Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering $4 billion, and even before the release of the first Star Wars movie, the imagination of writers was crafting a vast universe that extended far beyond the silver screen. This was the Star Wars Expanded Universe, which pushed 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 rebranded as "Legends" and decanonized. Despite this shift, these books remain some of the most compelling Star Wars stories ever told and continue to influence the current canon, as evidenced by 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 might seem daunting given the sheer volume of titles available. To help you navigate this vast collection, we've selected some of the most significant and enjoyable books to serve as your entry point. From the inception of the series to thrilling adventures featuring zombie stormtroopers and legendary Mandalorian escapes, not to mention the vibrant young adult tales centered on the offspring of iconic characters, these books offer some of the most entertaining experiences in the galaxy far, far away. All of these titles are conveniently available for purchase on Amazon, making it the easiest place to acquire them.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

### Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

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This book ignited the spark of the Expanded Universe, alongside the Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a legendary status within Star Wars lore because it was initially written as potential source material for a low-budget sequel to A New Hope, in case the film didn't perform well enough to warrant a large-scale follow-up. Although it never made it to the screen, it became a cornerstone of what would later be known as 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 fight scene and further explores the lore of the Force and the more cosmic aspects of the Star Wars universe.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

### Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

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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 cosmic 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 criminal underworld of the galaxy, showcasing why this duo is so beloved in 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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When discussing the most 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, and introduces readers to the Empire's heir apparent. Over time, Grand Admiral Thrawn, the formidable Chiss commander, became a fan-favorite character, eventually crossing over into Star Wars canon via the acclaimed Clone Wars TV series and recently making his live-action debut in Ahsoka. If you're looking for a Legends book that has significantly shaped Star Wars both on and off the screen, this is it.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

### Path of Destruction

$8.99 at Amazon

Another iconic Legends trilogy, the Darth Bane series focuses on the notorious Sith Lord and how his rule influenced the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is highly readable, offering a deep dive into Sith lore that enriches the Star Wars universe for fans. At the same time, it stands as an engaging, dark sci-fi narrative for those new to the franchise. Path of Destruction uniquely presents its story from the Sith perspective, providing insights into the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and the history of one of the most powerful and feared Sith Lords.

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

### Paperback Heirs of the Force

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For fans growing up in the '90s, the absence of new Star Wars films was offset by the wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series. It centers on the children of Han Solo and Princess Leia, Jacen and Jaina Solo, who are studying under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. These Force-sensitive teens led this engaging Young Readers series for years, culminating in Jacen's transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later Expanded Universe books. Jacen's journey undoubtedly influenced the character arc of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

### Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

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This cherished short story collection is one of the most beloved entries in the Expanded Universe, especially for revealing that fan-favorite Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. This plot point was canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but it made a triumphant return when The Book of Boba Fett adapted the same event. Beyond this pivotal moment, the anthology offers a delightful array of fun, weird, and wonderful alien-centric stories set in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

### Kindle Edition Death Troopers

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While not as lore-heavy as other entries, this standalone horror story about zombie Stormtroopers is one of the coolest additions to the Legends universe. Horror writer Joe Schreiber reintroduced the genre to the Galaxy Far, Far Away with this chilling tale. When an Imperial Prison Barge breaks down and docks with a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew discovers a nightmarish scenario as the dead begin to walk.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

### Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

$12.99 at Amazon

Have you heard the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise? James Luceno's acclaimed book under the Legends banner delves into the story of this infamous Sith Lord. Luceno crafts a dark and compelling narrative about the violent nature of the Sith and the perils of ambition. One of the most highly regarded contemporary Legends books, Darth Plagueis follows the rise to power of the titular villain and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine, as they pursue ultimate power, regardless of the deadly consequences.

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 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 significant Expanded Universe crossover event), and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The vast array of releases over nearly forty years, from 1977 to 2014, accounts for the extensive scope of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

In essence, anything labeled "Legends" was once part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen, elements from Legends can influence or even be incorporated into the current canon. For instance, when a book like Heir to the Empire is officially made part of the Star Wars canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes a core component of the official Star Wars narrative.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are numerous contemporary canon novels that enrich the galaxy and its inhabitants in ways directly tied to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, which introduced a new era to the Star Wars canon and is set to appear in live-action for the first time. 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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