Star Wars is one of the most beloved franchises of all time, and its popularity means that there are tons of books out there that cover the expansive universe. If you’re just getting started with the Star Wars books, then you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options available. To help you out, we have compiled a list of the best Star Wars books to read first. Whether you’re a fan of the original films, the prequels, the sequels, or all of the above, this list of Star Wars books will have something for everyone! So grab your lightsaber, get comfortable, and prepare to dive into a galaxy far, far away…
Best Star Wars Books To Read First
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
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1
 |
Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1)
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Resistance Reborn (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Spark of the Resistance
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker First Order Villains (Level 2 Reader) (World of Reading)
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue! (Origami Yoda #5)
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Learn to Read with Star Wars Boxed Set – 3 Level 2 DK Readers + Character Guide
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Phasma (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
1. Heir to the Empire 2. Dark Force Rising 3. The Last Command (Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy)
|
7. 2
|
1. Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1)
Heir to the Empire, the first book in the Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn, is an exciting and enjoyable read. The story follows Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia as they battle a new enemy, Grand Admiral Thrawn, in a galactic civil war. Zahn does a great job of capturing the spirit of the original Star Wars trilogy, while adding his own unique spin to the story. He introduces a number of new characters and elements to the Star Wars universe, and develops them in a believable and engaging way. The pacing is fast and the action is intense, and the book is filled with clever twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. Overall, Heir to the Empire is a great read, and a must-have for any Star Wars fan.
- Bestselling novel written by Timothy Zahn
- Set five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
- Introduces the alien Grand Admiral Thrawn, an Imperial warlord
- Features characters from the original trilogy as well as new characters
- Focuses on the political, diplomatic, and military consequences of the destruction of the Death Star
- Awards won: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1992) & Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1992)
2. Resistance Reborn (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Resistance Reborn (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a great book for any Star Wars fan. It is a captivating story that builds up to the events of the upcoming movie, The Rise of Skywalker. The book follows General Leia Organa as she struggles to rebuild the Resistance and rally the galaxy to face a new threat from the First Order. The story is full of action and suspense and is a great way to get a sneak peek of whats to come in the movie. The characters are well-developed and the plot is well-paced. The book is a must-read for any Star Wars fan looking for an exciting adventure. Highly recommend it!
- Set in the time leading up to the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
- Features characters from the original Star Wars trilogy, including Leia Organa, Rey, and Poe Dameron, as well as some new faces
- Explores the origins of the Resistance and how it was reborn from the ashes of the Empire
- Focuses on the stories of two women at the heart of the Resistance: General Leia Organa and Vice Admiral Rae Sloane
- Uses a mixture of flashback scenes and present-day events to tell its story
- Includes a journey to the desert planet of Pasaana and a meeting with a new alien species
- Features several classic Star Wars creatures, ships, and locations
3. Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector is an engaging, action-packed book that is great for Star Wars fans of all ages. It follows a young scavenger named Venk as he embarks on a journey to find the origin of a mysterious Force Collector. Along the way, Venk meets a host of strange and interesting characters and discovers secrets about the Force and its power. The book is full of exciting twists and turns, and the characters are likable and relatable. The writing is fast-paced and engaging, and the illustrations are vivid and bring the story to life. Overall, Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector is an entertaining and captivating read that is sure to delight Star Wars fans. Highly recommended!
- Explore iconic locations from the Star Wars saga, including Jakku, Ahch-To, and more
- Collect Force cards to build your very own digital Skywalker Saga card collection
- Unlock exclusive rewards as you progress and gain access to enhanced content
- Learn more about the characters, ships, and creatures from the films
- Play game-like activities to help hone your Force abilities
4. Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Spark of the Resistance
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Spark of the Resistance is an amazing book. It offers an exciting and action-packed story about a group of brave Resistance fighters who are tasked with a dangerous mission. The characters are diverse and interesting, and the story is filled with suspense and drama. The artwork is stunning and captures the adventure perfectly. The book is a great addition to the Star Wars universe and provides an engaging look into the galaxys past. Highly recommended!
- Experience a thrilling interactive adventure on the Star Wars planet of Batuu
- Join Rey, Poe, and BB-8 on an epic mission to save Batuu
- Unlock secret areas, solve puzzles, and use your knowledge of the Star Wars galaxy to gain access to special rewards
- Enjoy a fully immersive role-playing experience with interactive activities and challenges
- Connect with iconic characters from the Star Wars universe and make decisions that will shape your destiny
5. Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker First Order Villains (Level 2 Reader) (World of Reading)
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker First Order Villains (Level 2 Reader) (World of Reading) is a fantastic book for young Star Wars fans. The book follows the story of the First Order Villains and the rise of the evil Kylo Ren. It is written in a way that is easy for kids to understand and follow. The illustrations are beautiful and help to bring the story to life. The book also introduces young readers to a variety of characters from the Star Wars universe, so it is a great way to introduce kids to the world of Star Wars. I highly recommend this book for any Star Wars fan, young or old!
- Includes a full-color illustration to accompany the story as readers progress.
- Part of the World of Reading series.
- Provides an exciting level 2 reader retelling the events from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
- Features characters from the First Order.
- Designed for children ages 6-8.
6. Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue! (Origami Yoda #5)
I recently read ‘Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue!’ (Origami Yoda #5) and I must say, it was a great read! The story follows the adventures of Tom, the leader of the Rebel Alliance, as he and the Origami Yoda team up to save the world from an evil label-making machine. The story is full of action-packed sequences and suspenseful moments, and it is written in a light-hearted and humorous style that kept me entertained throughout. The characters are well-developed and likable, and I found myself really rooting for them as they face numerous challenges and obstacles. I highly recommend ‘Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue!’ to anyone who enjoys a fun and exciting read. It’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
- This book is part of the Origami Yoda series, which follows the adventures of middle-schooler Tommy and his origami Jedi master, Yoda.
- It revolves around the introduction of a new character, the Princess Labelmaker, who helps Tommy and his friends to solve their problems.
- The story is set in a small town in Pennsylvania and focuses on issues such as friendship, self-discovery and acceptance.
- It is aimed at middle-grade readers and is an entertaining, funny and insightful book.
- The 5th book in the series, this book furthers the plot and introduces new characters, who join Tommy and Yoda on their adventures.
- It features illustrations that bring the characters to life and help the reader better understand the story.
7. Learn to Read with Star Wars Boxed Set – 3 Level 2 DK Readers + Character Guide
This 7. Learn to Read with Star Wars Boxed Set is an excellent way to get your child interested in reading. It contains three DK Readers at Level 2, as well as a Character Guide. The Character Guide is great for introducing your child to the characters and world of Star Wars, and helps to provide context for the stories in the Readers. The Readers themselves are easy to read and have plenty of illustrations and photographs to keep your child engaged. The stories are exciting, and the characters are sure to capture your child’s imagination. All in all, this set is an excellent way to get your child interested in reading and to provide them with enjoyable and educational material.
- Includes 3 Level 2 DK Readers: Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-Up Adventure, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- Includes a Character Guide that features images of more than 70 characters
- Engaging stories and characters from the Star Wars universe
- Designed to help children learn to read
- Beautifully illustrated with full-color artwork
- Includes fun facts about the Star Wars universe
- Targeted to readers aged 6-8
8. Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars
I was a huge fan of the original Star Wars trilogy and I was so excited to finally get my hands on Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars. This book is an absolute must-read for any Star Wars fan. It takes place during the events of the original trilogy, filling in some of the gaps between the movies and expanding the universe in exciting new ways. The story follows two very different main characters, Thane and Ciena, and their struggle to survive in the midst of a galactic civil war. Its an exciting and powerful story with plenty of twists and turns, and it really drives home the idea of what its like to be a part of a larger conflict. The characters are well-developed and the book is full of action and emotion. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great Star Wars read. Its a fantastic addition to the franchise and I cant wait to see what comes next!
- A thrilling, canonical adventure set in a galaxy far, far away.
- Takes readers on an adventure to the events that immediately follow Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and the rise of the New Republic in the lead-up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- A unique, in-depth perspective on the Star Wars universe, written by Claudia Gray.
- Follows the story of two lifelong best friends, Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell, as they journey from their home planet Jelucan to join the Imperial Academy of Carida.
- Explores the intertwined destinies of these two characters as they are caught in the middle of the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion.
- Features stunning illustrations by Yuuza Tsukinowa and Hiroki Mutaguchi.
- Explores the exciting world of the Star Wars saga with a brand new adventure.
- Available in paperback and eBook formats.
9. Phasma (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi
9. Phasma (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an exciting and thrilling novel. It focuses on the origin story of Captain Phasma, a formidable villain from the Star Wars universe. The novel is written by Delilah S. Dawson and has plenty of surprises, suspense and action. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging. The story is full of interesting twists and turns and keeps the reader hooked until the very end. This novel is the perfect way to explore the world of Star Wars before seeing The Last Jedi in cinemas, and a great way to learn more about the ever-fascinating Phasma character. Highly recommended!
- Based on the character of Captain Phasma from the Star Wars movie franchise.
- Part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi series of books.
- Written by Delilah S. Dawson.
- Tells the story of how Phasma rose to the rank of captain in the First Order.
- Set in the galaxy far, far away.
- Explores the character’s mysterious past.
- Features artwork inspired by the upcoming film.
- Deals with themes of loyalty and betrayal.
- Designed to appeal to fans of the Star Wars universe.
10. 1. Heir to the Empire 2. Dark Force Rising 3. The Last Command (Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy)
The Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn is an amazing set of novels that any Star Wars fan should read. The first novel, Heir to the Empire, picks up five years after the events of Return of the Jedi and introduces the Grand Admiral Thrawn as the new antagonist. This sets up an epic battle between the New Republic and the Imperial forces. Dark Force Rising, the second novel in the series, continues the story with a focus on the Republic’s determination to take down the Imperial forces, while at the same time, Thrawn continues to be a formidable enemy. The Last Command, the final novel in the trilogy, is a gripping conclusion to the story as the New Republic and Thrawn battle for the fate of the galaxy. It’s an intense and thrilling read, full of exciting twists and turns. Every Star Wars fan should definitely check out this incredible series!
- Heir to the Empire a fast-paced adventure set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi
- Dark Force Rising a thrilling continuation of the story, following the rise of the Empires leader Grand Admiral Thrawn
- The Last Command the final entry in the Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy, bringing the action-packed story to a climactic conclusion
