Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover
An unusual but intersting novel from author Matthew Stover, known to Star Wars fans for the exceptional philosophical and emotional depth of novels like Shatterpoint, Traitor, and the Revenge of the Sith novelization.

Dismayed by sensational film portrayals of his exploits for the Rebel Alliance, the self-critical Luke Skywalker finds himself caught up in an all new B-movie adventure, facing off against a mysterious dark side foe who has a theatrical side of his own. Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor is a self-consciously pulpy adventure that winkingly explores the sometimes unclear relationship between reality and fiction (while still staying strictly within the Star Wars universe).

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

The Courtship of Princess Leia

The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton
An early Star Wars novel from the 1990s revival, this book tells the spunky story of how Han Solo and Princess Leia finally ended up getting married. After Leia receives a marriage request from the powerful prince of the neutral Hapes Consortium, she's divided between her love for Han and her duty to the New Republic. Han, reverting under pressure to the criminal instincts of his past, kidnaps Leia and spirits her away to the remote plant of Dathomir. They soon find themselves stranded groundside - trapped between the Empire and a clan of Force-using, rancor-riding witches - with Luke Skywalker obliged to come to the rescue.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

The Thrawn Trilogy

The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
Among the most beloved of all Star Wars novels, the so-called Thrawn Trilogy (a name that doesn't actually appear on the books themselves) was the story that launched the Legends expanded universe in earnest back in 1991. These books were the first ever written to take place after Return of the Jedi, and they set the stage for much of the rest of the Legends continuity. They tell a masterfully-written, multi-faceted story that's at once both epic and deeply personal.

Five years after the destruction of the second Death Star, the budding New Republic is threatened by Grand Admiral Thrawn, an alien military genius who has returned from the Unknown Regions to retake the galaxy for the Empire. Worse, Thrawn teams up with an insane Jedi clone who boasts access to secret Imperial technologies. Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia must rediscover old secrets and search out new allies in the struggle to stop Thrawn. But among these new "friends" is Mara Jade, a former Imperial agent who lives for one purpose: to kill Luke Skywalker.

The Hand of Thrawn duology is a sequel to this trilogy, set ten years afterwards.

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Book 1: Heir to the Empire
Book 2: Dark Force Rising
Book 3: The Last Command

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

(Do you miss Grand Admiral Thrawn? He's back in the new Star Wars canon, starting with Timothy Zahn's novel Thrawn!) 

The Jedi Academy Trilogy

 
The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson
Though fan opinions vary on its quality, the Jedi Academy Trilogy plays a key role in the timeline of Legends novels set after Return of the Jedi. The series follows Luke Skywalker's mission to rebuild the Jedi Order by searching out Force-sensitive candidates and establishing a new Jedi Academy on Yavin IV. All does not go well at first, with a powerful Imperial superweapon emerging from hiding even as the spirit of an ancient Sith Lord works to corrupt the new generation of Jedi apprentices.

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Book 1: Jedi Search
Book 2: Dark Apprentice
Book 3: Champions of the Force

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

I, Jedi

I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole
A tie-in to both the X-Wing series and the Jedi Academy Trilogy, this novel tells the story of Rogue Squadron pilot Corran Horn on his quest to become one of Luke Skywalker's new Jedi. Set at the same time as the Jedi Academy Trilogy, this book shows Luke Skywalker's first batch of Jedi students from a new point of view, and takes readers on a new adventure far beyond the Academy's walls.

I, Jedi was the first Star Wars novel to focus entirely on a character who wasn't in the movies, and is one of the only Star Wars books written in the first person.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

Children of the Jedi

Children of the Jedi by Barbara Hambly
Not long after the events of the Jedi Academy Trilogy, Han and Leia are searching for a lost group of Jedi children. Meanwhile, Luke must find a way to stop an aging computerized superweapon, even as he falls in love with an Old Republic Jedi whose mind is trapped inside the computer.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

Darksaber

Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson
In this follow-up novel to the Jedi Academy Trilogy and Children of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker and his lover Callista set out on a journey of Force discovery, even as an evil Hutt crime lord builds a superweapon inspired by the Death Star. Meanwhile, Admiral Daala consolidates her power over the remnants of the Empire, preparing to strike back at the New Republic and Luke's recently-formed Jedi Academy. Remembered by some fans as one of the worst Star Wars novels, despite being a great financial success.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

Planet of Twilight

Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly
As Luke Skywalker searches for his lost love, Leia is captured by a dangerous cult using Force-sensitive crystals to threaten the New Republic. Before the end, the heroes of Star Wars must come together on a strange planet to protect the galaxy from the return of an ancient and horrible plague.

Planet of Twilight is the third in a loose trilogy of novels that began with Children of the Jedi and Darksaber.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

The New Rebellion

The New Rebellion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Master Luke Skywalker faces one of his greatest challenges since restoring the Jedi order, as a Force-using genocidal maniac threatens to take down the New Republic. As Han and Lando dive into the criminal underworld of their past to clear Han's name of fraudulent terrorism charges, Luke must face the dark side of his own Jedi order.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

The Hand of Thrawn

The Hand of Thrawn duology by Timothy Zahn
The thrilling follow-up to Timothy Zahn's beloved Thrawn Trilogy! Ten years after Grand Admiral Thrawn nearly brought the New Republic to its knees, the Imperial Remnant is ready to finally surrender to the former rebels. Not everyone would have peace: Three well-placed Imperials conspire to fake the resurrection of Thrawn, not realizing how close to the truth their charade really is. Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade follow a mysterious trail of clues to a shocking discovery in the Unknown Regions, while a revelation from the past threatens to tear the New Republic apart from the inside.

Want more of Luke and Mara exploring Thrawn's legacy in the Unknown Regions? Read Survivor's Quest next, set three years after the Hand of Thrawn books.

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Book 1: Specter of the Past
Book 2: Vision of the Future

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

Scourge

Scourge by Jeff Grubb
A Master of Luke Skywalker's restored Jedi Order is out to solve a murder mystery that will pit him against the vilest of scum and villainy in a dangerous game as he submerges himself in the criminal underworld of Hutt Space and beyond. In the process, he will have to come to terms with his own doubts and fears.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

Survivor's Quest

Survivor's Quest by Timothy Zahn
In a continuation of the stories of the Thrawn Trilogy and the Hand of Thrawn duology, the recently married Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade are shocked to find that the wreckage of the historical Outbound Flight exploratory ship has been rediscovered in the Unknown Regions. On a mission to negotiate the return of the remains to the New Republic, they discover much more than they bargained for, and become caught up in a dangerous game between alien forces in unknown space.

The novel Outbound Flight is a prequel to Survivor's Quest. They can be read in either order, but more suspense is preserved if you read Survivor's Quest first.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi novel from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

The New Jedi Order

The New Jedi Order Series
Two decades after Return of the Jedi, the galaxy is invaded from outside by the Yuuzhan Vong - vicious, pain-loving aliens who use nearly-unstoppable organic technology and are mysteriously invisible to the Force. The whole galaxy will have to unite, friends and enemies alike, if the devastating invasion is to be reversed. The newly re-established Jedi Order, led by Master Luke Skywalker, is front and center in the grueling and heartbreaking war, with Han and Leia's newly adult offspring among the star players.

The longest and most epic Star Wars novel series ever written, The New Jedi Order includes the deaths of several major characters, and sets the stage for a new era of the galaxy's future.

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(Full Series for Kindle)
Vector Prime by R.A. Salvatore
Dark Tide I: Onslaught by Michael Stackpole
Dark Tide II: Ruin by Michael Stackpole
Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial by James Luceno
Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse by James Luceno
Balance Point by Kathy Tyers
Edge of Victory I: Conquest by Greg Keyes
Edge of Victory II: Rebirth by Greg Keyes
Star by Star by Troy Denning
Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham
Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream by Aaron Allston
Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston
Traitor by Matthew Stover
Destiny's Way by Walter Jon Williams
Force Heretic I: Remnant by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
Force Heretic II: Refugee by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
Force Heretic III: Reunion by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes
The Unifying Force by James Luceno

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from the sequel movies and newer books. 

Dark Nest

The Dark Nest Trilogy by Troy Denning
When the ancient insectoid Killiks re-emerge in the Unknown Regions after the Yuuzhan Vong war, the Galactic Alliance, the Jedi, and the Chiss empire are drawn into a complex and multi-sided war. Several young Jedi Knights are absorbed into the Killik hive mind, while Luke and Leia discover previously unknown information about their mother, Padmé Amidala.

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The Joiner King
The Unseen Queen
The Swarm War

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from the sequel movies and newer books. 

Legacy of the Force

The Legacy of the Force Series
Troubled by visions of darkness, war-scarred Jedi Jacen Solo is hellbent on ensuring a better future for his young daughter. As the Alliance descends into a new civil war pitting heroes of the rebellion against each other, Jacen will do anything to bring peace and order to the galaxy: even if it means seizing power as a dictator, joining the Sith, and bringing about the destruction of the Solo and Skywalker families. A tragic tale of the dangers of power and self-assuredness.

In an ongoing side plot, Boba Fett leads a new generation of Mandalorian warriors, but he too struggles with family issues rooted deep in his shameful past.

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Betrayal by Aaron Allston
Bloodlines by Karen Traviss
Tempest by Troy Denning
Exile by Aaron Allston
Sacrifice by Karen Traviss
Inferno by Troy Denning
Fury by Aaron Allston
Revelation by Karen Traviss
Invincible by Troy Denning

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from the sequel movies and newer books. 

Crosscurent & Riptide

Crosscurrent & Riptide by Paul S. Kemp
Two junk salvagers team up with a Jedi knight for an adventure that turns out to be much more than they bargained for, with danger around every turn, and dark mysteries lying in wait. Meanwhile, an ancient Jedi and Sith caught in a hyperspace time warp are on a collision course with all the action. Rollicking adventures starring a mostly new and endearing (but inexplicably all-male) cast of characters.

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Crosscurrent
Riptide

The ancient Jedi and Sith plotline in Crosscurrent is a spinoff from the first chapter of Lost Tribe of the Sith, set 5,000 years earlier.

These are post-Return of the Jedi novels from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from the sequel movies and newer books.