Star Wars The Acolyte: Wayseeker Book Review

The Acolyte: Wayseeker explores the first encounter and joint mission between Indara and Vernestra Rwoh, a few decades before the events of The Acolyte.

This is not an illustrated novel. Most of the images you’ll see below are from other Star Wars projects, used to expand the context. The article contains a few very light spoilers from the book.

The Acolyte: Wayseeker is written by Justina Ireland. It is available in audio, physical, and digital formats. Its release date is May 6, 2025. We received an early copy of the book for review from Penguin Random House.

Guardians of Peace or glorified enforcers

Wayseeker reminded me of some of the best arcs from The Clone Wars. While its importance might be eclipsed by events that directly impacted the galaxy, it’s still a very entertaining story with ties with multiple storylines that occur before and after.

It takes place a hundred years before the events of The Phantom Menace. There isn’t that much going on in the galaxy at this particular moment. While the Nihil conflict left everyone scarred, many planets have slowly but surely recovered from that dreadful succession of events. While it’s always relative, the galaxy is at peace.

Before the Nihil, the Republic and the Jedi Order were pushing for expansion of both territory and influence across the galaxy. Obviously, through means of diplomacy, nothing as violent as that statement might suggest.

Pathfinder Team, The High Republic — Pathfinder Team from The High Republic

Pathfinder teams, made by a Jedi Master, a Padawan, a pilot, a medic, and a droid were sent to scout all corners of the galaxy. After Marchion Ro nearly destroyed both the Jedi and Republic, they realized how vulnerable they truly were and decided to call back almost everyone.

As a result, many planets were left on their own, and Wayseeker shows how this affected multiple systems, the people who lived there, and their relationship with the Republic and most importantly, with the Jedi.

One of the things I really like about smaller stories is that we can learn a little more about the common citizens. People are just trying to put food on their table while powerful people attempt to undermine each other.

This allows us to truly see a perspective that feels “real” and not something that is being reported in a session with people who rarely leave their fancy offices or council chambers.

I think this is also one of the reasons why it makes so much sense for Vernestra to be a Wayseeker. This way, she is truly able to be a force of Light and help people in need without having to worry about bureaucrats. Which, also includes the Jedi Council.

From The High Republic to The Acolyte

I remember how impacted I was to see Vernestra Rwoh work as a link with the Senate in The Acolyte. During Phases I and III of The High Republic, we learned that there are very few things she dislikes more than dealing with politicians and their never-ending schemes to acquire more power.

Vernestra prepares to leave (scene from The Acolyte TV Series) — Vernestra in a scene from The Acolyte TV Series

It was definitely a strange and even upsetting change for me. I wasn’t a fan of the version of Vernestra we saw in The Acolyte because she was so different from her previous appearences.

Wayseeker answers how and why Vern decided to go in that direction. While I’m still not a fan of that change, the book provides more than reasonable explanation.

We have limited information about how much impact she had in that position but like every other task, she did her best. Whether she failed or not, that is for us to assume until we learn more about it.

Vernestra Rwoh is very similar to Qui-Gon Jinn and Ahsoka Tano. She is more concerned with what she believes to be the right thing to do rather than pleasing the Jedi Council, the Republic, or even herself.

What she believes to be the best for others is always her main drive, even if that goes against the wishes of the Council.

Vern prefers to ask for forgiveness and not for permission. This defiant attitude combined with her incredible skills is what allowed her to complete the most difficult missions at such a young age.

Vernestra Rwoh as a 15 year-old Jedi Knight | A Test of Courage

The version of Vernestra that you’ll read in Wayseeker is mature and confident, but she still has some of that “spark” from her youth years. I’m confident that most fans of her are going to be pleased with how she’s presented in this book.

I couldn’t do a review without mentioning Indara, the second main character of this story. Her appearance in The Acolyte showed her as a calm and very confident Jedi Master.

This version of Indara is a very different Jedi. Isolated, and insecure are probably the two words I’d use to describe her at the very beginning.

This feels very strange because imagining Carrie-Anne Moss as an insecure Jedi is almost impossible but that’s how it is.

Her development through the story is very noticeable. Rather than acquiring new abilities or some sort of power-up, she discovers her own self-worth and strength thanks to the mission and the guidance of someone as experienced as Vernestra.

By the end of Wayseeker, you understand why in the first episode of The Acolyte she is located in a distant world.

Who is this for

While Wayseeker takes place in the High Republic era, it isn’t part of the High Republic initiative that’s made of Phases I, II, and III. If you enjoyed the Acolyte, you’ll likely have a good time with Wayseeker.

However, there are many references and names dropped that could appear random and non-important to someone who is not familiar with The High Republic. Reath Silas, Dalna, Imri Cantaros, Stellan Gios, Burryaga, and Avon Sunvale are just some examples of it.

A Young Vernestra Rwoh with her master, Stellan Gios | The High Republic comics

Don’t worry, if you fall into this category you won’t miss too much. Though High Republic readers will be very pleased to come across these small references, even if they are not that impactful to the bigger picture.

People who have read The High Republic books (Phases I and III specifically) and also enjoyed The Acolyte are the ones who are likely going to get the most fun out of Wayseeker.

The only case where someone might be lost is if they have not read The High Republic or watched The Acolyte. In that case, I’d recommend doing one or both things before jumping into this book.

Final Thoughts

Wayseeker is a fun story with a new perspective of both Vernestra and Indara as both Jedi and individuals. While the antagonists are well-written, they aren’t too memorable because of how similar they are to your average galactic scum.

While the stakes are high for this point in time, the story is small in scale and that makes it feel very intimate. This is a consistent story with its lows not being too low and that also applies to its highest points.

There wasn’t a moment where I felt true tension or anxiety over the possible outcome. Mainly because I knew both Jedi would survive, but also because none of the bad guys felt like a real threat to Vernestra and Indara.

Two secondary characters were heavily involved in Phases I and III of the High Republic which was very surprising in a good way. They served their purpose gracefully without feeling forced or like a way to do cheap fan service.

At this time we don’t know if there will be more books that cover the life of Vern or Indara but this is a good starting point for these High Republic characters.

This entire review as well as the summary in the review card below are all based on our own opinions as fans of the franchise. We would love it if you shared your thoughts.

Full Title:

Star Wars: the acolyte: Wayseeker

Author

Justina Ireland

Genre

Adult Novel

Era

The High Republic

Release

May 6th, 2025

Length

304 pages