DVD Corner

Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker Book Review

“Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker” will please fans of “The Acolyte” and “The High Republic.” 

Written by Justina Ireland, “Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker” takes place 20 years before the events of the “Star Wars: The Acolyte” TV series. The novel focuses on two characters (Vernestra Rwoh and Indara) who are at very different places in life. At the start of this story, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh has been a Wayseeker for a decade. She is traveling the galaxy with droid J-6 to spread the light of the Jedi and let the Force guide her to where she needs to be. Indara, meanwhile, is a young Jedi Knight who has spent the past year on Coruscant as an archivist after a traumatic incident. She hasn’t spent much time in the field nor has she requested an assignment in that time span. That all changes when Indara is summoned by the Jedi Council on a mission to find Vernestra and bring her back to Coruscant. The Jedi Order wants Vernestra back in the fold. 

Indara travels to Cerifisis where Vernestra is dealing with pirates (Thee Strafes) stealing food from people. The 2 find themselves on a new mission to bring a corrupt Senator (Garn) back to Coruscant. The Senator wants to act as an informant on the well connected Nilsson (a spice addict and weapons dealer). Of course, the mission goes sideways and the 2 Jedi soon become caught up in a dangerous series of events involving a missing scientist, Nilsson and his goons, nullifiers (weapons which can shut down lightsabers), an arena fight, murder and perhaps a few allies along the way. The book concludes with an excerpt of “Star Wars: The High Republic: Light Of The Jedi” (the first novel in ‘The High Republic’ series).

After “Star Wars: The Acolyte” was canceled and phase 4 of “Star Wars: The High Republic” just about to finish, fans may be wondering where they will get more stories of these characters. The good news is “The Acolyte: Wayseeker” has you covered. Not only does this story serve as a prequel to ‘The Acolyte,’ but it takes place long after the events of the 4 phases of ‘The High Republic.’ While many characters have died in that long gap, there are more than a few familiar faces popping up here (no spoilers about that). 

While fast paced, the story itself is rather slight and contains numerous planet hopping adventures, but it works from a character perspective. Ireland’s novel is at its best when it explores the dynamic between Vernestra and Indara. The 2 Jedi are polar opposites who have to learn to work together despite their differences and age gaps. Along the way, they also discover new paths they have been set on. Indara realized she needs more experience out and about and has much to learn. Vernestra isn’t thrilled to be partnered with a young Jedi and prefers the life of a Wayseker. She’s a bit rebellious, pompous and secretive and has to rejoin the Order (which she has gripes and concerns about), but she changes her tune. There’s also a big subplot involving Vernestra’s mysterious hyperspace visions.

While it was great to see more characterization of Vernestra and Indara (who we really didn’t know all that much about) in ‘The Acolyte: Wayseeker,’ hopefully we can start seeing future novels set after the events of ‘The Acolyte’ series as that is no doubt what fans are clamoring for.  

May 2, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Jedi, Star Wars, Star Wars Books, Star Wars: The Acolyte, Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker Book Review, Star Wars: The High Republic, Vernestra Rwoh