Star Wars reveals two 'Acolyte' tie-in books starring Vernestra and Jecki
Plus: All the other books and comics announced during the Star Wars panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
Stop everything — Star Wars just announced two new books starring characters from The Acolyte.
The Thursday night Star Wars panel at San Diego Comic-Con was a blockbuster event for publishing news, with new books, comics, and art books revealed.
The biggest news was the reveal of four tie-in books for The Acolyte — two novels, a visual guide, an “art of” book — and spreads of a previously announced comic. It was a veritable feast of deliciously good news for Star Wars readers and fans of The High Republic era.
Here’s everything that was revealed today.
The Acolyte: Wayseeker
Author: Justina Ireland
Publisher: Random House Worlds; Adult novel
May 6, 2025
I should play the lottery because I was just saying how The Acolyte-High Republic era is ripe for books. Especially more stories with Vernestra, one of the few characters introduced in The High Republic books and then in live-action. Star Wars is already answering my wish.
There are few details beyond a publisher’s summary (below), which points to the book being set not long before The Acolyte. In the panel, it was teased that the novel is set about 20 years before the show. Note how the summary says Vernestra spent over 10 years as a Wayseeker — a mild spoiler for what probably happens to her after the books end.
Publisher’s summary:
Before The Acolyte, Vernestra Rwoh must find her place in the Jedi Order.
Vernestra Rwoh has spent over a decade exploring the Outer Rim as a Wayseeker, answering to no other authority but the Force itself. When a request from the Jedi Council orders her back to Coruscant, Vernestra initially refuses, feeling that her first priority should be to the beings she's already serving. But after Jedi Master Indara arrives to ask for Vernestra’s aid in person, Vernestra finds herself pulled back into Coruscant’s complicated world of Republic politics and underworld crime. As the two delve further into their investigation, and the lines between Jedi and Republic business blur, and Vernestra must reconsider what it means to serve for Light and Life.
The Acolyte YA novel
🚨We’re getting a young adult novel starring Jecki and Yord🚨
Author: Tessa Gratton
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
July 29, 2025
This announcement got me the most excited. The YA novels are arguably among the most moving and fun as hell Star Wars books out there. And we definitely did not have enough time with either Jecki or Yord. What perfect way to explore their Padawan pasts — and why everyone gets annoyed with Yord — than in a YA novel written by Tessa Gratton?
Publisher’s summary:
While their Jedi Masters clean up a political mess left behind by one of their own, Jedi Padawan Jecki and her least favorite fellow Padawan Yord are drawn into a planet-wide coming-of-age ritual as featured guests. The first ritual goes well, but when the final event is interrupted, Jecki and Yord will have to use all of their abilities and work together to keep each other — and their new friends — safe from danger.
The Art of The Acolyte
There are also two art-filled reference books for the first season of The Acolyte coming soon. The Art of collectible features concept and production art of characters, locales, vehicles, costumes, and storyboards.
Author: Kristin Baver
Publisher: Abrams
Summer 2025
The Acolyte Visual Guide
The Visual Guide showcases stunning art as well along with detailed guides to all the characters, planets, vehicles, technology, and more from the first season. Lore master Pablo Hidalgo writes this one.
Author: Pablo Hidalgo
Publisher: DK
March 4, 2025
These reference books are often considered collectibles for Star Wars fans and contain behind-the-scenes details and expanded lore for characters and story arcs.
The High Republic: Fear of the Jedi
The High Republic comics get their grand finale next spring, and it looks to be an epic one.
Fear of the Jedi #1 arrives in February with Cavan Scott, once again, at the helm.
Publisher’s summary:
WHAT SCARES THE JEDI?
The galaxy-spanning finale of the High Republic begins here! New York Times Bestselling author Cavan Scott (Venom: Zombiotes, Union Jack the Ripper) returns with artist Marika Cresta (Doctor Aphra, Captain Carter) for the galaxy-shattering final arc of Star Wars: The High Republic.
As fighting within the Nihil Occlusion Zone intensifies, Jedi Master Keeve Trennis is set upon a path that will change her life forever. Guest-starring The Acolyte’s Wookiee Jedi Master, Kelnacca alongside fan-favorite characters from Star Wars: The High Republic novels, audio dramas and comics.
The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic Volume II
Kristin Baver has been BUSY. Not only did she write the first volume of The Art of The High Republic and the upcoming The Art of The Acolyte, but she’s also coming out with a second volume of The High Republic artbook.
I cannot wait to get my grubby little hands on this one seeing as it has concept art from Phases 2 and 3. I’m crossing my fingers for several pages and spreads of Marda Ro.
Publisher’s summary:
“The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic (Volume II) takes fans behind the scenes of Phases II and III of Lucasfilm Publishing’s massive crossover event. Collecting the very best concept art of the new characters, worlds, ships, and creatures of The High Republic...and presented alongside developmental materials and interviews with The High Republic architects...”
The Art of Star Wars Outlaws
Beyond The High Republic, Star Wars is also dropping a much-anticipated open world video game next month. Star Wars Outlaws is all about the galactic underworld in the period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
The game arrives on Aug. 30, and The Art of Star Wars Outlaws arrives on June 3, 2025.
Publisher’s summary:
“Developed by Massive Entertainment in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, Star Wars Outlaws gives players the opportunity to explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new, as Kay Vess—a scoundrel seeking freedom from her past with her companion Nix. As the unlikely heroes embark on a stars-spanning series of high-stakes missions, they constantly risk running afoul of rivaling gangs or falling into the clutches of the evil Galactic Empire.
The Art of Star Wars Outlaws explores the creation of this underworld adventure with an expertly designed assembly of thrilling imagery and intimate insights from the game’s creators. Now readers can get down and dirty as they acquaint themselves with charming rogues, plunge into alien environments, examine exotic tools and weapons, and see how Kay Vess was made to defy the odds.”
Share your thoughts
What books are you most excited about? What are your theories and predictions for the end of The High Republic and the new Acolyte books? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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You really should play the lottery! These are all amazing announcements and yeah I don't know how Kristin does it!
Aaah this is all so exciting! Especially looking forward to the Acolyte books and “Art of” volumes. Thank you so much for this great summary!