Star Wars: The High Republic – A Guide to Books and Comics

Books and comics tied to major film franchises are common on bookstore shelves today, and many readers see this as a recent trend. However, the expansion of the Star Wars universe, created by visionary director George Lucas, into novels and comics goes back much further than you might think.

The first novel to expand on the fates of heroes in a galaxy far, far away appeared as early as 1987, following the premiere of the very first Star Wars film. The book, titled Splinter of the Mind's Eye, became the first piece of the so-called "Expanded Universe," which has grown over the last four decades into thousands of comics and hundreds of novels.

It is no wonder that new readers often find it difficult to navigate such a flood of titles and find the perfect entry point into this diverse and intricate world. If you are one of them, look no further—the The High Republic novel and comic series is exactly what you need!

What is The High Republic?

We find ourselves in an unexplored era, hundreds of years before the events of the film saga. The project's authors not only introduce brand-new characters but also depict the golden age of the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic. Naturally, there is no shortage of threats and challenges that even Jedi Knights cannot take lightly.

The first novel, written by acclaimed American author and screenwriter Charles Soule, Star Wars: The High Republic – Light of the Jedi, introduces us to this golden age of the Star Wars world.

It is 200 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I. Fearless hyperspace explorers are expanding the Republic's influence to the farthest stars, worlds are flourishing under the benevolent guidance of the Senate, and peace is maintained by the wisdom and skills of the Force-users known as Jedi. With the Jedi at the height of their power, the galaxy's free citizens believe they can weather any storm. Yet, within the first chapters of this book, we are drawn into a situation where the Jedi realize that even the brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms cannot be prepared for. Beyond the borders of the Republic, a deadly threat grows in the form of raiders who call themselves the Nihil, harboring a secret that can sow fear even in the hearts of the Jedi.

The second novel, Star Wars: The High Republic – Into the Dark by American young adult author Claudia Gray, introduces us to a new cast of characters, including Jedi Padawan Reath Silas.

At the start of the novel, Reath reluctantly boards a ship meant to transport him and other Jedi to Starlight Beacon, where his Master awaits to begin a new life full of adventure on the frontier. But trouble in hyperspace leaves the ship and its crew stranded in the middle of empty space, where the only sign of civilization is a terrifying, abandoned space station. The secrets hidden within not only bring Reath to a crossroads but, if left unchecked, could plunge the entire galaxy into darkness. Although this novel partially overlaps with the events of Light of the Jedi, it opens a new storyline and introduces another terrifying enemy to the Jedi Knights.

In terms of chronology, we must briefly leave the world of novels and head into the world of comics. Specifically, the graphic novels Star Wars: The High Republic – There Is No Fear and Star Wars: The High Republic – Heart of the Drengir.

British writer Cavan Scott brilliantly builds on the work of Charles Soule and Claudia Gray. With the help of artists like the Indonesian Ario Anindito, he shows the flourishing Republic in all its colors, including the spread of a new, terrifying enemy. An ancient evil has long slept in Wild Space, but the Great Progenitor of the Drengir has now awakened, and her children with her. The Jedi are forced to face a mysterious plague that spares not even the best of the best.

Cavan Scott is also the author of the next novel, Star Wars: The High Republic – The Rising Storm.

It brings back the heroes of the High Republic era to face a feared enemy in the sequel to the dramatic events of Light of the Jedi. After the great hyperspace disaster and the heroism of the Jedi, the Republic begins to grow again, bringing more worlds under a common banner. The spirit of unity, led by Chancellor Lina Soh, spreads across the galaxy, with the Jedi at the newly opened Starlight Beacon serving as its vanguard. To celebrate, the Chancellor plans the Republic Fair, a showcase of the possibilities of an expanding, peaceful Republic. Stellan Gios, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, and other Jedi visit the fair as ambassadors of harmony. But besides the eyes of the galaxy, the fury of the Nihil also turns toward this event. Their leader, Marchion Ro, intends to destroy this unity. His storm descends upon the celebration, sowing chaos and vengeance. As the Jedi struggle with all their might to stop the bloodshed and the rampaging Nihil, they must face a true horror that their enemy plans to unleash across the galaxy—one against which even the Force cannot shield them.

With the novel Star Wars: The High Republic – Out of the Shadows by American author Justina Ireland, we return to young adult storytelling from the High Republic era, yet this book is no stranger to new characters.

Sylvestri Yarrow is going through a rough patch with no end in sight. She turns to the galaxy's capital, Coruscant, for help, only to find herself drawn into a dispute between two of the Republic's most powerful families over a piece of space on the frontier. Getting involved in family politics is the last thing Sylvestri wants, but the promise of paying off a large debt is enough to pique her interest. Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh is also summoned to Coruscant—yes, the same Vernestra Rwoh who appeared in live-action as a supporting character in the anticipated Disney+ series, Star Wars: The Acolyte, set roughly 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I. She has no idea why she was summoned, or by whom. She and her Padawan, Imri Cantaros, arrive at the capital along with Master Cohmac Vitus and his Padawan, Reath Silas—and are asked to help with a property dispute on the frontier. But why? What is so important about an empty patch of space? The answer leads Vernestra to a new understanding of her abilities and takes Sylvestri back into the past… and to truths that finally emerge from the shadows.

Star Wars: The High Republic – The Fallen Star is one of the most emotional novels of this period, as well as one of the best Star Wars works by author Claudia Gray.

The Nihil try again and again to bring the golden age of the High Republic to a fiery end. The High Republic emerges from the fight battered and exhausted time after time, but thanks to its protectors among the Jedi, it remains victorious—and there is no greater symbol of their common cause than Starlight Beacon. It represents the Republic at the height of its efforts: a center of culture and knowledge, a bright torch in the darkness of the unknown, and a helping hand to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As frontier inhabitants flee the Nihil attacks, Starlight Beacon and its crew are ready to provide refuge to all. The grateful Jedi Knights and Padawans stationed there can finally recover from the pain of their wounds and the grief of their losses. However, the storm they thought had passed is still raging, and they have only found themselves in its eye. Marchion Ro, the true mastermind of the Nihil, is preparing his boldest attack yet—one aimed at extinguishing the light of the Jedi.

The young adult novel Star Wars: The High Republic – Midnight Horizon by American author Daniel José Older, one of the architects of the entire High Republic project, marks the conclusion of the first of the project's three phases.

The Republic has managed to drive the Nihil raiders into retreat, and it seems there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. Then, news arrives of a suspected Nihil attack on the industrial, cosmopolitan world of Corellia. Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy are sent to the planet along with Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram. Reath and Ram team up with a young bodyguard named Crash to infiltrate the Corellian elite. Working with Crash, however, is much more dangerous than the Jedi thought and brings plenty of surprises. But what the Jedi uncover on Corellia proves to be part of a larger plan that could lead to their most difficult defeat yet.

It is worth mentioning that younger readers can pick up the illustrated children's book Star Wars: The High Republic – Stories of Light and Life, which retells the plot of the novels Light of the Jedi, The Rising Storm, and The Fallen Star in a simple form through the Wookiee Jedi Burryaga.

Although Czech readers are currently missing the final story from the The High Republic comic series and the two-part comic mini-series originally titled Eye of the Storm, all the previously mentioned comics and books represent the most essential parts of the first phase of the High Republic project and an incredibly accessible entry point into the world of Star Wars!

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author Vlastimil Šprta