The Eye of Darkness by George Mann is a great addition to the ongoing Nihil storyline within the High Republic run. A year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, the Nihil are effectively holding a portion of the galaxy captive, claiming to be liberating them from the shackles of the overreaching Republic despite the fact that those trapped in what is now considered Nihil space, are starving and when unable or refusing to pay tithes are murdered by their “saviors.” Outside of nihil space the story mainly follows jedi master Elzar Mann and chancellor Linah Soh as they work with The Republic & Jedi Council to find a way through the Nihil barrier to rescue any jedi trapped in Nihil space as well as end the Nihil’s reign of terror. Throughout this, Elzar continues to struggle with his identity, where and how exactly he fits in, and the guilt he feels in the Nihil’s overall success and the death of Stellan. Within Nihil space we go back and forth between Avar Kriss and Porter Engle through their efforts both assisting those in need and attempting to escape to safety.

This was a great read, and while I look forward to the next book Temptation of The Force, I was left with this feeling like the book was missing a little something, whether that was a deeper look into the Nihil themselves in their current place of power, Bell Zettifar’s current efforts on the front lines, or something else entirely. Overall though, worthwhile and looking forward to the next. 9 out of 10 stars.