I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire! Your new Empire!?
n Lucasfilm’s official Star Wars timeline, the Reign of the Empire era covers the time between the end of the Clone Wars and the early days of the Rebellion. The era starts with Palpatine proclaiming the Galactic Empire and purging the Jedi Order.
Liberty dies, and darkness falls. The Sith Lord’s long-running plan finally comes to fruition.
After the Clone Wars, people crave peace and stability. But the Empire’s authoritarian rule subjects the galaxy to oppressive policies. The military and Imperial-backed industry scour planets for resources to build the ultimate weapon.
The new regime includes forced conscription and enslaved labor. Imperial Security Bureau agents are the new regime’s unblinking eye.
Darth Vader learns his new role and adapts to his new life. At the same time, he leads other dark-side Force-users in the hunt for remaining Jedi. Those that can’t stay hidden face a cruel fate at the hand of these ruthless Inquisitors. The Sith rule casts a long shadow. These are dark times, indeed.
The Battles of Scariff and Yavin are still a long way off. Nevertheless, sparks of hope remain. From Coruscant to the Outer Rim, secret networks form. The exploitation and oppression trigger resistance, and small groups of Rebels emerge.
The stakes are high, and the odds are long. Being caught means certain death. Yet, even as the Empire seems to thrive, the seeds of its demise begin to take root.
While all this is happening, people across the galaxy get by the best they can, including a young man breaking free from Corellia’s mean streets. In the Unknown Regions, a soon-to-be legendary Imperial admiral begins his career in another civilization’s military.
Their appointments with destiny lie in the future, but their stories start here.
The era includes the films Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Solo: A Star Wars Story, as well as the television series The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor. The video games Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor also occur during this time.
The galaxy’s upheaval makes for rich storytelling. With so much change, we’re left with questions. What became of some of our favorite characters? How did the galaxy evolve to where we find it in A New Hope?
This era has the answers. Creators have steadily been providing us fascinating looks at life in the ashes of the Republic as the Empire tightens its grip and rebellion begins to stir.
Some plot lines from the prequels and The Clone Wars find a resolution. Others turn in new directions. We find backstories for some of the Original Trilogy’s central characters and events. It all makes for engaging viewing and reading.
Here at Youtini, we’ve selected what we feel are some of the best books and comics from the Reign of the Empire Era. Of course, this just scratches the surface.
You can find even more titles to enjoy on our Canon Timeline. New books and comics come out all the time, so be sure to check our Release Schedule!
Coming Soon
Our team is hard at work building out this collection. Stay tuned!
Books in this Collection
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
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.
Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good
Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil
Ahsoka
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.
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel
When Director Krennic arrives on Lah'mu to bring Galen Erso back into the arms of the Empire, he greets him as an old friend. While his nefarious motivations are clear to any viewer, we can't help but wonder...did this friendship truly exist?
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel answers this question by introducing us to the two men as they both attempt to climb the professional ladder in their respective fields. Galen's obsession with kyber crystals proves to be an irresistible draw to Krennic as well as a distinct hindrance to the family life that Galen and Lyra are trying to create.
If you ever wondered how the most brilliant scientist in the galaxy could walk away from his life's dream in order to hide on a farm at the edges of the universe, this is exactly the place to start.
War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before the Republic’s enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key.
Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.
Most Wanted
Set before Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rae Carson gives us a glimpse into how Han and Qi’Ra’s relationship began. In a story that gives us a glimpse into life with the White Worms and on the streets of Corellia, we see the pair start out as rivals pitted against each other by Lady Proxima and evolve into the duo we see at the beginning of the film, getting help along the way from intriguing new characters after their job takes a messy turn.
Don’t let the ‘young adult’ tag deter you: Most Wanted is a fast-paced heist adventure with just enough twists to keep you guessing while it keeps you turning pages. The extra depth and gravitas it lends to Han and Qi’Ra’s relationship may well change the way you see that spaceport scene and Qi’Ra’s fateful decision aboard Dryden Vos’s yacht.
Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith: Volume 1 (Hardcover Omnibus)
Explore Darth Vader's early history! Picking up directly where Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ends, follow Vader as he receives his legendary red lightsaber and witness Vader's rise to power as a Dark Lord of the Sith! When Anakin Skywalker fell, both to the pull of the dark side and the blade of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he rose back up, more machine than man. Having lost everything that was once dear to him, he now takes his first steps into a darker world...beginning by hunting down and eradicating the galaxy's remaining Jedi! But Jocasta Nu, librarian of the Jedi Temple, is making a desperate effort to gather and preserve whatever she can of the religion's legacy. Palpatine views her as a particular threat to the Empire - does her knowledge make her a one-woman Jedi Order?
Lando: Double Or Nothing (Trade Paperback)
Han Solo: Imperial Cadet (Trade Paperback)
Han Solo & Chewbacca Vol 1: The Crystal Run (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca Vol. 1: The Crystal Run
A Trade Paperback compilation of the Marvel Comics Han Solo & Chewbacca Series
The galaxy's best buddies star in a hair-raising adventure from the days before they joined the Rebellion! Loveable rogue Han Solo and his Wookiee partner-in-smuggling, Chewbacca, set off on a heist for none other than Jabba the Hutt — and this time, the Rodian bounty hunter named Greedo is working alongside them! It's supposed to be a nice, straightforward job. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, how about a reunion with the very last person Han expected to see? When the target safe is cracked, you won't believe what's inside! Plus, celebrate the galaxy's favorite holiday with a collection of festive tales from all across the saga of Star Wars. Happy Life Day!
Han Solo & Chewbacca Vol 2: The Crystal Run: Part 2 (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca Vol. 1: The Crystal Run: Part 2
A Trade Paperback compilation of the Marvel Comics Han Solo & Chewbacca Series
Chewbacca behind bars! Chewie is held captive on the prison planet of Gulhadar — and you'll never believe who his cellmate is. None other than…Maz Kanata! But where is Han Solo…and whatever happened to the Millennium Falcon?
Collecting: Issues: #6-10
