Star Wars: Light of the Jedi

The High Republic

By: Charles Soule

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Number-One New York Times Best Seller

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.

©2020 Charles Soule (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Sharply written and intensely enjoyable." (/Film)

"The action is breathtaking, and the power on display is remarkable. Soule fulfils his promise to redefine the Force." (Screen Rant)

A fantastic start to a new era

I've grown tired of the same old Jedi vs Sith conflict that has been repeated ad nauseum over the years, so I went into this hoping for something brand new. And that is exactly what I got. We are introduced to a new time period in the galaxy with an interesting array of characters, a really cool bad guy faction, and an interesting look at the Jedi when they were at their peak. I'm excited for everything that has been built up here to be explored further in the stories to come. I absolutely recommend this book to any Star Wars fan.

STAR WARS is back on track

I have been worried about the directions Star wars has been going. I was also worried about this series being any good. this book has restored my faith in Star wars and the direction they are heading. this is on level with the mandalorian and I can see how they could possibly tie in and answer a lot of questions with the sequel movies. I am excited for the future books.

It's a start

I would have to say this book is a great change for a story in the star wars universe. to have stories of when the jedi were at it's peak. All in all a good book I just hope they make the old republic movie before this one

A good enough introduction

It's like the first episode of a TV show : lot of set up. It's deliberate, takes its time to out everything into place. I liked the pacing well enough.

The characters are cool, but there are so many that you can't really know them all that much.

As far as narration goes, I'm sort of getting tired of hearing Mark Thompson working on most books. We know his range and everything, so a bit of new blood sure would be nice. Listeners of Star Wars audiobooks know for a fact that there are other good narrators out there.

I don't quite know what to expect with this publishing initiative, and like many times in Star Wars, one has to wait for the other parts to judge the whole thing.
All in all, Light of the Jedi is a good time that leaves wanting more, yet not craving.

New story and new characters

I liked getting to know new Jedi and characters and more stories that happened before we meet the characters we know in the movies. This book gives us a look into the republic and Jedi that came before and evils that had happened and where fought against not sith but that they had fought a at before this book and this was in what they thought would be peace. I am waiting for the next book to continue the story, it’s a cliffhanger.

It's All in the Title

TLDR: An awesome start to the High Republic era that had me looking forward to the future, even if I could have done with fewer povs and far less focus on the antagonist's perspective.

It's been a long time since a Star Wars book was this hyped up, probably the first Thrawn book of the new continuity is the closest thing and it didn't have near the hype the new high republic saga has gotten. Fortunately, the first book in the series is an excellent start. There are a lot of things this book is trying to accomplish and I believe Soule was the right author for the job. He has a background in comic books and his experience with spectacle serves the book very well. I will stay clear of spoilers but I will say that the action starts quickly and doesn't slow down for a while. Even when it does the peace seems more like a breath than a pause. During the action, you are also introduced to many new characters, a familiar galaxy at an unfamiliar time, and insights into the greater galactic politics that will inform the High Republic Era going forward. It's a lot and it will definitely be a little off-putting to some early on. I didn't mind it so much because the characters felt fully realized. Despite introducing over a dozen Jedi alone, new antagonists, politicians, and side characters, I have a hard time picking a favorite and I believe we have the makings of a compelling long term enemy for the Jedi and the Great Republic. I give it five stars because it's one of the best Star Wars books we've gotten in the new continuity if not the best despite some flaws.

The biggest flaw to me is one I really wish the Star Wars books could get away from, especially now that we're in an era where the author can pretty much tell stories without worrying much about continuity implications for the movies and television series. Can we please focus on the main characters POV, or at the very least the characters we truly care about. I don't mind the occasional chapter from the villains POV or the POV of a character who is necessary to get certain story elements across, but it's a consistent problem with Star Wars novels that only a third to half the books chapters are about characters I care about. In the High Republic era this should be minimized as all the characters are brand new. However this problem still rears it's head here. The book was well paced and enjoyable from almost every characters POV but by the end of the book it was exhausting to hear the POV of the main antagonist villain. He went on and on and added very little to the story other than explaining how other characters were able to accomplish things, which didn't really need explaining. The chapters felt like they were simply establishing the big bad for the future of the series. One of the last chapters is a full chapter of his point of view basically monologuing and it completely killed the momentum of the finale for a while and prevented teased scenes I much would have preferred. I still gave the book five stars, as the villain is actually one of the better antagonists I can recall in the recent Star Wars universe, it just reaked of the same problem I see over and over in the Star Wars books and has me concerned.

Ok

usally love star wars books but couldn't get into this one very dry and hard to follow

Great setup!

It took me a few false starts for me to get into, but I'm glad that I did. I feel like as the series goes on, it will explore some interesting ideas such as why Jedi are generally not welcomed in politics or why there wasn't much effort in helping the outer rim by the time we get to Phantom Menace. I was especially surprised by some of more mature topics that it briefly touched on that I hope continued to be explored in future books (drug fueled warrriors, elder (ancient?) abuse, Jedi torture).

Good book and good performance.

I was excited to start off into SWTHR, to hear what new adventures and enemy face the Jedi. Character development isn’t as good as some previous books but still well done. I hopefully expect to get more back story in future books in the series. Marc Thompson does a great job again. A couple other reviewers made comment about how they thought he was Cheesy, however that’s what makes him enjoyable I think.

I would recommend this to any Star Wars Fan!!!

Best Star wars book ever

i have read many star wars books and this is nothing like anything i have read, this book made me sit on the edge of my seat as i listened, i loved all the characters and hope we get another book from soule,But i am currying reading rising of the storm and i lived light of the jedi. The controversy over this book made me nervous but i have put to rest that it was one of the best books.