Allegiance

Allegiance by Timothy Zahn
Young Imperial agent Mara Jade is on a mission to root out corruption in the Empire's middle levels, even as a squad of stormtroopers on the same planet deserts and sets out to uphold justice on its own terms. Before long, Mara, the rogue stormtroopers, and the heroes of the Rebellion will see their paths converge - despite the fact that Mara and Luke Skywalker won't meet face-to-face until almost eight years later! In the process, each person will have to contemplate what "allegiance" means to them.

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Story continued in Choices of One. 

This is a classic era book from the Legends timeline. It will likely be contradicted by newer books (if so, just think of it as an alternate universe).

Choices of One

Choices of One by Timothy Zahn
In this sequel to Timothy Zahn's novel Allegiance, Mara Jade and the Hand of Judgment are sent on a mission to prevent a traitorous Imperial governor from allying with the rebels - even as Luke, Leia, and Han are on their way to meet with that very governor. Looming over the whole thing is a threat from a mysterious warlord from the Unknown Regions, whose power might take both Rebel and Imperial courage and brains to overcome.

A younger version of fan-favorite character Thrawn - not yet a Grand Admiral - plays a role in the story, and this book is also a must-read for any fans of his future right-hand man, Gilad Pellaeon.

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This is a classic era book from the Legends timeline. It will likely be contradicted by newer books (if so, just think of it as an alternate universe).

Tales from Jabba's Palace

Tales from Jabba's Palace by various authors
The palace of Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine comes to vivid life in all its depravity in this collection of short stories tying in to Return of the Jedi. From the band and the dancers, to the guards and the rancor keeper, to the many others hiding in the shadows, this fun and diverse volume takes readers into the lives of the palace's denizens one by one. It's also memorable for a bizarre story of Boba Fett's experience rotting away inside the belly of the sarlacc.

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This is a classic era book from the Legends timeline. It will likely be contradicted by newer books (if so, think of it as an alternate universe). 

Tales from the Empire

Tales from the Empire by various authors
A collection of short stories, selected as some of the best originally published in the Star Wars Adventure Journal roleplaying game magazine in the mid-1990s. Fan favorite characters such as Mara Jade, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Corran Horn all make major appearances, and the book includes a novella collaboratively written by beloved authors Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole (who also each contribute one other story to the collection).

Despite the cover art, Boba Fett only appears in this book from a certain point of view.

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This is a classic era book from the Legends timeline. It will likely be contradicted by newer books (if so, think of it as an alternate universe).

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 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.

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.

Tales From the New Republic

Tales From the New Republic by various authors
A collection of short stories about characters both new and old, including fan favorites such as Boba Fett and Mara Jade. Some of these stories are reprinted from the Star Wars Adventure Journal, a roleplaying game magazine from the mid-1990s, but many others appear for the first time in this book. Among them is the four-part novella Interlude at Darknell, a cooperative effort by Michael Stackpole and Timothy Zahn and a bit of a prequel to the X-Wing series and Thrawn Trilogy.

Some stories in the book take place in the New Republic era (after Return of the Jedi), while others are set before and between the films of the Star Wars Trilogy.

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This is a post-Return of the Jedi book 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. 

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.