Star Wars: The High Republic Recommended Reading Order
S
ince the launch of The High Republic, the Star Wars publishing world has been filled with wonderful stories of both hopeful and tragic heroism featuring original characters of this brand new era.
Whether you’re a long time High Republic fan or diving in for the first time, we’re here to make your reading process as easy as possible.
The architects of The High Republic initiative have stated that publishing order is the best order to read in and we generally agree outside of a few special circumstances which you will find below. That's why our reading order is not in timeline order, but rather in our recommended reading order to get the optimal storytelling experience.
We have put a lot of thought into the best order to read the High Republic in, and this list is the result of hours of debate and thoughtful placement.
The High Republic is a publishing initiative of books, comics, and other media projects surrounding an era of the Star Wars universe that takes place roughly 200 years before The Phantom Menace.
Every piece of new media in The High Republic is created in coordination with every other new story; this means that events in every book, comic, and more often reference events and characters in others.
When referencing The High Republic, you may be describing either the time period or the initiative itself.
When does this all take place?
While the most accurate dates can be found on the Youtini timeline, The High Republic takes place hundreds of years before the Prequel Trilogy.
The first books in the initiative take place around 232 BBY, and the second phase of books takes place around 382 BBY.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum material I need to read to understand The High Republic?
Readers will get the best experience by reading all of the material on this list.
However if you are looking for the most straightforward reading list, stick with the Adult Novels, Audiodramas, and Young Adult Novels.
Do I have to read the comics?
Many key characters, events, and story arcs begin or end in the comics. So if you want the most complete story, then we recommend reading the comics.
The best way to get the most bang for your buck is to stick with the trade paperbacks as they are released.
You can see a full list of graphic novels and trade paperback at the bottom of our High Republic Headquarters page or by clicking on the book titles below.
Is it better to read The High Republic in publishing order or chronologic order?
The architects of The High Republic initiative have stated that publishing order is the best order to read in and we generally agree outside of the exceptions that we have in this list.
Phase 2 of The High Republic takes place before Phase 1on the Star Wars Timeline. So reading chronologically doesn't make a lot of sense.
Are short stories necessary? When should I read them?
Short stories are mostly supplemental and are only loosely related to the cohesive story.
Phase 1: Light of the Jedi
Two hundred years before the events of The Skywalker Saga, hope and unity converge under the visionary leadership of Republic Chancellor Lina Soh, culminating in the birth of Starlight Beacon—a symbol of light and aid in the outer rim. Phase 1 unfolds as the Legacy Run transport ship bursts apart in the middle of hyperspace travel, thrusting the Jedi into a perilous battle against the villainous Nihil and their malevolent quest to unleash chaos upon the galaxy. Brace yourself as the Jedi struggle to maintain courage and resilience in the face of darkness.
LOTJ is the perfect entry point to the High Republic. Not only was it the first major story published, it sets the tone for the first phase of the publishing initiative. The Great Disaster that kicks off the book is the inciting incident for much of what follows. While there are some short stories that take place earlier in the timeline, all readers should start right here.
This two-part story serves as both a prologue and epilogue to LOTJ. You could read part one before LOTJ if you'd like, but it works just as well to take both parts as a whole here.
Similarly, ITD follows the Great Disaster from LOTJ. However, this entry follows a completely new set of characters and introduces the Drengir storyline that runs throughout the rest of Phase One.
Star Wars Adventures (2020) #6 - The Gaze Electric
Katie Cook & Shaun Manning
This short story from IDW's Star Wars Adventures is one of two comic short stories published outside of THR initiative, but it is penned by Project Luminous author Daniel José Older and serves as a prelude to his High Republic Adventures comic in the Phase 1 omnibus.
The High Republic Adventures Vol. 1 (Trade Paperback)
Daniel José Older
The all-ages High Republic Adventures features a cast of Jedi Padawans under the teachings of Master Yoda. These first 5 issues sees them deal with the Nihil threat that emerged from Light of the Jedi.
The High Republic (2021) Vol. 1: There is No Fear (Trade Paperback)
Cavan Scott
One of two ongoing comics in THR, Cavan Scott's story in the first 5 issues follows characters straight out of their appearances in LOTJ (and even features a brief crossover with the end of ATOC!). This arc sees a group of Jedi pursue the Drengir threat first seen in Into the Dark.
The Rising Storm, the second adult novel of the series, tells the story of the Republic Fair, another event that has lasting repercussions for the stories to follow. Many characters from the other books and comics - including newcomer Ty Yorrick! - make an appearance.
RTCT takes place during the Republic Fair and spins directly out of a scene from TRS. Otherwise, it stands mostly on its own, but stars a new character who joins the ongoing adventures of THR.
Mission to Bilbousa, the second arc of THRA, continues the Star Hopper crew's pursuit of Nihil invaders and features a team up with the cast of Into the Dark.
Issues 6-8 serve as a story arc that takes places concurrent to the events of TRS. During the Republic Fair, Avar Kriss leads a group of Jedi in a fight against the Drengir.
Claudia Gray, Justina Ireland, Daniel José Older, Cavan Scott & Charles Soule
Collected in the Monster of Temple Peak TPB, this anthology comic contains five short stories from across the Phase One timeline. They can be read at any time, but we suggest using these stories as an interlude between Waves Two and Three as they tell stories of some of our favorite THR characters. The short story "Crash and the Crew Do What They Do" sets up characters you'll see later in Wave 3.
Trail of Shadows is a mystery series that spins out of The Rising Storm's shocking conclusion. The 5-issue comic takes place across the entirety of Wave 3, so we suggest breaking it up issue-to-issue where appropriate. If you'd prefer to read it all in one go, we suggest doing so after The Fallen Star.
Mission to Disaster is the final middle grade novel of the Phase and takes place before the events of The Fallen Star. Vernestra Rwoh returns to the format for this entry.
This fun comic proves that the High Republic is not all doom and gloom as the Padawans have a great day together on Starlight Beacon. It also appears in the background of every other comic arcs that take place at the same time.
The mystery continues in the Trail of Shadows as Emerick Caphtor and Sian Holt search for answers. DJO ties in storylines from all across Wave Three in this exciting comic.
The fight between the Jedi and the Nihil powers forward toward a climax in the Marvel Comics series. If you'd prefer not to split the issues up, this could be read later, right before issue #13, however Trail of Shadows #3 features a minor spoiler, meaning it is best read here.
Star Wars Adventures (2020) #14 - A Very Nihil Interlude
George Mann & Justina Ireland
This side story takes place during the Fallen Star, but stands entirely on its own. We recommend reading it here in order to let the following stories serve as a climax and finale for Phase One. The comic is collected in the Monster of Temple Peak TPB.
The finale of the Marvel Comics run ties in directly with the climactic events of the Fallen Star as many of THR's major characters are brought together.
Elsewhere in the Galaxy, the Star Hopper Padawans continue fighting. Their adventures in the comic come to a close in this final arc, which leads directly into Midnight Horizon.
Daniel José Older continues the events of THRA into this young adult novel, which serves as yet another climactic tale of the end of Wave Three and ties in with the Fallen Star.
The big mystery of the Trail of Shadows finishes here. This comic again ties in with the other Wave Three entries, as we see more from characters and moments seen in the Fallen Star and THRA.
The High Republic Adventures Free Comic Book Day 2023
Daniel José Older
Although this comic wasn't published until over a year after Phase One's end, it picks up right in the direct aftermath of TOS, TFS, and THRA as an epilogue for those events. It is collected as "Coda" in the Phase One THRA omnibus.
As writer Charles Soule put it, Eye of the Storm "should be the last thing you read in Star Wars: The High Republic Phase I." This comic is a perfect ending to the Phase and sets up an exciting tease at what will follow later in Phase Three.
Phase 2 of The High Republic sendsus backwards 150 years from the events of Phase 1. It includes an all new cast of characters and a completely original story related to Phase 1. Even though, Phase 2 takes place before Phase 1 chronologically, we do not recommend starting here if this is your first time reading.
One year after the events of Phase 1, much has changed in the galaxy. Starlight Beacon has fallen and Marchion Ro has erected the Stormwall, establishing the Occlusion Zone. With the balance of the galaxy upended, Phase 3 explores this greater conflict as well as how our heroes have changed in the aftermath of a great tragedy.
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