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Here is your official guide to theStar WarsLegends books in chronological order. Months before the firstStar Warsmovie hit theaters in 1977, readers were introduced to George Lucas' galaxy far, far away through the novelization in 1976. When the film became a massive hit, the franchise continued to expand through original novels, includingAlan Dean Foster’sSplinter of the Mind’s Eye, written to be adapted as a low-budget movie if needed. The modernStar WarsExpanded Universetruly kicked off in 1991 with Timothy Zahn’sHeir to the Empire, the first novel of the bestselling Thrawn trilogy.
When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, they wanted to give creative freedom to new filmmakers and make it easier for new readers to jump intoStar Wars. On August 16, 2025, theStar WarsExpanded Universe was rebranded as “Legends,” and all stories published from that point on would be set in the new official canon. Many of the newStar Warsmovies and TV showscontain story elements that originated in Legends, so here’s your guide to every Expanded Universe book in chronological order. Note thatthis doesn’t include choose-your-own-adventure stories, simple adaptations, comics, or stories of debatable “canonicity.”
Star Wars Books Set During The Dawn Of The Jedi Era
37,000 BBY - 25,000 BBY
While the origin of the Jedi Order had been touched on previously inStar Warsreference guides, stories set during this era began publishing in 2012. The comic seriesStar Wars: Dawn of the Jediby John Ostrander and Jan Duursema reveals howForce-sensitives from across the galaxy came to the planet Tython to form the Je’Daii Order.
All Canon Star Wars Books In Chronological Order
Star Wars' canon books were effectively relaunched when Disney acquired Lucasfilm. Here’s a timeline of all novels in chronological order.
It also features the Rakatan Infinite Empire, first mentioned in theStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicvideo game. The series ran for 15 issues and received one tie-in novel, set around the same time as the comic’s first arc.
Star Wars Books Set During The Old Republic Era
25,000 BBY - 1,000 BBY
This era covers the thousand generations in which"… the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the old Republic.“The stories of the ancient Jedi Knights were first told through theTales of the Jedicomics but gained greater recognition thanks to theStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicvideo games.
The online gameStar Wars: The Old Republicfurther expanded this era, received various tie-ins, and is the only project regularly producing new Legends content. The Old Republic era ends approximately 1,000 years before theStar Warsmovieswith the apparent defeat of the Sith.
Star Wars Books Set During The Rise Of The Empire Era
1,000 BBY - 0 BBY
With the Sith defeated, and the Galactic Republic reorganized, the galaxy enters 1,000 years of peace. Unknown to the Jedi, Darth Bane was the last survivor and reformed the Sith under his “Rule of Two” doctrine. Rather than increase their numbers, there will only be one master and apprentice at a time, and the Sith will conquer the Republic from within. The Sith Gran Plan culminates in the events of theStar Warsprequel trilogywhenDarth Sidious declares himself Emperor Palpatine and decimates the Jedi Order, turning Anakin Skywalker to the dark side as his apprentice, Darth Vader.
Star Wars Books Set During The Rebellion Era
0 BBY - 5 ABY
Just as the Galactic Empire is about to secure its eternal reign over the galaxy,a new hope emerges in the form of Luke Skywalker, who destroys the first Death Star. Aided by his loyal friends, Luke vows to become a Jedi Knight, while the Galactic Civil War rages as the Rebel Alliance fights to end the Empire’s tyranny. Luke learns that Darth Vader is his father and that Princess Leia Organa is his sister. In a final act of redemption, Vader sacrifices himself to save Luke, ending the Emperor’s reign as the Rebellion becomes a New Republic.
Star Wars Books Set During The New Republic Era
5 ABY - 25 ABY
Although Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are gone, the remaining Imperial factions wage war against the fledgling New Republic. The rebels must contend with an array of deadly enemies, including Director Ysanne Isard, Admiral Natasi Daala, the ancient Sith Lord Exar Kun, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and even the resurrected Emperor Palpatine. These last two villains appeared inthe Thrawntrilogy by Timothy Zahn and the comic seriesStar Wars: Dark Empireby Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedyrespectively, which collectively kicked off the modernStar WarsExpanded Universe in 1991.
Star Wars Books Set During The New Jedi Order Era
25 ABY - 40 ABY
Luke Skywalker has successfully trained a new generation of Jedi Knights, but they are soon put to the test when the Yuuzhan Vong invade the galaxy. This race of deadly warriors despises technology, sacrifices people to their gods, and conquers every world in their path.
Most significant of all,the Yuuzhan Vong somehow exist outside the Force, making them formidable opponents for the Jedi. The conflict pushes the New Republic to the brink and divides the Jedi Order, with some like Jacen Solo questioning the role the Jedi should play and the true nature of the Force.
Star Wars Books Set During The Legacy Era
40+ ABY
Following the Yuuzhan Vong War, the New Republic has been replaced by the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. Hoping to prevent his visions of a galaxy consumed by war, Jacen Solo is gradually converted to the dark side and becomes the deadly Sith Lord Darth Caedus. He is eventually defeated by his sister, Jaina Solo, but this comes at great cost and strains the Jedi Order’s relationship with the Galactic Alliance in subsequent stories. Although theStar Warsnovels end withCrucibleby Troy Denning,the Legacy era continues through theStar Wars: Legacycomics.
Star Wars Anthologies
Stories across the Legends timeline
Finally, there are severalStar Warsanthologies collecting short stories from the Expanded Universe. Most of these were published in the 1990s and are primarily set around the time of the originalStar Warstrilogy, while theLost Tribe of the Sithshort stories are set thousands of years before the movies. Because these stories are set at various points in the timeline,the anthologies have no definitive placement alongside the novels. Some details in these stories no longer align with the movies and TV shows, making it unclear how “canon” they are within theStar WarsLegends timeline.
Sources
Del Rey’s “The Star Wars Legends Novels Timeline” (included inStar WarsLegends paperback reprints)
