Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Home News Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, before the prequels, and even before the original Star Wars film hit theaters, authors were crafting expansive narratives that extended the universe far 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 acquisition 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, continuing 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 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 with hundreds of titles to choose from. To help you navigate this expansive universe, we've curated a list of essential and highly recommended books that serve as excellent entry 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 the most convenient place to buy books online.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

$4.99 at Amazon

This book ignited the spark of 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 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 then 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 encounter with Darth Vader leads to an epic Leia/Vader fight scene and further explores the lore of the Force and the cosmic powers within the Star Wars universe.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

$8.99 at Amazon

This beloved trilogy 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 ever published, following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation of Star Wars and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Brian Daley takes readers on a thrilling journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why Han and Chewie are such a fan-favorite duo. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades, cementing their place as some of the most cherished Legends adventures.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

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, quickly became a fan favorite and eventually made his way into the Star Wars canon through the Clone Wars TV series and, more recently, in live-action in Ahsoka. If you're seeking a Legends book that has significantly shaped Star Wars both on and off the screen, this is the one to read.

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 impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is compelling for Star Wars fans as it enriches the lore of the Sith, but it also stands alone as an engaging and dark sci-fi read. 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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During the '90s, when no new Star Wars films were being released, 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 twins, studying under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, led this charming young readers' series for years. Jacen's eventual turn to the dark side and transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later books notably influenced the character of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

$4.99 at Amazon

This beloved short story collection is a cherished part of 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, weird, and wonderful alien-centric stories set in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

$11.99 at Amazon

While not as lore-heavy as other entries, 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. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's luck turns grim as the dead begin to rise, leading to terrifying consequences.

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 dark and compelling 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 the 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 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 spans from 1977, just six months before the release of the first film, to 2014, covering almost forty years of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

The "Legends" label signifies content that was once part of the Expanded Universe but 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 the character Thrawn. When a Legends book like Heir to the Empire is officially incorporated into the canon by Lucasfilm, it sheds its Legends status and becomes a core part of the Star Wars universe.

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 introduces 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.