Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order – The Complete 2023 Guide

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While we often look at the Star Wars universe from the point of view of the movies and the series that we can watch on Disney+, the thing is that this is a huge world that has found its way to other forms of literature as well. Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, it became clear that the company wanted to expand the entire universe into other aspects while also adding more substance to a story that goes back thousands of years in the past.

As such, Lucasfilm launched the ambitious Star Wars: The High Republic project, which found its way to books and comic books written by different authors who all had the imagination that allowed the entire Star Wars universe to expand to other timelines. The High Republic is set during the time of peace when the Galactic Republic was at its most stable and when the Jedi Order was at its most powerful due to the belief that the Sith had gone extinct.

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At this point in time, we are still in Phase One of the High Republic project, as there are around 20 projects involved in this huge storyline. This means that this multiple-phase Star Wars storyline is incredibly vast and should be a treat for Star Wars fans all over the world.

With that said, there are plenty of different books and comic books written about the High Republic, as there are plenty of different stories to tell about this time period in the history of the Star Wars universe. Now, with that said, let’s look at the correct reading order for Star Wars: The High Republic if you are interested in getting to know more about this time period in Star Wars history.            

Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order At A Glance

  1. Light of the Jedi
  2. The Great Jedi Rescue
  3. Into the Dark
  4. A Test of Courage
  5. Marvel’s High Republic Comics Vol. 1
  6. IDW’s High Republic Comics Vol. 1
  7. IDW’s High Republic Adventures: The Monster of Temple Peak
  8. The Rising Storm
  9. Race to Crashpoint Tower
  10. Shodown at the Fair
  11. Marvel’s High Republic Comics Vol. 2
  12. IDW’s High Republic Adventures Comics Vol. 2
  13. Marvel’s Trail of Shadows Comics
  14. Out of the Shadows
  15. The Edge of Balance
  16. Marvel’s Eye of the Storm Comic
  17. The Fallen Star
  18. Midnight Horizon
  19. Mission to Disaster
  20. Battle for Starlight

Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order

1. Light of the Jedi

Light of the Jedi was the book that began the High Republic storyline in Star Wars. This is the book that actually kickstarted an event that eventually led to the rise of the other conflicts involved during the time of the High Republic. As such, it is important for you to start with Light of the Jedi because this is where things began. You won’t be able to understand the storyline without reading this book.

The thing about Light of the Jedi is that it allows you to understand the condition of the galaxy during the time of the High Republic. Take note that the Jedi Order and the Republic were very different during this time, and that means that you have to read this book to know more about this different time period in the history of the Star Wars universe.

2. The Great Jedi Rescue

The Great Jedi Rescue was written by Cavan Scott and is a book that is actually friendly towards the younger fans of Star Wars. In short, it is a kids’ book that has a friendlier approach compared to the other High Republic books and comic books. But the thing is that you can still appreciate this book even if you are an older fan of Star Wars.

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But the thing about this book (which comes with stickers) is that it isn’t exactly essential to the entire High Republic storyline. Only those who are hardcore completionists should read this book as part of the entire reading order. Nevertheless, it does fall within the timeline of events in the High Republic and is still part of the official canon, even though it might not be essential.

3. Into the Dark

As one of the most imaginative authors in the Disney era of Star Wars, Claudia Gray delivers a great book in the form of Into the Dark, which targets young adults that would be able to easily relate with the protagonist of this storyline. But those who are on the older side of the calendar should still be able to appreciate this book.

Into the Dark actually takes place concurrently with Light of the Jedi as it happens during the Great Disaster, which is the event that jumpstarted the entire High Republic conflict. Nevertheless, this storyline is on a much smaller scale compared to Light of the Jedi but is still essential for those who want to fully understand the characters and the greater story behind the High Republic era.

4. A Test of Courage

Of course, there are also books that target those who are not exactly children but are not young adults as well. This is where Test of Courage, written by Justina Ireland, comes in as a book that tells a story that those who are on the younger side of the calendar should be able to appreciate and relate to.

A Test of Courage follows the story of a 15-year-old Jedi Knight named Vernestra Rwoh, who manages to find trouble in her first assignment when she is sent to a space station called the Starlight Beacon. While it isn’t exactly an essential read as far as the timeline and the canon are concerned, this is still a great Star Wars story that anyone can appreciate and love.

5. Marvel’s High Republic Comics Vol. 1

Considering that Marvel is owned by Disney, which is also the company that owns Lucasfilm, it was easy for the umbrella company to release Marvel-published Star Wars storylines that are part of the official canon. In this regard, the High Republic Vol. 1 by Marvel is a part of the timeline of events in the High Republic.

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Of course, because this is a comic book storyline, Marvel’s High Republic Vol. 1 is much more interactive compared to the books, as you get to appreciate how well-illustrated and well-written the entire storyline is. Written by Cavan Scott, the story follows a Padawan named Keeve Trennis, who has to make a tough choice in the middle of one of the most dangerous moments in his life.

6. IDW’s High Republic Adventures Comics Vol. 1

Even though IDW isn’t under the Disney banner, it was still able to get its hands on the right to publish High Republic comics that are still part of the Star Wars canon. In that regard, IDW’s High Republic Adventures Comics Vol. 1 is a collection of comic books that target younger readers, even though the storylines can also be appreciated by older fans of Star Wars.

In this comic book by Daniel Jose Older, we get to follow the tale of Lula, Farzala, and Qort, who are all Jedi Padawans that are forced to take action when a planet is attacked by the Nihil. As such, younger readers might want to put themselves in the shoes of these young Jedi Padawans as they take part in an adventure that would change their lives.

7. IDW’s High Republic Adventures: The Monster of Temple Peak

IDW also has another High Republic Adventures storyline entitled The Monster of Temple Peak, which is written by Cavan Scott. This is actually a miniseries that’s quite short but is still very informative and compelling, despite the fact that it only has four issues. And this is a side story that might not be essential to your High Republic reading but is still quite fun.

The Monster of Temple Peak follows the story of the Jedi taking on a monster. In that regard, the title is self-explanatory, but there might be some surprises that will keep you glued to the pages of this comic book series.

8. The Rising Storm

As one of the most prominent writers of the High Republic books and comic books, Cavan Scott returns with The Rising Storm, which is a full-length novel that is actually the next main part of the entire High Republic storyline. That means that it is an essential story to read as it is the book that follows Light of the Jedi.

In this book, we follow the events of the Republic Fair, which was arranged by Chancellor Lina Soh. However, everything goes wrong when a group of attackers emerges to make things difficult for the Republic. Even the Jedi struggle against these attackers, as an enemy is about to rise from the events of The Rising Storm.

9. Race to Crashpoint Tower

Race to Crashpoint Tower was written by Daniel Jose Older, who handled the first volume of the IDW High Republic Adventures comics. That said, Race to Crashpoint Tower is also a book that may be better off for younger readers but is still quite interesting for older fans of Star Wars, especially if they are completionists.

The events of Race to Crashpoint Tower happen concurrently with the events of The Rising Storm. It focuses on Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram, who is on the planet Valo when things start to go wrong. In that regard, he had to make his way to Crashpoint Tower so that he could call the Republic for help. It’s a side story that isn’t essential as far as understanding the entire High Republic storyline is concerned but is still quite fun for hardcore fans of Star Wars.

10. Showdown at the Fair

Of course, there is also a children’s book that happens concurrently with the events of The Rising Storm. Showdown at the Fair was written by George Mann and is aimed toward children. This illustrated children’s book isn’t essential to the entire storyline but should still be a part of the entire reading order for those who are hardcore completionists.

Showdown at the Fair is a side story that involves a Wookiee Jedi named Burryaga. The events surrounding this Wookiee also happen concurrently with the events happening on Valo during the Republic Fair.

11. Marvel’s High Republic Comics Vol. 2

Marvel’s High Republic Comics Vol. 2, written by Cavan Scott, follows the story that stems from the events of The Rising Storm. This is also the second story in Marvel’s The High Republic comic book storyline. It follows issues 6 to 10 and focuses on the events surrounding Avar Kriss.

In this storyline, Avar Kriss ends up making new allies as she fights dangerous creatures on a lava planet. Meanwhile, Jedi Keeve Trennis is also featured in this storyline as she tries to put everything on the line so that she can save her master. And like the other comic books on this list, this isn’t an essential storyline to follow but is still quite entertaining.

12. IDW’s High Republic Adventures Comics Vol. 2

Daniel Jose Older returns with his IDW-published High Republic Adventures storyline. This time, we are talking about volume 2 of the comics, as this storyline is once again a great read for younger audiences due to how relatable it is to them. Still, fans of Star Wars lore should be able to enjoy this comic book volume as well.

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In volume 2 of High Republic Adventures, we follow the continuing story of the Padawans Farzala and Qort as they need to take a break from all of the battles against the Nihil. They join an older Jedi Knight to broker a peace settlement with the Hutts. As such, you’ll get to enjoy the fact that the Hutt family is featured in the High Republic storyline. And if you’ve already read the first volume, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t read volume 2.

13. Marvel’s Trail of Shadows Comics

Trail of Shadows is a Marvel Comics miniseries that is still part of the High Republic canon but is not part of Cavan Scott’s main series. However, even though it is just a side story, there are still a lot of things to enjoy about this book, especially if you are a hardcore completionist that wants to absorb everything related to Star Wars.

Trail of Shadows was written by Daniel Jose Older and focused more on a darker story compared to his other stories, which targeted younger audiences. In this storyline, we follow Jedi investigator Emerick Caphtor, who investigates the death of a fellow Jedi Knight. He has to solve this case with no leads at all as we get to enjoy how the detective genre is explored in this comic book series.

14. Out of the Shadows

Out of Shadows, which is written by Justina Ireland, is the second part of the young adult storyline that the same author wrote. As such, this is a book that targets teenagers and those who are young at heart as it tends to be more relatable to them. But those who enjoy the young adult genre should still be able to find joy in reading Out of the Shadows, even though it isn’t an essential book in the High Republic storyline.

In this book, we follow the story of Sylvestri Yarrow, who has to go to Coruscant to find help from the Republic when two families are fighting over a patch of space. Meanwhile, the young Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh and her Padawan Imri Cantaros are asked to assist Sylvestri with her problem, as Jedi Master Cohmac Vitus and Padawan Reath Silas also join them to resolve this dispute.

15. The Edge of Balance

We depart from the usual book and comic book form of literature to deliver one of the most interesting High Republic forms of literature. That’s because The Edge of Balance is actually a manga series that was written by Shima Shinya, who had help from Justina Ireland and Daniel Jose Older. As such, you get to see a Japanese touch in The Edge of Balance.

The story of this manga serves as a recap of the events that happened up to this point in the High Republic storyline. However, the thing is that the recap is told from a different point of view and uses a different format. As such, it is quite similar to the Japanese-like storytelling of the Star Wars: Visions anthology on Disney+.

16. Marvel’s Eye of the Storm Comic

Marvel Comics returns with another miniseries that is set during the events of the High Republic. In this storyline, Eye of the Storm follows the storyline of the Nihil, which are the main villains of Phase 1 of the High Republic storyline. The point of view is told from Marchion Ro’s perspective as the leader of the Nihil gives us his perspective on the events that take place during the High Republic.

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Eye of the Storm only has two issues, and that means that it is a rather quick read. It isn’t essential to the overall storyline, but it is still a great comic book series to read if you want to understand how the Nihil and Marchion Ro think. It is quite engaging for those who want to see both sides of the coin in the High Republic storyline.

17. The Fallen Star

Claudia Gray is in charge of the next main book of the High Republic storyline as she wrote The Fallen Star, which progresses the overall conflict that the Jedi and the Republic have with Marchion Ro’s Nihil. In that regard, this is an essential book to read because of the fact that it is part of the main storyline.

In The Fallen Star, we get to see a book that is similar to the storyline of The Empire Strikes Back because this was when the Nihil were able to deal a huge blow to the Jedi and the Republic. Marchion Ro seeks to snuff the light out of the Jedi in his most ambitious plan yet. As such, it is one of the most engaging parts of the High Republic storyline.

18. Midnight Horizon

Daniel Jose Older is now the one tasked with the job of writing a young adult storyline as he was the one who wrote Midnight Horizon, which targets teenagers and those who simply love young adult storylines. Of course, Midnight Horizon continues the story of the young adult High Republic books.

In this storyline, we follow the events of Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, together with their Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaran, as they investigate a suspected attack on a planet called Corellia. This happened right after the events of The Fallen Star, as you could say that this is also an essential read in the High Republic era but is still quite a side story that shouldn’t be overlooked by those who enjoy amazing stories such as Midnight Horizon.

19. Mission to Disaster

Justina Ireland is in charge of bringing more stories to the books that target younger audiences who are in middle school as Mission to Disaster is a novel with illustrations that were created by Petur Antonsson. Of course, this is a side story that isn’t essential to the greater story surrounding the High Republic but is still quite enjoyable.

The storyline follows Jedi knight Vernestra Rwoh and Padawan Imri Cantaros, who have to fight the Nihil right after the events surrounding the attack that happened in The Fallen Star. As such, Vernestra has to put her Padawan’s training on hold so that they can work together to stop this attack from the Nihil

20. Battle for Starlight

Finally, we get to Battle for Starlight, which is a children’s book written by George Mann. This is a book that is simply for children because of how it comes with stickers and illustrations that are quite friendly for younger audiences out there.

The story of Battle for Starlight takes place concurrently with the events of The Fallen Start as the Jedi fight the Nihil. As such, it is simply a side story that isn’t part of the main storyline in the era of the High Republic but should still be on the list of hardcore completionists out there.

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