32 Best Star Wars Books of All Time

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Star Wars became the most demandable book ever when the first film in 1977 was released. Then, young people all over the world were obsessed with the subject of cosmos and everything related to it. Till now, the topic of the futuristic destiny of the Earth and its inhabitants along with the Star Wars novels are still actively discussed. If you are one of those fans, you are invited to get acquainted with popular and definitely the best Star Wars books ever created.

Top Rated Star Wars Legends Books (EU) to Read

Rank	Review	Name	Price	Author	Date	Page	Rating
1		Darth Bane: Path of Destruction	Check Here	Drew Karpyshyn	September 26, 2006	324	9.9
2		The Thrawn Trilogy: The Last Command	Check Here	Timothy Zahn	January 1, 1994	467	9.8
3		The Thrawn Trilogy: Dark Force Rising	Check Here	Timothy Zahn	1998	No Info	9.6
4		Darth Plagueis	Check Here	James Luceno	1994	No Info	9.5
5		The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn	Check Here	A. C. Crispin	March 9, 1998	400	9.3
6		The Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire	Check Here	Timothy Zahn	September 6, 2011	496	9.2
7		The Old Republic: Annihilation	Check Here	Drew Karpyshyn	November 13, 2012	336	9.1
8		The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit	Check Here	A. C. Crispin	August 11, 1997	352	9.0
9		The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission	Check Here	Jude Watson	November 15, 2014	168	8.9
10		The Wrath of Darth Maul	Check Here	Ryder Windham	January 1, 2012	224	8.8
11		Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones	Check Here	R. A. Salvatore	April 23, 2002	353	8.6
12		The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare	Check Here	A. C. Crispin	May 5, 1997	320	8.5
13		Kenobi	Check Here	John Jackson Miller	August 27, 2013	400	8.4
14		The Old Republic: Revan	Check Here	Drew Karpyshyn	November 15, 2011	320	8.3
15		The Old Republic: Deceived	Check Here	Paul S. Kemp	March 22, 2011	304	8.2
16		Shadows of the Empire	Check Here	Steve Perry	April 1, 1996	340	8.0

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

If you don’t know anything about the Sith race, then you should have a book Darth Bane: Path of Destruction. Here you will find out their story that starts a long time ago and how many representatives there were. And finally, what has been done by the Jedi so the Sith race almost disappeared.

In fact, this story will also shed a light on a person who made all the Sith representatives reunite and revenge the Jedis by wiping off their enemies’ existence. And most important is what’s going to be next with the universe after obtaining the power of the dark side by the Siths.

This book is hardcover and has 324 pages. The release date was September 26, 2006. The author is Drew Karpyshyn.

The Thrawn Trilogy: The Last Command

If you are familiar with the famous brother Luke and sister Leia along with their friends Chewbacca and Han Solo, then after the end of the canon trilogy, you might be curious about what will happen to them next. The Thrawn Trilogy: The Last Command is the version of how they live afterwards.

Here you will find out that Leia is waiting to give birth to Jedi twins, and at the same time, she heads the Alliance, while their twins’ father Han Solo with Chewbacca does everything to unite the smugglers in order to resist the Empire’s attack.

Luke Skywalker leads the warriors into the epicenter where the Empire’s forces under the command of Grand Admiral Thrawn are based. Thereby Luke becomes the easy target for Dark Jedi C’baoth.

This installment was created by Timothy Zahn, one of the most successful writers of Star Wars.

The Thrawn Trilogy: Dark Force Rising

One of the top rated books from the Extended Universe of Star Wars is The Thrawn Trilogy: Dark Force Rising. Here a reader will be involved in the whirl of events caused by Grand Admiral Thrawn. He consolidates the left forces into a great army in order to wipe off the New Republic.

At the same time, the main characters Han Solo and Lando Calrissian make everything possible to show members of The Highest Council true colors. Since some of them are suspected to be rats and do nothing on purpose in order to prepare the defending campaign.

On the other side of the universe, the risen Dark Jedi, who committed to the destruction of the Republic, is willing to have revenge. Thus, Dark Jedi tries to enlist young Luke Skywalker.

Like the previous book, it is also written by Timothy Zahn.

Darth Plagueis

Do you want to know about the sources of anger and how the Sith Order appeared? There is a good chance to do that through the essential book Darth Plagueis. In fact, Darth Plagueis is the first Dark Lord of Siths who had the inimitable power. However, he also had a weak point: it was his fear of losing this power.

In a while, there appeared an apprentice who learned everything from his master and even more. Behind the master’s back, the apprentice Darth Sidious desired to obtain a more powerful force and get rid of his mentor. So here’s the thing, what’s going to be next? Who will stay alive?

James Luceno has devoted a piece of his soul in order to create this installment.

The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn

For sure, Han Solo has impressed everyone by his resourcefulness and ability not to despond. However, those who are familiar with this character through the books when he rebels against the Empire and how he gets acquainted with Leia and Luke don’t know anything about his story in the past.

The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn is the legends about young smuggler Han Solo and his shaggy friend Chewbacca, their adventures and how they became the most elusive smugglers in the whole universe thanks to the Millenium Falcon – the fastest spaceship.

This is not the only book made by A. C. Crispin, later you will see the others.

The Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire

Just to be clear, The Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire is the reissued 20th Anniversary Edition. Here you will find familiar characters: Leia, Luke and Han Solo. And the plot takes place 5 years after the Death Star’s destruction by the Rebel Alliance. Luckily, everything goes as it should: Luke is waiting to join the Jedi ranks, Leia and Han are expecting their twins.

However, there wouldn’t be a plot if everything passed by smoothly. Thus, there appears the main antagonist – Grand Admiral Thrawn who accumulates the fleet forces on the other end of the galaxy. There is going to be something unbelievable!

This is another installment about the extended universe from Timothy Zahn.

The Old Republic: Annihilation

This legend will bring readers to a detached time period. Here you will find out that the Emperor is considered to be killed and the temporary command is performed by Darth Karrid.

Luckily, the Jedi Order has an ace in the hole – Theron Shan, the son of Jedi, who doesn’t have the Force but still has the power to act, and that is why he has already a proven track record. Like a hero, he reveals the hidden Empire’s weapon arsenal and destroys it.

Then, Theron along with his friend smuggler Teff’ith and Gnost-Dural who was the master of Darth Karrid in the past joins the forces and directs them towards destroying the Ascendant Spear where the Darth Karrid is based.

The Old Republic: Annihilation is an exciting work of a Canadian writer Drew Karpyshyn.

The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit

The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit is the second book from the trilogy about Han Solo, the smuggler. This installment will show you the younger version of Han Solo. Moreover, a reader will see how the bonds of friendship between Chewie and Han Solo are forming.

In fact, he was looking for help to outrun his pursuer – Boba Fett.

However, in a while, when Han Solo and Chewie were hired by crime heads Jiliac and Jabba the Hutt, they realized that they have been trapped in another trouble. Unfortunately, any outcome leads to the death of Han Solo and Chewie.

As you might have guessed, this installment is also made by A. C. Crispin.

The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission

There is an intriguing story about Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission. The former master of Anakin has arrived at Tatooine to look after his padawan’s son Luke. And while he’s there, he finds out that one of the padawans of Jedi Order Ferus Olin is being guarded by Imperials on Bellasa.

After inner struggling, Obi-Wan decides to go on Bellasa and rescue Ferus Olin. And that’s where his adventures start.

This is a fabulous extension of the Star Wars universe from Jude Watson.

The Wrath of Darth Maul

By reading the book title, it’s quite obvious that The Wrath of Darth Maul is exactly about the point of view of Darth Maul. But what will a potential reader find out from this?

Here you will see how the Darkest Evil in the universe grows and masters the Force. And, of course, the to-be Darth Maul can’t do that without assistance. But what will the union of master and his apprentice lead to in the future?

No one has even got closer to the philosophy and such an amazing description of the evil character as Ryder Windham did.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

One of the most famous parts of Star Wars where the readers watch not just how the relationships between Anakin and Padme develop. Everyone gets involved in the plot with numerous twists and conspiracies spiced by a great disturbance in the Force.

Senator Padme Amidala’s life was threatened, and this was a push to the Republic’s ruining. Moreover, the Jedi Order members feel that something terrible is coming since the Dark Forces are strengthening, and they know nothing how to react.

No doubt you will enjoy reading this particular installment created by R. A. Salvatore.

The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare

Finally, we’ve reached the first part of the trilogy about Han Solo, the smuggler.

Here, the readers will watch the late teen years of the main character and how he escapes his home. In fact, his escape was not without a purpose; he desired to have lots of adventures and, of course, to be a pilot of an interstellar spaceship.

The first part of the trilogy is written by the same author as the next parts are – A. C. Crispin.

Kenobi

While the Star Wars plot is focused on the main characters, such as Senator Amidala, Anakin, later on their children Leia and Luke, the other strong and influential characters deserve attention, too.

Thus, John Jackson Miller has created a story about the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi. In fact, this installment depicts Jedi Master on Tatooine where there is a huge deficit of water and the citizens are constantly attacked by marauders. However, Ben, as he was known there, never took part in these fights until he suddenly appears right in the middle of hassle between the civilian farmers and Sand People.

His mission to take after the child who is a galaxy’s future hope is in danger. What should he do if the blood of innocents is spilled?

The Old Republic: Revan

The most intriguing character in the Star Wars series is Revan presented in installment The Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn. Revan is one of the Jedis who fought Mandalorians and died, while the dark apprentice has returned. Fortunately, Revan took on life but his memories completely disappeared. However, the backwash of the actions still remains in his head, and he sees the nightmares.

Nobody, including himself, knew anything about what happened there. But later, he still discovers the conspiracy that the Republic is endangered. There is nothing left to do but to fight against the Dark Force until the end.

The Old Republic: Deceived

The next piece of the Star Wars universe is about another evil character irresistibly depicted by Paul S. Kemp. However, as always, each evil character has the opposite force. Here in The Old Republic: Deceived, the reader will get acquainted with Aryn Leeneer.

Malgus has destroyed The Jedi Temple that was based on Coruscant, and Aryn’s master was one of Jedis who fight for the Temple. Now, it’s time to figure out what exactly happened to her master there.

Shadows of the Empire

Another famous episode of Star Wars well known by genuine fans was made by Steve Perry. The plot is about the union of Darth Vader and Xizor that is designed to catch Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, the other twin, Princess Leia, is trying to free her friend Han Solo from the slab he was frozen in before.

Will those campaigns against Luke and Princess Leia work? Everyone can discover in Shadows of the Empire.

Most Essential Canon Star Wars Books

Rank	Review	Name	Price	Author	Date	Page	Rating
1		Thrawn: Treason	Check Here	Timothy Zahn	July 23, 2019	352	10.0
2		Solo: A Star Wars Story (Expanded Edition)	Check Here	Mur Lafferty	September 4, 2018	304	9.9
3		Dark Disciple	Check Here	Christie Golden, Katie Lucas	July 7, 2015	336	9.8
4		Master & Apprentice	Check Here	Claudia Gray	April 16, 2019	352	9.6
5		Bloodline	Check Here	Claudia Gray	2016	341	9.5
6		Thrawn: Alliances	Check Here	Timothy Zahn	July 24, 2018	368	9.3
7		Tarkin	Check Here	James Luceno	November 4, 2014	288	9.2
8		The Last Jedi (Expanded Edition)	Check Here	Jason Fry	March 6, 2018	336	9.1
9		A New Dawn	Check Here	John Jackson Miller	September 2, 2014	400	9.0
10		Lords of the Sith	Check Here	Paul S. Kemp	January 26, 2016	368	8.8
11		Phasma	Check Here	Delilah S. Dawson	September 1, 2017,	400	8.7
12		Pirate's Price	Check Here	Lou Anders, Annie Wu	January 8, 2019	240	8.6
13		Resistance Reborn	Check Here	Rebecca Roanhorse	November 5, 2019	320	8.4
14		Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire	Check Here	Delilah S. Dawson	August 27, 2019	400	8.3
15		Ahsoka	Check Here	E. K. Johnson, Jason P. Wojtowicz	October 11, 2016	400	8.2
16		Lost Stars	Check Here	Claudia Gray, Phil Noto	September 4, 2015	560	8.1

Thrawn: Treason

One of the most mysterious and fear arousing characters in the Star Wars universe is Grand Admiral Thrawn created by Timothy Zahn. His appearance is another thing that makes readers think he is powerful and terrifying at the same time.

However, behind the mask of terrifying and faithfully serving Empire leader, the human being is hidden. And it reveals when he receives bad news from his homeland, that the planet is in danger. Grand Admiral Thrawn has to choose whether he crosses everything out that he has been earning for years of serving Empire and go to save his home or stay as he is. What would you do?

Solo: A Star Wars Story (Expanded Edition)

The next highly recommended installment about the Star Wars universe is Solo: A Star Wars Story by Mur Lafferty. If you have already read the trilogy about Han Solo’s adventures, then you should have this to read, too. Here you will watch the adventures of young Solo and his girlfriend who want to escape from the hated planet. And what’s going to be with them when they meet each other in a decade of years.

Dark Disciple

There must be the most powerful enemy who knows both sides of the Force. Taught by Jedis and then switched to the dark side, he has lots of advantages and makes the possibility to be overthrown minimal. That’s what Count Dooku thought.

Unfortunately for him, Dooku didn’t know that his former disciple Asajj Ventress along with Quinlan Vos would play a crucial role in Sith Lord’s fate. Even considering that Asajj used to be on the dark side, the Jedi Order couldn’t miss this chance to resist Dooku.

Master & Apprentice

Have you ever experienced the situation when you have been taught for a long time, and there comes a final test that shows whether you are ready to move forward or stay where you are? That happened with Obi-Wan as an apprentice and his master Qui-Gon.

As to-be the Jedi, Obi-Wan faced a problem with misunderstanding his master Qui-Gon. And because of this, Obi-Wan is afraid that the upcoming mission is the last one in his learning because he frustrated the expectations of his master, and he will never become the Jedi warrior.

Bloodline

After the successful insurgency operation where the Empire was defeated by the Rebellion, there was no doubt that this is the end of the war and the beginning of the new era and the New Republic in peace. However, when there is supposed to be an election for the post of the First Senator, Leia’s candidacy wasn’t supported due to her kinship with Darth Vader.

For better or worse, her promotion was truly the right decision in order to resist upcoming danger from the other end of the galaxy.

Thrawn: Alliances

Timothy Zahn masterfully works on each installment of Star Wars, regardless of whether it is the legends or the canon versions. Thrawn: Alliances is a canon version of Star Wars fully dedicated to Thrawn’s alliances, and not just any someone else but Darth Vader, the powerful and ruthless villain.

In fact, despite both characters are on the dark side and obey Emperor Palpatine, they do rival each other. The reason is that both of them want to win favor with their master. Moreover, there won’t be the only one time when the force of Darth Vader and Thrawn’s ability to think strategically are bound together to form an alliance.

Tarkin

Tarkin is the name of the Governor who has the most respecting status: he’s an ally of the Jedi Order, the Republic supporter and was promoted by the future Emperor – the Sith Lord. And it was done not without a purpose since Tarkin is a secret weapon of the Emperor against the separatists.

Thus, when it comes to the Rebellion annihilation, the proponents including Darth Vader will unite and bring the victory to the new Emperor.

The Last Jedi (Expanded Edition)

As always, there is a huge threat for the Republic to be destroyed by the risen from the ashes of the Empire. And, as usual, the Republic has new brave heroes who will defend it along with the General Leia Organa. However, the number of enemy’s firepower exceeds the Republic’s, and nothing can help but the last Jedi of all time Luke Skywalker.

A New Dawn

As you might already know, the galaxy was constantly guarded by the Jedi Order, and as a result, the Republic was always free of the Empire dictatorship. However, Palpatine became the Chancellor who secretly followed the dark side. From that time, the galaxy obtained the long-awaited peace, no matter that it was achieved through repression.

However, the repression always produces the resistance that appears in the remote corners of the galaxy. And sooner or later, the resistance will reveal itself surprisingly.

Lords of the Sith

Lords of the Sith is the story of the developing relationships between Emperor Palpatine and the new-comer apprentice Darth Vader. In fact, turning Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader doesn’t mean that Palpatine fully trusts his disciple. Thus, when on the strategically important planet of slave trade and drug-supplying the riot broke out, the Emperor decided to go there and put it down but himself and Darth Vader. Now, there is a perfect time to pass the crucial exam.

Phasma

It’s obvious that this installment is dedicated to diving into the world of Phasma. But who’s this and what’s wrong with this character?

Phasma is one of the officers of First Order, but nobody knows exactly who she is, including her past. So when the spy of the Resistance was caught on the Absolution spaceship, the mysterious stormtrooper in crimson armor made the spy speak. But the thing the stormtrooper wanted to find out was not about the Resistance but Phasma.

Pirate’s Price

Unlike all the books mentioned in this review, Pirate’s Price is specially designed for children, not for adults. Thus, the style of narration obviously differs.

In this book, Honda Ohnaka, the galaxy pirate, introduces his Millenium Falcon and tells the stories related to it.

Still, the Pirate’s Price has a strong connection to the canon books of Star Wars, so the reader will meet the familiar characters there, too.

Resistance Reborn

The main leaders of the Rebellion – Leia, Chewbacca, Finn, Poe, Rey, and Rose – are still struggling against attacks of the Empire. And as always, the forces are not equal, so the chance that the Rebellion will withstand the next attack is really low.

That is why the Rebellion members have to change their location and roam the galaxy searching for the aid and new leaders.

Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire

The Rebellion constantly seeks for the allies. However, in a while, it’s getting more difficult to search for those who can support the Rebellion against the Empire. Thus, Leia Organa orders the companions to go to the edge of the galaxy.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the galaxy, on the Batuu planet, the First Order terrorizes the civilian habitants, despite the planet is stuffed with the smugglers and adventurers.

Thus, by coincidence, the nest base of the Rebellion will be Batuu.

Ahsoka

One of the most intriguing characters in the Star Wars universe is Ahsoka. She took part in the battle against the clones but then disappeared. What happened to her while she was out of focus and before she finally appeared in the reunion of the Rebellion?

Lost Stars

Lost Stars is an unusual story from the Star Wars universe. In fact, this is a point of view on the events happening with the Republic, Rebellion and Empire but from children Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell. Moreover, the weirdness of this story is that this is rather a love story designed for young adults. The reader will find out how their relationships will develop, taking into account that one of them is a member of the Rebellion and the other is on the side of the Empire.

Best Star Wars Audiobooks

The progress doesn’t stay still, and if the readers read books by themselves in the past, nowadays the modern technology allows us not only to learn a book through the screen of devices but also to listen to it as well. As proof, you might have already noticed some of the desired books on Audible.

The Star Wars books are no exception. Here are some of the most famous and demandable books about Star Wars available for listening:

Believe it or not, but to record, the audiobook requires a special script that is usually written 2 weeks in advance before the first record. In addition, taking into account that Star Wars implies that there are lots of species and characters, the narrator has to try their voices, then record them, and if they are good – the narrator tries to reproduce them again in the final recording. Thus, recording by small pieces, there appears the whole audiobook the reader interacts with.

Interesting Facts That Make You Wonder

Creating books is so mesmerizing and quite a challenging task sometimes. Thus, the fans may have some speculations about the books creating and their authors. In order to avoid negative thoughts and secrets about the books, you are invited to find out the most interesting facts:

Hopefully, there are enough facts to spark the desire to go to read one of the books about Star Wars. And once you start reading, there you will definitely find out even more fascinating things.

In Closing

Since the time when Star Wars became extremely popular, till now its popularity doesn’t subside. The same concerns the books and the legends, the number of which rises every year. It means that a potential reader will face a huge challenge every time when decides to start one of the Star Wars installments. Luckily, there is BooKKooks, the source of the review of the best books ever. So whether you want to read or listen to an audio version of the publishing – you can find everything in one place. Moreover, here you can find all the must-read and highly ranked writing reviews of all time.

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