In 2014, Lucasfilm pulled the plug on the original expanded universe, resetting the official canon of all of Star Wars to the original saga and the Clone Wars series. Since then, the company has set forth new books comics, video games, and TV series to continue the ongoing Star Wars story outside the films.
While many great stories were rendered null and void in 2014, this allowed newer fans of the series to jump on board the new canon far easier than before. Looking at all the releases thus far of the books and comics, here are the best pieces of the new canon to read as an introduction.
Dooku: Jedi Lost By Cavan Scott
Released first as an audio drama and later in print form, this story covers the early life of Count Dooku and his eventual fall to the Dark Side. It begins with his finding of Asajj Ventress, his apprentice, who he conveys his life story to.
Spanning from his childhood in the Jedi Temple to his life during The Clone Wars, the story is one of the best pieces of pre-Phantom Menace and prequel storytelling. It is a great example of the way in which canon material sare able to expand on characters who didn't get enough development in the films.
Marvel's Poe Dameron By Charles Soule
The Sequel Trilogy was solid in terms of the characters and story being told, but the overall world building left some fans disappointed. This left the additional books and comics to fill in the gaps where the films failed.
The Poe Dameron comic series is a great example of this. Apart from expanding the role of Poe in the resistance as well as his fellow pilots, the series had some great pre-The Force Awakens adventures to tell. If you wanted more of these characters and the politics of the war, this is the series for you.
Catalyst By James Luceno
Rogue One was a revolutionary Star Wars film in that it was the first Live-Action film outside the Skywalker Saga. For the most part, fans adored this inclusion, as it bridged the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope wonderfully.
Star Wars: Catalyst by James Luceno is one of the best prequel novels out there. It sets-up the relationships and events of Rogue One perfectly, similarly to how his Legends novel Darth Plagueis did for The Phantom Menace. It's an excellent read that will only increase your appreciation for Rogue One.
Master & Apprentice By Claudia Gray
So little exists in regards to stories before The Phantom Menace. Most of the materials that are released are set during The Clone Wars Through the Resistance Era. The upcoming High Republic campaign looks to change that, but Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray is the best option at the moment.
This book gives so much more context to the emotions both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are going through during The Phantom Menace. It clarifies far more in regards to the role prophecies play with the Jedi, especially in regards to the Chosen One prophecy.
Star Wars: From A Certain Point Of View By Various Authors
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the release of A New Hope, a group of authors was commissioned to write a series of short stories set during the events of the original film. All stories took the point of view of characters throughout the Star Wars Universe.
This is a perfect starting point for many readers. It starts with what might be the most-watched film in the series and utilizes multiple voices to tell many different types of stories set in the galaxy. It is the ultimate celebration of Star Wars writing and acts as a sample platter of the types of stories.
Marvel's Darth Vader By Kieron Gillen
The original Darth Vader series ran from 2014 to 2016, and detailed many of the experiences of the sith lord between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. It is one of the best comic series that Marvel has released under the Star Wars banner thus far.
Few materials have really explored Vader as well as this, showing his full motivations during this time of rebellion. It also introduces key new characters like Doctor Aphra to the greater canon, and who are expanded on in later series. It is dark, weird, and a ton of fun.
Aftermath Trilogy By Chuck Wendig
Chuck Wendig wrote what was one of the most anticipated novels in new canon with Star Wars: Aftermath. While some fans were disappointed by the writing style, citing issues with the narrative tense. That being said, it is some of the most essential world-building in the new canon.
It bridges the gap between the Battle of Endor and the Battle of Jakku, covering the true end of the Galactic Civil war. It also sets up many of the essential side characters of the sequel trilogy too. Everything up to Palpatine's possible return was set forth in these three novels.
Bloodline By Claudia Gray
You might notice a pattern before the end of this list, as Claudia Gray is possibly the best writer working in the new canon today. Her stories are very character-based, but always extend our understanding of the greater canon for the better.
Bloodline is one of her best works. Detail the life of Leia six years before The Force Awakens, the book covers her political career in The New Republic. Her true identity as the daughter of Vader comes into play as well, marking a turning point in her public opinion.
Marvel's The Rise Of Kylo Ren By Charles Soule
The Rise of Kylo Ren has become one of the most read comics in the new canon. Filling in the gaps of Kylo's past with both the Jedi and the Knights of Ren, this series follows his rise and fall to the dark side. You will notice Charles Soule wrote this too, so if you enjoyed Poe Dameron, this is a must-read.
Kylo Ren is one of the most dynamic characters of the Saga thus far, and this series only enhances that. If you loved Kylo in the films and want to know more about his upbringing as well as the politics of the Knights of Ren, you will want to catch up on this ongoing series.
Lost Stars By Claudia Gray
This might be the best starting novel for any level reader looking to jump into the new expanded universe of Star Wars. Spanning the length of the original trilogy, Lost Stars follows a love story that spans across the Galactic Civil War.
These childhood sweethearts take different paths though, with one joining the Empire and the other joining the Rebellion. The climactic finale occurs during the Battle of Jakku, and the entire book hosts a number of cameos from famous faces. It is a great starting point thanks to its familiarity and excellent storytelling.