Top Star Wars Legends Books to Read in 2025

Decades before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, before the prequels, and even before the release of the first Star Wars film, writers were crafting a vast universe that expanded beyond what was seen on screen. This rich tapestry of stories, known as the Star Wars Expanded Universe, pushed the boundaries of the galaxy far, far away through its books, comics, and games. However, in 2014, following Disney's acquisition, the Expanded Universe was officially decanonized and rebranded as "Legends." Despite this, the Legends books remain some of the finest Star Wars storytelling, 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 delve 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?

Diving into the Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles available. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of essential and standout books that serve as excellent entry points. From the origins of the Expanded Universe to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers, legendary Mandalorian escapes, and vibrant young adult adventures featuring the offspring of iconic characters, these stories offer some of the most engaging experiences in the galaxy far, far away. You can easily purchase each of these books on Amazon, your go-to destination for buying 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 Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It's a seminal work in Star Wars lore, initially written as potential material for a low-budget sequel to "A New Hope," should the film not perform well enough to warrant a big-budget follow-up. Although it was never adapted, it remains a cornerstone of the Expanded Universe, later known as Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—without Han or Chewie, much to Wookiee fans' dismay—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebellion's cause. They encounter Darth Vader, leading to an exhilarating fight scene between Leia and Vader, and further explores the lore of the Force and its cosmic powers.

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 solely 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, showcasing why they are such beloved characters. Subsequent books continue their interstellar escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

Among the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy stands out, starting with this book set five years after the Battle of Endor. It introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn, the powerful Chiss commander, who quickly became a fan favorite. Thrawn's transition into the Star Wars canon via "The Clone Wars" and his recent live-action debut in "Ahsoka" underscores the trilogy's impact. If you're seeking a Legends book that has reshaped Star Wars on and off the screen, this is it.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

Path of Destruction

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This iconic trilogy focuses on the infamous Sith Lord Darth Bane and his influence on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's work not only enriches the Sith lore for Star Wars fans but also stands as a compelling standalone sci-fi series for any reader. "Path of Destruction" offers a unique perspective on the Sith, exploring the origins of the Rule of Two and detailing the rise of one of the most formidable 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 a wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this series featuring Jacen and Jaina Solo, the children of Han and Leia. Trained by Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, the Force-sensitive teens star in this engaging young adult series. Jacen's later turn to the dark side and transformation into Darth Caedus in subsequent 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

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This beloved short story collection is a staple of the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. Although this was decanonized with the rest of the Legends material, it was later adapted into "The Book of Boba Fett." Beyond this pivotal moment, the anthology offers a delightful mix of fun, weird, and wonderful tales centered on the galaxy's diverse alien inhabitants.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

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While not the most lore-heavy, this standalone horror novel featuring zombie stormtroopers is one of the coolest entries in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber brings horror back to the galaxy far, far away for the first time since the "Galaxy of Fear" series. The story unfolds aboard an Imperial prison barge that encounters a deserted Star Destroyer, only to unleash a terrifying outbreak.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

$12.99 at Amazon

James Luceno's acclaimed novel delves into the life of Darth Plagueis, the wise Sith Lord. This darkly brilliant tale explores the violence and ambition within the Sith order. One of the more contemporary Legends books, it follows Plagueis's rise to power, his training of Darth Sidious—later Emperor Palpatine—and his quest for ultimate power, no matter the cost.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

There are nearly 400 books classified under the Star Wars Legends banner, alongside 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," and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." This vast array of content spanned from 1977—just six months before the first film's release—to 2014, covering nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

The "Legends" label encompasses what was once known as the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as seen with inspirations and direct canon appearances like Thrawn, the boundary between Legends and canon can shift. When a Legends book like "Heir to the Empire" is incorporated into the official canon by Lucasfilm, it transitions from Legends status to a core part of Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are numerous contemporary canon novels that expand the galaxy and its stories, directly tied to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, which introduces a new era 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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