What to Know Before Trials of the Jedi: A Brief High Republic Recap

The time has come.

After four years, dozens of novels and comics, and countless unforgettable characters, Star Wars: The High Republic is preparing to close the final chapter of its publishing initiative. Trials of the Jedi, arriving June 17th, marks the climactic end of Phase 3, and with it…the culmination of the Jedi’s valiant struggle against the Nihil and the shadow of the Blight.

If you’ve been following since Light of the Jedi, or if you’re just returning to the initiative after some time away, this spoiler-light guide will get you up to speed on what matters most going into Trials of the Jedi.

What Is Trials of the Jedi?

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Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule is the final adult novel in The High Republic initiative and serves as the capstone to the publishing project that began all the way back in 2021. This book promises to showcase the Jedi’s last stand against Marchion Ro and the fractured remnants of the Nihil.

Set during the tail end of Phase 3, this story ties together the events of prior novels and multiple comic runs including The High Republic from Marvel and The High Republic Adventures from Dark Horse.

At its core, we can expect an epic story of unity (and possibly sacrifice) as the Jedi rally one last time to confront their ultimate enemy.

Central Conflict: The Jedi vs. The End

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The heart of Trials of the Jedi centers on one final, desperate confrontation.

The Jedi, after years of trials and horrors suffered under Marchion Ro, unite against the Eye of the Nihil’s last gambit. After years of terror, Ro now claims he seeks to save the galaxy from a Force-corrupting entity known as the Blight. But trust is a rare commodity, and the Jedi, led by veterans of every phase of the initiative, must decide whether to believe Ro or stop him at all costs alongside their Republic allies.

Meanwhile, the Blight itself spreads, feeding on the Force and threatening every sentient life form in the galaxy. The Jedi’s final mission is not just about survival…it’s about preserving the very nature of the Force itself.

Characters to Know (and Remember)

Trials of the Jedi draws together a stunning cast of characters from all three phases of the initiative and honestly seems like it’ll be a true “greatest hits” of High Republic storytelling.

The Jedi

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• Avar Kriss – The Marshall of Starlight Beacon, Avar has grown through quite a few trials since the initiative’s beginning, and she’s finally ready to put it all on the line for those she loves.

• Elzar Mann – A Jedi Master often walking the line between intuition and impulse, Elzar is still somewhat burdened by his past mistakes, but he won’t let that get in the way of saving his friends..and maybe the entire galaxy.

• Bell Zettifar – A fan-favorite Jedi Knight known for his compassion, loyalty, and determination, Bell returns alongside his trusty companion Ember to save a galaxy his master never got to see.

• Reath Silas – The bookish Padawan turned courageous Knight and a standout across multiple YA novels, Reath arrives after his greatest adventures yet in Tears of the Nameless and Into the Light to prove that even the most brilliant scientists can swing a lightsaber with the best of them.

• Burryaga – The beloved Wookiee Jedi whose emotional insight is as sharp as his blade has been a highlight of The High Republic since the beginning, and after being saved from the brink of death by his best friend, he brings every ounce of emotion (alongside a giant lightsaber) to the fight against Ro.

• Azlin Rell – A mystic and visionary whose connections to the Force often blur the line between prophecy and madness, Rell promises to infuse the book with a bit of Dark Side lore as he continues to be influenced by its power. Whether he will ultimately succumb to its temptations only time will tell.

The Opposition

• Marchion Ro – The architect of chaos whose vendetta against the Jedi has evolved into a galaxy-shaking philosophy prepares his final stroke against his ultimate enemies. His obsession with their destruction has fueled him for years, but how far down the road of madness has he already traveled?

• The Nameless – Force-consuming entities unleashed by the Nihil to terrorize Jedi across all worlds, the Nameless began the Initiative as horrific, shapeless beasts, but as more of their mystery is stripped away…what part will they play in the ultimate fate of the galaxy?

• The Blight – A mysterious, Force-corrupting plague, the Blight has been spreading across the galaxy throughout Phase III, and even if the Jedi can stop the machinations of Marchion Ro, what can they do against an ever growing wave of death?

Key Storylines to Remember

The Battle of Eriadu

Dark Horse Comics

A multi-front conflict featured heavily in the High Republic Adventures comics. This battle has been heating up for months leading to Trials of the Jedi, and it looks to serve as a staging ground for a final push against the Nihil.

For more on this storyline, check out our latest reviews of The High Republic Adventures from our friends on The Cosmic Force.

The Search for the Cure to the Blight

Disney Lucasfilm Press

Featured in George Mann’s Tears of the Nameless and Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland’s Defy the Storm novels, the Jedi’s pursuit of understanding and ending the Blight is central to the setup of Trials of the Jedi.

Although the Nihil have been a constant source of antagonism since Light of the Jedi, the galactic threat of the Blight may be even greater - causing the Jedi to pull out every stop imaginable to stop the spread of the horrific wave.

Marchion’s Promise (Threat?)

At the conclusion of Tessa Gratton’s Temptation of the Force, Marchion Ro appeared to the Republic and Chancellor Lina Soh with a simple offer: a cure for the Blight. After years of strife and destruction as well as the construction of a galaxy-dividing Stormwall, Ro evidently put the sword aside in exchange for an offer of aid to his enemies.

While Ro has never been one to be taken at his word by friend or foe, the threat of galactic destruction may be too much for Chancellor Soh to ignore. She has trillions of citizens to think about, and her list of saviors grows thin as planet after planet becomes infected.

Why Trials of the Jedi Matters

The High Republic is one of the most ambitious initiatives in Star Wars publishing history. Spanning multiple mediums from adult novels to all ages comics to manga to audio drama, it has created an entirely new community of Star Wars that reaches more fans than ever before.

Trials of the Jedi is more than just the end of a book series — it’s the end of an era. For long-time readers, this is the moment where everything pays off. For new readers, it’s a testament to what Star Wars storytelling can achieve when given room to grow over multiple years through an astonishing variety of voices.

Personally, The High Republic has been one of the most important parts of my Star Wars fandom. The characters and creators alike have shaped what I think of as possible in my favorite galaxy, and even though I’m sad that this phenomenal chapter of Star Wars storytelling is about to come to an end, I’m so thankful that it’s existed for so long.

And in all honesty…this is probably just the beginning.

Getting Ready to Read

Even if you haven’t read every single book, comic, or short story in the initiative, there are plenty of ways to access Trials of the Jedi. While you probably don’t want to pick up Trials as your first High Republic novel, here are a few key stories to revisit to make sure you’re all ready to go:

Random House Worlds

• Adult Novels: The adult novels of Phases 1 & 3 feature some of the most important plot points in the entire series. In order to fully understand the motivations of the Jedi and the Nihli, be sure to familiarize yourself with:

  • Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule

  • The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott

  • The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray

  • The Eye of Darkness by George Mann

  • Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton

Disney Lucasfilm Press

• Young Adult Novels: The YA entries in the High Republic have been some of the best stories we’ve gotten so far, and there are a few standouts that go deep into the history of characters like Reath Silas and the understanding of the Blight:

  
  

  • Into the Dark by Claudia Gray

  • Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland

  • Tears of the Nameless by George Mann

  • Into the Light by Claudia Gray

Dark Horse Comics

• Extra Credit: While a comprehensive understanding of the High Republic comics isn’t quite as necessary to prepare for Trials, there are still quite a few series to check out if you want more background on the ongoing threats that make up Phase 3:

  
  

  • The High Republic Adventures beginning with Issue #14 for background on The Battle of Eriadu

  • Edge of Balance: Precedent manga for more info on Azlin Rell and the history of the Nameless

  • Eye of the Storm for a look at the backstory of Marchion Ro himself

    
    

• High Republic Reading Order: For a full look at how to follow the entire initiative, be sure to check out our High Republic Reading Order which features our recommended guide for following every single story.

Final Thoughts

The High Republic has changed Star Wars publishing forever. From thousands of fans flooding Celebration panels to multiple entries on bestseller lists and beyond, the initiative has been an unquestionable success, and it’s hard to believe that it’s very nearly over.

After all, Trials of the Jedi isn’t just the end of the High Republic, it’s a love letter to its fans who have stuck with it through all these years. And even if you’re just beginning your journey through the Golden Age of the Jedi, Trials will be there for you whenever you’re ready…just be sure to have some tissues ready.

Trials of the Jedi releases on June 17th.