SWBC: What's next for Star Wars: The High Republic books?
Plus: What Star Wars news to expect at D23 Expo, and September releases I'm most excited about.
What’s going on with The High Republic Phase 2?
Promotion for Star Wars: The High Republic Phase 2 has been a bit quiet since Starr Wars Celebration in June, San Diego Comic-Con in July, and the return of The High Republic Show a month ago. And we’re just a month away from the release of the first book in the next wave — Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland.
Here’s what we know so far about the next High Republic books expected to come out by the end of this year.
Path of Deceit
Type: YA; Disney Books
Release date: Oct. 4, 2022*
*This release date is according to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and the latest news from conventions and The High Republic Show. Disney Books’ website, however, lists the release date as Nov. 1, 2022. That website does not have the cover art for Path of Deceit, so it could just be in need of updating.
Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann
Type: Middle grade; Disney Books
Release date: Nov. 1, 2022*
*This release date is according to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and the latest news from convention panels and The High Republic Show. Like Path of Deceit, Disney Books’ website also has a different date (Oct. 4, 2022) and an unfinished cover.
Convergence by Zoraida Córdova
Type: Adult; Del Rey/Penguin Random House
Release date: Nov. 15, 2022*
*Penguin Random House, Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble all have the Nov. 15 release date. Google Books, however, has an old release date of Oct. 4.
Related: The High Republic Show teases Phase 2 opening crawl
While some of the release dates may be shifting or confusing to fans, advance reader copies of Path of Deceit and Quest for the Hidden City have been spotted in the wild — namely by booksellers and Star Wars authors, including Charles Soule and Tessa Gratton.
Book reviewers — like myself — are expecting digital and/or physical ARCs of these books very soon. I’ll have a full detailed guide to Phase 2 of The High Republic as soon as I have these stories in my hands, including more about the comics!
Related: All the Star Wars books and comic news from San Diego Comic-Con
What Star Wars news can we expect at D23 Expo?
Disney’s D23 Expo is this weekend — Sept. 9-11 — and fans are hoping for some big reveals, teases, and maybe a little more confirmation of premiere dates.
For Star Wars, most of the biggest projects for the next several years have already been announced. But that means fans can hope for first-looks, cast reveals, teasers, trailers, and anything else they can sink their teeth into during this “Star Wars drought.”
The Lucasfilm panel is at 1 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 10, and it includes Marvel and 20th Century Studios. It’s likely Lucasfilm will present second, and we can also be on the lookout for more details about the next Indiana Jones movie.
Here’s what I’d like to see from Lucasfilm this weekend.
The Mandalorian season 3 teaser — You know, the one that debuted exclusively to those at Star Wars Celebration. And the same one I’ve had to furiously scroll past on TikTok and Reddit because someone (illegally) recorded it and uploaded it to the internet.
More about Ahsoka — I’d love to see some first-look images of Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren as well as more details about where the series is set in the timeline — a.ka. confirmation if Ahsoka is a continuation of Rebels. I will fully ascend to a higher plane if and when the actor for Thrawn is announced.
Details about The Acolyte — All we have so far for this series is that it’s set at the end of The High Republic era, follows a dark side acolyte, and stars Amandla Stenberg. I’m crossing my fingers for more cast and character announcements and maybe a sneak peek at the new series.
The Bad Batch release date — Is the second season coming out on Sept. 28 or what?
Literally anything about Star Wars books — This one is a bit more unlikely since Lucasfilm publishing had panels at Star Wars Celebration and San Diego Comic-Con this summer. But I’m still going to hope for something about The High Republic Phase 2.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
September 6
Little Golden Book: Star Wars: Visions: T0-B1
September 7
September releases I’m most excited about
Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match (Sept. 6): A reimagined Frankenstein tale that focuses on the legendary scientist’s younger sister, who uses her own prowess to, literally, create the perfect gentleman.
Ithaca by Claire North (Sept. 6): Another extraordinary reimagined Greek myth, Ithaca follows the woman left behind when Odysseus sailed away to fight a war in Troy. The sweeping new classic shows the strengths and struggles of Penelope and the other women of Ithaca.
The Gathering Dark (Sept. 6): A new anthology of folk horror stories perfect for those who were obsessed with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. These spooky tales are written by some of the most popular young adult authors in the industry.
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber (Sept. 13): The highly anticipated sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart continues the story of Evangeline Fox with plenty more magic, mystery, and cozy romance.
Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer (Sept. 20): Another hotly anticipated sequel, Defend the Dawn follows Tessa and Prince Corrick as they navigate an uneasy and temporary peace with their sickened kingdom and the appearance of a mysterious emissary from across the sea.
Kenobi by John Jackson Miller: Star Wars book collectors, take note — this gorgeous Portuguese edition of Kenobi comes out on Sept. 20.
Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland (Sept. 20): The High Republic author’s newest non-Star Wars book combines fantasy storytelling with historical inspiration for a fresh, nuanced young adult tale “set at the crossroads of race and power in America.”
Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo (Sept. 27): This graphic novel set in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse follows a young boy with extraordinary and dangerous powers — long before he became the villainous Darkling and created the sinister Fold.