of Balance. Mostly, I hope they give room for every character to have a meaningful ending. Either way, I'll be here to complain about it :) Seeya then!
August 23, 2025
In Phase 3 of the High Republic, George Mann is proving that he's the best writer in the series. The way he weaves characters and narrative points together feels just right for a Star Wars story. And he avoids pitfalls that beset the work of other authors—in the case of Tears of the Nameless, he eliminates the gushy teen romances that have wrecked a lot of other High Republic books. Free from those distractions, Mann tells a story that contributes more to the overall plot of the series than almost any other book.
In this book, Reath and Cohmac are the central protagonists. The last book in which they appeared completely misunderstood their characters, but now they're back to who they're supposed to be. I loved the aspect of the two of them separately, finding the same conclusions from their investigations. Then, when they reunite and discover that they've been pursuing the same paths, it's a great moment. I enjoyed seeing archaeological detective work happening in Star Wars.
Another point in this book's favor is that Marchion Ro is almost entirely absent. It's like Mann felt as many High Republic readers are feeling by this point in the series: Marchion Ro is uninteresting. This novel does some interesting things with the Nameless, and they feel more threatening and also, in some ways, sympathetic. Ro is unnecessary, though it feels odd that his challenge at the end of the previous grown-up novel goes unmentioned in this story, which must come after that one.
One of the main themes this book explores (building on earlier story arcs in the High Republic) is the idea that one Jedi's doubt and, in some cases, walking away from the Order sets up ongoing effects for the Jedi near to them. This will also show up later, in the prequel era, but I like the High Republic best when it dwells in this melancholic tone of loss and questioning. Mann writes these moments really skillfully.
As an audiobook, Tears of the Nameless has such grand potential that it ought to have been read by Marc Thompson. He would have been wonderful acting out this story. Unfortunately, the narrator for this book falls far short in some important voices. I think any Star Wars reader needs to have a good Yoda voice—and this reader really, really doesn't. Yoda sounds old, but not like Yoda; and for reasons I can't understand, he speaks with the same voice as Elzar. Why does this reader think Elzar is a wizened old man? The other major mistake is Leox's voice. From his first introduction in the series, Leox has obviously been Matthew McConaughey; but that is definitely not the case with this reader, who buries his characteristic vocal styling.
In this book, Reath and Cohmac are the central protagonists. The last book in which they appeared completely misunderstood their characters, but now they're back to who they're supposed to be. I loved the aspect of the two of them separately, finding the same conclusions from their investigations. Then, when they reunite and discover that they've been pursuing the same paths, it's a great moment. I enjoyed seeing archaeological detective work happening in Star Wars.
Another point in this book's favor is that Marchion Ro is almost entirely absent. It's like Mann felt as many High Republic readers are feeling by this point in the series: Marchion Ro is uninteresting. This novel does some interesting things with the Nameless, and they feel more threatening and also, in some ways, sympathetic. Ro is unnecessary, though it feels odd that his challenge at the end of the previous grown-up novel goes unmentioned in this story, which must come after that one.
One of the main themes this book explores (building on earlier story arcs in the High Republic) is the idea that one Jedi's doubt and, in some cases, walking away from the Order sets up ongoing effects for the Jedi near to them. This will also show up later, in the prequel era, but I like the High Republic best when it dwells in this melancholic tone of loss and questioning. Mann writes these moments really skillfully.
As an audiobook, Tears of the Nameless has such grand potential that it ought to have been read by Marc Thompson. He would have been wonderful acting out this story. Unfortunately, the narrator for this book falls far short in some important voices. I think any Star Wars reader needs to have a good Yoda voice—and this reader really, really doesn't. Yoda sounds old, but not like Yoda; and for reasons I can't understand, he speaks with the same voice as Elzar. Why does this reader think Elzar is a wizened old man? The other major mistake is Leox's voice. From his first introduction in the series, Leox has obviously been Matthew McConaughey; but that is definitely not the case with this reader, who buries his characteristic vocal styling.
October 3, 2024
Absolutely is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I never doubted that George Mann could handle the crux of Reath’s journey as a Jedi Knight so carefully and tenderly. I will hold Amadeo and Reath’s friendship close to my heart forever.
Furthermore, I resonated so deeply with this book and the lessons that were taught throughout. Many had me putting the book down to stop and think for a moment. It’s like the characters knew what I have been going through, what I’ve been questioning about life and the world I live in. So many times did Cohmac’s advice to Reath had me wishing somebody told me that at one point in my life—but like how Reath must have felt, this advice and aid comes at a time where we need it said to us the most… without realizing how badly we needed it.
Forever going to recommend The High Republic to everyone who is curious about it, has never heard of it, etc. It’s book like these in the series where I am confident it could change somebody’s life, like it did mine.
Furthermore, I resonated so deeply with this book and the lessons that were taught throughout. Many had me putting the book down to stop and think for a moment. It’s like the characters knew what I have been going through, what I’ve been questioning about life and the world I live in. So many times did Cohmac’s advice to Reath had me wishing somebody told me that at one point in my life—but like how Reath must have felt, this advice and aid comes at a time where we need it said to us the most… without realizing how badly we needed it.
Forever going to recommend The High Republic to everyone who is curious about it, has never heard of it, etc. It’s book like these in the series where I am confident it could change somebody’s life, like it did mine.
December 30, 2024
this was devastatingly beautiful, George Mann tackles anxiety and fear, finding your purpose and continuing to live in the midst of grief through the lens of fighting for the greater good, found family and of course hope. This was star was at its core
I wish this book didn’t have so many necessary predecessors so that I could recommend it to EVERYONE
I wish this book didn’t have so many necessary predecessors so that I could recommend it to EVERYONE
November 14, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
George Mann writes damn good Star Wars. Love how the plot blended details and followed up with characters from phase one so well, and we are finally getting answers!
George Mann writes damn good Star Wars. Love how the plot blended details and followed up with characters from phase one so well, and we are finally getting answers!
October 3, 2024
not only this became one of my favorite the high republic books, this book is also one of the best books i have ever read. tears of the nameless was incredibly BRILLIANT
July 22, 2025
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I just don't get George Mann. Like, there are reasons to like this book. But I just don't feel anything from the text. And he's so freaking vague when he needs to be specific, like when characters are doing science or solving ancient puzzles.
September 27, 2024
Incredible, riveting, and utterly suspenseful. So many answers and a few questions left. The end is nigh.
August 3, 2025
This book is a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant entry in the High Republic saga, one that rekindled the same sense of wonder I felt reading Into the Dark. Seeing Reath Silas return to center stage was a personal highlight, especially after he had been sidelined for so long. His homecoming, along with his dynamic with Azlin Rell, was a compelling part of the book for me. Mann expertly navigates the nuanced look of conflict, growth, and the weight of legacy within these characters, alongside Amadeo Azzazzo. I genuinely hope that future installments continue to explore the relationships of these characters further, as this was a major enjoyment factor for my reading experience here. The character work here is stellar, and I believe that Mann's gift in writing is making quiet moments have meaning. I didn't feel lost in a massive battle-packed action dialogue the whole time, and he even works in some of the humor that I think the YA books strive at, such as Geode's humor.
Mann doesn't just make his characters life-like, though. His settings read like they're being imported straight into my imagination. The settings are so rich, I felt as though I was being transported all around the galaxy to worlds I had never seen before. It often felt like I was walking alongside the characters, caught up in the same awe and tension of their journeys.
That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. While the experience of reading it was enjoyable, the plot occasionally stumbled. There’s a sense that the story is more setup than payoff, some sort of 500-page prelude to what's next. Several major questions are raised but left dangling, and some of the heavier themes are glossed over with familiar fantasy tropes that feel like shortcuts rather than meaningful exploration. For a series that usually dives deep into the emotional and philosophical complexities of the Jedi Order, this installment felt like it was wading in the shallow end.
There’s also a noticeable reliance on exposition and repetition, which at times bogs down the pacing. The threats of the Nameless and the Nihil remain chilling, a testament to how well they’ve been developed across this phase, but their presence here felt more atmospheric than consequential. We are even introduced to a new character that has their own perspective chapters that ends up just feeling sidelined by the end of the very book they're introduced in.
Ultimately, I landed on 4 stars because the book’s strengths (its characters, emotional beats, and immersive world-building) are too good to ignore. It’s not quite a 5 due to the narrative shortcomings, but it’s far from a 3 thanks to how essential it feels within the broader High Republic story. This is a must-read for fans invested in the saga’s unfolding drama, even if it leaves you with more questions than answers.
Mann doesn't just make his characters life-like, though. His settings read like they're being imported straight into my imagination. The settings are so rich, I felt as though I was being transported all around the galaxy to worlds I had never seen before. It often felt like I was walking alongside the characters, caught up in the same awe and tension of their journeys.
That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. While the experience of reading it was enjoyable, the plot occasionally stumbled. There’s a sense that the story is more setup than payoff, some sort of 500-page prelude to what's next. Several major questions are raised but left dangling, and some of the heavier themes are glossed over with familiar fantasy tropes that feel like shortcuts rather than meaningful exploration. For a series that usually dives deep into the emotional and philosophical complexities of the Jedi Order, this installment felt like it was wading in the shallow end.
There’s also a noticeable reliance on exposition and repetition, which at times bogs down the pacing. The threats of the Nameless and the Nihil remain chilling, a testament to how well they’ve been developed across this phase, but their presence here felt more atmospheric than consequential. We are even introduced to a new character that has their own perspective chapters that ends up just feeling sidelined by the end of the very book they're introduced in.
Ultimately, I landed on 4 stars because the book’s strengths (its characters, emotional beats, and immersive world-building) are too good to ignore. It’s not quite a 5 due to the narrative shortcomings, but it’s far from a 3 thanks to how essential it feels within the broader High Republic story. This is a must-read for fans invested in the saga’s unfolding drama, even if it leaves you with more questions than answers.
January 25, 2025
That’s it for Wave 2 of Phase 3 of the High Republic project, the beginning of the end.
This book really made that sink in, both in tone and story. It didn’t grip me as much as I had hoped and there’s many flaws that mar this otherwise good book, but I did enjoy the experience.
Part of this was due to my squirrel brain hopping between books as my mood dictated, so I couldn’t give this YA novel the focus it needed; but then I never really felt enticed to do so.
Mann's prose and writing style are okay, sometimes good (during descriptions, I especially liked the visuals of the scenes with Azlin, sometimes (especially in dialogues) they fall flat.
In the acknowledgements Mann discloses he had a hard time writing this book and that sucks to hear that, I truly hope he is in a better place. Given the circumstances I think it’s impressive how he managed to balance the often dark subject matter of the plot with good humor and tender character moments.
I don’t put a lot of statistics in my star ratings other than experience and enjoyment but when I first closed the book I gave this 4 stars. Now that I have taken a step back to collect my thoughts I have reduced it to 3.
I think and hope that on a re-read I might enjoy this experience more than I did now, but the future will tell.
My main issues lies with the plot elements. I will go into spoilers a bit, but will hide those.
A lot of the plot points fell flat for me. Crucial elements, posing answers to important questions and issues were just kind of hand-wavely answered or solved with the most basic of fantasy tropes. I will list the most grievous ones here:
Anyway, as foundational as those issues are, I did enjoy the book and most of the story.
It focusses a lot on ancient legends and research of civilizations tens of thousands of years old. I always love it when Star Wars extends our knowledge that far into the history of the galaxy far, far away. As I noted in the spoilered section, the specific research methods aren’t very well done, but I did enjoy most of the new lore we got.
The importance of the events in this book (even if their execution isn’t always to my liking) is truly felt as we are heading into the final wave of the final phase of this ginormous project. While they are a bit overused in this volume, the nameless remain a terrifying threat. It does make you wonder about the reasons given for Jedi to be on these missions at all. I get that the RDF aren’t real soldiers, but the Jedi seem to be more of a liability whenever a Nameless shows up.
The blight is handled well, it is an ever-looming presence and still very mysterious and scary.
Reath is pretty much the main character of this novel and I enjoyed seeing him back so prominently. His personal struggles aren’t as convincing as I’d like so his arc didn’t do much for me. But that might be partially because I DNFed Midnight Horizon (the only THR content I have dropped). Mann did a good job at recapping the events of that one in a more interesting manner though. The conversations between Reath and Azlin are very interesting and well done.
Cohmac is back and we even get some very nice flashbacks to his younger years, revealing the doubts and issues he’s had for most of his life. As noted, the dialogues aren’t the best, but I did enjoy some of the talks between Reath and Cohmac.
Affie and the crew of The Vessel are back and I loved it. Mann writes them quite well and there are some fantastic Geode moments in there.
Vernestra is absent for half the story, following the events of Temptation of the Force, and after that never really had much of an active arc that didn’t seem to conclude much. She did have a very memorable conversation with Yoda.
There is a new, mysterious dark sider character that has been experimented on by Baron Boolan. Through him we get to see some more of what the rest of the Nihil are up to at the moment, but mostly it is his own isolated, insane ramblings and some very interesting interactions with Boolan himself; whom we have hardly had in the books so far. He is sinister, cruel and tragic; I enjoyed his warped perspective.
So yeah, I think the ball was dropped here on some major plot points, but I did enjoy the overall story and the cast. Reading that Mann had such an awful time writing this feels bad, but the foundational work might have benefited from some revision as well.
On to the beginning of the end!
This book really made that sink in, both in tone and story. It didn’t grip me as much as I had hoped and there’s many flaws that mar this otherwise good book, but I did enjoy the experience.
Part of this was due to my squirrel brain hopping between books as my mood dictated, so I couldn’t give this YA novel the focus it needed; but then I never really felt enticed to do so.
Mann's prose and writing style are okay, sometimes good (during descriptions, I especially liked the visuals of the scenes with Azlin, sometimes (especially in dialogues) they fall flat.
In the acknowledgements Mann discloses he had a hard time writing this book and that sucks to hear that, I truly hope he is in a better place. Given the circumstances I think it’s impressive how he managed to balance the often dark subject matter of the plot with good humor and tender character moments.
I don’t put a lot of statistics in my star ratings other than experience and enjoyment but when I first closed the book I gave this 4 stars. Now that I have taken a step back to collect my thoughts I have reduced it to 3.
I think and hope that on a re-read I might enjoy this experience more than I did now, but the future will tell.
My main issues lies with the plot elements. I will go into spoilers a bit, but will hide those.
A lot of the plot points fell flat for me. Crucial elements, posing answers to important questions and issues were just kind of hand-wavely answered or solved with the most basic of fantasy tropes. I will list the most grievous ones here:
Anyway, as foundational as those issues are, I did enjoy the book and most of the story.
It focusses a lot on ancient legends and research of civilizations tens of thousands of years old. I always love it when Star Wars extends our knowledge that far into the history of the galaxy far, far away. As I noted in the spoilered section, the specific research methods aren’t very well done, but I did enjoy most of the new lore we got.
The importance of the events in this book (even if their execution isn’t always to my liking) is truly felt as we are heading into the final wave of the final phase of this ginormous project. While they are a bit overused in this volume, the nameless remain a terrifying threat. It does make you wonder about the reasons given for Jedi to be on these missions at all. I get that the RDF aren’t real soldiers, but the Jedi seem to be more of a liability whenever a Nameless shows up.
The blight is handled well, it is an ever-looming presence and still very mysterious and scary.
Reath is pretty much the main character of this novel and I enjoyed seeing him back so prominently. His personal struggles aren’t as convincing as I’d like so his arc didn’t do much for me. But that might be partially because I DNFed Midnight Horizon (the only THR content I have dropped). Mann did a good job at recapping the events of that one in a more interesting manner though. The conversations between Reath and Azlin are very interesting and well done.
Cohmac is back and we even get some very nice flashbacks to his younger years, revealing the doubts and issues he’s had for most of his life. As noted, the dialogues aren’t the best, but I did enjoy some of the talks between Reath and Cohmac.
Affie and the crew of The Vessel are back and I loved it. Mann writes them quite well and there are some fantastic Geode moments in there.
Vernestra is absent for half the story, following the events of Temptation of the Force, and after that never really had much of an active arc that didn’t seem to conclude much. She did have a very memorable conversation with Yoda.
There is a new, mysterious dark sider character that has been experimented on by Baron Boolan. Through him we get to see some more of what the rest of the Nihil are up to at the moment, but mostly it is his own isolated, insane ramblings and some very interesting interactions with Boolan himself; whom we have hardly had in the books so far. He is sinister, cruel and tragic; I enjoyed his warped perspective.
So yeah, I think the ball was dropped here on some major plot points, but I did enjoy the overall story and the cast. Reading that Mann had such an awful time writing this feels bad, but the foundational work might have benefited from some revision as well.
On to the beginning of the end!
November 16, 2024
Truly phenomenal. I would say this is not only one of the best YA novels in the High Republic series but also just one of the best High Republic novels period. It was harrowing, twisted, clever, intricate, and full of both questions AND answers. More than almost any other recent HR novels, this one had major momentum that is setting us up for the final few books in this huge project. I will be so sad when the High Republic adventures officially draw to a close… and yet, I can’t wait to see how the story ends.
Reath is one of my favorite characters, and I’ve been missing him in the last few novels, so it was a delight to spend so much time with him. I was so intrigued by the presence of fallen Jedi Azlin Rell, who continues to baffle and interest me. (His dynamic with Reath was reminding me of the Maul and Ezra dynamic in Rebels, where I know I can’t fully trust this selfish dark side user but also can’t look away from their interactions.) I was also so happy to see Cohmac back in the story with Reath. What a duo.
I didn’t expect to love Amadeo Azzazzo and Mirro Lox’s bigger role in this novel as much as I did but wow. I love Amadeo’s character development, his friendship with Reath, and the journey he went on in this novel.
Lastly, while this story majorly advanced the plot of the overall HR scope, it also did what I’ve been loving most about these books so well—it handled big themes with such care and attention. Conversations around grief, self-doubt, fear, love, and community are always so beautifully explored in these books, and this novel was no exception. Seeing these characters learn, grow, cry, fail, and support each other through it all is a bright spot in a bleak galaxy. And, as always, provides a fuller picture of the Jedi as not just emotionless peacekeepers, but full people who do feel everything. Beautifully done.
Reath is one of my favorite characters, and I’ve been missing him in the last few novels, so it was a delight to spend so much time with him. I was so intrigued by the presence of fallen Jedi Azlin Rell, who continues to baffle and interest me. (His dynamic with Reath was reminding me of the Maul and Ezra dynamic in Rebels, where I know I can’t fully trust this selfish dark side user but also can’t look away from their interactions.) I was also so happy to see Cohmac back in the story with Reath. What a duo.
I didn’t expect to love Amadeo Azzazzo and Mirro Lox’s bigger role in this novel as much as I did but wow. I love Amadeo’s character development, his friendship with Reath, and the journey he went on in this novel.
Lastly, while this story majorly advanced the plot of the overall HR scope, it also did what I’ve been loving most about these books so well—it handled big themes with such care and attention. Conversations around grief, self-doubt, fear, love, and community are always so beautifully explored in these books, and this novel was no exception. Seeing these characters learn, grow, cry, fail, and support each other through it all is a bright spot in a bleak galaxy. And, as always, provides a fuller picture of the Jedi as not just emotionless peacekeepers, but full people who do feel everything. Beautifully done.
November 3, 2024
"Tears of the Nameless" is by far one of the best YA High Republic books ever written. It weaves multiple plot points together well, gives depth to both new and established characters, and hits on a lot of heavy themes. For a YA book, this book handles with some heavy themes such as handling loss and trauma, processing emotions, transgenderism, abandonment, maintaining integrity in the midst of hardship, and much more.
Reath Silas has always been a beloved character for me in these stories, but he shines in this book more than he does anywhere else in the High Republic series. This book really makes you feel for him and love him in a way that feels much deeper and real.
Typically, it is the case that the adult novels in this series advance the main plot points, but the YA novels have a smaller scope. "Temptation of the Force" and "Tears of the Nameless" almost seem to swap that model in terms of roles. "Temptation of the Force" does advance the plot in some significant ways, but it is more character-driven than plot-driven as it explores Elzar Maan and Avar Kriss. "Tears of the Nameless" on the other hand helps tie together plot points from other books and contains some of the most significant developments in the entire High Republic series about the Jedi conflict with the Nihil. This book is not to be skipped and it is throughly enjoyable. I was so glued to it that I read the last 300 pages in one day. I can't remember the last time a book held my attention for that long.
Reath Silas has always been a beloved character for me in these stories, but he shines in this book more than he does anywhere else in the High Republic series. This book really makes you feel for him and love him in a way that feels much deeper and real.
Typically, it is the case that the adult novels in this series advance the main plot points, but the YA novels have a smaller scope. "Temptation of the Force" and "Tears of the Nameless" almost seem to swap that model in terms of roles. "Temptation of the Force" does advance the plot in some significant ways, but it is more character-driven than plot-driven as it explores Elzar Maan and Avar Kriss. "Tears of the Nameless" on the other hand helps tie together plot points from other books and contains some of the most significant developments in the entire High Republic series about the Jedi conflict with the Nihil. This book is not to be skipped and it is throughly enjoyable. I was so glued to it that I read the last 300 pages in one day. I can't remember the last time a book held my attention for that long.
January 20, 2025
This book really is a spotlight for Reath Silas, in three ways:
1) Being the lead investigator on the Nameless and its connection to the Blight.
2) His interactions with Azlin Rell, almost fall from following leads from the Fallen Jedi, and restoration at the end when he rejects the dark side.
3) His reunion with Master Cohmac, who returns, not to rejoin the Jedi Order, but to assist Reath with his investigations.
By the end of this, the Jedi are closer than ever to stopping the threat of the Nameless. Why do I get the feeling that they come from the same world as the Evereni (which Marchion Ro is) which is why there are almost no Evereni left in the galaxy? Seems to me like a showdown with the Nameless and Ro on the same world would be an amazing final battle. AND we are coming up to that soon...
Overall, I have been enjoying the High Republic series. Looking forward to its explosive end though.
Recommend.
1) Being the lead investigator on the Nameless and its connection to the Blight.
2) His interactions with Azlin Rell, almost fall from following leads from the Fallen Jedi, and restoration at the end when he rejects the dark side.
3) His reunion with Master Cohmac, who returns, not to rejoin the Jedi Order, but to assist Reath with his investigations.
By the end of this, the Jedi are closer than ever to stopping the threat of the Nameless. Why do I get the feeling that they come from the same world as the Evereni (which Marchion Ro is) which is why there are almost no Evereni left in the galaxy? Seems to me like a showdown with the Nameless and Ro on the same world would be an amazing final battle. AND we are coming up to that soon...
Overall, I have been enjoying the High Republic series. Looking forward to its explosive end though.
Recommend.
October 14, 2024
Lady Gaga says it best, “Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before.” This book was marvelous and had me unable to put it down for the last 300 pages (except I had to for work). I have LOVED Reath Silas since the beginning and Amadeo has quickly become one of them since his little short story. While I saw the foreshadowing about his storyline I still was surprised and heartbroken all the same. Azlin is such a complex character that I am unsure how he fits into the book, but his interactions with my current characters always has me on edge and are page turners. This book didn’t just feel like a setup to the next book but a story in which I was craving the answers they were finding out and fully entranced in the current story. Perfect.
November 20, 2024
I’ve felt “meh” for so much of this series, this 5-star is a high point, maybe not a 5 compared to other Star Wars novels, but for the YA High Republic I feel we are finally getting somewhere with this year’s novels! (I gave the adult novel Temptation of the Force 5-stars too). So many plot threadlines and characters finally get drawn together in ways I can care about some of them because it’s all gelling together for once, and also some answers finally to the nameless. I’m not going out of my way to recommend this series to randos who are deep into Star Wars, but I’ve finally got enough out it it to keep hanging around for what’s next.
July 15, 2025
Almost skipped over it because it was labelled young adult, but I’ve found the story and themes in this one to be absolute peak Star Wars.
In my opinion, this is the best book in the High Republic.
My favourite thing is it had that sense of everyone being in real danger. This has kind of died off in the mainline books cause we’ve already got a sense of the established ‘main characters’, and they’ve become somewhat protected by plot armour until the final book (and some beyond that).
And it’s worth repeating, this should definitely not be labelled young adult compared to some of the other books.
In my opinion, this is the best book in the High Republic.
My favourite thing is it had that sense of everyone being in real danger. This has kind of died off in the mainline books cause we’ve already got a sense of the established ‘main characters’, and they’ve become somewhat protected by plot armour until the final book (and some beyond that).
And it’s worth repeating, this should definitely not be labelled young adult compared to some of the other books.
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