You can never call yourself a Star Wars fan if you haven’t read any of the best Star Wars Books that has become a pillar of modern pop culture and shattering box office records. The first Star Wars novels birthed one of the most successful and widely watched series and video games of all time. If you are looking for some sci-fi books to read, read on.
Top 30 Star Wars Books
1. Star Wars Rebels: Rebel Journal by Ezra Bridger Paperback Book
The Star Wars Rebels: Rebel Journal by Ezra Bridger Paperback Book is one of the finest books based on the Star Wars Rebels television series. This book follows Ezra Bridger’s adventures, a 14-year-old con artist and small-time thief, through a replica of his own journal.
In this paperback, Ezra has little trust in anyone. However, everything changed when he met a small band of rebels fighting back against the Empire called the Ghost crew. This 96-page paperback focused on the adventures of Ezra. We've got some popular Star Wars gifts for men here.
View Product2. Star Wars: I, Jedi
The Star Wars: I, Jedi is also one of the finest Star Wars books authored by New York Times bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole. This book presents a thrilling new tale set in the Extended Universe. It revolved on a heroic X-wing pilot’s dramatic story and one of the finest and brightest of Rogue Squadron’s X-Wing elite fighting force, Corran Horn, on the razor’s edge between the Force and the dark side.
When Corran’s wife, Mirax, vanishes on a covert mission for the New Republic, he had to use his Corellian undercover experience, so he could infiltrate, sabotage, and destroy a ruthless organization. But while trying to come into terms with his Jedi heritage, he was given only two options to succeed—surrender to the dark side or die. What would he choose?
3. Thrawn (Star Wars)
The Thrawn Trilogy novel by Timothy Zahn and published by Del Rey crusades on Thrawn's rise to power in the Expanded Universe. This original trilogy uncovered the events that created one of the most iconic villains in Star Wars history, the Grand Admiral Thrawn.
The first book introduced one of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the Galactic Empire’s history. Aside from being an iconic villain, Grand Admiral Thrawn is also one of the most captivating characters in the Star Wars universe.
Grand Admiral Thrawn’s origin and his rise in the Imperial ranks have been unveiled. This original trilogy chronicled the fateful events that launched the red-eyed Master of military strategy, lethal warfare, and blue-skinned into the highest realms of power—and infamy in the Expanded Universe.
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4. The Mandalorian Armor (Star Wars: The Bounty Hunter Wars, Book 1)
The Mandalorian Armor chronicles Boba Fett’s adventures, the most feared and successful bounty hunter in the far, far away galaxy. Even feared by the most hardened criminals, Fett came to face an all-out war against his most dangerous enemies.
It’s supposed to be an independent job for the fearless Boba Fett, who vowed to destroy his rivals. However, he soon realized that the game was rigged. Soon after, he found himself the target of criminal conspiracies, murderous factions, and the evil at the Empire’s dark heart.
5. Kenobi: Star Wars Legends
The Kenobi: Star Wars Legends chronicles the Republic’s fall, when Sith Lords ruled the far, far away galaxy, and when Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has lost everything but hope in the Clone Wars.
This Star Wars story focused on Ben, the bearded and robed offworlder, who is an enigmatic stranger that kept his past from everyone. Through his secret mission, he was brought to Tatooine, a harsh desert world where farmers toil in the heat of two suns and a backwater planet on the edge of civilized space. Ben, unbeknownst to other people, was a Jedi Master in hiding. He was Obi-Wan Kenobi, a hero of the Clone Wars, a traitor to the Empire, and protector of the galaxy’s last new hope.
6. Phasma (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The Phasma (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi by John Jackson Miller tells a story about Captain Phasma, one of the most cunning and merciless officers of the First Order.
In this John Jackson Miller book, Captain Phasma thrived on her superiors’ favor, her peers’ respect, and the terror of her enemies. However, many secrets lie in Captain Phasma’s mysterious past and his origins. So when a Resistance spy was captured, Cardinal—a crimson-armored Stormtrooper—became hell-bent on unveiling Captain Phasma’s history to fight against the First Order.
7. Battlefront: Twilight Company (Star Wars)
The Battlefront: Twilight Company (Star Wars) chronicles the Galactic Civil War rages. It focused on the legions of ruthless Stormtroopers who are hell-bent on crushing resistance to the Empire on the battlefields of multiple worlds in the Mid Rim.
Leading the charge are the soldiers of the Twilight Company, also known as the Sixty-First Mobile Infantry. However, at an unexpected turn of events, an unlikely ally was formed and radically changed the strategic equation.
8. Star Wars: Darth Plagueis (Star Wars - Legends)
The Star Wars: Darth Plagueis (Star Wars - Legends) is also one of the finest Star Wars books by James Luceno revolves over the life of Darth Plagueis, a Sith Lord that craves absolute power, and Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord that secretly masters the power of the dark side while publicly crawling his way to the highest government office.
When one desires to rule supreme and the other dreams of living forever, they form a team that will destroy the Starfighter to rule the galaxy. Together, the Master and acolyte target the galaxy for domination and the Order for annihilation. But can these Dark Lords defy the merciless Sith tradition, or will they sow the seeds of their destruction?
9. Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1)
The Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1) by Timothy Zahn recounts how the Grand Admiral of the Thrawn has taken command of the Imperial fleet and declared a war against the New Republic. Mara Jade Skywalker was also introduced in this book.
Thousands of light-years away, Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Expanded Universe, the last of the Emperor’s warlords, has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet. He readied the Empire for war and challenged the New Republic.
And then, the dark warrior discovered two vital secrets that could destroy everything the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build. Who will be the heir to the Empire? Timothy Zahn will once again wow his readers with this original trilogy.
10. Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars
The Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars by Claudia Gray and published by Del Rey takes place during the Galactic Empire’s reign reaching the Outer Rim planet of Jelucan in the Old Republic. This is where Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree, a rural villager, bond over their love of flying.
This Claudia Gray story revolved around Thane’s discovery of the ruthless and horrific tactics of the Empire to maintain its ironclad rule when they enrolled at the Imperial Academy. His discovery made Thane bitter and disillusioned, making him turn to the fledgling Rebellion.
However, his decision made Ciena in an unbearable position. She had to choose between her loyalty to the Empire and her love for Thane, whom she’d known since childhood. Will love still find its way, or will duty tear them apart? Read The Force Awakens Lost Stars by Claudia Gray and find out.
11. Path of Destruction (Star Wars: Darth Bane, Book 1)
The Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn, also one of the finest Star Wars books, tells a story about Dessel, a cortosis miner on the run from vengeful Republic forces. He vanished into the Sith army ranks and joined the bloody war against the Republic and its Starfighter champions.
His brutality, cunning, and exceptional command of the Force swiftly won him a warrior status. Embracing a new identity as Bane, he secretly studied the dark side’s secrets and skills, being an acolyte in the Sith academy.
However, to gain acceptance into the Brotherhood of Darkness, Dessel must defy the most sacred Sith traditions and reject everything he has been taught. In this trial by fire. Will he succumb fully to darkness to forge from the ashes a new era of absolute power?
12. Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover, one of the finest Star Wars books, features the turning point for the entire saga at hand. As combat escalated across the Star Wars Universe, Obi-Wan, the Jedi Master, undertook a death-defying mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader, General Grievous. During this time, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine continued to strip away constitutional liberties while influencing public opinion to turn against the Starfighter.
In this Matthew Stover book, Anakin became conflicted and feared that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, would die. Meanwhile, Darth Sidious threatened to strike the final blow against the Republic. And if Darth Vader, a fearsome new Sith Lord, becomes ordained, what would happen next in the revenge of the Sith Lord?
Shop The Star Wars Collection Now13. Dark Disciple: Star Wars
The Dark Disciple by Christie Golden opens in the aftermath of a Separatist attack on Mahranee. Dismayed by the Clone Wars’ destruction, the Jedi Council conferred and decided that Count Dooku, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord, must die. So they conceived a plan to assassinate him.
The Council decided to pair Jedi Quinlan Vos with Asajj Ventress, a former Sith apprentice. They took advantage of Asajj Ventress’ hatred of Dooku, which they thought would motivate her to move against her former Master if properly prompted. In the war for control for power of the galaxy between the Republic and the Dark Side’s ruthless armies, who will emerge as a victor? Christie Golden made fantastic storytelling in this new series.
14. Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi Leia, Princess of Alderaan
The Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray chronicles Princess Leia Organa’s declaration of her intent to take the throne one day. However, Leia became more concerned about the meetings and late dinners of her parents, Breha and Bail, for their Senate allies.
They did not talk to her as much as they used to and became distant and preoccupied. Determined to unveil the truth about her parents’ closed-door transactions, Leia started to walk down an increasingly dangerous path that put her right under the watchful eye of the Empire. She dedicated herself to the people of Alderaan, which put her at odds with a pacifist young Alderaanian man who gave her first kiss, and unfortunately, her first real loss.
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15. The Paradise Snare (Star Wars, The Han Solo Trilogy #1)
The Paradise Snare by A.C Crispin is also one of the finest Star Wars books that retell the young Han Solo’s never-before-told story, the most famous con man, smuggler, and thief in the Star Wars Universe.
This is the original trilogy’s first book and is focused on the exciting new Han Solo series that recounted Han’s late teen years. This fan-favorite book chronicled how he escaped an unhappy adopted home situation to carve out an adventurous new life for himself as a pilot. Han Solo isn’t only a handsome rogue but every girl’s dream man and every boy’s hero.
16. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge A Crash of Fate
The Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate focuses on Izzy and Jules, who are childhood friends who lived and grew up in Batuu. When Izzy’s family suddenly left, Izzy’s life became like a roller-coaster ride, traveling from one world to another, until her parents were killed and she was left alone to fight for her life. She became a low-class smuggler, making ends meet. Meanwhile, Jules remained in Batuu and became a farmer like his father. However, he had always yearned for something more.
Thirteen years later, Izzy returned to Batuu to deliver a mysterious parcel. As much as she wanted to get the job done and get gone fast, she stumbled upon someone who still meant something to her after all this time—Jules. The spark between them was still apparent. When Izzy’s job went wrong, Jules and Izzy found themselves on the run. What secrets will be revealed as they fought to stay alive?
17. Catalyst (Star Wars): A Rogue One Novel
The Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel is a Star Wars book that takes place when the galaxy succumbed from one war after another. The Republic and the Separatists had attempted to outwit each other, building more and deadly technology over the years.
When the Separatists kidnaped Galen and his family, Krennic rescued them, making Galen’s family indebted to him. Because of this, Galen agreed to continue Krennic’s scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra, his wife, believed that Krennic’s energy research would be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic secretly planned to make the Death Star a reality. How will The Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel end?
18. Canto Bight (Star Wars)
The Canto Bight is also one of the finest Star Wars books that feature the casino city of Canto Bight. In this place, captivating creatures, exotic aliens, and other would-be high rollers are willing to risk everything to make their fortunes.
This book features four interconnected stories that explore the deception and danger of the lavish casino city. The book tells the story of an honest salesman that met a career criminal while a dream vacation turns into the worst nightmare imaginable. Another story was about dreams and schemes that collided over a priceless wine bottle, which then turned into a struggle for survival.
19. Star Wars: A New Dawn
Star Wars: A New Dawn is also one of the best Star Wars books that focuses on the galaxy’s betrayal and fall. Light years ago, the Jedi Knights managed to bring peace and order to the Galactic Republic using their mystical energy field called the Force. However, a betrayal made the galaxy fall and crumble.
The Age of the Empire then thrived. Emperor Palpatine, who used to be a Chancellor of the Republic and a secret Sith follower of the dark side, once again brought peace and order to the galaxy. However, his way of maintaining order and peace was brutal and ruthless. He used brutal repression and increased his control over his subjects’ lives. As the Emperor tightens his ironclad grip, others begin questioning his intention and motives.
20. Star Wars Queen’s Shadow
The Queen’s Shadow is a Star Wars canon young-adult Star Wars novel set four years after the Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This book focuses on Padmé Amidala and her transition from being a queen to a senator.
When Padmé Amidala stepped down from her position as Queen of Naboo, she was ready to set aside her title and return to her life away from the spotlight. But to her surprise, the new Queen asked her to continue serving their people. However, this time, she will serve in the Galactic Senate. Even though Padmé was unsure about her new role, she couldn’t turn down the new Queen’s request.
Padmé used Sabé, her friend who can be in two places at once as a decoy. So while Padmé plunges into politics, Sabé sets off on a mission to pose as a merchant on Tatooine, to find the truth they vowed to unveil.
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21. Revan: Star Wars Legends
Revan is also one of the finest Star Wars books that focuses on Revan, conqueror, hero, traitor, villain, and a savior. Revan is a Starfighter who left Coruscant to defeat the Mandalorians. He returned as a disciple of the dark side, hell-bent on destroying the Republic. But the Jedi Council gave his life back, only to pay the high price of redemption—having no memories at all. However, even when the Jedi Council erased all his memories, his nightmares kept on haunting him—so deep that it gave him excruciating fear.
Revan couldn’t remember what happened beyond the outer rim, but he didn’t entirely forget about it. And then things turned messy when he stumbled across a terrible secret that threatened the very existence of the Republic. What could Revan possibly do to stop it?
22. Splinter of the Mind’s Eye: Star Wars Legends
The Splinter of the Mind’s Eye is another Star Wars novel that focuses on Luke Skywalker, a Jedi hero with a famed Jedi Academy. Luke Skywalker discovered that the Kaiburr crystal, a mysterious gem that gives power over the Force to be all but invincible to whoever possessed it, was hidden on the planet. And if the crystal went to the wrong hands, it could be deadly. So, Luke Skywalker had to find this treasure and find it fast, even before someone from the dark side gets hold of it.
23. Alphabet Squadron (Star Wars)
The Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed is also one of the best Star Wars books that focuses on Alphabet Squadron’s flight to protect the new era of peace and order that they’ve fought so hard to achieve.
When the Imperial Army was in disarray, when the Emperor died, and his final weapon had been destroyed, Yricca Quell was selected to join Alphabet Squadron. The Alphabet Squadron is tasked by General Hera Syndulla of the New Republic herself to track down and destroy the mysterious Shadow Wing, a lethal force of TIE fighters exacting bloody, reckless vengeance in the twilight of their reign.
To know more about the Squadrons, you may also read the Wraith Squadron Trilogy by Aaron Allston
24. Bloodline (Star Wars)
The Bloodline is a Star Wars book that focuses on Leia Organa’s fight against underworld kingpins, treacherous politicians, and Imperial loyalists as she finally became a Senator.
This book was set at the time when the Rebellion defeated the Empire in Return of the Jedi. When everyone thought that this defeat was the beginning of lasting peace, treacherous politicians, underworld kingpins, and Imperial loyalists suddenly planted chaos in the galaxy. Leia must grapple against the dangers that threaten to cripple the fledgling democracy, from both within and without.
25. Lords of the Sith: Star Wars
The Lords of the Sith is a Star Wars novel that focuses on Darth Vader, as he set out on a rare personal mission to ensure that his will is done. The story started when the Emperor and Darth Vader, his notorious apprentice, were stranded in the middle of an inhospitable planet called Ryloth. This planet is crucial to the growing Empire as it became a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as “spice.”
26. Tarkin: Star Wars
The Tarkin is also one of the finest Star Wars books that chronicles Governor Wilhuff Tarkin’s adventures, a revered family’s scion, a dedicated soldier, and a distinguished legislator. He is also a loyal proponent of the Republic and a trusted ally of the Jedi Order.
He was groomed by the ruthless politician and the would-be Emperor to rise through the Imperial ranks and enforce his authority ever more ruthlessly, pursuing his destiny as the architect of absolute dominion.
27. Dooku: Jedi Lost (Star Wars)
The Dooku: Jedi Lost is a Star Wars novel that delves into the sinister Count Dooku’s history, the Separatists’ leader. The story unveils who he was before he became the right hand of the Sith. As Count Dooku appoints a new apprentice, the secrets of his past become unveiled.
Dooku was once a Jedi Knight, trained in the Force’s ways by the legendary Master Yoda. And then, he rose through the ranks as he honed his skills. He became friends with Jdi Sifo-Dyas and the promising Qui-Gon Jinn. Dooku tried to forget the life that he once led. He was caught between the Jedi’s world, the alluring power of the relics, and the ancient responsibilities of his lost home.
28. Star Wars Ahsoka
The Star Wars Ahsoka Ahsoka is a Star Wars young adult novel from Disney–Lucasfilm Press that centers on Ahsoka Tano when she left the Jedi Order and became an operative in the Rebellion.
In this book, her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66 will be untold. Ahsoka’s desire to fight the Empire’s evils and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance, erasing her uncertainties that she can be part of a larger whole ever again.
29. Star Wars: Age of Republic
The Age of Republic is a Star Wars canon book series in Marvel Comics’ Age of Star Wars maxi-series. This book spans three Star Wars storytelling eras that focus on iconic heroes and villains in the original trilogy era.
In this original trilogy, the first book is about epic adventures of the heroes and villains of the Old Republic’s days. It chronicles the incredible battles that shaped them, moments that define them, and their eternal conflict between light and darkness.
30. Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire
The Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire is also one of the finest Star Wars books that uncovers the secret history of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It pivots on the adventures and battles of General Leia Organa and a top resistance spy, Vi Moradi, to fight for their lives.
In this book, Vi sought out the good-hearted heroes hiding in a world that redefined scum and villainy in her plight to fight for her life. With the help of her acerbic droid and a traitorous trooper, she began to gather a colorful band of outcasts and misfits. Together, they embarked on a mission to spark the fire of resistance on Batuu.
Which Star Wars Book Should You Read?
The best Star Wars books of all time are irreplaceable. These new canon books have become the origin of the Star Wars movies that swept off everybody’s feet four decades ago. And even as of today, new fans of these books still emerge from generation to generation.
Today’s kids won’t need to go back into the past to devour these new canon books’ prominence and splendor. The marvelous stories of the first Star Wars series will never be gone. Aside from new canon books, this series can also be revisited through its movie series and video game by John Jackson Miller.
Shop and take your pick from our Star Wars books and comics collection. May the Force be with you, brave warriors. You may also take a look at our recommended gifts for Star Wars fans here.
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