After the end ofAndor, there are fewStar Warsstories on the horizon, which just means we’ll have to get our fix of a galaxy far, far away some other way. While rewatching all theStar Warsshows and movies is perfectly fine, engaging with new stories is the best way to keep learning and lovingStar Wars.
Ever since the release ofthe originalStar Warsfilm (later retitledA New Hope), there have been novels released to further enhance the galaxy and the stories being told. There are now over three hundredStar Warsnovels, with more certainly on the way. They cover everything from political espionage to romance to brutal introspection of the dark side.
When Lucasfilm was purchased by Disney in 2012, all novels released before then were removed from canon and became part oftheStar WarsExpanded Universe, now Legends, continuity. While these stories are no longer a part of the official canon, different titles have worked to recanonize aspects of these beloved books.
As we sit in our post-Andorhaze, however, you might consider picking up any of these greatStar Warsnovels.
7Ahsoka by EK Johnston
For Character Driven Plot With a Great Final Act
Ahsoka Tanois a belovedStar Warscharacter who has appeared in so many different stories that it’s hard to have consumed any kind ofStar Warscontent without her in it.Introduced inStar Wars: The Clone Warsas Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan, Ahsoka quickly became a beloved character.
Ahsoka would latersurvive Order 66and join the Rebellion after leaving the Jedi Order behind.Ahsokaby EK Johnston is a fantastic story that continues Ahsoka’s story after the events of Order 66. While in hiding,Ahsoka takes on the identity of Ashla and travels to the Outer Rim planet Raada.
The novel focuses on Ahsoka’s headspace after losing everything she had ever known and trying to rebuild while in hiding. It’s one of the first times inStar Warswherewe understand Ahsoka’s thought processes and see just how intelligent she iswhen it comes to battle.
Ahsokahas an excellent third act, which includes an epic duel between Ahsoka and an Imperial Inquisitor, a daring escape from Imperial custody, and a surprising team-up between Ahsoka and Senator Bail Organa. The novel is worth a read for fans of Ahsoka and for those looking for great characters and world-building.
6Darth Plagueis by James Leceno
For Those Wanting To Tap Into Their Own Dark Side
Regarded as one of the best novels in Legends,Darth Plagueisexplores the Sith in a way that few otherStar Warsprojects ever have. Not only do we get to meet Darth Plagueis, but we also get to see him meet and train Palpatine. AfterPlagueis’ brief appearance inThe Acolyte, this is the perfect book for fans of the show.
Though the story isn’t technically canon anymore, many elements from the book have been creeping their way back, making it worth your time. There isn’t a lot of action inDarth Plagueis, butLuceno’s writing is gripping and will make you want to read more.
Getting into the head and thought processes ofDarth Plagueisis one of the best parts of the novel. Readers get a great stream-of-consciousness narration from Plagueis that also explains aspects of the Sith we didn’t know before.
5Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear by Alex Freed
For Those Not Ready to Move On From Andor Yet
One ofStar Wars’ latest novels is the first of three novels that will focus onMon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa. The first novel by Alex Freed,TheMask of Fear,really dives into the political fallout right after the events ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
For fans who loved the political espionage we saw inAndor, this is certainly the book for you. Not only do we get into the head of Mon Mothma more, but we also learn just what a political force she is.
Andortapped into that, especially withMon Mothma’s speech after the Ghorman Massacre, butFreed dives into the trauma Mon suffered at the hands of the Empire.
The line between Republic and Separatist was blurred during the rise of the Empire, and the two sides may have to unite to take on Palpatine and the Empire.
Other storylines, particularly the ones focusing on Saw Gerrera, show how the line between Republic and Separatist was blurred during the rise of the Empire, and the two sides may have to unite to take on Palpatine and the Empire.If you’re missingAndor, thenMask of Fearshould be nexton your reading list.
4Dark Disciple by Christie Golden
For Those Who Love Toxic Relationships
Adapted into an adult novel from a scrapped arc inThe Clone Wars,Christie Golden’sDark Disciplegives audiences a look into what could make someone tap into their dark side. Featuring Jedi Quinlan Vos andformer Sith assassin Asajj Ventress, the novel follows the duo’s goal of killing Count Dooku and their love story.
After being tasked with assassinating Count Dooku by the Jedi Council, Quinlan Vos gains the trust of Ventress and the pair team up with Ventress, getting Vos to tap into his dark side, as it’s the only way to kill Dooku. While their relationship is built on deceit and the pretense of murder,it’s clear how much Ventress and Vos love each other.
The final moments ofDark Disciplewere recently shown inTales of the Underworld, with Vos bringing Ventress’ lifeless body back to her home planet of Dathomir. While the relationship between Quinlan Vos and Asajj Ventress is a bit toxic,the story is still fantastic and worth reading.
3The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis
For Those Who Love Romance
One of the most iconic moments in all ofStar Warscomes inThe Empire Strikes Backwhen Princess Leia tells Han Solo, she loves him, and he replies,“I know.”The love story between the pair is not surprising,but it’s the events afterReturn of the Jedithat many people are unfamiliar with.
The Princess and the Scoundreltakes place immediately after the destruction of the second Death Star and sees Han Solo proposing to Princess Leia Organa.Their wedding in the novel is nothing short of magicaland one of the most wholesome moments in the entire franchise.
While the honeymooners run into some difficulties with Imperial remnants while aboard theHalcyon, there’s no doubt that this novel is a love story through and through, making it the ultimate beach read.
2Heir To The Empire (Thrawn Trilogy Vol. 1) by Timothy Zahn
The first book in the Legends trilogy by Timothy Zahn,Heir to the Empire, is regarded as one of the bestStar Warsnovels ever. Published in 1991,Heir to the Empirecame at a critical point when there were no newStar Warsmovies, and breathed new life into the franchise.
The novel also introduced one of the best villains of all time,Grand Admiral Thrawn. When Legends was removed from canon in 2012, it was devastating for fans of Thrawn, but he was soon brought back into canon inStar Wars Rebels.
Heir to the Empireintroduced audiences to how intelligent Thrawn was and what a formidable foe he wasfor the New Republic heroes. Not only that, butHeir to the Empireintroduced fan-favorite characterMara Jade. Mara Jade would later marry Luke Skywalker in a different Legends title.
Dave Filoni’s upcoming unnamedStar Warsmovie is rumored among fans to be calledHeir to the Empire.
If you’re looking forward to Thrawn’s return inAhsokaseason 2, this is certainly the book to read. Not only does it give you a different look at Thrawn, butit’s also the source material that Dave Filoni is pulling much of his inspiration from when it comes to Thrawn’s waragainst the New Republic.
1Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson
For Fans of Morally Gray Protagonists
Delilah S. Dawson’s novelInquisitor: Rise of the Red Bladeanswers the question ofwhat kind of Jedi would become an Inquisitor.The novel follows Iskat Akaris through her Padawan and Jedi Knight years, constantly wishing for more freedoms than the Jedi Order would give her.
The novel also shows howher faith in the Jedi wanes and how Sith plants help guide her to the dark side, so that when Order 66 eventually happens, Iskat happily embraces her dark side as an Inquisitor.
As we learn more about Inquisitors, this novel is more and more important to read. While Iskat isn’t a perfect protagonist, her journey is still interesting, makingRise of the Red Bladeworth a read.
There is such a wide array of stories that have been told inStar Wars, so it’s only a matter of finding a novel that will pique your interest. Whether it be a character you want to read more about, a certain genre, or a character trope, there’s something for everyone to enjoy inStar Wars’ vast library of novels.
