Decades before Disney's landmark $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm, before the prequels, and even before the original Star Wars film, writers were already expanding the galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars Expanded Universe—later rebranded "Legends" after the Disney buyout in 2014—pushed the boundaries of the saga through countless books, comics, and games. Despite its decanonization, Legends remains a treasure trove of compelling stories, influencing current Star Wars canon, as evidenced by Thrawn's recent live-action debut in Ahsoka. Ready to explore this rich tapestry? Here's a curated list of essential Star Wars Legends books to jumpstart your journey.
Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?
Navigating the hundreds of Legends titles can be daunting. This list highlights the most impactful and enjoyable books, offering a diverse range of adventures. From the origins of the Expanded Universe to zombie stormtroopers and the vibrant tales of iconic Star Wars offspring, these books offer a thrilling exploration of the galaxy far, far away. All are readily available on Amazon.
Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)
### Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye
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This novel, one of the earliest additions to the Expanded Universe alongside Marvel comics and newspaper strips, served as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope. While never adapted, it's a cornerstone of Legends, featuring Luke and Leia (but not Han or Chewie) as they rally support for the Rebellion, encountering Darth Vader in a thrilling confrontation. The story expands on Force lore and cosmic powers within the Star Wars universe.
The Han Solo Adventures (1979)
### Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures
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This beloved trilogy compensates for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye, focusing on the roguish smuggler. Han Solo at Stars' End, the trilogy's first installment (and the third Star Wars novel overall), showcases Han and Chewie's adventures through the galaxy's criminal underworld. The subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.
Heir to the Empire (1991)
### Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire
$3.99 at Amazon
Highly influential within Legends, 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 has become a fan favorite, eventually making his way into Star Wars canon via The Clone Wars and Ahsoka. This book significantly reshaped the Star Wars universe, both on and off-screen.
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)
### Path of Destruction
$8.99 at Amazon
This iconic Legends trilogy focuses on Darth Bane, exploring his reign and its impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's compelling narrative is both a valuable addition to Sith lore for Star Wars fans and a standalone dark sci-fi read. Path of Destruction offers a Sith perspective, delving into the origins of the Rule of Two and 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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This beloved series follows Han Solo and Princess Leia's Force-sensitive children, Jacen and Jaina, as they train at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy. Their journey, spanning many books, significantly influenced the sequel trilogy's Kylo Ren, particularly Jacen's eventual fall to the dark side as Darth Caedus.
Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)
### Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace
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This popular short story collection famously revealed Boba Fett's survival of the Sarlacc Pit, a detail later adapted into The Book of Boba Fett. Beyond this pivotal moment, the collection offers a diverse array of fun, strange, and captivating alien-centric tales from the galaxy far, far away.
Death Troopers (2009)
### Kindle Edition Death Troopers
$11.99 at Amazon
While not as lore-heavy, this standalone horror story featuring zombie stormtroopers is a unique and thrilling entry. Joe Schreiber's chilling tale revitalizes the horror genre within the Star Wars universe, offering a suspenseful and unforgettable read.
Darth Plagueis (2012)
### Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis
$12.99 at Amazon
James Luceno's acclaimed novel tells the story of Darth Plagueis, the wise Sith Lord who trained Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine). This dark and compelling tale explores the Sith's brutality and the dangers of unchecked ambition, earning its place among the most highly regarded Legends novels.
How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?
The Star Wars Legends universe encompasses nearly 400 books, alongside numerous comics, games, and films. This vast collection, spanning from 1977 to 2014, represents almost four decades of Expanded Universe storytelling.
Star Wars Legends vs. Canon
Legends material, once considered canon, is now non-canon. However, its influence remains significant, with various elements inspiring or directly appearing in current canon. The transition of elements like Thrawn demonstrates the ongoing interplay between Legends and the evolving Star Wars canon. While Legends books are not canon, numerous contemporary canon novels further expand the Star Wars galaxy, such as the High Republic series.
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