The Star Wars universe is a vast tapestry of interconnected stories that extend far beyond the films. With each expansion of the franchise, new time periods and locales are explored, as is the case with the upcoming series, The Acolyte. This series delves into the emergence of dark forces during the Jedi’s apex, marking it as the earliest narrative to grace the screens. However, the era it portrays is not devoid of context; quite the opposite, in fact.
Set in the twilight years of the High Republic era, The Acolyte draws connections to the extensive array of High Republic novels and comics released since 2020. These publications, numbering over 30 novels and comics, along with supplementary content like short stories and audio dramas, provide rich material for exploring the era. Although The Acolyte unfolds almost a century after the events depicted in these stories, there are still threads connecting them.
Navigating through the wealth of High Republic tales may seem daunting, but it’s not imperative to consume every piece of material to grasp the essence of the show. Nevertheless, given the interconnected nature of these narratives, selecting what to read becomes a crucial task. As fans eagerly anticipate The Acolyte’s debut, prioritizing key stories becomes essential. While the series likely won’t require prior knowledge of the extended material, a basic understanding can enhance the viewing experience. So, for those venturing into this expansive universe, a bit of background knowledge can go a long way, provided you know where to start.
While the books are situated much earlier in the timeline than the show, Star Wars has a penchant for laying groundwork for future narratives long in advance. Already, The Acolyte’s trailer has teased a significant connection with the appearance of Jedi Vernestra Rwoh (played by Rebecca Henderson). However, she’s depicted differently from her youthful portrayal in the novels. Nevertheless, Vernestra’s presence in The Acolyte is likely to allude to her backstory, known intimately by readers.
For those eager to delve into her tale, Vernestra’s narrative isn’t spread across all the High Republic content, which helps streamline the reading list. She features prominently in several works including The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, The High Republic: A Test of Courage, The High Republic: Race to Crashpoint Tower, The High Republic: Out of the Shadows, The High Republic: Mission to Disaster, The High Republic: Defy the Storm, The High Republic: Temptation of the Force, and issues 2-5 of The High Republic comics. However, this still constitutes a substantial portion of the overarching story.
While Star Wars often reintroduces multiple characters from previous tales simultaneously, The Acolyte diverges from this trend. Showrunner Leslye Headland confirmed Vernestra as the sole crossover character from the books. Although this connection is significant, it imposes certain limitations, as focusing solely on Vernestra’s stories won’t provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall plot.
The High Republic novels span various genres and time periods, yet they interconnect through their exploration of the Jedi’s prime and their conflict with the Nihil, a band of anarchistic marauders. Despite their differing focuses, whether adult, YA, or middle-grade, all these novels offer a general context for the era. For readers hesitant to embark on the entire reading list, paying attention to these categorizations is crucial, as diving into the series midway could prove bewildering, even with prior knowledge.
Moreover, a significant division among these novels lies in their phases. The High Republic unfolds over centuries, with its story not released chronologically, a characteristic typical of Star Wars narratives. However, this non-linear approach could aid those playing catch-up. Phase 1, named “Light of the Jedi,” transpires 200 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and constitutes an introduction to the era, comprising nine books and a few comics—a more digestible portion of the saga.
In contrast, Phase 2, titled “Quest of the Jedi,” serves as a prelude to Phase 1, delving back 150 years to provide context to preceding events, making it less directly linked to The Acolyte. Finally, Phase 3, “Trials of the Jedi,” picks up after Phase 1 but is still in its infancy, with only three novels (one from each series aimed at adults, YA, and middle-grade readers) and an ongoing comic series. These delineations can aid in focusing attention, with Phase 1 being most pertinent to The Acolyte, followed by Phase 3.
