The High Republic introduces new Jedi with an interesting parallel to Rey

Star Wars fans are in for another treat next month as the next book in The High Republic series is set to launch on Feb. 2. (Yes, that’s about three books in the span of a month!) The next Star Wars novel will be by Claudia Gray called Into the Dark, and Star Wars’ newest web show gave us a new look at one of the characters in the book.

In the Star Wars: The High Republic Show on Wednesday, host Krystina Arielle revealed the new character’s name is Jedi Orla Jareni, who is a “Wayseeker.” By this, Orla is able to listen to the Force, and it’s able to guide her. During the show, they also debuted two sketches of the character, and she has a fascinating resemblance to a certain character in the sequel trilogy: Rey.

We aren’t saying this is a distant relative of Rey’s. (Well, this Jedi would have to be a Palpatine in order for that to happen.) But Orla Jareni’s character features the return of the collapsable dual-sided lightsaber, something we saw Rey wielding in The Rise of Skywalker. Of course, when it was Rey wielding this type of lightsaber, it was actually “Dark Rey” who we saw, and her lightsaber was red. But in this photo, we see Orla is truly of the light — down to her white hooded robe and her white lightsaber.

How Orla Jareni fits in into the Dark

Last week, Star Wars gave us a preview of Into the Dark by sharing an excerpt from the young adult novel, and Orla was mentioned in it.

The excerpt revolved around protagonist Padawan Reath Silas, who was with Orla and other Jedi getting ready to board a ship that was departing for Starlight Beacon in the Outer Rim. As we know from the synopsis, something goes wrong on their way to the space station, and with Orla coming along, we know she will be impacted by this disaster as well.

And despite Reath being the protagonist, Star Wars also revealed that the story will go back to feature flashbacks about Orla’s life, from her time as a Padawan to becoming a Jedi. So it looks like Orla will have an important role in this story. But as for what happens next? We’ll just have to read the book to find out what.

For more High Republic news, follow the Books category on Dork Side of the Force.