So, clearly if you're here then you have at least some interest in the Star Wars franchise. The six films make up only a percentage of what's out there.

I feel that the second largest source for the SW universe is in the novels that have been produced over the course of the past 20 years or so. I know that Splinter of the Minds Eye came out before Empire, but that was a rare thing indeed.

What SW books have you read? What are some of your favorites? Why? Who do you think the most powerful Expanded Universe ( EU ) character is? Who's your favorite EU character? What's your favorite period of SW lore (Old Republic, Imperial, New Republic, GFFA)?

My favorite EU book is Traitor by Matthew Stover. It's set about 3/4 of the way through the monster that is the New Jedi Order (NJO) series. It focuses primarily on Jacen Solo (Han and Leia's oldest son) and his capture by the Yuuzhan Vong and his tutelage under former Jedi Knight Vergere. It had such character development and depth that it blew my mind someone could get this psychological with a Star Wars book. The events of this book also set into motion a very dark future for young Jacen, but I don't want to ruin too much for those that haven't read it.

I feel the best Star Wars author currently is Troy Denning. He wrote Star By Star for the New Jedi Order which was the peak of the series and SO much stuff happened to change how the rest of the series would go. He wrote the first books post NJO and has been one of three authors on the last two series. He has gotten the third, sixth and final book for both of these series. He has a very particular way of dealing with the characters and I really dig the attention to detail that he has.

This post can't be complete without mentioning Timothy Zahn. The man wrote the first significant books in the EU, his Heir to the Empire triology. Taking place seven years after RotJ, we find our heroes facing an opponent that was kept in secret by Palpatine as an Ace in the hole. This is also the series where Leia becomes pregnant with her twins, Jacen and Jaina and has to protect them from the desires of a Jedi who has gone mad named Jorus C'baoth (I say it Kaboth). This series also introduced two of the most beloved characters in the EU, Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn was the first Chiss ever. At least, as far as I know. Mara Jade was one of Palpatine's personal assassins that he called the Emperor's Hand. Each Hand thought they were the only one, but he employed dozens of them. Most were Force sensitive and had rudimentary use of the Force and were trained in lightsaber combat. Mara Jade is no exception. She was in Jaba's palace when Luke was there. She was disguised as a dancer on a mission to kill Luke at the behest of the Emperor. The last command she got from Palpatine was KILL LUKE SKYWLKER, and she is haunted by that command and is on a mission to finally do just that.

If you've never read any of the EU books, the Heir to the Empire trilogy is an amazing way to start. Over the years, other writers have surpassed Zahn in how they deal with the SW universe, but he keeps putting out books every few years. In all honesty, he only ever writes about Mara Jade or Grand Admiral Thrawn and it's getting a little old trying to find new stories that can fit the bill. The newer books aren't terrible, but they're certainly not up to the snuff of what he used to write.

Other personal suggestions: The Jedi Academy trilogy (a few years after the Heir trilogy), I, Jedi by Kevin J. Anderson. It's told in first person and focuses on Corran Horn. It takes place during the Jedi Academy trilogy, so it's suggested you read the trilogy before the story of just Corran.

The Darth Bane books. This is the man who started the whole "One Master, One Apprentice" thing that the Sith have going on. He survived when all of the other Sith were wiped out and was a beast of a warrior. I feel that he could take out Vader with not too much effort and may even be able to take out the likes of Palpatine. The first book, Darth Bane: Path of Destruction is a great look into the history (it takes place around a thousand years before the films) and gives you insight into the history and downfall of the Sith. The end of the book is also the genesis of the Valley of the Jedi that you go to in Dark Forces: Jedi Knight. It's pretty sweet. The second and third books were a great way to round out the trilogy.

The novelizations of the six films. I'm serious. If you haven't read them, they are WAY better than the movies. And the books of Episodes 1, 2, and 3 give SO much insight into events. I almost felt bad for Anakin after the books. Almost. Then I read Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader which picks up about a month after Episode III ends. It's the transformation from the wuss at the end of Episode III (Noooooooooooooooooo) into the brutal, cold killer we know from the original trilogy. Totally worth reading even if you're not into the rest of the EU.

I think that's about it for now. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about the Star Wars Expanded Universe (the novels or anything else for that matter), drop me a message and i'll be sure to help you out!

For further reading and a complete list of the books of the EU, hit up the Wikipedia page.

~D

ia have only picked up one star wars book death trooper and being somewhat based on my love of zombie books it just had to me mine


from amazon

When the Imperial prison barge Purge—temporary home to five hundred of the galaxy’s most ruthless killers, rebels, scoundrels, and thieves—breaks down in a distant part of space, its only hope appears to lie with a Star Destroyer found drifting and seemingly abandoned. But when a boarding party from the Purge is sent to scavenge for parts, only half of them come back—bringing with them a horrific disease so lethal that within hours nearly all aboard the Purge die in ways too hideous to imagine.

And death is only the beginning.

The Purge’s half-dozen survivors will do whatever it takes to stay alive. But nothing can prepare them for what lies waiting aboard the Star Destroyer. For the dead are rising: soulless, unstoppable, and unspeakably hungry.

and you will never guess who else is on the purge, and who almost dies

Not to necro-bump but Darth Revan novel ahoy!