SWBC: Everything to know about The High Republic Phase 3
Plus: Listen to me gush about my love of "Dark Disciple" on the Star Wars Book Community Podcast.
What to know about The High Republic Phase 3
Phase 3 of The High Republic begins in less than a month, so it’s time to take a look at everything we know so far about the last phase of the epic initiative.
Here’s what we’re getting in the first wave of books and comics:
The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #1 (Oct. 4)
The High Republic #1 (Nov. 8)
The Eye of Darkness by George Mann; adult book (Nov. 14)
The High Republic Adventures #1 (Dec. 13)
Escape from Valo by Daniel Josè Older and Alyssa Wong; middle-grade novel (Jan. 30, 2024)
Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland; young adult book (March 12, 2024)
Much of Phase 3 is set about a year after The Fallen Star and the fall of Starlight Beacon.
It’s a dark time for the galaxy, especially the Outer Rim. With the destruction of the Jedi-filled space station, the ruthless Nihil have established an impenetrable Stormall in the Outer Rim, creating an Occulusion Zone — no one allowed in or out.
There are Jedi and innocent Republic citizens trapped inside the Occlusion Zone, including Avar Kriss. Outside the Stormall, Jedi like Elzar Mann, and Bell Zettifar, alongside the Republic, struggle to to breach the barrier and contact people and worlds who have been cut off from the rest of the galaxy.
Teaser text for Shadows of Starlight #1:
WHO LIVED? WHO DIED? ANSWERS TO THE GREATEST CATASTROPHE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI!
Little has been revealed about the year following the fall of STARLIGHT BEACON and the ultimate triumph of THE NIHIL…until now! THE JEDI COUNCIL, reeling from its losses, has recalled its JEDI KNIGHTS from across the galaxy and instituted the emergency measures. MASTER YODA has a plan to save the Order and the galaxy, but he must touch the dark side to achieve it…and the consequences will be grave indeed.
Read the full synopsis for The Eye of Darkness:
The galaxy is divided. Following the shocking destruction of Starlight Beacon, the Nihil have established an impenetrable barrier called the Stormwall around part of the Outer Rim, where Marchion Ro rules and his followers wreak havoc at his every whim. Jedi trapped behind enemy lines, including Avar Kriss, must fight to help the worlds being pillaged by the Nihil while staying one step ahead of the marauders and their Nameless terrors.
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Outside of the Nihil’s so-called Occlusion Zone, Elzar Mann, Bell Zettifar, and the other Jedi work alongside the Republic to reach the worlds that have been cut off from the rest of the galaxy. But every attempt to breach the Stormwall has failed, and even communication across the barrier is impossible. The failures and losses weigh heavily upon both Elzar and Bell as they search desperately for a solution.
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But even if the Republic and Jedi forces manage to breach the Stormwall, how can the Jedi fight back against the Nameless creatures that prey on the Jedi’s connection to the Force? And what other horrors does Marchion Ro have in store? As desperation for both the Jedi and the Republic grows, any hope of reuniting the galaxy could be all but extinguished. . . .
And for Defy the Storm:
One year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, the galaxy is in chaos. An anarchistic group known as the Nihil has taken over a section of space now known as the Occlusion Zone. Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh and scientist Avon Starros team up in an attempt to find a way through the Nihil Stormwall to save those on the other side.
But what are the Nihil's real plans? And what of the nameless creatures that can destroy the Jedi Order? The battle has just begun. . . .
Can’t wait for The High Republic Phase 3? Don’t forget to read Tales of Light and Life — an anthology of short stories from all three phases.
The collection’s final two stories include some juicy teasers for what’s coming next for the Jedi, the Republic, and the galaxy as a whole.
Coming next year: The Living Force
It’s always a good day when a new Star Wars book is announced. But this one was even more exciting (at least for me) because it was about a new story set during the prequel era — one year before The Phantom Menace, to be exact.
Last week, Del Rey/Random House Worlds announced The Living Force by John Jackson Miller, author of A New Dawn and Kenobi.
Arriving on April 9, 2024, The Living Force follows all 12 Jedi Councilors — Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, Yaddle, Depa Billaba, Oppo Rancisis, Even Piell, Yareal Poof, Plo Koon, Eeth Koth, Saesee Tiin, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Adi Gallia.
There are also appearances by Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan learner Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Check out the full synopsis below, and preorder The Living Force here.
In the year before The Phantom Menace, Yoda, Mace Windu, and the entire Jedi Council confront a galaxy on the brink of change.
The Jedi have always traveled the stars, defending peace and justice across the galaxy. But the galaxy is changing, and the Jedi Order along with it. More and more, the Order finds itself focused on the future of the Republic, secluded on Coruscant, where the twelve members of the Jedi Council weigh crises on a galactic scale.
As yet another Jedi Outpost left over from the Republic’s golden age is set to be decommissioned on the planet Kwenn, Qui-Gon Jinn challenges the Council about the Order’s increasing isolation. Mace Windu suggests a bold response: All twelve Jedi Masters will embark on a goodwill mission to help the planet and to remind the people of the galaxy that the Jedi remain as stalwart and present as they have been across the ages.
But the arrival of the Jedi leadership is not seen by all as a cause for celebration. In the increasing absence of the Jedi, warring pirate factions have infested the sector. To maintain their dominance, the pirates unite, intent on assassinating the Council members. And they are willing to destroy countless innocent lives to secure their power.
Cut off from Coruscant, the Jedi Masters must reckon with an unwelcome truth: While no one thinks more about the future than the Jedi Council, nobody needs their help more than those living in the present.
MORE: The Living Force announcement + more book recommendations for John Jackson Miller and the pre-The Phantom Menace era
Talking Dark Disciple
A couple of weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting about one of my favorite Star Wars books of all time — Dark Disciple.
The most recent Canon Catch-Up episode of the Star Wars Book Community Podcast featured me, Meg (StarWarsBookReviews on Insta; Now This Is Lit podcast), and Dan (VadersCastleLibrary) diving into the Asajj Ventress- and Quinlan Vos-starring adult novel set during the Clone Wars.
Before talking with Meg and Dan, I did a quick reread of Dark Disciple, and I fell in love with Ventress and Vos and Christie Golden’s writing all over again. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful book, but one still filled with so much hope — even though we know how it all ends.
And despite the tears, Dark Disciple is such a comfort read to me. It’s up there with Revenge of the Sith, too. Do I find tragedy and heartbreak comforting? My list of favorite books points to yes.
Anyway, click play below to listen to Meg, Dan, and me wax poetic about this book. And follow the SWBC Podcast for more Star Wars book discussions!
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Sept. 12
Sana Starros: Family Matters trade paperback
The Mandalorian Vol. 1 manga
Sept. 13
Darth Vader #38
Obi-Wan Kenobi #1
Reminder: Tales of Light and Life giveaway
SWBC giveaway
Thanks to the lovely folks at Disney Books Publishing, I have an extra copy of The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life. So, it’s time for another giveaway!
What you’ll get:
A new hardcover copy of The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life
A Space Wizards Book Club bookmark and your choice of another bookmark or sticker from my Etsy shop (new inventory is on the way!)
How to enter:
Subscribe to the Space Wizards Book Club
Head to this post and comment with your answer to the prompt
US only (sorry, shipping is killer right now)
The giveaway ends on Sept. 27
Christie Golden is the GOAT