Star Wars was one of the first franchises to tell connected stories across different mediums: movies, TV shows, comic books, novels, animated cartoons, video games, and even toys. Hard-core fans love exploring every aspect of the expanded universe and becoming experts in the most intricate Star Wars details. When Disney announced in 2012 that only some of the franchise would remain "canon" and the rest would become "legends," fans were sad to see some of their favorite characters and story arcs taken away.

Thankfully, writers have only continued to develop new stories that fit together in the expanded universe. Many of these new stories draw on material from the legends (like the reinstatement of Grand Admiral Thrawn). Reading books in the Essential Legends Collection can both offer context for the galaxy's future and take readers on a fun adventure. Here are books from the Essential Legends Collection in chronological order, and why we think they remain "essential."

8 Darth Bane Series

Darth Bane Trilogy Cover Art
Del Rey 

Darth Bane is the Sith Lord who instated the rule of two (or the rule that there can only be two Sith at a time). When the Darth Bane books starts, Bane is a member of the Sith army fighting a war against the republic and the Jedi. Bane's cruelty slowly garners the attention of his superiors, but Bane has his own plans for the future of the Sith. Even though this book is no longer canon, it still acts as a guide to a lot of what we understand about the Sith. Bane's rule of two has long-lasting consequences that impact the galaxy for centuries after his lifetime.

Related: Star Wars Books: The Must-Read Canonical Titles in Chronological Order

7 Darth Plagueis

Star Wars Darth Plagueis cover art
Del Rey

Darth Plagueis is known as one of the most powerful Sith Lords to ever exist, largely because of his unsatisfiable thirst for power. He even learned the secret to immortality. However, as Plagueis' apprentice, Darth Sidious, rises in political power, the time for the two to face against each other approaches. The Darth Plagueis book acts as a perfect backdrop and sets the stage for the entire Skywalker saga. Watching one of the most prevalent Sith Lords, develop his plans for the future offers context to all the conflict that is to come.

6 Darth Maul Shadow Hunter

Star Wars Essential Legends Collection Darth Maul Shadow Hunter Cover Art
Random House Publishing Group

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter gives a space for readers to encounter a fan favorite Star Wars villain before he became known as the phantom menace in Star Wars Episode One. Palpatine suspects a traitor and sends Maul to eliminate the problem. Lorn Pavan, an information dealer, receives the secrets the traitor risked his life for, and Lorn becomes Maul's next target. Lorn teams up with Jedi padawan Darsha Assant to escape the seasoned Sith Lord. Readers love this book for its fast-paced action and intriguing new characters. Although some readers complain that there was too much of Lorn and not enough of Darth Maul in this book, we like seeing the old character from a new character's point of view.

5 Shatterpoint

Revenge of the Sith
20th Century Fox

Shatterpoint focuses on the life of Mace Windu in-between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Jedi Master Yoda and Chancellor Palpatine assign Windu to a perilous mission investigating separatists on Windu's home planet of Haruun Kal.

According to The Force, this is one of the darkest Star Wars novels because it describes all the travesties taking place during the clone wars in great detail. This book belongs in the Essential Legends collection for the way it highlights Mace Windu. The novel fits in perfectly with what we already know about his character from the movies, but it adds more depth and reasoning behind his action. It showcases Windu's unique talent for finding "shatterpoints," or weaknesses in his enemies. Although Windu can act prickly around the edges (especially in the underrated Revenge of the Sith towards Anakin Skywalker), the novel highlights his observational powers and unique understanding of the people around him.

4 Kenobi

Obi Wan Kenobi Star Wars
Via Del Rey

This novel takes place a little before the Kenobi series on Diseny+. As one of the most loved Jedi in Star Wars, it's not surprising that Obi-Wan Kenobi got his own spin off book in the Expanded Universe (EU). This book shows Obi-Wan's first few days as an exile on Tatooine. After setting up a home on the outer rim of the desert, Obi-Wan finds himself drawn into a planetary conflict involving the Tusken Raiders, a money-hungry local, and even a krayt dragon. For someone trying to keep a low profile, he gets into a lot of trouble pretty fast. We love the Kenobi book because of the insight it brings into both Obi-Wan's exile and Luke Skywalker's upbringing.

Related: Star Wars: Is Grogu the New Chosen One?

3 Death Troopers

Star Wars Death Troopers Book Cover Art
Del Rey Books

Death Troopers attempts to bring more horror elements into the franchise. After the events in Star Wars: A New Hope and before the events in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, a prison barge carrying Han and Chewie breaks down in the far reaches of space. A team is sent to scavenge for parts but comes back with a deadly virus. The virus effects almost everyone on board, first killing them and then bringing them back to life as hungry monsters. Some readers loved seeing Star Wars incorporate more horror elements and create a terrifying thrill ride. Others complain that the zombies don't come in until halfway through the book, and the story is overall somewhat unexciting. Still, it remains in the Essential Collection because of its attempt to experiment with other genres.

2 X-Wing Series

Star Wars X Wing Series Cover Art
Del Rey

After the events in Star Wars Return of the Jedi, Wedge Antilles forms a new elite group of X-Wing fighters to take on the galaxy's most dangerous missions in the X-Wing series. We love getting to know Wedge, Luke Skywalker's childhood friend, better in this book. Readers of this series enjoy the same fast-paced action as in any other Star Wars story without the powerhouse Jedi or their force-wielding powers. It's fun to watch the important contributions other types of characters can bring to the diverse galaxy.

1 Thrawn Trilogy

Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy Cover Art
Del Rey

Five years after the events in Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker faces a new and more dangerous threat to the galaxy. Grand Admiral Thrawn was known as being the emperor's most intelligent pupil, but now that intelligence is unleashed in full force against Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, and their family in the Thrawn trilogy. Thrawn is simply a villain too cool to overlook. His battle stratagem and persuasion tactics make him a worthy foe against the Jedi. This series also introduces other characters like Mara Jade (a powerful Jedi and Luke Skywalker's love interest) who are well-known in the EU and appear regularly in other Star Wars Legends novels.