The Best Star Wars Legends Books Worth Reading in 2025

Decades before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering $4 billion, before the prequels, and even before the original Star Wars film hit the theaters, writers were crafting expansive narratives that extended far beyond the screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe was a testament to the boundless creativity of its creators, encompassing books, comics, and games that enriched the lore of the Galaxy Far, Far Away. However, following Disney's acquisition of the franchise in 2014, the Expanded Universe was rebranded as "Legends" and officially decanonized. Despite this shift, the Legends books continue to offer some of the most compelling Star Wars stories ever told, influencing current Star Wars canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in the series Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this vast expanse of Star Wars lore, we've compiled a 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, given the sheer volume of titles available. To help you navigate this extensive universe, we've selected a curated list of essential reads that serve as excellent entry points. From the origins of the franchise to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers and epic Mandalorian escapes, to the vibrant young adult adventures of iconic Star Wars offspring, these books offer some of the most enjoyable experiences within the galaxy. Each title is readily available for purchase on Amazon, making it easy to start your collection.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

Kindle Edition: Splinter of the Mind's Eye

Price: $4.99 at Amazon

This book marked the inception of the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and the beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a special place in Star Wars history because it was initially written as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope, in case the film didn't perform well enough to warrant a high-budget follow-up. Though it was never adapted, "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" became a cornerstone of the Expanded Universe and later the 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 Rebel cause. Their encounter with Darth Vader leads to an exhilarating fight scene between Leia and Vader, expanding the lore of the Force and the broader cosmic powers within Star Wars.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

Kindle Edition: The Han Solo Adventures

Price: $8.99 at Amazon

This cherished trilogy remains one of the most adored Legends adventures, compensating for Han's absence in "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" by focusing entirely on the roguish space adventurer. The trilogy kicks off 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 thrilling journey through the criminal underworld of the galaxy, showcasing 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

Price: $3.99 at Amazon

Among the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy stands out, with "Heir to the Empire" being the inaugural book. Set five years after the Battle of Endor, Timothy Zahn introduces the Empire's heir apparent, Grand Admiral Thrawn. This powerful Chiss commander quickly became a fan favorite, eventually making his way into Star Wars canon through "The Clone Wars" TV series and more recently into live-action in "Ahsoka." If you're seeking a Legends book that has significantly shaped Star Wars both on and off the screen, this is it.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

Path of Destruction

Price: $8.99 at Amazon

Another iconic Legends trilogy, the Darth Bane books delve into the life of the infamous Sith Lord and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is highly readable, serving as a valuable addition to the lore of the Sith for Star Wars fans, while also standing alone as an engaging dark sci-fi series. "Path of Destruction" uniquely offers a Sith perspective, exploring the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and the rise of one of the most formidable 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, the absence of new Star Wars films was compensated by a wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series focusing on Jacen and Jaina Solo, the children of Han Solo and Princess Leia. Under Luke Skywalker's tutelage 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 and transformation into Darth Caedus in subsequent Expanded Universe books notably influenced the character of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition: Tales from Jabba's Palace

Price: $4.99 at Amazon

This cherished short story collection is a fan-favorite within the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. This was considered canon until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but it was later reintroduced in "The Book of Boba Fett." Beyond this pivotal moment, the book is filled with quirky, engaging tales that delve into the lives of various alien characters in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition: Death Troopers

Price: $11.99 at Amazon

While not as lore-heavy, "Death Troopers" is a thrilling standalone horror story featuring zombie stormtroopers. Joe Schreiber brings horror back to the Star Wars universe for the first time since the "Galaxy of Fear" series, crafting a chilling narrative. When an Imperial prison barge encounters a deserted Star Destroyer, the crew discovers only two survivors and soon faces a terrifying outbreak of the undead.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition: Darth Plagueis

Price: $12.99 at Amazon

James Luceno's "Darth Plagueis" delves into the tale of the infamous Sith Lord known as the wise. This darkly brilliant story explores the violent world of the Sith and the perils of ambition. As one of the most respected contemporary Legends books, it narrates the rise of Darth Plagueis and his training of Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine, as they seek to master the 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 numerous comics, games, and films that were part of the now-decanonized Expanded Universe. This includes titles 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," and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." The vast array of content spans from 1977, six months before the release of the first film, to 2014, covering almost forty years of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

The "Legends" designation encompasses what was once known as the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered part of the official Star Wars canon. However, elements from Legends have been known to inspire or directly enter the canon, as seen with characters like Thrawn. When a Legends book like "Heir to the Empire" is incorporated into the official canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes a core part of Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the galaxy's lore and connect directly to the films. Notable examples include the High Republic series, which introduces a new era soon to be explored in live-action, as well as books like "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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