The Acolyte has been one of the most successful Star Wars series on Disney+. Since it came out, I've appreciated the look into the High Republic, the way the Aniseya twins are portrayed, and a look at how even the most noble of intentions can be wrong. However, as the series has now ended, I know plenty of people will be wanting more. And I have exactly what they are looking for: books that give similar vibes to The Acolyte set in the Star Wars universe!
1. Betrayal by Aaron Allston
If I had been working for Disney when they acquired Lucasfilm and helped make the sequel trilogy, my first order of business would have been to hand this book to everyone involved in the project. However, while my dream didn't happen and this nine-book series is no longer considered canon, it is still worth the read! However, the reason it's perfect for fans of The Acolyte? The Solo twins: Jacen and Jaina. This book follows Jacen's fall to the Dark Side, while Jaina is the Jedi who is forced to stop him. Their relationship echoes the Aniseya twins, with one Dark and one Light - and each being tempted by the other. While there are years of history to catch up on of how the galaxy got to this point - after all, there are hundreds of books in the Star Wars: Legends universe - this is an excellent jumping-in point. It was where I jumped into these books, and I was able to follow the story perfectly. But just a warning - each book ends in a cliffhanger, so be prepared for a nine-book ride through the Second Galactic Civil War.
Betrayal is available through Penguin Random House
2. Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn
Darth Bane is known as the Sith who not only put the mythical "Rule of Two" into practice but also for slaughtering the entirety of the Sith Order. Taking place even before the Republic was anywhere close to its peak, this book gives vital insight into where what we know as Sith came from. In addition, it also gives valuable insight into cortosis mining. Bane reminds me a lot of The Stranger, between his wanting to call out the hypocrisy of the Sith the way that The Stranger does of the Jedi, his knowledge of cortosis, and his want of an apprentice. However, I'll make sure to set expectations now: Darth Bane does not have arms for days in the way that Manny Jacinto does. And while this book also falls under the "Legends" umbrella, it's much closer to canon than the series above is - with much of its content making its way into Star Wars content in one way or another.
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction is available through Penguin Random House
3. Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule
This book is a perfect introduction to the High Republic Era - especially since it was written specifically to introduce it to new audiences! Light of the Jedi explores the Jedi Order at the height of its power - before they were too bogged down in bureaucracy and denial to realize they were about to fall. It also introduces a vast array of Jedi that allows us to truly see what it was like to be in the Order two hundred years before The Phantom Menace. It's a must-read for anyone who is intrigued by this era and will provide more context into the world of The Acolyte.
Light of the Jedi is available through Disney Books