Star Wars has become one of the most titanic IPs in any media, ranging from blockbuster movies to games that pull in players of all generations by the millions. Most of us find ourselves drawn into the fandom through the movies, ending our binge with an overwhelming desire to dive deeper into the franchise through novels.
Once you dive into the world of Star Wars novels, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume. Many novels aren’t canon, while many others have had bits and pieces retconned. If you’re struggling to pick apart which novels are the best to read after seeing the movies, this list is the perfect place for you to start! Here are our recommendations for some of the best Star Wars novels to read after you’ve watched the movies.
Updated June 19, 2025 by Kenny Kimberly:With May the Fourth having passed, many fans, new and old alike, binged the movies. This May is the 25th anniversary of Episode I - The Phantom Menace, so we’ve come back to celebrate the milestone by adding two more novels to this list. Enjoy!
Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1)
The adventure continues
Five years after the Death Star is destroyed by the Rebel Alliance, and the Emperor and Darth Vader have been defeated, life has moved on. Han Solo and Princess Leia are expecting twins, and the Jedi Knights have received a new member, Luke Skywalker. However, evil is stirring thousands of light-years away in the form of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who is hellbent on destroying the New Republic.
This is the first book of three to be written directly after the events of “Return of the Jedi,” which will give you more backstory about your favorite original characters. It’ll also fill you in on the events that unfolded after the fall of the Emperor and Darth Vader. This trilogy was actually very influential from 1983 to 1999 since no new movies were released then. Not to mention, they introduce new planets and threats, expanding the Star Wars universe. This is a great choice if you’re intoreading about vast universes, as it handles much of the expansion of the world.
Mike Chen’s Star Wars: Brotherhood
You were my brother, Anakin
Find yourself ending Episode 2 and wanting to see more between Anakin and Obi-Wan before the pair reach Mustafar? This novel is a great choice for anyone looking to explore more between the two Jedi.
If you’re a fan of one of the greatest duos to ever bless the franchise, then Mike Chen’s Star Wars: Brotherhood is one of the best books for you. Taking place as the Clone Wars take off, this novel is best read between Episode 2 and Episode 3. Anakin has just attained the rank of Jedi Knight, while Obi-Wan is working more as an investigator than a Jedi.
After the movies, it’s understandable to want to see more of the connection between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Just be warned that this novel will make the ultimate fate of the two “brothers” even more painful.
Star Wars: From A Certain Point Of View
From my point of view…
Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View is one of the most creative entries into the literary world of Star Wars. This series looks at iconic scenes from the movies, but shows them through the eyes of a different character each time.
Sometimes we don’t want to curl up with a single novel. Instead, you may be the type who prefers to read anthologies and short stories. If that’s the case, there’s no better Star Wars novel available thanFrom A Certain Point Of View. This series takes a look at some of the most iconic scenes in the franchise and shows them again through the eyes of another character who may have witnessed it.
As such, there are heavy spoilers within for anyone who hasn’t caught up to their movies. This story won’t focus solely on any certain part of the franchise and can jump around considerably, so make sure you’re up-to-date on anything you may not want to be spoiled on. Afterward, you’ll find yourself falling in love with characters you never thought of before.
Path of Destruction (Star Wars: The Darth Bane Trilogy, Vol. 1)
Join the Dark Side, will you?
Path of Destruction follows the story of Dessel, who joined the ranks of the Sith army to fight the Jedi and the Republic. After showing excellent control of the Force, Dessel is sent to the Sith academy and is given a new identity, Bane. Bane must now fully relinquish himself to the Dark side if he wishes to be accepted into the Brotherhood of Darkness.
The Star Wars films do a great job of explaining what it means to be a Jedi, but they don’t really fully explain what it means to be Sith. In this trilogy, you can learn more about the Sith and who they are. Plus, the plot for this book is set long before the Star Wars films (specifically thousands of years before the Clone Wars), so you’ll learn about who Darth Bane is and how he shaped Sith history. At some points, you may even find somehorror-like elementsto this formative novel.
Lost Stars - Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The NPCs are important too, you know
Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree live on the planet Jelucan on the Outer Rim, where the Galactic Empire has finally reached. They both love flying and don’t think twice about enrolling at the Imperial Academy. However, Thane Kyrell soon learns that the Empire isn’t as righteous as he’d believed, leading him to join the rebellion. Ciena now has to choose between the Empire and the man she loves. Will they be at war or find a way to unite?
You’d love this book if you enjoyed the original trilogy, as it provides context to the events that lead to The Force Awakens. But more than that, it gives a human face to the Galactic Civil War and helps you to imagine how this conflict is affecting everyone, not just the main characters. Plus, the novel touches on two important battles, The Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Yavin, from different perspectives.
Bloodline (Star Wars)
Leia actually had a life outside of the action?
While an unknown threat grows in the far corners of the Galaxy, Leia Organa is enjoying the brief peace following the defeat of the Empire above Endor. However, the election of the First Senator is drawing near, and Leia must contend with Imperial loyalists and corrupt politicians sowing the seeds of unrest.
We occasionally see a few scenes of Leia handling political challenges throughout the films. However, this novel explores what her life as a senator was like before the events of The Force Awakens. You’ll get some backstory and context about what happens between the original and sequel trilogies, which kind of gives a premise to the rise of the First Order.
Dark Disciple (Star Wars)
you’re able to turn away from the Dark Side
Count Dooku continues to cause destruction and chaos around the galaxy, and after having helpless refugees murdered, the Jedi Council takes matters into their own hands. Unsure of what to do, they task Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos and former Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress with eliminating Dooku. Will the distrust of Vos for Ventress and the complicated emotions Ventress feels for Vos get in the way?
While this novel more closely follows the events of the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, it will still provide context to the period surrounding the clones. Plus, Quinlan Vos is only mentioned in Revenge of the Sith, so you’ll learn more about him. You’ll also get some context about Asajj Ventress, who was featured in the animated film (which will be useful for the final season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch).
The Mandalorian Armor (Star Wars: The Bounty Hunter Wars, Book 1)
“What if he doesn’t survive? He’s worth a lot to me.”
Boba Fett, one of the most famous and successful bounty hunters in the galaxy, has accepted a job that at first he thought to be simple: sow the seeds of destruction within the Bounty Hunters Guild. However, he soon finds out that it’s not only his fellow bounty hunter rivals he’s up against but everyone the Empire hired to ensure the plan works. Now, he must survive or perish.
Boba Fett has been featured in the Star Wars movies a few times and even got his own show. This novel dives deeper than either of those two, and gives you the chance to learn more about the character. It also takes place after the events of Return of the Jedi, so you get to uncover what has happened in light of the power vacuum created after the Galactic Civil War.
FAQ
Are The Star Wars Novels Canon?
There was a bit of a mess in the canon of the extended universe when Disney acquired the rights to Star Wars. As such, there’s a good amount of content out there that’s been revoked from canon, partially canonized, or fully implemented. You’ll have to explore this on a case-by-case basis, especially with older novels. Some focus more onfantasy-like elements, while others are pure political intrigue.
Where Can I Find Star Wars Novels?
Our favorite vendors for novels are Amazon and Walmart due to their low prices, ease of access, and varied stock. You should also make sure you check local brick-and-mortar shops, as well as any gaming stores near you like tabletop games or comic stores. These establishments are likely to carry the books you’re looking for, and it’s always great to support a local business.
Do I Have To Watch The Movies To Understand The Novels?
That depends heavily on the novel! Some novels are so deeply integrated with a movie that reading it without seeing the film makes it difficult to understand. Others take place in the universe but are a wholly different story, meaning you won’t need much context.
