The High Republic: Light of the Jedi is a novel within the canon of Star Wars, authored by Charles Soule. Del Rey released it on January 5, 2021, marking the initial launch of the Star Wars: The High Republic publishing initiative. Concurrently, an audiobook adaptation, voiced by Marc Thompson, was also made available. The narrative unfolds two centuries prior to the events depicted in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, centering on Jedi Master Avar Kriss and fellow Jedi as the Jedi Order confronts a novel adversary: the Nihil. ## Publisher's summary In a time long past, before the rise of the First Order, the reign of the Empire, and even the era of The Phantom Menace, the Jedi illuminated the galaxy during the High Republic. This is a period of prosperity. Daring hyperspace explorers push the Republic's boundaries to the most distant stars, worlds thrive under the Senate's guidance, and peace prevails, maintained by the wisdom and might of the Jedi, an esteemed order of Force wielders. With the Jedi at their zenith, the galaxy's free inhabitants are secure in their capacity to withstand any adversity. However, even the brightest light casts a shadow, and certain storms defy all preparation. A catastrophic event in hyperspace shatters a vessel, scattering debris that poses a grave threat to an entire system. As the distress call echoes, the Jedi swiftly respond. Yet, the scale of the disaster overwhelms even the Jedi's capabilities. As the heavens rupture and devastation descends upon the peaceful alliance they fostered, the Jedi must rely on the Force to navigate a day where a single misstep could claim billions of lives. Even as the Jedi bravely confront the calamity, a sinister force emerges beyond the Republic's borders. The hyperspace catastrophe is far more insidious than the Jedi realize. A menace lurks in the shadows, far removed from the age's light, concealing a secret capable of instilling fear in even the most resolute Jedi. ## Plot summary ### The Great Disaster Captain Hedda Casset commands the freighter Legacy Run on a standard voyage into the Outer Rim Territories, transporting approximately 9,000 passengers relocating to the galaxy's edge, along with cargo. During her routine evening inspection, Casset reprimands young Serj Ukkarian for attempting to access restricted holovids and confirms the secure storage of a volatile shipment of liquid Tibanna. Shortly after returning to the bridge, an unprecedented event occurs: an obstruction materializes in hyperspace, directly ahead, leaving mere seconds before impact. Casset attempts to maneuver the Legacy Run around the obstacle, but the starship's age – exceeding a century – proves to be its downfall, allowing her only enough time to seal the passenger compartments before dying as the Legacy Run is torn asunder. Within the Hetzal system, scantechs Merven Getter and Vel Carann, one diligently performing their duties and the other neglecting them, are stationed aboard the outer-system monitoring station. They are abruptly alerted by the sudden detection of numerous exits into realspace. These unexpected arrivals signal an imminent danger to the star system. They successfully transmit a warning to Hetzal Prime, but their space station is obliterated before they can reach their shuttle. On Hetzal's surface, Minister Zeffren Ecka receives notification of the unfolding catastrophe. With the assistance of young technician Keven Tarr, they dispatch a distress signal to the Galactic Republic, which is answered by Jedi Master Avar Kriss aboard the Emissary-class Republic Cruiser Third Horizon, en route from the Starlight Beacon space station. Upon the cruiser's arrival, its complement of Jedi Vectors and Republic Longbeam cruisers are deployed, dispersing to provide assistance throughout the system while Kriss orchestrates the operation from the Third Horizon's bridge. Among the first to reach Hetzal Prime are Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm and his Padawan Bell Zettifar, who assist in the evacuation of citizens. They encounter a gated compound where armed guards are preventing a desperate crowd from accessing a starship. Greatstorm, leveraging his Jedi status, convinces the guards to allow the settlers, who are pleading to escape, to board the ship with the family residing in the mansion, after he and Zettifar fend off a group of would-be pirates. Meanwhile, a squadron of Vectors piloted by Jedi Te'Ami, Mikkel Sutmani, and Nib Assek, accompanied by her Padawan Burryaga Agaburry, collaborate with a Republic Longbeam piloted by Joss and Pikka Adren to destroy a fragment of debris hurtling towards the Fruited Moon. However, Agaburry intervenes, sensing lifeforms aboard. Upon receiving this information, Avar Kriss identifies ten such debris fragments and orders the rescue of their inhabitants. As the rescue mission progresses, Captain Finial Bright of the Republic Defense Coalition sacrifices himself to enable his subordinates, Innamin and Peeples, to evacuate the wounded crew of Solar Array 22-X before its destruction. Kriss, realizing a critical oversight, scans a debris fragment of interest, revealing it to be the liquid Tibanna tank on a trajectory towards the system's largest sun. Admiral Kronara explains the implications: if the tank impacts the R-class star, it will nearly double in size and emit lethal radiation. As another evacuation proceeds, Kriss rallies the Jedi within the Hetzal system, determined to avert the catastrophe. They unite their efforts to use the Force to divert the tank from its collision course. The endeavor is arduous and draining, resulting in the death of some participants, such as Jedi Knight Rah Barocci, due to exhaustion. At one juncture, Kriss loses track of the tank, only for Estala Maru to relocate it. Ultimately, with the assistance of Jedi from across the galaxy, they succeed: the liquid Tibanna tank grazes the star's photosphere before drifting away, heated but intact. Keven Tarr broadcasts the Jedi's efforts on the HoloNet, unknowingly reaching a galactic audience. The Hetzal system is saved. However, the crisis is far from over. The following day, the first Emergence occurs in the Ab Dalis system. Seven fragments of the Legacy Run materialize within the system. Six pass through without incident. The seventh strikes Ab Dalis, resulting in the deaths of twenty million individuals. In the aftermath, Larence Garello of Garello Technologies decides to relocate his company and workforce. However, the convoy is attacked by the Nihil, a notorious group of marauders known for their ruthlessness. Garello is among their victims. ### The Nihil Supreme Chancellor Lina Soh convenes a meeting in Monument Plaza on Coruscant to address the recent disasters. Attendees include Kriss, Jedi High Council members Yarael Poof and Jora Malli; Master Sskeer, Malli's second at the Starlight Beacon; Admiral Pevel Kronara; Senator Izzet Noor of Serenno; and Secretary of Transportation Jeffo Lorillia. Soh announces the extension of the hyperspace closure around Hetzal for hundreds of parsecs, a decision that Noor warns could cripple the Outer Rim. To date, fifteen Emergences have occurred, but their cause remains unknown, as does the risk of recurrence. The Jedi confirm that the crisis does not appear to be the work of Force users. Soh assures Noor that she will authorize limited shipments of essential goods to prevent starvation, tasking Kronara with deploying the RDC to enforce the ban in its largest mobilization to date. The Chancellor intends to proceed with her Great Works to expand the Republic's presence throughout the galaxy, including the scheduled dedication ceremony for the Starlight Beacon in thirty days. Kriss and Malli confirm the station's near completion. Soh tasks the group with uncovering the root cause of the situation by the ceremony's deadline, warning that failure could spell the end of the Republic. As the debris of the Legacy Run is reassembled in the Hetzal system, Kriss, her friend Elzar Mann, Secretary Lorillia, Senator Noor, and Keven Tarr discuss the situation as the hyperspace blockade expands with each new Emergence. Tarr proposes replicating his surveillance system from the disaster using a sufficient number of navidroids to predict future Emergences. Kriss and Mann support his proposal, and Lorillia pledges to secure the droids. The Muun also suggests that the two Jedi visit the San Tekka clan, a family of renowned hyperspace prospectors who might offer assistance. A celebration is held in the Great Hall of the Nihil to commemorate the recent raid, hosted by the Tempest Runners Pan Eyta, Kassav Milliko, and Lourna Dee. Eye of the Nihil Marchion Ro, who provides the unique hyperspace Paths that enable the Nihil's unconventional travel, suggests a temporary slowdown of operations due to the risk of the Republic and Jedi discovering their capabilities. With one of the Tempest Runners in agreement, the slowdown will proceed. However, Lourna Dee persuades Ro to approve a job proposed by one of her Clouds: kidnapping a family from the Outer Rim world Elphrona for ransom. Given that Elphrona hosts a Jedi outpost, approval comes with a warning to avoid attracting the Jedi's attention. At the Elphrona Jedi outpost, Bell Zettifar is pushed off a cliff by his master to practice controlled descent, but is rescued by Indeera Stokes when he fails, an outcome Greatstorm anticipated. Meanwhile, over thirty kilometers away, the homestead of the Blythe family is attacked by Nihil raiders. The Blythes barricade themselves inside and attempt to call for help while deploying delving droids for defense, but Ogden's Hope security is too afraid to respond upon learning that the Nihil are the attackers. The droids' attack wounds some of the pirates, who decide to retaliate by harming some of the Blythes. Back at the outpost, the Jedi have just finished a breakfast of Porter Engle's Nine-Egg Stew when they receive a call about the attack, prompting them to embark on a rescue mission. On Naboo, Kriss and Mann visit the San Tekka compound in the Lake Country. Clan heads Marlowe and his husband Vellis offer the assistance of their navulators to aid in the proposed droid array. However, when they are given more details about what befell the Legacy Run, namely that it appeared to have been trying to avoid a collision, they flatly say that such a thing is impossible. Mann can tell they're lying, but Kriss dissuades him from using a mind trick on Marlowe. The San Tekkas agree to help, but as the Jedi take their leave, Kriss tells Mann that they will question the prospectors again if their investigation turns up no answers. Marlowe and Vellis are concerned, meanwhile, because they know of only one person who could do what the disaster reminds them of, and she would be beyond ancient if she was still alive. Mari San Tekka is still alive, the ancient woman an unwitting prisoner in a medical capsule aboard the Gaze Electric, Ro's flagship, where she has used her unique ability to calculate the Paths on behalf of him and his ancestors for generations. Ro discovers she can predict the Emergences, and hatches a plan, offering the information to the Tempest Runners to the benefit of the Nihil. He has further plans for the pirates, though, plans to change the group so he can strike against the Republic and Jedi. On Elphrona, the Jedi reach the Blythe homestead in their Vanguard to discover it in flames. As Stokes keeps watch from a distance on a Veil speeder, Greatstorm, Zettifar and Engle investigate the burning house to find the Nihil's destroyed speeder. Engle deduces that the pirates stole steelees to transport themselves and their prisoners to their starship, as the homestead is located in an area where Elphrona's magnetic field makes flight impossible. Mole mines left behind by the raiders prove a deadly surprise, but although the three Jedi are able to destroy the moles, one takes out their vehicle. Indeera heads back to the outpost to retrieve a Vector while Greatstorm, Zettifar and Engle commandeer the remaining steelees for pursuit, with Greatstorm salvaging a cannon from the Vanguard and bringing it along. In the Hetzal system, a reception is held aboard the hospital ship Panacea for the survivors of the Legacy Run to meet their rescuers. The Adrens are in attendance, as are Nib Assek and Burryaga Agaburry. The Wookiee Padawan, uncomfortable about being there and feeling isolated because most people there can't understand him, spots a lonely child who is sitting in a corner and ignoring a therapy droid. Agaburry learns this child to be Serj Ukkarian. Agaburry manages to make a connection with the child across the language barrier and learns that Ukkarian blames himself for the disaster because he sliced into the bridge in an attempt to retaliate against Captain Casset for scolding him, having intended to play a video on the screens. Not only that, but Ukkarian saw what the Legacy Run was trying to avoid. Agaburry takes Ukkarian to his master, Assek, and she manages to persuade the boy to tell her what he saw, which he reveals to be three lightning strikes. On Elphrona, the Blythes are transported by their captors in a stolen repulsorcart pulled by stolen steelees. Erika and Ronn Blythe have both spotted signs of pursuit, but Ottoh is unconscious, young Bee is terrified, and they are being watched over by Asaria, a bad-tempered Trandoshan. At an opportune moment, when the Nihil realize they are being followed, Ottoh reveals his unconsciousness was feigned and attempts a ploy, but although Asaria the guard is killed, the Cloud Dent and her crew regain control, knocking Ottoh out again and preparing an ambush for whoever is coming. Despite the setback, Erika is heartened when she sees that the pursuers are Jedi when they ignite their lightsabers. Onboard the New Elite, which has just arrived in the Eriadu system, Kassav Milliko has a plan to get rich. Aware that several pieces of debris will Emerge in the system soon, he calls up Eriaduan Governor Mural Veen and attempts to extort her into paying him to destroy the debris. Veen eventually grudgingly agrees to Milliko's terms after a convoy of lommite transports is destroyed and the pirate claims that Eriadu's inhabited moon will be hit if she refuses to pay. However, Milliko's crew fails to destroy the third and final piece of debris, leading it to impact the moon. The New Elite is forced to flee back to the Nihil as Veen vows vengeance against Milliko. On the Rooted Moon of Hetzal, Keven Tarr prepares to activate his array of 57,817 navidroids in front of an array of guests, including Secretary Lorillia, Senator Noor and his aide Jeni Wataro, and Jedi Kriss and Mann. Tarr privately wishes he had far more droids, but activates the array. His concerns are warranted when the array begins to overheat, and as droids begin to burn out, Tarr panics about the array blowing out before it can even finish simulating the Emergences that have already occurred. Mann has a nearly impossible idea, however, and manages to summon a rainstorm to cool the array with Kriss's help. Thus cooled, the array works as Tarr had hoped, predicting the thirty-fourth Emergence, which has yet to occur. Porter Engle's steelee is killed by the Nihil lying in ambush on Elphrona, and he tells Greatstorm and Zettifar to continue pursuit while he deals with the pirates. He finds it fairly simple to do so, but gains an assist from Ember the charhound when one of the pirates turns out to be immune to headshots. Engle takes the pirate's stolen steelee and continues in pursuit. Greatstorm and Zettifar catch up to the pirates, and the Jedi Master uses his salvaged cannon to destroy one of the Nihil ships. However, the pirates injure Erika Blythe and dump her in the sand, but Greatstorm fends off their assault just in time for Indeera to arrive with both Vectors, remotely piloting one with the Force. As the pirates flee, Greatstorm and Zettifar join Stokes in pursuit while Engle, catching up, takes the injured Erika to safety. The 39th Emergence in a desolate region of space, is met by a Republic rescue group consisting of the Adrens in the Aurora III, Te'Ami and Mikkel Sutmani in their Vectors, and three other Longbeams. Unseen, the stealthed Lourna Dee also watches, as both the Republic and the Nihil have identified this as one of the likely places for the Legacy Run's flight recorder to appear. This Emergence is just a passenger compartment, however, so one Longbeam stays behind to assist as everyone else heads off to the 40th Emergence. And this time, the piece of bridge that everyone has been waiting for appears. Lourna launches an attack that kills Te'Ami and the crew of one Longbeam, but Mikkel, the Adrens and the other Longbeam manage to retrieve the recorder before the Tempest Runner can destroy it, forcing her to retreat. Dent the Cloud begins to worry as her plan falls apart around her with the Jedi in pursuit. She contacts her Storm, Zoovler Tom, for help, but does not receive the guarantee of a new Path to escape. This leads her to order the Blythe daughter thrown off her ship in an attempt to shake off Jedi pursuit. Aboard the Third Horizon, meanwhile, Avar convenes a meeting of the task force commissioned by the Chancellor to discover the cause of the Emergences. Lina, informed of the Nihil ship that caused the disaster and the marauders' subsequent actions at Eriadu and elsewhere, learns from Keven Tarr that the Nihil ship which caused the disaster originated in the Kur Nebula. She orders Admiral Kronara to gather a fleet from the RDC treaty worlds to hunt down the Nihil and bring them to justice. In the Great Hall of the Nihil, Marchion Ro meets with the Tempest Runners, pointing out that the Nihil are all in danger. After maiming Kassav in a fight, Marchion promises that he has a plan to fix everything, signaling an irreversible shift in the power structure of the marauders. He sends Lourna Dee to help with the job on Elphrona, while dispatching Kassav and his Tempest to the Kur Nebula, claiming that they will be able to capture or destroy the flight recorder of the Legacy Run before the Republic can get all of the information from it. On Elphrona, Bell leaps out of his and Loden's Vector to rescue the falling Bee Blythe, flung from the Nihil ship, and finally masters controlled descent in the process. The Jedi High Council meets to discuss the crisis, with the Masters debating whether or not they should assist the Republic in hunting down the pirates. They are not a military force now, but Oppo Rancisis argues that they have been in the past, waging and winning the Great Sith War. Ultimately, it falls to Jora Malli to cast the deciding vote: she chooses to take the Ataraxia and join Admiral Kronara's fleet, doing as the Force wills. ### The Storm At the Kur Nebula, Kassav and his Tempest await the Republic ships, the Weequay musing to himself about ditching the Nihil and starting his own group while a medical droid bandages his maimed hand. But what does arrive is not a few small ships, but Kronara and his battle fleet. Onboard the Third Horizon, the admiral, preparing for a battle the likes of which hasn't been seen in decades, awaits the arrival of a third faction on his side and confers with Jora. The Jedi Master decides that she will likely take a Vector into battle, leaving Avar to coordinate the Jedi from the Ataraxia like she did at Hetzal. Kassav decides to cut and run, but his three Storms, Wet Bub, Dellex and Gravhan, were told by Ro that they should kill him if he tried to do that. The Tempest Runner manages to talk them back to his side, but the arrival of an Eriaduan fleet boxes the pirates in, leaving them with no choice but to fight. Above Elphrona, Loden and Indeera race to rescue the remaining Blythes in their Vectors. Contacting Bell, Loden learns that he successfully saved Bee, and is so proud that he tells him he intends to petition the Council for Bell to be promoted to Jedi Knight, although Bell wants Loden to be there. Loden details his plan with Indeera, before maneuvering his Vector in front of the Nihil ship and mind-tricking Dent into unlocking the back hatch, allowing Indeera to leap through the vacuum and rescue one of the two Blythes. But as Loden prepares to do the same, the forces of Lourna Dee and her Tempest arrive, changing the situation dramatically. The Battle of Kur rages.
This novel, The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, is an official canon entry in the Star Wars universe, brought to life by the writing of Charles Soule. Del Rey published it on January 5, 2021, marking the initial release within the larger Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia project. Simultaneously, an audiobook adaptation, featuring the narration of Marc Thompson, was also made available to audiences. The story takes place two centuries before the events of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, focusing on Jedi Master Avar Kriss and other members of the Jedi order as they confront a new and dangerous threat to the Jedi Order: the group known as the Nihil. ## Publisher's summary In a bygone era, predating the First Order, the Galactic Empire, and even the events of The Phantom Menace, the Jedi illuminated the galaxy during the High Republic. This era is characterized by unprecedented prosperity. Fearless hyperspace explorers expand the Republic's reach to the most distant stars, worlds flourish under the benevolent guidance of the Senate, and peace is maintained by the wisdom and power of the esteemed Jedi Order, an organization of Force-sensitive individuals. With the Jedi at the height of their abilities, the free citizens of the galaxy are confident in their capacity to overcome any challenge. However, even the brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms defy any preparation. When a catastrophic incident in hyperspace causes a ship to disintegrate, the resulting debris poses a significant threat to an entire star system. As the distress signal is broadcast, the Jedi swiftly respond to the crisis. However, the sheer scale of the disaster overwhelms even the Jedi's considerable abilities. As the sky is torn open and destruction rains down upon the peaceful alliance they have helped to build, the Jedi must place their faith in the Force to navigate a day in which a single error could result in the loss of billions of lives. Even as the Jedi valiantly combat the unfolding disaster, a truly deadly force is growing beyond the boundaries of the Republic. The hyperspace incident is far more sinister than the Jedi initially suspect. A hidden threat lurks in the shadows, far from the light of the age, and harbors a secret that has the potential to strike fear into the heart of even the most courageous Jedi. ## Plot summary ### The Great Disaster The freighter known as the Legacy Run, commanded by Captain Hedda Casset, is engaged in a routine voyage into the Outer Rim Territories, transporting approximately 9,000 passengers who are relocating to the edge of the galaxy, along with various cargo. During her customary evening rounds of the vessel, Captain Casset admonishes a young Serj Ukkarian for attempting to access age-restricted holographic content and confirms that a shipment of volatile liquid Tibanna is properly secured. Shortly after returning to the bridge, an almost impossible event occurs: an obstruction materializes in hyperspace, directly in their path, leaving only seconds before impact. Casset attempts to steer the Legacy Run around the obstacle, but the starship's advanced age – over a century – ultimately dooms it, allowing her only enough time to seal the passenger compartments before she dies as the Legacy Run is torn apart. Within the Hetzal system, scantechs Merven Getter and Vel Carann are either diligently performing or neglecting their duties aboard the outer-system monitoring station when they are abruptly alerted by the sudden detection of multiple exits into realspace. These unexpected arrivals are not scheduled, and the two quickly realize that the star system is facing imminent danger. They manage to transmit a warning back to Hetzal Prime, but their space station is atomized before they can reach their shuttle. On the surface of Hetzal, Minister Zeffren Ecka is informed of the unfolding disaster within his system. With the help of a young technician named Keven Tarr, they are able to send out a distress signal to the Galactic Republic, a call that is answered by Jedi Master Avar Kriss who is aboard the Emissary-class Republic Cruiser Third Horizon, in transit from the Starlight Beacon space station. Upon the cruiser's arrival in the system, its complement of Jedi Vectors and Republic Longbeam cruisers are launched, with those onboard dispersing to assist the system in any way they can while Kriss coordinates the effort from the Third Horizon's bridge. Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm and his Padawan Bell Zettifar are among the first to reach the surface of Hetzal Prime to assist citizens in evacuating. They come across a gated compound where armed guards are preventing a desperate crowd from approaching a starship. Greatstorm uses his identity as a Jedi to persuade the guards to allow the numerous settlers who are begging to be let on board to escape with the family who resides in the mansion, after he and Zettifar repel a group of would-be pirates. Concurrently, a group of Vectors piloted by Jedi Te'Ami, Mikkel Sutmani, and Nib Assek, accompanied by her Padawan Burryaga Agaburry, work with a Republic Longbeam piloted by Joss and Pikka Adren, aiming to destroy a large piece of debris that is headed for the Fruited Moon. However, Agaburry interrupts them after sensing lifeforms onboard. When Avar Kriss is informed of this development, she locates ten such pieces of debris and spreads the word that those people are to be rescued as well. As the rescue mission continues apace, Captain Finial Bright of the Republic Defense Coalition sacrifices his life so that his subordinates, Innamin and Peeples, can evacuate the wounded crew of Solar Array 22-X before it explodes. Kriss, meanwhile, realizes that she has overlooked something, and a scan of a piece of debris that catches her interest reveals it to be the liquid Tibanna tank, on course for the largest of the system's suns. Admiral Kronara fills Kriss in on what this means: because the star is R-class, if the tank strikes it, the star will nearly double in size and begin emitting radiation that is lethal to the lifeforms in the system. As another evacuation continues, Kriss calls out to the Jedi in the Hetzal system once again, determined to save it. She brings them together in an effort to use the Force to push the tank off of its collision course. The effort is immense and exhausting, with some participants, such as Jedi Knight Rah Barocci, dying due to exhaustion. At one point, Kr
Kassav, observing his forces in retreat, orders the Nihil to adopt the underhanded tactics of pirates. These aggressive strategies involve the disposal of a considerable quantity of toxic waste from a recently seized freighter, the dismantling of a cruiser using harpoons, and the deployment of escape pods loaded with explosives. Disgusted by these dishonorable methods, Admiral Kronara requests Jedi assistance from Master Malli, who consents. Jora and Sskeer proceed to the hangar, leaving Avar aboard the Ataraxia to guide them via her network. Sskeer proposes that Jora allow him to venture out alone, but she refuses, and they agree to prioritize survival. Jora employs her lightsaber to arm her Vector's weaponry, leading her squadron into the fray. From the New Elite, Kassav watches the steadily approaching Eriaduan cruisers, and as he commands their targeting, Marchion Ro finally answers his plea for a Path. He promises Kassav's entire Tempest the Battle Paths, asserting that they will safeguard their way of life, and then something occurs. The Nihil vessels begin to reposition themselves, executing seemingly impossible short jumps through hyperspace. One ship materializes within the Jedi Drift, resulting in Sskeer losing an arm and Jora Malli's death. Above Elphrona, Loden pilots the Nova in a solo fighter assault to facilitate Indeera's escape with Ronn from the Nihil fleet. Loden then prepares to board the Nihil ship to save the father, but suffers a severe leg fracture upon entering the airlock. He discovers Ottoh alive and all the pirates dead, thanks to Indeera. Ottoh administers a painkiller injection from a medpac to Loden, but before any further action can be taken, a missile strikes the ship, breaching the hull and preventing Loden from using the Force to push it out due to the impending air leak. The missile releases a poisonous gas, incapacitating both the miner and the Jedi Master, and Lourna Dee boards the ship with her crew. Upon seeing a Jedi captive, Lourna believes this will suffice to appease Marchion, hoping for Kassav's failure. Amidst the battle's turmoil, Admiral Kronara questions the mechanics behind the Nihil's incredibly brief hyperspace jumps. Avar taps into the Force, discovering a means to direct the Jedi forces to strike at the Nihil, a contribution appreciated by Elzar. Marchion privately contacts Kassav, accusing him of murdering Asgar Ro, before "thanking" him for his sacrifice, as he intends Kassav's and his Tempest's demise to safeguard the Nihil. The Battle Paths shift once more, directing the Nihil ships into suicidal collisions with Republic vessels, and Kassav orders his crew to sever the Path engine connection. Kronara concludes that the marauders have lost their minds. Governor Veen requests control of the flagship, citing the events at Eriadu, and Kronara complies. In his final moments before the Eriaduans find him, Kassav comprehends the extent to which the Paths have rendered the Nihil dependent on the Ros. He resolves to negotiate and divulge what he knows, but Governor Veen disbelieves him and executes him immediately. The Battle of Kur concludes. Aboard the Gaze Electric, Lourna presents Loden Greatstorm's lightsaber to Marchion Ro, feeling uneasy about the weapon. Ro decides to retain it. She realizes that the Eye's newfound confidence reflects his true nature, previously concealed. Ro inquires about Lourna's assessment of the battle, and she admits to deducing that he deliberately sacrificed Kassav's Tempest. Ro confesses that he intentionally sabotaged the flight recorder mission to orchestrate the battle, aiming to temporarily deter the Republic's pursuit. He reveals a long-term plan, developed with his father, and expresses his belief that he will need Lourna. The Twi'lek feels trapped, but knows she cannot escape, and asks why Ottoh Blythe is so important. Ro uses the lightsaber to kill the miner, stating that he is more interested in their new Jedi prisoner, as a single Jedi is precisely what he requires. On Coruscant, Lina Soh announces the reopening of the Outer Rim. She also seeks to utilize Keven Tarr's intellect, despite his current employment with the San Tekkas. Lina expresses gratitude to Senator Noor for his patience during this challenging period, and he informs his aide that he will also deliver a speech. However, Admiral Kronara remains unconvinced that the Nihil are defeated. Nevertheless, the Starlight Beacon is set to open on schedule. Lina believes that everything will ultimately align. In the Great Hall of the Nihil, the assembled pirates watch a recording of the Battle of Kur. Marchion asserts that Kassav and his Tempest sacrificed themselves to protect their way of life, a claim seemingly supported by the recording. Consequently, he assumes complete leadership of the Nihil, declaring their intent to conquer the galaxy. Later, Marchion visits his Jedi prisoner. Loden is surrounded by captured civilians locked in torture cells designed to keep him imprisoned, and his leg has not received medical attention. He attempts to mind-trick Ro into releasing them, but Marchion is resistant to such tactics. He explains that his grandmother taught him how to imprison Jedi, and asks Loden for his name. Upon hearing it, he finds the Twi'lek Master's last name perfect. Loden asks Marchion his motives, realizing that the Eye orchestrated the attack on the Blythes' Elphrona Outpost. Marchion also admits responsibility for the Great Disaster. Displaying a mysterious rod linked to his family's history, Marchion tells Loden that he is not worried about the Jedi coming after him. Visitors arrive at the Starlight Beacon for its dedication ceremony. The Elphrona Jedi are present, with a grieving Bell accompanied by Ember. Indeera has temporarily taken him on as her Padawan, but Bell doubts that Loden is dead as most think. He has no interest in taking the vows to become a Knight without Loden there. Porter reflects on his decision to abandon his role as the Blade of Bardotta. Indeera wonders if Loden and Ottoh might have been saved if things had been done differently. Elzar's efforts in tracking the Nihil have finally earned him the rank of Master. Sskeer has been deeply affected by Jora's death. During the ceremony, the Chancellor delivers a speech. She outlines her vision for the galaxy and her Great Works, and commemorates those who perished in the recent disasters and battles, proposing a permanent memorial. She proclaims the Beacon as a symbol of hope. Across the atrim, the assembled Jedi simultaneously ignite their lightsabers, symbolizing that hope. Later that evening, Elzar and Avar stroll and converse in one of the gardens, discussing his recent promotion. Avar reveals her appointment as the station's new Marshal, and they pledge to maintain contact. Alone, Elzar experiences a Force vision: Jedi in flight. Evil consuming the galaxy. And, above all, an overwhelming sense of fear. ## Development The initial plan was for Star Wars: The High Republic to be introduced with The High Republic: Light of the Jedi on August 25, 2020, but the launch date was moved to January 5, 2021 because of widespread marketplace disruptions. On December 15, 2020, the short story "Starlight: Part One: Go Together" appeared in the 199th issue of Star Wars Insider. Soule also wrote the story, which was presented as a prequel to Light of the Jedi. ## Continuity Avar Kriss, a character in The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, was first seen in the third issue of Charles Soule's Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren comic book miniseries. A preview of Chapter 1, shared on IGN on June 22, 2020, had many differences from the final version. The Legacy Run was only sixty years old instead of more than a century. Its model name was changed from Class-A Modular Freight Transport to Class A modular freight transport. References to Captain Hedda Casset's age, said to be slightly over sixty, were removed. Saberfish were from Spira rather than Tibrin. The term "custodiodroid" was used for a custodial droid. Abregado-rae is now referred to by its full name. Finally, the species makeup of the alien passengers aboard the Run was changed from Trandoshans, Bith and an Ortolan to Ardennians, Givin and a Lannik. All early previews of Light of the Jedi identified the Byrne Guild as the organization that owns the Legacy Run. However, the preview of The High Republic: Into the Dark in The High Republic Free Digital Sampler spelled it as the "Byne" Guild, while the excerpt of Light of the Jedi in the same sampler still used the "Byrne" spelling. Eventually, the novel made it clear that "Byne" was correct. In the novel, both Shai Tennem and Estala Maru are referred to using "she/her" pronouns. However, the short story "Starlight: Part One: Go Together" used "he/him" pronouns for Tennem, and the author of The High Republic (2021) 1 used "he/him" pronouns for Maru. Additionally, Adampo and Teri Rosason, who are referred to using the pronouns "she/her" and "he/him," respectively, are referred to with "he/him" and "she/her" pronouns in Into the Dark. E-book editions of Light of the Jedi were later updated to match Adampo and Rosason's pronouns with what those in Into the Dark. In Chapter 29, regarding the activation of Keven Tarr's navidroid array, it is initially stated that only twenty-nine Emergences have yet occurred. However, later in the chapter, it is stated that there have been thirty-three, and the thirty-fourth Emergence is shown as the first one predicted by the array. Also during this chapter, Keven Tarr states there are 57,708 navidroids in the array but a short time later after the first navidroid overheats and fails, there are now 57,712 navidroids in the array. Cohmac Vitus is identified as a Jedi Knight. However, Into the Dark refers to him as a Jedi Master. In the eBook edition, Rana Kant's first name is misspelled as "Rano" when the character is first mentioned during a Jedi High Council meeting. Sskeer's lightsaber is described as having a green blade. However, The High Republic comic series depicts him with a blue lightsaber. Vernestra Rwoh's surname is misspelled "Roh." During the Supreme Chancellor's speech at the Starlight Beacon's dedication ceremony, "Vel Borta" is included among a list of the dead that she named. This appears to be a combination of the names of minor characters Vel Carann, who did die, and General Borta, who did not. ## Reception Light of the Jedi was nominated as Best Science Fiction during the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards, ultimately securing third place. ## Media ### Editions - ISBN 9780593157718 ; January 5, 2021; Del Rey ; US hardcover [1] - ISBN 9780593157725 ; January 5, 2021; Del Rey; US eBook [15] - ISBN 9780593157732 ; June 29 , 2021; Del Rey; US paperback [2] - ISBN 9780593157367 ; January 5, 2021; Del Rey; US hardcover [16] - ISBN 9784065260258 ; November 29 , 2021; Kodansha; Japan hardcover [17] - ISBN 9784065260265 ; November 29, 2021; Kodansha; Japan hardcover [18] ### Cover gallery