For as long as the "Star Wars" world has existed, literature has been a vital part of it. The official novelization of "Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker" by author Alan Dean Foster was the first piece of "Star Wars" media ever issued in November 1976, months before the picture premiered in cinemas. The first official spinoff book, "Splinter of the Mind's Eye," was written by Foster two years later.
The 'Star Wars' novels filled the hole left by the rumors of a prequel trilogy. As a result, Timothy Zahn's novel "Heir to the Empire," published in 1991, provided a thrilling new chapter in the adventures of Luke Skywalker and his friends following "Return of the Jedi." Two sequels, "Dark Force Rising" and "The Last Command," opened up a new age of "Star Wars" publication, allowing writers to continue the story of their favorite characters in new and exciting ways. "Star Wars" writers jumped at the chance to explore the galaxy far, far away in the prequels, creating a 25,000-year history of the universe.
To celebrate the release of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Disney launched a new series of "Star Wars" books in 2013 that replaced the earlier "Legends" volumes. Even so, the written word has produced some of the finest "Star Wars" tales ever, and here is where they live. Some of the best "Star Wars" novels ever published may be found in the following list.
The Darth Bane trilogy
The Darth Bane trilogy, which takes place one thousand years before the events of "The Phantom Menace," covers the life narrative of a key Sith lord. The Brotherhood of Darkness, a Sith army that conducted a war against the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order, recruited Bane as a grizzled miner once he found his propensity for the dark side. In spite of his enthusiasm for the opportunity, Bane was afraid that the other Sith lords were too preoccupied with their own ambitions to dominate the galaxy as a united front.
The Rule of Two was invented by Bane before George Lucas used it in "The Phantom Menace." Under Bane's rule, the Sith could only have one master and one apprentice. To bring down the Jedi and the Sith, Bane devises a plan to teach an apprentice, Darth Zannah, in the books "Path to Destruction," "Rule of Two," and "Dynamism of Evil." Bane's control causes Zannah to plan the murder of her master and the recruitment of a new apprentice.
A thousand years before "The Phantom Menace," the Jedi Order put a stop to its military participation because they believed that they had overcome the dark side. This trilogy puts an end to the Old Republic era and ushers in a period of peace.
Master and Apprentice
By the time of "The Phantom Menace," Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi's relationship had developed to one of maturity and understanding, although things were far from easy in the beginning. Qui-Gon was a rebellious master who disliked the rigidity of the Jedi order, while his disciple was a creature of habit who found it difficult to relate to his stern mentor. "Master and Apprentice," a canon book by Claudia Gray, tells the story of a childhood incident that drew the two characters closer together.
Qui-Gon has been contacted by Yoda and invited to join the Jedi Council. While Yoda does not agree with allowing the difficult master into the inner circle of the Jedi, the other Jedi believe that the unique viewpoint of Qui-Gon is required. Joining the council, however, would mean that Qui-Gon would have to entrust Obi-teaching Wan's to someone else, which breaks the heart of his pupil. It's Obi-Wan's first time connecting with his stern teacher, and he's afraid he'll be a disappointment.
The two are sent on a mission to the planet Pijal, where a young ruler is under attack by a rising terrorist group, while Qui-Gon considers his options. On this mission, Qui-Gon and Rael Averross, a Jedi who lost his own Padawan in a sad duel, are reunited. The interplay between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan is explored in depth in this exhilarating adventure. Obi-training Wan's was highlighted in the YA series "Jedi Apprentice," but few older "Star Wars" novels have addressed this time.
Darth Plagueis
Darth Plagueis the Wise's tragic narrative is told in a memorable sequence from the prequel trilogy, yet it is more than a tale. According to the Expanded Universe, Plagueis was a true Sith Lord, and Palpatine was the apprentice who murdered him. According to James Luceno's book "Darth Plagueis," Plague kills his own master, Darth Tenebrous, and then got fascinated with researching midi-chlorians in an attempt to create life from nothing at all.
As a young politician on Naboo, Palpatine had just recently discovered his Force powers, so Plagueis pursued him. As Magister Hego Damask II, Plagueis utilized Palptaine's political ties to enter the Galactic Republic and take control of the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Plagueis and Palpatine conspire to sow discord within the government and bring about the demise of Supreme Chancellor Valorum via destabilizing tactics.
Plagueis, plotting to elevate Palpatine as Supreme Chancellor, helped launch the accords with the Trade Federation that led to the war in "The Phantom Menace." When the Jedi Dooku joins the dark side, Palpatine plots against his master by teaching Maul to be an assassin and wooing him. Palpatine betrays Plagueis and murders him in his sleep after promising to appoint him co-chancellor upon his election. On the other hand, Palpatine continues plagues quest to become immortal by studying the Force.
Shatterpoint
During the Clone Wars, Mace Windu, Yoda's second-in-command on the Jedi Council, appeared in a book that saw him return to his homeworld. Mace Windu was up on Haruun Kal, a world divided by the Summertime War, a battle between indigenous and outworlders that lasted for centuries. When Windu's old padawan, Depa Billaba, goes missing on the planet, he requests the mission, even though he has no recollection of his history.
It's just a few months after "Attack on the Clones," and Windu is unsure of what to believe. Concerns that Billaba has fallen to the dark side have him wondering whether another Jedi blind hole has been exposed by the galactic battle. When the Separatist fleet threatens the area where he was raised, Windu takes up arms for a personal cause.
When Windu maintains diaries and wonders whether Anakin is the Chosen One, "Shatterpoint" provides a unique glimpse into his thoughts and feelings. The iconic Vietnam War picture "Apocalypse Now," which George Lucas had originally intended to make, influenced author Matthew Stover as he was writing.
Jedi Trial
Anakin's trial to become a Jedi Knight occurs between "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith." In the "Jedi Trial," a book of the Clone Wars period, Anakin is shown to be a worthy leader at this crucial juncture.
Praesitlyn is an abandoned Republic station that Anakin is entrusted with rescuing. As Pors Tonith, the stooge of Count Dooku's henchman organizes an invasion, Anakin is the only one who can assist the overworked galaxy in mobilizing. Praestilyn's droid population would provide the Separatists with easy access to key hyperspace passages. It's not every Star Wars story that has a major emphasis on military tactics, but "Jedi Trial" does.
Anakin's leadership in this book reveals why the Jedi Council awarded him knighthood despite their worries about his impetuous attitude. The "Jedi Trial" demonstrates how battle affects warriors who do not have Force abilities.
The Dark Lord trilogy
Anakin's transformation into Vader is chronicled in this trilogy, which begins before and ends after the events of "Revenge of the Sith." The Clone Wars are winding down, and Anakin and Obi-Wan are on the hunt for Count Dooku's masked master, while General Grievous is hatching an evil plan to capture the Chancellor of the Republic. An opening fight over Coruscant, similar to the "Star Wars: Clone Wars" animated micro-series, opens "Revenge of the Sith."
Luceno's version of "Revenge of the Sith," the third film in the trilogy, is the most in-depth Star Wars novelization to date. Deleted footage from the film is included, such as Padme's early days in the Rebellion. As Vader lies dying on Mustafar, his thoughts turn to Padme's death and his resentment at Obi-Wan, who he believes betrayed him. In comparison to the ridiculous scream that Darth Vader emits in the original film, this is a far more gratifying finale.
Padme's bodyguard, Captain Typho, looks for Anakin, who was considered gone after the conclusion of the Clone Wars, in the early days of the Galactic Empire. Chewbacca and Olee Starstone form an alliance with Jedi Master Roan Shryne and Padawan Bol Chatak when the Empire invades Kashyyk.
The Force Unleashed
Even though "The Force Unleashed" became one of the most popular video games in "Star Wars," the narrative of Darth Vader's secret apprentice wasn't restricted to those who owned a gaming console. Galen Marek, the Jedi Knight's orphaned son who is taught the dark arts by the Sith Lord Darth Vader and given the pseudonym "Starkiller," was given a novelization by Sean Williams.
The mission of Starkiller is to assassinate Jedi who survived Order 66, including Shaak Ti and the old recluse Kazdan Paratus. Emperor Palpatine accuses the two of them of conspiring against him and orders Darth Vader to have Starkiller killed. For lack of a better alternative in the Rebellion, Starkiller seeks the assistance of his former foe and current foe, Jedi Master Rahm Kota.
Starkiller's relationship with Juno Eclipse, an Imperial fighter who has her own doubts about her allegiance, is further explored in "The Force Unleashed," which keeps all the thrills of the game. Although PROXY, Starkiller's shape-shifting Droid from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," is a comedic relief, the book offers a different account of where and how the Rebel Alliance got the Death Star blueprints. Williams also wrote "The Force Unleashed 2," in which Darth Vader seeks to clone his former protege.
The Han Solo trilogy
The original Han Solo's history was developed in a trilogy of books by author A.C. Crispin, which were adapted into the 2018 prequel film "Solo." The Smuggler's early days as a Corellian outlaw who enlists to become an ace Imperial fighter pilot were depicted in "The Paradise Snare," "The Hutt Gambit," and "Rebel Dawn," all of which are now considered non-canon. Similar to Han's character in "Solo," Han is fed up with the Empire and rescues Chewbacca, who swears an oath of allegiance to him as his pilot.
"Solo" begins with Han Solo's triumph against Lando Calrissian in the card game that secures him the Millennium Falcon. One difference is that, instead of Qi'ra, young Han is smitten with Bria Tharen, a rich Corellian girl who cannot accept Han's illicit vocation. Before he adopts a more cynical approach, a broken-hearted Han even controls a spacecraft he names Bria.
Other events take place outside of "Solo" and are more closely tied to the original Star Wars trilogy. Han and Chewie's bungled mission in "Rebel Dawn," for example, causes Jabba the Hutt to get enraged when they drop a vital spice cargo. This alternative origin narrative for the most popular smuggler in the Star Wars universe may appeal to both "Solo" fans and those who were disappointed.
Splinter of the Mind's Eye
Author Alan Dean Foster was contracted to write "Splinter of the Mind's Eye," a sequel to his original novelization of Star Wars. In the event that "Star Wars" failed at the box office, George Lucas planned to have a second tale ready. Some of the main cast members might return for a low-budget "Star Wars" sequel if the first film fails to meet expectations. However, "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" was repurposed as the first spinoff book when the film shattered box office records.
As they seek for a powerful Force relic known as a keyboard, crystal on Mimban, the book's protagonists, Luke, Leia, and the Droids, are introduced. Kyber crystals are the source of power for lightsabers in the Expanded Universe, a theory that has been carried over into the Disney period.
In a smaller film, there are limitations to the plot. All of the locales are reprises from A New Hope, and only Luke and Leia make an appearance (a return was not part of Harrison Ford's initial contract). Luke and Darth Vader conducted their first lightsaber duel two years before "The Empire Strikes Back," but Lucas had Foster leave out a space fight that would have been too costly to shoot. Foster had no idea Luke and Leia were related, so there's a chance they're in love.
Shadows of the Empire
For the first time ever, Lucasfilm undertook the most ambitious undertaking in the Expanded Universe. A top-tier creative team was entrusted with designing a multimedia event that would imitate the year-long marketing campaign around a film in preparation for the release of "The Phantom Menace" and the Star Wars Special Editions. An interwoven storyline was produced by the story group for "Shadows of the Empire," which was conveyed in the form of novels, junior novelizations, video games, a comic book series, a roleplaying game, and even a soundtrack.
As Luke, Leia, Chewie, Lando, and the droids seek out Boba Fett, who is still holding Han Solo hostage in carbonite, "Shadows of the Empire" serves as a bridge between "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi". Smuggler Dash Rendar, an old foe of Han's, assists them in their quest to join the "scum and villainy" realm. After learning that Vader is his father, Luke is still reeling from the news.
For Luke to be tracked down, a formidable criminal syndicate joins forces with the Galactic Empire to establish the Black Sun organization. Infuriated by Darth Vader's destruction of his homeworld of Falleen, Prince Xizor of Black Sun intends to kill Vader's son in retaliation. Instead of Vader as Emperor Palpatine's number two, Xizor plans to take over that position himself, while simultaneously enlisting the help of the criminal underworld in the quest for Luke Skywalker.