10 Best Star Wars Books For Fans Of The Original Trilogy (According To Youtini)

The Star Wars series is one of the biggest and most extensive fictional universes in modern media, and nine feature films simply couldn’t contain the awe-inspiring wonder of the galaxy far, far away. Spawning into comics, games, TV series, and books helped expand the lore and legends of George Lucas’s mystical space opera.

There are 40 core novels, not including comics, published since 2014, and the mythology keeps growing and growing. With dozens upon dozens to pick from, it can be hard to decide where to start. Fortunately, Youtini has several great guides and collections for fans to begin their journeys. That being said, classic fans might want to start with selections surrounding the original trilogy.

Heir To The Jedi By Kevin Hearne (5.8)

While this might have a “mediocre” rating by the community standards, a first-person account of Luke Skywalker’s adventures is definitely something classic fans can get on board with. Taking place after the events of A New Hope, the novel follows Luke as he discovers his new Jedi powers.

All great superpowered protagonists need a chance to hone their abilities, and Luke is no different from the likes of Harry Potter or even Superman. What die-hard fans will definitely latch onto is the intense and personal approach to the thoughts and emotions of one of the series’ most essential characters.

Tales Of The Bounty Hunters By Various Authors (7.3)

With the popularity of The Mandalorian and the recently released Book of Boba Fett, it’s clear that the audience’s love for bounty hunters is as strong now as it was during the release of the original trilogy. Anthologies are a great way to experience various stories and points of view, and the Tales Of series is great for just exploring the Star Wars universe.

Readers will be exposed to six of the galaxy’s deadliest hired guns, including a prominent appearance by the legendary Boba Fett. Anyone who has even the slightest remote interest in bounty hunters will want to add this anthology to their collection.

Aftermath By Chuck Wendig (7.4)

The Aftermath trilogy by Chuck Wendig is the bridge between the titular aftermath of the events seen in Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. This first entry in the trilogy sees a new generation of heroes along with old familiar favorites like Wedge Antilles uniting to fend off against the struggling remains of the empire.

As new threats are uncovered, the book sets in motion the events that create The Force Awakens. Those readers looking to connect the original series and Disney’s new trilogy wouldn’t be wrong for giving this one a read.

Tales From Jabba’s Palace By Various (7.6)

If readers have finished their time with Boba Fett and the rest of the Bounty Hunters, they might want to take a trip to Jabba’s Palace on Tatooine. Tales From Jabba’s Palace contains a collection of different stories featuring the sinister deeds of the famous Hutt, and the legion of allies and assassins he meets as well.

For many fans, Jabba is seen as more of a joke than an actual threat, but those who’ve paid attention to the lore of the galaxy know that he is indeed one dangerous character. The stories brought forth in this collection range from the origins of the Rancor and his keeper to an assassination plot involving Bib Fortuna, and will easily entertain as well as thrill.

Death Star By Michael Reaves And Steve Perry (7.7)

The Death Star is one of the most infamous weapons in the sci-fi genre, but it didn’t just spring up overnight. Death Star by Michael Reaves unfolds the origins and construction of the Empire’s devastating technological terror from its conception to completion.

As the title states, the Death Star itself is the main attraction of this stand-alone novel as it’s brought to life by the legions of soldiers, architects, and spies that see it to completion. It’s a story of intrigue and surprise as the twists and turns keep the plot moving through the corridors of the space station.

Scoundrels By Timothy Zahn (7.9)

Classic Star Wars fans can’t get enough of Han and Chewie’s adventures in the Millenium Falcon, and Scoundrels certainly delivers on that premise. The book picks up events with the famous smuggler after the events of A New Hope as Han starts wondering what his next quest will be.

That question is soon answered when Han takes up a job to steal a gangster’s incredible horde to pay off his debt to Jabba, but the Black Sun Syndicate isn’t the typical space mafia. Han, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian are sent headfirst into an interstellar crime caper that fans of the characters shouldn’t miss.

Alphabet Squadron By Alexander Freed (8.1)

Set after Return of the Jedi, Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed is a character-driven adventure that concerns a group of X-Wing pilots and the uncertain future at the dawn of the galaxy’s New Republic. The Alphabet Squadron themselves are a mixed bag of characters and personalities that must work together to track down a surviving force of TIE-fighters at the edges of the galaxy.

Star Wars is known for its lightsaber duels, freaky aliens, and ways of the Force, but it’s also known for epic space battles that can surround an entire planet, and this book resoundingly delivers on that portion of the equation. The complex characters and adventures across the stars in magnificent spacecraft will keep readers on edge and eager to continue with the trilogy.

Choices Of One By Timothy Zahn (8.3)

Set just months after the Battle of Yavin, Choices of One deals with the fate of the Rebels after Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star. Forced to flee from their base on Yavin, Luke, Han, Leia, and the rest of their allies are pushed from their sanctuary into uncertain territory in the Candoras Sector.

While the Rebels might have escaped the Empire briefly, Mara Jade and the Hand of Judgement have been sent by the Emperor right on their heels. What unfolds is a battle of wits, treachery, and twisted surprises that will keep readers gripping the pages.

The Empire Strikes Back: From A Certain Point Of View By Various Authors (8.5)

It’s been established thus far that the Star Wars anthologies offer up fantastic stories concerning a united narrative, and From a Certain Point of View easily falls into that category. While there are editions involving all three entries in the original trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back comes highly recommended.

With 40 stories packed with aliens, droids, Jedi, Stormtroopers, and more, fans of any Star Wars movie will find something to absolutely adore in this collection. There’s practically a story to fit any taste.

Lost Stars By Claudia Gray (9.8)

If there’s one book on Youtini that comes with the highest of praise, it’s Lost Stars by Claudia Gray. This incredible novel features a romance between star-crossed lovers on opposite sides of the battle between the Rebels and the Empire, but the main narrative only scratches the surface of the material this book has to offer.

Along with providing readers with a gripping conflict of hearts, interests, and allegiances, the book also sheds light and perspective on the lives of Stormtroopers, renegades, and Rebel pilots. Simply put, it offers one of the best ways to experience the extended universe in literary form.

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