The Expanded Universe discussion

I would go with the X-Wing Series or Han Solo Series.

I started with Legacy of the Force series.. Then worked my way back.

Where to start depends on what you're interested in. If you like the main characters from the films, I'd go with both Gabriel and Emre, as either the X-Wing series or the Thrawn Trilogy will give you an awesomeness overload.

I'd be careful about some until you've been familiar with Star Wars books for a while. Mainly, I'd stay away from the New Jedi Order series for a while, but there are some in there that are really good. I don't know if I would recommend what Matthew did by starting with Legacy, as I prefer a lot of shock value in my reading when something big happens. It's like when you watch The Empire Strikes Back if you see Return of the Jedi first. That Vader is Luke's father doesn't seem like such an explosively crazy thing, because you've seen him without the helmet.

I definitely agree with Jeff. If I had known more about the expanded universe ah the time I never would have started where I did. Oh well.

Anywhere but where I started should be fine. I started with Dark Saber. Even I'm surprised I kept going with that book as an introduction.

With the EU being reassigned to Legacy and the EU relaunch this summer maybe it would be better to wait if you haven't jumped in yet. Word is that all books in the new relaunch will be canon with the series going forward. Two articles released today regarding the EU.


http://starwars.com/news/the-legendar...



http://starwars.com/news/disney-publi...

I haven't read anything yet that takes place after SW Episode IV... but pre-rebellion era, I would definitely recommend the following books (I've read almost all that take place before Episode IV): the Darth Bane Trilogy, Darth Plagueis, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, Clone Wars: Wild Space, Shatterpoint, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous, The Dark Lord Trilogy, Kenobi, and the Han Solo Adventures trilogy.

Matthew wrote: "I started with Legacy of the Force series.. Then worked my way back."
I did the same thing by accident. I'm pretty adaptable so it was fine, but I recommend starting with the Thrawn trilogy

My knowledge of the Star Wars universe has only been with the movies. I've noticed a lot of recommendations to start with the Thrawn Trilogy. But what if I wanted to start "at the beginning"? What led to the Empire trying to takeover? Is that possible? Is there a book that could be considered The Beginning of all story lines?

Sjvalleygrl wrote: "My knowledge of the Star Wars universe has only been with the movies. I've noticed a lot of recommendations to start with the Thrawn Trilogy. But what if I wanted to start "at the beginning"? What ..."

For getting at the origins of the Empire, I highly recommend starting with "Darth Plagueis". It's one of the top 5 best Star Wars books I've read yet, and it definitely sets up the trajectory for the creation of the Empire by covering Palpatine's early years and how he becomes apprenticed to a Sith Lord. Great setup for all that is to follow!

Thanks!!! I'll look for it tomorrow.

Sjvalleygrl wrote: "Thanks!!! I'll look for it tomorrow."

After Darth Plagueis read Cloak of Deception, it is the prequel to Phantom Menace and picks up almost from the immediate end of Plagueis. The Darth Bane trilogy is about 1000 years before these books and sets up the Sith Order and the rules to govern them.

Should I start with the Darth Bane series first then?

Sjvalleygrl wrote: "Should I start with the Darth Bane series first then?"

If haven't started any of the other books then probably yes. If you have started any of the others then you can read them later and I think they will read just fine out of order.

I agree re: Darth Bane trilogy. It's very enjoyable, but since it takes place 100's of years before Darth Plagueis, it can really be read at any point... It doesn't necessarily flow into all of the other stories that are told around the time period of the foundations of the Empire.

Thanks for all the info/advice!

I am endeavoring to read the books in timeline order starting at the beginning. This way it avoids confusion relating to key events that happen along the timeline.
The only snag to this is that books are continually being released, so there will be times when you will need to jump back in the timeline to read the latest release. But if you read the books in timeline order as best you can, you will find things making much more sense than if you jump from series to series all over the place.

Marcus wrote: "I am endeavoring to read the books in timeline order starting at the beginning. This way it avoids confusion relating to key events that happen along the timeline.
The only snag to this is that b..."

I do same and really enjoy the slow progression.

Try out the X wing series specifically the wraith squadron ones.

Hi guys! I'm new to the group and looking to read some SW books for the first time. I'm very familiar with the movies and played some of the video games as a kid (e.g. Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy), but I'm overwhelmed by the options for reading. I'm thinking about starting with The Thrawn Trilogy as per the advice you've already given, but am hoping you all can point me in the right direction for what to read after that. I'd really like to explore material that hasn't been touched on in any of the films, but I know that leaves a whole lot to choose from. Jeff, I see that you recommended staying away from NJO stuff at first. Could you explain the reasoning behind that advice? Mostly I keep thinking back to all of the cool characters I used to play in the games and I want to learn more about them but don't know where to start. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance!

TOO MUCH happens in the NJO!! Get familiar with all the characters, first. The Yuuzhan Vong are possibly the greatest adversary the galaxy has ever seen! (Talk about a common enemy of the Sith, Empire, Jedi and Republic! They all team-up to try to defeat the Vong!) Save it til you get more familiar with the Expanded Universe.
The Thrawn Trilogy just IS the best place to start. Then pick and choose who or what you want to learn about and go from there. (i.e.- Han Solo Trilogy; Jedi Academy; The Bounty Hunter Trilogy; The X-Wing series; Darth Maul etc) Right or wrong, that's what I did. I bounced around and would look for a trilogy or buy 3-4 books in chronological order. Just get a feel for the characters (especially the Solo children) before you start the NJO- it will have a greater impact.
Lastly- WELCOME, sir, to a galaxy far, far away! You will soon wonder why these stories are "Legends" and tossed aside as "non-canon"! I've seen TFA and went right back to the galaxy I know and love! 'Legends never die!'

Vera wrote: "Hi guys! I'm new to the group and looking to read some SW books for the first time. I'm very familiar with the movies and played some of the video games as a kid (e.g. Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy), ..." I personally love to read book in chronological order starting from The Old Republic Era. It give a better understanding of the SW Universe. Yes, you wont read book of your know heroes soon this way but the Old Republic ERA have so nanny good book as also have the next Era Rise of The Empire.

If you not feel to read all book you can skip Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories and Red Harvest.

I started with the knights of the Old Republic games. Those are actually what made me love Star Wars. Then Darth Bane and Thrawn.

If you wanted to do a proper job of it, you could follow the comics timeline (which starts first):

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timeli...

And weave in the books timeline:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timeli...

But generally I'd advise: Truce at Bakura, Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy & then KJA's Jedi Academy (which is my personal fav.)

Alrighty, I will heed the warnings about NJO and stay away until I've gotten to know the characters. Thank you guys for your comments!

I started with the Thrawn trilogy and I think it's a good place to start if you are familiar with the movies. If not I would suggest the Darth Bane series followed by Darth Plagius book then Cloak of Deception till Return of Jedi books in order. There are some really good books in the clone wars timeframe

I started with the Thrawn trilogy and I think it's a good place to start if you are familiar with the movies. If not I would suggest the Darth Bane series followed by Darth Plagius book then Cloak of Deception till Return of Jedi books in order. There are some really good books in the clone wars timeframe

Part 1 of 2.
The EU is so vast there isn’t really a right or wrong starting point. You’re able to jump in and out of different eras with relative ease. On the http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timeli... link, posted by Sarah, the timeline is broken down into different eras which are a good guideline.

Old Republic era: The Lost Tribe of the Sith Series, The Old Republic Series and the Darth Bane Series. It doesn’t matter which order you read these, and if you haven’t played Knights of the Old Republic don’t let that put you off reading the Old Republic novels.
Rise of the Empire era: There are some great tie-in novels to the prequel movies in this era, some of them already mentioned above.
If you would like to get a sense of events before and during the movies I feel this is a good reading order.
Darth Plagueis
Cloak of Deception
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The Approaching Storm # Not essential reading, but adventure with Anakin and Kenobi shortly before Attack of the Clones.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Clone wars era.
Labyrinth of Evil
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
Kenobi is a great standalone novel set after Revenge of the Sith.
And if you want to learn more about Han Solo pre A New Hope you should check out
The Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin and The Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley. (But be warned, the upcoming Han Solo movie may/will contradict parts or all of these.

The Clone Wars era: This is covered pretty much in the TV Series. In the books there are kind of two separate Clone Wars book series. (Three if you include the Republic Commando Series) One published before the TV series and the other during it. (tie-in novels)

Published before Clone Wars TV Series: (No Ahsoka Tano here)
The Cestus Deception
Jedi Trial
Shatterpoint
MedStar I: Battle Surgeons
MedStar II: Jedi Healer
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous

Republic Commando Series:
Republic Commando: Hard Contact
Republic Commando: Triple Zero
Republic Commando: True Colors
Republic Commando: Order 66
Imperial Commando: 501st

Clone Wars TV Series tie-in novels:
The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars: Wild Space
The Clone Wars: No Prisoners
Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth
Clone Wars Gambit: Siege

Rebellion era:
There are a lot of standalone novels here, which can be read in any order, although I would read Allegiance before Choices of One. Originally Razor's Edge, Honor Among Thieves and Heir to the Jedi (now canon and not in Legends list) was billed as three standalone novels in the Empire and Rebellion: Series. But due to the whole canon story, Heir to the Jedi (A Luke Skywalker adventure) was pulled from the original series and released as a standalone novel under the canon banner.
I don’t know if you’re sticking just with the EU and avoiding the new canon novels, but I would recommend them as well.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Catego...

Good recommendation, Frank!
(If "A New Dawn" is any indication what the "new" canon is like- skip it!! But this is a discussion board for The Expanded Universe!)
...and then there's a trio of lil gems called the "Tales from- Mos Eisley/The Empire/The New Republic"! Mos Eisley was real good! Just finished The Empire and it was OK. (Zahn stories being the best!) Had to take a break from NJO! Now, back to it- just started 'Traitor'.

Thrawn Trilogy. The New Rebellion. Thrawn Duology. Survivors Quest. These are the only New Republic era books that are any good. Though I'm yet to read Allstons X Wing series, the Stackpole Rogue Squadron are terrible.

Starting when Qui-gon met Obi-wan is a good starting point. It's basically a straight shot to the end of the timeline from there. Fit Darth Plagueis in there, maybe after Ep.1 and definitely try for the "Before the Republic" and "Old Republic" eras, at some point.

I started with the Star Wars - Jedi Apprentice Series and from this point on I tried to go with the internal timeline.

Matthewcross87 wrote: "Hi every one , hopefully this is till an up to date and ongoing group. Until recently I've never read a Star Wars book other than revenge of the sith ( because I couldn't wait for the movie to come..."

Hi there Matthew, every book is apart of one large continuity/timeline in the Expanded Universe separated into eras. It just depends what stand-alone or series you're looking to read.

If you liked the first book in the Jedi Academy trilogy, try the second and third novels in that series.

Also, Shadows of the Empire is apart of the continuity, since it does take place between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and it is a stand alone book as a bridge between the two movies, so you can read it by itself without having to worry about it connecting to much of anything besides Return of the Jedi.

Hope this helps!

Matthewcross87 wrote: "it does help id also like to know where it sarts , like what comes after return of the jedi , when han and lea had the twins id like to read them in order"

Well there are a dozen or so books of the New Republic era, but here is a picture of the whole EU book timeline in order: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdGIcz0ujRo...

My personal recommendations would be to start out with The Truce at Bakura, Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, the X-Wing series, The Thrawn Trilogy, The Jedi Academy Trilogy, I, Jedi (which ties both the X-Wing series and the Jedi Academy trilogy together), then go for the Corellian Trilogy which sees the Solo children active.

I have not read the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy, but I hear it's pretty pointless and rather underwhelming, as well as the stand-alone books: Children of the Jedi (Awful!), Darksaber is okay, I have not read Planet of Twilight, and I hear the New Rebellion is good as well.

Oh, and absolutely avoid The Crystal Star. That Star Wars book is universally recognized as terrible!

The Solo twins have an entire series dedicated to them call "Young Jedi Knights", if u want more on them. As for my favorite starting point for someone transitioning from the movies, I'd say the "Jedi Apprentice" series. It's the earlies stories of Qui-gon and Obi-wan.
Let us know what ur final choice is, Mathew