I have loved Star Wars ever since my Dad showed me the Original Trilogy when I was young. The stories set in this world are as numerous as the stars in a galaxy far, far, away, and despite taking place a long time ago, they are rightfully beloved by many today. If you are already a Star Wars lover, I hope this list will help you find your next favorite story. If you have never experienced Star Wars before, I hope this list will inspire you to try it.
A New Hope
DVD
The movie that started it all, this film was originally titled simply Star Wars. Although the Rebel Alliance has won a few battles against the Empire, hope is fading. The Empire is about to finish building the greatest weapon the galaxy has ever seen-the Death Star. The rebels' only chance to defeat it now lies in the unlikely hands of a princess, a scoundrel, a hermit, and a farm boy.
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Rule of Two: Star Wars Legends
by Drew Karpyshyn
In this essential Star Wars Legends novel, the second in the Darth Bane trilogy, the fearsome Sith lord takes on a deadly new apprentice. Darth Bane’s twisted genius made him a natural leader among the Sith–until his radical embrace of an all-but-forgotten wisdom drove him to destroy his own order . . . and create it anew from the ashes. As the last surviving Sith, Darth Bane promulgated a harsh new directive: the Rule of Two. Two there should be; no more, no less. One to embody the power, the other to crave it. Now Darth Bane is ready to put his policy into action and thinks he has found the key element that will make his triumph complete: a student to train in the ways of the dark side. Though she is young, Zannah possesses an instinctive link to the dark side that rivals his own. With his guidance, she will become essential in his quest to destroy the Jedi and dominate the galaxy.
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Thrawn
by Timothy Zahn
This is one of my favorite Star Wars novels I have read. Written by Timothy Zahn, author of the acclaimed Heir to the Empire trilogy, this book recounts Grand Admiral Thrawn's rise to power within the Galactic Empire. Rescued from exile by Imperial soldiers, Thrawn proved to be indispensable to Emperor Palpatine and the Empire. Ambitious and a warrior never to be underestimated, one promotion followed another. Follow the events that launched the blue-skinned, red-eyed master of military strategy and lethal warfare into the highest realms of power and infamy as Thrawn rises to Admiral. There is also an excellent Graphic Novel adaptation of this book that was recently published.
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Star Wars: Darth Vader
by Kieron Gillen
The original Dark Lord of the Sith stars in his first ongoing series! Ever since Darth Vader's first on-screen appearance, he has become one of pop culture's most popular villains. Now, follow Vader straight from the ending of A NEW HOPE (and the pages of the new STAR WARS comic book) into his own solo adventures - showing the Empire's war with the Rebel Alliance from the other side! But when a Dark Lord needs help, who can he turn to? As Vader pursues a very personal vengeance against the Rebels and investigates the Emperor's secret machinations, he clashes with weapons scavenger Aphra and deadly Battle Droids, and returns to Geonosis to build an army. But some very powerful people don't want him to learn the truths he seeks! Guest-starring Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, and more!
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Tag & Bink Were Here
by Kevin Rubio
This is a lighthearted series about the adventures of Tag Greenley and Bink Otauna, who were minding their own business aboard a familiar, princess-harboring freighter when they suddenly found themselves under siege. Now under attack by the Empire, they will choose life over a noble death and "borrow" the armor from a pair of deceased stormtroopers. Their new disguises might get them off the freighter alive, but they'll also lead Tag and Bink on an adventure neither could have predicted! Chock-full of appearances by everyone's favorite Star Wars characters, Tag & Bink cleverly weaves the pair's misadventures into the movies themselves. No setting is safe as they traverse the galaxy from the Death Star to the Sarlacc pit to Cloud City to Endor!
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Revenge of the Sith
DVD
A tale of betrayal, death, heroism, romance, and a turn to the Dark Side, this is my favorite of the prequel trilogy. While it certainly has its missteps, it is overall an excellent movie and well worth a try. After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die. As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin, tormented by unspeakable visions, edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision.
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Rogue One; A Star Wars Story
DVD
In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.
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The Mandalorian (Season 1)
TV DVD
After the widespread disappointment with Star Wars after the most recent trilogy, this series had an uphill battle to gain widespread popularity. Despite this, it quickly grew into one of the most universally beloved pieces of Sci-Fi media in recent memory. Capturing both the nostalgia of older Star Wars content, while still bringing new, unique ideas to the table, this series is worth watching for fans both old and new.
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Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Videogame (Nintendo Switch)
The galaxy is yours in LEGO® Star Wars": The Skywalker Saga. In this brand-new game, players will experience memorable moments and nonstop action from all nine Skywalker Saga films reimagined with signature LEGO humor. The game will immerse players in the expansive saga, giving them the freedom to control hundreds of characters, ships, and vehicles to create their own unique journey through the galaxy.
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About the Author
Logan is a Circulation Clerk and started working at EPL in May of 2021. He is studying History at SIUE, and he enjoys reading Fantasy and Sci-Fi in particular, but will give pretty much anything a try.