Expanded Universe: Novels

This page contains plot summaries of the Star Wars adult novels, listed in chronological order. For more information, including cover illustrations, variant covers, and junior novels, please see the Unofficial Star Wars Novels Page.

 Darth Maul: Saboteur
Originally an e-book but then published at the end of Shadow Hunter, this details the Sith Apprentice's first solo mission to bring about the merger of two rival mining corporations and increase the power of the Trade Federation and its leaders (in preparation for the events of Episode I).
 Cloak of Deception
Details the machinations of Palpatine as he gets the Trade Federation prepared for their blockade of Naboo. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-wan Kenobi are sent on the trail of a terrorist group that seeks to disrupt the Trade Federation's activities (and is the excuse for their miltary buildup seen in Episode I)
 Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
Darth Maul must hunt down a rogue Nemoidian who threatens to reveal the Sith's plans for Naboo. The task soon expands to include a Sith Holocron, a Jedi Padawan, a smuggler and a sentient droid.
 Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The novelization of the movie. Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan apprentice Obi-wan Kenobi become embroiled in the Trade Federation's blockade of Naboo. While escorting the Queen of Naboo to Coruscant, they encounter a Force-sensitive young boy named Anakin Skywalker and a deadly Sith apprentice named Darth Maul.
 Rogue Planet
Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his new apprentice Anakin Skywalker are sent on their first mission together by the Jedi Council, a mission that will test the pair's bond and force young Anakin to face his deepest fears.
 The Approaching Storm
Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan apprentice Anakin Skywalker are sent to negotiate a settlement between the city and plains dwellers on a seemingly insignificant planet. What they don't realize, however, is that this planet is the center of a galaxy-spanning scheme to create a new Empire from the ashes of the Republic.
 Episode II: Attack of the Clones
The novelization of the movie. Jedi Knight Obi-wan Kenobi and his Padawan apprentice Anakin Skywalker are assigned to protect the former Queen of Naboo after an assassination attempt. As Anakin slowly falls in love with the young woman, Obi-wan must track down the assassins and begins to uncover a conspiracy against the Republic - one that involves the forgotten Sith Order.
 Shatterpoint
** A Clone Wars Novel **

Jedi Master Mace Windu is considered by many to be unbreakable - the ultimate ideal of a Jedi. However, even his mettle will be tested when he must face the horrors of war coupled with the possible loss of his former Padawan Depa Billaba. As the Clone Wars begin, the two will find themselves tested by both the dark side and the horrors of their own mind, as the Jedi Order itself and the galaxy at large reach a shattering point.
 Escape From Dagu
** A Clone Wars Novel **

Jedi Master Shaak Ti finds herself a prisoner in a Seperatist internment camp. As the highest ranking prisoner, she must now find a way for both her and the other Republic prisoners to escape. However, this task will be greatly complicated by a certain Dark Jedi among the prisoners - one who is searching for a courier and won't let a simple Jedi Master stop him.
 The Cestus Deception
** A Clone Wars Novel **

Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto are assigned to investigate Seperatist operations on the planet Ord Cestus, but what they find there may spell defeat for the Republic!
 Episode III
The novelization of the movie.
 The Han Solo Trilogy: The Paradise Snare
Details the origins of Han Solo as the young orphan escapes his cruel benefactor, finds long-lost family, and eventually escapes Corellia to find reknown as a stellar pilot. He then finds work at a religious compound run by the Hutts and soon finds out that not all is as it seems, bringing about its downfall when helping a new girlfriend to escape. The pair then flee to Coruscant, where Solo hopes to join the Imperial Academy and become one of the Empire's finest pilots.
 The Han Solo Trilogy: The Hutt Gambit
Discharged from the Imperial Navy, Han Solo and his new Wookie partner Chewbacca soon become smugglers working for the famous crimelord Jabba the Hutt. They soon become embroiled in a conflict between the smugglers of Nar Shadda and the Empire, and it's a fight they're not sure they can win.
 The Adventures of Lando Calrissian
This trilogy of books details some early adventures of Lando Calrissian. Titles include Lando Calrissian and the Mind-Harp of Sharu, Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon, and Lando Calrissian and the Star-cave of ThonBaka. Originally three seperate books, the adventures are usually now found in a single edition.
 The Han Solo Adventures
This trilogy of books details the early adventures of Han Solo. Titles include Han Solo at Star's End, Han Solo's Revenge, and Han Solo and the Lost Legacy. Originally three seperate books, the adventures are usually now found in a single edition.
 The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn
After winning the Millenium Falcon in a game of sabacc, Han and Chewie become top-class smugglers. However, the return of an old girlfriend involves Han Solo in the rebellion against the Empire, and offers him a chance to be rich... or be betrayed.
 Episode IV: A New Hope
The novelization of the movie. Luke Skywalker, a young farmer from Tattooine, must join forces with Obi-wan Kenobi, a wizened old Jedi Knight, and Han Solo, a scruffy smuggler, in order to save Leia Organa, an Alderaanian princess, from the vile clutches of the evil Darth Vader.
 Tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina
A compilation of short stories revolving around the time of Episode IV and the famous "cantina scene". The stories provide background information on the various characters seen in the cantina.
 Splinter of the Mind's Eye
While on a diplomatic mission, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa are stranded on a jungle planet that hides the Kaiburr crystal -- a gem which gives its holder infinite control over the Force. Unfortunately, Darth Vader knows of the crystal and has come to claim it for himself...
 Tales From the Empire
A compilation of short stories involving the Empire. Stories include a Dark Jedi who is fleeing the wrath of the Emperor, a tale which shows Thrawn gaining control of the Noghri, and Colonel Veers' climb to General. This novel's chronology is hard to place since the timeframe of the stories kind of jumps around.
 Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The novelization of the movie. The Rebel Alliance flees the wrath of the Empire while Luke begins his Jedi training on Dagobah and Han and Leia walk into the trap of Darth Vader.
 Tales of the Bounty Hunters
A compilation of short stories revolving around the attempts by bounty hunters to capture Han Solo and the Millenium Falcon for the Empire.
 Shadows of the Empire
The Alliance heroes must attempt to rescue Han Solo as his frozen form is taken to Jabba the Hutt. This is made even more difficult when the galaxy's most powerful gangster undertakes a plot to discredit Darth Vader by killing Luke Skywalker.
 Tales from Jabba's Palace
A compilation of short stories taking place around the palace of the Hutt leading up to his death at the beginning of Episode VI. Includes the "pre-Episode 2" origin of Boba Fett. Some of the tales spill over into the days after Jabba's death and the chaos that grips his criminal organization.
 Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
The novelization of the movie. After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, Luke Skywalker and friends regroup with the rest of the Alliance for a final battle with the Galactic Empire.
 The Truce at Bakura
Fresh after their victory over the Death Star II and the Emperor, the Alliance must answer a distress call from the remote Imperial-controlled world of Bakura, a world which is under attack from the Ssi-Ruu, an unknown alien race.
 The Bounty Hunter Wars: The Mandalorian Armor
After being rescued by Dengar from the remains of the Sarlacc Pit, Boba Fett begins the long road to recovery and attempts to piece together the events of late. However, first, he must find out who's trying so hard to make sure he's really dead. Flashbacks date back to before Episode IV.
 The Bounty Hunter Wars: Slave Ship
Taking Dengar on as a partner, Boba Fett now believes that his unknown attackers have something to do with a young woman in his company with amnesia. Perhaps by learning her mystery, he can solve his own. Flashbacks date back to before Episode IV, and include Fett's involvement with the dissolution of the Bounty Hunter's Guild.
 The Bounty Hunter Wars: Hard Merchandise
As he continues to evade assassination attempts and restore the young lady's memory, Boba Fett begins to uncover a larger conspiracy, one that is somehow involved with a past job of his. One that involves the galaxy-reknowned company of Kuat Drive Systems. Flashbacks date back to before Episode IV.
 Tales From the New Republic
Compilation of short stories about characters central to the New Republic. Honestly, I didn't know where to put this in the chronology. The stories jump all over the timeline, showing how Garm Bel Iblis helped form the Alliance, a mission Mara Jade takes after joining Talon Kardde's group, and Boba Fett's one-man siege of an entire Imperial garrison.
 X-Wing: Rogue Squadron
Wedge Antilles rebuilds Rogue Squadron into an elite force of pilots as the New Republic attempts to re-claim the galaxy.
 X-Wing: Wedge's Gambit
Rogue Squadron must infiltrate the Imperial capital of Coruscant in order to gather intelligence for the New Republic. While thus planning to recapture the capital, the New Republic must also deal with Ysanne Isard, the head of Imperial Intelligence and Emperor in all but name.
 X-Wing: The Krytos Trap
The New Republic's joy at re-taking Coruscant is short-lived as an Imperial counter-measure begins spreading the Krytos virus, a lethal disease that begins systematically wiping out the planet's population.
 X-Wing: The Bacta War
Rogue Squadron must face seemingly impossible odds to capture the planet of Thyferra from the Empire and thus ensure that the New Republic is supplied with the healing substance called bacta.
 X-Wing: Wraith Squadron
Wraith Squadron, a new group formed by Wedge Antilles for intelligence and subterfuge, is forced into its first mission as it must impersonate an Imperial crew and infiltrate Imperial space.
 X-Wing: Iron Fist
Wraith Squadron must now endure its second mission -- infiltrate the organization of the Warlord Zsinj and prevent he and his Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist from joining what's left of the Empire!
 X-Wing: Solo Command
Although believed defeated, Zsinj returns with plans of conquest. Wraith Squadron must now return to finish the job, and this time they will be led by none other than Han Solo.
 The Courtship of Princess Leia
As Leia plans to wed a wealthy prince in order to seal an alliance between two governments, a desperate Han Solo whisks her away to the jungle planet of Dathomir in hopes of rekindling her love for him. As the prince and Luke Skywalker give chase, the group is involved in a civil war between Force-sensitive women who live on the planet.
 Heir to the Empire
As the New Republic finally settles into a time of short-lived peace, the last Grand Admiral of the Empire returns and begins to marshall his forces as he searches for the secret vault of the Emperor, the contents of which may spell certain doom for the fragile New Republic.
 Dark Force Rising
As the New Republic threatens to destroy itself from within, Grand Admiral Thrawn and the united remnants of the Empire begin to burn their way towards Coruscant, an unstoppable force assisted by an insane Dark Jedi.
 The Last Command
The situation looks grim as Thrawn and the Empire stands poised to take Coruscant. As the forces of the New Republic take desperate measures to defend Coruscant, a strike team led by Luke Skywalker travels to the Emperor's vault planet to destroy Thrawn's cloning technology and confront the evil Dark Jedi who awaits them there.
 X-Wing: Isard's Revenge
Rogue Squadron must ally with their former enemy Ysanne Isard in order to rescue prisoners of war. The alliance must also bring about the destruction of Ysanne's chief rival, and Wedge knows it's only a matter of time before Isard betrays them...
 The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Jedi Search
As the galaxy appears to be at relative peace again, Luke Skywalker begins the daunting task of rebuilding the Jedi Order. As he searches the galaxy for Force-sensitive individuals, Han Solo and Chewbacca unexpectedly locate a hidden Imperial research center whose commander is none too happy to hear about the Empire's downfall...
 The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Dark Apprentice
As the New Republic struggles to defend the watery homeworld of Admiral Ackbar from the Imperial forces led by Daala, a new threat emerges at Luke's Jedi Academy on Yavin IV -- a threat realized when the spirit of Sith Lord Exar Kun begins to corrupt the students of the Jedi.
 The Jedi Academy Trilogy: Champions of the Force
The galaxy is again in turmoil. The heroes of the New Republic face attack on all sides as Leia must save her children from Imperial agents and Han and Chewie pursue a corrupted student of Luke's who threatens to destroy entire systems. Meanwhile, on Yavin IV, the first generation of Luke's students must unite to defeat the spirit of the Sith Lord Exar Kun.
 I, Jedi
Corran Horn, former CorSec agent and Rogue Squadron pilot, must uncover his Jedi heritage as he attempts to rescue his wife from a band of Imperial agents who are using Force-sensitives and pirates to cement their power in the galaxy.
 Children of the Jedi
Leia and her family travel to Belsavis in search of ancient Jedi settlements, while Luke must single-handedly stop an Imperial superweapon from destroying its pre-programmed targets.
 Darksaber
The New Republic learns of a plan by the Hutts to re-build the superlaser from the Death Star and use it in an ultimate bid for supremacy. As if that weren't enough, Admiral Daala returns with an Imperial fleet and begins to destroy New Republic worlds.
 Planet of Twilight
Luke Skywalker travels to a remote desert planet in search of his long-lost love, unaware that his sister has been kidnapped and is being held on the planet. Unbeknownst to either of the Skywalkers, a deadly threat is brewing around them - one that could spell doom for the entire galaxy!
 X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar
Rogue Squadron must undertake a diplomatic mission to obtain the allegiance of a society who prides military skill above all else. The task is complicated by Imperial agents who want the planet to ally with the Empire.
 The Crystal Star
As Leia follows the trail of her kidnapped children, Han and Luke investigate a strange disturbance in the Force found on a space station in an unstable system. Unaware of the children's plight, the two paths soon cross as Luke faces perhaps his toughest challenge yet.
 The Black Fleet Crisis: Before the Storm
Leia, now Chief of State of the New Republic, must try to negotiate peace with a xenophobic race of aliens bent of genocidal conquest while Luke attempts to find more information about their mother - a quest that will ultimately reveal more than he bargained for. Also, Lando and the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO must enlist the aid of former ally Lobot in order to solve the mystery of an enormous starship that leaps randomly throughout the galaxy and reveals vast amounts of firepower when threatened.
 The Black Fleet Crisis: Shield of Lies
Leia continues to try negotiating with the Yvethans while Han leads a reconnaissance mission deep into Yvethan space. What he finds there may spell certain defeat for the New Republic. Meanwhile, Lando and company become trapped within the mysterious organic starship called the "Teljkon Vagabond" while Luke's ideas about the Force are challenged by a strange group calling themselves the Fallanassi.
 The Black Fleet Crisis: Tyrant's Test
Leia must now make a final stand against the Yvethan armada, despite their threat to kill the captured Han Solo. As Chewbacca mounts a Wookie strike team to rescue Han, Lando's team finally begins to understand the Vagabond and Luke finds answers - just not the ones he was looking for.
 The New Rebellion
The New Republic is held hostage by an unknown Dark Jedi who can seemingly destroy any location in the galaxy at a moment's notice. Having already felt the entire population of a planet killed in an instant by this madman, Luke must track down the man and stop him while Leia attempts to quell the political unrest on Coruscant - unrest which is calling for her resignation. At the same time, Han and Chewie must return to the world of smugglers as they try to uncover yet another plot against the New Republic.
 The Corellian Trilogy: Ambush at Corellia
Han takes his family to Corellia for a Trade Summit and becomes involved in an attempt by New Republic Intelligence to infiltrate a terrorist group that threatens the system with civil war. The fact that the terrorists have jammers and an interdiction system blocking the three planets off from the rest of the galaxy makes the situation even more threatening.
 The Corellian Trilogy: Assault at Selonia
Han must now match wits with his evil cousin and ally with a female Selonian in order to escape and stop the terrorist group called the Human League. On top of Thracken Sal-Solo's mad plans for conquest, the mysterious articifical planet called Centerpoint has inexplicably come alive and is harboring a secret that will shake the foundations of the Corellian system. Meanwhile, outside the system, the New Republic must contend with an unknown weapon capable of destroying entire star systems in a single blast, blasts which appear to be coming from the Corellian system itself.
 The Corellian Trilogy: Showdown at Centerpoint
As Han and his new allies attempt to stop the Human League, Luke and Lando penetrate the system and discover that Centerpoint itself is the deadliest weapon the galaxy has ever seen. Meanwhile, the Solo children must learn the secrets of the planetary repulsor systems in order to prevent them from being used as weapons. The youngest of them, Anakin, just may do something that nobody ever expected...
 Specter of the Past
As the remnants of the Empire continue to crumble, a small faction reveals that Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned to lead the Empire against the New Republic. As if that threat weren't enough, a conspiracy involving the infamous Bothans promises to tear the New Republic apart from within unless Alliance leaders can find evidence of the truth - evidence that was apparently destroyed by Palpatine decades before.
 Vision of the Future
As the Alliance heroes spread across the galaxy in an attempt to find the evidence they seek, Luke must team up with Mara Jade to investigate the Hand of Thrawn, a mysterious black fortress on a remote world. What they find there will undoubtedly cause them to question the future of the New Republic.
 Vector Prime
****** begins New Jedi Order series ******

Finally beginning the long road to peace, many of the New Republic's heroes begin to retire and make lives for themselves without war. However, at the edge of the galaxy, a new threat begins to show itself -- a threat that will change the face of the galaxy forever...
 Dark Tide: Onslaught
It seems that the New Republic will never know rest. Finally on the verge of peace, the galaxy is again thrown into conflict when a race of aliens calling themselves the Yuuzhan Vong invade the galaxy from without -- aliens who possess living technology never before seen in the galaxy and are seemingly unstoppable. Luke Skywalker struggles to lead his new Jedi Order, and Leia must contend with a new generation of politicians and the growing tension throughout the races of the New Republic, not to mention her three teenage children.
 Dark Tide: Ruin
As the Yuuzhan Vong begin to mercilessly attack the Outer Rim planets, the New Republic and the Jedi must hold themselves together and mount some sort of defense against these invaders. That may prove impossible, however, as the New Republic military seems out-classed and out-gunned, and the Jedi cannot even sense the Vong in the Force.
 Agents of Chaos: Hero's Trial
Still grieving over the loss of Chewbacca, Han Solo returns to his roots as he again becomes a gruff loner. Out for revenge against the Vong, Solo soon uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the New Republic from within.
 Agents of Chaos: Jedi Eclipse
A countless string of victories by the Yuuzhan Vong has the galaxy's morale stretched to the breaking point as Leia struggles to evacuate the planets in their path. As the Vong begin to set traps for the New Republic, the Jedi begin to fracture, and the fate of an entire planet may depend on the cunning and skills of Han Solo.
 Balance Point
As the paths of the New Republic heroes converge on the planet of Duro, they are unaware that the Yuuzhan Vong prepare to attack it, and Jacen Solo's choice to abandon the Force may cost him the life of a loved one...
 Edge of Victory: Conquest
As the Yuuzhan Vong begin to wage war against the Jedi and threaten to turn the galaxy against them, young Anakin Solo must race to Yavin IV to prevent the Academy's destruction he saw in a Force vision. Failing that, he must then ally himself with an exiled Vong warrior in order to save Tahiri from the grasp of the Yuuzhan Vong shapers.
 Edge of Victory: Rebirth
It is a dark time for the galaxy. Members of the Jedi Order can seemingly trust no one as they are constantly betrayed to curry favor with the Yuuzhan Vong, the apparent victors as they continue to burn their way across the galaxy towards Coruscant. As over a third of the galaxy is now under Vong control, the heroes of the Alliance and their allies attempt to find a new homeworld for the Jedi and establish a secret underground network that will allow them to evade and combat the Vong and their allies.
 Star By Star
The Jedi begin to take the fight to the Yuuzhan Vong after the Vong kill numerous Jedi with their newest creation - the voxyn. A Jedi strike team led by Anakin Solo stabs deep into enemy territory to locate and destroy the queen voxyn and the Vong's ability to create the monsters. Meanwhile, the New Republic officially sanctions the Jedi as a military force again, and the Jedi begin to systematically defeat the Vong with their skills and newfound knowledge of Vong technology. In retaliation, however, the Yuuzhan Vong may just attack the last stronghold of the New Republic -- Coruscant itself.
 Dark Journey
Jaina must confront her grief and rage over Anakin's death while the New Republic military attempts to regroup after the loss of Coruscant. After the Jedi reel from the apparent death of Jacen as well, Jaina throws herself completely to the task of revenge - even if it means going to the dark side.
 Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
The lines of battle are drawn as the New Republic military gathers at Borleias for a grim last stand. Led by Wedge Antilles, the heroes of the New Republic realize that their only hope now lies in the guerilla tactics they once used to topple an empire.
 Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
As the New Republic gathers its strength, a new strategy takes shape - one that just might deal a crushing blow to the Yuuzhan Vong and turn the tide of war.
 Traitor
Unbeknownst to his friends and family, young Jacen Solo lives. Cut off from the Force by the strange creature known as Vergere, Jacen must learn a new focus for his abilities, one that will give him a new understanding of the Yuuzhan Vong and might even allow him to sense them in the Force.
 Destiny's Way
The tide is turning. Jacen Solo has returned to his friends and family, and he may have brought a new understanding of the Force with him. Meanwhile, the New Republic, now led unofficially by Wedge Antilles, relies on an old ally to deal yet another crushing blow to the Yuuzhan Vong.
 Force Heretic I: Remnant
As the new Galactic Alliance attempts to consolidate itself, the Jedi undertake a mission to locate Zonama Sekot - a mission vastly complicated when they find the Imperial Remnant in a life-or-death struggle against the Yuuzhan Vong.
 Force Heretic II: Refugee
Bolstered by growing hope, the Jedi strike out into the Unknown Regions in search of the living planet Zonama Sekot - a planet which may hold the key to defeating the Yuuzhan Vong once and for all.
 Force Heretic III: Reunion
As the galaxy begins to unite against the Yuuzhan Vong, thanks largely to the efforts of Han and Leia Solo, the Jedi attempt to recruit a most unlikely ally - an ally who would prefer not to get involved.
 The Final Prophecy
As the war nears its end, Tahiri Veila again finds herself torn between two races -- this time between the galaxy of her birth and her adopted people, the Yuuzhan Vong. In an attempt to find peace between the two, she finds herself assisting the most unlikely of allies -- Nom Anor, the former Executor of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.
 The Unifying Force
The final showdown between the Galactic Alliance and the Yuuzhan Vong has been a long time coming, but it will mean destruction for one or the other. Can one young Jedi possibly find a way for the two to coexist, or will the Jedi find themselves guilty of the ultimate sin -- genocide of an entire race?

****** ends New Jedi Order series ******