Star Wars High Republic Reading Order: All Books & Timeline

By T.L. BransonScience Fiction

Looking for the best High Republic reading order? I’d start with release order, beginning with Light of the Jedi. That’s the cleanest way to follow this era because Star Wars: The High Republic unfolds across adult novels, young adult books, middle grade books, children’s books, audio dramas, scripts, and short-story collections.

This is my books-first High Republic guide. I’m including the novels, YA books, middle grade books, children’s books, audio originals, scripts, and collected short-story releases. The comics matter too, but I handle them as companion material here instead of turning this into a full issue-by-issue multimedia tracker.

If you want to zoom out beyond this era, I also have a full Star Wars books in order guide that combines Canon and Legends, plus a separate Star Wars canon books in order guide for the current official timeline.

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Best High Republic Reading Order

For most first-time readers, the best High Republic reading order is release order. Start with Light of the Jedi, then follow the books as they were published across Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III.

Readers who only want the core story can focus on the adult and young adult books first. That path gives you the major Jedi, Nihil, Starlight Beacon, Path of the Open Hand, and Stormwall arcs without making you track every format at once.

Completionists should use the full release-date list below. That adds the middle grade books, children’s books, audio dramas, scripts, and story collections, which fill in more characters and side arcs throughout the era.

High Republic Books by Release Date

This is the order I’d use for a complete books-first read. I’ve labeled each title by format or age range so you can decide how deep you want to go.

  1. Light of the Jedi (January 5, 2021) – Adult
  2. A Test of Courage (January 5, 2021) – Middle Grade
  3. The Great Jedi Rescue (January 5, 2021) – Children
  4. Into the Dark (February 2, 2021) – Young Adult
  5. The Rising Storm (June 29, 2021) – Adult
  6. Race to Crashpoint Tower (June 29, 2021) – Middle Grade
  7. Out of the Shadows (July 27, 2021) – Young Adult
  8. Tempest Runner (August 31, 2021) – Audio Drama / Script
  9. Showdown at the Fair (October 5, 2021) – Children
  10. Mission to Disaster (January 4, 2022) – Middle Grade
  11. The Fallen Star (January 4, 2022) – Adult
  12. The Battle for Starlight (February 1, 2022) – Children
  13. Midnight Horizon (February 1, 2022) – Young Adult
  14. Path of Deceit (October 4, 2022) – Young Adult
  15. Quest for the Hidden City (November 1, 2022) – Middle Grade
  16. Convergence (November 22, 2022) – Adult
  17. Starlight Stories (December 6, 2022) – Short Story Collection
  18. The Battle of Jedha (January 3, 2023) – Audio Drama / Script
  19. Cataclysm (April 4, 2023) – Adult
  20. Quest for Planet X (April 4, 2023) – Middle Grade
  21. Path of Vengeance (May 2, 2023) – Young Adult
  22. Tales of Light and Life (September 5, 2023) – Young Adult Anthology
  23. Jedi Brave in Every Way (October 10, 2023) – Children
  24. The Eye of Darkness (November 14, 2023) – Adult
  25. Escape from Valo (January 30, 2024) – Middle Grade
  26. Defy the Storm (March 5, 2024) – Young Adult
  27. Tales of Enlightenment (April 2, 2024) – Short Story Collection
  28. Temptation of the Force (June 11, 2024) – Adult
  29. Beware the Nameless (August 27, 2024) – Middle Grade
  30. Tears of the Nameless (September 24, 2024) – Young Adult
  31. Seeds of Starlight (November 14, 2024) – Audible Original
  32. Tempest Breaker (December 3, 2024) – Audio Original / Script
  33. Haunted Starlight (March 6, 2025) – Audible Original
  34. Into the Light (April 1, 2025) – Young Adult
  35. A Valiant Vow (May 6, 2025) – Middle Grade
  36. Trials of the Jedi (June 17, 2025) – Adult
  37. Survivors of the Stormwall (July 7, 2026) – Short Story Collection

High Republic Books by Format and Reading Level

The High Republic is easier to manage once you separate the books by format and reading level. Adult and young adult titles carry most of the main storyline, while middle grade and children’s books usually fill in side adventures, younger Jedi, and extra context.

Star Wars: The High Republic Adult Books

  1. Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule (January 5, 2021)
  2. The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott (June 29, 2021)
  3. The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray (January 4, 2022)
  4. Convergence by Zoraida Córdova (November 22, 2022)
  5. Cataclysm by Lydia Kang (April 4, 2023)
  6. The Eye of Darkness by George Mann (November 14, 2023)
  7. Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton (June 11, 2024)
  8. Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule (June 17, 2025)

Star Wars: The High Republic Young Adult Books

  1. Into the Dark by Claudia Gray (February 2, 2021)
  2. Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland (July 27, 2021)
  3. Midnight Horizon by Daniel José Older (February 1, 2022)
  4. Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland (October 4, 2022)
  5. Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott (May 2, 2023)
  6. Tales of Light and Life by Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Claudia Gray, Justina Ireland, Lydia Kang, George Mann, Daniel José Older, Cavan Scott, Charles Soule, and Alyssa Wong (September 5, 2023)
  7. Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland (March 5, 2024)
  8. Tears of the Nameless by George Mann (September 24, 2024)
  9. Into the Light by Claudia Gray (April 1, 2025)

Star Wars: The High Republic Middle Grade Books

  1. A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland (January 5, 2021)
  2. Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel José Older (June 29, 2021)
  3. Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland (January 4, 2022)
  4. Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann (November 1, 2022)
  5. Quest for Planet X by Tessa Gratton (April 4, 2023)
  6. Escape from Valo by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong (January 30, 2024)
  7. Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Córdova (August 27, 2024)
  8. A Valiant Vow by Justina Ireland (May 6, 2025)

Star Wars: The High Republic Children’s Books

  1. The Great Jedi Rescue by Cavan Scott (January 5, 2021)
  2. Showdown at the Fair by George Mann (October 5, 2021)
  3. The Battle for Starlight by George Mann (February 1, 2022)
  4. Jedi Brave in Every Way by Rosemary Soule and Charles Soule (October 10, 2023)

Audio Dramas, Scripts, and Story Collections

These are the easiest titles to miss. Some started as audio originals, some later received scripts, and some collect stories originally published elsewhere.

  1. Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott (August 31, 2021)
  2. Starlight Stories by Justina Ireland, Cavan Scott, and Charles Soule (December 6, 2022)
  3. The Battle of Jedha by George Mann (January 3, 2023)
  4. Tales of Enlightenment by George Mann (April 2, 2024)
  5. Seeds of Starlight by George Mann (November 14, 2024)
  6. Tempest Breaker by Cavan Scott (December 3, 2024)
  7. Haunted Starlight by George Mann (March 6, 2025)
  8. Survivors of the Stormwall by Lydia Kang and Alyssa Wong (July 7, 2026)

High Republic Books in Chronological Order

The High Republic was not published in strict timeline order. Phase II takes place generations before Phase I, while Phase III returns to the aftermath of Starlight Beacon and the Nihil’s Stormwall.

I still recommend release order for a first read. Chronological order works better once you already know the era and want to see how the phases line up inside the Star Wars timeline.

  1. Quest for the Hidden City (Phase II)
  2. Convergence (Phase II)
  3. Path of Deceit (Phase II)
  4. Tales of Enlightenment (Phase II)
  5. The Battle of Jedha (Phase II)
  6. Quest for Planet X (Phase II)
  7. Cataclysm (Phase II)
  8. Path of Vengeance (Phase II)
  9. Light of the Jedi (Phase I)
  10. Starlight Stories (Phase I)
  11. The Great Jedi Rescue (Phase I)
  12. Into the Dark (Phase I)
  13. A Test of Courage (Phase I)
  14. Jedi Brave in Every Way (Phase I)
  15. The Rising Storm (Phase I)
  16. Showdown at the Fair (Phase I)
  17. Race to Crashpoint Tower (Phase I)
  18. Out of the Shadows (Phase I)
  19. Tempest Runner (Phase I)
  20. Mission to Disaster (Phase I)
  21. The Fallen Star (Phase I)
  22. Midnight Horizon (Phase I)
  23. The Battle for Starlight (Phase I)
  24. Tales of Light and Life (Phase III / Anthology)
  25. The Eye of Darkness (Phase III)
  26. Escape from Valo (Phase III)
  27. Defy the Storm (Phase III)
  28. Temptation of the Force (Phase III)
  29. Beware the Nameless (Phase III)
  30. Tears of the Nameless (Phase III)
  31. Seeds of Starlight (Phase III)
  32. Tempest Breaker (Phase III)
  33. Haunted Starlight (Phase III)
  34. Into the Light (Phase III)
  35. A Valiant Vow (Phase III)
  36. Trials of the Jedi (Phase III)
  37. Survivors of the Stormwall (Phase III)

What About High Republic Comics?

The High Republic comics are important. They introduce characters, continue arcs, and sometimes show events that the books only reference. I would not call them disposable side material.

This page stays focused on High Republic books, audio dramas, scripts, and collected prose stories. That keeps the reading order usable for readers who want the book path first.

My practical advice is simple: read the books in release order first, then add the comic trades for the fullest version of the era. That gives you the main publishing spine without turning your first pass into homework.

What is the High Republic Era?

The High Republic is a canon Star Wars era set centuries before the Skywalker saga, when the Jedi Order and the Republic are both closer to their peak. It is not the Old Republic, but it scratches a similar itch if you like Jedi-heavy stories, frontier worlds, Republic politics, and threats that feel bigger than one movie trilogy.

The story begins with the Republic expanding into the Outer Rim and the Jedi serving as its protectors. Then the Great Disaster hits, the Nihil become a major threat, and the era expands into a much larger conflict across books, comics, audio dramas, and short fiction.

The High Republic is divided into three major publishing phases. Phase I begins with Light of the Jedi. Phase II jumps backward in time to show an earlier crisis. Phase III returns to the aftermath of Phase I and pushes the main conflict toward its conclusion.

High Republic Books FAQ

What order should I read the High Republic books in?

Read the High Republic books in release order for your first time through. Start with Light of the Jedi, then follow the adult, YA, middle grade, children’s, audio, script, and story collection releases from there.

Where should I start reading the High Republic?

Start with Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule. It launches the era, introduces the Great Disaster, and sets up the major Jedi and Republic conflicts that shape the rest of the initiative.

Can I read only the adult High Republic books?

Yes, you can read only the adult High Republic books and still follow the broadest parts of the story. I’d add the YA books if you want a stronger version of the main arc, especially because several important characters and developments happen outside the adult novels.

Do I need to read the middle grade and children’s books?

No, not for the basic spine of the era. The middle grade and children’s books are better for readers who want a fuller, more completionist view of the High Republic, especially younger Jedi, side missions, and character context.

Do I need to read the High Republic comics?

You do not need every comic issue to understand the book list, but the comics are part of the bigger High Republic story. For the most complete version of the era, add the comic trades after you have the book order under control.

Is the High Republic canon?

Yes. The High Republic is part of current Star Wars canon. It takes place long before the Skywalker saga and connects most directly to the Jedi Order, the Republic, and the larger history of the galaxy before the prequel era.

Looking for similar books in order?

If you want more science fiction authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Science Fiction Books in Order index.

2 thoughts on “Star Wars High Republic Reading Order: All Books & Timeline”

  1. Thank you so much for publishing this, it was really helpful! I’ve been so confused trying to figure out the adult-oriented high republic books that follow the storyline of the Nihil. The lists I’ve found have every single piece of media from the high republic, which is pretty overwhelming.

    Reply

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