Star Wars Canon Books In Chronological Order

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here are a number of Star Wars Book reading orders including chronological order and publishing order.

However, there are a number of issues with those reading styles which we completely break down in our articles The Best Star Wars Book Reading Order and Should You Read Star Wars Books in Chronological Order?

However, we realize that some folks are interested in checking out chronological order or picking out books by era and that's what this page is for!

Note that this page only contains novels and young adult novels. To view every type of Star Wars literature, check out our interactive and gorgeous timeline pages.

Reading Star Wars Books In Chronological Order

Chronological order, meaning simply in the order of the Star Wars Timeline, is probably the most commonly recommended reading order out there.

Reading in chronological order means locating a timeline somewhere, for example the excellent timelines over at Yoda’s Datapad, [Insert other timeline], or even ours here at Youtini - which is gorgeous - but I suppose we are a little biased.

Then, you follow the timeline book-by-book, reading each new entry on the timeline in the order that it occurs in the Star Wars chronology.

You’ll start with books many millennia before the films and progress all the way through the films and several decades after.

The Best Star Wars Book Reading Order

We have a full breakdown of our recommended reading order and why we so frequently recommend it on our post The Best Star Wars Book Reading Order. But here is the short version:

  1. Start with the Youtini Foundational Five
  2. Read all the newest novels within 30 days of their release (use our release schedule)
  3. Use the Youtini Reading Order
  4. Pick books based on what you like (use our reading collections)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I read Star Wars books in chronological order?
Should I start with the first book on the timeline?
Should I read Star Wars books in publishing order?

The High Republic Era

Set around 200 years before The Phantom Menace, this timeline features the Jedi at the height of their power and glory. But peace is a prize to be won, and this era is full of challenges for the Republic to overcome.


Released
Nov 14, 2023
Adult Novel
Takes place in
229 BBY
The High Republic: The Eye of Darkness
By
George Mann
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
23
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Mar 5, 2024
YA Novel
Takes place in
228 BBY
The High Republic: Defy The Storm
By
Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
24
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jun 11, 2024
Adult Novel
Takes place in
228 BBY
The High Republic: Temptation of the Force
By
Tessa Gratton
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
25
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Sep 24, 2024
YA Novel
Takes place in
228 BBY
The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless
By
George Mann
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
26
in the
Youtini Reading Order

Fall of the Jedi Era

A time of confusion and strife, the Clone Wars loom over this era, clouding the machinations of the Sith as plots long-hidden doom the Galactic Republic. 


Released
Sep 1, 2020
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Thrawn: Ascendancy: Chaos Rising
By
Timothy Zahn
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
36
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jul 7, 2015
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Dark Disciple
By
Christie Golden
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
14
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Apr 27, 2021
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good
By
Timothy Zahn
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
37
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jul 18, 2023
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY - 19 BBY
Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade
By
Delilah S. Dawson
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
46
in the
Youtini Reading Order

Reign of the Empire Era

Set between the Prequel and Original trilogies, a new aggressive Empire flexes the iron will of Darth Vader and the Emperor over a weary galaxy. But seeds of hope are sown far and wide as a Rebellion is born.


Released
Nov 16, 2021
Adult Novel
Takes place in
18 BBY
Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil
By
Timothy Zahn
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
38
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Oct 11, 2016
YA Novel
Takes place in
18 BBY
Ahsoka
By
E.K. Johnston
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
58
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Nov 15, 2016
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY - 17 BBY
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel
By
James Luceno
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
30
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Apr 28, 2015
Adult Novel
Takes place in
14 BBY
Lords of the Sith
By
Paul S. Kemp
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
65
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Nov 4, 2014
Adult Novel
Takes place in
14 BBY
Tarkin
By
James Luceno
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
68
in the
Youtini Reading Order

Age of Rebellion Era

During the Original Trilogy of movies, the Galactic Civil War rages. The Empire tries to quash the sparks of hope, but a tide of heroes rises to meet their threat and counter the machines of war poised against them.


Released
Nov 3, 2015
Adult Novel
Takes place in
6 BBY - 3 ABY
Battlefront: Twilight Company
By
Alexander Freed
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
165
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 29, 2023
Adult Novel
Takes place in
4 ABY
From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi
By
Various Authors
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
62
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 16, 2022
Adult Novel
Takes place in
4 ABY
The Princess and the Scoundrel
By
Beth Revis
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
34
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jun 11, 2019
Adult Novel
Takes place in
4 ABY
Alphabet Squadron
By
Alexander Freed
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
31
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Sep 4, 2015
Adult Novel
Takes place in
4 ABY
Aftermath
By
Chuck Wendig
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
42
in the
Youtini Reading Order

The New Republic Era

Peace at last. With the fall of the Empire and the death of Vader, the Galaxy begins to mend its wounds, but some scars are deep, and this new calm lays the groundwork for many hidden villains.


Released
Apr 17, 2018
Adult Novel
Takes place in
13 BBY - 7 ABY
Last Shot
By
Daniel José Older
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
67
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 4, 2020
YA Novel
Takes place in
18 ABY - 19 ABY
Poe Dameron: Free Fall
By
Alex Segura
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
151
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jun 28, 2022
Adult Novel
Takes place in
21 ABY
Shadow of the Sith
By
Adam Christopher
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
56
in the
Youtini Reading Order

Rise of the First Order Era

After years of buildup, the First Order strikes out of its dark corner of the Galaxy and imposes its shackles; only the Heroic Resistance stands up against the rebirth of tyranny. 


Released
May 3, 2016
Adult Novel
Takes place in
28 ABY
Bloodline
By
Claudia Gray
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
5
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Nov 19, 2019
YA Novel
Takes place in
32 ABY
Force Collector
By
Kevin Shinick
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
100
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Apr 5, 2016
YA Novel
Takes place in
33 ABY
Tales from a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Aliens
By
Landry Q. Walker
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
173
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Sep 1, 2017
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 ABY - 34 ABY
Phasma
By
Delilah S. Dawson
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
45
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Dec 5, 2017
Adult Novel
Takes place in
34 ABY
Canto Bight
By
Jackson Miller, Saladin Ahmed, Rae Carson, and Mira Grant
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
164
in the
Youtini Reading Order