I grew up a Star Wars fan, but it took me 20+ years to discover the Expanded Universe. Looking for a place to start, I scoured the web for a list of the best books to read, but it was a mess of recommendations and critiques. This list is my attempt to line up the Legends books you should absolutely read, in chronological order.
In my opinion, the New Jedi Order series (set 25 years after the events of Episode IV: A New Hope) is the crown jewel of the Expanded Universe. The books I’ve chosen here are the ones you should read to be prepared for the New Jedi Order’s storyline, both before and after.
This is the way.
OLD REPUBLIC ERA
Darth Bane Trilogy – 1,000 BBY
This trilogy includes Path of Destruction, Rule of Two, and Dynasty of Evil. There used to be a lot of Sith masters and warriors. It was an entire culture. Now there are only two. This is the story of how Darth Bane initiated the Sith’s infamous “rule of two.”
GALACTIC EMPIRE ERA
Darth Plagueis – 67-32 BBY
This is essentially The Phantom Menace as told from the Sith’s point of view. It’s a million times better than the movie, too. Plagueis is the master of Sidious and the one who can cheat death and live forever. I wish this version actually was the first prequel movie.
Revenge of the Sith – 19 BBY
I liked this movie the most of all three prequel films, but we all know it wasn’t perfect. I really wanted to get inside Anakin’s head as he’s losing control to the dark side of the Force. This book does a fantastic job of exploring that seduction for him.
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader – 18 BBY
What happens to Darth Vader between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope? Here we explore Vader’s rise to power and the tension that exists internally as he grapples with not being Anakin Skywalker anymore. It’s a fascinating look at the series’ best character.
Death Troopers – 1 BBY
Yes, a zombie book set in the Star Wars universe. It was bound to happen. The great thing is, it’s actually pretty good. I thought it was going to be cheesy, but it was a fun story and the action is intense. Throw in a few surprise guest appearances and everybody wins.
Han Solo Trilogy – 10-0 BBY
This trilogy includes The Paradise Snare, The Hutt Gambit, and Rebel Dawn. If you like Han Solo (who doesn’t?) there is no reason to skip these books. They bring Han from his teenage years all the way to the moment he meets Luke and Obi-Wan in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
REBELLION ERA
Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina – O BBY
A collection of short stories involving the misfits from the Mos Eisley Cantina as seen in A New Hope. From the little guy who wants more juri juice to the creature whose arm Obi-Wan slices off, we get a full suite of back stories. Dr. Evazan is a freak, you’ll agree.
Scoundrels – O ABY
Set just after A New Hope, this is a whodunnit mystery with a twist at the end that’s easily one of the best Star Wars moments, film or otherwise. We also learn why Han Solo and Lando Calrissian aren’t on good terms whey they meet in The Empire Strikes Back.
Shadows of the Empire – 3-4 ABY
Taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, this book includes all the right Star Wars set pieces plus a few extras. It’s also the best story about Prince Xizor, a cool Legends-only character everybody wishes was actually in the movies.
Bounty Hunter Wars Trilogy – 0-4 ABY
This trilogy includes The Mandalorian Armor, Slave Ship, and Hard Merchandise, and it’s all you could want if you’re a Boba Fett fanatic. How did Boba Fett get to be so awesome? Why does he prefer to work alone? And did he really die in the Sarlacc pit?
NEW REPUBLIC ERA
The Truce at Bakura – 4 ABY
Ever wonder what happens immediately after the Rebels win at Endor? They don’t get much time to celebrate, that’s for sure. Luke, Leia, and Han rush off to the remote world of Bakura to strike a deal with the Empire and fight back a new threat to the galaxy.
X-Wing: Rogue Squadron Series – 6-7 ABY
There are a lot of X-Wing books. For this list, just read the first four: Rogue Squadron, Wedge’s Gamble, The Krytos Trap, and The Bacta War. This is how the New Republic liberates Coruscant from the Empire and the challenges of ruling a legitimate government begin.
The Courtship of Princess Leia – 8 ABY
It was never a given that Han Solo and Princess Leia ended up together. Han ultimately bests the prince of the galaxy’s richest star system for Leia’s hand in marriage. There’s also some great background for Luke Skywalker’s future as leader of the New Jedi Order.
Tatooine Ghost – 8 ABY
Leia heads to Tatooine on a secret mission and learns about her father’s life as a young slave. She meets his friends. Hears his story. Listens to recordings from Anakin’s mother—Leia’s own grandmother. It’s a lot to take in, and it changes the way she feels about Darth Vader forever.
Thrawn Trilogy – 9 ABY
This trilogy includes Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. It’s by far the most important story in the Expanded Universe. Without it, there probably is no Expanded Universe. The true star is the Empire’s fearless new leader: Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Dark Empire Trilogy – 10 ABY
Emperor Palpatine returns and lures Luke to the dark side of the Force. These graphic novels are polarizing among Star Wars fans, but it’s an interesting story that is heavily referenced in the rest of the Expanded Universe, so it’s worth reading for that reason alone.
Jedi Academy Trilogy – 11 ABY
This trilogy includes Jedi Search, Dark Apprentice, and Champions of the Force. Luke Skywalker recruits and trains the first group of Jedi since the Empire’s great purge 30 years earlier. The Solo children also begin to show their Jedi potential.
I, Jedi – 11 ABY
I’m not a huge fan of this book, as the first half is a carbon copy of the Jedi Academy story and I read the two back-to-back so that’s probably not advised. However, Corran Horn is a key character in Legends and plays a huge part in the upcoming New Jedi Order series. His path to becoming a Jedi is crucial to understand.
Darksaber – 12 ABY
You will need to know who Callista Ming is later on in the Expanded Universe. She is Luke Skywalker’s love interest and is first introduced in Children of the Jedi, but that’s the worst book in Star Wars by far. Don’t go near it; instead, check out this synopsis. Darksaber also has great background for Admiral Daala and her vision for re-establishing the Empire.
Black Fleet Crisis Trilogy – 16-17 ABY
This trilogy includes Before the Storm, Shield of Lies, and Tyrant’s Test. It’s the biggest challenge the New Republic has faced since the fall of the Empire. The ruthless Yevethen are a serious threat, but it all comes together in the end for Luke, Leia, and Han.
Corellian Trilogy – 18 ABY
This trilogy includes Ambush at Corellia, Assault at Selonia, and Showdown at Centerpoint. It’s important to get a feel for Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin Solo while they are still children, and it’s here we really set the foundation for their personality traits and skill sets.
The Hand of Thrawn Duology – 19 ABY
This duology includes Spectre of the Past and Vision of the Future. Two huge things happen in this series that play integral roles in the New Jedi Order. First, Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade get engaged. Second, the New Republic signs a peace treaty with the Empire.
NEW JEDI ORDER ERA
Vector Prime – 25 ABY
Possibly the biggest single book in the Expanded Universe. We first meet the Yuuzhan Vong, a terrifying race from another galaxy hell bent on destroying everything in their path. Big battles. Excellent writing. Heroics by the Solo kids. And the stunning death of a beloved character.
Dark Tide I-II – 25 ABY
The duology includes Onslaught and Ruin, and it’s a dark time for the New Republic. With the help of Admiral Pellaeon and the Imperials, the good guys mount an offensive against the Yuuzhan Vong at Ithor. But they lose, big-time, and the entire planet is destroyed.
Agents of Chaos I-II – 25 ABY
The duology includes Hero’s Trial and Jedi Eclipse and reintroduces Han Solo to the fight. But Han is a broken man after the death of Chewbacca, and his personal struggles echo that of the New Rupublic overall. Catastrophic losses give the Yuuzhan Vong the advantage in the war.
Balance Point – 26 ABY
Han, Leia, and the Solo kids leave the main fight to support refugees displaced by the Yuuzhan Vong. But the war comes to them, and young Jacen Solo fights an internal battle to stay away from the Force. He succumbs to the power, and his long path to the dark side is forged.
Edge of Victory I-II – 26 ABY
The duology includes Conquest and Rebirth and largely follows Anakin Solo’s mission to save the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV. We learn even more about why the Yuuzhan Vong are attacking the galaxy, and Luke and Mara’s son, Ben, is born in seclusion.
Star By Star – 27 ABY
The Yuuzhan Vong unleash the voxyn, a terrifying breed of creatures that hunt down the Jedi. The Solo children embark on a suicide mission to kill the voxyn queen, while the Yuuzhan Vong finally strike at Coruscant, the home planet of the New Republic.
Dark Journey – 27 ABY
Coruscant falls and a shattered Jaina Solo takes center stage following the death of younger brother Anakin and capture of her twin brother Jacen. This is the darkest any of our heroes has gotten since Luke turned to the dark side in the Dark Empire trilogy.
Enemy Lines I-II – 27 ABY
The duology includes Rebel Dream and Rebel Stand and introduces the Resistance to the Expanded Universe. Luke and Mara return to Coruscant to face a deadly Dark Jedi, while Jaina Solo steps into a leadership position as the good guys win their first major battle.
Traitor – 27 ABY
The other biggest single book in the Expanded Universe. Jacen Solo is not dead. Rather, he’s been captured by the Yuuzhan Vong and is tortured by Vergere, the mysterious former Jedi. To survive, Jacen abandons the way of the Jedi and makes an unlikely alliance.
Destiny’s Way – 28 ABY
Jacen Solo returns, but he’s a changed man after his capture by the Yuuzhan Vong. The New Republic elects a new Chief of State, who helps Luke Skywalker restart the Jedi Council, and Admiral Ackbar sets a trap for the enemy that changes the tide of the war.
The Force Heretic I-III – 28-29 ABY
This trilogy includes Remnant, Refugee, and Reunion. Luke and Jacen head to the Unknown Regions in search of a mysterious being that may change the galaxy’s fate. Meanwhile, Nom Anor sows the seeds of dissent on the Yuuzhan Vong homeworld.
The Final Prophecy – 29 ABY
With Luke Skywalker already on Zenoma Sekot, Corran Horn and Tahiri Veila travel to the living planet along with three Yuuzhan Vong dissidents. However, Nom Anor reveals himself and poisons Sekot, setting in motion the war’s final stages.
The Unifying Force – 29 ABY
It all comes down to this. Our heroes attack Coruscant in epic fashion, striking down Supreme Overlord Shimra to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong. But at what cost? Hundreds of millions dead. Planets destroyed. Governments shattered. The war is over, but the galaxy is forever changed.
The Dark Nest Trilogy – 35-36 ABY
This trilogy includes The Joiner King, The Unseen Queen, and The Swarm War. It’s not part of the New Jedi Order series, but it’s not part of the Legacy of the Forces series, either. A bridge between the two, Luke Skywalker ascends to Grand Master of the Jedi Order.
LEGACY OF THE FORCE ERA
Betrayal – 40 ABY
In the beginning of this 9-book series, we follow Jacen Solo’s decent to the dark side of the Force. A storyline that’s been building since the onset of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion and spanning 15 years of Jacen’s life, our hero embraces destiny as only he sees it.
Bloodlines – 40 ABY
Jacen Solo is looking more and more like his grandfather, Darth Vader, every day. Leading a deadly special ops unit, Jacen ruthlessly hunts Corellian dissidents on Coruscant. Ben Skywalker is caught in the middle, and an aging Boba Fett re-enters the storyline in a big way.
Tempest – 40 ABY
The rift between Jacen Solo and everyone else grows wider as he accumulates more power. Luke Skywalker learns that Jacen has been working with a Sith named Lumiya, and he makes it clear his son Ben is not to train with Jacen any longer.
Exile – 40 ABY
Han and Leia are on the run after their son Jacen exposes a role he thinks they played the attempted assassination of the Hapan queen. A huge battle breaks out between the Galactic Alliance and members of the Confederate separatists, which are trying to break away from the government.
Sacrifice – 40 ABY
So much happens in this book. Jacen Solo makes his sacrifice and becomes Dark Lord of the Sith. He’s also Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance after leading a shocking military coup. Ben Skywalker shines as a troubled teen ready to break through.
Inferno- 40 ABY
Jacen Solo sheds his past and embraces his destiny as Darth Caedus, who becomes increasingly violent and unhinged, forcing Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Order to abandon the Galactic Alliance and declare war on Jacen personally.
Fury – 40 ABY
Darth Caedus kidnaps his daughter to try and keep her safe, but the Jedi mount a stirring rescue mission to save the Hapan princess. Jania Solo and company hunt down and kill Alema Rar to rid the galaxy of one more dark side user.
Revelation – 41 ABY
Feeling like it’s up to her and no one else, Jaina Solo embarks on a training mission to learn the skills she needs to kill her own brother, Darth Caedus. Jaina travels to Mandalore and strikes a deal with Boba Fett to train with the legendary bounty hunter.
Invincible – 41 ABY
The last chapter in the 9-book series, our heroes jump right into the big fight. Luke, Han, and Leia lead a daring distraction so that Jaina can sneak aboard the Anakin Solo starship to confront her dark side brother, Darth Caedus, one final time.
Millennium Falcon – 43 ABY
A bridge between the Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi series, this book follows Han, Leia, and their young granddaughter on a galaxy-spanning mystery to discover the true history of the famous Millennium Falcon.
FATE OF THE JEDI ERA
Outcast – 43 ABY
Following the tragic events of the Legacy of the Force series, in which Darth Caedus wreaks havoc on the galaxy, a hard-lined Galactic Alliance government takes shape. Under new leadership, the Jedi are blamed for Jacen Solo’s betrayal and Luke Skywalker is exiled for his failure to control Jacen.
Omen – 43 ABY
Banished from Coruscant for a period of 10 years, Luke Skywalker and his son Ben embark on a quest to retrace Jacen’s steps to becoming a dark side Force user. Their goal is to learn how it all fell apart for Jacen so they can prevent it from happening again to other powerful Jedi. Ben feels a strange sensation tugging at the back of his mind, an omen of things to come.
Abyss – 43 ABY
Luke and Ben Skywalker discover a weird sect of Force users called the Mind Walkers, who are meditating themselves to death believing the real world is just an illusion. The Mind Walkers inform them that Jacen Solo spent time with their group, so Luke follows them “beyond shadows” to learn more about Jacen’s fall to the dark side.
Backlash – 43 ABY
Chief of State Natasi Daala wages a public relations smear campaign against the Jedi and hires Mandalorian mercenaries to police the Jedi Order. Meanwhile, Luke and Ben track down the Sith apprentice Vestara Khai who is hiding on Dathomir after most of her clan was killed in a previous battle with the Skywalkers. Vestara is captured and boards Luke and Ben’s ship as a prisoner.
Allies – 44 ABY
Sith commanders, including Vestara Khai’s powerful father, reach out to Luke and propose the Sith and Skywalkers work together to destroy the terrifying Force entity known as Abeloth. She wields immense power and is responsible for the mysterious Force psychosis infecting many Jedi Knights across the galaxy. Stuck together, Vestara and Ben begin to form a strong bond.
Vortex – 44 ABY
Public sentiment swings in favor of the Jedi after Abeloth’s supposed death lifts the Force illness affecting many of them. Chief of State Daala continues her seige of the Jedi Temple, and her Mandalorian thugs gun down an innocent Jedi live on the Holonet. Shocked and cornered, the Jedi Council debates all-out war against the Galactic Alliance government they have sworn to protect.
Conviction – 44 ABY
The Jedi infiltrate government headquarters and capture Chief of State Daala, taking control of the Galactic Alliance momentarily. Boba Fett breaks her out of prison and Daala flees to the Empire to make her next move. The Skywalkers track down Abeloth, who reveals she has absorbed the persona of Luke’s former lover, Callista Ming. Tormented, he uses the Force to rip Callista’s spirit from the villain.
Ascension – 44 ABY
Desperate to destroy Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Order, the Lost Tribe of Sith join forces with Abeloth. She is betrayed, however, and wipes out much of the Tribe. Luke returns to Coruscant to announce the Jedi are formally leaving the Galactic Alliance to self-govern. In their absence, a wave of anti-Jedi senators claim power, many of whom are revealed to be Sith Lords in hiding.
Apocalypse – 44 ABY
The 9-book Fate of the Jedi series concludes with the Jedi invading Coruscant in order to free it from the evil Sith takeover. Vestara’s true allegiance is revealed as the battle rages on, devastating Ben Skywalker. Abeloth, now in control of the Galactic Alliance as she manipulates the Sith, faces Luke Skywalker for the last time in an epic battle of good vs. evil.
Crucible – 45 ABY
This is it—the very last book in the Star Wars Legends timeline! When an asteroid mining operation led by Lando Calrissian is destroyed by terrorists, the trio of Luke, Leia, and Han spearhead the investigation. After an epic Force battle that nearly kills them, our heroes finally admit they have done enough for the galaxy and step away from the action once and for all.
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In 2014, Disney rebooted the Star Wars franchise with the blockbuster film The Force Awakens, rendering all of the above content “non-canon.” Whatever. It’s still bad-ass and better than much of what Lucasfilm has put together in the new storyline.
Long live the Expanded Universe!
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