I’ve read some of today’s Star Wars novels and I enjoy many of them. But they aren’t really my stories. They aren’t my era or my characters.
So, I’ve decided I’d just re-read the old school Star Wars books again because I love those. This article is nothing more than a simple list of all of those Star Wars novels from back in the day that have been given the “Legends” moniker because Disney removed them from canon. I suspect there are many Star Wars fans like me, so consider this article a public service.
And they aren’t necessarily in order of date published, they are in chronological order of when the stories take place. It’s a simple book list and reading order for Star Wars Legends books. One more note: this list doesn’t include novellas or the young reader books because I had to draw the line somewhere.
| The Old Republic Era | Years before A New Hope |
|---|---|
| Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void by Tim Lebbon | -25,793 |
| Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories by John Jackson Miller | -5,000-2,975 |
| The Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn | -3,954-3,950 |
| The Old Republic: Deceived by Paul S. Kemp | -3,653 |
| Red Harvest by Joe Schreiber | -3,645 |
| The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams | -3,643 |
| The Old Republic: Annihilation by Drew Karpyshyn | -3,640 |
| Knight Errant by John Jackson Miller | -1,032 |
| Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn | -1,003 |
| Darth Bane: Rule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn | -1,000 |
| Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil by Drew Karpyshyn | -980 |
| The Prequel Era | Years before A New Hope |
|---|---|
| Darth Plagueis by James Luceno | -67-32 |
| Cloak of Deception by James Luceno | -32 |
| Maul: Lockdown by Joe Schreiber | -32 |
| Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves | -32 |
| Episode I: The Phantom Menace (movie novelization) by Terry Brooks | -32 |
| Rogue Planet by Greg Bear | -29 |
| Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn | -27 |
| The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster | -22 |
| Episode II: Attack of the Clones (movie novelization) by R. A. Salvatore | -22 |
| The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes | -22 |
| Jedi Trial by David Sherman & Dan Cragg | -22 |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars (movie novelization) by Karen Traviss | -22 |
| The Clone Wars: Wild Space by Karen Miller | -22 |
| Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss1 | -22 |
| Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover | -22 |
| The Clone Wars: No Prisoners by Karen Traviss | -22 |
| Republic Commando: Triple Zero by Karen Traviss1 | -21 |
| The Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth by Karen Miller | -21 |
| The Clone Wars Gambit: Siege by Karen Miller | -21 |
| Republic Commando: True Colors1 by Karen Traviss | -21 |
| Medstar I: Battle Surgeons by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry | -20 |
| Medstar II: Jedi Healer by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry | -20 |
| Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart | -19 |
| Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno | -19 |
| Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (movie novelization) by Matthew Stover | -19 |
| Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel1 by Karen Traviss | -19 |
| Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno | -19 |
| Imperial Commando: 501st1 by Karen Traviss | -19 |
| Kenobi by John Jackson Miller | -19 |
| Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight by Michael Reaves | -19 |
| Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows by Michael Reaves | -18 |
| Coruscant Nights III: Patterns of Force by Michael Reaves | -18 |
| The Last Jedi by Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff | -17 |
| The Original Trilogy Era | Years before/after A New Hope |
|---|---|
| The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare by A. C. Crispin | -10 |
| The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit by A. C. Crispin | -5 |
| Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu by L. Neil Smith | -3 |
| Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon by L. Neil Smith | -3 |
| The Force Unleashed by Sean Williams | -3 |
| Death Star by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry | -3 |
| Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka by L. Neil Smith | -2 |
| Han Solo at Stars’ End by Brian Daley | -2 |
| Han Solo’s Revenge by Brian Daley | -2 |
| Han Solo and the Lost Legacy by Brian Daley | -2 |
| The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn by A. C. Crispine | -2 |
| The Force Unleashed II by Sean Williams | -1 |
| Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber | -1 |
| Shadow Games by Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff | 0 |
| Rogue One (movie novelization) by Alexander Freed2 | 0 |
| Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (movie novelization) by George Lucas (ghost-written by Alan Dean Foster) | 0 |
| Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina by various authors | 0 |
| Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn | 0 |
| Allegiance by Timothy Zahn | 0 |
| Choices of One by Timothy Zahn | 1 |
| Honor Among Thieves by James S.A. Correy | 1 |
| Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine by Voronica Whitney-Robinson w/ Haden Blackman | 1 |
| Splinter of the Mind’s Eye by Alan Dean Foster | 2 |
| Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge by Martha Wells | 2 |
| Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (movie novelization) by Donald F. Glut | 3 |
| Tales of the Bounty Hunters by various authors | 3 |
| Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry | 3 |
| Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (movie novelization) by James Kahn | 4 |
| Tales from the Empire by various authors | 4 |
| Tales from Jabba’s Palace by various authors | 4 |
| The Bounty Hunter Wars: The Mandalorian Armor by K.W. Jeter | 4 |
| The Bounty Hunter Wars: Slave Ship by K.W. Jeter | 4 |
| The Bounty Hunter Wars: Hard Merchandise by K.W. Jeter | 4 |
| The New Republic Era | Years after A New Hope |
|---|---|
| Tales From the New Republic by various authors | |
| The Truce at Bakura by Kathy Tyers | 4 |
| Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover | 5 |
| X-Wing: Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole | 6 |
| X-Wing: Wedge’s Gamble by Michael Stackpole | 7 |
| X-Wing: The Krytos Trap by Michael Stackpole | 7 |
| X-Wing: The Bacta War by Michael Stackpole | 7 |
| X-Wing: Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston | 8 |
| X-Wing: Iron Fist by Aaron Allston | 8 |
| X-Wing: Solo Command by Aaron Allston | 8 |
| The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton | 8 |
| Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning | 8 |
| Heir to the Empire3 by Timothy Zahn | 9 |
| Dark Force Rising3 by Timothy Zahn | 9 |
| The Last Command3 by Timothy Zahn | 9 |
| X-Wing: Isard’s Revenge by Michael Stackpole | 10 |
| The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson | 11 |
| The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Dark Apprentice by Kevin J. Anderson | 11 |
| The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Champions of the Force by Kevin J. Anderson | 11 |
| I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole | 11 |
| Children of the Jedi by Barbara Hambly | 12 |
| Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson | 12 |
| X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston | 13 |
| Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly | 13 |
| The Crystal Star by Vonda McIntyre | 14 |
| The Black Fleet Crisis: Before the Storm by Michael P. Kube-McDowell | 16 |
| The Black Fleet Crisis: Shield of Lies by Michael P. Kube-McDowell | 16 |
| The Black Fleet Crisis: Tyrant’s Test by Michael P. Kube-McDowell | 16 |
| The New Rebellion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch | 17 |
| The Corellian Trilogy: Ambush at Corellia by Roger McBride Allen | 18 |
| The Corellian Trilogy: Assault at Selonia by Roger McBride Allen | 18 |
| The Corellian Trilogy: Showdown at Centerpoint by Roger McBride Allen | 18 |
| The Hand of Thrawn: Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn | 19 |
| The Hand of Thrawn: Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn | 19 |
| Scourge by Jeff Grubb | 19 |
| Survivor’s Quest by Timothy Zahn | 22 |
| The New Jedi Order Era | Years after A New Hope |
|---|---|
| Vector Prime4 by R. A. Salvatore | 25 |
| Dark Tide I: Onslaught4 by Michael Stackpole | 25 |
| Dark Tide II: Ruin4 by Michael Stackpole | 25 |
| Agents of Chaos I: Hero’s Trial4 by James Luceno | 25 |
| Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse4 by James Luceno | 25 |
| Balance Point4 by Kathy Tyers | 26 |
| Edge of Victory I: Conquest4 by Greg Keyes | 26 |
| Edge of Victory II: Rebirth4 by Greg Keyes | 26 |
| Star by Star4 by Troy Denning | 27 |
| Dark Journey4 by Elaine Cunningham | 27 |
| Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream4 by Aaron Allston | 27 |
| Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand4 by Aaron Allston | 27 |
| Traitor4 by Matthew Stover | 27 |
| Destiny’s Way4 by Walter Jon Williams | 28 |
| Force Heretic I: Remnant4 by Sean Williams and Shane Dix | 28 |
| Force Heretic II: Refugee4 by Sean Williams and Shane Dix | 28 |
| Force Heretic III: Reunion4 by Sean Williams and Shane Dix | 28 |
| The Unifying Force4 by James Luceno | 29 |
| The Joiner King5 by Troy Denning | 35 |
| The Unseen Queen5 by Troy Denning | 36 |
| The Swarm War5 by Troy Denning | 36 |
5 – The Dark Nest Trilogy
| The Legacy Era | Years after A New Hope |
|---|---|
| Betrayal6 by Aaron Allston | 40 |
| Bloodlines6 by Karen Traviss | 40 |
| Tempest6 by Troy Denning | 40 |
| Exile6 by Aaron Allston | 40 |
| Sacrifice6 by Karen Traviss | 40 |
| Inferno6 by Troy Denning | 40 |
| Fury6 by Aaron Allston | 40 |
| Revelation6 by Karen Traviss | 41 |
| Invincible6 by Troy Denning | 41 |
| Crosscurrent by Paul S. Kemp | 42 |
| Riptide by Paul S. Kemp | 42 |
| Millennium Falcon by James Luceno | 43 |
| Outcast7 by Aaron Allston | 43 |
| Omen7 by Christie Golden | 43 |
| Abyss7 by Troy Denning | 43 |
| Backlash7 by Aaron Allston | 43 |
| Allies7 by Christie Golden | 44 |
| Vortex7 by Troy Denning | 44 |
| Conviction7 by Aaron Allston | 44 |
| Ascension7 by Christie Golden | 44 |
| Apocalypse7 by Troy Denning | 44 |
| X-Wing: Mercy Kill by Aaron Allston | 45 |
| Crucible by Troy Denning | 45 |
7 – The Fate of the Jedi series
I can’t be bothered to do an exact count but this has to be 100+ Star Wars Legends novels. Sure, they aren’t hot off the press anymore, but they follow the OG storylines and characters which hits the sweet spot for a large swath of Star Wars fans.
The New Republic Era is the place to start for many and that would be my recommendation as well. Happy reading and…may the Force be with you.
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