What Order to Read Star Wars Books?

Whenever I pick up a Star Wars book, I get that same rush I felt the first time I saw the movies, the sense that I’m diving into a galaxy so huge, I’ll never reach the end of it. But with hundreds of novels, ranging from canon to “Legends” (the old Expanded Universe), it’s easy to feel completely overwhelmed. I know I did when I first started! That’s why finding the right order to read them makes all the difference.

There isn’t just one correct order, since fans approach the books for different reasons, but I’ll break it down into the two main approaches most readers choose: Canon reading order (the official timeline since Disney’s 2014 reset) and the Legends reading order (the classic Expanded Universe many fans still adore).

Order to Read Star Wars Books

1. Canon Star Wars Books (Official Timeline)

If you want to stick with what currently “counts” in the Star Wars universe, here’s a streamlined order that follows the saga chronologically:

• Before the Prequels / High Republic Era
  • Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule
  • Into the Dark by Claudia Gray
  • A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland
  • (And the rest of The High Republic series if you enjoy this era)
• Prequel Era
  • Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray
  • Dooku: Jedi Lost (audio drama/novelization) by Cavan Scott
  • Queen’s Shadow and Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston
  • Brotherhood by Mike Chen
• Clone Wars / Between Episodes II & III
  • Dark Disciple by Christie Golden
  • Thrawn: Ascendancy Trilogy by Timothy Zahn (set around this period, though partially standalone)
• Revenge of the Sith Era & Aftermath
  • Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno
  • Tarkin by James Luceno
  • Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp
  • Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
• Original Trilogy Era (Episodes IV–VI)
  • Thrawn Trilogy (canon version) by Timothy Zahn
  • Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
  • Battlefront: Twilight Company by Alexander Freed
• After Return of the Jedi
  • Aftermath Trilogy by Chuck Wendig
  • Bloodline by Claudia Gray
  • Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson
  • Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse
• Sequel Era (Episodes VII–IX)
  • Force Collector by Kevin Shinick
  • The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition by Rae Carson

2. Legends Star Wars Books (Expanded Universe)

If you’re more curious about the massive world-building that existed before Disney, this is the order fans usually recommend:

• The Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command) by Timothy Zahn
• The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson
• I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole
• Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry
• Darth Plagueis by James Luceno
• Kenobi by John Jackson Miller
• Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn
• Legacy of the Force series
• Fate of the Jedi series

This timeline spans decades and even continues the saga after Return of the Jedi. While it’s no longer canon, it remains beloved, especially for how it expanded Luke, Leia, Han, and countless new characters.

Why Two Timelines? (And Which One Should You Choose?)

The reason there are two different timelines is because, in 2014, Lucasfilm “reset” the Star Wars universe to make room for the new movies (The Force Awakens and beyond). Everything before that became “Legends.”

If you’re the type of reader who likes things neat and official, stick to the Canon books. They tie into TV shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, and The Clone Wars, and they give extra depth to characters we already know from the screen.

But if you love sprawling sagas and don’t mind that they don’t line up with the Disney movies, the Legends books are a treasure trove. Honestly, some of my favorite Star Wars stories, like Zahn’s original Thrawn Trilogy, come from Legends.

A Closer Look at Star Wars Authors

One of the coolest things about reading Star Wars books is noticing the voices behind them. These aren’t just tie-in novelists; they’re respected sci-fi and fantasy authors in their own right.

• Timothy Zahn , Often called the father of modern Star Wars literature, Zahn created Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the most enduring characters outside the movies.
• Claudia Gray , Known for her emotionally deep writing, Gray’s Lost Stars and Bloodline are fan favorites for how they humanize the galaxy’s conflicts.
• James Luceno , A master of political intrigue and backstory, Luceno’s Darth Plagueis is practically required reading for anyone who loves the prequel era.
• Cavan Scott & Charles Soule , Key architects of The High Republic, they’ve been shaping the newest era of Star Wars storytelling.

Recognizing their styles makes reading these books even more enjoyable, because you start to see the “author fingerprints” on the galaxy far, far away.

Verdict: Where Should You Start?

If you’re new to Star Wars books, I’d recommend starting with Canon. It’s streamlined, connected to current media, and easy to follow. Start with Master & Apprentice or Bloodline, both are beginner-friendly and beautifully written.

But if you’re craving that deep-dive, alternate-universe feeling, go ahead and jump into Legends with Zahn’s Heir to the Empire. You’ll quickly see why fans still fight for the Expanded Universe.

In the end, there’s no wrong choice, you just need to decide whether you want your Star Wars reading to line up with the movies and shows, or if you want to explore the wilder “what if” galaxy that Legends offers. Either way, once you start, it’s almost impossible to stop.

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