Star Wars Books in Order (Chronological): Canon & Legends

If you’ve ever tried to read the Star Wars books in order, you’ve probably hit the same wall: there are a lot of titles, they jump across wildly different time periods, and it’s not always obvious how they line up with the events you know from the movies.

This guide is a straight chronological timeline of the entire Star Wars book list—including both canon and Legends—so you can see the story of the galaxy unfold from the earliest Jedi history to the latest era. I’ve also broken the timeline into clear eras, so you can either start at the beginning or jump to the period that interests you most without feeling lost.

Jump to:

• Recent Star Wars Releases
• Where to Start?
• Star Wars Books in Chronological Order
  • Dawn of the Jedi
  • The Old Republic
  • The High Republic
  • Fall of the Jedi
  • Reign of the Empire
  • Age of Rebellion
  • The New Republic
  • Rise of the First Order
  • The New Jedi Order
• Star Wars Books FAQ

Recent & Upcoming Star Wars Book Releases

• Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon by Mike Chen (February 2026)
• Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston (July 2026)
• Legacy by Madeleine Roux (July 2026)
• Edge of the Abyss by Rebecca Roanhorse (September 2026)

Where to Start with Star Wars Books

If you’re trying to read Star Wars books in order, the first decision isn’t “chronological vs. publication.” It’s where you want to enter the galaxy—because Star Wars stories span tens of thousands of years and several very different eras.

The earliest Star Wars book: Dawn of the Jedi

If you want to start at the absolute beginning of the timeline, your entry point is:

Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void (Tim Lebbon) — set around 25,793 BBY, and the earliest-era novel on the Star Wars timeline.

This can be a fun starting point if you already have a strong feel for Star Wars lore and you’re curious about the roots of Jedi history. Just know this era is so far removed from the movies that it won’t feel like “classic Star Wars” right away.

Reading Star Wars Books by Era

If you didn’t grow up with Star Wars (or you simply want something that feels like Star Wars immediately), starting with the very earliest timeline material is usually the hardest on-ramp.

A better approach is to choose the era you’re most excited about and start with a strong first book in that lane:

Old Republic (thousands of years before the movies)

Best if you want Sith vs. Jedi conflict in a very different, ancient Star Wars setting.
Start with: Revan (Drew Karpyshyn)

High Republic (centuries before the movies)

Best if you want Jedi at their height and a fresh cast that doesn’t require heavy movie knowledge.
Start with: Light of the Jedi (Charles Soule)

Fall of the Jedi (around Episodes I–III)

Best if you like Republic politics, Jedi missions, and the lead-in to the fall of the Order.
Start with: Darth Plagueis (James Luceno)

Age of Rebellion (around Episodes IV–VI)

Best if you want the most “classic Star Wars” feel—Rebellion, Empire, familiar stakes.
Start with: Lost Stars (Claudia Gray)

Rise of the First Order (around Episodes VII–IX)

Best if your Star Wars entry point was the newer movies and you want that era’s context and characters.
Start with: Force Collector (Kevin Shinick)

If you’re still unsure, the simplest “no-regrets” path is to pick the era closest to the movies you already like, then expand outward once you’re invested.

Canon vs. Legends

Before you jump into the master timeline, you should understand one thing: Star Wars books fall into two continuities.

• Canon is the current official continuity used by modern Star Wars movies and shows.
• Legends is the older Expanded Universe continuity published for decades before Lucasfilm reset the canon baseline.

In April 2014, Lucasfilm rebranded most of the pre-2014 Expanded Universe as Star Wars Legends and established a new canon going forward. That’s why some storylines (especially post–Return of the Jedi) don’t match up across the two.

And yes—many physical editions of older EU books are now printed with a “Legends” banner, but cover styles vary by edition, so use it as a helpful clue, not a guaranteed rule.

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Star Wars Books in Chronological Order

The following list of the Star Wars books in order contains both Canon and Legend books. (Canon books are bolded)

Dawn of the Jedi

1. Dawn of The Jedi: Into the Void by Tim Lebbon (25,793 BBY)

The Old Republic

2. Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories by John Jackson Miller (5,000-2,975 BBY)
3. The Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn (3,954-3,950 BBY)
4. The Old Republic: Deceived by Paul S. Kemp (3,653 BBY)
5. Red Harvest by Joe Schreiber (3,645 BBY)
6. The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams (3,643 BBY)
7. The Old Republic: Annihilation by Drew Karpyshyn (3,640 BBY)
8. Knight Errant by John Jackson Miller (1,032 BBY)
9. Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn (1,003-1,000 BBY)
10. Darth Bane: Rule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn (1,000-990 BBY)
11. Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil by Drew Karpyshyn (980 BBY)

The High Republic

12. The High Republic: Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
13. The High Republic: Convergence by Zoraida Córdova (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
14. The High Republic: The Battle of Jedha by George Mann (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
15. The High Republic: Cataclysm by Lydia Kang (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
16. The High Republic: Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
17. The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment by George Mann (~382 BBY) (Phase 2)
18. The High Republic: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule (232 BBY) (Phase 1)
19. The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray (232 BBY) (Phase 1)
20. The High Republic: The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott (~231 BBY) (Phase 1)
21. The High Republic: Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland (~231 BBY) (Phase 1)
22. The High Republic: Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott (~231 BBY) (Phase 1)
23. The High Republic: The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray (~230 BBY) (Phase 1)
24. The High Republic: Midnight Horizon by Daniel Jose Older (~230 BBY) (Phase 1)
25. The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life Anthology (~382 to ~230 BBY)
26. The High Republic: The Eye of Darkness by George Mann (~229 BBY) (Phase 3)
27. The High Republic: Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland (Phase 3)
28. The High Republic: Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton (Phase 3)
29. The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless by George Mann (Phase 3)
30. The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule (Phase 3)
31. The High Republic: Into the Light by Claudia Gray (Phase 3)

Fall of the Jedi

32. Darth Plagueis by James Luceno (67-32 BBY)
33. Padawan by Kiersten White (~41 BBY)
34. Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray (40 BBY)
35. The Living Force by John Jackson Miller (33-32 BBY)
36. Cloak of Deception by James Luceno (32.5 BBY)
37. Maul: Lockdown by Joe Schreiber (32 BBY)
38. Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves (32 BBY) 
39. Episode 1: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks (32 BBY)
40. Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes (32 BBY)
41. Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston (32 BBY)
42. Rogue Planet by Greg Bear (29 BBY)
43. Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston (28 BBY)
44. Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn (27 BBY)
45. Dooku: Jedi Lost by Cavan Scott (~22 BBY)
46. The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster (22 BBY)
47. Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore (22 BBY)
48. The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes (22 BBY)
49. Brotherhood by Mike Chen (22 BBY)
50. Jedi Trial by David Sherman and Dan Cragg (22 BBY)
51. The Clone Wars: Wild Space by Karen Miller (22 BBY)
52. Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss (22 BBY) 
53. Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover (22 BBY)
54. The Clone Wars: No Prisoners by Karen Traviss (22 BBY)
55. Queen’s Hope by E.K. Johnston (~22 BBY)
56. Republic Commando: Triple Zero by Karen Traviss (21 BBY)
57. The Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth by Karen Miller (21 BBY)
58. The Clone Wars Gambit: Siege by Karen Miller (21 BBY)
59. Republic Commando: True Colors by Karen Traviss (21 BBY)
60. Medstar I: Battle Surgeons by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry (20 BBY)
61. Medstar II: Jedi Healer by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry (20 BBY)
62. Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart (19 BBY)
63. Dark Disciple by Christie Golden (19 BBY)
64. Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising by Timothy Zahn (19 BBY) 
65. Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno (19 BBY)
66. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover (19 BBY)
67. Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel by Karen Traviss (19 BBY)
68. Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson (19 BBY)
69. Master of Evil by Adam Christopher (19 BBY)

Reign of the Empire

70. Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno (19 BBY)
71. Imperial Commando: 501st by Karen Traviss (19 BBY)
72. Kenobi by John Jackson Miller (19 BBY)
73. The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed (19-18 BBY)
74. Edge of the Abyss by Rebecca Roanhorse (19-18 BBY)
75. Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight by Michael Reaves (19 BBY)
76. Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows by Michael Reaves (18 BBY)
77. Coruscant Nights III: Patterns of Force by Michael Reaves (18 BBY)
78. Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good by Timothy Zahn (~18 BBY)
79. Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston (18 BBY)
80. Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil by Timothy Zahn (Unknown, approx. 18 BBY)
81. The Last Jedi by Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff (17 BBY)
82. Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno (21-17 BBY)
83. Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp (14 BBY)
84. Tarkin by James Luceno (14 BBY)
85. Jedi: Battle Scars by Sam Maggs (14 BBY)
86. Most Wanted by Rae Carson (~13 BBY)
87. Crimson Climb by E.K. Johnston (~13 BBY)
88. A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller (11 BBY)
89. Solo by Mur Lafferty (10 BBY)
90. The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare by A. C. Crispin (10 BBY)
91. The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit by A. C. Crispin (5-4 BBY)
92. Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu by L. Neil Smith (3 BBY)
93. Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray (3 BBY)
94. Lando Calrissian and the Flamewing of Oseon by L. Neil Smith (3 BBY)
95. Thrawn by Timothy Zahn (~11-2 BBY)
96. Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka by L. Neil Smith (2 BBY)
97. Han Solo at Stars’ End by Brian Daley (2 BBY)
98. Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn (~2 BBY)
99. Han Solo’s Revenge by Brian Daley (2 BBY)
100. Han Solo and the Lost Legacy by Brian Daley (2 BBY)
101. Thrawn: Treason by Timothy Zahn (1 BBY)
102. The Force Unleashed by Sean Williams (3-1 BBY)
103. The Force Unleashed II by Sean Williams (1 BBY)
104. Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber (1 BBY)
105. Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry (3-0 BBY) 
106. Rebel Rising by Beth Revis (13-0 BBY)
107. Shadow Games by Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff (0 BBY)
108. Rogue One by Alexander Freed (0 BBY)

Age of Rebellion

110. Episode IV: A New Hope by George Lucas (0 BBY)
111. Tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina by Various Authors (0 BBY)
112. Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Various Authors (0 BBY)
113. Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden (0 BBY)
114. Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne (0 BBY)
115. Doctor Aphra by Sara Kuhn (0 BBY)
116. Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn (0 BBY)
117. Allegiance by Timothy Zahn (0.5 ABY)
118. Choices of One by Timothy Zahn (0.7 ABY)
119. Honor Among Thieves by James S. A. Corey (1 ABY)
120. Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine by Voronica Whitney-Robinson and Haden Blackman (1.5 ABY)
121. Splinter of the Mind’s Eye by Alan Dean Foster (2 ABY)
122. Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge by Martha Wells (2 ABY)
123. Battlefront: Twilight Company by Alexander Freed (3 ABY)
124. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut (3 ABY)
125. Tales of the Bounty Hunters by Various Authors (3 ABY)
126. From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back by Various Authors (3 ABY) 
127. Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon by Mike Chen (~3 ABY)
128. Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry (3.5 ABY)
129. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi by James Kahn (4 ABY)
130. From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi by Various Authors (4 ABY)
131. The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis (4 ABY)
132. Tales From Jabba’s Palace by Various Authors (4 ABY)
133. The Bounty Hunter Wars: The Mandalorian Armor by K. W. Jeter (4 ABY)
134. The Bounty Hunter Wars: Slave Ship by K. W. Jeter (4 ABY)
135. The Bounty Hunter Wars: Hard Merchandise by K. W. Jeter (4 ABY)  
136. Tales From the Empire by Various Authors (Various years)

The New Republic

137. Lost Stars by Claudia Gray (11 BBY – 5 ABY)
138. The Truce at Bakura by Kathy Tyers (4 ABY)
139. Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed (4.2 ABY)
140. Aftermath by Chuck Wendig (4.2 ABY)
141. Aftermath: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig (4.4 ABY)  
142. Shadow Fall by Alexander Freed (4.5 ABY)
143. Victory’s Price by Alexander Freed (4.9-5 ABY)
144. Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover (5 ABY)  
145. Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig (5 ABY)
146. X-Wing: Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole (6.5 ABY)  
147. X-Wing: Wedge’s Gamble by Michael A. Stackpole (7 ABY)
148. Last Shot: A Han and Lando Novel by Daniel José Older (7 ABY)  
149. X-Wing: The Krytos Trap by Michael A. Stackpole (7 ABY)
150. X-Wing: The Bacta War by Michael A. Stackpole (7.5 ABY)
151. X-Wing: Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston (7.5 ABY)
152. X-Wing: Iron Fist by Aaron Allston (7.5 ABY)
153. X-Wing: Solo Command by Aaron Allston (7.5 ABY)
154. The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton (8 ABY)
155. Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning (8.5 ABY)
156. Heir to the Empire, Book I of the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn (9 ABY)
157. Dark Force Rising, Book II of the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn (9 ABY)
158. The Last Command, Book III of the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn (9 ABY)
159. X-Wing: Isard’s Revenge by Michael A. Stackpole (9.5 ABY)
160. The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson (11 ABY)  
161. The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Dark Apprentice by Kevin J. Anderson (11 ABY)
162. The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Champions of the Force by Kevin J. Anderson (11 ABY)
163. I, Jedi by Michael A. Stackpole (11 ABY)
164. Children of the Jedi by Barbara Hambly (12 ABY)  
165. Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson (12.5 ABY)
166. X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston (13 ABY)  
167. Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly (13 ABY)
168. The Crystal Star by Vonda McIntyre (14 ABY)
169. The Black Fleet Crisis: Before the Storm by Michael P. Kube-McDowell (16 ABY)
170. The Black Fleet Crisis: Shield of Lies by Michael P. Kube-McDowell (16 ABY)
171. The Black Fleet Crisis: Tyrant’s Test by Michael P. Kube-McDowell (16 ABY)
172. The New Rebellion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (17 ABY)
173. Poe Dameron: Free Fall by Alex Segura (18 ABY)
174. The Corellian Trilogy: Ambush at Corellia by Roger MacBride Allen (18 ABY)
175. The Corellian Trilogy: Assault at Selonia by Roger MacBride Allen (18 ABY)
176. The Corellian Trilogy: Showdown at Centerpoint by Roger MacBride Allen (18 ABY) 
177. The Hand of Thrawn: Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn (19 ABY)
178. The Hand of Thrawn: Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn (19 ABY)
179. Scourge by Jeff Grubb (19 ABY)
180. Shadow of the Sith by Adam Christopher (21 ABY)
181. Survivor’s Quest by Timothy Zahn (22 ABY)  
182. Tales from the New Republic by Various Authors (Various years)  
183. Vector Prime by R. A. Salvatore (25 ABY)
184. Dark Tide I: Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole (25 ABY)  
185. Dark Tide II: Ruin by Michael A. Stackpole (25 ABY)
186. Agents of Chaos I: Hero’s Trial by James Luceno (25 ABY)  
187. Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse by James Luceno (25 ABY)
188. Balance Point by Kathy Tyers (26 ABY)
189. Edge of Victory I: Conquest by Greg Keyes (26 ABY)  
190. Edge of Victory II: Rebirth by Greg Keyes (26 ABY)
191. Star by Star by Troy Denning (27 ABY)
192. Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham (27 ABY)
193. Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream by Aaron Allston (27 ABY)  
194. Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston (27 ABY)
195. Traitor by Matthew Stover (27 ABY)
196. Destiny’s Way by Walter Jon Williams (28 ABY)  
197. Bloodline by Claudia Gray (28 ABY)
198. Force Heretic I: Remnant by Sean Williams and Shane Dix (28 ABY)
199. Force Heretic II: Refugee by Sean Williams and Shane Dix (28 ABY)
200. Force Heretic III: Reunion by Sean Williams and Shane Dix (28 ABY)
201. The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes (28 ABY)
202. The Unifying Force by James Luceno (29 ABY)

Rise of the First Order

203. Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston (~33 ABY)
204. Force Collector by Kevin Shinick (~34 ABY)
205. Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson (34 ABY)
206. Canto Bight by Various Authors (34 ABY)
207. Episode VII: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster (34 ABY)
208. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi by Jason Fry (34 ABY)
209. Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse (34 ABY)
210. Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson (34 ABY)
211. Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Córdova (34 ABY)
212. Legacy by Madeleine Roux (34 ABY)
213. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker by Rae Carson (35 ABY)

The New Jedi Order

214. Star Wars: The Last Order by Kwame Mbalia (35 ABY)
215. The Joiner King by Troy Denning (35 ABY)
216. The Unseen Queen by Troy Denning (36 ABY)
217. The Swarm War by Troy Denning (36 ABY)
218. Betrayal by Aaron Allston (40 ABY)
219. Bloodlines by Karen Traviss (40 ABY) 
220. Tempest by Troy Denning (40 ABY)
221. Exile by Aaron Allston (40 ABY)
222. Sacrifice by Karen Traviss (40 ABY)
223. Inferno by Troy Denning (40 ABY)
224. Fury by Aaron Allston (40 ABY)
225. Revelation by Karen Traviss (41 ABY)
226. Invincible by Troy Denning (41.5 ABY)
227. Crosscurrent by Paul S. Kemp (41.5 ABY)
228. Riptide by Paul S. Kemp (41.5 ABY)
229. Millennium Falcon by James Luceno (43.5 ABY)   
230. Outcast by Aaron Allston (43.5 ABY)
231. Omen by Christie Golden (43.5 ABY)
232. Abyss by Troy Denning (43.5 ABY)
233. Backlash by Aaron Allston (43.5 ABY)
234. Allies by Christie Golden (44 ABY)
235. Vortex by Troy Denning (44 ABY)
236. Conviction by Aaron Allston (44 ABY)
237. Ascension by Christie Golden (44 ABY)
238. Apocalypse by Troy Denning (44 ABY)
239. X-Wing: Mercy Kill by Aaron Allston (44 ABY)
240. Crucible by Troy Denning (45 ABY)

Star Wars Books FAQ

Do I have to read the Star Wars books in chronological order?

No. Chronological order is great if you’re doing a full “history of the galaxy” run, but it’s not required to enjoy the novels. Most Star Wars books are written so you can jump in by era, character, or trilogy and still have a good time—just avoid starting in the middle of a clearly numbered series or major multi-book event.

Are the Star Wars books connected to the movies and shows?

Some are tightly connected (they fill in backstory, character arcs, or political context), while others are designed as standalone adventures that simply take place in the Star Wars universe. You don’t need the books to understand the movies, but the right novel can make certain characters and eras hit harder—especially in the gaps between movies.

Are the Star Wars movie novelizations canon?

The movies themselves are canon, but the older novelizations were often written under different continuity rules and sometimes include extra scenes or details that don’t always match later canon. If you’re doing a strict canon-only read, treat novelizations as “optional flavor,” and prioritize modern canon novels built specifically for the current timeline.

Looking for more books in order?

If you want more science fiction authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Science Fiction Books in Order index.

• Books in Order (Full Index)
• Dune Books in Order
• Warhammer 40k Books in Order
• The Expanse Books in Order