21 Star Wars Books You Should Read

Cover of Scoundrels, by Timothy Zahn. Image via publisher Del Rey

20. Scoundrels

Although this novel first appeared in 2013, it has since been moved to Legends status. However, it’s basically a Star Wars heist novel starring Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca from Timothy Zahn.

In other words: it’s still worth a read.

The book takes place just after the events of A New Hope. Although Han got that nice, shiny award from the Rebel Alliance, it’s been stolen, meaning  he’s still in debt to Jabba the Hutt without much in the way of payment to give him. So, he accepts a job: break into crime lord Avrak Villachor’s vault and split the booty with his employer and his hand-picked team of, well, scoundrels to do the dirty work. Never mind the Imperial agents present at Villachor’s estate. Or the deadly droids. Or the…well, you get the picture.

As per usual, Zahn’s characterization stands out. Goodreads unsurprisingly summarizes the novel as Ocean’s Eleven in space, with one review going for the obvious joke and calling it Solo’s Eleven.

Sometimes, though, it’s nice to read a Star Wars book that isn’t about the Jedi and Sith.

This novel may not be the best introduction to the almost-legendary Zahn’s Star Wars work, but once you get hooked, swing back around to this one.