Order 66
A Youtini Collection

Star Wars books you should read if you like
Order 66

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Order 66
"The time has come. Execute Order 66."
W

ith this short, seven-word transmission to the Grand Army of the Republic, Chancellor Palpatine—having finally revealed himself as Darth Sidious—brings to fruition a millennium of Sith plotting and patience by ushering in the end of the Jedi Order.

As the Clone Wars continue to rage across the galaxy, clone troopers turn on their Jedi generals, whom they now believe to be traitors to the Republic. Few would survive the initial onslaught and the relentless purge follows. 

Though the Sith plan to destroy the Jedi began a thousand years earlier—and has roots even further back in galactic history—the exact method began taking shape much more recently. When a Jedi Master commissions a clone army to protect the Republic, Sidious sees a chance to sow the seeds of the Order’s ultimate downfall and hijacks the project.

Interestingly, Star Wars storytelling has taken two different approaches to explain how the protocol turns the clone troopers against their generals. Karen Traviss’s works—now part of Legends—present the contingency order as something instilled into the clones as part of their training. Later, in The Clone Wars television series and all the Canon works that follow, we find that the protocol was encoded in the behavior modification biochips implanted in the clones’ brains as part of the cloning process. 

Regardless of whether Order 66 was a function of training or literally wired into the clones, its effects were profound. Thousands of Jedi died nearly instantaneously, and many more fell to Darth Vader and the inquisitors, while the galaxy plunged into the “dark times.”

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Books in this Collection

The Youtini Collections team has hand-selected the books in this collection
Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Written by
Matthew Stover
Artwork by

Every Star Wars movie has an accompanying novelization, but none so impressive as Revenge of the Sith. While it expertly tells the story of the film, it also manages to add to it in unexpected ways. Not only is it the best novelization, it’s a fantastic work of fiction in and of itself.

Matthew Stover outdoes himself in this novelization by painting Obi Wan, Anakin, and the rest of the Jedi as glorified super heroes in the eyes of the common man in the Star Wars universe. Somehow, this raises the stakes of one of the most intense episodes of the saga and makes Anakin’s ultimate fate even more impactful.

The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at hand

After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor’ s disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die.

As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin–tormented by unspeakable visions– edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic . . . and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

Written by
James Luceno
Artwork by
A tie-in to the Star Wars: Dark Forces and Star Wars: Jedi Knight games, this novella kicks off a trilogy and features notable characters like Thrawn, Lando Calrissian, and Mon Mothma while providing an early EU example of the plot to steal the Death Star plans.

Throughout the galaxy, it was believed that Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker–the Chosen One–had died on Coruscant during the siege of the Jedi Temple. And, to some extent, that was true. Anakin was dead.

From the site of Anakin Skywalker’s last stand–on the molten surface of the planet Mustafar, where he sought to destroy his friend and former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi–a fearsome specter in black has risen. Once the most powerful Knight ever known to the Jedi Order, he is now a disciple of the dark side, a lord of the dreaded Sith, and the avenging right hand of the galaxy’s ruthless new Emperor. Seduced, deranged, and destroyed by the machinations of the Dark Lord Sidious, Anakin Skywalker is dead . . . and Darth Vader lives.

Word of the events that created him–the Jedi Council’s failed mutiny against Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the self-crowned Emperor’s retaliatory command to exterminate the Jedi Order, and Anakin’s massacre of his comrades and Masters in the Jedi Temple–has yet to reach all quarters. On the Outer Rim world of Murkhana, Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak and Padawan Olee Starstone are leading a charge on a Separatist stronghold, unaware that the tide, red with Jedi blood, has turned suddenly against them.

When the three narrowly elude execution–and become the desperate prey in a hunt across space–it’s neither clone soldiers, nor the newly deployed stormtroopers, nor even the wrath of the power-hungry Emperor himself they must fear most. The deadliest threat rests in the hideously swift and lethal crimson lightsaber of Darth Vader–behind whose brooding mask lies a shattered heart, a poisoned soul, and a cunning, twisted mind hell-bent on vengeance.

For the handful of scattered Jedi, survival is imperative if the light side of the Force is to be protected and the galaxy somehow, someday reclaimed. Yet more important still is the well-being of the twin infants, Leia and Luke Skywalker, the children of Anakin and his doomed bride, Padmé Amidala. Separated after Padmé’s death, they must be made safe at all costs, lest the hope they represent for the future be turned to horror by the new Sith regime–and the unspeakable power of the dark side.

Canon
Canon
Omnibus

Kanan: Hardcover (Hardcover Omnibus)

Written by
Greg Weisman, Pepe Larraz
Artwork by
Jacopo Camagn, Andrea Broccardo[
Kanan Jarrus wasn’t always his name. Former Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume was on a remote mission with his master when their clone troopers turned on them. This comic series tells the story of how Caleb survived countless obstacles to become the Jedi we meet in Star Wars: Rebels. The hardcover omnibus combines all 12 issues of Kanan’s story into one volume so you can easily read from start to finish.

Discover how Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume became Kanan Jarrus, the cocky, sarcastic renegade hero of Star Wars: Rebels! As Caleb trained under Master Depa Billaba, neither one of them ever suspected that their "loyal" Clone Troopers would turn on them upon the issuing of Order 66 - the Emperor's directive to execute all Jedi. How did Caleb Dume escape the Jedi purge? Then, journey even further back and experience Caleb's very first adventure as a Padawan, protecting the Jedi Temple alongside his new Master. As they head towards the furious Battle of Mygeeto, they'll face one of the deadliest threats in the entire galaxy - General Grievous! Bridge the gap between the Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels!

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel

Written by
Karen Traviss
Artwork by

The job of the clone troopers is simple: destroy the enemy at all costs. But as the war wages on and its atrocities add up, some clones start question their purpose and plan to lay down their arms altogether. Suddenly, a seemingly simple command from Chancellor Palpatine ruins those plans and also leaves them wondering exactly who the enemy is that they’re supposed to destroy.

Karen Traviss—who has proved more than capable of placing the reader inside the helmet of a trooper—is once again successful with this novel. The pain and suspense of the Order 66 scene in Revenge of the Sith is somehow stretched the entire length of the novel. Readers who have followed the Republic Commandos series can’t miss this part of the story!

After the fierce combat of Hard Contact, Triple Zero, and True Colors comes the spectacular culmination of New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss’s gripping Republic Commando series. As a battle-scarred era nears its end, a shattering power play is about to stun the entire galaxy . . . and set in motion events that will alter destinies and resound throughout history.

Even as the Clone Wars are about to reach an explosive climax, no one knows if victory will favor the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) or the Separatists. But no matter who wins, the stakes are highest for elite Special Ops clones like the Republic Commandos in Omega and Delta squads–and the notorious renegade Advance Recon Commando troopers known as Null ARCs.

With Republic forces stretched to the max and casualties mounting, the last thing these beleaguered warriors need to hear is that Chancellor Palpatine is keeping vast armies of secret clone troops in reserve. Sergeant Skirata, a mentor to the clone commandos, has no intention of standing idly by while Palpatine sends them into battle like lambs to the slaughter. Skirata begins to plan the clones’ escape from the GAR, but his heroic effort will be in vain unless he can reverse the clones’ accelerated aging process.

Caught in the treacherous dealings of their leaders, and locked in the battles of their lives, the disillusioned Null ARCs and Commandos nonetheless fight with everything they’ve got, determined to wrest victory from the Seps and save the galaxy.

But even the deadliest weapons may not be powerful enough to defeat the real menace. And nothing will stop the apocalyptic horror unleashed when Palpatine utters the chilling words The time has come. Execute Order 66. Translation: The Jedi have tried to stage a coup, and all must be shot on sight.

With their faith in the Republic and their loyalty to their Jedi allies put to the ultimate test, how will the men of Omega and Delta squads react to the most infamous command in galactic history? All the breathtaking action, suspense, and intrigue of Karen Traviss’s Republic Commando series comes alive in Star Wars: Order 66.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Imperial Commando: 501st

Written by
Karen Traviss
Artwork by

Order 66 may have unified the galaxy under the Empire’s control, but it split members of the clone army. Just weeks after the order was carried out, former brothers-in-arms now find themselves on opposite sides. Will they ultimately choose to serve their Emperor or their ex-comrades, the Jedi? And just how far are they willing to go in the process?

While the Jedi may have gotten the worst of it, Karen Traviss manages to brilliantly portray the struggle of the clones following Order 66. This book serves as a fitting end to her run with the Republic Commandos.

The Clone Wars are over, but for those with reason to run from the new galactic Empire, the battle to survive has only just begun. . . .

The Jedi have been decimated in the Great Purge, and the Republic has fallen. Now the former Republic Commandos–the galaxy’s finest special forces troops, cloned from Jango Fett–find themselves on opposing sides and in very different armor. Some have deserted and fled to Mandalore with the mercenaries, renegade clone troopers, and rogue Jedi who make up Kal Skirata’s ragtag resistance to Imperial occupation. Others–including men from Delta and Omega squads–now serve as Imperial Commandos, a black ops unit within Vader’s own 501st Legion, tasked to hunt down fugitive Jedi and clone deserters. For Darman, grieving for his Jedi wife and separated from his son, it’s an agonizing test of loyalty. But he’s not the only one who’ll be forced to test the ties of brotherhood. On Mandalore, clone deserters and the planet’s own natives, who have no love for the Jedi, will have their most cherished beliefs challenged. In the savage new galactic order, old feuds may have to be set aside to unite against a far bigger threat, and nobody can take old loyalties for granted.

Canon
Canon
Omnibus

Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith: (Hardcover Omnibus)

Written by
Charles Soule
Artwork by
Giuseppe Camuncoli

Star Wars: Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith by Charles Soule Omnibus is a hardcover compilation of the entirety of Marvel Comics' Star Wars: Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith.

All 25 issues of the series, as well as Darth Vader Annual 2 are included in the collection.

Lord Vader... rise! In the wake of Revenge of the Sith, follow Vader as he ascends to power as a Dark Lord of the Sith! Having lost everything dear to him and now more machine than man, Vader takes his first steps into a darker world — beginning by eradicating the galaxy’s remaining Jedi! But librarian Jocasta Nu is making a desperate effort to preserve the Jedi legacy, and the stirrings of a rebellion have begun in the Mon Cala system! To ensure the Emperor’s grip on the galaxy is absolute, Vader must deal swiftly and brutally with any uprisings — but he has a goal of his own. And as darkness rises above Mustafar, the scene of Vader’s greatest defeat, will the man once called Anakin Skywalker realize his true destiny?

Collecting DARTH VADER: Dark Lord of the Sith #1-25 and ANNUAL #2

Canon
Canon
YA Novel

Ahsoka

Written by
E.K. Johnston
Artwork by

After the events of Order 66, survivors of the Jedi Purge must navigate the galaxy undetected. It's been a year since Ahsoka Tano watched the Galactic Republic fall, and she's leaving yet another planet to dodge Imperial suspicion and start over. Again. Something strange is happening, however, and she can't help but let her curiosity get her into serious trouble.

E.K. Johnston's young adult novel builds an important bridge between the Ahsoka we knew from The Clone Wars and the Fulcrum we meet in Star Wars Rebels. It's in this story that our hero must come to terms with her past and discover the role she is meant to play in her darkened galaxy's future.

Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance?
Legends
Legends
Omnibus

Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Vol. 4

Written by
Dave Dorman
Artwork by
Various
Part of the
Epic Collection

Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Vol. 4 is an Epic Collection trade paperback that collects issues focusing on the Clone Wars.

The Sith have their revenge! The Jedi are spread thin across the galaxy battling separatist armies, as Palpatine and his apprentice Count Dooku scheme to destroy the Jedi Order once and for all. But Darth Maul has returned — and targeted both sides of the conflict! Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi has done all he can to guide his former student, Anakin Skywalker — but a dark destiny awaits. As the Clone Wars reach their tragic, inevitable conclusion, witness the fates of Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura — and the birth of Darth Vader!

COLLECTING:

  • Free Comic Book Day 2005: Star Wars #1
  • Star Wars: Darth Maul - Son of Dathomir (2014) #1-4
  • Star Wars: Republic (2002) #74-77, #81-83;
  • Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) #1-4
  • Star Wars: Tag & Bink II (2006) #2
  • material from Star Wars Visionaries (2005) #1
  • Star Wars Tales (1999) #4
Legends
Legends
Omnibus

Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 1

Written by
Various Authors
Artwork by
Various
Part of the
Epic Collection
Set in the Rebellion era in the events closely connected to the destruction of the Death Star, we see the inner workings of the darker side of the galaxy. It is a wide swath of early Dark Horse Vader comics. It features an assassination attempt on Vader and Palpatine. It also tells the story of what happens to Vader when his ship spirals out of control in the Battle of Yavin.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 1 is an Epic Collection trade paperback that collects Star Wars: Republic #78–80, Star Wars: Purge, Star Wars: Purge: Seconds to Die, Star Wars: Purge: The Hidden Blade, Star Wars: Purge: The Tyrant's Fist #1–2, Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command #1–5, and Star Wars: Dark Times #1–5. It was released on April 28, 2015.
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