Decades before Disney acquired Lucasfilm for a staggering four billion dollars, before the prequels, and even before the release of the first Star Wars movie, writers were already expanding the universe beyond what we saw on the screen. The Star Wars Expanded Universe, true to its name, pushed the boundaries of the Galaxy Far, Far Away through every book, comic, and game released. However, after Disney's acquisition of the franchise in 2014, the Expanded Universe was officially decanonized and renamed "Legends." Despite this, these books remain some of the finest Star Wars storytelling available, continuing to influence the current Star Wars canon, as evidenced by the recent live-action debut of Thrawn in Ahsoka. If you're curious about diving into this expansive part of Star Wars fandom, we've compiled a list of the best Star Wars Legends books to get you started!

Which Star Wars Legends Books Should You Read First?

Embarking on your journey through the Legends books can feel daunting given the sheer number of titles—hundreds to choose from. To help you get started, we've curated a list of essential and impactful books that serve as excellent entry points. From the origins of this vast collection and the Star Wars franchise itself, to stories featuring zombie stormtroopers, epic Mandalorian escapes, and vibrant young adult adventures of notable Star Wars offspring, these books offer some of the most enjoyable experiences in the galaxy far, far away. You can find each of these titles available for purchase on Amazon, the go-to place for buying books online.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1977)

Kindle Edition Splinter of the Mind's Eye

$4.99 at Amazon

This book kickstarted the Expanded Universe, alongside Marvel Comics and the beloved Star Wars newspaper strips. It's a legendary part of Star Wars lore, originally written as potential source material for a low-budget sequel to A New Hope, in case the film didn't perform well enough to warrant a big-budget follow-up. Although it never got adapted, it remains a cornerstone of what would become the Expanded Universe and later Legends. The story follows Luke and Leia—no Han or Chewie, sorry Wookie fans—as they attempt to rally planetary residents to the Rebellion's cause. Along the way, they encounter Vader, leading to a thrilling Leia/Vader fight scene and further exploration of the Force and its cosmic powers.

The Han Solo Adventures (1979)

Kindle Edition The Han Solo Adventures

$8.99 at Amazon

This beloved trilogy remains one of the most cherished Legends adventures, making up for Han's absence in Splinter of the Mind's Eye by focusing exclusively on the roguish space adventurer. The first book, "Han Solo at Stars' End," is the third Star Wars novel ever published, following Alan Dean Foster's adaptation of Star Wars and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Brian Daley takes Han and Chewie on a thrilling journey through the galaxy's criminal underworld, showcasing why they are such a fan-favorite duo. Subsequent books continue their intergalactic escapades.

Heir to the Empire (1991)

Kindle Edition Heir to the Empire

$3.99 at Amazon

When discussing the most influential Legends titles, the Thrawn trilogy is invariably mentioned. Timothy Zahn launched the series with this book, set five years after the Battle of Endor, introducing readers to the Empire's heir apparent. Over the years, Grand Admiral Thrawn, the formidable Chiss commander, became a fan favorite and eventually transitioned into Star Wars canon through the acclaimed Clone Wars TV series. As many anticipated, he recently made his live-action debut in Ahsoka. If you're seeking a Legends book that reshaped the Star Wars universe both on and off the screen, this is it.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (2006)

Path of Destruction

$8.99 at Amazon

Another iconic Legends trilogy, the Darth Bane books focus on the notorious Sith Lord and his impact on the galaxy. Drew Karpyshyn's trilogy is compelling for Star Wars fans as it enriches the Sith lore, but it also stands alone as an engaging and dark sci-fi read. "Path of Destruction" offers a unique Sith perspective, delving into the origins of the Sith Rule of Two and presenting one of the most powerful and feared Sith Lords in history.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Heirs of the Force (1995)

Paperback Heirs of the Force

$2 See it

Growing up as a Star Wars fan in the '90s meant enjoying a wealth of Expanded Universe books, including this legendary series centered on Han Solo and Princess Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina Solo. Under Luke Skywalker's guidance at his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, the Force-sensitive teens led this charming Young Readers series. Jacen's eventual turn to the dark side and transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus in later Expanded Universe stories echoes the development of Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy.

Tales from Jabba's Palace (1995)

Kindle Edition Tales from Jabba's Palace

$4.99 at Amazon

This cherished short story collection is a standout in the Expanded Universe, particularly for revealing that fan-favorite Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc Pit. This detail was part of the canon for years until the Expanded Universe was decanonized, but it was later reintroduced in "The Book of Boba Fett." Beyond this pivotal moment, the anthology is filled with fun, quirky, and fascinating alien-centric stories set in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Death Troopers (2009)

Kindle Edition Death Troopers

$11.99 at Amazon

While not the most lore-heavy, this standalone horror novel about zombie stormtroopers is one of the coolest entries in the Legends universe. Joe Schreiber revived the horror genre in the Star Wars universe for the first time since the "Galaxy of Fear" series, delivering a gripping tale. When an Imperial prison barge breaks down and encounters a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer, the crew's luck appears to change. However, they soon discover the ship's only survivors and face a terrifying ordeal as the dead begin to rise.

Darth Plagueis (2012)

Kindle Edition Darth Plagueis

$12.99 at Amazon

Have you heard the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise? If not, James Luceno's acclaimed novel under the Legends banner has you covered. Luceno crafts a darkly brilliant narrative about the violence of the Sith and the perils of ambition. One of the most highly regarded contemporary Legends books, "Darth Plagueis" chronicles the rise to power of the titular villain and his training of his apprentice, Darth Sidious, who would later become Emperor Palpatine. It delves into Plagueis's quest to master the ultimate power, no matter how dangerous and deadly it might be.

How Many Star Wars Legends Books Are There?

The Star Wars Legends banner encompasses nearly 400 books, along with numerous comics, games, and films that were part of the now-decanonized Legends universe. This includes movies and TV shows like "The Star Wars Holiday Special," "Star Wars: Droids," "Ewoks: Caravan of Courage," and games such as "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed," "Shadows of the Empire," which was part of a significant Expanded Universe crossover event, and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." The vast number of releases and diverse content make sense given that the series spanned from 1977—six months before the film's release—to 2014, nearly forty years of the Expanded Universe.

Star Wars Legends vs. Canon

So, what does this all mean? Essentially, anything categorized under the "Legends" banner was previously part of the Expanded Universe and is no longer considered canon. However, as we've seen multiple times, elements from Legends can inspire or even become part of the official canon, as with the case of Thrawn. As the Star Wars universe on screen continues to expand, it's likely we'll see more Legends content cross over. When a book like "Heir to the Empire" is officially canonized by Lucasfilm, it sheds its Legends status and becomes a core part of the Star Wars canon.

Although Star Wars Legends books aren't canon, there are plenty of contemporary canon novels that expand the galaxy and its inhabitants in ways directly linked to the films. A prime example is the High Republic series, a massive crossover event that introduced a new era to the Star Wars canon, set to make its live-action debut soon. Other canon books include "Leia" by Claudia Gray, E. K. Johnston's Padmé trilogy, "The Princess and the Scoundrel" by Beth Revis, "Last Shot" by Daniel José Older, and many more.

Kindle Unlimited

$35 See subscription options. See it at Amazon