The Acolyte is the first live-action project set in the unexplored timeline of the High Republic era. Several Star Wars novels and comic book stories connect to the series.
Immerse yourself in the rich lore of the High Republic era, as about 30 novels and comics delve deep into this period.
While The Acolyte takes place after these books and comics, it’s a treasure trove of lore waiting to be explored. Uncover the secrets of this interesting timeline and enhance your viewing experience.
So, without further ado, here are the five Star Wars novels that complement The Acolyte.
The High Republic: Light of the Jedi
Written by Charles Soule, this canon novel is the first volume in Star Wars: The High Republic.
Published by Del Rey in January 2021, it is set two centuries before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
The story follows Jedi Master Avar Kriss and the other Jedi as the Order faces a new threat called Nihil.
The book was a success as the first story about the High Republic, debuting at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In addition to Avara, it also introduces Elzar Mann, Bell Zettifar, and the Wookie Burryaga Agaburry as they deal with a catastrophic event called the Great Disaster.
The High Republic: A Test of Courage
The High Republic: A Test of Courage is a canon middle-grade novel by Justina Ireland.
Published in January 2021 by Disney-Lucasfilm Press, it’s also set 200 years before The Phantom Menace and follows a teenage Vernestra Rwoh.
Alongside a young ragtag group, they become stranded on a jungle moon after the Great Hyperspace Disaster.
At 16, Vernestra was tasked with supervising 12-year-old aspiring inventor Avon Starros on a cruiser headed to the new space station Starlight Beacon.
However, their journey turned into a disaster after bombs went off board the cruiser.
Though they managed to escape the explosion, their communications and supplies were low, so they decided to land on a nearby moon. Little did they know that more danger lurked in the forest.
The High Republic: Race to Crashpoint Tower
Another canon middle-grade novel is The High Republic: Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel Jose Older.
It follows the story of Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram, who hides in his favourite place, a dingy garage filled with mechanical parts and tools.
But when the security alarm goes off, he goes on a journey with his trusty droid, V-18, to investigate.
The two discover that someone has turned off Valo’s communications tower, hinting that Valo and the Republic Fair are in danger.
The High Republic: Out of Shadows
Also written by Justina Ireland and published by Disney-Lucasfilm Press, The High Republic: Out of Shadows tells the story of Syvestri Yarro, who has experienced a streak of bad luck.
Despite doing her best to keep the family business after her mother's death, she’s about to lose everything with the mounting debut and the increasing attacks of the Nihil.
She goes to Coruscant and meets Vernestra Rwoh; the two journey to the past to discover the truth behind the shadows.
The High Republic: Mission to Disaster
Initially released as an e-book by Disney-Lucasfilm Press and written by Justina Ireland, with illustrations by Petur Antonsson, The High Republic: Mission to Disaster sees Vernestra mistakenly believing that the Nihil marauders are already defeated.
However, a Nihil attack has again begun on Port Haileap, dashing Vernestra’s hopes of peacefully training her Padawan Imri Cantaros.
After the marauders have abducted Imri’s friend, Avon Starros, Vernestra, and Imri go to find Avon while the latter fights for survival.
The High Republic: Defy the Storm
A young-adult novel by Justine Ireland and Tessa Gratton, The High Republic: Defy the Storm features the Nihil’s establishment of an Occlusion Zone in the Outer Rim.
The villains have stranded hundreds of worlds behind their Stormwall, blocking communications while losing or destroying ships.
This makes the Republic helpless; the Jedi Knights have become fearful of Marchion Ro’s Nameless creatures, which they now believe are real and dangerous.
The High Republic: Temptation of the Force
The recently published The High Republic: Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton is a significant story in the overall High Republic saga.
Though it focuses on Jedi Masters Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann’s relationship, who need to confront their desires amid the Republic’s conflict with the Nihil, they lead the Jedi and Republic in a fight against the Nihil and their Nameless creatures.
But aside from the Nihil, a new danger looms when a mysterious blight starts to spread across the galaxy. It infects everything in its path, turning it into dust.
Though these novels aren’t directly connected to The Acolyte, there’s no denying that they have inspired the show.
Four episodes into the series, it has already shown several nods to the books, from the Jedi Vectors to the Jedi Temples scattered across the galaxy to the introduction of Vernestra in live-action.
The show also features Jedi wearing regal white roles and changing into different attire when on a mission.
However, viewers needn’t worry, as prior knowledge of the High Republic is not required to understand The Acolyte.
The Acolyte Episodes 1 to 4 are available on Disney+, while new episodes release every Tuesday.
READ MORE: Star Wars Merch Reveals First Look at New Jedi Order Logo