Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Decades before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering $4 billion, before the prequel trilogy, and even before the iconic first Star Wars film hit theaters, writers were already expanding the universe far beyond what we saw on screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe truly lived up to its name, pushing the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away with each new book, comic, and game. However, in 2014, following Disney's acquisition of the franchise, the Expanded Universe was officially reclassified as "Legends." Despite this change, the Legends books remain some of the finest Star Wars storytelling available, continuing to influence the current canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in "Ahsoka." If you're eager to dive into this expansive part of Star Wars lore, here's our curated list of the best Star Wars Legends books to start with.

Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?

Embarking on the journey through the Legends books can feel daunting given the sheer number of titles available—hundreds, in fact. To help you navigate this vast collection, we've selected the most essential and engaging books to serve as your entry points. From the origins of the universe and the franchise itself to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers and legendary Mandalorian escapes, not to mention the vibrant young adult adventures of famous Star Wars offspring, these stories offer some of the most enjoyable experiences in the galaxy far, far away. You can easily purchase each of these books on Amazon, the go-to destination for buying books online.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

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This book is the cornerstone of the Expanded Universe, alongside the Marvel Comics and cherished Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a legendary status in Star Wars lore because it was initially penned as a potential sequel to "A New Hope" in case the film didn't perform well enough to warrant a high-budget follow-up. While it never made it to the screen, it played a pivotal role in shaping the Expanded Universe and later, Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—without Han or Chewie, apologies to Wookiee fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebel cause. Their journey leads them to confront Darth Vader, resulting in an epic Leia/Vader fight scene and further exploration of the Force's cosmic aspects.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

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This beloved trilogy remains a fan favorite within the Legends universe and compensates for Han's absence in "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" by focusing exclusively on the roguish space adventurer. The first book, "Han Solo at Stars' End," follows the third Star Wars novel after Alan Dean Foster's adaptation and "Splinter of the Mind's Eye." Brian Daley takes Han and Chewie on a thrilling journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, highlighting why this duo is so adored within the Star Wars universe. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

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Among the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy often tops the list. Timothy Zahn's series begins with this novel, set five years after the Battle of Endor, introducing readers to the Empire's heir apparent. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the brilliant Chiss commander, quickly became a fan favorite and eventually transitioned into Star Wars canon through "The Clone Wars" TV series. His recent live-action appearance in "Ahsoka" further underscores his impact. For a Legends book that reshaped the Star Wars universe both on and off the screen, "Heir to the Empire" is a must-read.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

Path of Destruction

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Another iconic trilogy within Legends, the Darth Bane series focuses on the notorious Sith Lord and his influence on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy stands out as an excellent addition to the Sith lore for Star Wars fans, while also serving as a gripping, standalone dark sci-fi read for others. "Path of Destruction" offers a unique perspective from within the Sith, delving into the origins of the Rule of Two and showcasing 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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Growing up in the '90s without new Star Wars films, fans were treated to a wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. The siblings train under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. These Force-sensitive teens led this charming young readers' series for years before Jacen's dark turn into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later books. His character undoubtedly influenced the sequel trilogy's Kylo Ren.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

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This anthology has long been a beloved entry in the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that fan-favorite Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit, a detail that was canon until the universe was decanonized. However, this plot point was later adapted into "The Book of Boba Fett." Beyond this pivotal moment, the collection offers a delightful array of quirky, alien-centric stories set in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

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While not the most lore-heavy, this standalone horror novel about zombie Stormtroopers is undeniably one of the coolest entries in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber reintroduced horror to the Star Wars galaxy for the first time since the "Galaxy of Fear" series. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's luck appears to change—until they discover the ship's only two survivors and the walking dead.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

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Ever heard the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise? James Luceno's acclaimed novel under the Legends banner delves into the story of this infamous Sith Lord. The book explores the violent nature of the Sith and the perils of ambition, offering a bleak yet brilliant narrative. As one of the most respected recent Legends books, "Darth Plagueis" follows the rise of its titular character and his mentorship of Darth Sidious, who would later become Emperor Palpatine, in their quest for 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. This vast collection 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—six months before the first film's release—to 2014, the Expanded Universe represents nearly four decades of storytelling.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

The "Legends" label signifies content once part of the Expanded Universe that is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen, elements from Legends can influence or even become part of the official canon, as with Thrawn's appearance in "Ahsoka." When a Legends book like "Heir to the Empire" is officially recognized by Lucasfilm, it transitions from Legends to a core part of the Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are not considered canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the universe and its characters in direct connection to the films. The "High Republic" series, for example, introduces a new era to the Star Wars canon, 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, "Last Shot" by Daniel José Older, and more.

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