| Author |
Topic:
What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 3:53pm
Subject:
What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
6/4 6:06pm (7 edits total)
Edited By:
Rogue_Follower
|
With such a plethora of titles available for Star Wars literature, it can often be a daunting task to determine where a good place to begin is. There really are a number of great places to begin, but where and what these are can vary from person to person, since everyone has their own opinions (you're bound to find at least one person or loves or hates any particular title).
In this thread you'll find a summary of the most commonly given suggestions and approaches for exploring the Expanded Universe:
1) General Introduction
2) Choose an Era
3) Chronological Order
-General Introduction
There are a handful of titles that are usually the first to be recommended by other fans as good starting places- this is, besides the actual quality of the work, most likely because these titles are either standalone stories or they are more connected to the films/ do not rely heavily on characters & events from other books.
These titles are:
- -The "Thrawn Trilogy": a series set 5 years after Return of the Jedi and basically was the launching point of the modern publishing material. Probably the most often-recommended starting point in the EU. Stars the heroes of the Classic Trilogy. (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising & The Last Command)
- -The X-Wing series: Another fan favorite, this time following the exploits of Wedge Antilles and his fighter pilots shortly after Return of the Jedi through 9 years after Endor. (Series I: Rogue Squadron, Wedge's Gamble, The Krytos Trap & The Bacta War; Series II: Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist & Solo Command; Series III: Isard's Revenge; Series IV: Starfighters of Adumar)
- -Shadows of the Empire: This "bridge novel" covers the timespan and events between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Features Vader, Luke, Leia, Lando and more.
- -Cloak of Deception: This political thriller sets the stage for the events of The Phantom Menace, and is also the earliest occurring adult novel on the timeline. Stars Qui-Gon and Obi-wan.
- -Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter: A more action oriented story also set just prior to The Phantom Menace.
- -Outbound Flight: Set The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones and featuring (though not starring) Obi-wan & Anakin in a prequel to the various Thrawn books.
- -Shatterpoint: The first Clone Wars novel written, focusing on Mace Windu and the horrors of war.
- -Labyrinth of Evil: The official lead-in to Revenge of the Sith!
- -Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader: Set in the aftermath of ROTS as Darth Vader obsessess over Order 66 survivors while adjusting to his new body.
- -The Tales of the Jedi series: This comic series is set some 4,000 years before the films, and, with it's primary story arc (which starts with Knights of the Old Republic-not to be confused with the game or actual comic series of the same name), delves into the ancient Jedi and Sith conflicts. This fan-favorite series also acts as backstory to the popular Knights of the Old Republic video games. (Knights of the Old Republic, The Freedon Nadd Uprising (if you can find it), Dark Lords of the Sith, The Sith War & Redemption)
- -The Knights of the Old Republic series: This comic series, set after Tales of the Jedi, but before the Knights of the Old Republic video games follows a padawan on the run, set against the backdrop of the emerging Mandalorian Wars.
- -The Clone Wars comics: These highly-recommended comics follow heroes new and old through the turbulent Clone Wars, from the Battle of Kamino to a damned-fool idealistic crusade...(Volume 1: The Defense of Kamino, Volume 2: Victories & Sacrifices, Volume 4: Light & Dark, Volume 3: Last Stand on Jabiim, Volume 5: The Best Blades, Volume 6: On the Fields of Battle, Volume 7: When They Were Brothers, Volume 8: The Last Siege, The Final Truth, Volume 9: Endgame)
-Choose an Era
Another popular approach is to select an era or timeframe you're most interested in reading about, and focus on the titles from there. Here are some of the highlights/common recommendations for each era:
Ancient Times
-Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic (comic)
-Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (comic)
-Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War (comic)
-Tales of the Jedi: Redemption (comic)
-Knights of the Old Republic (comic)
-Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
-Jedi vs. Sith (comic)
Prequel Era
-Jedi Council: Acts of War (comic)
-Cloak of Deception
-Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
-Jango Fett: Open Seasons (comic)
-Twilight (comic)
-Darkness (comic)
-The Stark Hyperspace War (comic)
-Rite of Passage (comic)
-Clone Wars Volume 1: The Defense of Kamino (comic)
-Clone Wars Volume 2: Victories & Sacrifices (comic)
-Republic Commando: Hard Contact
-Shatterpoint
-Clone Wars Volume 4: Light & Dark (comic)
-Clone Wars Volume 3: Last Stand on Jabiim (comic)
-Clone Wars Volume 5: The Best Blades (comic)
-Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
-Clone Wars Volume 6: On the Fields of Battle (comic)
-Clone Wars Volume 7: When They Were Brothers (comic)
-Clone Wars Volume 8: The Last Siege, the Final Truth (comic)
-Labyrinth of Evil
-Clone Wars Volume 9: Endgame (comic)
Inter-Trilogy Era
-Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
-The Han Solo Trilogy (The Paradise Snare, The Hutt Gambit & Rebel Dawn)
-The Han Solo Adventures (Han Solo at Stars End, Han Solo's Revenge & Han Solo and the Lost Legacy)
Classic Era
-Tales From the Mos Eisley cantina
-Empire Volume 2: Darklighter (comic)
-Empire Volume 3: The Imperial Perspective (comic)
-Empire Volume 6: In the Shadows of Their Fathers (comic)
-Empire Volume 7: The Wrong Side of the War (comic)
-Rebellion Volume 1: My Brother, My Enemy (comic)
-Allegiance
-Tales of the Bounty Hunters
-Shadows of the Empire
-Tales From Jabba's Palace
Sequel Era
-Mara Jade: By the Emperor's Hand (comic)
-The Truce at Bakura
-X-Wing: Rogue Squadron
-X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble
-X-Wing: The Krytos Trap
-X-Wing: The Bacta War
-X-Wing: Wraith Squadron
-X-Wing: Iron Fist
-X-Wing: Solo Command
-The Courtship of Princess Leia
-Tatooine Ghost
-The "Thrawn Trilogy": Heir to the Empire
-The "Thrawn Trilogy": Dark Force Rising
-The "Thrawn Trilogy": The Last Command
-X-Wing: Isard's Revenge
-Dark Empire (comic series)
-Jedi Academy Trilogy: Jedi Search
-Jedi Academy Trilogy: Dark Apprentice
-Jedi Academy Trilogy: Champions of the Force
-I, Jedi
-Darksaber
-X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar
-Hand of Thrawn: Specter of the Past
-Hand of Thrawn: Vision of the Future
-Union (comic)
The New Jedi Order
This series of 19 books is set 25 years after the events of A New Hope. It was also meant to be a sort of "jumping on point" for new readers (starting with the first book, Vector Prime), however, to get the fullest enjoyment out of the series, most fans suggest either holding off on this series until after you've read more of the other SW novels, or, at the very least, reading The Essential Chronology or The New Essential Chronology to get an overview of the events that occured between ROTJ and the NJO.
Legacy Era
Containing both the Legacy of the Force novel series somprised of 9 books (set 40 years after A New Hope) and the Legacy comic series (set about 100 years after the LOTF series). Legacy of the Force acts as a very good jumping-on point to the current novels (though you still might want to consider breezing through the New Essential Chronology first to get a little more of the backstory). Meanwhile, the Legacy series, set so far ahead on the timeline, is almost a blank slate when it comes to backstory found in existing sources, so it too can be enjoyed fairly easily without any backreading.
However, if your looking for some backstory, in broad strokes, to the LOTF, without reading the New Essential Chronology, take a look at Traitor and the Dark Nest Trilogy.
Now, there are obviously other titles in each era beyond those highlights that you may enjoy as well (be it the character interaction of the Corellian Trilogy,the military battles of the Black Fleet Crisis or the action-packed nature of the comic Crimson Empire), so feel free to look into those titles as well!
To assist you in that endeavor, you may find the following timeline reference sources of use (or, you can always check the inside covers of a recently published novel or comic collection):
General Timelines:
Star Wars Expanded Universe Timeline
The Ultimate Timeline at TheForce.Net
Timeline Universe's Star Wars Expanded Universe Timeline
Del Rey's Star Wars Novel Timeline
Dark Horse Comics Star Wars Timeline
TF.N Book Reviews Listing (Chronological Order)
Detailed Timelines (w/summaries):
Time Tales
Timeline Gold
Unauthorized Star Wars Chronology
Era Specific Timelines:
The Ultimate Attack of the Clones & the Clone Wars Timeline
Timeline at The Unofficial Clone Wars Site
-Chronological Order
The third most commonly suggested approach to the EU is to experience everything (or, at the very least, a specific era) in chronological order. This could be just the books, just the comics, or everything, depending on your particular tastes.
For this approach, just follow any of the links above to get started ::)
Now, those aren't the only ways to experience the EU - try looking into titles focusing on your favorite character, for example, or read the books in the order of publication (to get a sense of how the characters and events have developed as they were created). Feel free to discuss the particulars of these and other recommendations here.
And, finally, if you are a member of the Star Wars Fan Club, there is some EU material you have access to online through your Hyperspace service:-Hyperspace Fiction: Short stories from current and out-of-print sources republished online, with new additions twice a month.
-Hyperspace Webstrips: Original ongoing series of comic strips are joined by classic strips from the 70's and 80's. And, as always, if you have a question about anything in the EU, just ask- someone will know the answer ::)
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 3:53pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
11/18/05 2:20pm (3 edits total)
Edited By:
The2ndQuest
|
|
n/t
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 3:55pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
DarthVankai: where can one find these books/comics?
I'm interested into reading about the EU. Would amazon.com have these? Thanks.
Pretty much all of them should be available through amazon.com, barnes & Noble or other major bookstores (even the graphic novel comic collections).
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
StarDude
Registered:
Nov '01
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 6:25pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
*sigh* Reposting for the third time:
Well Summer is nearly here and it's time I figure out what books I'm going to read. After seeing Episode III, I figure I might finally decide to delve into the expanded universe.
Here's the deal: I don't want to read anything that contradicts the movies. I'm still in that boat that isn't sure whether or not to consider the EU canon.
Preferably, I would like to read a SW novel that might actually be considered literature--implying use of literary themes, motifs and symbols. Not to sound too geeky (heh, this is a Star Wars board), but I would really like to be able to look deeply and analytically at a Star Wars novel, just as I would with a Star Wars movie. I want something that mythical, but adventurous. Unlike Tom Clancy novels, which are simply just stories and political yarns (not to dis on Clancy or anything), I want something true to the spirit of Star Wars but, at the same time, something that has depth.
So, where should I start? You guys should know best.
Thanks. 
-----signature-----
It's not who I am underneath, but what I do
that defines me.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Zebra3
Registered:
Aug '04
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 6:31pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
5/26/05 6:32pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Zebra3
|
|
For literary themes read Shatterpoint. You'll get "the journey," "man v.s nature," "good v.s. evil," "tradition v.s. modernity." It is a pretty heavy book to read.
-----signature-----
recipient of the coveted Corellian Ewokstripes with bronze cluster My icon archive -- > http://zebra3icons.bravehost.com/main1.html I'm currently reading Han Solo's Revenge I'm currently playing Tomb Raider Anniversary
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Darth_Kevin
Registered:
Aug '01
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 7:41pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
|
... and order of release?
-----signature-----
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 7:55pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
|
I've added a link to a thread about that. I'll go more in depth soon.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
StarDude
Registered:
Nov '01
|
Date Posted:
5/26/05 8:07pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
|
So far, the consensus seems to be that Shatterpoint is the real work of literature of SW EU. But, then again, I haven't heard that many other opinions. I read the Thrawn Trilogy, which was good, but it was just stories. Not much to think about.
-----signature-----
It's not who I am underneath, but what I do
that defines me.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
DarthRonin1976
Registered:
Nov '03
|
Date Posted:
5/27/05 7:45am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
Which prequel books should I read in order to catch up, and help bridge the gap between EP3 and 4? Should I read teh novilisation of EP3? Shatterpoint? Labyrinth of Evil?
Help me Jedi Council Forums. You're my only hope.
-----signature-----
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
And remember, poop, in any context, is bad.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
raperks
Registered:
May '05
|
Date Posted:
5/27/05 1:26pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
Thanks 2nd Quest, I registered a minute ago just to ask where I should start in the star wars literature saga.
I am interested in the Novels, not really the comic books. Ive read Labyrinth of evil, then somebody brought me Tattoine Ghost. I really enjoyed them both an am just wondering where to go now.
I really enjoy both the era around the clone wars (Rise of the empire is it?) and the period after the battle of endor.
I was just wonderng what the procedure is now? whats the best way to carry on as I assume its a bad idea to buy books randomly as it will distort my idea of the timeline. I think Im going to start with the Thrawn trilogy, however after them im lost.
Thanks all
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
MasterJoda23
Registered:
May '05
|
Date Posted:
5/27/05 2:07pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
Hello. I am very interested in SW EU. Specifically older times when the Sith were more prominent. I am also interested in Specific characters such as Yoda and Darth maul. My question is are there any novels focused on these topics? I've read Shadow hunter and I am begining to read cloak of deception.
I also have another question... What is the order of books that includes the titles shatter point and cestus deception? I admit I am totally clueless when it comes to EU any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
5/27/05 2:19pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
5/27/05 2:49pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
The2ndQuest
|
StarDude - Beyond Matt Stover's work, the only others I can think of offhand that might fall into what you're looking for would be Cloak of Deception (with it's political thriller aspects) and I, Jedi (which is told first-person, so you get into a character's head more than most books do).
But most SW books do tend to emulate the movies' focus on action and adventure.
You might want to look into some of the Clone Wars comics actually, they have a few thought-provoking issues (like the one fetauring Bail).
DarthRonin1976- If you are looking to bridge the gap between trilogies, there's not too much just yet. Luceno has a book coming out next year set just after Episode 3 titled Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, which sorta starts that era off (to be followed by three paperbacms over the next few years), though if you want to start on something to prepare yourself for that, it is supposed to form something of a psuedo-trilgoy with Labyrinth of Evil and the ROTS novelization, which are already out, so those might be something to look into until Dark Lord comes out.
Beyond that, The Han Solo Trilogy does a pretty good job of setting up the characters and events of the classic film era (particularly Han, Chewie, Lando, Boba, Jabba & Xizor).
raperks- For the Clone Wars era, give Shatterpoint and Yoda: Dark Rendezvous a try.
For the post-ROTJ era, since you've read Tat. Ghost, the stage is set pretty well for the Thrawn Trilogy so I don't think you can go wrong with those.
After that, you might want to jump back on the timeline a bit and give the X-Wing series a try, as they nicely compliment Zahn's work in the Thrawn trilogy.
From there the only way forward is to the Jedi Academy Trilogy & I, Jedi. (though you might want to at least read up on the basic events of the Dark Empire comics befor doing so).
MasterJoda23- The main sources featuring the ancient times are in the Tales of the Jedi comics, Knights of the Old Republic video game and Jedi vs Sith comic. However, there are two books coming out set during this era, the first of which focuses on Darth Bane (who started the "rule of two" and appears in Jedi vs Sith), but the first of these books won't be out until late 2007.
Darth Maul only appears in one novel (Shadow Hunter) though he has am e-book short story titled Saboteur (included in the paperback of Cloak of Deception) as well as the comic series Darth Maul.
Yoda really only features heavily in Yoda: Dark Rendezvous, the rest of the time he's mainly utilzied as a Jedi Council member. There is also the Jedi: Yoda comic one-shot collected in Clone Wars Volume 5 as well.
>>I also have another question... What is the order of books that includes the titles shatter point and cestus deception?<<
The Clone Wars books occur in the following chronological order:
Republic Commando: Hard Contact
Shatterpoint
The Cestus Deception
Medstar I: Battle Surgeons
Medstar II: Jedi Healer
Jedi Trial
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
Labyrinth of Evil
You can find a full lsiting of all clone wars material 9books, comics, games, etc) in this timeline thread, and if you want a listing of all major EU titles (including those comics set during the ancient times), follow the Star Wars Timeline link at the top of the forum.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
DarthRonin1976
Registered:
Nov '03
|
Date Posted:
5/27/05 3:16pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
|
Hey thanks, mate.
-----signature-----
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
And remember, poop, in any context, is bad.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
evildeadjedi
Registered:
May '05
|
Date Posted:
5/28/05 3:33am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
|
Yes the EU is a very daunting task to start but the rewards are worth it in my opinion.
-----signature-----
Order of greatness EP V, IV, III, VI, I & II
"I am lord Revan bow before me!" Revan
"Hail to the king!" Ash
"All the worlds will suffer the Wookies wicked CLUTCH!"
"Live free or die! Never look a bounty hunter in the eye!" Big News II
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jorus_Hano
Registered:
May '05
|
Date Posted:
5/28/05 10:51am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
I want to dive into the EU by starting from the very first novel, which I thought was "Cloak of Deception". But I just found out that there are quite a few young readers' novels out there, and some of them ("Jedi Apprentice" etc.) take place before "Cloak of Deception".
Bare in mind that I'm 17, so I still kinda qualify as a "young reader", but these young readers' novels are a little hard to find in the UK. So my question is, should I bother reading them? Or should I just start with "Cloak of Deception" and continue the saga from there?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
5/28/05 11:58am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
|
The Jedi Apprentice, Jedi Apprentice: Special Editions, Jedi Quest, Legacy of the Jedi, Secret of the Jedi and Last of the Jedi books all seem to create their own mini-saga.
You usually don't find heavy connections to their events in the adult novels, though there might be the occasional offhand reference.
So, you shouldn't have any problems starting with Cloak of Deception- it's a good starting point and you won't get the impression you've missed anything.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
