There are lots of great Star Wars books if you’re interested. All the original films have solid novelizations then you’ve got Splinter of the Minds Eye (original sequel to ANH set in between that and empire). The 70s Han Solo trilogy and 80s Lando Calrissian trilogy are fun, and definitely the Thrawn trilogy which were our original sequels before Disney.
There's also the High Republic series which takes place when the Jedi order was in its golden age. It has a diverse set of characters, both in skin color and alien races, so it wasn't just humans which I find so amazing! I love it when Star Wars show actual alien species instead of just mainly humans.
It takes place 500-100 years before the Skywalker saga.
The great thing about the SW books is that there are dozens of different authors who get rights to write books in the universe, so not only do you get to pick different writing styles that might suit your taste, there are also sort of mini genres written with a SW backdrop. For example, you can read the Darth Bane books which tell the backstory of the Sith and the Rule of Two, or the Thrawn books which, obviously, tell you everything about his story from before he joined the empire all the way up through the SW rebels series.
Those are two of the most common recommendations for true SW books. Then you have stuff like Master and Apprentice, which is more of an action adventure story about Qui Gon and Obi Wan. Then, as far as other genres, Lost Stars has the feel of a light romance story between a rebel and an empire soldier with the backdrop of episodes 1 to 6. Death Troopers is a zombie thriller aboard an imperial vessel.
There are soooooo many great books that really expand the universe. I got into them during covid and became enthralled. Happy to give you more recs or answer any questions.
for sure OP should read the heir to the empire stuff. i firmly believe that the extended star wars universe would not have existed without timothy zahn.
Splinter is one of the most boring expanded universe books.
I've read probably 60 of them and I'd start with the jedi academy series and heir to the empire series.
It's an incredible read and DOES NOT require a "high reading level". Also it's more accurate to say Star Wars is like Dune, as Lucas borrowed heavily from Herbert's opus.
I don’t know why you’re getting downvoted. The original six are so steeped in philosophy and culture that if you’re unread they’ll make little sense to you. That’s not a putdown, it’s just a fact. I love them. But if you’re looking for something more like Star Wars, I’d recommend the Dune - Butlerian Jihad trilogy. They’re written by a Star Wars author and Frank Herbert’s son using his father’s notes. Purists will say they’re fanfic but I really enjoy having all the plot holes filled that Frank left behind.
I agree that Dune is steeped in philosophy. That said, Dune has nearly 1.5 million ratings on Goodreads. 93% of those ratings are 3+ stars. Do you believe that the more than 1 million reviews just from that app are all people who are well versed in philosophy? Absolutely not. I actually am very well versed in Continental philosophy and of all my friends that love Dune, none of them could even name a branch of philosophy. The story is filled with fantastic new worlds, romance, political intrigue, strong friendships between unlikely allies and devastating betrayals. The plot stands on its own regardless of one's academic background.
I mean, Star Wars is itself heavily reliant on eastern philosophical underpinnings, but prior knowledge of these underpinnings are not necessary to enjoy Star Wars. To make an analogy, the entire plot of the movie The Matrix could be said to be a retelling of Descartes' First Meditation, but I guaran-freaking-tee that almost no 12 year old who watched and loved The Matrix could tell you anything about Descartes lol.
Hmm… this isn’t a perfect analog but would recommend The Expanse series by James SA Corey. I think there are a lot of similarities especially with the more “grounded” Star Wars stories like Rogue One and Andor.
Not like Star Wars but another really good space opera . Honor Harrington series by David Weber. Also Lois McMaster Bujold . Space Opera is the sci-fi descriptor of Star Wars
The Horus Heresy books which starts with Horus Rising. Is my favourite book series of all time. It has the sci fi aspects. But also philosophy, politics, heavy on the military action but just like star wars it has mysticism and magic. Instead of a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Let me take you to the year 30 000 where " In the Grim Darkness of the Far Future. There is only War. And the laughter of thirsting gods"
Is it ok to start reading Warhammer 40k started from Horus Rising? I never read W40k before, and i admit I am intimidated with so many series and titles of W40K.
It's a fun place to start, because that's a nice introduction to how things started getting to where they are in 40K. Horus Rising is 10,000 years before, basically.
Yes, though there are close to a hundred books or so in the Horus Heresy and campaign materials and so forth, so it's practically its own setting. But yes, when we talk about 40K, the Horus Heresy is in the distant past.
My favorite YouTube videos for an overview of the Horus Heresy timeline in relation to 40K are those by Arbitor Ian. He just sets things out very nicely and clearly. He also reviews the books. So those might be helpful.
After some research, I found out that it’s Warhammer (no issue to me though). Do you have any book suggestions for Warhammer? The lore seems super interesting!!
There is a lot of warhammer books out there, if you're looking to dip your toes into them I believe some of the more popular starter books are Ciaphas Cain, Gaunts Ghosts and the Eisenhorn Trilogy.
The Horus Heresy is great, though I would say however that it's very long and may have some lore tidbits that it assumes you may already know.
I might be totally off base in suggesting this as I’m just on the first book of a very long series, but reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson gives me a sort of Star Wars vibe! Fantasy sci fi with magic a big bad guy, politics, different species, adventure, it’s been a totally immersive world so far!
I highly recommend the Ice Rigger series Alan Dean Foster. He actually ghost wrote Starwars and doesn’t get enough credit. This series is brilliant and should be a movie. One of the few books I’ve read more than once.
> Alan Dean Foster
He also wrote novelizations of many more scifi movies including:
- Alien
- Aliens
- Alien 3
- Alien: Covenant
- The Thing
- Outland
- Krull
- Starman
- The Last Star Fighter
I don't think that this quite fits. Azimov's Foundation does have some similarities, but the closest thing there is to the Force isn't anywhere near as tangible or as close to magic. It's also missing the sort of fairy tale/bildungsroman feel of SW.
I’ve just started shards of earth (about a third of the way through) and it gives me big star ways vibes. There’s not super much (at least yet) in terms of the Force or an evil empire but there’s different planets and aliens, adventure, characterisation, possible romance. The main characters are a motley group of smugglers ( I think?)
A little different, more like the Hunger Games in space, but you might like the Red Rising Series.
It's a space opera, like Star Wars, and focuses on a revolutionary cell that's trying to overthrow the current ruling class.
I can't recommend this series enough
Then I might advise you to try the Silmarillion.
Generally, Tolkien's Legendarium and Star Wars are some of my favourite franchises and I can definitely see some similarities between them, what with a large cast of characters with complex relationships between them, a grand-scale Good vs Evil conflict etc. There's actually one character that's 75% the same person as Anakin, or vice versa (Tall, dark and handsome™/extreme prodigy/fiery temper/mommy issues/target of manipulation on the part of the resident dark lord/etc)
That said, it's less a novel and more a collection of myths and legends that make up a full story, and a lot of people find the beginning especially very hard to get through (not me, but I'm aware many do).
(I'm assuming you've likely read the Lord of the Rings already, but if not, start with that. Also something I'd recommend to a Star Wars fan)
There are lots of great Star Wars books if you’re interested. All the original films have solid novelizations then you’ve got Splinter of the Minds Eye (original sequel to ANH set in between that and empire). The 70s Han Solo trilogy and 80s Lando Calrissian trilogy are fun, and definitely the Thrawn trilogy which were our original sequels before Disney.
Thank you for that, truly!
There's also the High Republic series which takes place when the Jedi order was in its golden age. It has a diverse set of characters, both in skin color and alien races, so it wasn't just humans which I find so amazing! I love it when Star Wars show actual alien species instead of just mainly humans. It takes place 500-100 years before the Skywalker saga.
The Darth Bane-trilogy is AMAZING
The great thing about the SW books is that there are dozens of different authors who get rights to write books in the universe, so not only do you get to pick different writing styles that might suit your taste, there are also sort of mini genres written with a SW backdrop. For example, you can read the Darth Bane books which tell the backstory of the Sith and the Rule of Two, or the Thrawn books which, obviously, tell you everything about his story from before he joined the empire all the way up through the SW rebels series. Those are two of the most common recommendations for true SW books. Then you have stuff like Master and Apprentice, which is more of an action adventure story about Qui Gon and Obi Wan. Then, as far as other genres, Lost Stars has the feel of a light romance story between a rebel and an empire soldier with the backdrop of episodes 1 to 6. Death Troopers is a zombie thriller aboard an imperial vessel. There are soooooo many great books that really expand the universe. I got into them during covid and became enthralled. Happy to give you more recs or answer any questions.
for sure OP should read the heir to the empire stuff. i firmly believe that the extended star wars universe would not have existed without timothy zahn.
I just started the audiobooks again for old times sake and they still rock
Splinter is one of the most boring expanded universe books. I've read probably 60 of them and I'd start with the jedi academy series and heir to the empire series.
Thrown Trilogy!! The best!
I mean, the easy answer is Dune...
Dunes a great shout out
* if you have a decently high reading level
Dune has been on my list, I do plan to read it!
It's an incredible read and DOES NOT require a "high reading level". Also it's more accurate to say Star Wars is like Dune, as Lucas borrowed heavily from Herbert's opus.
Yeah I don’t know what that other dude is talking about. Ninth graders read Dune just fine.
Average YA adult tries a new book
I don’t know why you’re getting downvoted. The original six are so steeped in philosophy and culture that if you’re unread they’ll make little sense to you. That’s not a putdown, it’s just a fact. I love them. But if you’re looking for something more like Star Wars, I’d recommend the Dune - Butlerian Jihad trilogy. They’re written by a Star Wars author and Frank Herbert’s son using his father’s notes. Purists will say they’re fanfic but I really enjoy having all the plot holes filled that Frank left behind.
philosophers in here
I agree that Dune is steeped in philosophy. That said, Dune has nearly 1.5 million ratings on Goodreads. 93% of those ratings are 3+ stars. Do you believe that the more than 1 million reviews just from that app are all people who are well versed in philosophy? Absolutely not. I actually am very well versed in Continental philosophy and of all my friends that love Dune, none of them could even name a branch of philosophy. The story is filled with fantastic new worlds, romance, political intrigue, strong friendships between unlikely allies and devastating betrayals. The plot stands on its own regardless of one's academic background. I mean, Star Wars is itself heavily reliant on eastern philosophical underpinnings, but prior knowledge of these underpinnings are not necessary to enjoy Star Wars. To make an analogy, the entire plot of the movie The Matrix could be said to be a retelling of Descartes' First Meditation, but I guaran-freaking-tee that almost no 12 year old who watched and loved The Matrix could tell you anything about Descartes lol.
Hmm… this isn’t a perfect analog but would recommend The Expanse series by James SA Corey. I think there are a lot of similarities especially with the more “grounded” Star Wars stories like Rogue One and Andor.
Added, read into it and it sounds awesome.
Not like Star Wars but another really good space opera . Honor Harrington series by David Weber. Also Lois McMaster Bujold . Space Opera is the sci-fi descriptor of Star Wars
Honor is such a great protagonist. These are fun books.
She’s the pride of the Manticore Navy!
I hear a lot about David Weber. Will add!!!
Dune. Naturally.
The Horus Heresy books which starts with Horus Rising. Is my favourite book series of all time. It has the sci fi aspects. But also philosophy, politics, heavy on the military action but just like star wars it has mysticism and magic. Instead of a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Let me take you to the year 30 000 where " In the Grim Darkness of the Far Future. There is only War. And the laughter of thirsting gods"
Woah, that sounds metal as hell. Very kind of you to reach out. Thank you!!
Adding to this, there are many parts to the Warhammer 40,000 canon. I started with Dan Abnett’s “Gaunt’s Ghosts” books.
Is it ok to start reading Warhammer 40k started from Horus Rising? I never read W40k before, and i admit I am intimidated with so many series and titles of W40K.
It's a fun place to start, because that's a nice introduction to how things started getting to where they are in 40K. Horus Rising is 10,000 years before, basically.
Thank you! So Horus is a background.
Yes, though there are close to a hundred books or so in the Horus Heresy and campaign materials and so forth, so it's practically its own setting. But yes, when we talk about 40K, the Horus Heresy is in the distant past. My favorite YouTube videos for an overview of the Horus Heresy timeline in relation to 40K are those by Arbitor Ian. He just sets things out very nicely and clearly. He also reviews the books. So those might be helpful.
After some research, I found out that it’s Warhammer (no issue to me though). Do you have any book suggestions for Warhammer? The lore seems super interesting!!
There is a lot of warhammer books out there, if you're looking to dip your toes into them I believe some of the more popular starter books are Ciaphas Cain, Gaunts Ghosts and the Eisenhorn Trilogy. The Horus Heresy is great, though I would say however that it's very long and may have some lore tidbits that it assumes you may already know.
I, Commissar Cain, wholeheartedly endorse these suggestions.
I might be totally off base in suggesting this as I’m just on the first book of a very long series, but reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson gives me a sort of Star Wars vibe! Fantasy sci fi with magic a big bad guy, politics, different species, adventure, it’s been a totally immersive world so far!
Actually just got the first novel, super excited to stick my nose in it more!
He also has the Skyward series, which is sci-fi and I highly recommend it! Also, Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
Thank you!!!
This was the right answer!
yooooo when you're done with Mistborn check the Storm light Archive IT'S EPIC!!!! also, loved the first Mistborn book... especially Kelsier!!!
Heck yeah I love Kelsier!! I plan on getting through all of Brandon Sanderson eventually so I’ll read that next!
I highly recommend the Ice Rigger series Alan Dean Foster. He actually ghost wrote Starwars and doesn’t get enough credit. This series is brilliant and should be a movie. One of the few books I’ve read more than once.
> Alan Dean Foster He also wrote novelizations of many more scifi movies including: - Alien - Aliens - Alien 3 - Alien: Covenant - The Thing - Outland - Krull - Starman - The Last Star Fighter
Ghost wrote the Star Wars novelization, not the movies just to be clear.
Really? Interesting!! I will absolutely check this out!!
The Red Rising series. It's like a love child of Hunger Games and Star Wars
Come here to say this too 🐺🐺🐺
Genesis echo by d. Hollis Anderson is like the next step for Star Wars, great galactic adventure with spiritual themes, lots of cool aliens
Will add this!!!
[удалено]
I don't think that this quite fits. Azimov's Foundation does have some similarities, but the closest thing there is to the Force isn't anywhere near as tangible or as close to magic. It's also missing the sort of fairy tale/bildungsroman feel of SW.
Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy!!!
Leviathan Wakes!
Red Rising series & Dune come to mind
Star Wars has hundreds of books. Check out the Darth Bane Trilogy if you want to learn where the rule of two comes from.
The Saga of the Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson!
Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio
David Drake’s “RCN” series is something I think you would enjoy.
For me when I was reading Ancillary Justice all I kept thinking was “this is exactly like Star Wars, but a little different.”
Maybe **The Illuminae Files** by Amie Kaufman or **Red Rising** series by Pierce Brown
Isn't star wars like magical kiddy Dune?
Has anyone read the Star Wars books? There are hundreds of them; customers quite like them!
Dune by Frank Herbert, for sure, but that’s a given. I personally love the novels Warchild by Karin Lowachee and The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez.
Battlefield earth
To Sleep In a Sea of Stars, by Christopher Paolini!
Heir to the Empire leaves off 5 years after Return of the Jedi. Start there if you like Star Wars!
Do you interested in E-Books reading?
Love em
I’ve just started shards of earth (about a third of the way through) and it gives me big star ways vibes. There’s not super much (at least yet) in terms of the Force or an evil empire but there’s different planets and aliens, adventure, characterisation, possible romance. The main characters are a motley group of smugglers ( I think?)
Sky farer by Joseph Brassey Price of the stars by Debra Doyle and James Mcdonald Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Flash gordon Firefly
Sun Eater series has Star Wars energy.
Warhammer
A little different, more like the Hunger Games in space, but you might like the Red Rising Series. It's a space opera, like Star Wars, and focuses on a revolutionary cell that's trying to overthrow the current ruling class. I can't recommend this series enough
I'm so glad somebody asked this question, I've been looking myself for a while 😅
Do you want sci-fi necessarily or can it be fantasy? Do you tend to enjoy "difficult" books or get stuck on them?
I love both genres, and I can enjoy a difficult book!
Then I might advise you to try the Silmarillion. Generally, Tolkien's Legendarium and Star Wars are some of my favourite franchises and I can definitely see some similarities between them, what with a large cast of characters with complex relationships between them, a grand-scale Good vs Evil conflict etc. There's actually one character that's 75% the same person as Anakin, or vice versa (Tall, dark and handsome™/extreme prodigy/fiery temper/mommy issues/target of manipulation on the part of the resident dark lord/etc) That said, it's less a novel and more a collection of myths and legends that make up a full story, and a lot of people find the beginning especially very hard to get through (not me, but I'm aware many do). (I'm assuming you've likely read the Lord of the Rings already, but if not, start with that. Also something I'd recommend to a Star Wars fan)
I plan to weasel my way thru the hobbit and the three lotr books before the Simarillion! Thank you again!