The Best Star Wars Legends Books Worth Reading in 2025

Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, before the prequels, and even before the release of the first Star Wars movie, writers were crafting expansive narratives that extended far beyond the 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 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 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 the most essential and engaging books to serve as your entry point. From the origins of the sprawling collection and the Star Wars franchise itself, 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 enjoyable 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 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 journey leads to an encounter with Darth Vader, featuring an exhilarating Leia/Vader fight scene and further exploration of the Force and its cosmic powers within the Star Wars universe.

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 Star Wars adaptation 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, offering more of the action and charm that fans adore.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

When discussing the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy is invariably 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 Star Wars canon through the acclaimed Clone Wars TV series. His recent live-action appearance in Ahsoka further cements his significance. If you're seeking a Legends book that has reshaped 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 books focus on the notorious Sith Lord and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is highly readable, appealing not only to Star Wars fans eager to delve deeper into Sith lore but also to sci-fi enthusiasts looking for a gripping, dark narrative. Path of Destruction offers a unique perspective by telling its story from the Sith's viewpoint, providing insights 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 Star Wars fans growing up 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, studying under Luke Skywalker at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, lead this engaging Young Readers series. Their journey takes a dark turn when Jacen turns against his family and becomes the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later Expanded Universe books. This storyline 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 revelation was canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but it was later reintroduced in The Book of Boba Fett. Beyond this pivotal moment, 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 as lore-heavy as other entries, this standalone horror story featuring 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 by the undead, 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 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 later 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, spanning from 1977 to 2014, reflects nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe's rich history.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

The "Legends" label encompasses what was once known as the Expanded Universe, which is no longer considered part of the official Star Wars canon. However, as we've seen with various inspirations and direct canon appearances, this status can shift. As the Star Wars universe continues to expand on screen, more elements from Legends may find their way into the canon. For instance, when a book like Heir to the Empire is officially made part of the canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes a core component of the Star Wars narrative.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are numerous contemporary canon novels that enrich the galaxy and its inhabitants, directly connecting to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, a massive crossover event that introduced a new era to the Star Wars canon, soon to be featured 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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