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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 and legendary Mandalorian escapes, not to mention the vibrant young adult adventures of some iconic Star Wars offspring, 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 spark of 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. As history shows, that wasn't necessary, but this book remains a cornerstone of what would become the Expanded Universe and later, Legends. It 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. Their encounter with Darth Vader leads to an epic Leia/Vader fight scene and further explores the lore of the Force and the cosmic powers within the Star Wars universe.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

$8.99 at Amazon

This delightful trilogy remains one of the most cherished Legends adventures, compensating for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye by focusing entirely on the roguish cosmic 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 beloved characters in the Star Wars universe. 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 invariably mentioned. 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 beloved 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 not only to Star Wars fans eager to delve deeper into Sith lore but also to sci-fi enthusiasts looking for a gripping and 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 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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Growing up as a Star Wars fan in the '90s meant enjoying a wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series centered on the children of Han Solo and Princess Leia, 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 undoubtedly 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, a plot point that was canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized. However, this was later adapted in The Book of Boba Fett. Beyond this significant revelation, 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 entry in the Legends universe, this standalone horror story about zombie Stormtroopers is undeniably one of the coolest. Horror writer Joe Schreiber brought the genre back to the Galaxy Far, Far Away for the first time since the kids' horror series Galaxy of Fear, and he did so with a bang. When an Imperial Prison Barge breaks down in space and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's luck seems to change—until they discover the ship is filled with the walking dead.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

$12.99 at Amazon

Have you heard the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise? If not, James Luceno's acclaimed tale under the Legends banner will enlighten you. 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 to power of the titular villain and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, who would become Emperor Palpatine, as they pursue the ultimate power, no matter how dangerous and deadly it may be.

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 (which was 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 under the "Legends" banner 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 the inclusion of characters like Thrawn in live-action series. 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 the Star Wars canon.

While Star Wars Legends books are not canon, there are numerous 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.