The High Republic has a ton of great stories and dozens of fantastic heroes and villains, but getting into it can be overwhelming or even intimidating. The purpose of this catalog and guide is to help you know what to read and in what order.
There is a small description of each book, comic, and manga to help you decide if it’s something you might want to spend your time on it or not. At the end of this guide you’ll find a list of essential reads for both Phase I and II.
Table of contents
What is The High Republic
Star Wars: The High Republic is a multi-platform publishing project with books and comics for all ages. This era lasted from 500 BBY to 100 BBY, it is a time of expansion, exploration, and prosperity. It is also said to be the golden age for the Jedi Order.
Why did the Jedi fall from grace and who’s responsible for it? If you want to find out, sit down, have patience, and get excited to get immersed in this previously unknown era of Star Wars!
The High Republic is divided into three phases. Phase I introduced the first stories of this era back in 2021. Phase II finished with Path of Vengeance and Phase III came to an end with Trials of the Jedi.
Here’s some context to what the High Republic is all about.
Phase I: Light of the Jedi
This is a time of unprecedented peace and progress for the Republic. The Starlight Beacon stationed on the Outer Rim is the physical representation of everything the Republic and Jedi Order aspire to be. A symbol of hope, unity, and strength.
Despite this, the vast galaxy still remains mostly unexplored. There are dangerous creatures, mysterious planets, and a new enemy that could destroy everything the Republic has created.
Phase II: Quest of the Jedi
Phase II takes place 150 years before Phase I (Star Wars being Star Wars). This is an era of hyperspace exploration and expansion, many hyperlanes haven’t been discovered and it’s hard to communicate between distant systems without communication buoys.
Pathfinder teams are sent all over the galaxy to establish relationships with new planets. An everlasting conflict between the Eiram and E’ronoh systems threatens to turn the galaxy upside down while a mysterious Force cult draws the attention of both the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic.
For more details about the events of Phase II, read our comprehensive timeline recap to learn everything you need to know. ▼
Phase III: Trials of the Jedi
Phase III begins one year after the end of Phase I. The destruction of the Starlight Beacon and the continuous victories of Marchion Ro and The Nihil have brought the Republic to its knees. An Occlusion Zone has been established by the Nihil and every effort to destroy or cross it has been futile.
Marchion Ro’s power and influence have increased exponentially but so has his image as an authority, something that’s against his nature. There are many questions but one thing is sure, Marchion Ro is transforming. Will this create an opportunity for the Jedi and the Republic or is he going to become even more powerful?
Recommended Reading Order and Essentials
With so many stories it can be difficult to know how to read them in “proper order”. Below this segment, you’ll find every novel, comic, and manga that has been released so far. They are already ordered in what I consider to be a coherent way to read the High Republic.
As you might have noticed, there is a ton of High Republic stories in all types of formats. Reading everything requires a considerable investment of both time and money, something that probably not everyone is able or wants to do.
The good news is that you can still get into the High Republic, enjoy and understand it by reading mostly young adult and adult novels. Comic books serve as a bridge between the main and minor stories, they are still relevant but skipping them won’t hurt your understanding of the whole story.
This is my High Republic essential readings list:
Phase I
- Light of the Jedi
- A Test of Courage
- Into the Dark
- The Rising Storm
- Out of the Shadows
- Tempest Runner
- The Fallen Star
- Midnight Horizon
Phase II
Phase III
- The Eye Of Darkness
- Temptation of the Force
- Tears of the Nameless
- Tempest Breaker
- Trials of the Jedi
Phase I: Full Books Catalog
The following is a full catalog of all the content released during Phase I of The High Republic. Click on an image to read a brief description of each title without spoiling its story.
Light of the Jedi
The introductory Adult Novel to The High Republic, Light of the Jedi takes place 150 years after Path of Vengeance. This is a golden age of prosperity where the Republic continues to incorporate new worlds, there is peace without precedent and the Jedi Order is the face of this era of stability.
This time of tranquility is suddenly interrupted when a hyperspace disaster occurs, Jedi rush to the rescue but what they find will test their limits like nothing before. Death and destruction are coming, is the powerful Jedi Order strong enough to contain this threat?
The Great Jedi Rescue
The Great Jedi Rescue is the first of three High Republic children’s books. A hyperspace disaster puts the citizens of Hetzal Prime in great danger and only the brave Jedi can step in to save these people. This story takes place concurrent with Light of the Jedi.
A Test of Courage
A Middle-grade Novel tells the story of Vernestra Rwoh, a gifted Jedi that has just been knighted. In her first mission, she must escort a young scientist with the help of a Padawan and the ambassador of a planet that was of high importance during Phase II.
Fun fact, our young protagonist wields a different type of lightsaber, something that was previously seen only in the Expanded Universe AKA “Legends”.
A Test of Courage might be “just a middle-grade novel”, but I consider this one to be on the priority list because Vernestra will appear in The Acolyte series.
Into the Dark
A Young Adult novel that begins right before Light of the Jedi and then catches up with it. The Starlight Beacon is one of the most ambitious projects the Republic has ever created and as such, it requires some of the best personnel.
Jedi Padawan Reath Silas, Cohmac Vitus, Orla Jareni, Leox Gyasi, and Affie Hollow are part of the crew that will go to the new frontier station. Their travel is disrupted by a hyperspace disaster, making them seek refuge on a strange space station that is more than meets the eye.
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures
This IDW-published comic book series is about a group of Padawans training under the supervision of Master Yoda himself. The Nihil is a threat to everyone and these younglings must learn as much as they can if they want to become powerful Jedi Knights that can protect the Republic and its people.
The High Republic Adventures: The Monster of Temple Peak
A comic book miniseries published by IWD. The four issues narrate the backstory of the remarkable monster hunter and former Jedi Ty Yorrick. Ty is tasked to track and eliminate a Gretalax that has been terrorizing the people of Loreth. She might not belong to the Jedi Order, but she can still feel the disturbance in the Force that grows closer and closer.
The Edge of Balance. Vol. 1
The Edge of Balance is the first High Republic manga. This is one of the few stories that show how Jedi used to live in their own communities long before the rise of the Galactic Empire.
Lily Tora-Asi, a Wookie Jedi Master called Arkoff, Padawan Keerin Fionn and Stellan Gios are in charge of protecting Baanchii, a frontier outpost that is about to get pulled into the chaos by the Nihil marauders.
The Rising Storm
The Rising Storm is Phase I second adult novel. The Starlight Beacon is the embodiment of what the Republic hopes to represent for the entire galaxy and to celebrate it, the Supreme Chancellor arranges a great event.
This great party gathers many people from all corners of the galaxy but it also catches the attention of the vicious Nihil pirates and its leader, Marchion Ro. What starts as a celebration soon turns into a bloodbath that even the Jedi struggle to handle, especially after the enemy reveals something that not even the Force can protect them against.
Showdown at the Fair
The Republic Fair is an event being hosted on Valo by the Republic to showcase some of the breakthrough innovations and celebrate the union of many systems. Showdown at the Fair is a book for Young Readers and what better character for this story than Burryaga the Wookie, a Jedi Padawan that will do everything in his power to stop an enemy that launched a surprise attack.
This story takes place concurrent with The Rising Storm.
Race to Crashpoint Tower
This Middle-Grade novel happens concurrently with The Rising Storm. Before the fair gets attacked, an alarm security goes off on Crashpoint Peak and Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram decides to investigate.
Valo communications have been turned off, the young Padawan attempts to warn the other Jedi at the fair but the enemy has already arrived. But not everything is lost, Ram will receive unexpected help from a new group of friends.
Trail of Shadows
A five-issue comic miniseries that features one of the few detective stories in Star Wars. A Jedi Master has been murdered and there are no clues, evidence, or suspects. Jedi Investigator Emerick Caphtor and Private Detective Sian Holt will have to combine their experience and skills if they want to find the responsible for this crime.
Out of the Shadows
A young Sylvestri Yarrow is in charge of her family’s cargo business after her mom passed away. With the constant attacks of the Nihil and other unlucky circumstances, she is at the edge of losing everything.
Sylvestri decides to go to Coruscant to try to improve her luck but ends up in the middle of a family conflict that could benefit her (or not). This Young Adult Novel has a lot of drama, characters with all types of personalities, and an entertaining story.
Tempest Runner
Tempest Runner is an adult novel that tells the story from Lourna Dee’s point of view. Lourna is part of the Nihil, a vicious, cunning, and very dangerous woman that was captured by the Jedi after her crew is defeated.
She manages to hide her identity and plans a way to escape the correctional ship where she’s held captive. Before escaping, Lourna establishes a bond that slowly looks like what many call friendship. The once-feared raider has the chance to choose a different path, but things aren’t so simple when it comes to the Nihil.
Mission to Disaster
Avon Starros has been kidnapped and her friend Vernestra Rwoh will try to rescue her with the help of her Padawan Imri Cantaros. Meanwhile, the Republic believes that the Nihil have been defeated but what they’re really planning could put a definitive end to the civilization as everyone knows it. This is a Middle-grade Novel.
The Fallen Star
This adult novel shows how the war waged by the Nihil has taken its toll on the citizens of the Republic, and the Jedi that fight and die to protect it. The Starlight Beacon houses refugees and injured people that have been harmed during this conflict.
The Jedi resting at this station are finally catching a break after defending the Republic on the battlefield, too bad that the Nihil see this as the perfect opportunity to strike their unaware and relaxed enemy.
Midnight Horizon
Midnight Horizon is a Young Adult Novel that occurs simultaneously with The Fallen Star. Things seem to finally be turning in favor of the Republic but an unsettling rumor of an imminent attack on one of the core worlds force the Jedi Order to send Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy and their Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram to investigate.
The two Padawans will team up with people that have also suffered at the hands of the Nihil, an elaborate plan is designed to infiltrate the planet but what they’re going to discover is something that no one could have anticipated.
The Battle for Starlight
The Battle for Starlight is a children’s book that retells the events of The Fallen Star in a way that maintains the essence of the story while removing some of the scariest elements. The illustrations are very good and perfectly match the tone of this book.
The Edge of Balance. Vol. 2
In the second manga of The High Republic, Lily Tora-asi learns that the Drengir attack on her outpost was something planned. Master Arkoff is called off the planet and Lily stays in charge of the rebuilding and protection of everyone. But it won’t be so easy when an uninvited guest shows up.
Eye of the Storm
Another comic mini-series by Marvel. This one finally reveals some of the reasons why Marchion Ro hates the Jedi so much. Could it be related to what happened in Phase II?
Charles Soule, author of this and many other High Republic stories mentioned that the first issue of this mini-series can be read before The Fallen Star, while the second one is suggested to be the last thing to read in Phase I.
Phase II: Full Books Catalog
A quick reminder: Phase II is a prequel to Phase I. You can start your High Republic reading endeavor with Phase II if you wish to.
If you keep true to the release order, you will be consuming the content in the way the creators have intended, despite the jump to an earlier timeline in Phase II.
The following is a full catalog of all the content released during Phase II of The High Republic. Click on an image to see more details. Each title is briefly described without spoiling it.
Path of Deceit
Path of Deceit is the first Young Adult novel of Phase II. This book introduces the Path of the Open Hand, a strange group of refugees that have established a settlement on the planet Dalna.
Jedi Master Zallah Macri and her Padawan Kevmo Zink end up on Dalna and their fates change forever when they meet The Mother, leader of the Path of the Open Hahd, and Marda Ro, a young devotee of the path.
I remember very clearly when I started to write my review of Path of Deceit immediately after finishing the book. What first appeared to be a “standard” Star Wars novel turned out to be a shocking and very refreshing story.
Convergence
The first Adult Novel of Phase II of the High Republic. Eiram and E’ronoh have been at war for years and the everlasting conflict has taken its toll on both planet’s populations.
Old grudges and prejudices prevent Queen Adrialla and The Patriarch from reaching an agreement but not everything is lost. Phan-tu Zenn and Xiri A’lbaran, the future rulers of Eiram and E’ronoh, can still make it work if they leave their differences behind and find out who benefits from the war.
My review of Convergence includes a more in-depth look into the awesome characters that are introduced. At first, they might not look like something special, but they all really grow and evolve throughout this and the following stories.
Quest for the Hidden City
This is the first Middle-Grade novel of Phase II. Pathfinder teams are tasked with finding new planets so the Republic can map new hyperlanes to improve hyperspace travel.
A Pathfinder team goes missing and Jedi Master Silandra Sho and her Padawan Rooper Nitani are sent to find out what happened. Their investigation leads to Gloam, a planet that was devastated long ago by a plague as a result of mining operations. So much time has passed that the mining has resumed and the monsters are no longer around, or so they thought…
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures
The High Republic Adventures is a series of comic books published by Dark Horse. This series is focused on Sav Malagán, she was first introduced appears on Phase but in this story, we see her growing and developing as a young Padawan right before chaos is unleashed in Jedha.
Star Wars: The High Republic Comic Book Series
This is Marvel’s contribution to Phase II of the High Republic. Jedi Master Vildar Mac, Padawan Matthea Cathley, and Tey Sirrek, a former Guardian of the Whills. The trio is between the sword and the wall when the Path of the Open Hand and other Force religions gather on the moon of Jedha.
Star Wars: The High Republic – The Blade
A Marvel comic miniseries that tells how Porter Engle, a charismatic character that first appeared in Phase I, got the infamous title of the “Blade of Bardotta”. Witness one of the greatest lightsaber combatants of this era fight in his prime.
The Battle of Jedha
The Battle of Jedha is an audio drama that describes the events after Convergence. Eiram and E’ronoh have agreed to sign a peace treaty that will put an end to the war.
As the title suggests, things don’t go as planned and chaos is unleashed on the peaceful moon. In this battle no one is safe: Eiram or E’ronoh troops, the Path of the Open Hand, Jedi, Guardians of the Whills, and other force believers.
The Battle of Jedha audio version is the first and only audio drama of Phase II. Every character is voiced by a different person which gives it a completely new level of immersion. My review of The Battle of Jedha gives more details about this great experience.
The High Republic Adventures: Quest of the Jedi
This is a one-off comic published by Dark Horse. After the events of Path of Deceit, Jedi Knight Azlin Rell tries to find out what happened on the planet Dalna. When investigating the Jedi Archives, he learns about a story that mentions a Sith artifact. This might be the clue that Azlin needs to learn what is this mysterious weapon that the Path of the Open Hand seems to possess.
Quest for Planet X
The second and last middle-grade novel of Phase II of the High Republic. Rooper Nitani, Dass, and Sky Graf go on an adventure that goes south when they encounter some members of the Path of the Open Hand.
The Nameless Terror
Another comic book series that is published by Dark Horse. Ty Yorrick is a former Jedi from Phase I, in this comic series she narrates a story about her Jedi Master during his padawan days. After crashing on an unknown planet, he and other members of a Pathfinder team find a terrifying creature capable of incapacitating Force users. The same creature that has been used on multiple occasions by the Mother.
Cataclysm
Cataclysm is the last adult novel of Phase II. This book picks up right after The Battle of Jedha, the chaos caused destruction and death on an event that was supposed to celebrate peace between two planets.
Different groups conclude that the Path of the Open Hand is more than just a peaceful group of devotees and it’s time to find out what their true intentions are. Members of the Jedi Order, representatives of the Republic, and the heirs of both Eiram and E’ronoh go on a diplomatic mission that goes wrong almost as soon as they lay foot on Dalna.
My favorite thing about Phase II is how stories that seem isolated eventually converge with each other. It’s so fun to see how the pieces slowly move until chaos is inevitable.
My Cataclysm review contains spoiler-free segments where you can learn a little bit about it without ruining your reading experience with the book. It also contains a spoiler-full segment at the end.
Path of Vengeance
The last Young Adult novel of Phase II and what I think could be considered its culmination for everyone who isn’t able to every book or “minor” story that takes place after it. The Battle of Jedha and Cataclysm are narrated from the “good guys” point of view. Path of Vengeance re-tells a portion of those events from Marda and Yana Ro’s perspective.
Marda Ro is still the blind follower that we met on Path of Deceit, but the actions of The Mother will make her see that not everything she was told happens to be accurate and Marda is forced to make a decision that will change the direction of the Path forever, for better or worse.
It’s always great when Star Wars stories “rhyme”. Path of Vengeance ends Phase II in a very similar way to how it began with Path of Deceit, from the personal point of view of a character that doesn’t fit the traditional hero archetype. You can read my spoiler-free Path of Vengeance book review.
Phase III: Full Books Catalog
Quick reminder: In true Star Wars fashion, Phase III is a sequel to Phase 1. You can begin your High Republic journey with Phase II if you wish to read everything in chronological order.
If you keep true to the release order, you will be consuming the content in the way the creators have intended, despite the jump to an earlier timeline in Phase II.
The following is a catalog of all the released content during Phase III of the High Republic. I will be adding more books and comics to the catalog as soon as they’re released.
Tales of Light and Life
Tales of Light and Life began officially Phase III: Trials of the Jedi. This book is a compilation of short stories written by many High Republic authors that feature multiple characters from Phase I and now Phase III. It was released on September 5, 2023.
Tales of Light and Life is an anthology so maybe that’s not what many would consider an “opening story”. Don’t worry, the following novels will be more of what we’ve grown used to.
Shadows of Starlight
A comic miniseries written by Charles Soule. The destruction of the Starlight Beacon shocked the Republic but it’s the Jedi who really felt the damage. As the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, Yoda is responsible for ensuring its future.
These are desperate times, and desperate needs must be taken if he wishes to protect the Order. However, these measures require to explore the dark side. The consequences of his actions might help the Jedi and Republic, but there’s always a price to pay.
The High Republic Adventures: Saber for Hire
This mini-series by Cavan Scott continues the tale of Ty Yorrick, a former Jedi turned monster hunter. Being behind the Stormwall is something that caused distress to many Jedi and citizens of the Republic, but not for Ty Yorrick. The Tholothian will continue to encounter not only deathly creatures but also old enemies and even former colleagues.
The High Republic (2023)
This is the first canon comic series of Phase III of the High Republic. Jedi Master Keeve Trennis leads a desperate attack, and while the odds are not in her favor she trusts that The Force will guide her through victory. But as we have learned, The Force isn’t an effective weapon against all enemies.
The Eye Of Darkness
The first Adult Novel of Phase III. This story takes place one year after the destruction of the Starlight Beacon. Previously, Marchion Ro and The Nihil were considered marauders not only because of their actions but also due to their ideas.
After taking over Outer Rim, The Nihil established a barrier that the Republic and Jedi have failed to break. The bad news is that the barrier is only the first problem, Marchion Ro has amassed a huge amount of power and resources. Not only that, but the problem of the “Nameless” persists.
The Eye Of Darkness also explores a new face of Marchion Ro, he’s now the head of a government. Something very ironic considering his origins and all the effort he made to tear apart the Republic. Will this new role change him or only strengthen Ro’s convictions?
Escape from Valo
Escape from Valo is a middle-grade novel. With the increased expansion of the Occlusion Zone, more Jedi and Republic systems have been trapped inside the enemy territory. Without any contact or the possibility of getting rescued, a small group of Jedi Padawans has to work together to find a way to escape before it’s too late.
This story is intense and explores other aspects that are rarely mentioned in Star Wars. Padawans might be on their way to becoming Jedi Knights, but they’re still inexperienced and immature.
The main characters must survive and escape an unstoppable enemy while also dealing with the drama of being a teenager. Fear, love, and grief are just a few of the many things that they have to face.
Defy the Storm
This young adult novel shows a true display of power by Marchion Ro. The republic is incapable of entering the occlusion zone while he’s able to expand it with the push of a button.
But not everything’s bad news. With a lot of help and quite some luck Avar Kriss and Vernestra Rwoh manage to escape the Stormwall, giving the Republic and Jedi Order a glimpse of small, but much-needed hope.
Defy the Storm is a slow-paced story that’s more focused on exploring the intricacies of the politics inside the newly-formed Nihil “government”.
Temptation of the Force
The second adult novel of Phase III. The Republic Defense Coalition is using all of its resources trying to figure out a way to enter the Occlusion Zone without getting obliterated in the process.
Many characters introduced in Phase I reunite in a single location to combine efforts and claim victory over the occupying Nihil Forces as well as the infamous Stormwall.
Simultaneously, Marchion Ro goes on small explorations to find something related to his ancestors. What he finds is something strange and disturbing enough that he makes an odd petition to the Republic and the Jedi.
This story has anything you could ask for. Epic battles, haunting scenes, unpredictable plot twists, and a strong romantic bond between two of the most prominent Jedi Masters of the Order.
Tears of the Nameless
A young adult novel mainly focused on the young Jedi Reath Silas. This book covers his attempt to uncover a ground-breaking discovery that could turn the tide of the battle against the seemingly invincible Nameless creatures.
With the help of fallen Jedi Azlin Rell, Reath’s search takes him to a planet where an ancient Force-sensitive civilization once flourished. The first people to face and defeat the threat of these Force-eating creatures.
Of course, things are easier said than done. Baron Boolan’s powerful and twisted creations are set loose to hunt and eliminate anyone who is deemed a threat to the Nihil.
Reath Silas carries the fate of the entire Jedi Order on his shoulders, a burden that he’s accepted but the young Jedi doesn’t realize the sacrifices that are implicit in such a task.
A smaller-scale story that made me feel exactly like when I visited Zeffo when playing Jedi Fallen Order for the first time.
Read our full Review of Tears of the Nameless
Tempest Breaker
An audio-drama focused on Lourna Dee, Avar Kriss, and Keeve Trennis. The three women have a very interesting past. In this novel, The former Tempest Runner tries to find her own path without serving anyone but herself. Ironically, Lourna Dee ends up teaming with multiple people who just a few months earlier considered her an enemy.
For the first two hours, it is a slow story, like almost every other High Republic. At first, it appears to be something without much importance compared to other books but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
It is packed with action, interesting alliances, some returning faces, betrayal, and a few plot twists that will define the future of Marchion Ro, The Nihil, The Republic, and the Jedi Order. This is by far my favorite story of Phase III so far.
Read our full Review of Tempest Breaker
Into the Light
The last Young Adult novel of Phase III. The Blight has appeared on a planet that the galaxy can’t afford to lose, the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. A team with members like Reath Silas, Burryaga, Avon Starros, Kelnacca, and the Vessel crew, among others, heads to the jungle planet in an attempt to stop what so far has been unstoppable.
What they don’t expect is that two of their deadliest enemies await them deep in the jungle. A mad Nihil scientist and the Great Progenitor, which obviously implies the presence of many other Drengir. What’s worse is that neither of them is the final obstacle to overcome. Something ancient and full of darkness awaits them.
A slow, but not dull story that is deeply tied to the Force itself. If you’ve ever wondered why Kashyyyk feels more alive than other worlds, the answer lies within these pages.
Read our full Review of Into the LightTrials of the Jedi
The last Adult Novel and finale to the entire High Republic era. With the Blight appearing on more planets each day, the Jedi Order comes up with a plan that could work. They are going in blind, with zero guarantees at all.
Because of the danger and urgency, only nine individuals are chosen for this. The rest of the Republic and the Jedi Order must deal with the already existing problems. Hoping that these Jedi can find a solution before everything is lost.
This story concludes the epic journey that began with a strange woman arriving on Dalna. While most questions are answered, a few remain a mystery, keeping open the possibility of future stories.
Read our full Review of Trials of the JediTable of contents
- What is The High Republic
- Recommended Reading Order and Essentials
- Phase I: Full Books Catalog
- Light of the Jedi
- The Great Jedi Rescue
- A Test of Courage
- Into the Dark
- Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures
- The High Republic Adventures: The Monster of Temple Peak
- The Edge of Balance. Vol. 1
- The Rising Storm
- Showdown at the Fair
- Race to Crashpoint Tower
- Trail of Shadows
- Out of the Shadows
- Tempest Runner
- Mission to Disaster
- The Fallen Star
- Midnight Horizon
- The Battle for Starlight
- The Edge of Balance. Vol. 2
- Eye of the Storm
- Phase II: Full Books Catalog
- Path of Deceit
- Convergence
- Quest for the Hidden City
- Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures
- Star Wars: The High Republic Comic Book Series
- Star Wars: The High Republic – The Blade
- The Battle of Jedha
- The High Republic Adventures: Quest of the Jedi
- Quest for Planet X
- The Nameless Terror
- Cataclysm
- Path of Vengeance
- Phase III: Full Books Catalog
