Youtini's Essential Six Books Every Star Wars Fan Should Read First

Introduction to Star Wars Books

The Star Wars universe is vast and expansive, with a rich history that spans thousands of years. While the films and television shows provide a glimpse into this galaxy far, far away, the books offer a deeper dive into the characters, planets, and events that shape the Star Wars saga.

From the early days of the Republic to the rise of the Empire, and from the heroes of the Rebel Alliance to the villains of the First Order, the Star Wars books provide a wealth of information and insight into the Star Wars universe. For those looking to explore further, the best Star Wars novels offer a comprehensive guide to both Legends and new Canon titles.

Why Read Star Wars Books?

So why read Star Wars books? For fans of the franchise, the books offer a way to delve deeper into the characters and storylines that they love. They provide a richer understanding of the Star Wars universe, its history, and its mythology. The books also offer a unique perspective on the events of the films, often filling in gaps and providing new insights into the motivations and actions of the characters. A.C. Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy, for example, provides essential backstory for Han, including his relationships and experiences that shape him into the beloved smuggler seen in the films.

But the Star Wars books are not just for fans of the franchise. They are also a great way for new readers to enter the Star Wars universe, providing a comprehensive and engaging introduction to the characters, planets, and events that make up the saga. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just starting out, the Star Wars books have something to offer.

Exploring the Galaxy Far, Far Away

We love the Star Wars universe, because it's so much more than just a series of amazing films; is a sprawling tapestry of stories that span millennia, from the ancient conflicts between the Sith and Jedi to the iconic struggles of the Rebel Alliance.

Each era brings its own unique flavor, characters, and adventures, making the galaxy far, far away a treasure trove for readers. Star Wars books offer a deeper dive into this rich history, allowing us to explore the intricate details and untold stories that the films and TV shows only hint at.

Whether you’re interested in the rise of the Sith, the battles of the Clone Wars, or the adventures of the New Republic, there’s a Star Wars book out there that will transport you to a different corner of this beloved universe.

What is the Expanded Universe?

While it’s hard to imagine now, there was a time when Star Wars existed only as a single film. George Lucas himself wasn’t even sure the movie would be successful before its release, so he commissioned Alan Dean Foster to pen a follow-up novel called Splinter of the Mind’s Eye as the basis for a low budget sequel in the event that the original flopped.

Of course, Star Wars released to critical and commercial success, launching arguably the single biggest pop culture franchise in history. Still, Foster’s novel ushered in what would become known as the Expanded Universe: the collection of books, comics, games, and other media comprising Star Wars stories outside the original films. Soon after, the EU exploded with content, creating a living, breathing galaxy for fans to explore.

Among the most influential works in the Expanded Universe is the original Thrawn trilogy, which introduced key characters and plot elements that have shaped subsequent stories within the Star Wars lore. And there are so many books that don't make this list that were crucial during these years of expansion like the 'Dark Lord Trilogy' by James Luceno that provided deeper insights into Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, making it a phenomenal resource for understanding his complex evolution.

Canon vs. Legends

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, they made the decision to clean up the Star Wars timeline and more clearly define what content aligned with the films. Thus, they established the Canon timeline, the stories that officially happen in the same continuity as the films.

In general, every story released after April 2014 is considered Canon while the huge library of titles that came before is now relegated to the Legends banner. The Canon timeline includes the events of the sequel trilogy, which further expands the Star Wars narrative with new characters and storylines. Think of Legends as myths, rumors, or fables about your favorite characters. Even though it no longer officially takes place in the same continuity as the films, the Legends timeline is full of rich lore and makes up many of our most beloved stories, and there are plenty of characters that have tales in both continuities like my personal favorite Sith Apprentice...Darth Maul.

So how do you spot the difference between Canon and Legends content? Easy. Just check the cover for the gold Legends banner at the top. But what if you’re shopping for used books published before the banner was added? No problem! Use Youtini’s Search Feature to look up your book and see where it belongs.

For a more in-depth understanding of these timelines, check out our guide to the difference between Canon and Legends.

Starting to make sense? Great! Let’s start your journey!

Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Disney-Lucasfilm Press

Claudia Gray sealed her place as one of the best authors in the Star Wars galaxy with her novel Lost Stars. The story takes us on a sweeping journey from the rise of the Rebellion to the fall of the Empire, immersing us in the Original Trilogy’s most important moments, all through the eyes of two childhood friends, Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree.

Bonding over their love of flying, Thane and Ciena befriend each other at an early age. When they enroll in the Imperial Academy, it seems their dreams have finally come true. But as their relationship progresses from friends to perhaps something more, they find themselves developing radically divergent political and ideological differences. While Ciena clings ever more tightly to the Imperial mission of bringing order to the galaxy, Thane becomes increasingly disillusioned as he witnesses the Empire’s horrific tactics used to conquer worlds.

As their relationship reaches a breaking point, Thane and Ciena must reconcile differences that have pushed them to opposite sides of the war if they are to keep their bond from being destroyed forever.

We recommend Lost Stars as the number one best starting point for any fan looking to explore Star Wars books. Set to the backdrop of the Original Trilogy’s most memorable battles, the era will feel immediately comfortable to newcomers while providing a beautiful story representative of the Star Wars galaxy at large. In addition, the novel serves as an introduction to Claudia Gray’s excellent work in the Canon timeline.

In short, Lost Stars is everything you could want in a Star Wars book.

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Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn

Random House Worlds

Every great story needs a villain. And what would the Star Wars galaxy be without a menacing Sith Lord trying to conquer it with the power of the dark side?

Drew Karpyshyn takes us back a thousand years before the Clone Wars to tell the story of Darth Bane during the era of the Old Republic. As a Sith multitude struggle for power, Bane rises to revolt against their Order wielding ancient secrets of the dark side to conquer his own.

Ever wonder where the Sith’s Rule of Two came from? You’ll find the answer in these very pages.

Abused by an alcoholic father, Dessel lives the miserable life of a cortosis miner on Apastros and dreams of freedom. After unknowingly unleashing his dark side Force powers, Dessel finds himself on the run. He joins the Sith army and soon distinguishes himself as a powerful Force user. Rising in prestige as the new Darth Bane, he probes the undiscovered depths of the dark side and sets out on a bloody quest to reshape the Sith Order, ultimately becoming a dark lord.

The first book in the Darth Bane trilogy gives readers an excellent taste of the rich dark side history in the Legends timeline. The rise of Darth Bane and the creation of the Order’s new caste has major implications on the EU’s history, his actions creating a ripple of consequences that will ultimately lead to the Empire and Darth Vader.

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Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover

Random House Worlds

From its first pages, Revenge of the Sith’s novelization throws the throttle wide open with a thrilling adaptation of the Prequel Trilogy’s final installment. Matthew Stover’s prose flows so beautifully, flourishing the film’s most iconic sequences and deeply characterizing its cast, that he completely sets a new standard for film novelizations.

George Lucas gave Stover his blessing to take certain liberties with the story, and the book benefits from these changes. An alteration to Anakin’s inner turmoil as he falls to the dark side intensely humanizes him, and fleshed-out conflicts help to more fully realize character arcs. Stover adds depth and expands scenes the way a novelization should while giving readers an idea of the possibilities inherent in these adaptations.

Revenge of the Sith remains not only the best Star Wars film novelization but one of the best Star Wars books of all time.

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Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Random House Worlds

The EU reached new heights in 1991 with the release of Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire, kicking off the original Thrawn trilogy and introducing beloved characters such as Mara Jade, the Solo twins, and Grand Admiral Thrawn himself.

The series proved so influential, Zahn has been credited with reinvigorating the EU and ushering in a new era in Star Wars novels. Heir to the Empire launched much of the extensive lore fans know and love in the Legends timeline. Here, an expecting Leia discovers dark forces already threatening her unborn twins, Thrawn enacts his grand designs to crush the New Republic, and Luke begins his storied relationship with Mara Jade. The series continues with Dark Force Rising, which elaborates on the broader narrative set five years after Return of the Jedi.

To this day, many still consider the original Thrawn series a crowning achievement of Star Wars storytelling, and we are eternally grateful for its role in formalizing the entire Expanded Universe.

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Kenobi by John Jackson Miller

Random House Worlds

Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi comes out of hiding on Tatooine to bring an alliance of morally-bankrupt settlers to justice. In Kenobi, Miller brings Star Wars back to its roots as a space western, mixing action, adventure, and even a hint of romance into an outstanding narrative.

Shortly after arriving in exile on Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi saves the lives of moisture farmer Anilleen and her daughter who are caught up in an escalating conflict between settlers and Tusken Raiders. As Obi-Wan visits the women on their claim, Anilleen develops a fondness for him, though he soon learns that the settlers’ leader, Orin Gault, wants to marry her. Investigations into Gault bring to light the leader’s nefarious schemes, but if Obi-Wan chooses to intervene, he might expose his location to the Empire.

Kenobi was released in 2013 just before the EU transitioned to Canon and Legends timelines, effectively making it one of the last Legends novels ever. As such, Miller’s book establishes itself as an excellent example of a modern Legends novel, providing readers an exciting story while giving the era a fine sendoff.

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Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule

Random House Worlds

The beginning of 2021 revolutionized the world of Star Wars publishing by introducing The High Republic era with Light of the Jedi. Set 200 years before the events of The Skywalker Saga, the High Republic presented a massive initiative containing all new characters that promised to tell an epic, united story across books and comics simultaneously.

Since the introduction of The High Republic, nearly every book has been featured as a New York Times Best Seller, and all of the authors have continued to craft this era of storytelling to massive critical and fan acclaim. However, if Light of the Jedi had been anything less than a Masterpiece, as well as Youtini’s 2021 Book of the Year, who knows if the entire project would have found such success?

Following an unspeakable tragedy known only as The Great Disaster, Light of the Jedi introduces us to the heroic Jedi and the steadfast Republic as they attempt to discover the source of the growing threat in the galaxy known to us only as the Nihil. Aside from beginning the most impactful era of Star Wars publishing since the Disney acquisition, Light of the Jedi is an essential entrance to anyone beginning to read Star Wars books for its brilliant plot, fleshed out character relationships, and impact of the future of a galaxy far, far away.

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The Impact of Star Wars Books on the Franchise

Star Wars books have played a crucial role in expanding the universe beyond the films, introducing new characters, planets, and storylines that have become integral to the franchise.

The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn revitalized interest in Star Wars in the early 1990s and introduced Grand Admiral Thrawn, a character so compelling that he was later brought into the Canon timeline where he continues to create iconic stories to this day. The Darth Bane Trilogy by Drew Karpyshyn delved into the history of the dark side, providing a foundation for understanding the Sith’s philosophy and their long-term plans. Light of the Jedi began an entirely new era of Star Wars storytelling, and the list goes on and on.

These books have not only enriched the lore but also filled in gaps, answered lingering questions, and provided fans with a more comprehensive view of the galaxy. They have influenced other media, including comics, TV shows, and even new films, proving that the written word is a powerful tool in the Star Wars storytelling arsenal.

Conclusion: Why These Six Books?

The six books listed above are more than just great reads; they are pillars of the Star Wars literary universe. Each one offers a unique window into different aspects of the galaxy, from the rise and fall of empires to the personal journeys of iconic characters from Grand Admiral Thrawn to Darth Bane to Anakin Skywalker himself.

Whether you’re drawn to the political intrigue of the Thrawn Trilogy, the dark allure of the Darth Bane Trilogy, the emotional depth of Lost Stars, or the thrilling new beginnings of The High Republic, these books provide a rich and varied experience that complements the films and TV shows.

They are…well…essential for any fan looking to deepen their understanding of the Star Wars saga.

So congratulations! You’ve taken your first steps into a larger world.

With these foundational books under your belt, you should be armed with a better understanding of Star Wars books. From here, you can decide where you want to travel next. No single path works for everyone. That’s why we created our ultimate guides to point you to the best Star Wars books of all time and reading collections so you can browse stories by character, theme, or genre. And don’t forget to check our release schedule to stay up to date on the newest additions to our favorite galaxy.