From graphic novels and short stories to art books and epic novels, we’ve rounded up the best Star Wars books from across the known galaxy.
Star Wars: A New Hope, George Lucas’ sprawling space opera that started it all back in 1977, turns 45 on May 25. To help ring in the annual Star Wars Day on May 4, 2022 and the blockbuster film’s big birthday on May 25, 2022, we’re offering up an exceptional collection of Star Wars reading material for faithful followers of all creeds and colors.
With a constellation of original novels, concept art editions, reference guides, and graphic novels, there’s something here for all adventurous souls hoping for a deeper plunge into the colorful lore and legends of the Star Wars universe.
From thrilling tales emerging out of The High Republic, behind-the-scenes peeks at The Mandalorian and The Clone Wars, to the spooky tales of Vader’s Castle, and a complete Star Wars audio drama script, this gathering of the best Star Wars books for 2022 should keep you occupied deep into summer and beyond.
And if you're searching for more Star Wars to enlighten your life, check our fun guides to the best Star Wars Lego sets. We've also got our definitive list of the Star Wars movies ranked from best to worst, if you want to see where we ranked your favorite movie.
- Check out our guide to the best Star Wars gifts and deals
- And we've recommended all the best space and sci-fi books too
Best Star Wars novels
1. Star Wars: The Rising Storm
- Publisher: Del Rey Books
This is acclaimed author Cavan Scott’s latest book in Lucasfilm’s "The High Republic" publishing event that began last year. Here, heroes of the grand High Republic return to face a shattered peace and fearsome enemy following the events of Scott’s "Light of the Jedi" from 2020.
In the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace Disaster and legendary Jedi heroism, the Republic continues to blossom, bringing more worlds together beneath a unified banner. Under the leadership of Chancellor Lina Soh, the spirit of unity extends throughout the galaxy, with the Jedi and the newly established Starlight Beacon station shining the way.
While the chancellor plans The Republic Fair, a showcase of the peaceful possibilities of the expanding Republic, Stellan Gios, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, and others join the celebration as ambassadors of harmony. But as the eyes of the galaxy turn toward the Fair, so too does the fury of the Nihil and their leader, Marchion Ro, who’s intent on wrecking this unity.
2. Star Wars: Race To Crashpoint Tower
- Publisher: Disney-Lucasfilm Press
"Race to Crashpoint Tower" is a "Star Wars" junior novel written by Daniel José Older that was released last month and ushered in as part of the same "The High Republic" publishing campaign. The unfolding saga takes place concurrently with "The Rising Storm."
Visitors from around the galaxy are traveling to the planet Valo for the gala festival called The Republic Fair. While Valons prepare, Padawan Ram Jomaram hides in his favorite dingy garage filled with mechanical parts and tools. When a security alarm goes off atop Crashpoint Peak, he ventures out with his droid V-18 to investigate. Seems that someone has knocked out Valo's communications tower. Ram races to warn the Jedi as the dreaded Nihil unleash a surprise attack! It's up to Ram to face down the enemy at Crashpoint Tower and send a call for help.
3. Star Wars: Out Of The Shadows
- Publisher: Disney-Lucasfilm Press
This is author Justina Ireland’s ("Star Wars: A Test Of Courage") newest Young Adult release in the surging second wave of Disney-Lucasfilm’s "The High Republic" publishing campaign..
The plot finds Sylvestri Yarrow on a streak of bad luck with no end of sight. She's been doing her best to keep the family cargo business going after her mom's death, but with mounting debt and more Nihil attacks, Syl is in danger of losing everything. She heads to Coruscant for help, but gets drawn into a fight between rich Republic clans over a patch of frontier space. Embroiled in familial politics is not where Syl wants to be, but there’s the promise of a big payoff!
4. Star Wars: Yoda One For Me
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
"Yoda One for Me" is a little, non-canon romantic picture book presenting a funny collection of heartwarming "Star Wars" messages of love and friendship created by Lucasfilm staff.
Contains amusing sentiments and whimsical artwork all centered around amorous themes, from BB-8 holding a red rose and an Obi-Wan For Me box of chocolates, to a videogame-style Vader encircled by hearts, Boba Fett as Cupid, and Chewbacca holding the Woo Key to your Heart.
This is the perfect gift for Valentines Day or an anniversary for a huge Star Wars fan.
5. Star Wars: Life Day Treasury
- Publisher: Disney-Lucasfilm Press
"Life Day Treasury" is an eight-chapter canon short story collection penned by George Mann and Cavan Scott and showcasing illustrations by Grant Griffin.
Inside, readers can engage in winter-themed tales all centered around the in-universe holiday of Life Day, as well as other important "Star Wars" holidays, special events, and festivals. This new 192-page anthology hardcover is similar in form to "Star Wars: Myths & Fables" and "Star Wars: Dark Legends."
6. Star Wars: Brotherhood
- Publisher: Del Rey
With Disney Plus’ new Obi-Wan series arriving on May 25, author Mike Chen’s latest novel is the perfect accompaniment to the sci-fi show. Here in this dynamic tale following the events of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Obi-Wan Kenobi and young Anakin Skywalker are tossed into the thick of The Clone Wars.
When the Jedi Master is dispatched to a dangerous political situation on the Trade Federation’s colony world of Cato Neimoidia, Obi-Wan must do some detective work by teaming up with a Neimoidian guard to discover the persons responsible for creating societal upheaval. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker has achieved the honored rank of Jedi Knight and against his former Master’s wishes, journeys to Cato Neimoidia to offer his skills against the Separatists’ nefarious schemes.
7. Star Wars: The High Republic - Tempest Runner
- Publisher: Del Rey
From New York Times bestselling writer Cavan Scott (Star Wars: The High Republic) comes this full script transcript of the 2021 original Star Wars audio drama, Tempest Runner, which is set during the High Republic Era.
As the renegade Nihil tear through the galaxy unchecked, the ruthless Tempest Runner named Lourna Dee outfoxes the Jedi Order in her starship which bears her own name. Following her eventual capture by the Jedi, the vicious raider disguises herself as a common Nihil unbeknownst to her captors.
Imprisoned in a Republic prison ship, Lourna Dee now uses her time to recruit allies and conceives of an ambitious escape plan that might land her in a more undesirable position than she’s currently in.
8. Star Wars: The High Republic - The Fallen Star
- Publisher: Del Rey
This is author Claudia Gray’s riveting sequel to Star Wars: The Rising Storm, with uncertain times looming over the Jedi. The scourge of the galaxy, the Nihil, have attempted to destroy the glorious reign of the High Republic to no avail against their virtuous adversaries and their noble Jedi enforcers.
Starlight Beacon is the High Republic’s most revered destination and acts as a culture and symbolic icon of peace and justice in the galaxy by illuminating hope to outlying worlds in need of salvation. This Outer Rim space station shines upon the evil shadows of the quadrant as the Nihil continue to ravage planets.
Here amid the smoke of interstellar conflict and the peaceful harbor sheltered from the atrocities of the Nihil, the mastermind of these cosmic pirates named Marchion Ro will stop at nothing to extinguish the bright rays of Starlight Beacon and the Jedi Knights forever.
Best Star Wars art & reference books
1. Star Wars: Make Your Own Pop-Up Book: Ghoul-Actic Halloween
- Publisher: Insight Kids
It’s never too early to start thinking of the spookiest of seasons so here’s a super-fun, 16-page "Star Wars" pop-up book for kids.
Here you’ll color and create your own 3D paper models to bring the world of "Star Wars" to life. Explore the dark side of the most haunted holiday with step-by-step instructions to guide readers toward constructing holiday-themed pop-ups with a unique "Star Wars" twist, from Sith-style pumpkins to a collection of trick-or-squeak Porgs.
2. Star Wars Mazes
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
Get lost in this fresh collection of "Star Wars" puzzles by expert maze creator and diehard "Star Wars" fan Sean C. Jackson. This navigational diversion contains over 30 beautifully illustrated mazes of classic "Star Wars" scenes and locations ranging from the forest moon of Endor to Bespin's Cloud City, the Sith planet of Exegol, the inside of a Star Destroyer, Jabba’s palace, pod races, clone armies, and much more.
Every full-color maze is accompanied by notes about the environments and special bonus elements to discover hidden Easter eggs along the trails.
3. Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual History
- Publisher: DK
A bit rusty on your "Star Wars" trivia? DK has unleashed an updated edition of "Star Wars Year By Year," stuffed with everything you've ever yearned to know about "Star Wars." It’s painstakingly researched by Kristin Baver and Pablo Hidalgo, presenting a unique timeline of the entire franchise.
The visual odyssey features trivia and cultural cornerstones from director George Lucas' early life to memorable movie stills, comic books, novels, toys, video games, and theme parks that have emerged from five decades of filmmaking. Spans all nine episodes of the original, prequel, and sequel trilogies, along with standalone films "Rogue One" and "Solo," and the Disney Plus series, "The Mandalorian."
4. Star Wars: The Secrets Of The Sith
- Publisher: Insight Kids
Join Darth Sidious (AKA Emperor Palpatine) in this deep exploration of the Sith and the evil colleagues of the dark side. Perfectly appropriate for young fans, this premium hardcover is packed with vivid artwork and interactive features like pop-ups, booklets and lift-the-flap inserts.
Learn about iconic dark-side "Star Wars" villains seen in movies, TV shows, books, comics and video games including Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, Darth Vader and Kylo Ren.
5. The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian - Season 2
- Publisher: Abrams
While we patiently wait for the upcoming third season of Disney Plus’ The Mandalorian this December, Abrams Books recently released this breathtaking hardback volume stuffed with pre-production details that ultimately became the characters, costumes, creatures, aliens, weapons, spaceships, and landscapes that formed the stunning visuals of The Mandalorian Season 2.
Penned by Phil Szostak and accompanied by a forward from Lucasfilm art legend Doug Chiang, this 256-page edition is brimming with vibrant conceptual art created by the imaginative army of artists, painters, illustrators, sculptors, and model makers that form the storied Lucasfilm art department.
It also includes interviews with crew members and creative personalities like executive producer/showrunner Jon Favreau (Iron Man) and executive producer/director Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars).
6. Star Wars: The Mini Book of Lightsabers
- Publisher: Insight Editions
Sometimes big things come in small packages, like this palm-sized Star Wars guidebook that playfully portrays all the elegant weapons of the Jedi in a pocket-toting form. Measuring in at a compact 2.5” x 3.5”, this miniature reference book presents dozens of classic lightsabers from the Star Wars Universe to page through and admire.
These famous hilts are represented by detailed photos of all the crackling, searing swords witnessed in films, TV shows, video games, comics, and original novels alongside information as to their fortunate owners, including such Star Wars notables as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, Rey, Mace Windu, Yoda, and The Mandalorian.
7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Official Collectors Edition
- Publisher: Titan Comics
Encompassing seven seasons and 133 episodes, Star Wars: The Clone Wars remains one of the best Star Wars TV shows we've seen so far. Taking place between the events of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, it originally aired from 2008-2020 on the Cartoon Network, Netflix, and Disney Plus.
London-based Titan Comics honors this legacy with a new comprehensive guide to the making of this influential show. Spawned from Titan’s Star Wars Insider magazine is this 144-page hardcover guide to The Clone Wars that reveals behind-the-scenes interviews, special character profiles, in-depth episode guides, concept art, costume sketches, and alien landscape drawings collected from the Lucasfilm Image Archives and The Clone Wars’ original key art frames.
Best Star Wars graphic novels
1. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - The Graphic Novel
- Publisher: IDW Publishing
IDW delivers a deluxe graphic novel adaptation of the 1999 "Star Wars" prequel in a fresh collection written by Alessandro Ferrari and featuring artwork by Igor Chimisso, Matteo Piana, and Andrea Parisi.
This is a streamlined, young reader-friendly release containing "The Phantom Menace #1-4" and showcasing bold illustrations revealing the genesis of Darth Vader, the emergence of Queen Amidala, and the Jedi protectors Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn.
2. Star Wars: Guardians Of The Whills - The Manga
- Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Be one with the Force in this deluxe 196-page manga adaptation of author Greg Rucka's 2017 novel, "Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills." Adapted by writer Jon Tsuei and illustrated by artist Subaru, this graphic novel release revisits fan-favorite characters Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe prior to them joining the Rebellion as seen in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
3. Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader's Castle
- Publisher: IDW Publishing
IDW’s Vader’s Castle comics were some of the most fun you’ll ever have being scared around Halloween. This graphic novel collection is the third volume of semi-frightening Star Wars yarns that began with 2018’s Tales of Vader's Castle and 2019’s Return to Vader's Castle. These all-ages anthologies center around the Dark Lord of the Sith and a haunting array of spooky tales told from Vader’s sinister black castle on the volcanic world of Mustafar.
Written by Star Wars veteran Cavan Scott and accented with art by Francesco Francavilla, Derek Charm, Megan Levens, Robert Hack, Chris Fenoglio and others, IDW’s new trade paperback brings together all five issues of the third fall miniseries set inside the obsidian fortress. It features Lina, Hudd, Skritt, Milo Graf, Jaxxon, and Crater in one final terrifying trip to Vader’s Castle that celebrates the ghostly corners of the Star Wars galaxy, with surprise cameos by Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, and Jar Jar Binks.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
