Dastardly Haberdasher's 10 Best Star Wars NovelsMay 4, 2012 by

May the 4th be with you!

In honor of Star Wars Day, I've decided to start my blog off right by combining two of my favorite things, Star Wars and books.

I've often been criticized in the past by many a person who have spotted me walking with a Star Wars novel tucked under my arm.

"Read something more worthwhile," they say.

My response? To hell with that! Star Wars may have its fair share of corny sci-fi offerings, but buried deep amidst the plethora of books on store shelves, there are some hidden gems worth any reader’s time. In an attempt to help you cut through the hundreds of available novels, I, your local bibliophile, have composed a list of 10 must read Star Wars novels/series for any self-proclaimed Star Wars fan. I hope you all enjoy the list, and as I'm sure to have left off some of your favorites, feel free to share and stir up discussion in the comments.

10.) “Tales of the Bounty Hunters” by Kevin J. Anderson

Stories about kickass bounty hunter adventures. What's not to love?

“Bounty Hunters! We don’t need their scum…” Such is the classic line delivered by Admiral Piett as he is surrounded by some of the deadliest hunters in the galaxy, hired by the Empire to track the infamous rogue, Han Solo. Anderson’s “Tale of the Bounty Hunters,” is the third installment in a series of short story collections that chronicle the adventures of lesser known Star Wars characters. The novel tells the stories of famed killers IG-88, Dengar, Bossk, Boba Fett, and Zuckuss and 4-LOM. Whether you’ve heard of these bounty hunters or not, “Tales of the Bounty Hunters” dives deep into the scum and villainy of the Star Wars universe in a way that can not be missed.

9.) The Dark Nest Trilogy by Troy Denning

Giant insects and dark tidings make for one hell of a story.

The Dark Nest Trilogy is the first set of books in the Star Wars EU to really explore the insectoid race known as the Killiks. The novels tell the story of a group of young Jedi, including the Solo twins Jacen and Jaina, as they seek out their lost friend and fellow Jedi Raynar Thul. Thul, who disappeared in the growing border conflict between the Chiss Ascendency and the Killiks, acts as a lure that draws Denning’s readers deeper into the mystery of the Killik hive mind. As layers of the mystery slowly begin to peel away, a dark truth is revealed that sets the foundation for the Legacy of the Force series. The trilogy includes the following novels: “The Joiner King,” “The Unseen Queen,” and “The Swarm War.

8.) “Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader” by James Luceno

From the tortured ashes of his past, Anakin rises as something darker and more sinister than could have been imagined.

Have you ever wondered how Vader became the dark, monstrous villain we see the classic Star Wars Trilogy? What happens to a man when everything he loves is destroyed by his own hand? When his very identity hangs in the balance, twisted and lost? When all that remains of the person he once was, is a half-burned corpse in a robotic shell? These are the questions Luceno probes as he dives deep into the turmoil of Vader’s rise to power following the events of “Revenge of the Sith.” As Anakin Skywalker is forced to come to grips with his new reality as Lord Vader, he is sent on a mission to hunt down and destroy some survivors of Order 66. Throughout his journey, we see Anakin struggle to accept the dark path he has set out upon, and ultimately learn what it means to be a Dark Lord of the Sith.

7.) Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn

A doomed mission from the start.

Outbound Flight” is the story of a mission doomed to failure. A project funded by the Jedi, Outbound Flight was supposed to be a crowning triumph. Their goal was to travel beyond the borders of known space, make contact with undiscovered sentient species, and colonize worlds in the wilds of uncharted territory. Unfortunately for those onboard the juggernaut cruiser bound for the edge of the galaxy, the Jedi never counted on the existence of the Chiss Ascendency or their masterful tactician, Mitth'raw'nuruodo, better known as Thrawn. In a series that sets the foundation for Zahn’s Thrawn epic, “Outbound Flight” chronicles the tragic fate of the colonization project. The novel is packed to the brim with the types of espionage, political intrigue, and spectacular action that only Star Wars could maintain.

6.) The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson

The Jedi Order reborn.

In a three-part epic that reminds us that the Empire was never truly defeated at the Battle of Endor, The Jedi Academy Trilogy acts as the staging ground for some core aspects of the Star Wars EU. Set seven years after “Return of the Jedi,” the books provide our first glimpse into Luke’s attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order that was all but destroyed through Order 66. We see Luke struggle to find force sensitive pupils, make his first attempts at understanding the old Jedi ways, and ultimately take the first steps to becoming a Jedi Master and teacher. As if that wasn’t enough, Luke and the New Republic are faced with yet another threat from the remains of the Empire. First introduced in “Jedi Search,” Imperial Admiral Natasi Daala becomes a threat to the New Republic, as she houses some of the most fearsome weapons developed by the Empire in the Maw Installation. The trilogy presents a series of threads that all bind together to tell one story. From Kyp Durron’s fall to the dark side to the defeat of Exar Kun, Anderson leads his readers on a merry chase across the galaxy. The Jedi Academy Trilogy includes the novels: “Jedi Search,” “Dark Apprentice,” and “Champions of the Force.”

5.) "I, Jedi" by Michael A. Stackpole

Corran Horn's journey from pilot to Jedi is a story that can not be missed.

Paralleling the Jedi Academy Trilogy, "I, Jedi" tells the story of Rogue Squadron pilot-turned-Jedi Corran Horn. "I, Jedi" was one of the first Star Wars novels to tell a story from first-person perspective. The novel adds insight to the happenings of The Jedi Academy series from Corran's point of view, and works as an excellent complimentary novel to the series. It tells the story of Corran Horn's need to master the force in order to save his wife. Turning to the last remaining Jedi for help, he trains with Luke, battles the risen spirit of Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun, and ultimately fights his way to the homeworld of dangerous pirates, where with Luke's help, he is able to save his wife Mirax.

4.) The Hand of Thrawn Duology by Timothy Zahn

Thrawn has returned in an impossible turn of events that threatens everything for which the New Republic stands.

Timothy Zahn makes a spectacular return to his Star Wars opus with the Hand of Thrawn Duology. With the New Republic just beginning to gain its feet, disturbing rumors send shock waves through the new government's halls. The intellectual giant, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has returned to bolster the remains of the Imperial fleet and crush the New Republic. In a fantastic adventure that sees the return of old enemies, the threat of a new clone army, and the blossoming love of a staple Star Wars couple, Spectre of the Past and Vision of the Future provide all the action and grandiose scale that made the Star Wars movies a hit, while adding a sense of mysterious intrigue previously unexplored in the Star Wars EU.

3.) The Republic/Imperial Commando series by Karen Traviss

Dive deep into the psyche of a slave army.

The Jedi are revered by those of the Star Wars universe as the protectors of the peace, purveyors of justice, and paragons of light. Yet, despite all the pomp and glory, the Jedi committed one act that has never been condemned by the galaxy at large. At least, not until Karen Traviss decided to tackle the issue head on in the Republic Commando series. What is this Jedi-committed atrocity you ask? It was the acceptance of a slave army. The novels follow clones grown, bred, and forced to fight a war that was not their own, and because of this, the series is filled with some of the greatest characterization to grace the Star Wars EU in years. The books tell the story of the clones, their struggles with identity, desire for freedom, and the tensions of loyalty. They tell the story of Jedi outcasts and Mandalorian killers with hearts of gold. Above all else however, they shed light on an area rarely touched by the Star Wars EU, Jedi arrogance and pride. The series consists of the following books: "Hard Contact," "Triple Zero," "True Colors," "Order 66," and "501st."

2.) "The Truce at Bakura" by Kathy Tyers

Rebel and Imperial alike must join forces against a common threat.

"The Truce at Bakura" is one of those rare examples that shows just how deep the Star Wars universe can be. This is a novel for those of you who are tired of the classic tropes represented by the Star Wars universe. Tired of reading about Jedi vs. Sith, the dark side vs. the light side, etc.? Then "The Truce at Bakura" is for you. Set immediately after the end of "Return of the Jedi," the novel tells the story of a threat rising on the planet Bakura. A race of reptilian aliens known as the Ssi-Ruuk threaten the galaxy through their ability to harvest the very life force of beings to power their technology. With the remains of the Empire scattered following the Battle of Endor, Luke volunteers to lead a group of fighters to intercept the invasion at Bakura. Once there, the rebels must grudgingly work with the imperial garrison at Bakura to help repel the Ssi-Ruuk, and save the galaxy from a threat of which they would never learn.

1.)  The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn

A series that captures the spirit of Star Wars in a way that hasn't been accomplished since the original films.

The Thrawn Trilogy is considered by many to be the greatest work of fiction in the Star Wars extended universe, and for good reasons. Few novels in the EU manage to capture the essence that made the Star Wars movies so special, and yet The Thrawn Trilogy does so effortlessly. Set five years after the events of "Return of the Jedi," the trilogy weaves together the continued struggles of established and beloved characters from the films while introducing us to a fantastic cast of new and exciting heroes, villains, and rogues. With the last remnants of the Empire driven to the edge of the galaxy, Luke struggles to rebuild the Jedi Order, Han and Leia prepare for the birth of their first children, a mad Jedi clone threatens the security of the Jedi Order, and the last remaining Imperial Grand Admiral strikes at the heart of a fledgling New Republic with cunning and a tactical mind unlike any the galaxy had seen before. The books represented the debut of classic EU characters including, Mara Jade, Talon Karrade, Captain (Admiral) Palleaon, and of course Grand Admiral Thrawn himself. The trilogy is made up of the books "Heir to the Empire," "Dark Force Rising," and "The Last Command."

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