The official List and Review of Star Wars books by Soude

This post is for people like Dy, wondering which book to read and which one you will want to read just because you’re a Star Wars nerd, no matter how uninteresting they are… People are welcome to give their opinion on books but please KEEP THE SPOILERS AWAY!!!
For clarity purpose, I’ll go through the books chronologically. Along Star Wars chronology. Some book may not be listed because I haven’t read them. And for more clarity I’ll put lil’ stars. 1 meaning don’t read, 5 meaning you should read those.
ABY: means after Battle of Yavin (aka the movie Star Wars a new Hope)
BBY: means before Battle of Yavin.

D. Karpyshyn, Darth Bane:
Contains Path of Destruction and Rule of Two
Settings: 1’020 BBY
Darth Bane one of the most impressive Sith who ever existed. At first I was afraid to read about an apologia for evil and all the wicked things a sith may do… and I was wrong Karpyshyn successfully manage to make a fanatic and zealotish hero out of Bane without crossing any ethical line. Showing us the fall of a man for greed and power, the first book is amazing. Second one is stil very good but all question’s been given on who is Bane… I felt it was somewhat less interesting.
Canon problem between Path of Destruction and the Darth Bane Comics

J. Luceno, Cloak of Deception:
Only one book
Settings: 32BBY, just before the Phantom Menace
This is an amazing book that explains the events leading to the blocade of Naboo and how Darth Sidious shadowly. Very very good book, that would deserve to be made into an Episode 0 movie ^^,

Michael Reaves, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter:
Only one book
Settings: 32BBY
Quite honestly I remember it was an average book but I don’t remember the details at all. I just remember I had fun reading it tho it didn’t change my vision of Star Wars.

T. Brooks, Episode I: the Phantom Menace:
Only one book
Settings: 32 BBY
Nothing new beside what has been seen in the movie. The book’s worth reading just to have the clarification on how Anakin uses the force to blast the control ship… Quite honestly always thought it was pure luck in the movie.

T. Zahn, Outbound flight:
Only one book
Settings: 27 BBY
Requirement: I’d suggest reading Hand of Thrawn first, not a requirement merely a suggestion.
Not Zahn’sbest yet a nice book. I’d recommend to read it after Thrawn trilogy and Hand of Thrawn duology. Anyway a good book with various people and places and plots. A good one from Zahn as he can do it.

A.D. Foster, the Approaching Storm:
Only one book
Settings: 22 BBY
That book is one of the very few that I’ll brand disappointing. Only one place, one group of people, no interesting interaction, nothing worse mentionning… Put this one on the list of book you won’t need to read unless you’re a die-hard nerd of Star Wars.

R.A. Salvatore, Episode II: Attack of the Clones:
Only one book
Settings: 22 BBY
A good book but you really won’t need to read it if you’ve seen the movie. Don’t misunderstand me, i’s not a bad book it just don’t add anything to the movie.

K. Travis, The Clone Wars:
Only one book
Settings: 22 BBY
The book tells te same events than the 3D animation movie. Nothing amazing and definitely not one of Travis’ best book.

K. Miller, The Clone Wars series:
Contains the Clone Wars: Wild Space, the Clone Wars: No Prisonners and the Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth.
Settings: 22 BBY
Not amazings books it lacks some seriousness and it’s –to me- an evident Marketing trap within the Clone Wars… Miller’s definitely not convincing but she keeps up with the silly and childish tone of the Clone Wars Animation show.

K. Travis, Republic Commando:
Contains Hard Contact, Triple Zero, True Colors and Order 66
Settings: 22-19 BBY
Whether you like Travis or not, she laid down the basics of the Mandalorian culture. You’ll HAVE to read those books before you can pretend you’ll play a mando toon. We could argue for long about Travis (her love of military being the worst point to me) but she brought something important with those books in terms of Star Wars universe… even if I don’t find the women she describes as appealing…

M. Stover, Shatterpoint:
Only one book
Settings: 21 BBY
A book that focus on Mace Windu. If you don’t like the guy, don’t read the book. There is not much interesting in that book. Just alike the Approaching Storm…

M. Reaves and S. Perry, Medstar Duology:
Contains Battle Surgeons and Jedi Healer
Settings: 20 BBY
A good idea but the result is only half good as expected. It’s long, full of medical words… A missed hit to me! A huge disapointment when you know S. Perry for the outstanding Shadow of the Empire novel.

D. Sherman and D. Cragg, Jedi Trial:
Only one book
Settings: 19 BBY
Padawan Anakin Skywalker on a crucial mission for the Republic. It’s interesting as we get to see Neeja Halcyon… aka Corran Horn’s grandfather.

S. Stewart, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous:
Only one book
Settings: 19 BBY
An average book on Yoda and a Jedi Padawan and Dooku and Clone Wars…

J. Luceno, Labyrinth of Evil:
Only one book
Settings: 19 BBY
This one is outstanding!!! If you haven’t read it just… forget I exist, don’t talk to me! The official pre-quel to the Episode III. Just read it! It’s awesome!
Canon problem between Labyrinth of Evil and second season of the first Clone Wars cartoon (not the recent 3D one, the previous one)

M. Stover, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith:
Only one book
Settings: 19 BBY
A must-read! This one is much more detailed than the movies, full of little extra things that for once make the difference between an amazing movie and an even more amazing book. All the epic duels are shown on another point of view. If you thought the movie was epic go for the book because this book IS epic!

J. Luceno, Dark Lord the rise of Darth Vader:
Only one book
Settings: 19 BBY
Another amazing book by Luceno. This sequel of RotS is an outstanding diving into the first moments of Darth Vader, when Anakin Skywalker begins to fade. You’d better read it.

S. Wiliams, The Force Unleashed:
Only one book
Settings: 3BBY
A good book that details a bit more the story behind the video game Force Unleashed. You’ll want to read it if you don’t want to play the game or if you want a more detailed version of the events. It’s an interesting counterpart to the action filled game, this book is more focusing on the story.

A.C. Crispin, Han Solo Trilogy:
Contains the Paradise Snare, the Hutt Gambit and Rebel Dawn
Settings: 10- 0 BBY
The incredible stories of Han Solo, one of the most entertaining Scoundrel around. Who wouldn’t want to read those? Very good stories, intensely paced… You gotta love it!

B. Daley, Han Solo’s adventures:
Contains Han Solo at Star’s End, Han Solo’s Revenge and Hand Solo and the Lost Legacy
Settings: 2-1 BBY
Good stories but not as outstanding as the Han Solo Trilogy. Not too bad but I slightly like it less.

J. Schreiber, Death Trooper:
Only one book
Settings: 1 BBY
Well if you love Zombies and Star Wars then go for it! It's nicely paced but it ends up to be just a zombie story for me. The Star Wars part doesn't lift it up to a must-have... unless your either a star wars nerd or a zombie-lover.

A.D. Foster, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope:
Only one book
Settings: 0 BBY
I like it quite a lot it doesn’t bring much more than what you’ll get from the movie still… this book has its own flavour.

Various authors, Tales from the Mos Eisly Cantina:
Only one book but sixteen short stories
Settings: 0 BBY
An intersting book based on the many patrons of the Mos Eisly Cantina who present the day Luke, Obi-Wan and Solo met. Some stories are more intersting than others but the idea’s good and that’s quite entertaining.

T. Zahn, Allegiance:
Only one book
Settings: 0BBY
My friends!!! My dear friends! This book should be on you bedside table and you definitely should read it twice a day… at least! A story of Stormtroopers lost in the middle of galaxy. A masterpiece! Just read it… Don’t ask why…

D.F. Glut, Episode V: The Empire strikes back:
Only one book
Settings: 3 ABY
This book is to be read for it adds one extra detail we don’t see much in the movie: Vader is actually serious when he offers Luke to overthrow the Emperor and rule as father and son the galaxy. I think this gives a slightly different point of view to the story.

S. Perry, the Shadows of the Empire:
Ony one book
Settings: 3-4 ABY
One of my favourite Star Wars book. I always thought EsB and RotJ followed each other almost straightly and Perry managed the tour de force of inserting a whole novel between those two movies. More amazing is that is story is awesomely awesome! You got Black Sun, you got Empire, you got Boba Fett with Solo in Carbonite, you got to learn how the bothan spies caught the plans of Death Star II and plots in between…

J. Kahn, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi:
Only one book
Settings: 4 ABY
Nothing new under the Sun, the Ewok stil pwn the stormies and it ends in silly songs and dancing.

K.W. Jeter, The Bounty Hunter Wars:
Contains the Mandalorian Armor, Slave Ship and Hard Merchandise
Settings: 4 ABY
Tales of Boba Fett actually told in a very messy way since it’s telling various tales at the same times. Those books I really disliked.

K. Tyers, The Truce at Bakura:
Only one book
Settings: 4 ABY
An interesting idea, invaders from a remote planet that attacks the Imperial planet Bakura but the only available reinforcement is the Victorious rebel fleet on Endor. An enjoyable book to read.

M. Stackpole, X-Wing Series:
Contains Rogue Squadron, Wedge’s Gamble, the Krytos Trap and the Bacta War
Also contains Wraith Squadron, Iron fist and Solo Command but I haven’t read those yet…
Settings: 6-7ABY
This serie I liked a lot. It’s fun full of incredible X-Wing pilots, nasty imperials, traps, X-Wings… I don’t see why you’d dislike it.

Reserved for the next part

Couldn't agree more with the rating of Shadows of the Empire. Thats by far one of if not my favourite parts of canon.

Nice reviews.

Aye aye! Shadow of the Empire is a must-have...My only disappointment about it is I never managed to put my dirty fingers on the game itself.

But well I'm only half way done and I won't be able to add many books I'd so like to read... Thinking of the Dark Forces: Jedi Knight Trilogy which were released with the game but never released in France... or the more recent post-Legacy books that haven't been translated yet.

thank you:) now i have to go for book shoping:)))

Don't hurry I'm only halfway ^^,

For SS:

J. Schreiber, Death Trooper:
Only one book
Settings: 1 BBY
Well if you love Zombies and Star Wars then go for it! It's nicely paced but it ends up to be just a zombie story for me. The Star Wars part doesn't lift it up to a must-have... unless your either a star wars nerd or a zombie-lover.

I've heard similar opinions on it actually, which is why I'm waiting for Red Harvest. It's set in the Old Republic as well so it may hold more interest for those wishing to play the game.



Cheers for the review mate!

I'll put that coment on spoiler cause it's a spoiler...

Spoiler: