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.
I had told myself (and you all) that I was going to “catch up” on the few Star Wars books I’ve been meaning to read before diving into The High Republic books. But, well.
Yeah.
Look how that worked for me.
I was just too excited to dive into this whole new era of Star Wars and once I had LIGHT OF THE JEDI in my hands, I knew I had to read it sooner rather than later. This whole project has been so much fun to watch unfold via Twitter. Originally code-named Project Luminous, The High Republic era of Star Wars looks to be one created by an incredibly talented & diverse group of authors. I’m even thinking of checking out THE EDGE OF BALANCE, even though I don’t know the first thing about manga! It just sounds so badass!
But anyway, LIGHT OF THE JEDI.
The High Republic era takes place roughly 200 years before The Phantom Menace, and while that gives creators a lot of space to play, this is very recognizably Star Wars. Except maybe the Wars part, because it’s peacetime. So that’s new! Or…old.
Anyway, the Jedi are the caretakers of the Galaxy, and it’s generally a peaceful & prosperous time. So of course some shit has to go down, otherwise it wouldn’t be Star Wars, no? And wow. WOW!! Some shit really goes down. The opening 100 pages (or so) of LIGHT OF THE JEDI are absolutely thrilling, playing out like one of the most intense scenes in all of Star Wars.
A deadly & seemingly impossible accident in hyperspace destroys a massive ship, sending huge chunks of the ship hurtling through hyperspace at light speed, and emerging and racing towards planets all over the galaxy.
I mean, fuck.
It’s chaos. CHAOS.
In the early going of the novel, Charles Soule makes it pretty clear that you’re going to be meeting a lot of new characters. If I had any criticism of the book (and I don’t, not really) it would be that the amount of characters can feel a bit overwhelming at times, and I wish it had a dramatis personae at the beginning!
While this book is truly an ensemble, I think you could point to Jedi Master Avar Kriss as sort of the moral center around which the story is built. Strong, noble, brave, and compassionate, Avar Kriss is kind of everything you’d hope to see in a Jedi. She also has this really cool ability to serve as a connection point for Force users, creating a web with which to communicate & accomplish great feats.
I don’t want this review to get too bogged down with me gushing about characters (because as I mentioned, there’s a lot!), but I at least wanted to mention two young Jedi Knights I’m hoping to see even more of in THE RISING STORM, Charles Soule’s upcoming sequel:
-Burryaga, a Wookiee who is not just Force sensitive, but just plain sensitive. Kind & caring & socially awkward at parties. I loved him with my whole heart.
-Bell Zettifar, a young human & Padawan to Loden Greatstorm. Bell is just relatable af, and intensely likable. Not only that, he is often with Ember, a charhound. Has there been another dog in Star Wars? I’m not sure. And Ember is no ordinary dog. But still. Ember is a Very Good Space Doggo™️
LIGHT OF THE JEDI really kicks off this new era of Star Wars in pretty spectacular fashion. If you are nerdy about all things Jedi, like different Force abilities & details about lightsaber construction, you’ll love this. The Nihil, the villains of the piece, got more interesting & threatening as the story went on. A seemingly inconsequential band of marauders who are definitely a whole lot more than they first appear…it will be fun to watch the dynamics between the Jedi and the Nihil develop!!
LIGHT OF THE JEDI was a total blast & I’m really excited about all the possibilities The High Republic era of Star Wars will open up!
May the Force be with you!!
Grimdark Dad 
Great review!!!
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