This book is part of the next phase of the High Republic which is set aroudn 150 years before the events of Phase 1, this as we can see is the forerunner of the Nihil, a missionary group known as Path of the open hand, with a charismatic leader only known as the Mother. The story is set around a series of stolen force artifacts, a couple of Jedi are sent to a planet called Dalna in the outer rime. The Jedi is Zallah Macri and her padawan, Kevmo Zink.
Members of the Path believe that the Force must be free and should not be used by anyone, not even the Jedi. One such believer is Marda Ro, a young woman who dreams of leaving Dalna to spread word of the Path throughout the galaxy. As we have seen in Phase one of the High Republic, the leader of the Nihil was Marchion Ro, obviously a decendent of his.
Marda Ro meets the Jedi Padawan in the market on one of the cities of Dalna. When Marda and Kevmo meet, their connection is instantaneous and electric―until Marda discovers Kevmo is a Jedi. But Kevmo is so kind and eager to learn more about the Path, that she hopes she can convince him of the rightness of her beliefs.
The Jedi and the Path of the open hand have different beliefs when it comes to the force, the Path of the open hand believe the force should be set free and not manipulated as they seem to believe the Jedi do.
This tension with the Jedi delivers a great story line of contrasting beliefs. Kevmo and Marda have both lived nearly all their lives entrenched in the beliefs of those around them. Marda has essentially been raised by the Path and Kevmo, by the Jedi. Neither has been forced to confront a fierce challenge to their belief system. Like many of us, we tend to grow up believing and putting our faith in whatever those around us, the people who raise us do. But at some point, you are confronted with something different, something contrary to what you have thought. You must find your faith, or your belief for yourself and discover the “why” behind it.
As the story progresses Marda and Kevmo get closer and slowly start of have feelings for each other. However, things do not go well in the end but won't spoil it here, you will have to read the book to find out. Overall the story is good, but if your one of those Star Wars fans who love space battles will be disappointed as there's none. If I was to rate this book I would give it a 6/10.
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