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Star Wars: Hiding from the Dark
Venture beyond the dark side in this chilling horror-themed middle grade novel based on the Star Wars galaxy.
Haunted by an evil presence, a young girl tries to solve a nightmarish mystery. Is her bogeyman a Sith…or something darker? Horror readers and Star Wars fans of all ages will thrill to this fright-filled middle grade novel.
Haunted by an evil presence, a young girl tries to solve a nightmarish mystery. Is her bogeyman a Sith…or something darker? Horror readers and Star Wars fans of all ages will thrill to this fright-filled middle grade novel.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Kiersten White
67 books14.1k followersKiersten White is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of many books for readers of all ages, including the And I Darken trilogy, the Sinister Summer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, Star Wars: Padawan, Hide, Mister Magic, and Lucy Undying. She also has a very large tortoise named Kimberly, which isn't relevant, but she wanted you to know.
Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com.
Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 4, 2026
Hiding from the Dark is the first Middle-Grade book from Random House Childrens Publishing Division, taking over for the Disney Lucasfilm Press. However, you probably wouldn't know it due to the seamless transition present. Not only are the book's cover design and proportions very similar to the way the Disney-Lucasfilm Press used to make Middle-Grade books, but the font is the same as well.
And now to the story...
This book is branded as a horror novel, and it definitely is accurate marketing. The crux of the book is that Bia, a girl whose mother has gone missing, is already scared. That fear is compounded when myserious men show up looking for her mother, and a terrible monster, who is clearly Darth Vader, shows up and causes chaos (he's on the cover, so it's not a surprise). Bia races to the planet Worim (which is scary enough in it's own right) to find her mother and her friend Nerik, but it seems that monsters keep following Bia wherever she goes.
For what it's worth, this is a book that is one part charming and one part scary for kids. The reveals in the book felt very telegraphed to me, and the mystery seemed fairly obvious. However, I think this will generally work for kids, for whom the mystery might not be so obvious and the fear factor is enough to work, but not old enough to keep them from reading.
One of the things I liked about the book was it's use of themes! Bia's encounter with Vader can not only resonate for children who've experienced scary things, but also can work for adults who appreciate themes about PTSD and loneliness. This theme seemed juvinille at the beginning of the book, but seemed almost masterful by the end.
The first couple of chapters didn't particularly enthrall me. However, once Vader showed up and the audience could feel Bia's palpable fear, the story really worked.
Worim, the planet that Bia travels to, is so fascinating. It's a very tropey YA/Middle-Grade worldbuilding, but it very much works here.
Nerik, who is only really in the second half of the book, is surprisingly complex. Every time I thought I had his character figured out Kiersten White had a little bit of complexity around the next chapter.
This book didn't resonate with me near as hard as "Eyes Like Stars" (Random Houses' debut YA Star Wars novel), but I'm pleased to report that this book works very well, especially for tackling a horror book for children, which is already a tightrope in and of itself.
The best comps I can give for this book are Delilah S Dawson's Middle Grade Horror novels and Katherine Arden's Middle-Grade horror novels. If your child can handle those books, they can definitely handle this one.
Overall, this is a well done middle-grade outing from Random House and Kiersten White. 8 out of 10.
And now to the story...
This book is branded as a horror novel, and it definitely is accurate marketing. The crux of the book is that Bia, a girl whose mother has gone missing, is already scared. That fear is compounded when myserious men show up looking for her mother, and a terrible monster, who is clearly Darth Vader, shows up and causes chaos (he's on the cover, so it's not a surprise). Bia races to the planet Worim (which is scary enough in it's own right) to find her mother and her friend Nerik, but it seems that monsters keep following Bia wherever she goes.
For what it's worth, this is a book that is one part charming and one part scary for kids. The reveals in the book felt very telegraphed to me, and the mystery seemed fairly obvious. However, I think this will generally work for kids, for whom the mystery might not be so obvious and the fear factor is enough to work, but not old enough to keep them from reading.
One of the things I liked about the book was it's use of themes! Bia's encounter with Vader can not only resonate for children who've experienced scary things, but also can work for adults who appreciate themes about PTSD and loneliness. This theme seemed juvinille at the beginning of the book, but seemed almost masterful by the end.
The first couple of chapters didn't particularly enthrall me. However, once Vader showed up and the audience could feel Bia's palpable fear, the story really worked.
Worim, the planet that Bia travels to, is so fascinating. It's a very tropey YA/Middle-Grade worldbuilding, but it very much works here.
Nerik, who is only really in the second half of the book, is surprisingly complex. Every time I thought I had his character figured out Kiersten White had a little bit of complexity around the next chapter.
This book didn't resonate with me near as hard as "Eyes Like Stars" (Random Houses' debut YA Star Wars novel), but I'm pleased to report that this book works very well, especially for tackling a horror book for children, which is already a tightrope in and of itself.
The best comps I can give for this book are Delilah S Dawson's Middle Grade Horror novels and Katherine Arden's Middle-Grade horror novels. If your child can handle those books, they can definitely handle this one.
Overall, this is a well done middle-grade outing from Random House and Kiersten White. 8 out of 10.
October 4, 2026
Copy provided by Edelweiss Plus
Young Bia lives on Coruscant, and is worried because her mother, who frequently travels for her job as Imperial Requisition Oversight, has not been home for three days. This sometimes happens, but since Gorkel, the Felucian was usually babysits her has gone on a trip, Bia has no one to ask for help. When she gets home from school and finds two suspicious men waiting for her, she is even more concerned. They demand to know where her mother is, and how Bia has tried to contact her. After a harrowing trip down the family's laundry chute, she manages to escape and run to the "Someday Ship" her mother has always maintained so that it is ready to go at any point. She isn't quite sure where to travel, but programs the ship to take her to Worim, but she is not allowed to land on the planet. Panicked, she redirects the navigation to take her to a family friend, Nerik, and his father. They have moved underground, and the planet bears scars from struggles with the Empire and rebels. Voor, Nerik's father, is at first surprised, but after supposedly talking to Bia's mother, says that there was just some miscommunication, and that Bia's mother will arrive in a few days. When storm troopers arrive looking for her, this seems unlikely, and Nerik helps Bia escape. They have a harrowing journey, and Bia is attacked by creatures who want a necklace her mother has given her. Bia starts to wonder which side her mother is really on. Will the two ever be reunited?
I'm not a Star Wars fan, so felt like I was missing a lot of connections to the movie. It wasn't until I read another review that I realized that the shadow of Darth Vader appears on the cover, and that the character is a key element in the story. Readers who have actually watched the movies and know the canon will pick up on a lot more than I did.
This is a fast paced adventure, and the suspense builds throughtout the story. The short, choppy writing style is palpitation enduring as well. Poor Bia doesn't get any breaks, and barely any time to rest. I wouldn't have thought to write a Star Wars based horror book, but the combination works well.
When I first started at my school library, there were a few of the late 1990s Galaxy of Fear novels around, like Planet Plague and the Nightmare machine, so this isn't a new concept. I enjoyed the fact that this was more of a space adventure horror book than a dystopian horror book. Fans of both science fiction and horror will enjoy this, and I imagine there will be more books in the series.
Young Bia lives on Coruscant, and is worried because her mother, who frequently travels for her job as Imperial Requisition Oversight, has not been home for three days. This sometimes happens, but since Gorkel, the Felucian was usually babysits her has gone on a trip, Bia has no one to ask for help. When she gets home from school and finds two suspicious men waiting for her, she is even more concerned. They demand to know where her mother is, and how Bia has tried to contact her. After a harrowing trip down the family's laundry chute, she manages to escape and run to the "Someday Ship" her mother has always maintained so that it is ready to go at any point. She isn't quite sure where to travel, but programs the ship to take her to Worim, but she is not allowed to land on the planet. Panicked, she redirects the navigation to take her to a family friend, Nerik, and his father. They have moved underground, and the planet bears scars from struggles with the Empire and rebels. Voor, Nerik's father, is at first surprised, but after supposedly talking to Bia's mother, says that there was just some miscommunication, and that Bia's mother will arrive in a few days. When storm troopers arrive looking for her, this seems unlikely, and Nerik helps Bia escape. They have a harrowing journey, and Bia is attacked by creatures who want a necklace her mother has given her. Bia starts to wonder which side her mother is really on. Will the two ever be reunited?
I'm not a Star Wars fan, so felt like I was missing a lot of connections to the movie. It wasn't until I read another review that I realized that the shadow of Darth Vader appears on the cover, and that the character is a key element in the story. Readers who have actually watched the movies and know the canon will pick up on a lot more than I did.
This is a fast paced adventure, and the suspense builds throughtout the story. The short, choppy writing style is palpitation enduring as well. Poor Bia doesn't get any breaks, and barely any time to rest. I wouldn't have thought to write a Star Wars based horror book, but the combination works well.
When I first started at my school library, there were a few of the late 1990s Galaxy of Fear novels around, like Planet Plague and the Nightmare machine, so this isn't a new concept. I enjoyed the fact that this was more of a space adventure horror book than a dystopian horror book. Fans of both science fiction and horror will enjoy this, and I imagine there will be more books in the series.
October 6, 2026
No, this was not a horror novel (“Death Troopers” was a SW horror novel). Darth Vader, like most stories he is in, was awesome, but you had to wait for him to appear. Not awesome: Bia, the little kid who spent the book fretting for her mother and hearing Vader’s breathing.
September 27, 2026
Es un poco chistoso pensar que esta fue una de las primeras misiones que Palpatine (o Tagge) le ordenó a Vader luego del fiasco de la estrella de la muerte, de ahí que esté enojado y muy comprometido a matar a una niña jaja.
Deseoso de entrar en el modo Halloween, decidí echarles un vistazo a algunos trabajos con tintes de terror dentro de la saga. El resultado fue una mezcla de terror y acción bastante bien conseguida.
Disfruté mucho este libro de principio a fin. Una historia simple pero efectiva sobre enfrentar tus miedos y la búsqueda de esperanza. La autora consigue transmitir esa sensación de peligro y angustia de gran forma, aprovechando al máximo el narrador en primera persona para que, además de saber lo que Bia siente o piensa, podamos disfrutar de su narración, mezclando la realidad con el miedo intenso e irracional de un niño por algo primario como la oscuridad o lo desconocido. Además, el hecho de que no sea algo que la protagonista supere fácilmente al final, quedando traumada al respecto, lo vuelve más fascinante, separándose de una clásica aventura con final feliz.
Hablando de Bia, me agradó el arco por el que pasa. Los primeros capítulos brindan una deliciosa perspectiva al ciudadano promedio bajo el régimen imperial, restrictivo y solo ligeramente asfixiante, aprovechando la sacudida que Vader (y unos contrabandistas) le dan a su mundo para descubrir el nivel de esfuerzo que su madre puso en evitar su adoctrinamiento, funcionando además como un arma de doble filo, pues si bien es más perceptiva, también se vuelve más paranoica con los que interactúa. Nerik funciona bien como secundario, sirviendo en la justa medida él, su padre y su mundo, Worim, para mostrar el daño que puede provocar la colaboración pasiva (o por intimidación) hacía el Imperio. Me habría encantado ver un poco más de su perspectiva.
Mi único punto negativo es la conclusión de la historia. Se siente algo apresurado la forma en que Bia es capaz de comunicarse con su madre, restándole algo de valor a todo lo que hizo por proteger el collar. Unas 15 o 20 paginas más no le habrían hecho mal para cerrar la historia de forma más orgánica.
En conclusión, una historia de terror entretenida y fácil de leer. Necesito una secuela de la prota y Nerik enterándose y celebrando la muerte de Vader (lo siento Luke jaja).
Deseoso de entrar en el modo Halloween, decidí echarles un vistazo a algunos trabajos con tintes de terror dentro de la saga. El resultado fue una mezcla de terror y acción bastante bien conseguida.
Disfruté mucho este libro de principio a fin. Una historia simple pero efectiva sobre enfrentar tus miedos y la búsqueda de esperanza. La autora consigue transmitir esa sensación de peligro y angustia de gran forma, aprovechando al máximo el narrador en primera persona para que, además de saber lo que Bia siente o piensa, podamos disfrutar de su narración, mezclando la realidad con el miedo intenso e irracional de un niño por algo primario como la oscuridad o lo desconocido. Además, el hecho de que no sea algo que la protagonista supere fácilmente al final, quedando traumada al respecto, lo vuelve más fascinante, separándose de una clásica aventura con final feliz.
Hablando de Bia, me agradó el arco por el que pasa. Los primeros capítulos brindan una deliciosa perspectiva al ciudadano promedio bajo el régimen imperial, restrictivo y solo ligeramente asfixiante, aprovechando la sacudida que Vader (y unos contrabandistas) le dan a su mundo para descubrir el nivel de esfuerzo que su madre puso en evitar su adoctrinamiento, funcionando además como un arma de doble filo, pues si bien es más perceptiva, también se vuelve más paranoica con los que interactúa. Nerik funciona bien como secundario, sirviendo en la justa medida él, su padre y su mundo, Worim, para mostrar el daño que puede provocar la colaboración pasiva (o por intimidación) hacía el Imperio. Me habría encantado ver un poco más de su perspectiva.
Mi único punto negativo es la conclusión de la historia. Se siente algo apresurado la forma en que Bia es capaz de comunicarse con su madre, restándole algo de valor a todo lo que hizo por proteger el collar. Unas 15 o 20 paginas más no le habrían hecho mal para cerrar la historia de forma más orgánica.
En conclusión, una historia de terror entretenida y fácil de leer. Necesito una secuela de la prota y Nerik enterándose y celebrando la muerte de Vader (lo siento Luke jaja).
October 4, 2026
A spooky and scary Star Wars book for the month of Halloween? Nice concept, but somehow it was not frightening enough, even for a YA audience. More existential dread and interpersonal conflict than fear; but the constant chasing by the not-named "thing" worked fairly well. I'd read the "old" Galaxy of Fear books of the 1990s, if you want real young reader horror. The allegories of real-life events (climate change or resource depletion, political demagoguery, immigration enforcement, et al) were interesting and maybe would go over the heads of a YA audience today.
September 27, 2026
Meh... For every paragraph of action expect twelve of the MC ruminating in dread of the spooky scary monster creeping in the darkness. Spoiler, it's Darth Vader... It's always Vader. Also, not a spoiler, look at the cover.
September 15, 2026
Reading books in the Star Wars universe has always been hit-or-miss for me. It can be hard to follow along with the vastness of space and the various characters, especially when they are not those you know well from the screen. However, those that touch on previous filmed characters or that are unique enough tend to stand out, such as Kiertsen White's
Hiding from the Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel
. White amplifies the fear people have for the dark side and shows said fear from a fresh point-of-view.
Pursued by Imperial forces, a young girl named Bia must flee her home planet of Coruscant and find her mother. All the time, she is hunted by a figure in black, a presence more horrifying than she has ever encountered before. Can Bia escape—and what does she have that the Empire wants so badly?
Star Wars has always been a mix of various genres from Western, to science-fiction, to fantasy, to political drama, but horror should also be included. This is not just in the case of stories such as Hiding from the Dark, but as the dark side is terrifying on its own. However, White brings a fresh taste of horror to this new tale that even had me, a 40-year-old horror fan, on edge at times.
Using Darth Vader and his ability to use the dark side of the force as the overarching boogeyman in Hiding from the Dark was ingenious. White builds suspense and tension throughout with this mysterious boogeyman in the background. Young Bia doesn't know who this force is that is haunting her and following her, but knows that she wants nothing to do with it. Adding to the fear of her current world is the situation she finds herself in, her mother is missing. Frightened with the thought of possibly never seeing her mother again along with the mystery surrounding this terrifying dark force drives her to make tough decisions and go into the unknown.
Fear has always been present in Star Wars stories, especially when it comes to the dark side. There are horrifying moments throughout the series of films, books, comics, and televisions shows, but using horror as the main theme in a story is something special. Not to mention this story is aimed at a young generation, hopefully building new fans of this galaxy far, far away along with new horror readers.
What made it click a bit more for me was how I subconsciously compared this horror tale to the stories told by R.L. Stine in his Goosebumps books. There was this playfulness to the story, but had moments of ultimate fear. I feel that if I compared a story to Stine's work, it's got to be good, and White nails it with this one. White's prose and storytelling ability hit home for me as an adult and can see a wide variety of readers enjoying this story from it's intended audience of grades 3-7 to those nearing 100.
As someone who loves to hybrid read stories between physical, digital, and audiobook, I started this book in physical form and was planning on completing it this way. But when I moved to audiobook for my commute to this office I was hooked and never looked back. Hiding from the Dark is narrated by Jorjeana Marie & Marc Thompson, but also features classic music and even iconic sound effects that you'd expect from a feature film. This made me feel even more connected to the Star Wars universe and immersed me in White's epic story even more.
Hiding from the Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel is a tension-filled horror story set in a galaxy far, far away. Kiersten White brings fears, frights, and the boogeyman to Star Wars in a captivating and suspenseful way. Hiding from the Dark is a great new Star Wars tale for those grades 3-and-up!
Star Wars: Hiding from the Dark hit bookstores everywhere on September 1, 2026 from Random House / Star Wars. The audiobook, narrated by Jorjeana Marie & Marc Thompson, is available via Libro.fm!
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Hiding from the Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
Pursued by Imperial forces, a young girl named Bia must flee her home planet of Coruscant and find her mother. All the time, she is hunted by a figure in black, a presence more horrifying than she has ever encountered before. Can Bia escape—and what does she have that the Empire wants so badly?
Star Wars has always been a mix of various genres from Western, to science-fiction, to fantasy, to political drama, but horror should also be included. This is not just in the case of stories such as Hiding from the Dark, but as the dark side is terrifying on its own. However, White brings a fresh taste of horror to this new tale that even had me, a 40-year-old horror fan, on edge at times.
Using Darth Vader and his ability to use the dark side of the force as the overarching boogeyman in Hiding from the Dark was ingenious. White builds suspense and tension throughout with this mysterious boogeyman in the background. Young Bia doesn't know who this force is that is haunting her and following her, but knows that she wants nothing to do with it. Adding to the fear of her current world is the situation she finds herself in, her mother is missing. Frightened with the thought of possibly never seeing her mother again along with the mystery surrounding this terrifying dark force drives her to make tough decisions and go into the unknown.
Fear has always been present in Star Wars stories, especially when it comes to the dark side. There are horrifying moments throughout the series of films, books, comics, and televisions shows, but using horror as the main theme in a story is something special. Not to mention this story is aimed at a young generation, hopefully building new fans of this galaxy far, far away along with new horror readers.
What made it click a bit more for me was how I subconsciously compared this horror tale to the stories told by R.L. Stine in his Goosebumps books. There was this playfulness to the story, but had moments of ultimate fear. I feel that if I compared a story to Stine's work, it's got to be good, and White nails it with this one. White's prose and storytelling ability hit home for me as an adult and can see a wide variety of readers enjoying this story from it's intended audience of grades 3-7 to those nearing 100.
As someone who loves to hybrid read stories between physical, digital, and audiobook, I started this book in physical form and was planning on completing it this way. But when I moved to audiobook for my commute to this office I was hooked and never looked back. Hiding from the Dark is narrated by Jorjeana Marie & Marc Thompson, but also features classic music and even iconic sound effects that you'd expect from a feature film. This made me feel even more connected to the Star Wars universe and immersed me in White's epic story even more.
Hiding from the Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel is a tension-filled horror story set in a galaxy far, far away. Kiersten White brings fears, frights, and the boogeyman to Star Wars in a captivating and suspenseful way. Hiding from the Dark is a great new Star Wars tale for those grades 3-and-up!
Star Wars: Hiding from the Dark hit bookstores everywhere on September 1, 2026 from Random House / Star Wars. The audiobook, narrated by Jorjeana Marie & Marc Thompson, is available via Libro.fm!
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Hiding from the Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
September 17, 2026
Kiersten White delivers the frights with Hiding From The Dark, the first official Star Wars horror novel. Just in time for the spooky season, this Middle-Grade story is sure to delight the younger crowd. Twelve year old Bia Rovyno had been alone for three days. Her mother hasn’t returned from a work assignment, her babysitter left days earlier, and to make things worse, her nightmares had returned. Bia’s mom, Pira Rovyno, worked for the Empire in Imperial Requisition Oversight which took her off-world from time to time, but never this long, especially without contacting Bia beforehand. People in Coruscant appeared to be wound tight. Her instructor seemed nervous, and there was talk at school about a “star exploding”.
On her return home from school on the third day, Bia was ambushed by two men looking for her mother or a way to contact her, telling Bia her mother was actually a smuggler that sold Imperial goods. Here is where the horror reaches Bia when a third being appears at her home. A specter made of shadows, a black in the darkness that could move objects without having to touch them, her nightmare come to life.
Bia Rovyno carries the weight of the story on her shoulders. She’s on every page of the book and if this character doesn’t work, the story doesn’t work. Luckily, Kiersten wrote a compelling character that is easy to fall behind and you want to see her make it to safety. She’s put in a situation that would scare any kid her age. She’s alone, her mother is missing, none of her friends would understand, she’s not sure if the nightmares are real and everything she’s ever known might have been a lie. Yeah, that would scare me too.
You don’t have to be a fan or know almost anything about Star Wars before jumping into the story. Yes, there are mentions of the Rebellion, stormtroopers, and Darth Vader, but prior knowledge of them is not important to enjoy the book. Reference to a star exploding happens twice but the story does not connect it to the Death Star or the Rebel victory. It does highlight those important Star Wars themes of hope, helping those in need, and fighting for what is right, especially when the odds are stacked against you.
Hiding From The Dark by Kiersten White is a solid Middle-Grade novel that will make a great addition for younger readers looking for a bit of a scare, although it might miss the mark for the more adult fans searching for a true canon horror novel set in the Star Wars universe.
On her return home from school on the third day, Bia was ambushed by two men looking for her mother or a way to contact her, telling Bia her mother was actually a smuggler that sold Imperial goods. Here is where the horror reaches Bia when a third being appears at her home. A specter made of shadows, a black in the darkness that could move objects without having to touch them, her nightmare come to life.
Bia Rovyno carries the weight of the story on her shoulders. She’s on every page of the book and if this character doesn’t work, the story doesn’t work. Luckily, Kiersten wrote a compelling character that is easy to fall behind and you want to see her make it to safety. She’s put in a situation that would scare any kid her age. She’s alone, her mother is missing, none of her friends would understand, she’s not sure if the nightmares are real and everything she’s ever known might have been a lie. Yeah, that would scare me too.
You don’t have to be a fan or know almost anything about Star Wars before jumping into the story. Yes, there are mentions of the Rebellion, stormtroopers, and Darth Vader, but prior knowledge of them is not important to enjoy the book. Reference to a star exploding happens twice but the story does not connect it to the Death Star or the Rebel victory. It does highlight those important Star Wars themes of hope, helping those in need, and fighting for what is right, especially when the odds are stacked against you.
Hiding From The Dark by Kiersten White is a solid Middle-Grade novel that will make a great addition for younger readers looking for a bit of a scare, although it might miss the mark for the more adult fans searching for a true canon horror novel set in the Star Wars universe.
September 12, 2026
I didn't know anything about this story when I saw it on Audible. Glad I bought it without doing any research. It was released on the 1st of September 2026 and features Bia, who is being chased by a tall Black being (droid? humanoid? man?) who has heavy breathing and a mother who works for the Empire and doesn't come home at one point. After running low on food and worrying more and more, the 12 year old Bia goes on an adventure of a lifetime, being chased by Stormtroopers, ISB? and a horryfying black being.
"Explore the darkest corners of the Star Wars galaxy in this chilling horror-themed middle grade novel by New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.
Pursued by Imperial forces, a young girl named Bia must flee her home planet of Coruscant and find her mother. All the time, she is hunted by a figure in black, a presence more horrifying than she has ever encountered before. Can Bia escape—and what does she have that the Empire wants so badly? Horror readers and Star Wars fans of all ages will thrill to this fright-filled middle grade novel."
"Explore the darkest corners of the Star Wars galaxy in this chilling horror-themed middle grade novel by New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.
Pursued by Imperial forces, a young girl named Bia must flee her home planet of Coruscant and find her mother. All the time, she is hunted by a figure in black, a presence more horrifying than she has ever encountered before. Can Bia escape—and what does she have that the Empire wants so badly? Horror readers and Star Wars fans of all ages will thrill to this fright-filled middle grade novel."
September 14, 2026
Exploding stars! An escape hatch! Lightning strikes! And a living nightmare!
Hiding From the Dark is a wonderfully crafted story full of terror, tension, and determination. Kiersten White crafts a haunting tale of a young child searching for family, no matter what fears she must face. And in a galaxy full of shadows, there is plenty to be scared of. Bia is a wonderfully brave character, much like Omega from The Bad Batch. Young, brave, and resourceful. The tension in this book is palpable throughout, and the fears Bia faces would even scare a grown-up! While the book is made for middle-grade readers, Star Wars has a way of making stories that reach across all ages and demographics.
This is a must-read for young readers looking for scares in the shadows!
Hiding From the Dark is a wonderfully crafted story full of terror, tension, and determination. Kiersten White crafts a haunting tale of a young child searching for family, no matter what fears she must face. And in a galaxy full of shadows, there is plenty to be scared of. Bia is a wonderfully brave character, much like Omega from The Bad Batch. Young, brave, and resourceful. The tension in this book is palpable throughout, and the fears Bia faces would even scare a grown-up! While the book is made for middle-grade readers, Star Wars has a way of making stories that reach across all ages and demographics.
This is a must-read for young readers looking for scares in the shadows!
October 5, 2026
I went into this novel knowing it was geared toward middle school readers, but I was pleasantly surprised by its depth. While middle school students would undoubtedly enjoy it, I think it's one of those books that can be appreciated at any age, with readers discovering deeper meanings along the way (or maybe that's just the history and English teacher in me!). The story offers some great reflections on what true leadership really means, how to face your fears without being paralyzed by them, and how even in your darkest moments, there is always hope. It's a book with meaningful lessons that reach far beyond its intended audience.
October 13, 2026
Hot take: Nerik’s dad is a way better parent than Bia’s mom. She leaves her daughter constantly without an easy way to contact her, and no set plan on where to meet her if they are separated, putting her in mortal danger. Nerik’s dad is “mean” but keeps his son safe and ends up sacrificing his life for Nerik. Also, this was billed as a horror book for middle schoolers. Perhaps a child would find this book scary but I doubt it. A little more interaction from Vader would have helped but he was treated more like an irrational fear than a real threat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2026
As much as I love the original Star Wars movies, I've never read any of the books. But when I saw Kiersten White wrote this, I knew I needed to make it my first.
This is a middle grade Star Wars horror book and it was really well done. My review is being completed with the audiobook and I feel like it was truly the best way to experience this story. The production was amazing with all of the sound effects that immersed you into the story itself.
Bia's mom is missing and Bia is haunted by a dark shadowy figure. Discovering a hidden signal, Bia unknowingly brings trouble to her. Bia must now rely on everything her mom has taught her and her instincts. Traveling in a space ship to an old friend well has turned against her once already, does she have what it takes to be brave and find her mom before the bad guys do?
I thought Bia was such a great character. She was brave, scared, smart and unsure. Everything you would expect from a kid in her position. The story was engaging and entertaining. I loved the atmosphere and the way the plot just moved. I think this was a great first entry for any Star Wars fans but also for Middle Graders.
If you have the ability to listen to this book, I would highly recommend that format.
This is a middle grade Star Wars horror book and it was really well done. My review is being completed with the audiobook and I feel like it was truly the best way to experience this story. The production was amazing with all of the sound effects that immersed you into the story itself.
Bia's mom is missing and Bia is haunted by a dark shadowy figure. Discovering a hidden signal, Bia unknowingly brings trouble to her. Bia must now rely on everything her mom has taught her and her instincts. Traveling in a space ship to an old friend well has turned against her once already, does she have what it takes to be brave and find her mom before the bad guys do?
I thought Bia was such a great character. She was brave, scared, smart and unsure. Everything you would expect from a kid in her position. The story was engaging and entertaining. I loved the atmosphere and the way the plot just moved. I think this was a great first entry for any Star Wars fans but also for Middle Graders.
If you have the ability to listen to this book, I would highly recommend that format.
October 23, 2026
this was cute! it’s def a middle school book and reads really fast. bia’s fear comes through the pages and feels realistic for someone her age to have her world flipped upside down.
side note: the more I read about how many times vader be “losing” or people escaping him…the more I wonder how palps didn’t replace this fool 😂
side note: the more I read about how many times vader be “losing” or people escaping him…the more I wonder how palps didn’t replace this fool 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2026
Pretty simple and quick YA Star Wars horror story. I feel like Vader has become a bit of a horror character with this one and Darth Maul: Shadow Lord. He doesn't have to say anything, just the heavy breathing and vibes haha
October 15, 2026
When the book deals with Vader (especially the opening pages), it sings -- creating a nameless, terrifying horror or black fear and menace. However, in between those moments, there is a great deal of wandering through tunnels that becomes exceedingly boring. Stick to the Vader sections.
October 1, 2026
An incredibly fun and satisfying gateway horror story for Star Wars fans. Kiersten White is a queen of horror and I desperately want a Star Wars YA or Adult horror novel ASAP.
October 1, 2026
Certainly not a horror novel, but a serviceable middle grade Star Wars novel.
October 3, 2026
Decent instalment in the Star Wars universe aimed for a younger audience.
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