Still, for how fantastic the Star Wars films are — and make no mistake, they are fantastic in the most definitional sense of the word — the entire franchise finds its real grounding in the fact that it is a universe. not simply in the galactic, space-pioneering sphere but in the sense that it successfully spans many forms of media and allows people from all walks of life to contribute to the greater narrative. Of course, we have to thank the films for laying the groundwork for this universe, but some of the best stories that take place in Star Wars are found in other mediums — books, comics, video games, board games, television and so on.
But as with any universe, attempting to consolidate all of the available information into a cohesive, coherent story is quite a difficult task. That’s why after Disney purchased the Star Wars franchise from Lucasfilm in October of 2012, a new precedent was set for determining what material should be considered canonical. In a 2014 clean sweep, Disney decided to wipe the slate, so to speak, leaving only the main films, The Clone Wars television series, and novels that directly aligned with what was seen in the big-screen stories. Most of the Star Wars content released after that date would quickly be considered canonical as well, but this left a huge swath of material from the 1970s to mid-2010s that was not.
Sadly, some of the best written material for Star Wars came out of this period, and thankfully, Disney still recognizes the literature and media of that time as Star Wars Legends. This material, formerly known as the Expanded Universe, contains tales set as far bas as tens of thousands of years before the main Star Wars timeline, fleshing out a vibrant, cultured universe. Consequently, anyone who can’t seem to get enough of the franchise should pay attention to this era, because while it might not be currently considered canon, it contains some of the best storytelling of the entire franchise. For anyone interested in digging into the lore of Star Wars Legends, here are five books and series every Star Wars fan should read.
Star Wars Legends Books Every Fan Should Read
Darth Bane Trilogy
The Darth bane Trilogy follows the titular character, the creator of the Rule of Two. For anyone familiar with the deeper lore of the Star Wars universe, this is the idea first expressed by Yoda in The Phantom Menace that, at any given time, there should be no more than two Sith — one master to embody power and an apprentice to crave it. Technically, the character of Darth Bane was made canon in the sixth season of The Clone Wars, when Yoda encountered the disembodied spirit of the Sith Lord. However, the canonical event’s of Bane’s life are still shrouded in mystery, leaving this Legends trilogy as the most comprehensive tale of the founder of The Order of Sith Lords.
Without giving too much of the story away, the series follows Bane as he transforms from a poor miner named Dessel to a soldier in the Brotherhood of Darkness, and eventually the heir of the entire Sith lineage. Rich with detailed characters on both sides of an intergalactic conflict, this trilogy serves as the capstone for anyone interested in Sith lore and the ultimate expression of the Rule of Two — Vader and Sidious.
The titles included in this trilogy are:
- Path of Destruction
- Rule of Two
- Dynasty of Evil
Darth Plagueis
“Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? I thought not. It’s not a story the Jedi would tell you.”
But that’s all right, because James Luceno will, and what a gripping tale it is. If the Darth Bane trilogy represents the beginning of the Order of Sith Lords, Darth Plagueis stands as the penultimate bookend. This riveting story takes place largely in the background of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, helping the reader understand the secretive events that ultimate led to the fall of the Republic and the emergence of the First Galactic Empire. True to the words of Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith, Darth Plagueis was a dark lord who sought to bend the force to his own will — his chief goal to hold the keys to life and death.
In this novel, readers get a glimpse at the Legends backstory for Darth Sidious, Maul and a host of other major players in the Star Wars universe. If the dark side is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural, then this is the story to understand how. A mix of political maneuvering and primeval, cultic ritual, Darth Plagueis s a book that will leave fans stunned and wondering whether the Jedi Order ever had a chance to begin with.
The Bounty Hunter Wars
This trilogy of novels explores a side of Star Wars some fans might be unfamiliar with. Of course, since The Mandalorian first aired in 2019, many people have begun to recognize that the Star Wars universe expands far beyond the Jedi/Sith conflict. Perhaps it’s even common knowledge that the bounty hunters are a large part of the franchise, and have been since The Empire Strikes Back, when Vader hired mercenaries to track down Han Solo. Even so, names like Dengar, Bossk, and Zuckuss probably don’t ring a bell. But after reading The Bounty Hunter Wars, fans will understand why these characters are some of the most loved, and feared, in the entire franchise.
For the most part, this series revolves around the iconic character, Boba Fett, who like in The Mandalorian, (SPOILER) manages to survive falling into the Sarlacc pit. Starting mere days after the events of Return of the Jedi, this narrative sees a heinous plot to minimize the power of the Bounty Hunters’ Guild by turning the members against one another. In a strategic game of wits, conspiracy and betrayal, no one is safe — not even the most feared hunters in all the galaxy.
- The Mandalorian Armor
- Slave Ship
- Hard Merchandise
Red Harvest
What do you get when you mix Children of the Corn, The Walking Dead, and Star Wars? Red Harvest, that’s what. This novel is something of an abnormality in the franchise, representing a zombie-plant survival story. And while that might sound outlandish to some extent, surpassing the normal bounds of the universe, it simply proves that anything is possible in Star Wars. Set during the days of the Old Republic, this novel details the mad schemes of a Sith Lord, Darth Scabrous, and the horrible results of his dark attempts at immortality. And while his goals might closely align with the much later Darth Plagueis’, the outcome couldn’t be more different.
As far as storytelling goes, Red Harvest might not have the same level of depth as the Darth Bane trilogy or other books mentioned so far, but it’s worth reading purely for the experience of a horror story in a galaxy far, far away.
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
The titular Sith Lord, Darth Maul, was first introduced in The Phantom Menace, and though his spoken lines numbered in the single digits, his terrifying visage and prowess as a warrior captivated fans’ attention, making him one of the most recognizable figures from the entire franchise. And while more of his personality and driving motivations were fleshed out in The Clone Wars and other comic series, that wasn’t until 2008, nearly a decade after his initial debut. Because of the relative lack of backstory in film at the time, the 2001 novel, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, was and still is a must-read for fans of the Sith assassin.
Taking place directly before the events of The Phantom Menace, this book follows Maul on his hunt for a traitorous member of the Trade Federation. Given leave to exact his dark vengeance on those who would thwart his master’s schemes, Maul’s demonic quest allows readers, for the first time, a glimpse into the mind of the silent Jedi hunter.
Read More Star Wars Legends Books
Upon review of this list, it’s apparent that all five of the novels and series have one thing in common — they follow the villains! Maybe that’s because some of the best stories are ones which let us get into the heads of characters that seem so alien to our own ways of thinking. Or maybe it’s just because sometimes it’s fun to be bad. But just because these Star Wars Legends books are some of the best doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there with more of a light-side persuasion. If you’re interested in finding out more, check out this list of 31 books and series from the Legends universe. And while you’re at it, don’t forget that there are plenty of other ways to get into the fantastic lore of Star Wars, from comics to games and a whole host of other mediums.