Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Long before Disney's $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm, the prequels, and even the release of the first Star Wars movie, authors were expanding the galaxy far, far away through novels, comics, and games. This vast collection was known as the Star Wars Expanded Universe. However, in 2014, after Disney's purchase, this universe was officially rebranded as "Legends" and decanonized. Despite this, the Legends books remain some of the richest and most influential Star Wars stories ever told, with characters like Thrawn making their way into recent live-action series like Ahsoka. If you're looking to dive into this expansive part of Star Wars fandom, we've curated a list of the best Star Wars Legends books to start with.

Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?

Navigating the hundreds of Legends titles can be daunting. To help, we've selected key books that serve as excellent entry points into the universe. From the origins of the Star Wars saga to tales of zombie stormtroopers, legendary Mandalorian adventures, and vibrant young adult stories featuring the offspring of iconic characters, these books offer some of the most engaging experiences in the galaxy far, far away. You can easily purchase each of these titles on Amazon, your go-to spot for buying books online.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

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This novel kicked off the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and the beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. 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, it follows Luke and Leia (sans Han and Chewie, unfortunately) as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebellion's cause. The story includes a thrilling Leia vs. 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

4$8.99 at Amazon

This beloved trilogy focuses on the roguish Han Solo, making up for his absence in "Splinter of the Mind's Eye." The first book, "Han Solo at Stars' End," is the third Star Wars novel published, following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation and "Splinter of the Mind's Eye." Brian Daley takes readers on a thrilling journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why Han and Chewie are such fan favorites. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic adventures.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

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The Thrawn trilogy, starting with this book, is one of the most influential in the Legends universe. Set five years after the Battle of Endor, it introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn, a powerful Chiss commander who becomes a fan favorite. Thrawn transitioned into Star Wars canon via the "Clone Wars" series and made a live-action debut in "Ahsoka." This book reshaped the Star Wars universe both on and off the screen.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

Path of Destruction

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This trilogy focuses on the infamous Sith Lord Darth Bane and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's series is both a deep dive into Sith lore and a compelling standalone sci-fi read. "Path of Destruction" offers a unique perspective on the Sith, exploring the origins of the Rule of Two and the rise of one of the most feared Sith Lords in history.

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

Paperback Heirs of the Force

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In the '90s, with no new Star Wars films, fans were treated to rich Expanded Universe books, including this series focusing on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. Under Luke Skywalker's guidance at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, the Force-sensitive teens lead this charming series. Jacen's later transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus echoes the journey 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 collection of short stories is a fan favorite, especially for revealing Boba Fett's survival from the Sarlacc Pit. Though decanonized, this plot point was later adapted in "The Book of Boba Fett." The anthology is filled with fun, weird, and wonderful stories about the galaxy's alien inhabitants.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

2$11.99 at Amazon

This standalone horror novel by Joe Schreiber brings zombie stormtroopers to the galaxy far, far away. When an Imperial prison barge encounters a deserted Star Destroyer, the crew faces a terrifying outbreak. Though not lore-heavy, it's a thrilling addition to the Legends universe.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

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James Luceno's acclaimed novel delves into the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise, exploring the dark side of the Force and the dangers of ambition. This well-regarded Legends book follows Plagueis's rise to power and his mentorship of Darth Sidious, who becomes Emperor Palpatine, as they pursue ultimate power.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

The Star Wars Legends universe encompasses nearly 400 books, plus numerous comics, games, and films. 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." Spanning from 1977 to 2014, the Expanded Universe offered almost forty years of storytelling.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

The "Legends" label signifies content that was once part of the Expanded Universe but is no longer considered canon. However, elements from Legends can still influence or be incorporated into the official Star Wars canon, as seen with Thrawn and other characters. When a Legends book like "Heir to the Empire" is canonized by Lucasfilm, it transitions from Legends to a core part of the Star Wars universe.

While Legends books are no longer canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the galaxy's lore, such as the High Republic series, which introduces a new era 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 more.

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