Decades before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, before the prequels, and even before the original Star Wars film hit the screens, writers were already expanding the universe into a vast galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, as it was known, stretched the boundaries of the franchise with every book, comic, and game released. However, after Disney's purchase in 2014, the Expanded Universe was officially rebranded as "Legends" and decanonized. Despite this, these books remain some of the finest Star Wars stories ever told, continuing to influence the official canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action appearance of Thrawn in Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this extensive part of Star Wars lore, we've curated a list of the best Star Wars Legends books to get you started.
Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?
Embarking on the journey through the Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles to choose from. That's why we've compiled a selection of the most essential and engaging books to serve as your gateway into this expansive universe. From the origins of the franchise to thrilling adventures involving zombie stormtroopers, legendary escapes by the Mandalorians, and vibrant young adult tales of iconic Star Wars descendants, these books offer some of the most enjoyable experiences in the galaxy. You can easily purchase each of these titles on Amazon, the go-to destination for buying books online.
Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)
Kindle Edition: Splinter of the Mind's Eye
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This book kickstarted the Expanded Universe, alongside the Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a special place in Star Wars lore, having been written as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope, in case the film didn't perform well enough to warrant a big-budget follow-up. Although it never made it to the screen, it's a cornerstone of what became the Expanded Universe and later Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—without Han or Chewie, much to the dismay of Wookiee fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebellion. They encounter Darth Vader, leading to a thrilling Leia/Vader battle and enriching the lore of the Force and its cosmic powers.
The Han Solo Adventures (1979)
Kindle Edition: The Han Solo Adventures
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This beloved trilogy is a fan favorite among Legends adventures, focusing entirely on the roguish cosmic adventurer, Han Solo. The first book, Han Solo at Stars' End, is the third-ever Star Wars novel, following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation of the original film and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. In this series, Brian Daley takes readers on a thrilling journey through the criminal underworld of the galaxy, highlighting why Han and Chewie are such a beloved duo in the Star Wars universe. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.
Heir to the Empire (1991)
Kindle Edition: Heir to the Empire
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Among the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy stands out, beginning with this book. Set five years after the Battle of Endor, it introduces readers to the Empire's heir apparent, Grand Admiral Thrawn, a powerful Chiss commander who quickly became a fan favorite. Thrawn made the leap from Legends to the official Star Wars canon during The Clone Wars TV series and recently appeared in live-action in Ahsoka. If you're looking for a Legends book that significantly shaped Star Wars both on and off the screen, this is the one.
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)
Path of Destruction
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Another iconic Legends trilogy, the Darth Bane series focuses on the notorious Sith Lord and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is compelling for Star Wars fans and sci-fi enthusiasts alike, offering a deep dive into Sith lore while also standing strong as a dark and engaging standalone story. Path of Destruction uniquely narrates from a Sith perspective, delving into the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and the rise of one of history's most feared Sith Lords.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force (1995)
Paperback: Heirs of the Force
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For those who grew up as Star Wars fans in the '90s, the Expanded Universe provided a wealth of stories, including this legendary series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. The twins study under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. This young readers' series follows their adventures, leading to Jacen's eventual turn to the dark side and transformation into Darth Caedus in later books. Jacen's story notably influenced the character of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.
Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)
Kindle Edition: Tales from Jabba's Palace
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This cherished anthology is a standout in the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit—a plot point that was canon until the Expanded Universe was decanonized. However, this event was later adapted in The Book of Boba Fett, bringing it back into the official canon. Beyond this pivotal moment, the collection is filled with entertaining, quirky, and fascinating stories about the aliens and inhabitants of the galaxy far, far away.
Death Troopers (2009)
Kindle Edition: Death Troopers
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While not deeply rooted in lore, this standalone horror novel featuring zombie stormtroopers is one of the most thrilling entries in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber brought horror back to the galaxy for the first time since the Galaxy of Fear series, delivering a chilling tale. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew finds only two survivors and soon faces a terrifying undead threat.
Darth Plagueis (2012)
Kindle Edition: Darth Plagueis
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If you're familiar with the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise, James Luceno's acclaimed novel under the Legends banner expands on this story. Luceno crafts a dark and gripping narrative about the violence of the Sith and the perils of ambition. One of the more recent and highly regarded Legends books, Darth Plagueis follows the titular Sith Lord's rise to power, his training of Darth Sidious (who becomes Emperor Palpatine), and his relentless pursuit of ultimate power, no matter the cost.
How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?
The Star Wars Legends universe encompasses nearly 400 books, along with countless comics, games, and even films. This includes classics like The Star Wars Holiday Special, Star Wars: Droids, Ewoks: Caravan of Courage, and games such as Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Shadows of the Empire—part of a massive Expanded Universe crossover event—and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The vast array of content, spanning from 1977 to 2014, reflects nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe's rich storytelling.
Star Wars Legends vs. Canon
What does this mean for fans? Essentially, anything labeled "Legends" was once part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen, elements from Legends can inspire or be directly incorporated into the official canon. For example, when a book like Heir to the Empire is officially made part of the Star Wars canon by Lucasfilm, it transitions from Legends to a core component of the franchise.
While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are numerous contemporary novels that expand the galaxy in ways directly linked to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, which introduced a new era to the Star Wars canon and is set to appear in live-action for the first time. 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 many more.
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