21 Star Wars Books You Should Read

Cover to Vector Prime by R.A. Salvatore, the first book in the New Jedi Order series. Image via publisher Del Rey

18. The New Jedi Order Series

Before you dive into this series, know that it’s one of the biggest commitments of the Legends canon: 19 books, 3 novellas, and 3 short stories.

We open 21 years after the destruction of the Death Star. Luke Skywalker has established a new Jedi order (shocking, right?), while his sister Leia Organa Solo helps lead the New Republic. However, all is not quiet on the galactic front. The series also introduces the Yuuzhan Vong, an extra-galactic race hellbent on destroying mechanical technology, which they view as heresy.

Controversial though it may be for its dark turns and willingness to kill major characters, it does allow Extended Universe characters to take the stage alongside Luke, Leia, Han, and the rest.

Keep an eye out for novels like Vector Prime (Book 1) by R.A. Salvatore and Star by Star (Book 9) by Troy Denning. However, like most series, you’ll need to read the books in order to have the best experience.

Goodreads praises Salvatore’s introduction of the Yuuzhan Vong, showing some but not all of the new species’ features and characteristics, though reviews do call it a more mature universe. As for Star by Star, Goodreads notes the fact that it represents a major crux in the series overall and that it’s considered one of the best books in the series period.

With the three Solo children now relegated to Legends status despite featuring heavily in this series, it no longer represents a major read for the post-Force Awakens crowd, but hey, who knows? You might find that they’re closer to Kylo Ren than you might expect.