Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi
Long before the First Order, before the Empire, before even The Phantom Menace . . . Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in The High Republic
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.
Author:Â Charles Soule
Release Date: July 01, 2021
Page Count: 432 Pages
ISBN: 9781529101461
You have to give full credit to the team behind the grand story of The High Republic. Introducing into the wider story of the saga an era 200 years before the events of The Phantom Menace is a bold move, folding in elements of familiarity with vast swathes of new and fresh concepts. We’re in a time when the Republic is arguably at its peak, when the outreach to the Outer Rim is at its strongest and the galaxy has never been more unified. No sith, no impending wars, only the promise of a better future and the hope that a vast galaxy can forge it together. It’s an attractive and enticing set-up that Project Luminous have laid out, and as the saga kicks off with Charles Soule’s debut Star Wars novel Light of the Jedi, it becomes instantly apparent that this is the perfect set up to detail not only a rocky era for the galaxy, but the deep breath before the plunge as we roll through the years towards the Prequel era and the return of the sith.
Beyond setting up the era and introducing us to its primary characters, the focal point of Light of the Jedi and the first phase of The High Republic is the Great Disaster, the consequences of a starship mysteriously breaking up in hyperspace and dropping out at tremendous speeds across the galaxy, smashing into populated worlds and moons. The galaxy is under threat from what feels like a natural disaster, and the Jedi scramble to tackle the problem as it looms over the peace that lies lightly over the galaxy. We mostly follow the events of the disaster in the Hetzal system, as its moons are threatened by fragments of the freight transporter the Legacy Run, some of which are still occupied. To read the Jedi pulling together and forming a Force lasso to steer these pieces away from the Fruited Moon is thrilling to follow, an indicator of the unity the Jedi of the time, but its also an effective way to then introduce the villains of the piece, the Nihil.
Outer Rim pirates with their own code of ethics and conduct, the Nihil have a unique relationship with hyperspace, and as the major players of the Nihil are introduced the threat becomes clear; the galaxy is essentially being held to ransom, and as plans go awry on both sides and the stakes inevitably rise, the table is set as the Jedi realise the enormity of the task ahead and the Nihil sense the opportunities, especially Marchion Ro, the Eye of the Nihil who realises that his position holds far more power and influence than any predecessor of has ever attempted to exert. We end with our vilains in place, ready to expand their reach, the galaxy in turmoil rife for plucking and the Jedi very aware that the hopes of another golden generation are about to be spoiled.
There’s a freshness to the era, a welcome presentation after spending the majority of the last decade in the Prequel, Sequel and Original Trilogy eras. The Jedi are highly skilled, and much respected. Avar Kriss and her ability to hear the Force as a song is an interesting twist, while Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm and his padawan Bell Zettifar are the perfect duo to explore the relationship between pupil and master. If Loden wants Bell to learn how to fly, he’s not adverse to pushing him out of a Longbeam and making him figure it out before gravity has its say. There’s an formality reminisncent of the Prequel era, but also an easy, casual conversationality that evokes the OT, all of which blends to make Light of the Jedi an enjoyable read.
New worlds, new characters, new threats and new solutions all combine to make this an excellent introduction to the era of The High Republic.
- Hardcover Book
- Ireland, Justina (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 432 Pages - 07/27/2021 (Publication Date) - Random House/Star Wars (Publisher)
