The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi is an upcoming Star Wars: The High Republic adult novel by Charles Soule. It will be published as the final novel the of the multimedia project's Phase III on June 17, 2025. It's audio version is set to be released alongside the novel.
Publisher's summary[]
The epic conclusion to Star Wars The High Republic, the sequel to Temptation of the Force.
The Star Wars High Republic story comes to a conclusion, as the Jedi face off against the Nihil and Marchion Ro.
Development[]
Writing process and drafts[]
The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi is the final novel of the Star Wars: The High Republic initiative[4] and, in words of author Charles Soule, "completes the story cycle" built over the course of the project. Soule himself had previously written the 2021 The High Republic novel The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, which had launched The High Republic initiative.[5] While writing Trials of the Jedi, Soule considered the work his "High Republic priority" and decided against working on other High Republic projects, such as the comic The Broken Blade, to ensure Trials was as good as possible.[6] The goal for Trials of the Jedi and other late High Republic stories, as was stated at the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel of New York Comic Con 2024, was to "go out on a high note" after years' worth of storytelling. Furthermore, the authors hoped to capture the same feel as the original wave of The High Republic works.[7]
Part of the development process involved The High Republic team getting back together in weekly meetings and calls, along with engaging in long text strings, to prepare the initiative's grand finale and work within the confines created by years of telling the era's story. The team found themselves with years worth of storytelling to be paid off and a finale deeply connected between various works, but he promised the team and himself were "old hands" at such a process by that point.[8] As part of his preparations for Trials of the Jedi, Soule read fellow author George Mann's novel The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless twice.[9] Soule said he was "deep into" Trials of the Jedi as of December 20, 2023.[10] On January 5, 2024, in honor of the third anniversary of The Light of the Jedi, Soule revealed he had "just finished" an outline of Trials of the Jedi and promised it would be fantastic.[5] Soule revealed the as of then current first line of Trials of the Jedi via his Twitter account on March 15, 2024. While Soule stated the line was subject to change,[11] editor Tom Hoeler stated the sentence had been approved.[12]
On April 9 of that year via his Twitter page, Soule revealed he had completed a chapter he deemed to be the best work he had written in sometime. He also revealed in the Tweet that Torban Buck would be a character in the book and was the point of view character in said chapter.[13] Soule further stated there would be many point of view chapters in the novel[14] and joked to Wookieepedia that the novel would see over 27,909 wiki pages in need of an update.[15] In his April Newsletter, Soule stated the novel was "proceeding apace."[8] On June 9 via Twitter, Soule reported he was "hard at work" on the novel. In that Tweet, he also promised point of view characters "never before shown in the High Republic."[4] When asked if that meant pre-existing High Republic Era characters whose points of view had not yet been explored in works or if it implied points of view from characters not yet seen in The High Republic would be featured, Soule implied both were the case.[16]
Other teases Soule provided at various points included that Jeffo Lorillia might appear in the novel,[17] how the book would address how common charhounds—a species seen throughout The High Republic via the individual charhound Ember—were in the galaxy,[18] revealing Grand Master Yoda would have a point of view chapter of his own,[19] and confirming the characters of Bell Zettifar, Burryaga Agaburry, and Ember were featured "all over" the book.[20] He also confirmed Joss Adren would appear, with Soule further stating one of his favorite moments was an internal monologue the man had with himself as to whether he needed another beer.[21] As of July 22, 2024, a draft of Trials of the Jedi existed in some form, with Soule sharing a copy of himself reading it before a fire on that day.[22] Hoeler revealed that he was reading through the book on August 21 of that year.[23]
At New York Comic Con 2024, it was stated that Trials of the Jedi was nearly completed. The panel teased that the book centered on the Jedi traveling to somewhere they had never ventured before[24] and was structured like a cyclone, beginning with a wide-reaching plot that, with time, grows narrower but more dangerous.[25] In particular, Soule stated that[26][27] the fates of the The High Republic cast would come down to "four or five pages"[28] late into the book. Soule stated the pages would make fans want to bang on a table.[27] On November 3, to provide Twitter users with a post that would not feed into doomscrolling, Soule revealed he was working on the third draft of Trials of the Jedi and promised fans it was "very good."[29]
Release[]
Trials of the Jedi went up for preorder on September 18, 2024, with the planned release date of June 17, 2025.[30] The Lucasfilm Publishing Panel at New York Comic Con 2024 revealed concept art of Jedi Master Avar Kriss, former Jedi Azlin Rell, Jedi Knight Bell Zettifar, Knight Burryaga Agaburry, and Master Elzar Mann in Temple Guard-inspired armor[31] for Trials of the Jedi.[32][33] StarWars.com's recap article further promised they were ready to bring the battle to the Nihil and Nameless themselves.[31] The Trials of the Jedi cover, however, was specifically held back from being shown at the panel.[34] In his same November 3rd tweet about the book's third draft, Soule joked about how the "Powers That Be" had urged him not to spoil the book.[29] On November 4, Soule promised that the cover reveal was forthcoming.[35]
Appearances[]
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
Organisms
Events
Organizations and titles
Sentient species
Weapons and technology
Miscellanea
Sources[]
SWCE 2023: 9 Things We Learned from the Star Wars: The High Republic Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)- Star Wars: The High Republic Chronological Reader's Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
- NYCC 2024: New Cover Art for Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Light and Other Reveals from the Lucasfilm Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
SWCE 2023: 9 Things We Learned from the Star Wars: The High Republic Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11
Star Wars: Trials of the Jedi (The High Republic) on Amazon.com (backup link)
- ↑
Star Wars Celebration LIVE! 2023 - DAY 2 on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) places Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III a year after the destruction of Starlight Beacon, which corresponds to 229 BBY per Star Wars: Timelines.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "I'm working hard on TRIALS OF THE JEDI, the final High Republic novel in the story we've been telling since LIGHT OF THE JEDI back in 2021. It's out in 2025. TRIALS has chapters with POV characters never before shown in the High Republic. Who would you most like to see?" (backup link)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Seems appropriate that I just finished my outline for the novel that will complete the story cycle we've all been building for all these years - TRIALS OF THE JEDI is coming, and it is pure [lightning emoji]" (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "A long time from now. I'm working on TRIALS OF THE JEDI, and that is my High Republic priority. Trials needs to be perfect!" (backup link)
- ↑ ardokranch (@ardokranch) on Twitter: ""we don't want to go out NOT on a high note and we want these stories to feel like when you first read the high republic in 2020"" (backup link)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars Splash Page (@SWSplashPagePod) on Twitter: "In his latest newsletter (if you haven't yet subscribed, you should -- https://mailchi.mp/f0a5b413051c/charlessoule…), Charles Soule provides an update on his work with #StarWars #TheHighRepublic." (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Congratulations to George Mann on the release of the latest addition to the High Republic mega-story: TEARS OF THE NAMELESS I read it twice while prepping for TRIALS OF THE JEDI - it's *excellent*, with key reveals re: the Nameless and the Blight, and a great adventure to boot!" (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "For those wondering, THE BROKEN BLADE is a ways out. I am deep into TRIALS OF THE JEDI at the moment, and that's taking my entire High Republic brain." (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Current first sentence of TRIALS OF THE JEDI (subject to change!!!): "You may have heard things about the Force."" (backup link)
- ↑ Tom Hoeler (@DarthInternous) on Twitter: "Editor approved." (backup link)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "The chapter I just wrote for TRIALS OF THE JEDI is the best thing I've done in a while. Torban Buck is the POV." (screenshot)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "9 meters tall (In response to: "How many POV's are we getting?")" (screenshot)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "You folks will have to update 27,909 entries (and counting) (In response to: "We're looking forward to it!")" (screenshot)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Yes it does. (In response to: "does this mean characters whose POV we've not seen in THR media or characters we've not seen in THR whatsoever")" (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "I think Jeffo is in Trials?" (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "This is addressed in TRIALS OF THE JEDI. (In response to "Are charhound's very rare? Could Ember have a buddy somewhere in the galaxy?")" (backup link)
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Yoda is one. (In response to: "Maz Kanata or Yoda")" (backup link)
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "They're all over it, don't fret! (In response to: "I know people love the firebrands but I really want you to revisit Bell , Burry and Ember. They have had such a journey together. My favorite 3 from the books 🥹")" (backup link)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "One of my favorite chapters in TRIALS OF THE JEDI involves Joss Adren having a spirited debate with himself as to whether he should have a second beer." (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Feeling pretty good about this one." (backup link)
- ↑ Tom Hoeler (@DarthInternous) on Twitter: "🎶This is the way you left me, I'm not pretending...🎶 #StarWarsTheHighRepublic #TrialsoftheJedi" (backup link)
- ↑ ardokranch (@ardokranch) on Twitter: "trials of the jedi is mostly done and apparently is entirely about jedi going somewhere they haven'g gonr before" (backup link)
- ↑ ardokranch (@ardokranch) on Twitter: ""trials of the Jedi feels like a cyclone. at the top its wide, swirling around but as the book continues some of those things get resolved and the plot gets narrower and narrower but the winds get faster and faster"" (backup link)
- ↑ sawyeurism (@sawyeurism) on Twitter: "Charles Soule says everyone's lives will come down to the last 5 pages of Trials of the Jedi..." (backup link)
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 ArezouAmin (@ArezouAmin) on Twitter: "As we get towards the end of Trials of the Jedi, every characters life comes down to 4-5 pages at the end of the book, and you will feel *bangs on the table* - Charles Soule on Trials of the Jedi" (backup link)
- ↑ ardokranch (@ardokranch) on Twitter: ""every character you know from all the books will have their lives come down to four or five pages"" (backup link)
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "Something for your scrolling that isn't doom: I'm working on the third draft of TRIALS OF THE JEDI, which is mostly shining up and polishing. Sorry, **Powers That Be*** I know I'm not supposed to spoil things but this book is v v v V good." (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars Books & Comics (@swbooks) on Twitter: "The final book in the #StarWarsTheHighRepublic initiative, #TrialsOfTheJedi by @CharlesSoule, is now up for preorder for a June 17, 2025 release" (backup link)
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 31.6 31.7 31.8 NYCC 2024: New Cover Art for Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Light and Other Reveals from the Lucasfilm Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ sawyeurism (@sawyeurism) on Twitter: "NEW concept art for Avar Kriss, Elzar Mann, Bell Zettifar, Burryaga, and Azlin Rell in armor for Trials of the Jedi!" (backup link)
- ↑ ArezouAmin (@ArezouAmin) on Twitter: "Avar, Elzar, Bell, Burry and Azlin in armor in Trials of the Jedi concept art (I wish I had more details my phone crashed)" (backup link)
- ↑ ardokranch (@ardokranch) on Twitter: "they specifically told us they were keeping the trials of the jedi cover under wraps 😭" (backup link)
- ↑ Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) on Twitter: "That's amazing! We'll get a real cover for this thing up there one of these days." (backup link)
