Now that the EU has been officially axed from canon, I feel it is my solemn duty to spread knowledge of the treasures it contains more than ever before.
And so, it is with great pleasure and extreme prejudice towards certain story arcs that I present to you; My Extremley Selective and Excessivley Biased In Favor of Happy Endings Star Wars EU Masterpost.
This masterpost is not exhaustive. This masterpost is not even complete. Some of the books on this list I haven’t even read, and many more are omitted for the same reason. Certain series in particular have been omitted by virtue of being Too Sad and Flying Flagrantly In The Face of All That Star Wars Stands For. Fortunatley these books are no longer canon, so there are no grounds for massive baby white fanboys to get on my case about ignoring them. And some of these books are absolutley terrible but they’re here anyway because I suffered through them and so must you.
Some of these have links to PDF files, some of them don’t. I feel like I should urge you to buy them even though I have not bought many of these myself. So um, yeah, be legal kids, and keep the internet poilice off your case.
Books are listed in a vague sort of chronological order. Dates, such as they are, are given in the traditional BBY (before the battle of Yavin, ie. Episode IV) and ABY (after the Battle of Yavin) format, and are all cribbed off Wookiepedia.
I haven’t included the movie novelisations in this list, but for the love of everything good in this world please read Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelisation it is absolutley essential.
Please please please feel free to add to this list if you find more links, rarer tales, or really really really good stuff that you have read and I haven’t. And don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten the comics. Those are coming later.
THE OLD REPUBLIC 5000 BBY – 1000 BBY
Ok, I’ll be honest, I have read literally zippy zap about the Old Republic, Darth Bane, or the rise of the Sith, so I have nothing to say here. If anyone has recommendations then please tell me. Wookiepedia has a nice list if you want to forge ahead.
RISE OF THE EMPIRE 1000 BBY – 19 BBY
Darth Plagueis– Darth Plagueis is one of theose novles that everyone collectivley freaks out about and which I still haven’t read. Boy, this list sure is getting off to a good start. Nevertheless it is meant to be really really good. Set when Palpatine is just a wee little Sith Lord, it chronicles his training under Dath Plagueis the Wise. Yeah. ThatDarth Plagueis. It fills in a lot of gaps in the Prequel’s backstory, like; who is Palpatine really? Who was Darth Plagueis? And most importantly, where the heck did Anakin come from?
The Jedi Apprentice Series – The Jedi Apprentice Series consists of 18 young reader novels revolving around the shenanigans of Padawan Kenobi and Master Jinn before The Phantom Menace. Remembered fondly by PT-era kids like myself for it’s stellar characterisation of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and excellent supporting cast (Bant Eerin and Tahl and Siri Tachi), it is ideal for those wishing to Have Feelings about Qui-Gon and his apprentice. All credit for the download link goes to dyingsighs.
Legacy of the Jedi and Secrets of the Jedi– These are two collections of interconnected short stories which tie into the larger Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest series. Legacy explores the relationships between Master and Padawan – Yoda and Dooku (YES ACTUAL BABY DOOKU), Dooku and Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan and Anakin – while Secrets has the lesser known title of Jedi in Love: I Didn’t Ask For These Feelings.
Rogue Planet – Rogue Planet is… a bit odd? But okayish. There are lots of cute teacher/student bonding moments between Kenobi and his tiny apprentice (HONEST TO GOODNESS HUGS), and I guess Tarkin shows up too, but it’s a bit too out of character and out of continuity to settle well. Like it’s OK but not amazing.
The Jedi Quest Series – Jedi Quest comes with the tagline “Chosen by Fate. Destined for Conflict.”, so you can imagine the sort of feelings it will induce. A sister series to Jedi Apprentice, it follows much the same formula, except this time with Angsty Teen Anakin and Exasperated Parental Figure Obi-Wan. Because I am lazy you can look for your own torrent or google the individual book titles + PDF.
Outbound Flight – Bear with me for a moment as I attempt to control my emotions. It’s just… Outbound Flight means so much to me. Set between TPM and AOTC, it serves as a prequel to Zahn’s later works and sets up crucial backstory for The Thrawn Trilogy. I personally think it works best if you read it afterwards, but you can do whatever you prefer. A really neat exploration of the role played by the Jedi in the Republic, and especially how they were viewed by civilians. Also Lorana Jinzler someone protect this precious child.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Novels – The Clone Wars tie-in novels are probably still considered canon, which is fortunate because they are all astounding. Wild Spaceis first in the series, and picks up where the closing scenes of Attack of the Clones left off. Featuring some intense Anakin/Padme shipping, Anakin dealing with his new role as general and Ahsoka’s master, and what I like to refer to as How Obi-Wan and Bail Organa Became Friends: A Hurt/Comfort Road Trip Fanfic For the Ages. It’s really quite flabbergasting. No Prisonersfollows, and features Ahsoka and Rex striking out on a mission of their own with none other than special guest star Gilad Pellaeon. Meanwhile, Anakin discovers a breakaway sect of the Jedi Order who are reasonable about things like relationships and emotions, and begins to question his place. (I can’t find the link I used to have if someone can find it GIMME). Stealth and Siege are the last two in the series, and Stealth ends on a cliffhanger leading into Siege – a cliffhanger for which I have never had a resolution ‘cause I can’t find the PDF. Nevertheless, Stealth is really well written with some heartbreakingly wonderful insights into Ahsoka and her Master’s relationship, the return of Lok Durd (ugh), and a dinner party in which Anakin and Padme re-enact this Kate Beaton comic.
Shatterpoint – Shatterpoint is a chronicle of that time when Lucasfim remembered that Mace Windu was played by Samuel L. Jackson and decided to exploit it. Twenty pages in and Mace Windu has bribed government officials, been irritated by travelling stand-up comedians, beaten up a load of dudes at the customs house while stark naked, and uttered the actual line ”How long will it take you to get over being dead?”.
The Med-Star Duology – The Med-Star series – Battle Surgeons and Jedi Healer – is a poorly veiled excuse for the oppourtunity to create Star Wars M*A*S*H. One of my favourite Clone Wars novels, it follows Barriss Offee and a motley group of doctors and nurses of a mobile hospital unit in the jungles of the Outer Rim.
IMPERIAL ERA 19 BBY – 4 ABY
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader – This novel is just a neat little vehicle for us to explore what goes on in Vader’s head immediatley after ROTS. Essential and heartbreaking.
Death Star – This is one of my favourites. A really fun and sad and sweet novel featuring an enemble cast behind the scenes of the ultimate weapon. This tells the story that the movie couldn’t – the architects, librarians, bartenders, pilots, gunners, smugglers, and doctors who called the Death Star their home. Way to go Luke (JUST KIDDING).
Allegience– ”In 0 ABY, a slightly inept stormtrooper unit was framed for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the intergalactic underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them….maybe you can hire… these guys.” That’s it it’s a stormtrooper A-Team AU guest starring sub-plots by Mara Jade and the Big Three. It’s really really good.
I’m not even going to touch Shadows of the Empire I don’t understand it at all.
NEW REPUBLIC ERA 5 ABY AND ONWARDS
The X-Wing Series – Yet another series I have failed to read, despite revolving around the various shenanigans of Rogue Squadron who are my third favourite thing about the OT. Why haven’t I read these? I DON’T KNOW I’M A TERRIBLE PERSON. Again, no PDFs, but I believe there are torrents floating around.
The Courtship of Princess Leia – This book is, as phil-the-stone so accurately describes it, “a trashy star wars version of shrek two”. It’s just really really bizarre and OOC and features a tap dance by C-3PO.
Tatooine Ghost – While on a mission to Tatooine, Leia discovers the truth about her father’s childhood and learns to make peace with the past. Featuring Grandma Shmi’s adorable diary and a lot of newlywed Han and Leia schmoop.
The Thrawn Trilogy– Oh boy. This is it. The Big One. I’m not even going to tell you why you should read them other than the fact that they are the most important Star Wars novels of all time why are you still here there is no time to waste. (xxx)
Young Jedi Knights – A very charming and cute series of six books aimed at young readers, following Anakin Solo’s training. Also, *points at Tahiri* luv that girl.
Junior Jedi Knights – Another charming series, this time focusing on Jacen and Jaina’s adventures with their friends. Written for young teens, it takes a slightly darker tone but everything wraps up happily. I can’t find a nice downloadable for these two so y’all are on your own for this one. But it’s worth it.
After this a bunch of stuff happens that I haven’t read and would probably upset me if I did.
Then comes the New Jedi Order series and the Yuuzahn Vong thing happens.
No.
I don’t care how popular these books are Chewbacca and Anakin Solo die and there is no way I will ever accept them.
Then there’s the Legacy of the Force series and if you thought NJO was bad you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Don’t read them they are awful. And not ‘oh my heart and feelings’ awful. Emotionally manipulative and doing dark sad things for cheap thrills awful.
Next up is Fate of the Jedi which continues the tradition of awful decisions the writers were allowed to make. Quick question for people who read these: why don’t you love yourselves?
In case you haven’t noticed this is where I stop caring and instead read irnan’s Swallows and Amazons AU.
So there you have it. Feel free to tell me where you think I’m wrong. I mean, I probably won’t take any notice if you do but suggestions and comments are welcome. Enjoy, anyway.
