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 original Star Wars film hit theaters, writers were expanding the universe beyond the screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe truly lived up to its name, pushing the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away with every book, comic, and game released. However, in 2014, following Disney's acquisition of the franchise, the Expanded Universe was officially reclassified as "Legends." Despite this change, these stories remain some of the finest Star Wars narratives ever crafted and continue to influence the current Star Wars canon, as seen with the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in the series Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this expansive part of Star Wars lore, we've curated a 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 through the Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles to choose from. That's why we've compiled a list of essential and impactful books to serve as your entry point. From the inception of this vast collection and the Star Wars franchise itself, to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers, epic Mandalorian escapes, and the youthful adventures of iconic Star Wars progeny, 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, the go-to platform 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 kickstarted the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a legendary status in Star Wars lore 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 justify a high-budget follow-up. Although it was never adapted into a film, it became a cornerstone of what would later become the Expanded Universe and subsequently Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—no Han or Chewie, unfortunately—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebel cause. They encounter Darth Vader, leading to an exhilarating fight scene between Leia and Vader, and further exploration 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 solely on the roguish space adventurer. The first book, Han Solo at Stars' End, is the third Star Wars novel ever published, following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation of Star Wars and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Brian Daley takes Han and Chewie on a thrilling journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why this duo is such a beloved part of the Star Wars universe. The subsequent books further explore their intergalactic escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition: Heir to the Empire
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When discussing influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy is often at the forefront. Timothy Zahn's series begins with this book, set five years after the Battle of Endor, introducing readers to the Empire's heir apparent. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the formidable Chiss commander, became a fan-favorite character, transitioning into the Star Wars canon through the acclaimed Clone Wars TV series and more recently making a live-action appearance in Ahsoka. If you're seeking a Legends book that has significantly impacted Star Wars both on and off the screen, 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 highly readable, appealing to both Star Wars enthusiasts and sci-fi fans seeking a dark and engaging story. Path of Destruction uniquely tells its tale from a Sith perspective, providing insights into 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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Growing up as a Star Wars fan in the '90s meant enjoying the Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. The twins train under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. This charming Young Readers series followed the Force-sensitive teens for years, until Jacen's tragic turn to the dark side, becoming the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later books. His character notably 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 short story collection is one of the most beloved entries in the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that fan-favorite Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. This was considered canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized. However, The Book of Boba Fett later adapted this pivotal moment. Beyond this, the anthology is filled with fun, weird, and wonderful tales about the denizens of the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition: Death Troopers
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While not heavily focused on lore, this standalone horror novel featuring zombie stormtroopers is one of the coolest additions to the Legends universe. Horror writer Joe Schreiber brought the genre back to the Galaxy Far, Far Away 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 turns grim as they face the undead.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition: Darth Plagueis
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Have you heard the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise? James Luceno delves into the story of this infamous Sith Lord under the Legends banner. This darkly brilliant narrative explores the violent world of the Sith and the perils of ambition. One of the most highly regarded recent Legends books, Darth Plagueis recounts the rise to power of the titular villain, his training of his apprentice Darth Sidious (who would become Emperor Palpatine), and his quest to master the ultimate power, regardless of the deadly consequences.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

There are nearly 400 books classified under Star Wars Legends, along with numerous comics, games, and films. 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 massive Expanded Universe crossover event), and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The vast array of content makes sense given the Expanded Universe spanned from 1977 (six months before the first film's release) to 2014, nearly forty years of storytelling.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

What does this all mean? Essentially, anything labeled as "Legends" was once part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen with various inspirations and direct canon inclusions, the line between Legends and canon can blur. For instance, when a book like Heir to the Empire is made canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes part of the main Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the galaxy and its inhabitants, directly connected to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, which 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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