What You Need to Know About Phase II of The High Republic

On January 5, 2021, Star Wars: The High Republic debuted with Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi, and our galaxy was never the same again!  This grand media initiative was rolled out in Phases and Waves.  Phase 1 is fully released, and what an exciting adventure it has been.  But thank the Force, the journey is still unfolding.

Phase 2 launches in October 2022!

Whether or not you are a diehard High Republic fan who has read everything or is still new to this storytelling epoch, Phase 2 will have something for you.  And if you haven’t read anything in The High Republic yet, no worries!  This is the perfect place to jump in.

If you want to delve even deeper into all things High Republic, visit our High Republic Headquarters at Youtini.  

What is The High Republic?

But what exactly is The High Republic? Is it a publishing initiative? An era? Or both?

The answer is yes!

The High Republic is a grand publishing initiative consisting of books, comics, audio dramas, and a multitude of media projects that usher in a bold new epoch of Star Wars storytelling.

It is also an era. As an era, it spans centuries, taking us back 350 years before The Phantom Menace during the golden age of the Jedi and Republic.

The stories in The High Republic are an intricately linked tapestry that references each other and connects events and characters throughout the different forms–even comics, audio dramas, and middle-grade books.

Phases of The High Republic

The High Republic consists of Phases and Waves.  It can be a little confusing, but that’s where Youtini comes in!  Let’s start with Phases.

There are three phases within The High Republic.  

• Light of the Jedi – launched January 2021  

• Quest of the Jedi – launched October 2022

• Trials of the Jedi – to be launched November 2023‍

‍Waves of The High Republic

Each of The High Republic’s three Phases has Waves.  One way to remember this is that P comes before W.  So Phase comes before Wave.  Another way I remember is by thinking of the title Publishers Weekly.  “P” as in Publishers comes before “W” as in Weekly, just as Phase comes before Waves.

Now that we’ve figured that out let’s jump in!

Waves are made up of three books each:

• 1 Adult Novel

• 1 Young Adult Novel

• 1 Middle-Grade Novel

These Phases and Waves also include comics, audio dramas, manga, and other media, potentially even video games!

Quantic Dream

But if you want to keep track of which Wave you’re currently in, the three-novel structure is the simplest way to do so.

Phase 1, Light of the Jedi, had three waves.

Phase 2, Quest of the Jedi, has two waves.

What do we need to know about THR’s Phase 2, Quest of the Jedi? 

Phase 2, Quest of the Jedi, journeys back in time 150 years before Light of the Jedi to an Age of Exploration.  It is a time teeming with dangerous potential.  Galactic communication systems are not yet linked.  Vast regions of hyperspace remain uncharted.  In other words, adventure abounds!

We will have Jedi and Pathfinders, rakes and rogues, a possible ancestor of Marchion Ro, devoted cultists, hyperspace prospectors, and frightening mysterious monsters known as the Nameless.  We will visit the sacred planet of Jedha and journey to Dalna, where a battle just may take place involving the Jedi that will be remembered darkly for generations to come.

Of course, that’s just the tip of the rathtar’s tooth.  There will be hidden planets, forbidden love, quests, death, and battle.  So get ready for The High Republic to emotionally blast you.  Cause that’s what it does.

There are Two Waves within Phase 2:

• Wave 1 launches October 4, 2022, with the YA novel Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland.

• Wave 2 launches April 4, 2023, with the Adult novel Cataclysm by Lydia Kang.

Authors for Phase 2

To our great delight, The High Republic authors of Phase 1, such as Charles Soule, Cavan Scott, Claudia Gray, Justina Ireland, and Daniel José Older, return in Phase 2.

In addition to these High Republic story architects, we also have new HR writers coming on board.  They all have fantasy/sci-fi publications under their belt and have written for Star Wars before.

For more in-depth intel on them, check out our guide “Who are the Authors Behind Phase 2 of The High Republic.”

These are the newest authors and their Star Wars bibliography: 

• Zoraida Córdova:  Galaxy’s Edge:  A Crash of Fate; “You Owe Me a Ride” in From A Certain Point Of View:  Star Wars; “Wait For It” in From A Certain Point of View:  Empire Strikes Back.

• Tessa Gratton:  short story “Masters” in Stories of Jedi and Sith.

• George Mann:  Dark Legends; Myths & Fables; Life Day Treasury; The High Republic: Showdown at the Fair; The High Republic:  The Battle for Starlight.‍

• Lydia Kang:  short story “Right-Hand Man” in From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back.

Phase 2, Wave 1 Stories 

If you haven’t gotten around to reading Phase 1 yet, that’s okay.  Phase 2 is a great place to jump in.  And if you have read everything in Phase 1, congratulations!  There is so much more to look forward to with Phase 2—Quest of the Jedi.‍

Let the journey commence!

Here are the new novels listed in order of release date!

Path of Deceit

by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland, Young Adult
Release Date: Oct. 4, 2022

Disney-Lucasfilm Press

The Outer Rim planet Dalna has become the focus of a Jedi investigation into a stolen Force artifact, and 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 believer is Marda Ro, a young woman who dreams of leaving Dalna to spread the 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.

Quest for the Hidden City

by George Mann, Middle Grade
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2022

Disney-Lucasfilm Press

Daring pilots chart new routes through hyperspace while Pathfinder teams make contact with frontier worlds to invite them to join the Republic. When a Pathfinder team's communications droid is found drifting in space, damaged, and bearing a cryptic message, Jedi Knight Silandra Sho and her Padawan, Rooper Nitani, are sent to find the missing team members. Their investigation leads them to the planet Gloam, a ravaged world said to be haunted by mythical monsters.

Convergence

by Zoraida Córdova, Adult
Release Date: Nov. 22, 2022

Random House Worlds

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 an 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.

Phase 2, Wave 2 Novels and Audio Drama (in release order)

Cataclysm

by Lydia Kang, Adult
Release Date: Apr. 4, 2023

Random House Worlds

The second Adult Novel from Phase 2 of The High Republic.

Quest for Planet X

by Tessa Gratton, Middle Grade
Release Date: Apr. 4, 2023

Disney-Lucasfilm Press

The second Junior Novel from Phase 2 of The High Republic.

Head to the farthest reaches of the galaxy's Outer Rim in this lightspeed-paced and action-packed middle-grade adventure set in the world of the High Republic, 150 years before the storytelling of Phase I. It's a world of enterprising hyperspace prospectors, brave Jedi Padawans, and meddling comms saboteurs intent on disrupting the Republic's mission to connect the galaxy with communication buoys. Discover how even the galaxy's youngest Pilots and Padawans will play a very big role in the fate of the Republic on the frontier.

Path of Vengeance

by Cavan Scott, YA
Release Date: May 2, 2023

Disney-Lucasfilm Press

The second YA Novel from Phase 2 of The High Republic.

The thrilling conclusion to Phase II of the #1 New York Times best-selling High Republic series! An enthralling and relentlessly paced young adult adventure set in the world of the High Republic, 150 years before the storytelling of Phase I. Meet fortune-seeking explorers, enigmatic followers, and valiant Jedi whose intersecting paths on the planet Dalna will set them on a collision course that will haunt the Republic for centuries to come.

The Battle of Jedha

by George Mann
Audio Drama Release Date: Jan. 2023
Published Script Date: Feb. 14, 2023

Random House Audio

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, worshiping 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 sense of 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 the 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.

THR Phase 2 Comics and Manga

Phase 2 comics of The High Republic are released throughout Waves 1 and 2.  There is so much beautiful art and exciting stories to explore here that will keep us entertained for months.

Star Wars: The High Republic (2022)

by Cavan Scott, Marvel
Art by Ario Anindito

Marvel Comics

The High Republic: The Blade (about Porter Engel)

by Charles Soule, Marvel Miniseries
Art by Marco Castiello
Note: This Blade #3 variant is by Leinil Francis Yu

Marvel Comics

The High Republic Adventures

‍‍by Daniel José Older, Dark Horse
Art by Toni Bruno

Dark Horse Comics

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - The Nameless Terror

‍by George Mann, Dark Horse Miniseries
‍Art by Eduardo Mello

Dark Horse Comics

The High Republic: Quest of the Jedi

by Claudia Gray, Dark Horse One Shot
Art by Fico Ossio

Dark Horse Comics

Star Wars: The Edge of Balance - Precedent

‍by Daniel José Older and Tomio Ogata, Viz Media: Manga
Release Date: May 2023

VIZ Media

Additional Releases

If you thought that was a lot of storytelling to experience, hold on because the ride isn’t over. In addition to the novels, comics, and audio dramas, we have even more stories coming our way.

‍The High Republic: Young Adult Anthology debuts July 2023. This anthology of short stories will feature every one of the High Republic authors and will span all three phases! 

Star Wars has always been a family affair, and The High Republic is no different. Star Wars mastermind Charles Soule continues this wonderful legacy with his daughter Rosemary.  They have written a children’s book together!

What better story for their first collaboration than Yoda and the Younglings?  For we all know that Yoda, the experienced Jedi Master, loves working with the young uns’. Just as Master storyteller Charles Soule undoubtedly delighted in working with his young daughter Rosemary.

‍Yoda and the Younglings is slated for release on October 2023.

Disney-Lucasfilm Press

Conclusion

We are living through a Star Wars Renaissance encompassing television, audio, literature, art, and other various forms of storytelling.  The High Republic plays an essential part in this, ushering in a bold new epoch.  And while it does not shy away from pain and tragedy, as with all stories we love so passionately, it shimmers and shines with light.  The characters within its pages embody courage, loyalty, and love.  Some fall.  Some rise.  They all inspire.

Despite the darkness in our world, Star Wars remains a beacon of hope.  The High Republic continues this legacy, flowing with magic and thrumming with the Force.  Light breathes here.  And darkness too.

All readers are welcome, and no matter who you are, chances are strong that you are represented somewhere in these stories.  Because with The High Republic, there is something here for everyone.

As Chancellor Lina Soh says, “We are all the Republic.”