The 25 Best Star Wars Books [A Guide For The Jedi Master]

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Star Wars has a massive fan base — as you probably already know — and, as is the same with many of the world’s largest pop culture franchises, the Star Wars universe has spawned many spin-off series, from animated series to stand-alone movies, comic book series to novels.

If you’re a bookworm with a penchant for Star Wars, you’ll be glad to know that your exploration of the Star Wars universe doesn’t need to end with the latest films. You can find dozens of other stories — both featuring your favorite characters and new ones — awaiting you in the pages of some of the best Star Wars books. And, no, we’re not talking about old-fashioned fanfiction. We’re talking real, professionally-written and edited novels, some of which are even considered canon.

So what are you waiting for? Here are 25 Star Wars books to add to your home library now.

Best Star Wars Canon (and Legends) Novels

What exactly is a “canon” novel? Canon refers to a Star Wars idea, storyline or fact that relates directly to the “officially” recognized Star Wars and Lucasfilm universe. Media included in the Star Wars canon includes all of the films, select television series and certain books released post-2014.

What about the work released pre-2014? That’s currently considered “Legends” material. This is all of the novels and comics that were released before Disney acquired the Star Wars license. You can usually identify Legends material by a special gold logo.

Technically, Disney has decided that all Legends material did not actually happen within the fictional universe, and everything that they deem canon is now, well, the new canon. However, you’ll find many classic Star Wars fans who disagree with this theory.

Whatever side of the argument you’re on, and whatever you want to believe actually happened in this fictional realm, here are some of the best Canon and Legends novels.

1. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover

This is about as canon as it comes, as this novel is basically just the novel version of the movie by the same name.

Now, it should be noted that you’ll only really, truly appreciate this novel if you also really and truly appreciate Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith is loved by some, hated by others. But if you’re in the former camp, there’s a good likelihood that you’ll also greatly enjoy the novel.

Why would I want to read the novel when I can just watch the movie, you ask? Well, the novel slows the whole three-hour-or-so movie experience down — a lot. You get to more thoroughly explore every character and every setting, every plotline and every piece of dialogue. Descriptions are fleshed out, and plot points move at a slower pace that allows you to appreciate the various storytelling nuances.

Additionally, when it comes to Star Wars novelizations, fans agree — this is probably the most well-written novelization of any Star Wars film.

2. Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn

This adult novel is technically “Legends” material. Yeah, it’s kind of canon, but it was released before the Disney takeover.

For readers who enjoy following characters who are morally gray (or maybe even a little darker), Darth Bane: Path of Destruction is a good book to pick up. The novel follows Darth Bane and the development of the Sith and the dark side. It also offers a greater understanding of the Sith’s power when Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader come onto the stage.

Additionally, the book has a sequel, so if you’re not a fan of stand-alone novels, you’ll be pleased.

3. Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Another “Legends” novel, Heir to the Empire takes place after the third classic Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. It focuses on the beloved characters of Luke, Han and Leia, and their various new dangers that arise in a post-Empire world, following the plot of the original trilogy.

The book is an oldy but a goody, released in 1991, and it laid the groundwork for many Star Wars novels to come that dealt with George Lucas’s original characters. It’s also part of a trilogy. The following two books are Dark Force Rising and The Last Command.

4. Dark Disciple by Christie Golden

A newer book that deals with newer canon characters brought about in the post-Disney era, Dark Disciple by Christie Golden follows a former Sith lord apprentice, Asajj Ventress.

The anti-romance plotline is written in a modern style and will appeal to readers who like both the newer Star Wars films, as well as newer writing styles (because, let’s face it — novels and the writing styles featured in some of the industry’s best sellers have changed significantly since Timothy Zahn’s days).

5. The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson

If we backtrack to another Legends trilogy, we’ll find The Jedi Academy series by Kevin J. Anderson. This is another older series, but one that classic fans love because it again focuses on the adventures of Luke, Han Solo and Leia Organa after the destruction of the Death Star and where the last classic movie left off.

In this particular trilogy (which includes Jedi Search, Dark Apprentice andChampions of the Force), readers tag along with Luke Skywalker as he becomes a fully-fledged Jedi knight, master and teacher. The book also looks at the rise of the Solo bloodline through the Solo twins — popular characters of the Star Wars expanded universe that we didn’t see in the original movies, but that quickly became a part of Legends canon.

6. Kenobi by John Jackson Miller

What happened to Obi-Wan Kenobi between the time when he dumped poor Luke alone on Tatooine and then the same adventure-seeking teen found him years later, in A New Hope? Kenobi theorizes on the galactic adventures that one of the series’ most beloved characters could have had during those years and his backstory before A New Hope.

Even though Kenobi is relatively new, it came out just before Disney took over the Star Wars franchise, meaning it’s still considered a Legends novel. However, despite this, you’ll find that the writing style is pretty modern, which may make it appealing to readers who’ve found some of the older Legends novels (like those that came out in the 80s and 90s) not to their liking.

7. Thrawn by Timothy Zahn

Grand Admiral Thrawn has been one of the most celebrated characters in the Star Wars universe, despite absences from the actual films, and appears in both canon books and Legacy works. Timothy Zahn has written the latest Thrawn series, thanks to Disney’s efforts, and the series is still ongoing.

Check out the first book,Thrawn, as well as Thrawn: Alliances and Thrawn: Treason.

8. Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston

If Padme is your favorite Star Wars character and you love the prequel movies, you won’t want to miss Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston. This book follows Padme’s work after she resigns as queen of Naboo and takes over her role as a representative for her planet in the senate.

9. Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray

When this highly anticipated addition to the Canon came out in 2019, Claudia Gray was already a big name among Star Wars fans for her success with her previous titles Lost Stars, Bloodline and Leia Princess of Alderaan.

In Master and Apprentice, she dives into the mythology of the Force with a tale of two beloved characters, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Their journey as master and apprentice sheds more light on their relationship and expands on Qui-Gon’s knowledge of the Living Force.

In addition to her usually mastery of character and action, Gray brings a surprisingly emotional element to this teacher and student tale that doesn’t shy away from the more difficult moments of their relationship, and that also reveals a surprising vulnerability in both characters.

For anyone that love’s this Phantom Menace duo and is also thirsty for more knowledge of the Force, this captivating book delivers.

10. Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin

What Star Wars fan isn’t fascinated by the quippy, fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants Han Solo? Clearly not an origin story you can cover in just one novel, this Legends trilogy expands the tale of the charismatic pilot in the books The Paradise Snare, The Hutt Gambit and Rebel Dawn.

In this action-packed series, you’ll learn about his early years on the mean streets of Corellia, find out how he met his favorite co-pilot Chewie and ride shotgun as he takes one of his wildest and high-stakes rides, the famous Kessel Run.

As the trilogy progresses, some familiar characters pop along the way. Eventually, Han is forced to make some life-changing decisions when he uncovers some dark secrets on the religious planet of Ylesia.

If you can’t get enough of Solo, you’ll be hooked by this rich and exciting tale that reveals how one of the ballsiest pilots in the galaxy got his wings (and his attitude).

11. Tarkin by James Luceno

Arguably one of the most evil villains in the Star Wars universe, General Tarkin first captured us with his wicked ways in the original trilogy. He later made an appearance in the Clone Wars series and was digitally recreated in Rogue One.

In the book Tarkin, Luceno explores his warped psyche in events that take place before the original trilogy. We learn how he met Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine and also find out more about his character and motivations through flashbacks to his youth.

This sinister and complex villain may be cold-blooded, but the origin story of the man who would one day destroy Leia’s home planet is hard to put down.

Best Star Wars YA Novels

YA is a growing genre of the publishing industry, and while YA stands for “young adult,” that’s not the only audience reading YA novels. Adults similarly enjoy YA material, simply because YA novels are known to be a little more fast-paced and filled with certain tropes and stylistic choices that appeal to their readers.

Similarly, YA novels are generally reliable when it comes to excluding graphic or sexually explicit content. If that’s a worry for you, or if you’re looking for a Star Wars book that you can read alongside your child, then YA can be a good choice.

12. Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

This is a YA book, but it’s also canon in that it was published after Disney took hold of the Star Wars license. However, it’s also widely known as one of the best Star Wars novels of all time, even though it was released in the last five years. It’s had relatively little time to build up hype, compared to some of the works that have been around for decades.

Lost Stars follows two new characters, never before seen in any Star Wars film, and some have compared the romantic elements to the storyline that follows Anakin and Padme (meaning that if you have a teen reader in the house who ships that storyline, they’ll probably enjoy this one as well).

13. Most Wanted by Rae Carson

A great novel with teenage protagonists, Most Wanted by Rae Carson was released around the same time as the first Star Wars stand-alone movie, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and shows what happens in the aftermath of the film. Fans of Solo will like this deeper dive into young smuggler Han’s life, as well as how much attention it pays to one of the movie’s side characters, Qi’ra.

The book offers great pacing (a result of its YA branding), a tame romantic plot line and lots of fun for newer franchise fans.

14. Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray

Yes, another Star Wars YA novel by Claudia Gray. Leia, Princess of Alderaan, takes us back to one of the most beloved classic Star Wars characters but doesn’t merely show us Leia’s inner thoughts during the original Star Wars trilogy. Instead, it takes us back further, to Leia’s teenage years.

Readers follow Leia’s life as a royal, the development of her political intrigue and interest in the rebellion, and her first romances.

It’s a good pick for not only fans of YA literature, but for fans of Princess Leia in general

15. Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Spark of the Resistance by Justina Ireland

Spark of the Resistance brings in newer Star Wars canon characters. The YA novel follows Rey, Poe and Rose as they respond to a distress call coming from a far-away planet. It’s a good pick for anyone who enjoyed The Force Awakens.

16. Lando’s Luck by Justina Ireland

Ireland also wrote Lando’s Luck, which is suitable for not only YA readers, but many middle grade readers as well. The book has a lot of humor and spunk and follows some of Lando’s adventures with L3-37 following the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

17. Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston

Star Wars fans first met the feisty Padawan Ahsoka in the Clone Wars films as she bantered with her formidable master Anakin. Throughout the trilogy, she grew into a fan favorite as she evolved from a lovable neophyte to an important fighter in the battle against the Empire.

The return of her character in the Rebels TV series got fans excited all over again as she fought the good fight and always stood up for what she believed (no matter the consequences).

This Young Adult novel bridges the gap between the end of the Clone Wars and Ahsoka’s later appearance on the small screen as operative Fulcrum. The story of Ahsoka begins one year after Jedi Order 66 has been devastated, and our heroine is hiding out from Imperial forces.

Though no longer a Jedi, she can’t shake the core values with which she was trained. Her sense of justice and innate curiosity eventually lead her into a series of perilous adventures that will force her to come to terms with her past and set her on the path to her destiny.

If you’re a fan of Ahsoka, this book should definitely be on your list.

18. Poe Dameron: Free Fall by Alex Segura

Poe Dameron, the daring pilot from the sequel trilogy, has a past – and it’s a colorful one. The son of a Galactic Civil War hero, he grew up around starfighters. But that doesn’t guarantee him a smooth path to finding his own destiny.

Unable to connect with his father after the loss of his mother, he’s longing to get off of his home planet and have a few adventures of his own. Enter Zorii Bliss and her band of spice runners who just happen to be on the hunt for a pilot who won’t ask questions.

This fun and fast-paced book is just as much a character study of Zorii as it is of Poe, and it chronicles their adventures as they chart the bumpy course to their future selves.

If you’re a fan of Zorii or the “the best pilot in the resistance,” you’ll want to ride shotgun on their white knuckle ride to destiny in Poe Dameron: Free Fall.

19. Force Collector by Kevin Shinick

While some Star Wars books explore the backstories of already familiar heroes and villains, others introduce entirely new characters onto the scene. Force Collector falls into the latter category and was published as a part of the Journey to the Rise of Skywalker initiative.

The story takes place in the years between the Battle of Endor and the rise of the First Order, a time when Jedis and the Force are viewed as myth––which makes it all the more difficult for the Force-sensitive main character to understand what’s happening to him.

When Karr begins to have visions of the past when he touches certain objects, his normal teenage life is thrown out of whack, and his search for answers begins.

On the road to self-discovery, he’ll have to figure out his connection to the fabled Jedi and how he can use his mysterious power for the greater good.

This compelling book introduces a new character and pays tribute to every era of the Skywalker Saga through flashbacks to the past.

Other Contenders for Best Star Wars Novels

Other Star Wars novels don’t necessarily fit into one particular category very well, fit into multiple categories, or are based on animated series, like The Clone Wars or even video games.

20. Twilight Company by Alexander Freed

This book, for example, is one of them. Twilight Company by Alexander Freed is based on the Star Wars: Battlefront video game, so it’s arguable whether or not it can really be considered cannon. Despite this, it’s still a great book and one that those who enjoy action and thriller novels will appreciate.

Twilight Company is another name for the Rebel Alliance’s Sixty-First Mobile Infantry and the novel by the same name follows this ragtag band of soldiers through the terrors and grim realities of warfare.

21. Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden

Another video game-inspired novel, Battlefront II: Inferno Squad, is written by the same talented author who produced Dark Disciple. If you like one, you’re sure to like the other.

This novel is set after Rogue One, and follows an Imperial group and their military and political drama.

22. Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy by Amy Ratcliffe

Not really a novel, this book is still worth a spot on any true Star Wars fan’s bookshelf (or even your coffee table — the illustrations are certainly lovely enough to make it a good coffee table book).

More of a guide than a novel, Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy features 75 profiles of various women or nonbinary characters, along with illustrations and background info.

23. Star Wars: Darth Vader — Dark Lord of the Sith, Vol. 1: Imperial Machine by Charles Soule and Jim Cheung

If you prefer graphic novels, then you might want to check out one of the best in the Star Wars universe. This Darth Vader––Dark Lord of the Sith Volume 1: Imperial Machine explores Vader’s lore and what exactly happened to him after Revenge of the Sith.

24. Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren by Charles Soule and Will Sliney

You can sum up this graphic novel with Charles Soule’s now-famous tweet “From Ben to Ren.”

As we all know, Ren wasn’t always such a (let’s just say it) douchebag. Han and Leia’s progeny trained with his uncle Luke and was on the fast track to becoming a powerful Jedi and light-bringer. But destiny does have a twisted way of turning nice guys into villains we love to hate.

Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren chronicles Ben’s journey to the dark side as he struggles to fill the very large shoes of his father and uncle while trying to resist giving in to the evil that runs through his blood from Darth Vader.

The series gets off to a gripping start with the destruction of Luke’s Jedi academy and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through Ben’s encounter with the Knights of Ren and his tragic fall. Yes, it sucks to be the kid of famous people. What’s an arch-villain to do but take down his dad?

25. Doctor Aphra by Kieron Gillen and Kev Walker

Often compared to Indian Jones, “rogue archeologist” Doctor Aphra was first introduced to Star Wars fans in the 2015 Darth Vader comic. This fan favorite soon became so popular that in 2016 she became the star of her very own continuing series.

After barely escaping the clutches of Vader, she returns to her search for rare artifacts in the Outer Rim to pay her debts and scrape out a living. Of course, she’ll have to stave off bounty hunters and outrun the Empire along the way.

She may have a questionable moral compass at times, but the adventures of this feisty heroine will definitely keep you entertained.

Exploring the Star Wars Literary Universe

With more than 400 books in the Star Wars literary universe, your reading options are nearly endless.

Whatever genre you like, whatever writing style appeals most to you, whatever your favorite characters in the franchise, you can find a Star Wars book (or a few!) that are sure to take top spots in your home library.

You might also be interested in: The 20 Best Star Wars Moments [Highlights From Our Favorite Space Opera]

The 25 Best Star Wars Books:

Posted October 16, 2020 in Lifestyle category

Holly Riddle

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Holly Riddle

Holly Riddle is a travel, food and lifestyle writer, and a full-time freelance content creator after several years on editorial staffs for a multitude of publications ranging in topic and audience demographic. She currently acts as the editor at large for Global Traveler magazine and is a regular contributor at Trazee Travel, WhereverFamily, TravelMag, CruiseHive and more. Ghostwritten work for travel clients has appeared on Forbes, Bloomberg, Inc. and other top publications. She also manages blogs for tour providers, hotels and tourism boards.

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The 25 Best Star Wars Books [A Guide For The Jedi Master]

Best Star Wars Canon (and Legends) Novels

1. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover