The Star Wars film franchise will always be a cinematic giant. From the days of the Republic to the fall of the First Order, fans of the series have seen three trilogies of a great galactic space opera unfold over and over again. But as engaging and enthralling as Jedi, Sith, and armor-clad bounty hunters can be, there are still further adventures in the expanded universe of the galaxy far, far away.
With the success of spinoffs like The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and The Book of Boba Fett, it's clear that the tales outside the main movies have a wide audience. For those who've enjoyed the spinoffs and series, it might be time to dive into the expansive world of the Star Wars novels.
From A Certain Point Of View By Various Authors
Anthologies in the Star Wars book series are a great way for fans to get a taste of everything the extended universe has to offer, and From a Certain Point of View covers eras spanning from the Clone Wars to Return of the Jedi. What makes these collections ideal for newcomers is simply the variety of stories they'll have in their hands.
The collections not only feature famous names in the Star Wars community like John Jackson Miller and Claudia Gray, but the stories cover a large collection of topics like the Jedi, X-Wing Pilots, and even characters like Yoda, Greedo, and Grand Moff Tarkin. For a little bit of everything, these books are solid choices.
Darth Plagueis By James Luceno
"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?" This is a question that shifted the course of the galaxy forever, but it comes to full fruition in James Luceno's novel. Not only does it uncover the mythos of the Sith, but it explores the characters of both the titular Plagueis and his apprentice, Palpatine.
Everyone loves a good villain origin story, and that can be especially said of the Emperor. The novel unfolds like an operatic drama as both figures strive for absolute power over the forces of life and death. It is indeed a tale most Jedi would find "unnatural."
Leia: Princess of Alderaan By Claudia Gray
If there's one name readers are going to see time and time again on their adventures through the literary world of the Force, it's Claudia Gray. Gray has written several engaging titles surrounding iconic characters from the Star Wars universe, including everyone's favorite princess.
Princess Leia is one of the saga's pivotal players, and Gray provides an in-depth study of her time as a political figure and an inspiration to her people. A damsel in a white dress in need of rescue she is certainly not.
Thrawn By Timothy Zahn
Darth Vader, Count Dooku, General Grievous, and Emperor Palpatine are all prime examples of the scum and villainy that call the galaxy home, but Thrawn is a figure in the Empire's ranks that is just as captivating as he is dangerous. A military genius, a ruthless conqueror, and a bloodthirsty warrior are just a few words used to describe this Imperial juggernaut.
Timothy Zahn's Thrawn series comes with notorious acclaim, but while Heir To The Empire might have drawn early fans to the books, Thrawn will keep them wanting more. As villains go, Thrawn is easily one of the galaxy's most feared and experienced figures.
The Darth Bane Trilogy By Drew Karpyshn
The Darth Bane trilogy could be a Shakespearean epic. No true saga is complete without at least one good villain to give the heroes a chance to be brave, but Darth Bane goes above and beyond the call of duty on his path to the Dark Side.
One of the earliest and most infamous Sith Lords in Star Wars mythology, Darth Bane walked so Vader could run. Establishing the building blocks of the Galactic Empire before Palpatine put on the robes, Bane's books are ideal for those who want to deeply explore the villainous side of things.
Bloodline By Claudia Gray
When fans pick up any form of Star Wars media, the last thing they're probably looking for is a political drama. That being said, Claudia Gray once more creates a tale of intrigue that blends space politics with hard-hitting drama in Bloodline.
The novel covers the rise of the Galactic Resistance as the New Republic Senate deals with different threats to peace like gangsters, surviving Imperial sympathizers, and evil politicians. With Senator Leia Organa at the helm, she'll have to put every ounce of her character to the test when she and her fellow leaders are met with a new breed of adversary.
Master And Apprentice By Claudia Gray
The relationship between a Jedi Master and their Padawan Apprentice has often been the focus of many chapters in the Star Wars Saga, but Claudia Gray sheds new light on the dynamic between Qui-Gon Jinn and a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in this pre-prequel novel. Both Jedi are exceptionally gifted in the ways of the Force, but both are also burdened with uncertain and mighty destinies.
With Qui-Gon as the non-conforming master, Obi-Wan as the bright-eyed protege, and a devastating prophecy on the horizon, it's a nail-biting adventure that will test both of their abilities. Although fans were only introduced to Qui-Gon Jinn in a single film, his literary exploits shed much more light on him as both a character and a teacher.
Kenobi By John Jackson Miller
With the upcoming premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+, there's perhaps no better time to pick up a copy of John Jackson Miller's Kenobi. In this blend of western, sci-fi, and Shakespearean drama, Kenobi begins his exile on Tatooine while trying to protect an infant Luke Skywalker.
Although he has temporarily escaped the clutches of the Empire, the runaway Jedi must contend with a new threat when a town of moisture farmers is menaced by a tribe of Sand People. Kenobi has lost everything from his friends to his very identity, and there's nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing left to lose, even one so clever and cool-tempered as this Jedi Master.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of The Sith By Matthew Stover
Movie novelizations can very often be hit or miss, but sometimes they can offer details and story points that the visual media can leave out. Case in point, Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover.
As the second chapter of the Dark Lord trilogy, the novel follows the events of the third movie nearly to the punctuation mark, but there's a great literary study on Anakin Skywalker's transition from Jedi to Sith Lord. In no uncertain terms, Anakin's fall from grace is nothing short of mythic. By treating him as a tragic hero-turned-villain instead of a man with a fixed destiny, Stover presents a different approach to a familiar story without sacrificing truth or canon.
Lost Stars By Claudia Gray
Lost Stars is an amalgamation of many different themes and motifs. On one hand, it's a tale of star-crossed lovers on opposing sides of the galactic conflict. On the other, it's a character study in the world of a Stormtrooper and Rebel pilot. It sheds light on subjects many longtime fans of the series haven't really considered.
It shows how the Empire trains and treats its enforcers, what makes a good soldier on either side, how they handle relationships, and what makes someone turn to either side of the Force. It's certainly a lot more complex than a romance novel should ever be, which is what makes its reading practically mandatory.