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, as it was known, 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 decanonized and rebranded as "Legends." Despite this, the Legends books remain some of the finest Star Wars storytelling available, continuing to influence the current Star Wars canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in the series Ahsoka. If you're eager to dive into this vast segment of Star Wars lore, we've compiled 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 given the sheer volume of titles available. To help you navigate this expansive universe, we've curated a list of essential and highly recommended books that serve as excellent starting points. From the origins of the franchise to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers, legendary Mandalorian escapes, and vibrant young adult adventures featuring the offspring of iconic characters, these books offer some of the most engaging experiences in the galaxy far, far away. Each of these titles is readily available for purchase on Amazon, making it easy to begin your reading adventure.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

$4.99 at Amazon

This book marks the inception of the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and the beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It holds a legendary status within the Star Wars community 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 big-budget follow-up. Although it never made it to the screen, it became a cornerstone of what would later be known as the Expanded Universe and eventually Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—without Han or Chewie, much to the dismay of Wookiee fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebel cause. Their journey leads to an encounter with Darth Vader, featuring a thrilling Leia/Vader fight scene and further exploration of the Force and its cosmic powers.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

$8.99 at Amazon

This cherished trilogy remains one of the most beloved Legends adventures, compensating 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, 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 readers on a wild journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why Han and Chewie are such fan-favorite characters. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

When discussing influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy is invariably among the first mentioned. 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, quickly became a fan favorite and eventually made his way into the Star Wars canon through the acclaimed Clone Wars TV series. His recent live-action appearance in Ahsoka further cements his impact. If you're seeking 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 his influence on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is compelling for Star Wars fans as it enriches the lore of the Sith, while also standing alone as a gripping sci-fi narrative for those who enjoy dark, engaging stories. Path of Destruction offers a unique perspective by telling its story from the Sith's viewpoint, delving 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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For those who grew up as Star Wars fans in the '90s, the absence of new films was offset by the wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. The twins, training under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, lead this charming young readers' series. Jacen's eventual turn to the dark side and transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later books echoes the journey of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy, highlighting the influence of Legends on the main canon.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

$4.99 at Amazon

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. This was considered canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but the moment was later adapted in The Book of Boba Fett. Beyond this pivotal revelation, the book is filled with fun, quirky, and fascinating alien-centric stories set in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

$11.99 at Amazon

While not the most lore-heavy, this standalone horror novel about 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, delivering a chilling tale. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's hopes are dashed as they discover the ship is overrun with the undead.

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 novel under the Legends banner delves into the story of this infamous Sith Lord. Luceno crafts a darkly brilliant narrative about the violence of the Sith and the perils of ambition. One of the most highly regarded contemporary Legends books, Darth Plagueis chronicles the rise of the titular villain and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine, as they pursue ultimate power at any cost.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

There are nearly 400 books classified under the Star Wars Legends banner, along with numerous comics, games, and films that are part of the now-decanonized Legends 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 (which was part of a massive Expanded Universe crossover event), and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The extensive range of releases and diverse content is understandable given that the series spanned from 1977—six months before the first film's release—to 2014, covering nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe.

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, elements from Legends can influence or even be integrated into the main canon, as seen with characters like Thrawn. When a book like Heir to the Empire is officially made canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes a core part of the Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are many contemporary canon novels that expand the galaxy and its inhabitants in ways 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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