'Star Wars' Books To Read While You Wait For The Next Movie

Star Wars

Aug 28

At the time of writing this article, it's a rather quiet time for Star Wars. Season two of Andor is long gone, and if you don't count the upcoming LEGO special LEGO: Rebuild the Galaxy and the third season of Star Wars: Visions, the next "big thing" will be The Mandalorian and Grogu in coming May.

But no new films and TV shows doesn't mean no Star Wars content. On the publishing front, a constant stream of new comics and books is released every month.

Things are less convoluted since the former Expanded Universe became Legends and Lucasfilm started a new continuity in 2014, but the last eleven years have nonetheless seen more than 70 novels released, and this number doesn't even include the young readers' books, short stories, and reference materials.

So to pass the time until May 22 (when The Mandalorian and Grogu comes out), here are several books from current Star Wars canon worth checking out.

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10. Master & Apprentice

Author: Cluadia Gray

Original publication date: April 16, 2019

Pages: 330

Audiobook available: Yes

Centered roughly seven years before The Phantom Menace, Master & Apprentice explores the complex dynamic between Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his 17-year-old Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their relationship is tested on a mission to Teth involving the Hutts, revealing Qui-Gon’s concerns about his teaching and Obi-Wan’s struggle to prove himself. The arrival of an unexpected offer threatens their bond as they navigate a perilous political conflict—a journey of trust, faith, and understanding.

If you want to know more about the inner struggles Obi-Wan went through while being under Qui-Gon's apprenticeship, Padawan by Kiersten White is also a good read.

9. Dooku: Jedi Lost

Autor: Cavan Scott

Original publication date: October 1, 2019

Pages: 480

Audiobook available: Yes (audio drama)

Presented as an immersive audio script, Dooku: Jedi Lost unfolds through Asajj Ventress’s investigation into Count Dooku’s past—particularly why he left the Jedi Order—as she travels to find his sister, Jenza. Through her mission and deep dives into old records, layers of Dooku’s motivations and history are revealed, offering emotional insight and haunting drama.

What makes this book special is that it shows not only the noble lineage of Dooku as a young man, but his interest in the Dark Side and his growing frustration with the way the Jedi Order operated.

8. Brotherhood

Author: Mike Chen

Original publication date: May 10, 2022

Pages: 329

Audiobook available: Yes

Set shortly after Attack of the Clones, Brotherhood follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they confront the shifting dynamics of their Master–Apprentice bond amid the rising threat of the Clone Wars. Fresh into his knighthood and navigating new responsibilities—including as a husband - Anakin’s personal growth and Amidala dynamics are at the heart of this emotionally driven tale.

The special strength of this book is its emphasis on the strong bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin, making their later fallout even more dramatic.

7. Reign Of The Empire: The Mask Of Fear

Author: Alexander Freed

Original publication date: February 25, 2025

Pages: 496

Audiobook available: Yes

The first in a trilogy set in the early years of the Empire, The Mask of Fear takes place about a year after Revenge of the Sith. It follows Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera as they contend with emerging tyranny—each responding differently to the encroaching darkness as they lay the groundwork for what will become the Rebel Alliance. The novel is a sharp, political thriller with modern-day resonance.

This book (and probably its upcoming sequels) is a must-read for anyone who has watched the second season of Andor.

6. Jedi: Battle Scars

Author: Sam Maggs

Original publication date: March 7, 2023

Pages: 304

Audiobook available: Yes

Set a few years after Fallen Order, Jedi: Battle Scars follows Cal Kestis and his crew aboard the Stinger Mantis as they undermine the Empire. When a defector stormtrooper named Fret seeks their help to retrieve a galaxy-altering artifact, trust becomes their greatest battle. It’s a story filled with physical and emotional scars, challenges of loyalty, and the bonds that hold together makeshift families in uncertain times.

Like both of EA's Battlefront games received a book treatment, the story and the characters of Jedi: Fallen Order are greatly expanded with this novel.

5. Lost Stars

Author: Claudia Gray

Original publication date: September 4, 2015

Pages: 551

Audiobook available: Yes

Spanning before, during, and after the original trilogy, Lost Stars centers on childhood friends Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree. Though they share a deep bond, their allegiance pulls them apart: Thane joins the Rebel Alliance; Ciena remains with the Empire. Their friendship—and a subtle romance—is tested by politics, war, and personal conviction as they navigate opposing paths.

What makes this YA novel special (besides the chemistry between the two main characters) is that many of the scenes happen just "outside the camera" of the Original Trilogy.

4. Bloodline

Author: Claudia Gray

Original publication date: May 3, 2016

Pages: 341

Audiobook available: Yes

Set six years before The Force Awakens, Bloodline focuses on Senator Leia Organa, now entrenched in the New Republic Senate as political dysfunction spirals. The narrative unfolds amid a brewing covert threat; Leia must investigate what’s happening beneath the surface—and potentially take one last mission before her career ends. It’s a gripping political thriller that reaffirms Leia’s formidable presence beyond her familial legacy.

Bloodline is probably the book that gives the most indication of how the First Order could have risen so soon after the fall of the Empire.

3. Crimson Climb

Author: E. K. Johnston

Date of publication: October 10, 2023

Pages: 368

Audibook available: Yes

Crimson Climb delves into Qi’ra’s early journey within the Crimson Dawn syndicate. Left behind on Corellia after attempting an escape with Han, Qi’ra must fight to survive—and ultimately thrive. She uncovers betrayal within the syndicate, carves a path to power, and gains the attention of Dryden Vos and Crimson Dawn’s shadowy leadership. It’s a gritty, character-driven tale of resilience, ambition, and self-discovery.

While Marvel's Star Wars comics set between Episodes V and VI show Qi'ra at the height of her power as the leader of Crimson Dawn, this book answers the question of what happened to the young woman after she was separated from Han Solo and before she met Maul.

2. Thrawn

Author: Timothy Zahn

Date of publication: April 11, 2017

Pages: 427

Audiobook available: Yes

Thrawn chronicles the rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn—from exile among the Chiss to becoming one of the Empire’s brilliant tacticians. Discovered by Imperial scouts, he earns his place under Emperor Palpatine through strategic acumen. Alongside him is Ensign Eli Vanto, whom he mentors, while ruthless politician Arihnda Pryce maneuvers her own ascent. This origin story offers insight into Thrawn’s ingenuity, loyalty, and ambition.

Zahn continued the story of the Chiss in Thrawn: Alliances and Thrawn: Treason, and also wrote a trilogy of books set before this novel (Thrawn: Ascendancy).

1. The High Republic

Lucasfilm's massive publishing push, comprising more than 20 novels and dozens of comics, covering nearly 250 years of Star Wars chronology may seem hard to get into, but a good point to start with is probably Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi from 2021 that introduces many of the main characters of this era, like the Jedi Bell Zettifar, Avar Kriss, and Elzar Mann as well as the main antagonists of the series, the Nihil.

Reference books

For those seeking out-of-universe books about the galaxy far, far away, there are a lot of gems to dive into headfirst: J. W. Rinzler's The Making of books for Episodes IV - VI remain kind of the gold standard, but there are also Making of books for Episodes I and III (strangely not for Attack of the Clones). Paul Duncan's Star Wars Archives books for Episodes I-III and IV-VI also offer a bunch of new information about the creation of the Star Wars films of the George Lucas era, and if you can get a copy of The Art of Ralph McQuarrie, you will see the lasting influence this phenomenal artist still has on the visual language of Star Wars.

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