Star Wars: The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 1: Balance of the Force by Cavan Scott, Ario Anindito

Star Wars: The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 1: Balance of the Force by Cavan Scott, Ario Anindito-120 pages

I enjoy Star Wars and graphic novels, so I checked this out. I didn't like it as much as I expected, actually. It's set during the High Republic, approximately 150 years before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Jedi Knight Villar Mac arrives on Jedha to help guard the Convocation and the Guardians of the Whills. The Jedi are there to keep the peace and only interfere when asked for help. A new threat is revealed and riots erupt in the streets near the Convocation because of this new threat. I thought this would be more of a mystery and keep me more engaged, but it was just okay. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Out of the Shadows (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Justina Ireland

 Out of the Shadows (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Justina Ireland-423 pages

I really enjoyed reading this book set during the High Republic. It seems the Nihil are going to be the major threat throughout this time period and these books. Familiar characters appear in this book including Reath Silas and Master Cohmac. The story begins at Starlight Beacon but spans many familiar and new locales. Vernestra (Vern) Wroh and her Padawan Imri are called to Coruscant by her former Master, Stellan Gios. They are given a mission that seems inconsequential at first. However, the mission turns out to be much more than they bargained for. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I liked this book. 

Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray

 Into the Dark (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Claudia Gray-425 pages

Reath Silas, Padawan to Jedi Master and Council member Jora Malli, is enthralled with studying for endless hours in the Jedi Archives on Coruscant. He loves reading stories of past adventures and travels, but is not keen to go on adventures of his own. He has travelled, but does not find it very enjoyable. When his Master, Jora Malli, informs him that she has accepted a post on the Outer Rim at the newly completed Starlight Beacon Reath does not take it well. However, events unfold and Reath and other Jedi (Cohmac Vitus and Orla Jareni) inadvertently encounter a new enemy on the Outer Rim that will test their limits. The Nihil (who were introduced in "Light of the Jedi") are in play in this story, also. Reath's Master, Jora, dies during the events of "Light of the Jedi" and Reath must deal with her loss. Will he thrive or will he wither? Who will he choose as his new Master? I really liked the ending of this book. Claudia Gray is my favorite author of new Disney Can Star Wars novels. 

Light of the Jedi (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Charles Soule

Light of the Jedi (Star Wars: The High Republic) by Charles Soule-380 pages

 

This is the first book in the new "High Republic" series of Star Wars. It is 200 years before the events of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace." The Chancellor, Lina Soh, has a saying that she wants to become synonymous with the Republic: "We are all the Republic." A new threat has revealed itself to the Republic and to the Jedi. It is called the Nihil and it is a group of marauder pirates who have access to hyperspace routes/paths that no else does. A disaster occurs in the Hetzal system related to the Nihil that threatens billions of lives. However, the Republic soon learns that it could be billions or trillions more lives at stake if the Nihil are not stopped. New Jedi and other characters are introduced in addition to Chancellor Soh (including Jedi Master Avar Kriss, Jedi Knight Elzar Mann, and others). This book is a good introduction to this new series/era of Star Wars. I eagerly await the rest of the new books in this series coming out soon. In fact, I am now reading "Into the Dark," which is the next book in this series and it is written by Claudia Gray (author of several previous Star Wars novels that I enjoyed).