This Advice was Last Updated 3 days ago.
Star Wars movies always shatter the box office records. Also, did you know that often the best Star Wars books make it to the top of the New York Times Bestsellers list? Undoubtedly, the franchise is widely successful and has one of the largest fan bases in the world.
Our top 4 recommendations for the best Star Wars Book
Star Wars is an irreplaceable tower of strength and a well of creativity to modern pop culture. It has become a part of many people’s identities.
For a lot of fans, the nine movies ☍ and the numerous other spin-offs may not be enough. After all, there is a Universe to explore! These Star Wars books can provide them a way to dive deeper into that Universe.
These books will not only be page-turners that you can’t put down, but they will also help you understand your favorite franchise better. You can learn all the simple stories and the intricate details behind the characters you daydream about.
“Pass on what you have learned”
— Yoda Famous Quote
They are also a great way to learn the politics of the tales and get a deeper understanding of the back story. Even if you are just a casual enthusiast, these books can hook you with gripping, action-packed plots.
So, read on and check out the list of these amazing Star Wars books. Once you read through this article, you will know which books will make it to your “To Read” list! Below are 21 books that will satisfy the bibliophile in you!
Looking for more great book reviews ☍ ? Check out all our articles on this topic.
Please note that in this tutorial, we use affiliate links when promoting other products or services. They do not add any additional cost to you when you make a purchase. They are solely used to bring us a small commission and keep this site alive and free of annoying ads. We only recommend safe to buy and use products and services from reliable companies.
Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1)
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn is the first list of the best star wars books. This is an excellent read that can encapture your imagination of the Universe in an all-embracing manner.
This is important reading material for you if you are a die-hard fan. If you are not, still, this is an interesting tale. This book has a new and interesting type of villain.
The villain is Grand Admiral Thrawn, who can defeat his enemies with his intellect. This can be every bit as mind-blowing as Vader’s Force.
This is also the first Star Wars book that mentions the galactic capital as Coruscant ☍, which George Lucas later incorporated throughout the prequel trilogy. This novel also introduced several key characters: Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, Chiss species, and Thrawn.
Star Wars Lost Stars
This is one of the best star wars books, often described as the Romeo and Juliet meets Star Wars. This young adult novel romantic novel is set in the Star Wars Galaxy.
It was reviewed in the NY Daily News ☍ as an enthralling narrative that can appeal to fans, not only young adults but for all ages. Den of Greek also reviewed it as a story that explores the Rebellion and the Empire through the eyes of young adventurers.
They both go through a lot during the Rebellion and the destruction of the Death Star. This story has a gripping climax that can leave you rooting for the couple Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree.
Aftermath: Star Wars (Star Wars: The Aftermath Trilogy)
Aftermath by Chuck Wendig is one of the best canon star wars books. This is the first novel in the Aftermath Trilogy.
The plot begins when the second death star is destroyed, the Empire is in chaos, and Darth Vader is rumored to be dead. Rebel Alliance engage their broken forces of the Empire.
It is focused on small stories with nuanced characters with excellent character arcs. You can enjoy the vignetters all through the book and only the main story.
The story is fascinating. The characters are moving, and the story is ahead of its time with depictions of new-age love stories.
The story takes on an exciting twist as both fear and optimism are prevalent in the Empire. The bottom line is one of the most nuanced interesting reads among all the Star Wars books.
Bloodline (Star Wars)
When the Rebellion defeated the Empire in the skies above Endor, Leia Organa believed it was the beginning to a lasting peace. But after decades of vicious infighting and partisan gridlock in the New Republic Senate, that hope seems like a distant memory.
This is another gripping tale by Claudia Gray ☍, which is a canon novel.
The director of Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson, has contributed some ideas to this book. This Star Wars book describes the series of events that leads to the formation of the Resistance. It later appeared in the movie The Force Awakens.
The plot begins when The New Republic has been in power for more than two decades. It is governed by the Galactic Senate while the wars that happened are turning into legends. However, a conflict is on the rise in the senate.
The novel follows Princess Leia in a very honest way. The plot twists and turns will make sure you will not put the book down once you pick it up.
Star Wars Queen's Shadow
When Padmé Naberrie, “Queen Amidala” of Naboo, steps down from her position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo’s representative in the Galactic Senate. Padmé is unsure about taking on the new role, but cannot turn down the request to serve her people. Together with her most loyal handmaidens, Padmé must figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen’s shadow.
This also one of the best star wars books canon series. It is a young adult novel authored by E. K. Johnston that was published in 2019.
It is set four years past the Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace.
The story revolves around Padmé Amidala. It tells the story of her transition to the senator of the Galactic Senate from being the Queen of Naboo.
The story delves into the life of Padmé Amidala’s role as a senate and how she was viewed with curiosity and suspicion.
Padme Amidala is thrown into the world of politics. However, with her, she has her most loyal handmaidens. She has to carve a new path for herself beyond her identity as a queen. She has to leave behind the shadow of a queen.
If you are a fan of Padmé Amidala, this is among the best novels to pick up. The story is nuanced and has excellent details about the galactic senate.
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren By Charles Soule and Will Sliney is a canon miniseries. It was released in 2019. It is written by Charles Soule and illustrated by Will Sliney.
This four-part series explores the backstory of Knights of Ren and Kylo Ren. If you are looking for a long yet gripping read, this can be the best pick for you.
The writing is captivating, and the illustration is brilliant. This is an excellent page-turner that dives deep into the world of Knights of Ren and Kylo Ren.
The story starts with a young Ben Solo. He sets out as a promising pupil of Jedi Luke Skywalker. However, there is a shaw cast by the Skywalker legacy.
All four parts of this series are very gripping and spin a different view on the Star Wars Universe. The main story is awe-inspiring, and the plot twists can keep you at the edge of your seat.
Dark Disciple: Star Wars
The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.
Dooku: Jedi Lost is one of the best star wars books since it is an enthralling tale. It is written by Christie Golden. This novel is a part of a multimedia initiative called The Clone Wars Legacy.
It was written for the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It is a story arc that has eight parts. They include the episodes Lethal Alliance, Conspirators, Dark Disciple, Saving Vos 1 & 2, The Path, and The Mission.
It is popular among adult readers, and Marc Thompson narrates the audiobook edition of this book. Also, the foreword is written by one of the original writers, Katie Lucas.
The story starts with a refugee, Ashu-NYamal fleeing Mahranee in a Republic ship. She wants to seek revenge on the Separatists.
The tale is really impressive; you can get a deeper look into the Star Wars world. This is one of the best star wars books canon series you can read.
Alphabet Squadron (Star Wars) (Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron)
On the brink of victory in a brutal war, five New Republic pilots transform from hunted to hunters in this epic Star Wars adventure. Set after Return of the Jedi, Alphabet Squadron follows a unique team, each flying a different class of starfighter as they struggle to end their war once and for all.
Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed is an amazing canon book. It is also the first novel in the Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron series. It was published in 2019.
The plot is set in a time after Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The tale focuses on a bunch of new pilots of the Republic. They start with hunting an Imperial called the Shadow Wing group down.
The story follows this extraordinary team that flies different classes of starfighters. It is an interesting action-packed book that can increase your pulse with every sentence in the story.
It is a unique experience to read through this Star Wars book seeing these pilots struggle to end their war. Each of them is talented, and they are struggling to find a place in the uncertainty of the Galaxy.
One of the most interesting parts of this work is crosses over with Star Wars: TIE Fighter. It is a miniseries by Marvel Comics. If you have already read that, this is something you should not miss.
Star Wars: A New Dawn
This is an extraordinary canon novel by John Jackson Miller. It is the first book that is set in the present Star Wars Canon. This is also the prequel to Star Wars Rebels, the animated television series.
Dave Filoni writes the foreword to this Star Wars novel. This was first published in 2014. This is a very popular Star Wars novel among die-hard fans.
It is a grand tale of the Age of the Empire. The Jedi knights had brought peace and maintained order. They managed to do it with the help of the Force. When they are betrayed, the entire Galaxy has to pay the price.
People have begun to question the Emporer, but his iron grip is tightening over his Empire. Palpatine’s mechanisms have destroyed the lives of many. They, too, are waiting for something to happen.
On the other hand, Emperor Palpatine has brutally repressed the lives of his subjects. So, what will be the future?
Battlefront: Twilight Company (Star Wars)
Among the stars and across the vast expanses of space, the Galactic Civil War rages. On the battlefields of multiple worlds in the Mid Rim, legions of ruthless stormtroopers—bent on crushing resistance to the Empire wherever it arises—are waging close and brutal combat against an armada of freedom fighters.
Battlefront: Twilight Company is one of the best star wars books. It is a canon novel authored by Alexander Freed. This story is based on Stars Wars Battlefront, a popular video game.
This novel was published in the year 2015 and quickly became a best seller. It is widely read among gamers as well as die-hard fans. This is an exciting page-turner that can keep you reading all night.
The plot begins where the galactic Empire stays strong. Their oppression is expanding through the stars. This is even after the destruction of the Death Star carried out by the Rebel Alliance.
With the help of Darth Wader, the Emperor sends an army to destroy Resistance and squash dissent. The army is made of single-minded stormtroopers who are highly trained.
However, some worlds fight against this army in trenches. These places are Coyerti, Sullust, and Haidoral Prime. They have hope for a better world against this ruthless war machine.
Star Wars: Lando's Luck (Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon)
This is an amazing book that has made it into this list of the best star wars books. Disney-Lucas film Press released this in the year 2018. This is a junior novel that is a part of the Fight of the Falcon series.
The story is, as the name suggests, focused on Lando Calrissian and his first mate, L3-37. It is written by Justina Ireland, and it is illustrated by Annie Wu. This an adventurous story of Lando Calrissian and L3-37 onboard the Millennium Falcon.
The story starts out when a smuggling scheme by them goes wrong. During that, he is presented with an opportunity to the right thing. The story gets ever so interesting from there.
Bazine Netal, the human female mercenary, is all set to find out everything about the Millenium Falcon. She learns about the ship from the former Princess Rinetta Gan of Hynestia, who had traveled on that ship.
Lando Calrissian has only one option left after getting arrested, and his first mate, L3-37, has some tasks to finish up. The story spins to become an action-filled tale from here onwards.
Darth Bane, Path of Destruction: A Novel of the Old Republic
Darth Bane Trilogy is an excellent collection of three novels from the author Drew Karpyshyn. The three novels are focused on the life of Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Bane. This absolutely deserves to be on this list of the best Star Wars books.
The three novels are Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, Darth Bane: Rule of Two, and Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil. They were published in the years 2006, 2007, and 2009 respectively.
The first story is set from 1006 BBY to 1000 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). This story is about how one dark lord united the divided Sith. It was in a quest to exterminate the Jedi and enslave the Galaxy.
The Darth Bane: Rule of Two is a follow-up story that was a replacement for the novel Darth Plagueis, which was then canceled. It tells the story of Darth Zannah and Darth Bane.
Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil is the final book of this series. It is a powerful tale that captures the secret of the Sith.
Rogue Squadron (Star Wars: X-Wing Series, Book 1)
This is an amazing collection of the best star wars legends books. Star Wars: X-Wing is a Star Wars novel series published between 1996 to 2012. It is written by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston.
These series include some widely read novels such as X-Wing: Rogue Squadron, X-Wing: Iron Fist, and X-Wing: Mercy Kill. It also includes other bestsellers like X-Wing: Wedge’s Gamble, X-Wing: The Bacta War, and X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar.
These novels are often described as “Star Wars meets Top Gun.” The first four stories circle around the events of the retake of the Imperial capital and the story of the machinations of Ysanne Isard. These four stories continue the tale one after the other.
Whereas the next three novels are standalone stories. They also have many connections to the comic series Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron. These stories are considered as an informal epilogue to many plots in the comic series.
Also, Starfighters of Adumar is a completely self-contained story. The Mercy Kill is set over 30 years apart from the previous books.
The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
This is a junior novel part of the book series Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It is written by Jason Fry and was published in the year 2014 by Disney–Lucas film Press. It recounts the adventures of Luke Skywalker.
The story is set in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Luke is in a situation where he has to save a young girl forced to use the Force. He also has to survive in the dangerous duel against a new powerful villain.
The background setting is when the Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star. However, there is a civil war in the Galaxy, and the Starfleet is killing the rebels across the Galaxy.
Luke Skywalker is the pilot who destroyed the Death Star, is now the hero. However, things get worse from bad, and there is a different path carved for him.
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous (Star Wars: Clone Wars)
This is one of the most favorite novels among die-hard fans. This novel is written by Sean Stewart as a part of a multimedia project, the Clone Wars. This book was published in 2004 by Del Rey, along with a version of the audiobook.
The story starts when the Clone Wars has forced the Republic to an end. When the battle is at its peak, a Jedi Knight escapes delivering Yoda a message to Coruscant’s capital.
Dooku appears to want peace and demands Yoda a rendezvous. There are millions of lives at stake, and Yoda is left with no choice.
This meeting is scheduled on a planet that is known for evil, Jun. This can be a very challenging task for grandmaster Yoda.
This Star Wars story is more popular among adults, and it is read more by Yoda fans. The story has a very warm tone to it, making any reader feel comfortable with the flow of time.
Thrawn (Star Wars) (Star Wars: Thrawn)
Star Wars: Thrawn is one of the best Star Wars books, popularly known as simply Thrawn. Del Rey published it in the year 2016. This is an excellent novel with some of the most interesting turn-on events among the best star wars legends books.
The story revolves around the origins of Grand Admiral Thrawn. This book is very famous among Thrawn fans as well as other die-hard fans of the franchise. The story gets more interesting with every page you turn.
The story begins where Thrawn pledges himself to Palpatine, the Emperor. It is set on an unnamed outer rim planet. He joins the Imperial navy of the Emperor.
Thrawn is intelligent, cunning, and he is an expert at what he does. He rises to higher ranks, soon using his renegade tactics.
Thrawn was initially introduced in Heir to the Empire. When he became a favorite among fans, many such novels sprang up. However, this is the one that provides the most nuanced account of Thrawn.
Kenobi (Star Wars – Legends) by Miller, John Jackson (2013)
Kenobi is a Legends novel that is written by John Jackson Miller. The story was published in 2013 by Del Rey. This book also includes a short tee-in story by John Jackson Miller, which is named Incognito.
The story evolves around Obi-Wan Kenobi and his first days on the desert planet Tatooine while on self-exile.
The story is set in the backdrop of the harsh desert where the farmers toil in the two suns. They are always trying to protect themselves from Tusken Raiders while working hard in the sun.
The story is a unique recount of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Tuskan riders are from a backwater planet.
This Star Wars story has an amazing character arc that shows more about him.
The surprising turn of events will keep your pulse rate high throughout the book. The story is packed with action and emotion. This book is widely read by fans of Obi-Wan Kenobi and fans of stars wars who find him interesting.
Hard Contact (Star Wars: Republic Commando, Book 1)
Republic Commando: Hard Contact is a tie-in novel to the Star Wars: Republic Commando, the video game. It is the first book in the series of Republic Commando. This is an action-packed story with numerous plot twists that will take you by surprise.
It is written by Karen Traviss and was published in the year 2004 by Del Rey. The story is set during the Rise of the Empire Era in 22 BBY. The story revolves around a squad of clone commandos.
They are on a mission to destroy a lab controlled by Separatist bioweapons. It is located in the world of Qiilura.
The commandos are Niner, Atin, Darman and Fi. They are aided by Valaqil and Gurlanins Jinart and Etain Tur-Mukan.
The clone war’s rage and the fate of the war lie in the hands of this squad. They take on some of the toughest assignments in the Galaxy. They are capable of doing no one else can, and no one else would.
Dooku: Jedi Lost (Star Wars)
Darth Tyranus. Count of Serenno. Leader of the Separatists. A red saber, unsheathed in the dark. But who was he before he became the right hand of the Sith? As Dooku courts a new apprentice, the hidden truth of the Sith Lord’s past begins to come to light.
Dooku: Jedi Lost is a canon book authored by Cavan Scott. This is an audiobook that is among the best Star Wars books. It is narrated by a full cast.
The book was published in 2019 by Random House Audio. This is set before the onset of the Clone Wars. The book evolves around Asajj Ventress as she goes deep into the story of sinister Count Dooku. She discovers why he made the choice of leaving the Jedi Order.
This is an enthralling Star Wars story that shines a different perspective on the Jedi and the Galaxy. Every part of the story is extremely interesting, and it can make you read it all night.
The story follows her, the dark side apprentice of Dooku. He sends Asajj Ventress on a mission aimed to find and retrieve Jenza, her estranged sister.
She goes on the mission while dealing with the ghostly voice of Ky Narec, her former Jedi master. The voice is attempting to pull Asajj Ventress back into the light.
Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
As 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. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine continues to strip away constitutional liberties in the name of security while influencing public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin fears that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die.
Revenge of the Sith is a book that is the novelization of the movie of the same name. It was published in 2005 by Del Rey Books. It was written by Matthew Stover.
Although everything in this book corresponds to the film, numerous details and elements are added in the novel from the beginning to the climax. To give you an example, Asajj Ventures is mentioned only once in the novel.
This book was also voted by theforce.net users as the Best Expanded Universe Work. It was also well-received by other online book communities.
The story is extremely gripping, and the characters are described with nuances. The detail of the stories is really interesting. The roles have an interesting character arc.
The story is as thrilling and action-packed as the movie. The extra details are what make this one all the more enjoyable. This makes it one of the best Star Wars legends books.
Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)
Shadows of the Empire is the last on our list of the best Star Wars books. It is an excellent read that is penned by Steve Perry. It was written as a part of a multimedia project, the Shadows of the Empire.
The events in the book are gripping, and they can keep your pulse rate up all through the story. The story revolves around the events that occur between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
The story begins with an interesting time, where there is a crisis. A person frozen and kept in carbonite is taken to the Hutt, a notorious gangster named Jabba. The person is Han Solo.
While Princess Leia is off to a mission of rescuing someone, the Darth Vader is searching for Luke Skywalker all over the Galaxy.
At this time, another cunning villain arises. The sinister figure is ruthless and leads an infamous crime organization. They target Luke Skywalker; one villain wants him alive while the other wants him dead.
Let’s Wrap It Up
No doubt, these 21 novels are some of the best Star Wars books. All the stories are judged based on their development of plots and the flow of the story. They are also selected based on their characters and originality.
To consider above all is the entertainment factor. You don’t need to worry about getting bores, as the books mentioned above are those you can’t put down.
The Universe of Star Wars has found a home on the pages too. They have given us numerous new characters, places, and many interesting plots. Star Wars storytelling is one of the main reasons for the fandom to grow to its size.
Now you know that even after you finish binge-watching all the 9 movies, there’s so much more to explore. Remember, ‘the journey is far from over.’ We just hope you have all the time in the ‘world’ to explore the ‘Galaxy far, far away.
So, did you find that one interesting read? Or you can go ahead and fill your cart with more than one book!
