The High Republic Phase III Preview
Trials of the Jedi - a time of great turmoil …
Phase III of The High Republic publishing initiative is beginning very soon. It’s the beginning of the end — but if The Eye of Darkness is any indication, these upcoming stories will be worth the wait.
The books, authors, and overall schedule for Phase III were all announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023 earlier this year. But if you want a refresher on what’s to come — and if you want to do some light reading before Phase III officially begins — it’s all in this week’s newsletter, which you’re already reading. Happy to have you!
What You Should Read Before The High Republic Phase III
As much as I love to say it’s never too late to read [insert Star Wars story here], I’d be impressed if you managed to start rereading Phase I right after this and finish before November 14. You can reread any High Republic books you want whenever you want. But if you’re looking for stories to fill the void in your soul before the next book comes out, here’s where to turn.
To start, read Tales of Light and Life! The short story anthology includes High Republic stories of all phases and leads right into Phase III. It’s not required reading, but I don’t think enough people have read it yet. You should!
For more High Republic short stories, Star Wars Insider is publishing Chronicles from the Occlusion Zone - a series by Lydia Kang! The first story came out last month in the October 2023 issue.
And of course, what would The High Republic be without comics? The High Republic Phase III comic begins this week (November 8) and Shadows of Starlight continues with Issue 2, also on November 8. High Republic Adventures restarts in December.
Now, if you’re ready to dive in to Phase III — or you just want to know what you’re about to get yourself into — here’s all that info for you.
The High Republic Phase III Books In Order
Based on the announcements posted after Star Wars Celebration 2023 (release dates and windows are always subject to change), here’s what we know about The High Republic Phase III release schedule.
Books will be published by Random House Worlds (RHW) and Disney-Lucasfilm Press (DLP) and are either adult (A), young adult (YA), or middle-grade (MG).
The Eye of Darkness (George Mann) - RHW, November 14, 2023 (adult)
Escape from Valo (Daniel Jose Older/Alyssa Wong) -DLP, January 30, 2024 (MG)
Defy the Storm (Tessa Gratton/Justina Ireland) - DLP, March 12, 2024 (YA)
Temptation of the Force (Tessa Gratton), RHW, Summer 2024 (A)
Beware the Nameless (Zoraida Cordova), DLP, Summer 2024 (MG)
Tears of the Nameless (George Mann)- DLP, Fall 2024 (YA)
Trials of the Jedi (Charles Soule) - RHW, Spring 2025 (A)
A Valiant Vow (Justina Ireland) - DLP, Spring 2025 (MG)
Into the Light (Claudia Gray) - DLP, Spring 2025 (YA)
Looking Ahead (to The End)
The High Republic was officially revealed at the end of February 2020 — just a few weeks away from the world changing forever in a way we still haven’t recovered from. For over three years, these books have been a staple in our lives, a constant that—even amidst delays—we have always been able to count on.
For many readers, these books have provided comfort. Many people have seen themselves in these books in a way they haven’t much in this context before. There are even people out there who weren’t Star Wars readers or big fans of the franchise at all until The High Republic came along.
2025 is still pretty far away, but if the last few years are any indication, it’s going to swoop in before we know it. That will mean the end of the series, the literal final chapter in the stories we will have been anticipating and following for five years by then.
I’m so excited for all the Star Wars books that will come after The High Republic. But I’m really going to miss these characters. We’ll have to plan something for the show as a sendoff to this great initiative. There’s plenty of time to think on it. I’ll keep you posted.
Now This Is Lit is a podcast (and newsletter!) about Star Wars books, the people who make them, and the readers who just can’t get enough of them. You can find the show wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to the Substack for more deep dives, guides, interview transcripts, and book love.