How to Read The High Republic Books In Order

The ideal High Republic reading order, and other ways you can read the bestselling Star Wars series.

Of all the questions I get on my Instagram, the High Republic reading order is by far the most common ask. I’m not sure why reading order is so important to fans since release order makes the most sense to me, but I suppose I am here to serve.

I’ve posted several photos indicating the “ideal” order, and figured it was finally time to publish a comprehensive guide to the books. (I’ll explain further down why comics aren’t yet included in this guide).

There are two ways you can read The High Republic: release order and chronological order. Just know that if you start with chronological order, not every book has been released yet and you might feel a little confused.

Release Order

The High Republic released its first book in January 2021 to kick off Phase 1. Phase 2 will conclude on May 2, 2023. There is one more phase planned for the series.

Here are the adult, young adult, and middle-grade High Republic books in the order they were originally released. I’ve included the two manga as well.

• Light of the Jedi

• A Test of Courage

• Into the Dark

• The Edge of Balance Volume 1

• The Rising Storm

• Race to Crashpoint Tower

• Out of the Shadows

• Tempest Runner

• The Fallen Star

• Mission to Disaster

• Midnight Horizon

• The Edge of Balance Volume 2

• Path of Deceit

• Quest For the Hidden City

• Convergence

• The Battle of Jedha

• Cataclysm

• Quest For Planet X

• Path of Vengeance

• Tales of Light and Life

• The Eye of Darkness

• Escape From Valo (not yet released)

Chronological Order

Just like the Star Wars movies, Phase 1 and Phase 2 do not occur in chronological order. Phase 2 is technically, in terms of the timeline, a prequel to Phase 1. You can start with Phase 2 if chronological is your preferred reading method. Here are the books in that order:

• Path of Deceit

• Quest For the Hidden City

• Convergence

• The Battle of Jedha

• Cataclysm

• Quest For Planet X

• Path of Vengeance

• Tales of Light and Life*

• Light of the Jedi

• A Test of Courage

• Into the Dark

• The Edge of Balance Volume 1

• The Rising Storm

• Race to Crashpoint Tower

• Out of the Shadows

• Tempest Runner

• The Fallen Star

• Mission to Disaster

• Midnight Horizon

• The Edge of Balance Volume 2

• The Eye of Darkness

• Escape From Valo (not yet released)

Phase 3 picks up where Midnight Horizon leaves off … in terms of timeline order, anyway.

Do You Have to Read Every High Republic Book?

Not necessarily. The same way no one is requiring you to have read every Star Wars book ever published, you’re not required to read every book that is part of The High Republic series.

However, I believe all of these books should be given equal weight even though they’re of different publishing genres. I can’t imagine having only read the adult novels and trying to understand what was happening in the larger story.

Technically you can read these books however you want—strictly speaking there’s no actual “right” or “wrong” way to do it. But people ask, so I give the best answers I can. Do with them what you will.

But What About the Comics?

Are the High Republic comics important? Yes. Should you read them? If you want to! Full disclosure, I’m chronically behind on comics and am currently not the best person to ask about where they fit in the High Republic timeline. Thankfully, I know someone who knows his stuff.

The Now This Is Lit spoiler discussion of Path of Deceit actually includes some helpful info about the High Republic comics from someone who knows more about Star Wars comics than me.

My good friend Chelsea also talks more about the comics in her High Republic reading guide.

I’ll update this list to include the comics when I’m not drowning in wedding planning, I promise.

Upcoming High Republic Books

This month, The High Republic released two new entries into the ongoing story—Cataclysm by Lydia Kang and Quest For Planet X by Tessa Gratton. However, these books are not the end of Phase 2.

The phase’s second and final young adult novel, Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott, will land (and hurt) next month. Then there’s a nice summer break during which you may be able to recover from the emotional wounds Phase 2 has left you with before more stories arrive.

On September 7, Disney Books will also release Tales of Light and Life, a short story anthology set during The High Republic era with contributions from the Luminous authors you know and love. These stories will take place across the initiative’s two phases and will serve as a healthy palette cleanser before Phase 3 kicks off.

The Phase 3 books will likely be announced at Star Wars Celebration London this weekend. This may include titles and authors of the novels, comics, and a potential audio drama, though final cover reveals aren’t guaranteed.

Many fans predict Phase 3 will begin this fall and conclude sometime in 2024, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.

Until then—enjoy Cataclysm and Quest For Planet X, and get ready for Cavan Scott to destroy you with Path of Vengeance, which releases May 2, 2023.