SWBC: How to read The High Republic books
SWBC: How to read The High Republic books
A recommended reading order, FAQs, upcoming releases, and more!
How to read The High Republic
The High Republic is a major publishing endeavor that’s been churning out books and comics over the last two years. With more than a dozen novels and dozens more comics, it can be intimidating to start reading.
Some of the most common questions I get include, Where do I start? In what order should I read these books? Do I have to read X before I read Y? and Do I have to read the YA or middle-grade books to “get” the story?
Well, it’s about time I answer those questions — beyond the occasional comment reply or pinned post.
What is The High Republic?
The High Republic era of Star Wars is the golden age of the Jedi Order and the Republic system of government and planets. It began as Project Luminous, and in January 2021, the first novel was published — Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule.
The High Republic is set about 200 years before the prequel movies and the beginning of the Skywalker saga. There are certainly familiar planets and characters like Coruscant and Master Yoda, but The High Republic is full of brand-new characters, creatures, and conflicts, and is the most diverse era of Star Wars ever.
Where should I start reading The High Republic?
While everyone may have a different reading order recommendation, I believe all of us High Republic fans can agree that you should start with Light of the Jedi.
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
What’s the best reading order for The High Republic books?
Here’s where it can get a little complicated and controversial.
I’ve been reading and reviewing every new Star Wars book that’s been released since Light of the Jedi — The High Republic and others. And while the publishers send me advanced copies to read and review before they’re published, I luckily still get to read these stories in the order the creators intended them to be read.
Here’s how I read these books, a.k.a. the release order:
Light of the Jedi
A Test of Courage
Into the Dark
The Rising Storm
Race to Crashpoint Tower
Out of the Shadows
Tempest Runner
Mission to Disaster
The Fallen Star
Midnight Horizon
Path of Deceit
Quest for the Hidden City
Convergence
StarWars.com also has a handy guide to all of these books and the comics in timeline/chronological order — Phase 2 books before Phase 1 books.
Wait, what the heck and Phase 1 and Phase 2? Do I have to read all of Phase 1 first?
Phase 1 of The High Republic came out first, but Phase 2 occurs 150 years before the events of Phase 1. Stay with me here.
Star Wars publishing pulled a Star Wars and is currently releasing prequel stories to the first phase of The High Republic. We’re in the middle of Phase 2 with three books and two comics already published.
Here’s Phase 2 in release order:
Path of Deceit (review)
Quest for the Hidden City (review)
Convergence (review)
The Battle of Jedha (Jan. 3, 2023)
Quest for Planet X (April 4, 2023)
Cataclysm (April 4, 2023)
Path of Vengeance (May 2, 2023)
Technically, you don’t have to be caught up with Phase 1 to get into Phase 2. That was intentional. The authors and story creators at Lucasfilm crafted these stories in such a way that you can jump in almost at any time and understand what’s going on.
So, if you haven’t read all of Phase 1 yet, you can still start reading Phase 2 books.
Do I have to read the YA and middle-grade books to understand the story?
Yes and no. Could you just read the adult novels and understand the story? Sure. But you’d be missing out on some of the best stories and brightest characters in all of Star Wars.
Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland is a beautiful and heartbreaking tale of star-crossed young love and religious fanaticism. Daniel Jose Older’s Midnight Horizon is an incredible, action-packed thriller with a gutwrenching yet hopeful ending that had me in tears. And Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann is a fun, quick read full of fresh Star Wars lore and a touch of horror that makes it perfect for readers of all ages.
So, no, you don’t have to read these books. But you definitely should.
What about the comics?
Same answer as above. You don’t have to, but I think you should. I know not everyone has access to single-issue comics from their local comic shop, but luckily you won’t be missing out if you choose to wait for the trade paperback collections — either buying them or getting them from your local library.
Here are the TPBs available so far:
What’s coming next for The High Republic? When will we go back to Phase 1?
In 2023, there are four more books planned as well as more comics and new series.
For books:
The Battle of Jedha (Jan. 3, 2023)
Quest for Planet X (April 4, 2023)
Cataclysm (April 4, 2023)
Path of Vengeance (May 2, 2023)
For comics:
The High Republic (ongoing series)
The High Republic Adventures (ongoing series)
The Blade (Dec. 28, 2022)
The Nameless Terror (Feb. 22, 2023)
Quest of the Jedi (March 1, 2023)
As for going back to the characters and stories of Phase 1, there’s no definite date confirmed yet. But Phase 2 is expected to conclude with Path of Vengeance in May 2023, so it’s likely we could see more Phase 1 stories in fall 2023.
Have more questions about The High Republic?
Share your questions and reading tips in the comments and in the subscriber chat!
The Battle of Jedha audio original — first listen
We’re just three weeks away from a new Star Wars: The High Republic book — an audio original, actually.
The Battle of Jedha is set to be a culmination of sorts for some of the core characters and stories published so far in Phase 2 of The High Republic. This week, StarWars.com shared a first listen to the audio drama — written by George Mann and performed by a full cast — as well as a (cast list.
The Battle of Jedha audio original will release on Jan. 3, 2023.
The script book will be available on Feb. 14, 2023.
Breaking book news: First listen and cast list for ‘The Battle of Jedha’ audio original
More Star Wars audio dramas
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Dec. 13
Dec. 14
SWBC for the rest of 2022
A recap of all the Star Wars books published this year
My favorite Star Wars books I read this year — with reviews!
Some reading goals and resolutions for 2023
Books I’m most excited for in 2023 — Star Wars and beyond!