The Best Star Wars Legends Books Worth Reading in 2025

Decades before Disney's landmark $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm, before the prequels, and even before the original Star Wars film, writers were already expanding the galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, later rebranded "Legends" after the Disney purchase in 2014, pushed the boundaries of the saga through countless books, comics, and games. Despite its decanonization, Legends remains a treasure trove of compelling storytelling, influencing current Star Wars canon, as evidenced by Thrawn's recent live-action debut in Ahsoka. Ready to explore this rich tapestry? Here's a curated list of essential Star Wars Legends books to get you started.

Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?

Navigating the hundreds of Legends titles can be daunting. This list highlights the most impactful and enjoyable starting points, offering a journey from the franchise's origins to thrilling adventures featuring iconic characters and exciting new storylines. All these books are readily available on Amazon.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

### Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

$4.99 at Amazon

This novel, conceived as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope, ignited the Expanded Universe alongside Marvel comics and newspaper strips. Featuring Luke and Leia (but not Han or Chewie), it showcases a thrilling Leia/Vader confrontation and expands the Force's lore, establishing a cornerstone of what would become Legends.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

### Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

$8.99 at Amazon

This beloved trilogy compensates for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye, focusing on the charming rogue. Beginning with Han Solo at Stars' End, the third Star Wars novel ever published, Brian Daley's tale plunges Han and Chewie into thrilling adventures through the galaxy's criminal underworld, highlighting their enduring appeal.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

### Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

Highly influential, Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy begins here. Set five years after the Battle of Endor, it introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn, a powerful Chiss commander who became a fan favorite and later transitioned into Star Wars canon, appearing in Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

### Path of Destruction

$8.99 at Amazon

Drew Karpyshyn's iconic Darth Bane trilogy explores the titular Sith Lord's reign and its impact on the galaxy. Offering a compelling Sith perspective, it delves into the origins of the Rule of Two and one of history's most formidable Sith Lords.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force (1995)

### Paperback Heirs of the Force

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This beloved series focuses on Han and Leia's Force-sensitive children, Jacen and Jaina, training at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy. Their adventures, including Jacen's later transformation into Darth Caedus, significantly influenced the sequel trilogy's Kylo Ren.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

### Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

$4.99 at Amazon

This collection of short stories, notably revealing Boba Fett's survival of the Sarlacc Pit (a detail later adapted into The Book of Boba Fett), is filled with quirky, alien-centric tales showcasing the galaxy's diverse inhabitants.

Death Troopers (2009)

### Kindle Edition Death Troopers

$11.99 at Amazon

This standalone horror novel, featuring zombie Stormtroopers, offers a unique and thrilling addition to the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber's chilling tale brings a fresh perspective to the Star Wars galaxy.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

### Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

$12.99 at Amazon

James Luceno's acclaimed novel tells the story of Darth Plagueis, the wise Sith Lord who trained Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine). This dark and compelling tale explores the Sith's ambition and the pursuit of ultimate power.

How many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

Nearly 400 books comprise the Star Wars Legends universe, alongside numerous comics, games, and films, spanning from 1977 to 2014. This vast collection includes The Star Wars Holiday Special, Star Wars: Droids, Ewoks, and games like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

Legends content is non-canon, but its influence on current Star Wars storytelling is undeniable. While some elements remain purely Legends, others have inspired or even directly transitioned into canon. The High Republic series, for instance, offers a contemporary canon exploration of the Star Wars galaxy. Other canon novels include Leia by Claudia Gray, E. K. Johnston's Padmé trilogy, and many more.

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