Editorial: Why I Recommend Reading The High Republic and Tips on Getting Into It

Now has never been a better time to get into The High Republic. Set a few centuries before The Phantom Menace, The High Republic is an ambitious publishing initiative that began in 2021. It spans multiple, books, comics, audiobooks, children's books, young adult novels, and manga. The High Republic may seem daunting to get into at first, but for fans willing to dive in, they're rewarded with rich, lore-driven stories that explore uncharted territory.



Even if you're not currently reading any of The High Republic books, you've probably heard about it or have seen it mentioned in other media. The High Republic era was recently featured in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. It will also serve as the backdrop for a new Star Wars show currently in development, The Acolyte.



With the publishing initiative likely soon coming to an end, now is a good time to get started. Here are four reasons why I recommend reading The High Republic stories, along with a few tips on how to get into them.






<h2>The Publishing Initiative Features Multiple Mediums For Multiple Readers</h2>


One great aspect of The High Republic is that it takes into consideration multiple different mediums and formats for all readers. If you enjoy audio books or audio dramas, The High Republic has you covered with audiobooks for all of its mainline stories, and even an audio drama with The Battle of Jedha. If you prefer rich visuals and breathtaking artwork over words on a page, there are several eye-catching comics and manga series that are worth checking out.



Not only is this great for fans of different formats, but it's also an opportunity for fans to branch out and try new genres and mediums. While I tend to shy away from young adult novels, I found myself enjoying those books, even more at times than the adult novels. But don't feel like you have to collect every single series or book. While the stories all take place within the same era and around the same events, most if not all, can be enjoyed on their own. That makes it perfect for readers who like to jump between genres and mediums.



The Edge of Balance is a manga series that takes place within the High Republic, and while it does feature characters and events from other novels, it can also be enjoyed as a standalone story.


<h2>This Era is When the Jedi Are Most Unified</h2>


The Star Wars prequels and The Clone Wars animated show portrayed the Jedi amid their downfall. But The High Republic portrays them when they are at the peak of their power. Their strength doesn't necessarily come from their abilities and prowess in the Force. Rather, it comes from their solidarity to stand together as one.



The High Republic books introduce a new type of Jedi called the Wayseekers. These Jedi aren't the type to brood around and argue among council members. Rather, they live a more nomadic lifestyle, searching the galaxy for the will of the Force and going in whatever direction it takes them, helping those along the way find peace. This type of Jedi would've normally been shunned during the Clone Wars. But during the High Republic era, they are accepted and welcomed. Wayseekers are just one example of how The High Republic invited different forms of thinking and individuality. And it's through their individuality and their unique connection to the Force that fans get to see the Jedi at a high point in their order.



The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray was one of the first books to feature a Wayseeker Jedi by the name of Orla Jareni.


<h2>The High Republic Era is the Galaxy's 'Wild West'</h2>


The High Republic features characters and locations that heavily evoke America's 'Wild West.' During The High Republic era, the Republic is still sending ambassadors and outreaches to faraway planets, trying to get them to join the Republic. Communication and travel are also an issue, as Jedi and those moving to the Outer Rim have to contend with raiders and marauders, and are forced to fend them off by themselves.



Politically speaking, the High Republic era is an interesting period as the Galactic Republic faces issues relating to unifying the galaxy. The leaders attempting to bring the galaxy under one government are plagued with problems from within and without. There are groups within the Outer Rim that want to stay out of the Republic. And some senators and representatives believe it is too dangerous and costly to reach out to the Outer Rim. It all makes for a period that evokes many of the policy decisions of America during its expansion into the West with the Outer Rim serving as the analogous Wild West.



Phase II's The High Republic Adventures features young Jedi Padawan Sav Malagán as she joins a rag-tag group of pirates that help her uncover who she is, all the while the group faces off against other nefarious thieves and bandits causing trouble throughout the galaxy.


<h2>The High Republic Explores Different Factions of The Force</h2>


In most other Star Wars media, Force users are often portrayed as being part of one of two opposing factions: the Jedi or the Sith. But many of the stories within The High Republic explore different groups and sects that use the Force in different ways. Many of them have different beliefs that go beyond 'light and dark.'



Take for example the young adult novel Path of Deceit which introduces a religious group called the Path of the Open Hand. The Path of the Open Hand dogmatically believes that the Force belongs to everyone and that it is a power that should not be used by any particular group or denomination. These different sects of the Force offer more variation and rich history behind the Force, helping the series go beyond the binary depiction of it from the movies.



Path of Deceit introduces the Path of the Open Hand, a religious cult that believes the Force belongs to all living things and should not be used by anyone.


<h2>Tips for Getting Into The High Republic</h2>


There are so many books and comics within The High Republic initiative that it may be tough to know where to start. Of course, any reader can get started wherever they want to. But for those who want to dig into the timeline, events, and characters, most will want to go chronologically based on the publishing date.



The High Republic is broken up into three phases. Phase I takes place 232 years before The Phantom Menace; Phase II takes place a century and a half before that, 382 years before Episode I; finally, Phase III takes place a year after the conclusion of Phase I, 229-230 years before (the road to beginning in September 2023). Readers will most likely want to get started with Phase I; however, there are also multiple books and comics within Phase I targeted towards different audiences. So which of those should new readers buy?



The definitive starting point is Light of the Jedi, the adult novel written by Charles Soule, which was one of the first books published for The High Republic initiative. While Light of the Jedi is certainly a good starting point, I recommend readers pick up whatever Phase I book/issue they're interested in. If you want to get started by reading issue #1 of The High Republic comic series, that's fine. Or if you want something more lighthearted that features Vernestra Rwoh, a fan-favorite character set to appear in The Acolyte, the middle-grade book A Test of Courage is a great starting point as well.



Light of the Jedi is the first adult book that kicks off The High Republic, making it a good starting point for new readers.



All of the first books within Phase I are designed to be entry points for anyone and everyone getting into The High Republic. And while the stories are interconnected, each one does a good job of telling their own self-contained stories, while also providing the basic gist of what happens in the overall branching narrative.



The High Republic era is likely to be even more popular in the years to come. As more stories continue to come out about the new era, more fans will likely want to get into the books that began it all. If you do decide to take the plunge, it's well worth the time as The High Republic breathes fresh new life by exploring the rich lore of the galaxy far, far away.



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