Star Wars: Light of the Jedi: The High Republic

I really wanted to love this book. I've read dozens of Star Wars books and many of them have been quite good. This one is meant to be the opening chapter in a new Star Wars universe. I couldn't wait to read it.There is an endless parade of new characters. The problem is, they are flat. The only character who has any real personality is the starship captain in the first chapter who dies when her ship gets destroyed. Many of the Jedi characters come off sounding arrogant and self-important. They jump out of spaceships to land in heroic poses - hands on hips, chests puffed out - dressed in their gold and white "temple attire" robes. They sound like a cadre of plastic, Disney-esque super heroes eager to launch their shining beacon of self-importance. None of them seem to be much likable.I found myself not really caring about what happens to any of them. And I have never empathized more with the Sith desire to wipe out the Jedi or at least take a red light saber to some of them than I did while reading this book.I also don't like the way the book was written.For one thing, through out the book, the author repeatedly injects into dialogue the characters' full names, titles, and ranks. On the one hand, he has to do this because there are too many characters to keep track of, and because we never really get to meet any of these characters in a meaningful way. The result is distracting and wooden: "'Don't worry, citizen. I am Jedi Knight Loden Greatstorm. I will save the day', said Jedi Knight Loden Greatstorm".The whole book is an exercise in tell, don't show. It's all exposition and that makes it sound less like a good story and more like someone who feels like they are in a rush to introduce an entire universe in one book. It feels like either the author is throwing all these characters against a wall to see what sticks, or they are rushed to send all these characters into merchandise production lines.I grew up idolizing Luke Skywalker because he began as a simple kid on a desert moisture farm who was eager to assert his independence and explore the universe. I could really identify with that. Of course, he gets swept up into confrontations with evil and questions of galactic politics. But we readers and movie watchers got to explore the universe right along with him. It was this sense of wonder and romance that I loved about the early movies.I really wanted to recapture that here, but you won't find it in this book. Everything is explained by the writer. Sometimes, he seems to babble on about details that are intended to be deep and meaningful, but miss the mark.I love books. I love keeping and collecting them. But I might just donate this one to a library, somewhere.

Not needed, does not add to the lore, the myth or magic of Star Wars. This side project will soon be forgotten

We just got off of the high of Season 2 of the Mandalorian, and then this. The High Republic is not off to a great start. All this book does is try to "prove" how better their Jedi are relative to the Lucas era Jedi. How was Daniel Jose Older included in this High Republic stuff when his one and only SW book, "Last Shot", completely bombed? It's one of the worst SW books of all time.

Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, was written by Charles Soule. He's written stories for the Star Wars Comics, and he's written his first Star Wars Novel.This novel kicks off a brand new era in Star Wars canon, going back 200 years before the events of the Skywalker Saga.SUMMARY: The galaxy is peaceful, war is a thing of the past. The Republic is strong. The Chancellor, Lina Soh coined the phrase, "We are all the Republic."Peace is tested when an unforeseen event that stems from a hyperspace lane branching out to the outer rim brings destruction and death on a massive scale. Tensions rise throughout as hyperspace lanes are closed off throughout the galaxy. The chancellor calls upon the Republic Defense Coalition (RDC) and the Jedi to investigate what exactly happened in hyperspace, what has the ability to cause planet wide devastation. The Republic was to open up a new outpost station called Starlight Beacon. It will be a Republic embassy, to serve as a fortress, security, medical facility, and even host the largest Jedi outpost outside the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The Chancellor wants the RDC and the Jedi to resolve the mystery that caused such chaos before the grand opening of the Starlight Beacon.A large group of killers, kidnapers, and raiders called the Nihil, have unintentionally put the spotlight on their regional shenanigans in the outer rim. The organization has a unique hierarchy, with three individuals that rule, and one that has the ability to provide secret pathways of hyperspace lanes, uncharted space-ways to sneak around throughout the outer rim. The Nihil wear masks to appear intimidating and remain anonymous. Their tactics are harsh and cruel, but the group must figure out a way to evolve into something more vile, more disturbing, to survive.Wild events will test the Jedi, the Republic, and even the Nihil in the High Republic Era. Will the Jedi retain their peace and tranquility? Will the Republic stand strong? Will the Nihil overpower all that is good and conquer the galaxy? You should read the novel to find out.CHARACTERS: There are so many wonderful characters I could pick from to talk about; Avar Kriss, Te-Ami, Bell, Lourna Dee, & even Chancellor Soh. But, I will only pick three characters I found most fascinating.Elzar Mann is a Jedi Knight, who sees the force as a deep sea. Its depths are endless. Elzar doesn't approach the force the same way twice. He experiments with the force, diving into the sea of its expansive presence differently each time. Many Jedi are content with the way the force works and the way they can manipulate it. Elzar constantly wants to test its limits, He believes so much can be tapped into that no one else had ever thought possible. He's doesn't intend to be difficult, but always open to new ideas with how to call on the force. He believes his views have held him back from achieving the title, Jedi Master.Marchion Ro is the Eye of the Nihil. The Keeper of the paths in which the Nihil use to creep through the galaxy. He's not quite the leader of the organization, but without him, the Nihil wouldn't be anything special. They'd have to use the same hyperspace lanes as everyone else. Marchion has his secrets. Some that would most certainly bring about an untimely death had the high ranked Nihil called the Tempest Runners, had they found out his big secret. Marchion's past is also shrouded in mystery. So much more could be said about this character, but after-all, this is a spoiler free review.Porter Engle, (once known as the Blade of Bardotta) - He's an Ikkrukki, who's served in the Jedi Order over 300 years. He's held many positions in the Order. Now, with old age, he likes to cook in the small outpost of the planet Ephrona. He's wise, skilled, & cocky. He is ready and willing to give his spirit over to the force when his time is up.OVERALL THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this book I thought it was a good story to tell to kick of a new era in Star Wars. Charles Soule does an excellent job writing new characters, planets, and planting a few little easter eggs throughout the novel.Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi expands the Force and the Universe in the most impressive way.The villains are complex and very interesting to read about. There are many layers to some of the characters, both hero and villain. I love that there are established characters in the book that aren't invincible. Many aspects of the story including character outcomes and plot points are unpredictable. But yes, there are a few things that are easily predicable. Still, the character development was extraordinary. I can't wait to read more about some of the Jedi we were introduced to in this book as well as what comes of some of the villains.Light of the Jedi reveals new layers of the Force and adds Character's you're not going to get enough of!Some story elements came across a little cheesy, but overall, it was really good. While Charles Soule does a great job with descriptions, dialogue, and character development, there are a few minor things that took me out of the Star Wars universe. This is me just being petty, but the use of words like gun & drugs, shouldn't be used. Let's just stick to blaster & spice. However, Soule had many poetic ways of saying things that I found most impressive.Do I recommend you pick up Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi? Yes. A great way to introduce a new era in Star WarsRATING: I give this novel an A

Charles has a deep appreciation and understanding of the star wars universe that makes him one of the best authors for the role, along with Claudia.Buckle up for an untapped era that fans like myself have been wanting to see for a while. I recommend anyone who likes star wars to read this book.

I really wanted to like this. Obviously I love the Old Republic and this basically override that so I was initially annoyed by that. However, I wanted to give this new era a chance. They introduce too many characters too quickly and it's impossible to keep up. I can only remember the names of a few. Avar Kriss most notably as it's written over and over. The whole chapter before the interlude is Unintentionally hilarious. All the jedi coming together to use the force as one is cool and all, but when they die from getting distracted in their spacecraft and crash or full off a precarious tower, it's just laughably ridiculous. This new era is almost campy, like this constant "we are all the republic" message is just cringe inducing. This new era had diversity and promoting idealistic ideas as it's main goal. Which is not a bad thing. It is good to have more female and people of colour representation. However, the way they are delivering it feels ingenuine and like a corporate person came in with a checkboard and ticked off the boxes.They really should have focused on setting up a main character for this novel. In their presentation video they did say they were against having a main character and for it to be an ensemble. I'd agree with that for the overall era, however, for a novel it doesn't work. They should have focused on Avar Kriss. She does seem like an interesting character, however, at the moment she is flawless. You can tell this was written by a guy. To write a good strong female character you don't just make them perfect. Luke Skywalker is a good example, at several times he gives into to the dark and then rises above. To be flawed but to overcome it is much more interesting and makes for a much stronger character. Much more than just making a perfect person.Also, Kriss's constant metaphor of the force being a song was interesting at first, but it was beaten like a dead horse and just became ridiculous and cringe.I've only read up to the second half and just seen the Nihil. I really hope this book improves from there now we have an actual threat. As of now, this is genuinely disappointing and I honestly might have to ask for a refund. This might be because I've been reading the original Heir to the Empire books and those are genuinely amazing and much more fascinating.I'll update and change my score if it improves in the second half. Fingers crossed it does.P.S the new cross blade lightsabre designs and vector ships are cool as hell

I do not post reviews normally, as a fan of Star wars i wanted to give this a go for a part of the time line not looked at before.However this author Charles Soule my god this guy can not write! It is so painfully dull to read there is no flow at all it is like I'm being described the story instead of being allowed to use my imagination.I will not be reading anything else by this author if you want to read something entertaining please go read something by Drew Karpyshy, Timothy Kahn, Sean Williams or James Lucero. This was painful to read.

The book should have stuck to 3 main characters, instead you constantly get the flow of the action ruined by a new chapter continuing on a previous "tense" "impossible but somehow do-able" situation, that feels like it should have been resolved hours ago.Before being whipped away again to another situation when the action ramps up.Not to speak of the mostly boring villains. The forgettable jedi. The cast of characters are so big that none of the emotional moments and impacts matter at all. I've felt more for the guy waiting for his girl at the start of the first chapter than anyone else.The author repeats some lines to death. I am at 90% read and it's been an incredible chore. I feel like a little under a quarter of the book is just repeated lines and slogans. This book has a thing for "the light" and "we are all the republic." And impossible situations that somehow get super easy, not an inconvenience when it repeats again and again in the flow of the story.This book was a disappointment and all it feels like is set up and a boring springboard for all the characters we don't care about yet.I wish they would also have gone back farther in time than a measly 400 years in a galaxy so big.I can't believe I wasted money on this. I will not be reading anything by this author again. He may write good comics, but his novel feels like comic issues that were cut up and haphazardly pasted in different places.It lacks Soule and good main characters.

Regretably this book is not well structured. There is no central character or group to follow. Characters are introduced, then they die. More characters are introduced they do a tiny thing and then it moves to something else.Whilst I've not read jedi books before, the power levels of some Jedi here are at GOD level, effortless preventing planetary extinction at interplanetary range...if only Obi Wan could have done that! One never gets to 'know' any of these many Jedi, they are just names and occassional reference to being green skinned.Also space is big, debris as described shouldnt be able to regularly hit oribital platforms like its a flight of guided missiles. I suspect that the need to world build the high rrpublic setting and name-check characters from other stories has compromised the core of this story. Becausr of the lack of narrow focus, It ends up playing like a TV report of an earthquake in a foreign land rather than the actual experience.

Physical product & delivery:The book arrived on time, but there was a smudge on the back of the dust cover (hardback). The books interior was good with no creases, printing errors or stains.The Book:A new (or more accurately an old) era in the star wars Universe begins here with the first instalment of the Star Wars Saga set in the "High Republic". The Hight Republic, formally known as "project luminous" during production, is a publishing campaign set out by lucasfilm which sets to open up a new frontier of the star wars universe in which the publishing side of the company takes the lead in development (similarly to how the "Old Republic" was developed by the gaming section of Lucasfilm years prior).Time line wise this first instalment of the High republic is set 200 year prior to the events of The Phantom Menace and around 800 years after the end of the last Jedi-Sith war (after which Darth Bane implemented the "rule of two" and took the Sith into hiding, perpetuating rumors regarding the orders extinction). Bar a few localised skirmishes and pirate raids the Star Wars galaxy is, surprisingly, at peace and as a result of this apparent peace the Galactic republic is expanding. Prospectors are flocking to the Outer Rim territories to start new lives on a new frontier and the Galactic Republic, under the leadership of Chancellor Lina Soh, is embarking on a number of construction projects, or "great works", to bring the galaxy together and the furthers reaches of the newly colonised outer rim with the vastly populated worlds of the core. The mantra espoused during this period is "we are the Republic", and although this mantra starts off sounding corny and idealistic we come to realise that this is a mantra by which many people live their lives and justify their actions. In a franchise where one group such as the rebellion or the republic defines itself by not being the opposition (the empire or the separatists), having a Republic define itself by this mantra during a period where it has no opposition is strange (corny and cheesy), but it also makes sense given the pioneering/frontier-esq setting of this timeline. But Star Wars would not be Star Wars unless there was some kind of calamity to move our plot forward, and this is where the High Republic begins.The first 140-pages of the book deals with "the great disaster", a calamity involving hyperspace which is initially treated like a natural disaster. Its during this first third that we are introduce to our High Republic Jedi, and it is at this point that we're made aware that this book follows an ensemble cast of characters rather than just one or two protagonists. Chapters are divided between different characters through which we are able to view the fallout and chaos caused by this disaster both in space as well as on the surface of the worlds affected, but we are also introduced to our various Jedi and gain an understanding of how the order operates during this time of peace, not through expositional dialogues but instead through their responses to this disaster. The ensemble nature of this book may not be to every ones liking (such as though who don't like the changing narratives of the "Song of Ice and Fire" series) but on a personal level I enjoyed it as it allowed us to gain a wider view of events, characters and the universe they inhabit. Throughout this first part of the book we get to experience the Jedi at the height of their power, not only in their numbers but also through their use of the force and their understanding of it. Unlike the Jedi we see come the Phantom menace who are unable to sense or identify the presence of their adversary whilst he sits across from them in the same room these High Republic Jedi come across as having a greater sense of understanding of their powers and are fare more entuned to the force. They're brave, caring, and kind but they're willing to take action if needed and are not above seeking advice and help from others. They are depicted as a noble and honourable order, embodying Obi-Wan Kenobi's original description of them as keepers of Pace and order which fuelled so many imaginations so many years ago.Following the events of "the great disaster" we are finally introduced to one of the two new Villains for the High Republic: The Nihil (the seconds set of Villains, The Drengir, will be introduced in the Young Adult book "Into the Dark", comming out in February 2021 - 1 month after Light of the Jedi). Prior to the publication of Light of the Jedi the Nihil were described as a chaotic group of marauders almost akin to space Vikings, but without any code of honour or creed. I'll admit that before reading the book I was intrigued to find out how the Nihil could be such a threat to the Jedi and the Republic (after all, the Sith have left some big shoes to fill), and upon our introduction to them I was intrigued by them and their "rule of three", but I still wasn't really sold on them as a threat to the Jedi... that is until the end. Unlike the Sith before who's mythology in the films pre-existed their appearance as the ancient enemies of the Jedi, and thus we see Palpatine not as the beginning of their mythology but the accumulation of millennia of myths and legends, the mythology of the Nihil begins here. By the end of the book I was convinced that these Nihil did pose a threat to the Jedi, and through the narrative we do see them as a threat to the Republic. Their presence and association with the "great disaster" highlighting that although the Jedi and Republic are in a golden age, it is an age where conflict has been lacking, so how would a republic which prioritises building and unifying (and a Jedi order focussed on peace, order and scholarly achievements) react to the reintroduction of conflict and chaos to the galaxy?Light of the Jedi kick starts the High Republic with a bang and opens up the way for many new stories and sagas (of varying genres) focussing on a cast of new and interesting characters in a galaxy which, old and familiar, is presented as new and unknown. Unlike many of the previous Star Wars books to have come out following the disney acquisition of Lucasfilm which, although good, felt like supplementary media to advertise (and correct plot errors) for the then soon-to-be released television shows, games and films "the Light of the Jedi" is able to stretch its narrative wings and tell large scale, galaxy impacting stories without having to worry about whether or not it contradicts the synopsis of the next show or film like the Old Republic games before it. We have new characters to invest in whose fates are unknown to use and whose stories could lead us to any destination, and new star ships whose unique designs would be a wonder to behold in other interactive media forms. Like the Old Republic games before the High Republic publication initiative is not required reading for the newest star wars films and series coming out in the cinema or on streaming services, but it does (currently) offer you a new and fresh entry into the star wars universe which doesn't require you to understand several years worth of publication history to understand. But narratively speaking the Light of the Jedi (and the High Republic as a whole) posses this one question to us: what happens to the Republic and the Jedi in the 200 years between Light of the Jedi and the Phantom Menace which see's the Republic fall from its Golden age, and the Jedi from the height of their power to the point where a Sith Lord is able to take control and manipulate both with nobody being the wiser?