Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

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 with their imaginations. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, now known as "Legends," pushed the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away with every book, comic, and game released. Although Disney officially decanonized the Expanded Universe in 2014 after their purchase, the stories remain some of the best Star Wars content, influencing the current canon, as seen with the recent live-action introduction of Thrawn in Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this vast part of Star Wars fandom, 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?

Navigating the vast array of Legends books can be daunting, given the hundreds of titles available. To help you embark on this journey, we've selected the most essential and engaging books to serve as your entry point. From the origins of the franchise to thrilling adventures featuring zombie stormtroopers and the legendary escapes of the Mandalorians, to the youthful escapades of famous Star Wars offspring, these books offer some of the most enjoyable experiences in the galaxy far, far away. All these titles are readily available for purchase on Amazon, making it convenient to start your collection.

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 Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a special place in Star Wars lore as 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 big-budget follow-up. Although it was never adapted, it remains a cornerstone of the Expanded Universe and later Legends. Follow Luke and Leia—no Han or Chewie, sorry Wookiee fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebellion. The story includes an intense Leia/Vader fight scene and expands on 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 delightful trilogy remains one of the most cherished Legends adventures, compensating for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye by focusing entirely on the roguish cosmic adventurer. The first book, "Han Solo at Stars' End," is the third Star Wars novel ever published, following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation of the original film and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Brian Daley takes readers on a wild romp through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why Han and Chewie are such beloved figures in the Star Wars universe. The subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

6$3.99 at Amazon

When discussing the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy is invariably mentioned. Timothy Zahn's series begins with this book, set five years after the Battle of Endor, introducing readers to the heir apparent to the Empire. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the powerful Chiss commander, quickly became a fan favorite and eventually entered the Star Wars canon via the Clone Wars TV series, and more recently in the live-action Ahsoka series. If you're seeking a Legends book that has reshaped 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 infamous Sith Lord and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is compelling for Star Wars fans, adding depth to the Sith lore, but it also stands alone as an engaging and dark sci-fi read. "Path of Destruction" offers a unique perspective by narrating the story from the Sith's viewpoint, exploring the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and the rise of one of the most powerful and feared Sith Lords in history.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force (1995)

Paperback Heirs of the Force

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For Star Wars fans growing up in the '90s, the absence of new films was compensated by the rich offerings of the Expanded Universe, including this series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. Studying under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, the Force-sensitive teens lead this charming young readers' series. Jacen's later turn to the dark side as Darth Caedus in subsequent books echoes the trajectory of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

2$4.99 at Amazon

This beloved short story collection is a highlight of the Expanded Universe, notably for revealing that fan favorite Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. This was canon until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but the story was later adapted in The Book of Boba Fett. Beyond this pivotal moment, the collection is filled with fun, weird, and wonderful stories about the Galaxy Far, Far Away, focusing on its diverse alien inhabitants.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

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While not as lore-heavy as other entries, this standalone horror novel about zombie Stormtroopers is one of the coolest additions to the Legends universe. Horror writer Joe Schreiber reintroduced the genre to Star Wars with this gripping tale. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a deserted Star Destroyer, the crew's initial relief turns to horror as the dead begin to walk.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

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Have you heard the story of Darth Plagueis the wise? James Luceno's acclaimed novel delves into the life of the infamous Sith Lord under the Legends banner. This darkly brilliant narrative explores the violence and ambition inherent in the Sith. One of the most highly regarded contemporary Legends books, Darth Plagueis chronicles the rise of the titular villain and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine, in their pursuit of ultimate power, no matter the cost.

How many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

The Star Wars Legends encompass nearly 400 books, along with numerous comics, games, and even films. These 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 (a major Expanded Universe crossover event), and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The extensive array of content spanning from 1977 to 2014 reflects nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe's development.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

Content under the "Legends" label was once part of the Expanded Universe and is not considered canon. However, as seen with characters like Thrawn and Boba Fett, elements can transition from Legends to canon. When a Legends book like "Heir to the Empire" is canonized by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes part of the main Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are no longer canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that enrich the galaxy and its characters, directly linked to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, which introduced a new era to the Star Wars canon, soon to be featured 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 many more.

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