See the special edition cover for Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi

Star Wars has unveiled a new special edition cover of the soon-to-be-released Light of the Jedi High Republic novel.

With the new year right around the corner, that means a new era of Star Wars is going to kick off: The High Republic series. And in this highly anticipated series, Star Wars will delve into the golden age of the Jedi, roughly 200 years prior to the events in Episode I. So far, Star Wars has extensively been covering The High Republic series, as have we, when it comes to previewing what’s to come. And now, with just over a month to go, Star Wars has unveiled a new cover for Light of the Jedi.

The full title of the upcoming book is Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, written by Charles Soule. A bit of a mouthful of a title, but make no mistake, it should be an exciting tale as it introduces the world to the High Republic era in novel form. This will be the first novel released from the series, in fact, and it will be out on Jan. 5, 2021.

When that date arrives, for book-lovers, it looks like you’ll have your choice: the original cover or the special edition version. In the original cover, the Jedi stand tall and proud, wielding their lightsabers. But in the special edition of the book (with art by Jama Jurabaev), the Jedi rush against their enemies on horseback (or space-horseback) while on the back cover, their enemies charge against them. You can take a look at the cover down below. And for a full look at the front and back cover, you can see it on the Star Wars Leaks subreddit.

This special edition will only be available from Out of Print on Jan. 5, 2021, the same day as the regular edition. And of course, with this being a special edition print, it will cost almost double the original price, $50. The good news is that these will be signed copies from author Charles Soule and there are some extra goodies included. This special edition bundle comes with High Republic socks as well as a neat High Republic enamel pin. (You can see photos of those over on Laughing Place.)

So, it’s not a bad deal for the major Star Wars fans out there. Getting a special copy of the book will make it that much more memorable. Additionally, as a bonus, Out of Print notes on its page, “Each purchase helps to fund literacy programs and book donations to communities in need.”

Speaking to StarWars.com in an interview published today, Soule commented on what he hopes fans will get out of this book when reading it. Judging by the interview, he put a lot of time and effort into writing the book, and it should show when fans start reading. Here’s what he had to say:

"I’m hoping that readers love The High Republic and cannot get enough and cannot wait to read more and cannot wait to see what these characters do, all their trials and tribulations, successes and failures. I’m hoping that it really feels like Star Wars to everyone who reads it and gives people that sense of joy that all good Star Wars gives you. We’re getting it now with The Mandalorian, and I got it when I saw A New Hope for the first time. That thrilling rush of, “Oh wow, how are they going to get out of this one?” And then they do and you can’t believe it! All of the huge sort of messy wonderful stew that is Star Wars.This is going to sound maybe a little melodramatic or emotional or whatever, but that idea that “We are all the Republic.” Those five words. I think that that’s a really important idea, especially these days. And you know if there was ever a time to hang together and help each other out it’s now. So that’s the thematic thing I hope people take away. That we are all the Republic."

Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi is available everywhere books are sold on Jan. 5, 2021.