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 we saw on screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, as it was originally known, pushed the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away with every new book, comic, and game. However, in 2014, following Disney's purchase of the franchise, the Expanded Universe was officially rebranded as "Legends" and decanonized. Despite this, the Legends books remain some of the richest and most influential Star Wars storytelling available, continuing to impact the official Star Wars canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in "Ahsoka." If you're eager to dive into this extensive part of Star Wars lore, here's our guide to the best Star Wars Legends books to get you started.

Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?

Embarking on the journey of reading the Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles to choose from. To help you navigate this vast universe, we've curated a list of the most essential and engaging books to serve as your entry point. From the inception of this expansive collection to thrilling tales of zombie stormtroopers, epic escapes by legendary Mandalorians, and the youthful adventures of iconic Star Wars descendants, these stories offer some of the most enjoyable experiences in the galaxy far, far away. Each of these books is readily available for purchase on Amazon, the 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 kickstarted the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and the beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It's a pivotal piece of Star Wars history, originally written as potential material for a low-budget sequel to "A New Hope" in case the film didn't perform well enough for a grander follow-up. Although it never made it to the screen, it's crucial to the Expanded Universe and later Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—no Han or Chewie, apologies to Wookiee fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebel cause. Their encounter with Darth Vader leads to an exhilarating Leia/Vader fight scene and expands on the lore of the Force and the broader cosmic elements of Star Wars.

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," follows the third Star Wars novel after Alan Dean Foster's adaptation and "Splinter of the Mind's Eye." Brian Daley takes readers on a wild journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, highlighting why Han and Chewie are such fan-favorite duo. Subsequent books continue their interstellar escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

When discussing influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy often tops the list. Timothy Zahn's series begins with this novel, set five years after the Battle of Endor, introducing readers to the Empire's heir apparent. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the brilliant Chiss commander, quickly became a fan favorite and eventually crossed over into Star Wars canon through "The Clone Wars" TV series. His recent live-action debut in "Ahsoka" further cements his impact. If you're looking for a Legends book that significantly influenced Star Wars both on and off 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 highly readable, appealing not only to Star Wars fans interested in Sith lore but also to sci-fi enthusiasts seeking a dark, engaging narrative. "Path of Destruction" uniquely tells its story from a Sith perspective, offering insights into the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and the life 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

$2 (See it)

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 beloved series featuring 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 Young Readers series was a staple for years, culminating in Jacen's dark turn to become the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later books—a clear precursor to the sequel trilogy's Kylo Ren.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

$4.99 at Amazon

This short story collection is a fan favorite, particularly for revealing that Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit, a plot point that was canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized. However, "The Book of Boba Fett" later adapted this very moment, bringing it back into the fold. Beyond this significant reveal, the book offers a delightful array of quirky, alien-centric tales from the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

$11.99 at Amazon

While not the most lore-intensive, this standalone horror novel featuring zombie Stormtroopers is one of the coolest entries in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber, a horror writer, brought the genre back to Star Wars with a bang. When an Imperial prison barge encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's luck turns grim as they discover the ship's deadly secret.

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 delves into the story of this infamous Sith Lord under the Legends banner. Luceno crafts a dark and compelling narrative about the Sith's violent nature and the perils of ambition. "Darth Plagueis" is one of the most respected contemporary Legends books, chronicling the rise of the titular villain and his training of 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. These include the likes of "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." Spanning from 1977 to 2014, the Expanded Universe's extensive and diverse content reflects nearly forty years of storytelling.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

What does it mean for a story to be labeled "Legends"? Essentially, anything under the Legends banner was part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered part of the official Star Wars canon. However, as seen with Thrawn and other elements, Legends can influence and even be integrated into the canon. When a Legends book like "Heir to the Empire" is officially canonized by Lucasfilm, it transitions from Legends status to become a core part of the Star Wars canon.

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