Sometimes, it’s the simple things which build up excitement for a book, one usually being the cover, another being an excerpt, and lastly a special poster or something like that. With this week’s news, we get a great cover and additional details on the upcoming The High Republic – The Edge of Balance Vol. 3, while with April’s The Living Force novel…WE GET A MAP!!! Which, I get might not sound that exciting, but given how prevalent maps used to be in Star Wars novels, it’s a welcomed return! And hey, there’s a great new poster and the novel’s first excerpt too! Head below to see it all!
We’ll kick off the news coverage with The High Republic – The Edge of Balance Vol. 3, which sees Shima Shinya return alongside Daniel José Older, as well as illustrator Mizuki Sakakibara, for Phase III’s entry in the manga series. The first two volumes were very enjoyable, though Phase II ender The Edge of Balance: Precedent was a truly unforgettable experience, especially for how it has set up some vital aspects to the larger story, as seen by Azlin Rell’s Phase III return in Shadows of Starlight #1/The Eye of Darkness. The focus for Vol. 3 is back on Lily Tora-Asi, who didn’t heed the call back to Coruscant after Starlight Beacon’s fall, and instead stayed on Banchii with Sav Malagan, while the younglings Nima and Viv’Nia went with the refugees to Coruscant. Vol. 3 looks to also pick up the threads of Precedent, as Arkoff returns to dig into old mysteries, gaining a gorgeous cover for his troubles. Each cover represents the four seasons, at least of the main Volume entries, so does that mean we’ll get a Vol. 4 before Phase III ends? Maybe we’ll find out when it releases August 13!
Here’s the official blurb:
The destruction of Starlight Beacon also destroys the peace once protected by the great Jedi of the High Republic Era. In the year since Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi defied the Council’s order to return to Coruscant, the Nihil continued to storm through the galaxy, advancing in from the Outer Rim and expanding their territory. Despite the encroaching Stormwall, Lily stands her ground and reestablishes Banchii’s Jedi Temple. Banchii is not to be abandoned and its long-held secrets begin to unfurl as Jedi Master Arkoff returns to connect the pieces to a mystery long buried.
Now let’s turn out attention to John Jackson Miller’s The Living Force, the novel which features all members of the Jedi Council going on a retreat after a challenge by Qui-Gon Jinn. We got our very first excerpt from the novel, which features a scene of the Council discussing Qui-Gon’s proposal, which should give readers a great taste of what Miller has cooking. Alongside this excerpt came the reveal of a map for Kwenn, the key location of the novel which saw itself reborn under the High Republic’s Great Works initiatives, with details for all the little keys one can visit on the planet. The colorized and annotated version is only available with the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition, though every copy of the book, from the hardcover, the ebook, to the audiobook (separate download) will have a black and white, un-annotated version! Also in the B&N edition, the lovely painting of some members of the Jedi Council by Oliver Cuthbertson! Check it and the map out below! The Living Force is out April 9, but review embargoes lift March 26, so check back to the Manor then for our review (I’m already almost done with mine)!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Bluesky, Twitter @MynockManor, and Instagram @mynockmanor.