Star Wars: The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life has received a new release update. The short story anthology features ten stories focused on various characters from Phase I and Phase II of the High Republic publishing initiative, though only the Barnes & Noble edition will feature the tenth story titled “Rogue Element.”
The book will resolve numerous storylines from the previous Phases while also setting up Phase III. Each story is written by a different High Republic author: Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Lydia Kang, George Mann, Daniel José Older, Claudia Gray, Justina Ireland, Cavan Scott, Charles Soule, and Alyssa Wong.
Michael Siglain, Creative Director of Lucasfilm Publishing, has clarified that all formats of the book will be releasing on September 5, other than the copies that were already sold exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con. While the physical copy of the book was always going to release on this day, the ebook was previously going to be released earlier on August 1.
For those of you asking, "SWTHR: Tales of Light and Life" was sold exclusively at SDCC during the show, and will be released into the wild on September 5th. This goes for the physical book, ebook, audio book, and the B&N special edition. #MTFBWY pic.twitter.com/UGGfHl2vkf
— Michael Siglain (@msiglain) July 25, 2023
Even though this update means that most readers will have to wait longer, it is good news for those concerned about spoilers. Those planning to wait for the physical copy no longer need to worry about avoiding spoilers from those who have read the ebook. This has been an issue for some previous High Republic releases, such as Mission to Disaster, as the ebook and audiobook were released on January 4, 2022, but the physical book was not released until March 1, 2022.
The fan-favorite Wookiee Jedi Burryaga Agaburry will return in Tales of Light and Life, with his survival and upcoming appearance confirmed during The High Republic Show. Burryaga’s short story will reveal how he survived rathtars and the destruction of Starlight Beacon during The Fallen Star while also setting up his role in Phase III.
An excerpt via Entertainment Weekly revealed that Gray’s story “After the Fall” will be told from the perspective of Affie Hollow, who first debuted in Gray’s Phase I novel Into the Dark. This story will provide more insight into the aftermath of Starlight Beacon’s destruction from Affie’s point of view.
As for Phase II characters, Tales of Light and Life will feature more of characters such as Marda Ro, Axel Greylark, and the Mother/Elecia Zeveron, wrapping up their stories to pave the way for Phase III, which takes place only a year after Phase I instead of 150 years earlier as Phase II did.
Tales of Light and Life is poised to be a must-read for the High Republic as it bridges all the Phases together.
Which characters are you most excited to read about in Tales of Light and Life? Let us know in the comments!