Star Wars Legends 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 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

Why shouldn't 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 Old Republic Era

Four thousand years ago, the Galaxy is very different from the universe of the Skywalker Saga, but much is the same. An Era of Sith and fallen Jedi, Mandalorian raids and Heroic Smugglers; an untamed universe awaits.   


Released
Dec 8, 2009
Adult Novel
Takes place in
980 BBY
Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil
By
Drew Karpyshyn
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
8
in the
Youtini Reading Order

Rise of the Sith Era

A massive Sith force conquers  its way across the Galaxy, halted by a Republic on the brink of exhaustion. Only the Jedi and their allies can hope to bring peace to a galaxy torn asunder and defeat the Sith once and for all. 


Released
May 29, 2001
Adult Novel
Takes place in
33 BBY
Cloak of Deception
By
James Luceno
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
177
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jan 28, 2014
Adult Novel
Takes place in
33 BBY
Maul: Lockdown
By
Joe Schreiber
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
96
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jan 30, 2001
Adult Novel
Takes place in
32 BBY
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
By
Michael Reaves
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
97
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Apr 21, 1999
Adult Novel
Takes place in
32 BBY
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
By
Terry Brooks
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
166
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jan 10, 2012
Adult Novel
Takes place in
67 BBY - 32 BBY
Darth Plagueis
By
James Luceno
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
12
in the
Youtini Reading Order

The Clone Wars Era

The Clone Wars have begun, setting in motion a thousand years of Sith treachery. The Jedi, clouded by years of Dark Side machinations, stand up against the tide of chaos in defense of the fracturing Republic.


Released
Apr 23, 2002
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
By
R.A. Salvatore
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
167
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Oct 26, 2004
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY
Republic Commando: Hard Contact
By
Karen Traviss
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
101
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jun 3, 2003
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY
Shatterpoint
By
Matthew Stover
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
106
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jul 26, 2008
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
By
Karen Traviss
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
229
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Dec 9, 2008
Adult Novel
Takes place in
22 BBY
The Clone Wars: Wild Space
By
Karen Miller
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
125
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
Apr 2, 2005
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
By
Matthew Stover
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
2
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 27, 2013
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Kenobi
By
John Jackson Miller
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
3
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Sep 16, 2008
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel
By
Karen Traviss
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
104
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Oct 27, 2009
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Imperial Commando: 501st
By
Karen Traviss
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
105
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Nov 22, 2005
Adult Novel
Takes place in
19 BBY
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
By
James Luceno
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
49
in the
Youtini Reading Order

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
Aug 11, 1997
Adult Novel
Takes place in
5 BBY - 4 BBY
The Hutt Gambit
By
A.C. Crispin
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
40
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jun 1, 1994
Adult Novel
Takes place in
4 BBY - 3 BBY
The Lando Calrissian Adventures
By
L. Neil Smith
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
185
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 19, 2008
Adult Novel
Takes place in
2 BBY
The Force Unleashed
By
Sean Williams
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
186
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Apr 22, 1992
Adult Novel
Takes place in
2 BBY - 1 BBY
The Han Solo Adventures
By
Brian Daley
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
188
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Oct 5, 2010
Adult Novel
Takes place in
1 BBY
The Force Unleashed II
By
Sean Williams (Based on a story by Haden Blackman)
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
187
in the
Youtini Reading Order

The New Republic Era

Winning the war was only half of the Rebellion’s struggle. Now they must keep the whole galaxy united. Heroes of old adjust to new positions and challenges as they attempt to keep their hard-fought peace intact.


Released
Mar 1, 1996
Adult Novel
Takes place in
16 ABY
Before the Storm
By
Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
199
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 1, 1996
Adult Novel
Takes place in
16 ABY
Shield of Lies
By
Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
200
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Dec 1, 1996
Adult Novel
Takes place in
16 ABY
Tyrant's Test
By
Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
201
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Dec 1, 1996
Adult Novel
Takes place in
17 ABY
The New Rebellion
By
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
202
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Dec 1, 1999
Adult Novel
Takes place in
0 BBY - 18 ABY
Tales from the New Republic
By
Various Authors
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
156
in the
Youtini Reading Order

The New Jedi Order Era

Trained by Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, a generation of new heroes rises to meet an invasion of horrors from beyond the edge of space itself. 


Released
Mar 26, 2002
Adult Novel
Takes place in
27 ABY
Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
By
Aaron Allston
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
214
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
May 28, 2002
Adult Novel
Takes place in
27 ABY
Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
By
Aaron Allston
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
215
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Jul 30, 2002
Adult Novel
Takes place in
27 ABY
Traitor
By
Matthew Stover
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
216
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Oct 1, 2002
Adult Novel
Takes place in
28 ABY
Destiny's Way
By
Walter Jon Williams
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
217
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Feb 4, 2003
Adult Novel
Takes place in
28 ABY
Force Heretic I: Remnant
By
Sean Williams, Shane Dix
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
218
in the
Youtini Reading Order

The Legacy Era

A new Empire in league with a reborn Jedi Order works to fend off a burgeoning Sith threat. Set 130 years after the death of Vader, this era offers endless possibilities as the descendants of classic heroes struggle to live up to their namesakes.


Released
May 30, 2006
Adult Novel
Takes place in
40 ABY
Betrayal
By
Aaron Allston
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
131
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Aug 29, 2006
Adult Novel
Takes place in
40 ABY
Bloodlines
By
Karen Traviss
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
132
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Nov 28, 2006
Adult Novel
Takes place in
40 ABY
Tempest
By
Troy Denning
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
133
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
Feb 27, 2007
Adult Novel
Takes place in
40 ABY
Exile
By
Aaron Allston
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
134
in the
Youtini Reading Order
Released
May 29, 2007
Adult Novel
Takes place in
40 ABY
Sacrifice
By
Karen Traviss
Masterpiece
Incredible
Good
Fair
Mediocre
#
135
in the
Youtini Reading Order