New John Jackson Miller Star Wars novel will have High Republic connections

A new Star Wars book by John Jackson Miller, called The Living Force, is releasing in 2024. It is the first novel set in a galaxy far, far away that the author has written since A New Dawn (2014), though he has published several short stories set in the universe between then and now.

According to the book’s official synopsis, there are expected to be small connections to The High Republic era — part of a publishing initiative that has so far included novels, reference books, comics, audio dramas, and manga.

“As yet another Jedi Outpost left over from the Republic’s golden age is set to be decommissioned on the planet Kwenn,” part of the synopsis reads, “Qui-Gon Jinn challenges the Council about the Order’s increasing isolation.”

The “golden age” referenced above is a not-so-subtle nod to the era of the Republic that featured Jedi such as Avar Kriss, Loden Greatstorm, and more — all fan-favorite characters who live exclusively in the published pages of the era once called “Project Luminous.”

The Living Force, set one year before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, will feature all 12 Jedi Council members as they embark on a joint mission that — in true Star Wars fashion — isn’t going to go the way they planned.

Throughout the High Republic’s publishing schedule, readers have wondered how the Jedi Order of the era transformed into the Order we’re more familiar with — that of the Galactic Republic of the prequel trilogy. This book will likely contribute heavily to showing the Jedi’s state of mind during this time, before the Sith emerge from the shadows and change the course of galactic history forever.

But you don’t need to have read anything from The High Republic to appreciate and enjoy Miller’s new book, according to Del Rey Senior Editor Tom Hoeler.

The book “is not ‘part of’ the High Republic, and doesn’t require any previous THR reading to enjoy,” he clarified on Twitter following the book announcement and pointing out the reference in the synopsis. “This was merely to illustrate how that era can now ripple forward to open up new story possibilities.”

The more stories Star Wars tells, the more stories in Star Wars can pull from previous installments to further expand and enrich the universe. While Miller’s book neither requires previous reading nor qualifies as required reading for Star Wars fans, it will serve the purpose it was built to serve: Offering a new perspective — or 12 new perspectives, if we’re being technical — on the galaxy, the people in it, and the various weights on their shoulders.

Reading The High Republic in general — again, not a requirement — adds new context to the prequel era, showing where the Jedi used to stand and what they used to stand for. As it goes on, it shows the big and small ways the galaxy changed the Order. It is worth reading. It is worth incorporating into more future projects. It is worth celebrating.

Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller is set to release in April 2024.

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