Review: The High Republic: Chronicles of the Jedi is a Great Introductory Guide Into This Era of Star Wars

Lucasfilm's High Republic publishing initiative is almost through its first two phases, with the bulk of this current phase wrapping up in May. When all is said and done, newcomers to the High Republic will have to work through 15 novels, two audio dramas, 10 comic book series, three volumes of an ongoing manga, and a plethora of Star Wars Insider short stories if they have any hope of being completely ready for what's next in this era of storytelling. If you're up to the task, it's worth it. But good luck.







Thankfully, Insight Editions has a new reference book, The High Republic: Chronicles of the Jedi, to help soften the blow of what you're up against. This new illustrated guide is a great introduction and recap of what has happened up to this point in the High Republic, making it worthwhile no matter how much you've read.







Chronicles of the Jedi is written by Cole Horton (Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know), with the majority of the art done by Yihyoung Li (The Fallen Star cover art). Alberto Buscicchio and Lukasz Liszko provided additional art. The book is filled with wholly new concept designs, which have become a staple in making the High Republic era feel as fully realized as any period in Star Wars.



While the artwork got my money, the big draw is seeing the painstaking lengths Horton went to craft a unique lens through which to tell the story of the golden age of the Jedi. Put it all together, and you have a potential answer to a question I see in many a comment section... 'the High Republic is too big. There's too much. Where do I start?'



Members of the Jedi High Council. Pictured left to right: Grand Master Yoda, Ephru Shinn, Grand Master Lahru, and Grand Master Pra-Tre Veter.



Horton makes this a solid entry point that reads like a living document, creating Jedi Master Harli Cogra to tell the story from an in-universe perspective. Chronicles of the Jedi feels like it is still being put together as more about the Jedi and their history is uncovered. Some bits are repeated, but everything has the same level of importance.



The bulk of the guide mainly revolves around Phase 1 storytelling, with only a few sections dedicated to Phase 2 events like the Battle of Jedha and the Forever War between Eiram and E'ronoh. Cogra conveniently excludes further details on Dalna and what happened with the Path of the Open Hand, which leads me to believe that these chronicles will be expanded upon. For now, the High Republic veterans are left with things like cool letters to fuel speculation.



A letter recovered from Dalna



There are a few warnings for the uninitiated who see that this guide might be your ticket into understanding what the High Republic is all about. First, I wish there were footnotes on which books or comics to follow up on if something catches your attention. Who's this Marchion Ro guy that's barely mentioned? Good luck. Did the Great Disaster or the war with the Drengir catch your eye? You'll have to do some homework. Do Vernestra Rwoh or Avar Kriss seem like someone your youngling would fall in love with? Yeah, you get the idea. Chronicles of the Jedi will not be your chronological guide on how to read this era. Instead, it gives you a great history lesson about where we've been and what's next.



The second warning deals with spoilers. Possibly my favorite piece of art in this book is an in-memoriam depiction of everyone who went missing or lost their lives during the fall of Starlight Beacon. Because this is a recap of everything that's happened, you'll read details about what happened to the bestest bud in all the High Republic... our dear Burryaga. I've said too much already. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to skip around with how the guide is broken up.



Chronicles of the Jedi works best if you just don't have time to read or revisit everything. This guide is perfect if you are interested and simply want to keep up. While massive events are spoiled, the hidden beauty of this type of guide is that Horton couldn't hope to capture every single character nuance in the novels and comics they originate from. The cruelty of Marchion Ro and the depths he goes to wreak havoc upon the Republic remains unfettered. The complex relationship between Stellan Gios, Elzar Mann, and Avar Kriss can't be understood unless you are with them. If spoilers don't bother you, retelling these stories secondhand provides new readers with added depth if they go down the rabbit hole.



The book also does admirable work in laying out what makes this the golden age of the Jedi. One of the coolest ideas introduced in Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi was that each Jedi feels the Force uniquely. Avar Kriss sees a song that connects everyone, while Elzar Mann feels a storm. Even Padawan Burryaga likens the Force to his home planet of Kashyyyk. I loved seeing how that is visually interpreted, which you can see as well below:



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Chronicles of the Jedi is the first edition of a history textbook that would be taught inside a classroom generations later. As the High Republic era continues to be fleshed out, these guides are invaluable to keeping everything straight. Part of me wishes Horton didn't strictly build this as an in-universe guide so it could be easier to point new fans in the right direction, but that strategy worked as it filled me with anticipation for the next chapter of the High Republic.



Before we go, I just wanted to share more of Li's art that stood out to me without context. Believe me when I say there is much, much more.



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Star Wars: The High Republic: Chronicles of the Jedi -- An Illustrated Guide to the Galaxy's Golden Age is available now wherever books are sold. You can order it here.



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