Undoubtedly one of the greatest entertainment properties in modern times, the Star Wars universe has been taking fans on journeys throughout a galaxy far, far away for almost five decades. Resonating in the young and old, longtime experts and those just beginning their sci-fi odysseys, this fiction staple includes some of the best Star Wars book series for beginners.
It should come as no surprise that the Star Wars book catalog contains an intimidating mountain of storytelling, with over 400+ entries, daunting to even the most seasoned fans. Enter yours truly, an avid Star Wars fan and reader for three decades, who has taken my overall understanding of Star Wars history, applied it with the utmost attention to detail and crafted this ultimate reading list of the best Star Wars book series for beginners.
Darth Bane Trilogy
Best-selling author Drew Karpyshyn penned a masterpiece on the Sith of the Old Republic with the Darth Bane Trilogy. Bane delves into the dark side as he reforges the Sith with the fabled Rule of Two, a mandate stipulating “two there should be; no more, no less. One to embody the power, the other to crave it.” This titanic shift in Sith philosophy, imposed by Bane, allowed the Sith to survive extinction and plot revenge on the Jedi.
Bane offers a bit of everything to the reader with equal parts action, intrigue, and lore-building. Whether it’s his quest for ancient Sith holocrons, his deadly relationship with his apprentice, Darth Zannah, or his magnetic gravitas, Darth Bane is a Sith you want to root for.
Ronin: A Visions Novel
Undoubtedly one of the most unique books set in a galaxy far, far away, Ronin: A Visions Novel by Emma Mieko Candon is a splendid beginner read that depicts the titular Ronin and his story in shaping the histories of the Jedi and Sith. Adapting this thought-provoking read from the Star Wars Visions short ‘The Duel,’ Candon crafts a mysterious alternate reality tale with fascinating characters and an esoteric view of the Force, perfectly set in feudal Japan.
Garnering an entry on this list for its wildly imaginative realization of Jedi and Sith beginnings, Ronin proves that Star Wars themes and plots are as diverse as the species in its universe. This story is a testament to the potential alternate reality storytelling has within Star Wars literature. I, for one, hope for more Ronin-esque offerings in the future.
Darth Plagueis
In Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, beginners are given an indelible origin story on the Sith famously referenced in Episode III‘s ‘The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis’ scene. Here, readers see Plagueis usurp the role of Master and mold an aspiring politician into the executor of the Grand Plan. By dipping into many fascinating elements of Star Wars, from the shadowy machinations of the Sith to the majestic floor of the Galactic Senate, Darth Plagueis proves its worth.
Luceno poignantly exhibits Plagueis’s desire for control over midi-chlorians, the fabled genetic markers of Force-sensitives, and how it spirals into his undoing. Combined with his vivid depiction of Sheev Palpatine’s tragic fall to the dark side and the conflict perpetuating the Rule of Two, Darth Plagueis remains an essential read for Star Wars beginners.
Star Wars: Republic Commando Series
Spawned as a tie-in book series to the cult classic, tactical first-person shooter Star Wars: Republic Commando, the Republic Commando series is a nostalgic delve into the Clone Wars/Rise of the Empire era of Star Wars. Following up on a title many consider among the greatest Star Wars games ever produced, the Commando books had to capture the ‘in-the-trenches’ feel of the game, and they delivered.
Written by sci-fi author Karen Traviss, the Commando series follows a group of wayward clone troopers dubbed Omega Squad, coming together as a unit and fighting the good fight against seething galactic conflict. Traviss expertly captures the militaristic boots on the ground, battling as brothers feel that made the Commando game resonate in the hearts of Star Wars fans.
Star Wars: The Dark Lord Trilogy
No Star Wars beginner reading list would be complete without including Darth Vader, unequivocally one of the most iconic baddies to grace literary fiction. Enter the Dark Lord Trilogy, a splendid trio of books focusing on critical moments for Anakin Skywalker before, during, and after the events of Episode III. The final result is a series crammed with insightful reading on the Chosen One that takes readers into the most critical stages of Anakin’s fall to the dark side and transformation into a Dark Lord of the Sith.
Without a doubt, authors James Luceno and Matt Stover did their due diligence regarding this genre-spanning sci-fi icon, eloquently articulating the conflicting self-doubt raging within Vader as he wrestles with his role in establishing the Galactic Empire. As a result, Vader’s inner angst will become a focal point as he transitions into his role as the Emperor’s right hand and sets out to bring his vision of peace to the galaxy.
The Han Solo Trilogy
A delightful origin series on the galaxy’s favorite scruffy nerf-herder, the Han Solo Trilogy gives an integral backstory on Han Solo, detailing the years and events leading up to his appearance in Episode IV. Debuting in 1998, the first book of the trilogy, The Paradise Snare, kicks off this top-notch series following Solo from his lowly beginnings as a street urchin on Corellia to his historic Kessel run and all the crazy antics in between.
While the Force users of Star Wars garner the most notoriety, it’s the everyday men, women, humans and aliens that feature in the most intriguing stories. A.C. Crispin’s intimate look into Han before the original trilogy hits the mark, giving fans an intimate view regarding his ex-lovers, former Imperial connections, procuring the Millennium Falcon, and his enduring friendship with the Wookie, Chewbacca, denoting this as a best Star Wars beginner book series.
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren
Focusing on the sequel trilogy, The Rise of Kylo Ren is mandatory reading on the future Supreme Leader of the First Order. Charles Soule pens a classic origin series for Star Wars fans, expertly chronicling the factors in Ben Solo’s descent to the dark side and Kylo Ren’s ascension.
Easily possessing the most depth of the sequel trilogy, Kylo Ren’s struggles with his lineage were felt by fans. Importantly, Soule captures this tangible conflict, taking readers into Ben’s thoughts and artistically detailing the competing forces of light and dark warring within. Rise is a stark illustration of not just Kylo Ren’s rise from the ashes but also his seizing of his own destiny.
Light of the Jedi
Showcasing the newest continuity of Star Wars, Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule introduces fans to a bright time in the galaxy as the High Republic enters an age of expansion and innovation, hoping to bring its light to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Introducing a plethora of colorful characters, like the wise Jedi Master Avar Kriss and Marchion Ro, the mysterious Eye of the savage Nihil raiders, and complete with an original, creative plot revolving around a hyperspace catastrophe, Light proves itself deserving of its 2021 Goodreads Choice Award nomination.
Indeed, Light offers beginning Star Wars readers a superb introduction as the first entry into the High Republic, presenting it in a vivid, easily digestible format. Light notably shows the Jedi of Star Wars without their traditional Sith opposition, giving beginner fans a refreshing take on a different era and the Jedi that lit its path.
Star Wars: Ahsoka
Garnering countless fans since her first appearance in The Clone Wars animated movie, the genre-spanning Ahsoka Tano has cemented her place in Star Wars fandom with her youthful, creative spirit, her balanced ebb to Anakin’s flow, and her gigantic heart. With that in mind, it only makes sense that this list features Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston.
Taking place shortly after Ahsoka departs the Jedi Order, this fast-paced read follows her efforts to disappear on a planet in the Outer Rim and avoid the horrors of Order 66. In particular, Johnston seizes on Ahsoka’s most pronounced traits and brings them to life. Indeed, after a chance Imperial encounter leaves her and her adopted family in the crosshairs of one of Darth Vader’s dark-side Inquisitor assassins, Ahsoka must risk it all in this best Star Wars read for beginners.
Heir to the Empire Trilogy
For Star Wars fans in the ’90s, the outlook was grim. Almost a decade after the epic conclusion of Return of the Jedi, little had been done to capitalize on this wonderfully imaginative universe. Thankfully for fans worldwide, acclaimed author Timothy Zahn would pen the Heir to the Empire Trilogy, instantly reigniting the eventual Legends continuity of Star Wars.
In this #1 NY Times bestseller, Zahn crafted a genuinely engaging tale, sci-fi space opera at its finest, complete with familiar faces from Episodes IV-VI, perhaps the best blue anti-hero ever, and intrigue until the last page. Surely, offering beginners the ideal mix of force and non-force elements, the Heir series remains a must-read literary piece on Star Wars.
Published: Jul 13, 2024 10:38 am