Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order | Ultimate Guide

If you’re like me, you squealed with joy when Disney announced their newest Star Wars Book series: The High Republic. That joy quickly turned into confusion as dozens of books were released in varying age brackets. So what is the best High Republic reading order?

That’s what we’re here to answer.

My favorite Star Wars time period of all time is easily The Old Republic era. I fell in love with this time period thanks to BioWare’s original Knights of the Old Republic video game for XBOX.

It still remains as one of my top video games of all time and I’m so excited for the upcoming remake.

A little while later I discovered a whole slew of The Old Republic books including Revan and the Darth Bane trilogy, which I treasure as some of the best in the whole Expanded Universe (EU).

So imagine my surprise (and immense delight) when Disney announced it was revisiting the time period before movies with The High Republic.

Before we dive into the best High Republic reading order, let’s learn a little more about The High Republic era itself.

Star Wars High Republic Books in Order

What is The High Republic Era?

The High Republic was the golden age of the Jedi, taking place roughly 800 years after the fall of the Sith and 200 years before the end of the Republic.

This time period is when the Galactic Republic was said to be at its height and the Jedi were most active throughout the galaxy. It was a time of great expansion and development in the Star Wars universe.

The High Republic primarily features the Jedi and their activities with all new characters, storylines, and loads of action.

It’s any Star Wars fan’s dream.

The High Republic book releases come fast and furious and in so many different formats, it’s enough to make your head spin.

We’ll help you make sense of it all with this comprehensive guide to the best High Republic reading order.

Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order

The High Republic books come in Adult, Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Children’s age ranges.

To help you visualize this a little better we’ll list out the books in two ways. The first is a complete list of the High Republic reading order that includes all the books.

The second list will break down the High Republic books by age.

1. Complete List of Star Wars: The High Republic Books in Order

  1. Light of the Jedi – Adult (January 5, 2021)
  2. A Test of Courage – Middle Grade (January 5, 2021)
  3. The Great Jedi Rescue – Children (January 5, 2021)
  4. Into the Dark – Young Adult (February 2, 2021)
  5. The Rising Storm – Adult (June 29, 2021)
  6. Race to Crashpoint Tower – Middle Grade (June 29, 2021)
  7. Out of the Shadows – Young Adult (July 27, 2021)
  8. Showdown at the Fair – Children (October 5, 2021)
  9. The Fallen Star – Adult (January 4, 2022)
  10. The Battle for Starlight – Children (February 1, 2022)
  11. Midnight Horizon – Young Adult (February 1, 2022)
  12. Mission to Disaster – Middle Grade (March 1, 2022)
  13. Tempest Runner – Adult (March 15, 2022)
  14. Path of Deceit – Young Adult (October 4, 2022)
  15. Quest for the Hidden City – Middle Grade (October 4, 2022)
  16. Convergence – Adult (November 22, 2022)
  17. The Battle of Jedha – Adult (February 14, 2023)
  18. Cataclysm – Adult (April 4, 2023)
  19. Quest for Planet X – Middle Grade (April 4, 2023)
  20. Path of Vengeance – Young Adult (May 2, 2023)
  21. Tales of Light and Life Anthology – Young Adult (September 5, 2023)
  22. The Eye of Darkness – Adult (November 14, 2023)
  23. Escape from Valo – Middle Grade (January 30, 2024)
  24. Defy the Storm – Young Adult (March 12, 2024)
  25. The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment – Adult (March 19, 2024)
  26. Temptation of the Force – Adult (Expected: June 11, 2024)
  27. Beware the Nameless – Middle Grade (Expected: August 27, 2024)
  28. Tears of the Nameless – Young Adult (Expected: September 24, 2024)
  29. Trials of the Jedi – Adult (Expected: Spring 2025)
  30. Into the Light – Young Adult (Expected: Spring 2025)
  31. A Valiant Vow – Middle Grade (Expected: Spring 2025)

2. Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order by Age

Star Wars: The High Republic Adult Books

  1. Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule (January 2021)
  2. The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott (June 2021)
  3. The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray (January 2022)
  4. Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott (March 2022)
  5. Convergence by Zoraida Cordova (October 2022)
  6. The Battle of Jedha by George Mann (February 2023)
  7. Cataclysm by Lydia Kang (April 2023)
  8. The Eye of Darkness by George Mann (November 2023)
  9. The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment by George Mann (March 19, 2024)
  10. Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton (Expected: June 11, 2024)
  11. Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule (Expected: Spring 2025)

Star Wars: The High Republic Young Adult Books

  1. Into the Dark by Claudia Gray (February 2021)
  2. Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland (July 2021)
  3. Midnight Horizon by Daniel Jose Older (February 2022)
  4. Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton (November 2022)
  5. Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott (May 2023)
  6. Tales of Light and Life Anthology (September 2023)
  7. Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland (March 5, 2024)
  8. Tears of the Nameless by George Mann (Expected: September 24, 2024)
  9. Into the Light by Claudia Gray (Expected: Spring 2025)

Star Wars: The High Republic Middle Grade Books

  1. A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland (January 2021)
  2. Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel Jose Older (June 2021)
  3. Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland (March 2022)
  4. Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann (October 2022)
  5. Quest for Planet X by Tessa Gratton (April 2023)
  6. Escape from Valo by Alyssa Wong & Daniel Jose Older (January 2024)
  7. Beware the Nameless by Zoraida Cordova (Expected: August 27, 2024)
  8. A Valiant Vow by Justina Ireland (Expected: Spring 2025)

Star Wars: The High Republic Children’s Books

  1. The Great Jedi Rescue by Cavan Scott (January 2021)
  2. Showdown at the Fair by George Mann (October 2021)
  3. The Battle for Starlight by George Mann (February 2022)

3. Star Wars: The High Republic Books in Chronological Order

For this list, we’re just going to include the main, primary novels, which are the adult and young adult books. The High Republic books have been released in phases. Phase 1 came first beginning with Light of the Jedi. Path of Deceit began Phase 2 and The Eye of Darkness begins Phase 3. Phase 2 actually takes place several generations before Phase 1, hence the need for a chronological order of books.

  1. Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
  2. Convergence by Zoraida Córdova (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
  3. The Battle of Jedha by George Mann (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
  4. Cataclysm by Lydia Kang (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
  5. Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
  6. The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment by George Mann (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
  7. Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule (232 BBY) (Phase 1)
  8. Into the Dark by Claudia Gray (232 BBY) (Phase 1)
  9. The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott (~231 BBY) (Phase 1)
  10. Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland (~231 BBY) (Phase 1)
  11. Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott (~231 BBY) (Phase 1)
  12. The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray (~230 BBY) (Phase 1)
  13. Midnight Horizon by Daniel Jose Older (~230 BBY) (Phase 1)
  14. Tales of Light and Life Anthology (~382 to ~230 BBY)
  15. The Eye of Darkness by George Mann (~229 BBY) (Phase 3)
  16. Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland (Phase 3)
  17. Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton (Expected: June 11, 2024) (Phase 3)
  18. Tears of the Nameless by George Mann (Expected: September 24, 2024) (Phase 3)
  19. Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule (Expected: Spring 2025) (Phase 3)
  20. Into the Light by Claudia Gray (Expected: Spring 2025) (Phase 3)

Summary Star Wars: The High Republic Books

Now that we’ve listed out all The High Republic books in order, let’s take a deeper dive into the adult and young adult novels and see what they’re all about.

Adult Novels

Light of the Jedi High Republic Reading Order

1. Light of the Jedi

It is a golden age. Intrepid hyperspace scouts expand the reach of the Republic to the furthest stars, worlds flourish under the benevolent leadership of the Senate, and peace reigns, enforced by the wisdom and strength of the renowned order of Force users known as the Jedi.

With the Jedi at the height of their power, the free citizens of the galaxy are confident in their ability to weather any storm But the even brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms defy any preparation.

When a shocking catastrophe in hyperspace tears a ship to pieces, the flurry of shrapnel emerging from the disaster threatens an entire system. No sooner does the call for help go out than the Jedi race to the scene.

The scope of the emergence, however, is enough to push even Jedi to their limit. As the sky breaks open and destruction rains down upon the peaceful alliance they helped to build, the Jedi must trust in the Force to see them through a day in which a single mistake could cost billions of lives.

Even as the Jedi battle valiantly against calamity, something truly deadly grows beyond the boundary of the Republic. The hyperspace disaster is far more sinister than the Jedi could ever suspect. A threat hides in the darkness, far from the light of the age, and harbors a secret that could strike fear into even a Jedi’s heart.


The Rising Storm Star Wars

2. The Rising Storm

In the wake of the hyperspace disaster and the heroism of the Jedi, the Republic continues to grow, bringing more worlds together under a single unified banner. Under the leadership of Chancellor Lina Soh, the spirit of unity extends throughout the galaxy, with the Jedi and the newly established Starlight Beacon station at the vanguard.

In celebration, the chancellor plans the Republic Fair, a showcase of the possibilities and the peace of the expanding Republic—a peace the Jedi hope to foster. Stellan Gios, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, and others join the event as ambassadors of harmony.

But as the eyes of the galaxy turn toward the fair, so too does the fury of the Nihil. Their leader, Marchion Ro, is intent on destroying this unity. His storm descends on the pageantry and celebration, sowing chaos and exacting revenge.

As the Jedi struggle to curb the carnage of the rampaging Nihil, they come face-to-face with the true fear their enemy plans to unleash across the galaxy—the kind of fear from which even the Force cannot shield them.


The Fallen Star High Republic

3. The Fallen Star

Time and again, the vicious raiders known as the Nihil have sought to bring the golden age of the High Republic to a fiery end.

Time and again, the High Republic has emerged battered and weary but victorious thanks to its Jedi protectors—and there is no monument to their cause grander than the Starlight Beacon.

Hanging like a jewel in the Outer Rim, the Beacon embodies the High Republic at the apex of its aspirations: a hub of culture and knowledge, a bright torch against the darkness of the unknown, and an extended hand of welcome to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.As survivors and refugees flee the Nihil’s attacks, the Beacon and its crew stand ready to shelter and heal.

The grateful Knights and Padawans of the Jedi Order stationed there finally have a chance to recover—from the pain of their injuries and the grief of their losses.

But the storm they thought had passed still rages; they are simply caught in its eye. Marchion Ro, the true mastermind of the Nihil, is preparing his most daring attack yet—one designed to snuff out the light of the Jedi.


Tempest Runner Cavan Scott Star Wars

4. Tempest Runner

The Nihil storm has raged through the galaxy, leaving chaos and grief in its wake. Few of its raiders are as vicious as the Tempest Runner Lourna Dee.

She stays one step ahead of the Jedi Order at the helm of a vessel named after one of the deadliest monsters in the galaxy: herself. But no one can outrun the defenders of the High Republic forever.

After the defeat of her crew, Lourna falls into the hands of the Jedi—but not before she hides her identity, becoming just another Nihil convict. Her captors fail to understand the beast they have cornered. Just like every fool she’s ever buried, their first mistake was keeping her alive.

Lourna is determined to make underestimating her their last.

Locked up on a Republic correctional ship, she’s dragged across the galaxy to repair the very damage she and her fellow Tempest Runners inflicted. But as Lourna plans her glorious escape, she makes alliances that grow dangerously close to friendships.

Outside the Nihil—separated from her infamous ship, her terrifying arsenal, and her feared name—Lourna must carve her own path. But will it lead to redemption? Or will she emerge as a deadlier threat than ever before?


Convergence High Republic Books in Order

5. Convergence

It is an age of exploration. Jedi travel the galaxy, expanding their understanding of the Force and all the worlds and beings connected by it. Meanwhile, the Republic, led by its two chancellors, works to unite worlds in an ever-growing community among near and distant stars.

On the close orbiting planets of Eiram and E’ronoh, the growing pains of a galaxy with limited resources but unlimited ambition are felt keenly. Their hatred for each other has fueled half a decade of escalating conflict and now threatens to consume surrounding systems. The last hope for peace emerges when heirs from the two planets’ royal families plan to marry.

Before lasting peace can be established, an assassination attempt targeting the couple tilts Eiram and E’ronoh back into all-out war. To save both worlds, Jedi Knight Gella Nattai volunteers to uncover the culprit, while Chancellor Kyong appoints her son, Axel Greylark, to represent the Republic’s interests in the investigation.

But Axel’s deep distrust of the Jedi sparks against Gella’s faith in the Force. She’s never met such a puffed-up, privileged party boy, and he’s never met a more self-serious, relentless do-gooder. The more they work to untangle the shadowy web of the investigation, the more complicated the conspiracy appears to be. With accusations flying and potential enemies in every shadow, the pair will have to work together to have any hope of bringing the truth to light and saving both worlds.


The Battle of Jedha Star Wars High Republic

6. The Battle of Jedha

Jedha. The worn streets of this ancient world serve as a confluence for the galaxy. Visited by all, yet owned by none. Here, the Jedi are but one creed among many worshipping and studying the Force. From the Guardians of the Whills to the Path of the Open Hand, countless beings come to learn, and to share, in peace.

As all of Jedha prepares for its Festival of Balance, the galaxy still reels from the violence on Eiram and E’ronoh. But after foiling a plot to escalate the war between the two planets, the Jedi believe that a lasting peace may be within reach.

Master Creighton Sun and Jedi Knight Aida Forte arrive on Jedha with delegations from both planets to formally end the “Forever War.” The Jedi hope that the harmony of Jedha’s many factions, along with the signing of a peace treaty, will create a symbol to the rest of the galaxy of what can be accomplished through unity.

But not all are happy with the Jedi’s involvement or ready to concern themselves with peace. Rumors begin to swirl that the Jedi bring war in their wake. The distrust and anger that for so long fueled the Forever War now threaten to corrupt the communities of Jedha. When violence breaks out on the sacred moon, the war that was meant to end on Jedha may soon engulf the entire world.


Star Wars High Republic Cataclysm

7. Cataclysm

After five years of conflict, the planets Eiram and E’ronoh are on the cusp of real peace. But when news breaks of a disaster at the trety signing on Jedha, violence reignites on the beleaguered worlds. Together, the royal heirs of both planets—Phan-tu Zenn and Xiri A’lbaran—working alongside the Jedi, have uncovered evidence that the conflict is being orchestrated by outside forces. All signs point to the mysterious Path of the Open Hand, whom the Jedi also suspect of causing the disaster on Jedha.

Gella Nattai turns to the one person she believes can unravel the mystery, but the last person she wants to trust: Axel Greylark. The chancellor’s son, imprisoned for his crimes, has always sought to unburden himself of the weight of his family name.

Will he reconcile with the Jedi and aid in their quest for justice and peace? Or embrace the Path’s promise of true freedom?


The-Eye-of-Darkness-High-Republic-Reading-Order

8. The Eye of Darkness

The next adventure in Star Wars: The High Republic series is a sequel to The Fallen Star. It will be published on November 14, 2023.

It will take readers back to the Nihil and is set about one year after the fall of Starlight Beacon.


9. Temptation of the Force

Tessa Gratton’s contribution will be the second adult novel in the Phase III trilogy. It is anticipated to be released in Summer 2024.


10. Trials of the Jedi

Then, the final adult novel of Phase III trilogy will be by Charles Soule. It is expected to be released in Spring 2025.


Young Adult Novels

Into the Dark Star Wars

1. Into the Dark

Long before the First Order, before the Empire, before even The Phantom Menace…Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in The High Republic.

Padawan Reath Silas is being sent from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier―and he couldn’t be less happy about it. He’d rather stay at the Jedi Temple, studying the archives. But when the ship he’s traveling on is knocked out of hyperspace in a galactic-wide disaster, Reath finds himself at the center of the action.

The Jedi and their traveling companions find refuge on what appears to be an abandoned space station. But then strange things start happening, leading the Jedi to investigate the truth behind the mysterious station, a truth that could end in tragedy…


Out of the Shadows Justina Ireland

2. Out of the Shadows

The darkest secrets are the hardest to bring to light….

Sylvestri Yarrow is on a streak of bad luck with no end of sight. She’s been doing her best to keep the family cargo business going after her mom’s death, but between mounting debt and increasing attacks by the Nihil on unsuspecting ships, Syl is in danger of losing all she has left of her mother.

She heads to the galactic capital of Coruscant for help, but gets sidetracked when she’s drawn into a squabble between two of the Republic’s most powerful families over a patch of space on the frontier. Tangled up in familial politics is the last place Syl wants to be, but the promise of a big payoff is enough to keep her interested…

Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh has been summoned to Coruscant, but with no idea of why or by whom. She and her Padawan Imri Cantaros arrive at the capital along with Jedi Master Cohmac Vitus and his Padawan, Reath Silas―and are asked to assist with the property dispute on the frontier.

But why? What is so important about an empty patch of space? The answer will lead Vernestra to a new understanding of her abilities, and take Syl back to the past…and to truths that will finally come out of the shadows.


Midnight Horizon High Republic

3. Midnight Horizon

After a series of staggering losses, the Republic seems to finally have the villainous Nihil marauders on the run, and it looks like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Until word comes of a suspected Nihil attack on the industrial cosmopolitan world of Corellia, right in the Galactic Core.

Sent to investigate are Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, along with Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram, all fighting their own private battles after months of unrelenting danger.

On Corellia, Reath and Ram encounter a brazen young security specialist named Crash, whose friend was one of the victims of the Nihil attack, and they team up with her to infiltrate Corellia’s elite while the Masters pursue more diplomatic avenues.

But going undercover with Crash is more dangerous than anyone expected, even as Ram pulls in his friend Zeen to help with an elaborate ruse involving a galactic pop star.

But what they uncover on Corellia turns out to be just one part of a greater plan, one that could lead the Jedi to their most stunning defeat yet….


Path of Deceit High Republic Reading Order

4. Path of Deceit

The Outer Rim planet Dalna has become the focus of a Jedi investigation into a stolen Force artifact. So Zallah Macri and her Padawan, Kevmo Zink, arrive on the pastoral world to follow up on a possible connection to a Dalnan missionary group called the Path of the Open Hand.

Members of the Path believe that the Force must be free and should not be used by anyone, not even the Jedi. One such believe is Marda Ro, a young woman who dreams of leaving Dalna to spread word of the Path throughout the galaxy.

When Marda and Kevmo meet, their connection is instantaneous and electric—until Marda discovers Kevmo is a Jedi. But Kevmo is so kind and eager to learn more about the Path, that she hopes she can convince him of the rightness of her beliefs.

What Marda doesn’t realize is that the leader of the Path, a charismatic woman known only as the Mother, has an agenda of her own, and it is one that can never coexist peacefully with the Jedi.


Path-of-Vengeance-Cavan-Scott-Star-Wars

5. Path of Vengeance

This is the conclusion to the Phase II young adult trilogy. Marda and Yana belong to the Path of the Open Hand, a group led by a charismatic woman called the Mother, which believes the Force must not be used by anyone.

While Marda joins a perilous expedition to Planet X in search of more mysterious creatures to use against the Jedi, Yana finds herself forming an unexpected alliance with the father of her dead lover in an attempt to wrest the Path from the Mother’s control. These two woman will face a crossroads, forced to choose not only their own fates, but that of the galaxy itself.


Tales-of-Light-and-Life-High-Republic-Reading-Order

6. Tales of Light and Life

Following the completion of the Phase II young adult trilogy comes the publication of an anthology. This bridges the two eras and includes unmissable short stories from beloved authors of The High Republic. It also features a short story from Alyssa Wong, joining The High Republic authors for the first time.


7. Defy the Storm

Then of course comes the first young adult book in Phase III by co-authors Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland. It is expected to be published on March 12, 2024.


8. Tears of the Nameless

The sequel to Defy the Storm will be Tears of the Nameless by George Mann. It is expected to be released in Fall 2024.


9. Into the Light

Finally, the concluding adventure to the young adult trilogy in Phase III will by Into the Light by Claudia Gray. Its publication is scheduled for Spring 2025.


Well that’s it! A full list of the best High Republic reading order.

Have you started reading the High Republic era? Which set of books are you reading and how are you liking them so far?

Looking for more books in order?

Check out this full list of all the Star Wars books in order.

One thought on “Star Wars: The High Republic Reading Order | Ultimate Guide

  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.

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