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Star Wars novels: What to read?

JD

JD

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For a while now I've been wanting to start getting into the Star Wars EU in more depth, and with the release of the novels in ebook format I now have a lot more options for what to read. So I was just wondering what books that I haven't read yet are worth picking up.
So far I've read:
Courtship of Princess Leia
Tatooine Ghost
The Thrawn Trilogy
The Jedi Academy Trilogy
Shatterpoint
Medstar I & II
Yoda: Dark Renezvous
The Phantom Menace novelisation
The Approaching Storm
The Attack of the Clones novelisation
NJO: Vector - Jedi Eclipse
The Dark Nest Trilogy
 
Looks like you've hit most of the high points. I would suggest the X-Wing series followed by I, Jedi. Most of Zahn's stuff is good (Hand of Thrawn, Outbound Flight, Survivor's Quest, etc).
 
You might want to give some of the comics a try as well. Although with the exception of "Dark Empire" and "Legacy" they're mainly side-stories (Although still in the same canon as the novels), they're still often very good.


A few suggestions:


-Dark Empire trilogy. Although the art is unusual, and the story is a bit out there, it has a really epic feel, and bridges the gap between The Thrawn Trilogy and Jedi Academy Trilogy.

-X-wing comics. These comics came out roughly the same time as the novels, and are sort of a forerunner to them, introducing the character of Baron Fel who is important in later fiction and also showing the rise of semi-Empress Ysanne Isard.

Republic-Although set mostly during the prequels, these stories are pretty good and give us a grittier vision of the Clone Wars than the cartoon series (unfortunately they'll also been largely de-canonized by that same series). The best tales are those featuring Quinlan Vos, a sort of rogue Jedi.
 
^
Whofan is definitely on to something there. In addition to the comics WF named I recommend Knights of the Old Republic, the adventures inspired by the video game featuring Zayne Carrick and Gryph. This series recently concluded its 50 issue run.

There's currently Star Wars: The OLd Republic comic being published right now, in separate miniseries, that isn't quite as good. Knights are all collected in trade paper backs now.

Some others:

Crimson Empire 1 (Part 2 isn't as good, though it does introduce a major character in the NJO series)

Dark Times: I really enjoyed the first volume.
 
I've read some comics already. I've read the first five Clone Wars/Republic TBPs, the first two Legacy TPBs, first KOTOR TPBs, and the Chewbacca graphic novel. I also own but have not yet read Union and Mara Jade: By the Emporer's Hand.
I know alot of people didn't like the Legacy of the Force series, but what about the next one, Fate of the Jedi? I haven't heard alot about it.
There are some other specific books I've been meaning to ask about that I just remembered:
Truce at Bakura
Corellian trilogy
Shadows of the Empire
Darth Bane series
Courscant Nights series
Republic Commando series
Clone Wars tv series tie ins
 
Truce at Bakura-It's OK. Basically some cool ideas but a ton of wasted potential. It takes place right after ROTJ as well.



Corellian trilogy-Sort of a 'meh' trilogy, but has some plot points used later on.

Shadows of the Empire-This is an interesting novel, it was basically a Star Wars film that was not a film-it had a soundtrack, figures, games etc. which all told a different POV of the story. Basically it takes place between ESB and ROTJ.


Darth Bane series-These novels are OK if a bit corny at times-they're basically a bit like the KOTOR games as they were written by the same guy....basically establishes how the Sith were wiped out and became "Always two there are".

Courscant Nights series-Haven't really read this, sort of got mixed reviews.


Republic Commando series-These novels are better than your average video game tie-in. The writer, Karen Traviss, however left when the novels conflicted with the Clone Wars TV show.


As for Union and the Mara Jade series, Union is very much an attempt at a more laid-back Star Wars tale, with the characters pretty much just having fun without any high stakes.By The Emperor's hand is a pretty dark tale written by Zahn and Stackpole.
 
Anyone planning to read Coruscant Nights: if you get to a point where you think you're missing something because the timeline references don't seem to make sense, it's not you. That series is a trainwreck when it comes to mistakes, timeline and otherwise. Obviously the initial responsibility for these falls on the author, but it doesn't help that the editors are idiots. The quality control in these books has been atrocious of late. Part of the problem seems to be that the prequels are so hated and "uncool"; authors and editors apparently don't ever watch them and thus don't notice when a manuscript gets something wrong.
 
After paring down my collection which used to have virtually every adult book, here are the ones that remain that I like the most and have the most rereadability:

Darth Bane Trilogy
The Phantom Menace novelization
Attack of the Clones novelization
Republic Commando: Hard Contact
The Clone Wars novelization
The Clone Wars: Wild Space
The Clone Wars: Gambit Duology
Labyrinth of Evil
Revenge of the Sith novelization
The Han Solo Trilogy (Crispin's)
Death Star
The Star Wars Trilogy novelization
Tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina
Tales of the Bounty Hunters
Shadows of the Empire
Tales From Jabba's Palace
Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
X-Wing: Books 1-7
The Thrawn Trilogy
The Jedi Academy Trilogy
I, Jedi
Darksaber
The Corellian Trilogy
The Hand of Thrawn Duology
Millennium Falcon
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the thread. I was wondering the same thing too- trying to decide what books to get my hands on now that they are pretty much all available on eBook and/or audiobook. I've read bits and parts of the EU but want to read more. Zahn's books are the best of the lot by far. IMHO his "Heir to the Empire" trilogy could have easily been (or could be) the Episodes 7-9 that Lucas originally wanted to do. The Outbound Flight/Survivor's Quest make for an interesting duology and help expand a bit on the new characters introduced in the "Heir" books but are mostly side stories. I just recently got started on his "Hand of Thrawn" duology that follow the "Heir" books.

The Legacy of the Force series (which takes place LONG after the OT) is the only EU series I've read all the way through, which was pretty decent. I've waded into the New Jedi Order and the more recent Fate of the Jedi series a bit though I haven't gotten very far in either of them as of yet.
 
Here's my recommendations, based on what you've already read:
The Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy
The Hand of Thrawn duology
The Young Jedi Knights series
Cloak of Deception
 
To be more constructive, books I'd read that you haven't already:

- Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future - not as good as Zahn's original trilogy, but still very good
- X-Wing series - Jedi are cool, smugglers are cool, but starfighter pilots are the coolest
- I, Jedi - it's like the Jedi Academy books, but good
- Rogue Planet - good characterization for post-TMP Obi-Wan and Ben, plus some cool concepts and nice politics
- The Adventures of Lando Calrissian - you can't get cooler than Lannnndo
- A. C. Crispin's Han Solo trilogy - a strong, well-written backstory
- Republic Commando/Imperial Commando - Traviss's masterwork, with excellent characterization... almost too excellent
- Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor - the best classic-era adventure that's not the OT
- Crosscurrent - a fun standalone that leaves you wanting more
- The Ruins of Dantooine - okay, I'm just messing with you; this book is awful

And do finish The New Jedi Order.

I refused to try Fate of the Jedi after the debacle that was Legacy of the Force, so I can't help you there.
 
Not novels, but you should look for the trades of the Star Wars: Legacy series from Dark Horse Comics. For my money the best Star Wars since The Empire Strikes Back.
 
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