With over 380 no shortage of stories to explore for those fans who can't get enough of the franchise. However, after Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, there soon would be a dramatic shift in what would be considered part of the official Star Wars canon. All books published before April 25th, 2014 would no longer be included in the original Star Wars canon and instead are labeled as part of the Expanded Universe or Legends. Most novels released since then have been written in collaboration with the Lucasfilm Story Group and build upon the new canon. What are some of the best Star Wars books to be released since the Disney acquisition, and how do they expand upon today's Star Wars universe as we know it?
How Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Adds To The Star Wars Canon
Thrawn is one of the most memorable characters to be created outside the realm of the Star Wars movies. A blue-skinned, red-eyed humanoid, Thrawn quickly ascends through the hierarchy of the Empire, achieving the rank of Grand iral. This master strategist was the focus of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn: The Star Wars Trilogy published starting in 1991 and the books became one of the best-selling series of Star Wars novels of all time. The first Thrawn novels chronicled the Grand iral's clashes with Star Wars characters including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Hans Solo. Unlike the 1991 trilogy, Star Wars Thrawn published as part of the new canon in 2017, focuses more on the backstory of Thrawn and how he rose to power in the Empire with the help of Ensign Eli Vanto.
Why Star Wars Ahsoka Has A Role In The New Canon
Ahsoka Tano first appeared in the animated 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker and eventually won over most fans following a less-than-glowing initial reception. Yoda himself assigns the promising young Ahsoka to stay at Anakin Skywalker's side, and she serves as a contrasting presence to Anakin who gradually drifts to the dark side. In 2016, E.K. Johnston published a young adult novel focused on Ahsoka and attempted to fill in the gaps of what happens to her between Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the start of Star Wars Rebels in 2014. Forced into hiding, Ahsoka assumes the role of a mechanic and pilot but struggles to conceal her powers as she attempts to protect those around her and elude the Empire. The Disney-Lucasfilm Press novel helps to cement Ahsoka as a strong female presence in Star Wars, and she has since appeared in Tales of the Jedi.
How A Novel Expanded The Lore Of Princess Leia
Another significant novel to the new Star Wars canon was Claudia's Gray Bloodline published in 2016. Unlike other works, Bloodline revolves around one of the most popular Star Wars characters first appearing in 1977's A New Hope. Set 6 years before the events of the 2015 Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, Bloodlines is full of political intrigue as it documents Princess Leia's role as a senator in the New Republic following the rebels' victory in the Battle of Endor. Leia struggles to make any progress in the senate as the fledgling government remains divided, and she deals with the constant threat from political rivals seeking to grab power and a mysterious criminal organization.
Essential Books In Star Wars: The High Republic
Star Wars: The High Republic is an expansive collection of books and comics that spotlights the Golden Age of the Jedi Order, about two centuries before Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. During this time, the Jedi traveled to the furthest reaches of the galaxy playing the role of peacemakers. The 2021 Light of the Jedi written by Charles Soule, introduces Jedi Master Avar Kriss and other Jedi as they face the emerging threat of the Nihil marauders and respond to a horrific hyperspace disaster. Light of the Jedi also makes it evident how diverse the of the Jedi Order are, as they come from different backgrounds and don't always share the same philosophies.