Post by Gozer Jinx on Dec 20, 2015 1:59:03 GMT
Most of these are pretty old, and that's partially because A) I AM old, damn it! and B) These books require almost no knowledge of other EU continuity in order to enjoy.
Heir to the Empire/Dark Force Rising/The Last Command
Essential reading for the Expanded Universe, because this BEGAN the Expanded Universe. It was published in the early 90s, so you will notice a few continuity oddities due to the Prequels not existing. For example, Timothy Zahn (And everyone who wasn't George Lucas) assumed that the clones were the OTHER side in the Clone Wars. Still, these books are still ranked among the best Star Wars books ever. Zahn looks at the universe logically in a way few do, and both his rebels and Imperials have an empathy and intelligence to them that makes them more believable.
This trilogy also introduced several characters who would end up being quite popular and important, such as Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, Borsk Fey'lya, Winter Celchu, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Captain Pellaeon, and probably a crapton of other characters I don't remember. Another character worth mentioning is Joruus C'baoth, one of the very, very few antagonists who is also a hardcore Jedi. (Sampler: "So at last you have come to me. I knew you would. Together we will teach the galaxy what it means to serve the Jedi.")
Rogue Squadron/Wedge's Gamble/The Krytos Trap/The Bacta War
The X-Wing books are essentially military fiction, and focus on the Rebel Alliance's premier star figher squadrons. There are almost no Force schenanigans at all. The chief antagonists are all Imperial warlords without any Dark Side assistance, and the heroes rely on hard work, dumb luck, and tough training in order to overcome the odds. If you want a very down to earth look at the SW universe without constantly getting dragged into Jedi versus Sith schenanigans, this is definitely for you.
Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina/Tales of the Bounty Hunters/Tales from Jabba's Palace/Tales of the New Republic/Tales of the Empire
These are a series of anthologies. Some stories are more canon than others, but they're all loads of fun and really flesh out the universe. You may be aware that in Star Wars, EVERY extra has their own backstory, and that's in large part due to these.
Dark Empire/Dark Empire II/Empire's End
The comic book trilogy where the Emperor comes back as a clone to use a dozen different superweapons that make the Death Star look perfectly rational anf Luke becomes his apprentice. This is Star Wars pushed beyond all common sense. Lot of people hate this series with a passion, others think its adorable how cheesy and absurd it gets. Worth mentioning that most writers did everything in their power to avoid referencing it because it was THAT ridiculous.
It also inspired the popular Crimson Empire series, which is all about how awesome the Emperor's bodyguards were.
Jedi Search/Dark Apprentice/Champions of the Force
I, Jedi
Luke Skywalker finally gets around to training the next generation of Jedi. This was written before the prequels, and all the old Jedi are dead anyway, so it really doesn't resemble George Lucas's version of the traditional Jedi. It has some wonderful moments, and some not so wonderful moments. I used to love these books, but as I got older, I realized the ending was actually kind of bullshit. Michael Stackpole, the author of the Rogue Squadron books above, happened to agree, and wrote a standalone novel called I, Jedi set during this trilogy. I, Jedi addresses some of those issues, while telling its own distinct storyline which in no way requires you to read the original trilogy.
Path of Destruction/Rule of Two/Dynasty of Evil (The Darth Bane Trilogy)
Darth Plagueis
Death Star
Tarkin
Labyrinth of Evil/Revenge of the Sith/The Rise of Darth Vader (The Darth Vader Trilogy)
If you like books from the point of view of bad guys, here you go.
Knights of the Old Republic
The comic, not the game, though you'll appreciate the comic a bit more if you're familiar with the KotOR games. The plot however is almost entirely unrelated, and stands on its own just fine. Really, this series is just brilliant, funny, sad, and epic from start to finish.
Kenobi
Essentially a Western tale starring Obi-Wan as he adapts to life on Tatooine just after the prequels. Not particularly relevant, but definitely one of the best.
Allegiance/Choices of One
In which Stormtroopers become cool.
Scoundrels
A great heist story a la Ocean's Eleven, starring Han, Chewie, Lando, and several original characters. Loads of fun.
Outbound Flight
Outbound Flight is a very interesting book. It is one of a very small number of stories that explores how horrifying the Jedi can truly be, and acts as a sort of origin story for the popular Thrawn as well. A personal favorite.
The Paradise Snare/The Hutt Gambit/Rebel Dawn
If you need a Han Solo fix after seeing The Force Awakens.
Shadows of the Empire
The Mandalorian Armor/Slave Ship/Hard Merchandise
Easy to jump into, and introduces some great characters, as well as the oft seen Black Sun. The Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy kind of assumes you've read Shadows of the Empire, which is why it goes here.
Heir to the Empire/Dark Force Rising/The Last Command
Essential reading for the Expanded Universe, because this BEGAN the Expanded Universe. It was published in the early 90s, so you will notice a few continuity oddities due to the Prequels not existing. For example, Timothy Zahn (And everyone who wasn't George Lucas) assumed that the clones were the OTHER side in the Clone Wars. Still, these books are still ranked among the best Star Wars books ever. Zahn looks at the universe logically in a way few do, and both his rebels and Imperials have an empathy and intelligence to them that makes them more believable.
This trilogy also introduced several characters who would end up being quite popular and important, such as Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, Borsk Fey'lya, Winter Celchu, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Captain Pellaeon, and probably a crapton of other characters I don't remember. Another character worth mentioning is Joruus C'baoth, one of the very, very few antagonists who is also a hardcore Jedi. (Sampler: "So at last you have come to me. I knew you would. Together we will teach the galaxy what it means to serve the Jedi.")
Rogue Squadron/Wedge's Gamble/The Krytos Trap/The Bacta War
The X-Wing books are essentially military fiction, and focus on the Rebel Alliance's premier star figher squadrons. There are almost no Force schenanigans at all. The chief antagonists are all Imperial warlords without any Dark Side assistance, and the heroes rely on hard work, dumb luck, and tough training in order to overcome the odds. If you want a very down to earth look at the SW universe without constantly getting dragged into Jedi versus Sith schenanigans, this is definitely for you.
Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina/Tales of the Bounty Hunters/Tales from Jabba's Palace/Tales of the New Republic/Tales of the Empire
These are a series of anthologies. Some stories are more canon than others, but they're all loads of fun and really flesh out the universe. You may be aware that in Star Wars, EVERY extra has their own backstory, and that's in large part due to these.
Dark Empire/Dark Empire II/Empire's End
The comic book trilogy where the Emperor comes back as a clone to use a dozen different superweapons that make the Death Star look perfectly rational anf Luke becomes his apprentice. This is Star Wars pushed beyond all common sense. Lot of people hate this series with a passion, others think its adorable how cheesy and absurd it gets. Worth mentioning that most writers did everything in their power to avoid referencing it because it was THAT ridiculous.
It also inspired the popular Crimson Empire series, which is all about how awesome the Emperor's bodyguards were.
Jedi Search/Dark Apprentice/Champions of the Force
I, Jedi
Luke Skywalker finally gets around to training the next generation of Jedi. This was written before the prequels, and all the old Jedi are dead anyway, so it really doesn't resemble George Lucas's version of the traditional Jedi. It has some wonderful moments, and some not so wonderful moments. I used to love these books, but as I got older, I realized the ending was actually kind of bullshit. Michael Stackpole, the author of the Rogue Squadron books above, happened to agree, and wrote a standalone novel called I, Jedi set during this trilogy. I, Jedi addresses some of those issues, while telling its own distinct storyline which in no way requires you to read the original trilogy.
Path of Destruction/Rule of Two/Dynasty of Evil (The Darth Bane Trilogy)
Darth Plagueis
Death Star
Tarkin
Labyrinth of Evil/Revenge of the Sith/The Rise of Darth Vader (The Darth Vader Trilogy)
If you like books from the point of view of bad guys, here you go.
Knights of the Old Republic
The comic, not the game, though you'll appreciate the comic a bit more if you're familiar with the KotOR games. The plot however is almost entirely unrelated, and stands on its own just fine. Really, this series is just brilliant, funny, sad, and epic from start to finish.
Kenobi
Essentially a Western tale starring Obi-Wan as he adapts to life on Tatooine just after the prequels. Not particularly relevant, but definitely one of the best.
Allegiance/Choices of One
In which Stormtroopers become cool.
Scoundrels
A great heist story a la Ocean's Eleven, starring Han, Chewie, Lando, and several original characters. Loads of fun.
Outbound Flight
Outbound Flight is a very interesting book. It is one of a very small number of stories that explores how horrifying the Jedi can truly be, and acts as a sort of origin story for the popular Thrawn as well. A personal favorite.
The Paradise Snare/The Hutt Gambit/Rebel Dawn
If you need a Han Solo fix after seeing The Force Awakens.
Shadows of the Empire
The Mandalorian Armor/Slave Ship/Hard Merchandise
Easy to jump into, and introduces some great characters, as well as the oft seen Black Sun. The Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy kind of assumes you've read Shadows of the Empire, which is why it goes here.
