Recommend me some Star Wars books

[PC!]

I've had several Star Wars books collecting dust on my shelf for years. I finally got around to reading them. Now I want to know where I should go next.

Thus far, I've read:

Several Young Jedi Knights books (from loooong ago)
The Han Solo Trilogy
Shadows of the Empire
The Bounty Hunter Wars
And recently, I just finished up the Thrawn trilogy.

I don't remember much of the first three, as I read them several years ago. Bounty Hunter Wars was full of action that I enjoyed, but it was hard to see exactly what the point was of the series. The Thrawn Trilogy was pretty good, but I felt dragged down by too much political talk and bored to tears at several points.

The question is, where should I go next? I have to say I enjoy the more action-y stories as opposed to people blathering on for pages and pages. I'd like a nice, action-packed story that doesn't get drudged down in constant talking or political rambling. And of course, one that I can pick up and read without knowing much more about the extended universe than what I've read thus far or seen in the movies. Really, I'd like a book that really captures the spirit of the series.

Eh, maybe I could've worded things better, but hopefully y'all get a jist of where I'm coming from. ^_^

Any recommendations?

[The Guitar Slayer]

I'd say go after the Thrawn duology next if you liked the trilogy. It rounds out Mara's story line. You really hit the books that I recall being very good. First few X-Wing grabbed me, but I got bored after awhile. Not enough of a Wedge fan, I guess. ...Oh bugger, there was one that described exactly how Leia and Han got hitched....I found it rather good. Can't remember it though!

[bigddan11]

I would also recommend the Thrawn Dulogy, but if you liked Young Jedi Knights, then The New Jedi Order, Dark Nest Trilogy, and Legacy of the Force series take place right after that and incorporate all the characters from Young Jedi Knights.

My personal fav of all the books is The Crystal Star, but I like all the books. The only ones I haven't cared for are Barbara Hambly's duology and The Black Fleet Crisis trilogy. It solely depends on whether or not you want what happens before or after though as for what's the best way to go.

[Charles Chimag]

I like the ones that explain the stories of minor characters in the series: Tales of the Bounty Hunters, Tales from Jabba's Palace, and Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina are good if you can find them. Not much singular plot line, but a whole lot of mini-plots.

[bigddan11]

I like the ones that explain the stories of minor characters in the series: Tales of the Bounty Hunters, Tales from Jabba's Palace, and Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina are good if you can find them. Not much singular plot line, but a whole lot of mini-plots.

You can find them, but you mght have to order them from a bookstore. Those three are some of the cheapest paperbacks in the series, but they do include them in the offically chronolgy now, as well as "Tales From The Empire" and "Tales from The New Republic."

[Lord Dalek]

Hand of Thrawn Duology
I, Jedi <- probably the best non-Zahn book yet written
The Unifying Force
Outbound Flight

[Raidon Makoto]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Republic Commando. The two stories (More specifically, Triple Zero) were both extremely fun reads. I recommend them highly. Triple Zero is also my favorite Star Wars boo, FYI.

Dark Nest is another good one. Getting into Legacy of the Force would also be worth your time.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

That Darth Vader book is relly neat, and action packed too! I think it was called Rise of the Sith Lord or something...

[Simpler Simon]

I havent read any of the new Star Wars books published after New Jedi Order, but from what I have read:

-Aaron Alliston's run on the X-Wing novels, which included Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist, Solo Command, and Starfighters of Adumar (books 5-7, 9). They stand alone from Michael Stackpole's other volumes, and are probably Star Wars' best attempt at mixing humour with all the drama and action. Stackpole's other volumes are pretty good as well, but he gets a little Mary Sue with his main character for my tastes.

-Hand of Thrawn Duology (Spectre of the Past/Vision of the Future): like everyone else I'm gonna toss these two in by Zahn, though with slight reservations. These are epic in scope, as they attempted to wrap up the 'Bantam' Star Wars novels before the license was passed to Del Rey around 1999. As such you really gotta value the expanded universe (and especially Zahn's characters) to get the most out of it. It's even more politics and running around than the first Thrawn Trilogy, so take that as you will.

-Jedi Academy Trilogy/I Jedi - The Jedi Academy trilogy has faults (mainly Anderson's Rowling-esque writing style and exaggeration of force powers) but it forms the cornerstone of the expanded universe. I Jedi was written by Stackpole and he slips his trademark character into the original storyline through 1st-person perspective, for an interesting read.

As for the New Jedi Order series, it's somewhat hit and miss due to the number of authors and length of the project (19 volumes). If you really wanna try it, start with Vector Prime and slowly work your way in.

How was Dark Nest and Legacy of the Force, anyone? Is it worth the plunge?

[sdp]

Which Han Solo trilogy did you read? the one from the 90s which is horrible or the one from before ESB came out? If you read the 90s one go find the old one.

The Lando Calrissian Trilogy is kind of bad but has some interesting tidbits of SW history.

I'd also recommend Splinter of the Minds Eye. This novel came out before ESB and there is a cool Darth Vader fight as well as some Luke/Leia romance. It is very good, and still in continuity.

Also have you read the Original Trilogy novels? I recommend them as well, even if its a story you very well know.

[Simpler Simon]

Which Han Solo trilogy did you read? the one from the 90s which is horrible or the one from before ESB came out? If you read the 90s one go find the old one.

Also have you read the Original Trilogy novels? I recommend them as well, even if its a story you very well know.

I quite liked both the Han Solo trilogies. The older, Brian Daley one is interesting because it was written when Star Wars wasn't well-defined, yet Daley got the feel right. I think its available now in a 3-for-1 volume.

As are the OT novels, though if you have used bookstores around your area you can often find prints from each movie's original release (they're not collectors items per sey, but fun to have). For the prequels, the Phantom Menance novel was pretty good, but the Attack of the Clones one was a huge letdown. I didn't get to Revenge of the Sith.

[DBZALLSTAR]

I'd say go after the Thrawn duology next if you liked the trilogy. It rounds out Mara's story line. You really hit the books that I recall being very good. First few X-Wing grabbed me, but I got bored after awhile. Not enough of a Wedge fan, I guess. ...Oh bugger, there was one that described exactly how Leia and Han got hitched....I found it rather good. Can't remember it though!

Are you thinking of The Courtship of Princess Leia?

The Legacy of the Force series is a mixed bag, but it seems to be improving.

Certain books in the New Jedi Order series were good reads, but the series as a whole had areas where it seemed to drag on.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and is also a good book. I would also recommend reading The Truce At Bakura to see what happens immediately following Return of the Jedi.

I agree with most of the other recommendations on this thread, but I'll let you know if I can remember some of the other books I enjoyed reading. I may be a little bit biased about some books, though, because I read them during my uber-geek Star Wars phase.:D

[bigddan11]

I havent read any of the new Star Wars books published after New Jedi Order, but from what I have read:

-Aaron Alliston's run on the X-Wing novels, which included Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist, Solo Command, and Starfighters of Adumar (books 5-7, 9). They stand alone from Michael Stackpole's other volumes, and are probably Star Wars' best attempt at mixing humour with all the drama and action. Stackpole's other volumes are pretty good as well, but he gets a little Mary Sue with his main character for my tastes.

-Hand of Thrawn Duology (Spectre of the Past/Vision of the Future): like everyone else I'm gonna toss these two in by Zahn, though with slight reservations. These are epic in scope, as they attempted to wrap up the 'Bantam' Star Wars novels before the license was passed to Del Rey around 1999. As such you really gotta value the expanded universe (and especially Zahn's characters) to get the most out of it. It's even more politics and running around than the first Thrawn Trilogy, so take that as you will.

-Jedi Academy Trilogy/I Jedi - The Jedi Academy trilogy has faults (mainly Anderson's Rowling-esque writing style and exaggeration of force powers) but it forms the cornerstone of the expanded universe. I Jedi was written by Stackpole and he slips his trademark character into the original storyline through 1st-person perspective, for an interesting read.

As for the New Jedi Order series, it's somewhat hit and miss due to the number of authors and length of the project (19 volumes). If you really wanna try it, start with Vector Prime and slowly work your way in.

How was Dark Nest and Legacy of the Force, anyone? Is it worth the plunge?

Dark Nest only has one problem in my opinion, and that is they have various characters speak as though they are insane, including Jaina at times, but it's a must if you like Raynar Thul and wonder what happens to him after Destiny's Way.

As far as Legacy of the Force goes, they get three of the more successful Star Wars authors, including one mentioned earlier in Aaron Allston, Karen Traviss, and Troy Demming. These three have made it my personal favorite series so far. Plus, Legacy of the Force explores how a person becomes a Sith and reveals who the new Dark lord of the Sith is. While I won't say which Jedi becomes a Sith, I will say the new Dark Lords name is Darth Caedus. You won't understand how this person becomes a Sith though unless you have read The New Jedi Order.

[Michael24]

If you liked the Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin, you should seek out The Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley, the original Han Solo trilogy from 1979 and 1980. The books are "Han Solo At Stars' End," "Han Solo's Revenge" (my personal favorite of the three), and "Han Solo and The Lost Legacy." They're available individually and as a three-in-one omnibus edition. They were my first entry into the Star Wars EU in the early-90s and are very fun, fast-paced reads.

I also like Shadows of the Empire, which is set between ESB and ROTJ.

Despite popular opinion, I thought The Courtship of Princess Leia was entertaining and is one of my favorites. Just the same, I also enjoyed The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson. "Jedi Search," "Dark Apprentice," and "Champions of the Force."

[HellCat]

Bounty Hunter Wars was awful. Clearly they knew Boba was a license to print money, so they just gave it to any old writer with any general plot. Only by book 3 did someone seem to take note that nothing Jeter was writing actually fitted in with previous work, especially the depth of Tales of the Bounty Hunters.

[PC!]

Well, I've chosen the next set of Star Wars books I plan on reading: The Jedi Academy Trilogy. Many people seem to think the books are rather trite, but I'm halfway through Jedi Search, and I already find it a great deal more enjoyable than The Thrawn Trilogy. Plenty of action, enjoyable characterization, and pretty funny to boot.

As soon as I finish off this trilogy, I'm interested in checking out I, Jedi and Darksaber.

Certain opinions on the books I've mentioned?

[Simpler Simon]

I Jedi is well-paced and good reading. Again if you're a cynic like me you'll kinda scoff at how Stackpole has dropped his Corran Horn character into Anderson's story ala fan-fiction (I Jedi was written 4-5 years after Jedi Academy, I believe), but it makes for something different from the other novels.

Darksaber I recall liking, but it packs a lot in. It's kinda got that Spider-Man 3 vibe where there's so much being juggled and not a lot of time to slow down and take a breath. Plus it features yet another superweapon, and more abuse of force powers. On the other hand it does feature a rather interesting character spotlight and
subsequent death

[bigddan11]

I Jedi is well-paced and good reading. Again if you're a cynic like me you'll kinda scoff at how Stackpole has dropped his Corran Horn character into Anderson's story ala fan-fiction (I Jedi was written 4-5 years after Jedi Academy, I believe), but it makes for something different from the other novels.

Darksaber I recall liking, but it packs a lot in. It's kinda got that Spider-Man 3 vibe where there's so much being juggled and not a lot of time to slow down and take a breath. Plus it features yet another superweapon, and more abuse of force powers. On the other hand it does feature a rather interesting character spotlight and
subsequent death

The Young Jedi Knight series was also written by Kevin J. Anderson. If you like The Jedi Academy Trilogy, which I did like, you'll like the Young Jedi Knight series.

Darksaber is one of the best books in EU, but it continues the story started in Children of the Jedi and concluded in Planet of Twilight. While all three books are seperate, there are characters you won't know unless you read Children of the Jedi first. Barbara Hambly is my least favorite Star Wars author though, so don't judge Darksaber on her two books.

[The Avatar]

I would recommend the Revenge of the Sith novelization. It really gives the movie more depth. Plus, the scene where Obi-Wan finds out that Anakin turned to the dark side is much better.

I would also recommend Shadows of the Empire. While some characters acted out of character (namely the Emperor), and it can drag slightly in some place, I thought it was a really good book

[Gatomon41]

I also second the Thrawn Duology, I, Jedi, Tales of the Empire, and the X-Wing Novels.

I would also suggest avoiding anything by Kevin J. Anderson.

[Wounded_Dragon]

After checking up on the New Jedi Order...stuff...I gotta say, how are any of the characters still SANE after all this crap? There's gotta be a threshold for how much death and destruction a character can handle.

And they killed my favorite EU character for cheap drama. Dead to me, these books are. Dead.

[The Avatar]

About the New Jedi Order books, I tried Vector Prime but couldn't really get into it.

[PC!]

Ah, this topic is back.

Welp, I'm halfway through book 2 of the Jedi Academy trilogy. Sorry, Gatomon41, but honestly, I love Kevin J. Anderson's writing, as much as a wide variety seem to despise it. I have yet to be bored by anything in his books, which is more than I can say for the other Star Wars books I've read. I look forward to reading Children of the Jedi and Darksaber after I finish up this trilogy.

I'm not sure where I'm going to head after I finish them up. From what I hear from Wounded_Dragon and others, the New Jedi Order series is widely disliked by the fandom, being really dark and featuring the deaths of many beloved characters. Then again, I apparently feel the opposite about many things the majority like and dislike, so maybe I'll check 'em out. :p

[Wounded_Dragon]

Ah, this topic is back.

Welp, I'm halfway through book 2 of the Jedi Academy trilogy. Sorry, Gatomon41, but honestly, I love Kevin J. Anderson's writing, as much as a wide variety seem to despise it. I have yet to be bored by anything in his books, which is more than I can say for the other Star Wars books I've read. I look forward to reading Children of the Jedi and Darksaber after I finish up this trilogy.

I'm not sure where I'm going to head after I finish them up. From what I hear from Wounded_Dragon and others, the New Jedi Order series is widely disliked by the fandom, being really dark and featuring the deaths of many beloved characters. Then again, I apparently feel the opposite about many things the majority like and dislike, so maybe I'll check 'em out. :p

It's not so much that Anderson's bad; rather, that his books are very much "crowd pleasers," quite similar to fanfiction on many levels. Pre NJO, that's okay, it's rather contained by the other works.

Some people must be liking the NJO, considering they're still writing and selling them.

What's galling to me is that, as the books continue, it seems like the galaxy falls apart every five years. For a galaxy that had a Republic that lasted for around twenty-five thousand years or so, it seems...contrived. It's not so bad pre-NJO, as the battles are more like skirmishes; however, many of the battles NJO and above are full-out wars, civil and otherwise. You'd think there'd be a generation or two of peace at least.

[bigddan11]

Ah, this topic is back.

Welp, I'm halfway through book 2 of the Jedi Academy trilogy. Sorry, Gatomon41, but honestly, I love Kevin J. Anderson's writing, as much as a wide variety seem to despise it. I have yet to be bored by anything in his books, which is more than I can say for the other Star Wars books I've read. I look forward to reading Children of the Jedi and Darksaber after I finish up this trilogy.

I'm not sure where I'm going to head after I finish them up. From what I hear from Wounded_Dragon and others, the New Jedi Order series is widely disliked by the fandom, being really dark and featuring the deaths of many beloved characters. Then again, I apparently feel the opposite about many things the majority like and dislike, so maybe I'll check 'em out. :p

Don't forget that he co-wrote the Young Jedi Knight series with his wife, and if anything she provides more detail than he does. The Young Jedi Knight series is my personal favorite out of the Kevin J. Anderson books, and I agree that he is better than a lot of people give him credit for in the Star Wars Universe.

[bigddan11]

It's not so much that Anderson's bad; rather, that his books are very much "crowd pleasers," quite similar to fanfiction on many levels. Pre NJO, that's okay, it's rather contained by the other works.

Some people must be liking the NJO, considering they're still writing and selling them.

What's galling to me is that, as the books continue, it seems like the galaxy falls apart every five years. For a galaxy that had a Republic that lasted for around twenty-five thousand years or so, it seems...contrived. It's not so bad pre-NJO, as the battles are more like skirmishes; however, many of the battles NJO and above are full-out wars, civil and otherwise. You'd think there'd be a generation or two of peace at least.

The New Jedi Order series is over. They have since moved on the the Legacy of the Force series (where Jacen has become Darth Cadeus, the next Sith Lord).

[Wounded_Dragon]

The New Jedi Order series is over. They have since moved on the the Legacy of the Force series



(where Jacen has become Darth Cadeus, the next Sith Lord)

While I know that spoiler, I doubt PC2 did. And I only mention NJO now as a signpost. Works that cover the time period NJO and beyond are a very different beast.

And when Legacy killed Mara Jade it pretty much cemented my promise to never read anything NJO and beyond. That death was one I would not tolerate.

[Gatomon41]

It's not so much that Anderson's bad; rather, that his books are very much "crowd pleasers," quite similar to fanfiction on many levels. Pre NJO, that's okay, it's rather contained by the other works.
Wounded_Dragon is on the target. Reading Anderson isn't boring, it's just reads like fanfiction, and a AU-fanfic at that.



Some people must be liking the NJO, considering they're still writing and selling them.

I suppose alot of fans do like a darker, edgier Star Wars.


What's galling to me is that, as the books continue, it seems like the galaxy falls apart every five years. For a galaxy that had a Republic that lasted for around twenty-five thousand years or so, it seems...contrived. It's not so bad pre-NJO, as the battles are more like skirmishes; however, many of the battles NJO and above are full-out wars, civil and otherwise. You'd think there'd be a generation or two of peace at least.
Worse yet, isn't Luke, Han, and the surviving gang just a little too old for their Space Opera antics? I mean one Galatic war is enough, but going through a million or so crisises must be pretty stressful. I mean Luke must be arround 50 by now.

[bigddan11]

While I know that spoiler, I doubt PC2 did. And I only mention NJO now as a signpost. Works that cover the time period NJO and beyond are a very different beast.

And when Legacy killed Mara Jade it pretty much cemented my promise to never read anything NJO and beyond. That death was one I would not tolerate.
I disagree. The death of Mara Jade has forced Luke to decide which side he's going to be on: his nephews and the Galactic Alliance he helped establish, or the Corellian Rebels which are standing for many of the same values the original rebellion stood for. There's also the side plot of Bobba Fett keeping an eye on Ben Skywalker and Jacen targetting his own parents that keeps the series very entertaining. I personally can't wait to see how the resolution is.

I will admit that I was ticked when first Chewbacca and then Anakin Solo were killed in the New Jedi Order, but if I had stopped reading then, I would never see how peace is restored and how people actually acknowledge the mistakes they make. Personally I'm enjoying seeing how a Sith Lord is made though.

[HellCat]

Personally, I just got sick of it. After 6 films, the galaxy and the cast deserved some peace. But all we get is all this constant raising of stakes and everything the characters fought to establish has betrayed them or come to nothing.

I look at Star Wars as a comfort zone, a wild multi-age space opera you can just sit down and enjoy. Apparently the now adult fanbase don't like that and have to drag it down with politics and other depressions.

[Wounded_Dragon]

I disagree. The death of Mara Jade has forced Luke to decide which side he's going to be on: his nephews and the Galactic Alliance he helped establish, or the Corellian Rebels which are standing for many of the same values the original rebellion stood for.

And completely demolishes his happy ending that took...oh, from Return of the Jedi till Visions of the Future to set up, spanning over a decade of book time. All so we can see the downward spiral of another happy ending and get a more detailed rehash of Darth Vader.

One of Star Wars greatest strengths was having a fantasy element. Nowadays, it seems replaced with a depressing and suicidal element.

[arekuru]

How is it that no one's mentioned the Corellian triology (Ambush at Corellia, Assault at Selonia, Showdown at Centerpoint)? Those, the Wraith Squadron books, and Young Jedi Knights were always my favorites. I also liked The Courtship of Princess Leia, and Truce at Bakura's not bad for a stand alone, and takes place right after Return of the Jedi.

Stay away from the Black Fleet trilogy; it's just weird and not particularly compelling. Crystal Star is kind of like Star Wars on drugs, as is anything by Barbara Hambly.

Disclaimer: I like Kevin J. Anderson and dislike Timothy Zahn. Visions of the Empire just seemed to be him going "Well, I'm clearly the best, so after years of Luke's girlfriends getting killed off or deciding to govern planets or whatever, he marries the one I made up." And it fed into the whole "Coran Horn is Star Wars Gary Stu" thing, which made me sad, because he started out pretty well in the X-Wing books only to have completely lost it by I, Jedi. Poor Mirax.

New Jedi Order? What New Jedi Order? All the characters I like are alive and happy. ::sticks fingers in ears:: Lalala...

[The Avatar]

Does anyone have any good prequel novels? I've read a few but I want to see if there are any really good ones. The Cestus Deception really seemed to drag. Labaynth of Evil was okay. And Yoda: Dark Rendezvous was good.

[Simpler Simon]

I remember the Darth Maul novel was pretty entertaining, kinda like Terminator meets Star Wars.

Cloak of Deception (I think thats the one) was really good at helping expand the sketchy politics of Phantom Menace. it's like a star wars political novel that made me appreciate the movie a bit more.

the Mace Windu novel Shatterpoint had a "Heart of Darkness" vibe.

i got halfway through the first medstar clone wars novel before i lost track, but it was pretty much the Star Wars take on MASH.

[Gatomon41]

Personally, I just got sick of it. After 6 films, the galaxy and the cast deserved some peace. But all we get is all this constant raising of stakes and everything the characters fought to establish has betrayed them or come to nothing.
Well, on a fair note, it wouldn't be "Star Wars" if there was no wars.
Also, it should be pointed out there is predicent for the New Republic going wrong. The Old Republic, which the Jedi had fought to protect, was corrupt and falling apart. In the end, the Jedi got the shaft, and everything fell apart.


I look at Star Wars as a comfort zone, a wild multi-age space opera you can just sit down and enjoy. Apparently the now adult fanbase don't like that and have to drag it down with politics and other depressions.
Ok, now I can understand that problem. Star Wars was alot of fun with it's Good vs. evil Flash Gordon antics. But adding in politics and neruoses just sucks the fun out of it.

[Wounded_Dragon]

Well, on a fair note, it wouldn't be "Star Wars" if there was no wars.
Also, it should be pointed out there is predicent for the New Republic going wrong. The Old Republic, which the Jedi had fought to protect, was corrupt and falling apart. In the end, the Jedi got the shaft, and everything fell apart.


The Old Republic had a long time to fall apart. Also, it fell apart at the end due to some very long-term planning from a determined Dark Sider (so determined he kept coming back from the dead...).

The New Republic seemed to fall apart all on its own half the time.

[Gatomon41]

The Old Republic had a long time to fall apart. Also, it fell apart at the end due to some very long-term planning from a determined Dark Sider (so determined he kept coming back from the dead...).

The New Republic seemed to fall apart all on its own half the time.
Well, it is a new government that trying to stablize itself. It was still fighting various Imperial warlords five years after Endor.

[Fifi Fanatic]

Are you just looking at novels, PC2, or are you interested in the comics as well? I'm something of an expert on the Dark Horse SW comics, so I can provide some recommendations in that department:

Dark Empire would be recommended, especially since it's referenced in The Jedi Academy Trilogy. However, skip Dark Empire 2/Empire's End, which are just an unnecessary rehash of the original....

There's a Shadow of the Empire 6-issue series which covers events only hinted at in the novel.

The Rogue Squadron comics are also highly recommended (and they've just been recently reprinted in three omnibus volumes).

If you want something from the prequel era, then by all means check out the Clone Wars trade paperbacks. The Battle of Jabiim and any story arc with Quinlan Vos gets my highest recommendation. Asajj Ventress, Durge, and the ARC Troopers from Genndy's cartoon are also first introduced here.

Finally, there are adaptations of "The Thrawn Trilogy" that you may or may not want to check out.


These should get you started off on the right foot. :cool: