Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, before the prequels, and even before the release of the first Star Wars movie, writers were expanding the universe beyond what we saw on screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, now known as "Legends" after Disney's 2014 decision to decanonize it, pushed the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away through countless books, comics, and games. Despite being rebranded as Legends, these stories remain some of the finest Star Wars narratives, continuing to influence the official canon, as seen with the live-action debut of Thrawn in Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this rich part of Star Wars lore, here's our curated list of the best Star Wars Legends books to get you started.
Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?
Embarking on your journey through the Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles available. To help you navigate this vast universe, we've selected key books that serve as excellent entry points. From the origins of the Expanded Universe to tales of gory zombie stormtroopers and the thrilling adventures of legendary characters, these books offer a diverse look at the galaxy. Each of these titles is readily available for purchase on Amazon, making it easy to start your reading adventure.
Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)
4$4.99 at Amazon
This book kickstarted the Expanded Universe alongside Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It's a pivotal piece of Star Wars lore, initially written as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope. Although it never made it to the screen, it's essential to the Legends universe. Follow Luke and Leia as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebellion, encountering Darth Vader and experiencing a thrilling Leia/Vader fight scene, all while expanding the lore of the Force and the galaxy's cosmic powers.
The Han Solo Adventures (1979)
4$8.99 at Amazon
This beloved trilogy compensates for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye by focusing entirely on the roguish adventurer. Starting with Han Solo at Stars' End, the third Star Wars novel ever published, Brian Daley takes readers on a wild journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why Han and Chewie are such fan favorites. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.
Heir to the Empire (1991)
6$3.99 at Amazon
As one of the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy begins with this book, set five years after the Battle of Endor. It introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn, a powerful Chiss commander who became a fan favorite and eventually entered the official Star Wars canon through The Clone Wars and Ahsoka. This book reshaped the Star Wars universe both on and off the screen.
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)
3$8.99 at Amazon
This iconic trilogy focuses on the infamous Sith Lord Darth Bane and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's work is a must-read for Star Wars fans interested in Sith lore, but it also stands alone as a compelling sci-fi narrative. Path of Destruction offers a unique Sith perspective, delving into the origins of the Rule of Two and the rise of one of the most feared Sith Lords in history.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force (1995)
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In the '90s, without new Star Wars films, fans were treated to rich Expanded Universe stories like this series, which follows Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. Under Luke Skywalker's guidance at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, the Force-sensitive teens lead this engaging Young Readers series. Jacen's later turn to the dark side as Darth Caedus influenced the character of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.
Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)
2$4.99 at Amazon
This beloved short story collection is a highlight of the Expanded Universe, notably for revealing Boba Fett's survival of the Sarlacc Pit. Though decanonized, this plot point was later adapted in The Book of Boba Fett. The book is filled with fun, weird, and wonderful alien-centric stories set in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Death Troopers (2009)
2$11.99 at Amazon
While not as lore-heavy, this standalone horror novel about zombie Stormtroopers is a thrilling addition to the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber brings horror back to Star Wars with a gripping tale of an Imperial Prison Barge encountering a deserted Star Destroyer, only to face the terrifying reality of the undead.
Darth Plagueis (2012)
2$12.99 at Amazon
James Luceno's acclaimed novel delves into the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise, exploring the dark side of the Sith and the perils of ambition. This well-regarded contemporary Legends book follows Plagueis's rise to power and his training of Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine, in their quest for ultimate power.
How many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?
The Star Wars Legends universe encompasses nearly 400 books, along with numerous comics, games, and films. This vast collection spans from 1977, six months before the first film's release, to 2014, covering almost forty years of storytelling. Notable entries include The Star Wars Holiday Special, Star Wars: Droids, Ewoks: Caravan of Courage, and games like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Shadows of the Empire, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Star Wars Legends vs. Canon
The "Legends" label signifies content that was once part of the Expanded Universe but is no longer considered canon. However, elements from Legends have influenced and even entered the official canon, as seen with characters like Thrawn. When a Legends book like Heir to the Empire is officially recognized by Lucasfilm, it transitions from Legends to canon.
While Legends books are not canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the Star Wars universe, directly connected to the films. The High Republic series, for example, introduces a new era soon to be seen in live-action. Other canon books include Leia by Claudia Gray, E. K. Johnston's Padmé trilogy, The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis, Last Shot by Daniel José Older, and more.
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