Cover Artwork Revealed for Charles Soule’s “Trials of the Jedi”– the Final Novel In Lucasfilm’s “The High Republic” Initiative

It's all been leading to this since January of 2021.

Fans of Lucasfilm Publishing’s sprawling Star Wars: The High Republic initiative should be very excited for this spring and early summer, which will see the climactic conclusion to this three-phase story that takes place hundreds of years prior to the events of the Star Wars films. And today publisher Random House Worlds and author Charles Soule revealed the cover to the upcoming and highly anticipated Trials of the Jedi, which will serve as the final adult-targeted novel in the series.

What’s happening:

  • This morning (via an exclusive post on Gizmodo) the official cover artwork was revealed for Star Wars: The High Republic – Trials of the Jedi, the final novel in Lucasfilm Publishing’s ambitious multi-platform initiative, which has been running for four years now and was always planned as a three-phase narrative.
  • The cover art (see below) is by artist Grant Griffin, who previously contributed artwork to Star Wars: Myths & Fables, Star Wars: Dark Legends, and Star Wars: Life Day Treasury, in addition to other releases in The High Republic initiative.
  • Trials of the Jedi will be published this June by Random House Worlds.

What they’re saying:

  • Author Charles Soule (via Gizmodo): “Trials of the Jedi is an epic. The stakes are as high as they could possibly get—the Jedi we’ve come to know and love are facing an impossible challenge that could end with not just the destruction of their Order, but the galaxy as a whole. The Jedi and their allies step up to defend the light even when all around them is darkness. I wrote it to grab readers from page one and never let go. It’s intense stuff; a tale of great heroism and sacrifice.”
  • “This book is the big finale of a story that’s been told across novels, comics, young adult, middle grade and children’s books for four years, with the payoffs and character beats and reveals fans have been waiting for—just a non-stop thrill ride that uses every bit of the emotional investment fans have in these Jedi and all their friends. That said, it was important to me to write it so it would also work if you pick it up on its own. Every Star Wars story could be someone’s first, and I wanted to make sure Trials of the Jedi could serve as an introduction to the galaxy far, far away at its best. So, whether you’ve been closely following the story that began with Light of the Jedi back in 2021, or you’ve been dipping in and out, or perhaps haven’t read anything beyond Light, even if you’re entirely new to the High Republic era—this story is written for you.”

Star Wars: The High Republic – Trials of the Jedi will be released on Tuesday, June 17th, and is available for pre-order right now.

Mike Celestino
Mike serves as Laughing Place's lead Southern California reporter, Editorial Director for Star Wars content, and host of the weekly "Who's the Bossk?" Star Wars podcast. He's been fascinated by Disney theme parks and storytelling in general all his life and resides in Burbank, California with his beloved wife and cats.