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 already expanding the universe beyond what we saw on screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, now known as "Legends," pushed the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away with every book, comic, and game released. In 2014, following Disney's purchase of the franchise, the Expanded Universe was officially decanonized and rebranded as "Legends." Despite this, these books remain some of the finest Star Wars storytelling available and continue 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 part of Star Wars fandom, 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 of reading Legends books can feel daunting with hundreds of titles to choose from. That's why we've curated a list of the most essential and engaging books to serve as your entry point. From the origins of this expansive 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 Rebellion's cause. They encounter Darth Vader, leading to an epic 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 Han and Chewie on a thrilling journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why they are such a fan-favorite duo. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.

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 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 Star Wars canon through the Clone Wars TV series. As anticipated, he recently made his live-action debut in Ahsoka. If you're seeking a Legends book that has significantly shaped the Star Wars universe both on and off the screen, this is it.

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 to both Star Wars fans eager to delve deeper into Sith lore and sci-fi enthusiasts looking for a dark, engaging standalone series. 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 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** - See it

Growing up as a Star Wars fan in the '90s meant enjoying 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 Expanded Universe 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 short story collection is one of the most beloved entries in 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 it was later adapted in The Book of Boba Fett. Beyond this pivotal moment, 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 the most lore-heavy, this standalone horror story about zombie Stormtroopers is one of the coolest entries in 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 luck seems to change—until they discover the ship's only two survivors and the walking dead.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

**Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis** - $12.99 at Amazon

Have you heard the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise? James Luceno's acclaimed tale under the Legends banner delves into the life 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 follows the titular villain's rise to power, his training of his apprentice Darth Sidious (who becomes Emperor Palpatine), and his quest for ultimate power, no matter how dangerous.

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 that are part of the now-decanonized Legends universe. 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 extensive range of releases and diverse content is understandable, given that the series spanned from 1977 (six months before the film's release) to 2014, covering nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

In essence, anything labeled as "Legends" was once part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen, elements from Legends can influence or even become part of the official canon, as seen with Thrawn's live-action appearance in Ahsoka. When a book like Heir to the Empire is officially made canon by Lucasfilm, it loses its Legends status and becomes a core part of Star Wars canon.

Although 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, a massive crossover event that introduced 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.

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