These were some excellent sample chapters! I am very excited for where these High Republic stories are going. I love seeing the Jedi at their best and the variety of Jedi depicted is pretty cool as well. The diverseness of the order and the background to the characters is just excellent. My only complaint was that the sample from the first book was way too short, it was hard to see where that one was going, although the characters introduced seem interesting. The second sample by Claudia Gray was very good and bummed me out when it ended!!! I am so looking forward to these and all the other High Republic titles. Would love to read more and will definitely be recommending to my customers!!

I am super excited for The High Republic releases this winter! It was fun to see some of each of these stories targeted at younger audiences. Before I read them, I was more excited for the new Justina Ireland story, but now I think I'm more excited about the new Claudia Gray story.

A Test of Courage works to draw the reader with its emphasis on characters and active voice. Into the Dark boasts an interesting premise and intriguing Star Wars lore, though the prose could feel clunky at times and perhaps could have benefited from more a more showing vs. telling approach. Both talented authors, however, and looking forward to reading the full novels!

I loved the new glimpses into the Star Wars universe! The protagonists in each story were relatable and well written. I'm very excited to read the full books and write up a full review on both of the novels!

The High Republic Era adventures are something I’ve been looking forward to since the “Project Luminous” reveal back in February and these samples definitely fueled my excitement. Both samples were intriguing in their own way and I thoroughly enjoyed them; however, I wish the samples were a little longer because I didn’t want to stop reading! From what I can tell so far, the vibes in this era are certainly different from what we’re used to, and I can’t wait to explore what this time in the galaxy’s history has to offer.

I very much enjoyed the samples of both books. I liked the characters from the start and I am looking forward to learn more about them and get to know more about the High Republic Era as well. I cannot wait to read the books in their entirety!

Just a review pack. It was fun and I think I might give both a chance if I saw them on a shelf sooner than later TBH.

Problems in Hyperspace cause issues for all the characters in these two Star Wars High Council novels. After only a couple chapters each, I'm already so interested to find out more about each of these characters and the mystery behind whats going on with Hyperspace. Also, all these problems to get to the Starlight Beacon, why? Is it really going to be 'the ray of hope' for the outer rim? Can't wait to find out when these books are released early 2021.

I really enjoyed these chapter samples and I look forward to reading the finished books! I am definitely looking forward to diving in to the High Republic era of the Star Wars universe and learning more about all of this characters.

The High Republic is an ambitious, collaborative, and exciting project set in a galaxy far, far away and in an era a little farther away from the films we know and love.

With Justina Ireland’s A Test of Courage, it’s interesting to get the perspective of a character who has only recently passed the trials of Jedi Knighthood. Vernestra’s rocky relationship with Avon Starros is entertaining and intriguing. Starros is an especially fun character considering her connection to Han Solo’s and Doctor Aphra’s frenemy/lover from the Marvel comics. At times, the story seemed a little juvenile, a problem I don’t often run into when reading Star Wars books—even middle grade/young readers—but I am hopeful that the story develops and deepens beyond the introductory chapters.

With Into the Dark, Claudia Gray writes the story of bookworm/historian Reath Silas who is dragged into an adventure he would rather not take. Gray has cemented her place among the greatest Star Wars writers with masterpieces such as Lost Stars and Master and Apprentice. After making her home run debut with original characters Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell, star-crossed lovers on opposite sides of the Galactic Civil War, Gray proceeded to write legacy characters for numerous consecutive books—Leia Organa, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. One of Gray’s strengths, however, is her creation of original characters. Drafting her to write a story with all-new characters in an all-new era is rife with possibilities.

A couple of moments in the opening salvo to Into the Dark left me scratching my head, however. There are references to a “singing sensation” Jedi and underage drinking Padawan drinking both stood out as especially odd and abruptly halted the flow of the story for me.

Into the Dark’s strong suits, however, far outweigh my complaints. The incorporation of Padawan relationships similar to what Gray established between Qui-Gon Jinn and Rael Aveross in Master and Apprentice is especially well-done. It’s very interesting to think about all-star, “illustrious” Jedi Dez Rydan through the perspective of Reath Silas. Both shared the same master and have a kinship of sorts, capitalizing on a strong element of Gray’s previous work. Furthermore, the massive cast of diverse Jedi is jaw-dropping, each with their own unique qualities.

Overall, there are a few standout details in the sampler that make for a compelling spark to ignite the fire of intrigue that will leave you itching to get the books in their entirety—along with the other titles in Phase One of the publishing program. It was delightful to see Vernestra mentioned in Into the Dark, especially after having just recently been introduced to the fiery young Jedi in A Test of Courage. The authors’ collaboration is already shining through in the books’ opening chapters. Secondly, several lore elements introduced in the sampler fit into Star Wars wonderfully. The concept of a Wayseeker, a Jedi who operates outside of the authority of the Council, is mentioned in passing reference. I was eager to hear more about such Jedi! There’s clearly enormous potential in this era.

A tantalizing look at what Justina Ireland and Claudia Gray have in store for us when the High Republic books start hitting the shelves. I was already looking forward to the new titles, but now I can't wait to get my hands on them!

Great teaser chapters.
This book is going to flow through familiar and new both tides.
Looking forward to the books when they come out.👍

I'm really touched by these few pages, this project feels amazing: so fresh and yet so familiar, so well written and carefully crafted. I have already bonded with these new characters, everyone feels special and I care about them so much. Every page contains new and old aliens, new and old locations, lore, and flashbacks. The galaxy truly feels alive.
I'm amazed and so happy with this and cannot really wait to read the books. It's everything I've ever wanted.

The chapters for A Test of Courage were not enough to provide a good sense of the book, the introductions for the characters were made but nothing that advanced any plot.

But for Into the Dark, I found the longer chapters worked better (I understand this is a YA book, so it should have a larger word count), and provided a view of the plot besides the characters themselves.

I think this is a very interesting book, I liked the style and pacing. Based on this book alone, the High Republic era will become an important part of the Star Wars universe. I liked the idea of the new Jedi type, which I won't mention or detail due to spoilers, but I believe these things provide a sense of newness even if we are going back into old times of the Star Wars galaxy.

I am very excited to read the complete books plus other titles available.

these were great teaser chapters for these two books, I had a lot of fun reading them and can't wait to read the full books when they come out.

Justina Ireland’s part wasn’t too informative due to the shortness of the chapters (and we already read the first one), but that novel seems to be interesting as well.

But, oh boy, Into the Dark! Claudia Gray is my favourite writer of the current canon, and she rules in the first chapter of her High Republic novel. Reath Silas will be one of my favourite characters in this era and these chapters also confirmed the info we wrote about in January on Project Luminous (later The High Republic) on our Hungarian fansite Ziro.hu: ”The main Jedi characters would also have different strengths and powers, similar to superheroes”. Well, Reath is so different from the other Jedi in this story, that he will eventually become a fan-favourite. I am really looking forward to reading this whole novel.

I became more hyped about this era than before!

Each of these introductions gives a brief but intriguing peek into the galaxy that the High Republic will encompass. The new characters each exhibit new traits that will be fun to explore in the full versions of each respective book.
The description of the Great Disaster by Claudia Gray is terrifying and mysterious as an event that will challenge the entirety of space and test the limits of the Jedi throughout this 'new' galaxy.
I'm thoroughly engrossed and I have to know more about these stories. Fantastic previews!

Thank you, Disney Lucasfilm Press, for making this chapter sampler available!

I will start by saying that I'm 32 years old. This being a sampler of one junior novel and one young adult novel, I'm obviously not the target demographic for either of these titles, so I had to put on my (very professional) bookseller's glasses for this particular read. Not a problem - those glasses aren't uncomfortable to wear when the books are this good!

Starting with Justina Ireland's A Test of Courage, I think it's great that more junior Star Wars novels are being published. I really like being able to recommend them to younger readers who come into the bookstore asking for their first sci-fi novel. These titles are usually soft enough on the sci-fi elements that they're easy to get into even for the inexperienced reader. Having read only two chapters, I would say this is the case with this novel as well. I see a real difference between how Ireland writes for an older audience (such as in her Dread Nation series, which I - full disclosure - completely adore) and how she writes for junior readers, and it takes skill to be able to edit your author's voice in that manner without it coming across as suddenly "talking down to" the younger readership. Luckily, Ireland has skill coming out of her ears. I will probably not be reading this particular title, but that's okay - it's not really meant for me. I will, however, still happily recommend this to younger readers! I'm very glad that younger fans are getting quality content like this, not only through the excellent animated series like Rebels, Resistance and Clone Wars, but through books as well. If we can get more kids to read by roping them in with Star Wars, that would certainly be a win!

I found Into the Dark to be more in line with what I usually like to read as far as Star Wars fiction goes. This isn't surprising. First off, I'm obviously closer in age to the YA demographic than the juniors, but Claudia Gray also happens to be a personal favourite when it comes to Star Wars canon fiction. She always manages to reel me in with her prose, her captivating character writing and her humor. While I wasn't necessarily deeply invested in all of the characters - I did only get to spend two chapters with them - I still see the humble beginnings of what will probably be an interesting story.
There might come a day when I don't automatically add anything Gray writes to my TBR pile, but it is not this day. And wow, this sampler sure ended on a cliffhanger. This huge, cataclysmic event throwing hyperspace into chaos and leaving everyone (quite literally) in the dark? I'm getting big Legends Yuuzhan Vong vibes just from the sheer uncertainty of this major threat, and I'm so here for it.

Side note: I do wonder if the publication order for the High Republic will also be the recommended reading order. I caught at least one reference to things or characters mentioned in A Test of Courage in Into the Dark, and that's really neat! I hope this connectivity will be properly utilized in the marketing.

Can I also just say how happy I am that both Gray and Ireland are involved with the High Republic project? I love both of them so much as authors. In fact, all of the authors involved (Scott, Older, Soule as well as Gray and Ireland) are some of my favourite Star Wars authors of all time, so I'm very excited to read everything coming out from them in this new and exciting Star Wars era. 2021 will sure be something!

The Star Wars universe finally reaches the highly anticipated High Republic era. This Sampler offers just a glimpse at what is yet to come, but already gives you a sense of the tone of this new series.

Justina's Test of Courage seems like a fun adventure book, the type of middle-grade reading that I adore a lot. The main character, Vernestra, seems believable and authentic as a young leading character. I am also excited to learn more about Avon Starros, which shares a last name with Sana, Han's wife from Marvel Comics.

Claudia's Into the Dark is much different and no less intriguing. All previous Gray's Star Wars books are a must-read for saga's fans, with Lost Star and Bloodline being some of the best Star Wars fiction ever published.
In this novel, we are accompanying aspiring Jedi-Padawan Reath and a group of other Force-sensitives traveling though unknown to finally reach StarLight Station, the galaxy's symbol of hope and prosperity. Don't want to get into spoiler territory but I want you to know that if you like Claudia's previous work in the galaxy far, far away, you are not going to be disappointed.

NetGalley and Disney Publishing bring us an early look at new Star Wars books again! The High Republic already promises to be amazing, not only creating new heroes, but also referring to works that were created earlier and revealing a deep story about the search for inner peace in the world full of chaos and violence. I can't wait to read the books!