Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Decades before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering $4 billion, before the prequels, and even before the release of the first Star Wars movie, writers were already expanding the universe beyond what was seen on screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe did just that, pushing the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away with every book, comic, and game released. However, in 2014, following Disney's purchase of the franchise, the Expanded Universe was officially reclassified as "Legends." Despite this rebranding, these books remain some of the finest Star Wars storytelling available and continue to influence the current Star Wars canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action introduction of Thrawn in the series "Ahsoka." If you're looking to dive into this vast aspect of Star Wars fandom, here's a curated list of the best Star Wars Legends books to get you started!

Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?

Embarking on the journey of reading Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles to choose from. That's why we've compiled a list of the most essential and engaging books to serve as your starting point. From the inception of the expansive collection—and the Star Wars franchise itself—to tales of zombie stormtroopers and legendary Mandalorian escapes, not to mention the vibrant young adult adventures of iconic Star Wars offspring, these stories offer some of the most enjoyable experiences in the galaxy far, far away. Each book listed is readily available for purchase on Amazon, the premier destination for buying books online.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

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This book ignited the spark for the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a legendary status within the Star Wars universe because it was initially written as a potential low-budget sequel to "A New Hope," should the film not have performed well enough to warrant a big-budget follow-up. Although it was never adapted into a film, it remains a cornerstone of what would become the Expanded Universe and later Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—sans Han and Chewie, apologies to Wookiee fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebel cause. Their encounter with Darth Vader leads to an epic Leia/Vader confrontation and expands upon the lore of the Force and the cosmic powers within Star Wars.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

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This cherished trilogy remains one of the most beloved Legends adventures and compensates for Han's absence in "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" by focusing entirely on the roguish space adventurer. The first book, "Han Solo at Stars' End," is the third Star Wars novel released, following Alan Dean Foster's novelization of "Star Wars" and "Splinter of the Mind's Eye." Brian Daley takes Han and Chewie on a thrilling journey through the criminal underworld of the galaxy, highlighting why they are such a fan-favorite duo. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

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Among the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy is often cited first. Timothy Zahn kicked off the series with this novel, set five years after the Battle of Endor, introducing readers to the Empire's heir apparent. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the formidable Chiss commander, quickly became a fan favorite and eventually made his way into the Star Wars canon through "The Clone Wars" TV series. As anticipated, he also recently debuted in live-action in "Ahsoka." If you're seeking a Legends book that significantly impacted both the on-screen and off-screen worlds of Star Wars, this is it.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

#### Path of Destruction

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Another iconic Legends trilogy, the Darth Bane books focus on the notorious Sith Lord and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is compelling for Star Wars fans, adding depth to the lore of the Sith, and equally enjoyable for sci-fi enthusiasts seeking a dark and engaging read. "Path of Destruction" uniquely tells its story from the Sith perspective, offering insights into the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and one of the most powerful and feared Sith Lords in history.

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

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Growing up as a Star Wars fan in the '90s meant enjoying a wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. Under Luke Skywalker's tutelage at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, these Force-sensitive teenagers led this charming young adult series for years. Jacen's eventual turn to the dark side and transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later Expanded Universe books echoes the character arc of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

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This short story collection is one of the most cherished entries in the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that fan-favorite Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit, a detail that was part of the canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized. However, this was later reintroduced in "The Book of Boba Fett." Beyond this pivotal moment, the anthology is filled with entertaining, quirky, and captivating stories centered on the Galaxy Far, Far Away's alien inhabitants.

Death Troopers (2009)

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Though not as lore-heavy as other entries, this standalone horror novel featuring zombie Stormtroopers is one of the coolest in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber, a horror writer, reintroduced the genre to the Galaxy Far, Far Away for the first time since the "Galaxy of Fear" series, delivering a gripping tale. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's hopes are dashed as they confront the undead.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

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Have you heard the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise? If not, James Luceno's acclaimed novel under the Legends banner will enlighten you. Luceno crafts a darkly brilliant narrative about the violence of the Sith and the perils of ambition. One of the most respected contemporary Legends books, "Darth Plagueis" chronicles the rise to power of the titular villain and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious—also known as Emperor Palpatine—as he seeks to master the ultimate power, no matter how dangerous.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

There are nearly 400 books classified as Star Wars Legends, not to mention numerous comics, games, and films that fall into this now-decanonized universe. This includes movies and TV shows 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" (part of a major Expanded Universe crossover event), and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." The extensive range and variety of content make sense given that the series spanned from 1977—six months before the first film's release—to 2014, encompassing nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

What does this all mean? Essentially, anything under the "Legends" banner was once part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen with various inspirations and direct canon appearances, this can change, and as Star Wars expands on screen, more elements from Legends may find their way into the official canon. When a book like "Heir to the Empire" is canonized 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 enrich the galaxy and its inhabitants, directly connected to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, a massive crossover event that introduced a new era to the Star Wars canon, soon to be seen 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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