The Best Star Wars Legends Books Worth Reading in 2025

Decades before Disney's monumental four-billion-dollar acquisition of Lucasfilm, before the prequels, and even before the original Star Wars film, writers were already crafting a galaxy far, far beyond what the screen could initially show. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, later rebranded "Legends" after the Disney purchase in 2014, expanded the galaxy's boundaries with countless books, comics, and games. Despite its decanonization, Legends remains a treasure trove of compelling storytelling, continuing to influence current Star Wars canon—witness the recent live-action introduction of Thrawn in Ahsoka. Ready to explore this rich tapestry of stories? Here's a curated list of essential Star Wars Legends books to begin your journey.

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, from the origins of the Expanded Universe to thrilling Mandalorian escapes and the vibrant adventures of iconic Star Wars offspring. 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 book ignited the Expanded Universe alongside Marvel Comics and early Star Wars newspaper strips. Conceived as a potential low-budget sequel to A New Hope, it features Luke and Leia (without Han or Chewie) recruiting planetary support for the Rebellion, encountering Darth Vader in a memorable duel and expanding the lore of the Force.

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 roguish smuggler. Beginning with Han Solo at Stars' End, the third Star Wars novel ever published, Brian Daley's thrilling tales showcase Han and Chewie's adventures through the galaxy's criminal underworld.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

### Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

A cornerstone of Legends, Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy, starting with this title, introduced Grand Admiral Thrawn, a powerful Chiss commander who became a fan favorite and later transitioned into Star Wars canon via Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka. This book significantly reshaped the Star Wars landscape, both on and off-screen.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

### Path of Destruction

$8.99 at Amazon

This iconic trilogy centers on Darth Bane, exploring his reign and influence on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's engaging narrative appeals to both Star Wars enthusiasts and sci-fi fans alike, offering insight into the Sith 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 follows Han and Leia's Force-sensitive children, Jacen and Jaina Solo, as they train at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy. Their journey, particularly Jacen's eventual descent into darkness as Darth Caedus, significantly 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 collection of short stories is a fan favorite, notably revealing Boba Fett's survival of the Sarlacc Pit—a detail later adapted into The Book of Boba Fett. It offers a diverse array of fun, strange, and captivating alien-centric stories.

Death Troopers (2009)

### Kindle Edition Death Troopers

$11.99 at Amazon

While less lore-heavy, this standalone horror story featuring zombie stormtroopers is a unique and thrilling addition to the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber's chilling tale delivers a fresh take on the Star Wars galaxy.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

### Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

$12.99 at Amazon

James Luceno's acclaimed novel chronicles the rise and fall of Darth Plagueis, the master of Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine). This dark and compelling story explores the dangers of ambition and the brutal realities of the Sith.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

The Star Wars Legends universe encompasses nearly 400 books, along with numerous comics, games, and other media. This vast collection, spanning from 1977 to 2014, represents almost four decades of storytelling.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

Legends material is no longer considered canon. However, its influence on current Star Wars canon is undeniable, with various elements and characters making their way into official storylines. While Legends books are not canon, numerous contemporary canon novels offer equally rich storytelling experiences.

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