Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, even before the prequels or the iconic first Star Wars movie hit the screens, writers were crafting a vast universe beyond what we saw in the films. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, later known as "Legends," expanded the galaxy far, far away through books, comics, and games. In 2014, following Disney's purchase, the Expanded Universe was officially decanonized and renamed "Legends." Despite this, these stories remain some of the finest Star Wars narratives, continuing to influence the current canon, as seen with the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this expansive universe, we've compiled a list of the best Star Wars Legends books to start with!
Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?
Navigating the vast array of Legends books can be daunting, given the hundreds of titles available. We've curated a list of essential and impactful books to help you get started. From the origins of this expansive universe to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers and legendary Mandalorian escapes, not to mention the vibrant young adult adventures of iconic Star Wars offspring, there's a wealth of fun to be had in this galaxy. All these books are readily available for purchase on Amazon, making it easy to jump into your next reading adventure.
Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)
Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye
$4.99 at Amazon
This book is where the Expanded Universe began, alongside Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a legendary status in Star Wars lore, originally written as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope. Though it never made it to the screen, it became a cornerstone of the Expanded Universe and later Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia (without Han or Chewie, much to Wookiee fans' dismay) as they seek to recruit planetary residents to the Rebellion. They encounter Darth Vader, leading to an epic Leia/Vader fight and expanding on the lore of the Force and the cosmic powers within the Star Wars universe.
The Han Solo Adventures (1979)
Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures
$8.99 at Amazon
This beloved trilogy is a fan favorite within the Legends universe, compensating for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye by focusing entirely on the roguish space adventurer. Starting with "Han Solo at Stars' End," the third Star Wars novel following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation and Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Brian Daley takes readers on a wild journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, highlighting why Han and Chewie are such beloved characters. Subsequent books continue their interstellar escapades.
Heir to the Empire (1991)
Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire
$3.99 at Amazon
Among the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy stands out, beginning with this novel set five years after the Battle of Endor. It introduced readers to Grand Admiral Thrawn, the heir apparent to the Empire. Over time, Thrawn became a fan favorite and made his way into the Star Wars canon through The Clone Wars TV series, eventually appearing in live-action in Ahsoka. If you're looking for a Legends book that significantly impacted Star Wars, both on and off the screen, this is it.
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)
Path of Destruction
$8.99 at Amazon
This iconic trilogy focuses on the notorious Sith Lord Darth Bane and how his rule shaped the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is a compelling read for Star Wars fans, enriching the lore of the Sith, and also appeals to sci-fi enthusiasts seeking a dark, standalone narrative. Path of Destruction offers a unique perspective from the Sith's viewpoint, exploring the origins of the Rule of Two and detailing the rise of one of the most powerful Sith Lords in history.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force (1995)
Paperback Heirs of the Force
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During the '90s, when no new Star Wars films were released, fans were treated to an abundance of Expanded Universe books, including this series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. The siblings study at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. This charming young readers' series followed their adventures, which later saw Jacen turn to the dark side as Darth Caedus. 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
$4.99 at Amazon
This anthology has long been cherished within the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. This was canon until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but The Book of Boba Fett later brought this moment back into the fold. Beyond this highlight, the collection is filled with engaging, quirky tales about the galaxy's diverse inhabitants.
Death Troopers (2009)
Kindle Edition Death Troopers
$11.99 at Amazon
While not deeply rooted in lore, this standalone horror novel about zombie Stormtroopers is one of the coolest entries in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber, a horror writer, brought the genre back to Star Wars with this chilling tale. An Imperial Prison Barge, stranded in space, discovers a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer. The survivors soon face a terrifying ordeal as the dead rise.
Darth Plagueis (2012)
Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis
$12.99 at Amazon
James Luceno's acclaimed novel delves into the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise, a tale of Sith ambition and power. This well-regarded Legends book follows Plagueis's rise and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine. It explores the dangerous pursuit of ultimate power, making it a standout in contemporary Legends literature.
How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?
There are nearly 400 books classified under Star Wars Legends, along with numerous comics, games, and films. This includes works 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 (a part of a major Expanded Universe crossover event), and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Spanning from 1977 to 2014, this represents almost forty years of Expanded Universe content.
Star Wars Legends vs. Canon
The "Legends" label signifies content once part of the Expanded Universe, now non-canon. However, elements from Legends can still influence or re-enter the official canon, as seen with characters like Thrawn. When a Legends work like Heir to the Empire is officially brought into canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes a core part of Star Wars canon. While Legends books are no longer canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the Star Wars universe, such as the High Republic series, which introduced a new era soon to be featured in live-action. Other notable canon books include "Leia" by Claudia Gray, E. K. Johnston's Padmé trilogy, "The Princess and the Scoundrel" by Beth Revis, and "Last Shot" by Daniel José Older, among others.
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