The universe of Star Wars is very huge and expansive. It is one of the longest-running successful franchises that isn’t limited only to movies and TV shows. You would be surprised to know that Star Wars also has a vast collection of books for people who love lores of this beloved ‘Galaxy, Far, Far Away’.
For decades, these Best Star Wars Books have served as a detailed look into untold stories and offered fans a deeper knowledge of iconic characters like Kylo Ren and their thrilling adventures. These books also have a compelling narrative that easily complements the on-screen saga. In fact, a lot of Star Wars books are prequels of some of the cinematic masterpieces.
These books explore the rise and fall of galactic empires to shed light on the delicate philosophies of the Jedi and Sith. What makes Star Wars books truly remarkable is their ability to cater to fans of all kinds. No matter what your favorite genre is, there are a lot of Star Wars books for fans of every genre.
It can be a difficult task to choose the best Star Wars books with so many books to choose from. It can also be confusing where to start. So, we have compiled this guide to talk about the best Star Wars books that you must read if you are a true Star Wars fan.
Buckle up and let us navigate through a Galaxy, Far, Far Away!
Top 10 Star Wars Books
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
Heir to the Empire is one of the most popular Star Wars books that introduced fans to Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn is one of the most cunning and compelling villains of the franchise. Heir to the Empire was published in the 1990s and it instantly became a cult classic and cornerstone read for every Star Wars fan out there.
Heir to the Empire is also very important in Star Wars books because it came when there wasn’t any movie announced. So, it expanded the storytelling of Star Wars lores. Still today, Thrawn’s character continues to play a pivotal role in modern series like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
Darth Plagueis by James Luceno
The second-best book in the list of best Star Wars books focused on the shadowy rise and fall of Darth Sidious’ mentor, Darth Plagueis. Plagueis was a Sith Lord obsessed with immortality. This book talks about the origins of the Sith Grand Plan and provides a crucial context for Palpatine’s actions in the prequel trilogy.
The theme of this book resonates with Palpatine’s arc in The Rise of the Skywalker. It also offers a chilling look at the Sith’s manipulative nature and long-term plans.
Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
This is one of the best Star Wars books that deals with a melancholic love story between two childhood friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the galactic conflict. Spanning events from the original trilogy, Lost Stars provides a unique perspective on intergalactic wars and stories.
By showing the effect and impact of war on ordinary lives, it bridges the gap between major Star Wars events and the personal struggles of those caught in their wake.
Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover
This one of the best Star Wars books follows the story of Mace Windu on a dark and introspective journey during the Clone Wars. This book explores his inner struggles as he faces the moral dilemmas of war and the haunting realization of the Jedi Order’s fragility.
This book is full of philosophical depth of the Jedi’s morality and that’s why it is considered one of the best Star Wars books.
Dark Disciple by Christie Golden
This book is based on unproduced scripts from The Clone Wars series. It tells the story of a fragile alliance between Asajj Ventures and Jedi Quinlan Vos. Both of these characters partner to assassinate Count Doku. Count Doku is also one of the most beloved villains of Star Wars lore.
This book is popular for the theme of redemption, betrayal, and the blurred line between light and dark.
The High Republic by Charles Soule
Charles Soule is known to put his enigmatic lines and character building when it comes to writing a book. This is the first book in the High Republic era and introduces us to the Jedi at the peak of their power. This book also showcases a galactic catastrophe that is caused by the mysterious Nihil.
The High Republic era is majorly unexplored in the movies and TV shows. So, if you want a fresh and exciting frontier for Star Wars lore, then you should definitely try this book.
Bloodline by Claudia Gray
This is the second book in the list of best Star Wars books but we had to put this book in this series because of the artistic venture that it captures through the eyes of Claudia Gray. This is set before The Force Awakens. It is a political thriller focussing on Leia Organa as she works her way around the Senate.
This book also showcases some of the early seeds of the Resistance. The novel provides information about Leia’s character post-Return of the Jedi.
Kenobi by John Jackson Miller
This novel explores Obi-Wan Kenobi’s life in exile on Tatooine as he watches over young Luke Skywalker. Struggling to adapt to a life of solitude, Kenobi becomes caught up between inner conflicts and the local settlers. This book beautifully complements the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover
This is a great adaptation of the third prequel film. However, this book goes beyond the movie and provides rich emotional depth to Anakin Skywalker’s tragic fall to the dark side. Through the internal monologues and detailed character moments, the novel enhances the emotional weight of the film’s iconic scenes.
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno
Catalyst tells the backstory of Galen Erso. Galen Erso was the architect of Death Star and it also showcases the complex relationship of Erso with Orson Krennic. This prequel novel sets the stage for the events of Rogue One. The book only makes the next Rogue One movie more fascinating and it is a must-read if you are a fan of Rogue One lore.
Honourable Mentions
- Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn
- Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
- The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray
- Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed
- Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp
Expand Your Collection With Best Star Wars Books
Best Star Wars books offer a glimpse into the expanded universe of Star Wars. These books resonate with the richness and complexity of Star Wars lore. Best Star Wars books have the most famous villains and the untold stories of so many heroes that are unexplored in the major arc or lores.
So, grab the best Star Wars books and explore the entire universe of Star Wars through your own imagination until the next movie releases.
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