Star Wars Legends Books Download: How to Enjoy the Original Expanded Universe
Star Wars is one of the most popular and influential franchises in the history of entertainment. It has spawned countless movies, TV shows, video games, comics, toys, and merchandise. But did you know that there is also a vast and rich collection of novels that expand the Star Wars universe beyond the films?
star wars legends books download
These novels are known as Star Wars Legends, and they are the original expanded universe that was created by various authors from 1976 to 2014. They tell stories of different characters, planets, events, and eras that are not covered or contradicted by the official canon of Star Wars. They are a treasure trove of imagination, creativity, and adventure for any Star Wars fan.
In this article, we will explain what Star Wars Legends books are, why you should read them, and how you can download them legally and ethically. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer to the galaxy far, far away, you will find something to enjoy in Star Wars Legends books.
What are Star Wars Legends books?
The history and definition of Star Wars Legends
The first Star Wars novel was published in 1976, six months before the release of the first film. It was called Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, and it was written by Alan Dean Foster based on George Lucas's screenplay. It was followed by Splinter of the Mind's Eye in 1978, which was also written by Foster as a possible sequel to the first film.
After the success of the original trilogy, more novels were published in the 1980s and 1990s, exploring different aspects of the Star Wars universe. Some of these novels were based on existing characters and events from the films, such as The Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley and The Lando Calrissian Adventures by L. Neil Smith. Others introduced new characters and settings, such as The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn and The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson.
These novels were officially licensed by Lucasfilm and approved by George Lucas, but they were not considered part of the official canon of Star Wars. They were part of what was called the "expanded universe" or EU, a term that was coined by Lucasfilm in 1991 to describe all the non-film material related to Star Wars.
The EU continued to grow throughout the 2000s, with more novels being published based on different time periods and genres within the Star Wars universe. Some of these novels were based on prequel-era characters and events, such as Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves and Cloak of Deception by James Luceno. Others explored the distant past or future of the galaxy, such as Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void by Tim Lebbon and Fate of the Jedi by various authors.
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In 2014, Disney acquired Lucasfilm and announced that it would produce new films and other media based on Star Wars. To avoid confusion and contradiction with the new canon, Disney declared that all the existing EU material would be rebranded as "Star Wars Legends" and would no longer be considered part of the official canon. However, Disney also stated that some elements from Legends could be incorporated into the new canon if they fit the story and vision of the creators.
Star Wars Legends books are now considered an alternative timeline or continuity of Star Wars that is separate from but parallel to the official canon. They are still available for fans to read and enjoy as they wish. They are still part of the Star Wars legacy and history, and they offer a rich and diverse range of stories and perspectives for fans to explore.
The main eras and themes of Star Wars Legends
Star Wars Legends books cover a wide span of time and space in the Star Wars universe. They can be roughly divided into six main eras, each with its own themes and characteristics. These eras are:
Era
Time Period
Examples of Books
Before the Republic
37,000 - 25,000 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin)
Dawn of the Jedi, The Golden Age of the Sith, The Fall of the Sith Empire
Old Republic
25,000 - 1000 BBY
Tales of the Jedi, Knight Errant, The Old Republic, Darth Bane
Rise of the Empire
1000 - 0 BBY
Cloak of Deception, Darth Plagueis, The Clone Wars, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
Rebellion
0 - 5 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin)
Allegiance, Splinter of the Mind's Eye, The Han Solo Adventures, The Truce at Bakura
New Republic
5 - 25 ABY
The Thrawn Trilogy, X-Wing, The Jedi Academy Trilogy, The New Jedi Order
Legacy
25 - 138 ABY
Dark Nest Trilogy, Legacy of the Force, Fate of the Jedi, Legacy (comics)
Each era has its own unique flavor and tone, ranging from ancient myths and legends to futuristic sci-fi and fantasy. Some eras focus more on the Jedi and the Sith, while others explore the lives and adventures of smugglers, bounty hunters, pilots, and soldiers. Some eras deal with galactic wars and conflicts, while others explore personal dramas and mysteries. No matter what your preference or mood, you will find a Star Wars Legends book that suits you.
Why read Star Wars Legends books?
The benefits and challenges of reading Star Wars Legends books
Reading Star Wars Legends books can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for any Star Wars fan. Here are some of the benefits of reading Star Wars Legends books:
You can discover new characters, planets, cultures, and events that enrich your understanding and appreciation of the Star Wars universe.
You can experience different genres and styles of storytelling that showcase the diversity and creativity of Star Wars.
You can follow the development and growth of your favorite characters from the films or meet new ones that you will love.
You can immerse yourself in a vast and detailed world that will keep you entertained and engaged for hours.
You can join a passionate and friendly community of fans who share your love for Star Wars Legends books.
However, reading Star Wars Legends books can also pose some challenges for some readers. Here are some of the challenges of reading Star Wars Legends books:
You may encounter inconsistencies or contradictions between different books or between books and films.
You may feel overwhelmed or confused by the sheer number and variety of books available.
You may have difficulty finding or accessing some books that are out of print or unavailable in your region.
You may have ethical or legal concerns about downloading books from unauthorized sources.
You may face criticism or hostility from some fans who prefer the official canon over Legends.
These challenges can be overcome or minimized by following some tips and guidelines that we will discuss in the next section.
The best Star Wars Legends books to start with
If you are new to Star Wars Legends books, you may wonder where to start or what to read first. There is no definitive answer to this question, as different books may appeal to different readers depending on their tastes and preferences. However, here are some general recommendations that can help you choose your first Star Wars Legends book:
Pick a book that is based on a time period or a character that you are familiar with or interested in. For example, if you like the original trilogy, you may enjoy reading The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn, which is set five years after Return of the Jedi and introduces one of the most popular villains in Star Wars Legends, Grand Admiral Thrawn. If you are a fan of Darth Vader, you may like reading Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno, which shows how Anakin Skywalker became the Dark Lord of the Sith after Revenge of the Sith.
Pick a book that is standalone or part of a short series. This way, you can avoid getting lost or bored by a long and complex saga that may require reading dozens of books. For example, you can read Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, which is a standalone novel that tells the story of the Sith Lord who trained Darth Sidious and manipulated the events that led to the rise of the Empire. Or you can read The Darth Bane Trilogy by Drew Karpyshyn, which is a three-book series that follows the life and legacy of the Sith Lord who created the Rule of Two.
Pick a book that is highly rated or recommended by other fans or critics. This way, you can ensure that you are reading a quality book that has been praised for its writing, storytelling, characters, and themes. For example, you can read Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover, which is a novel that features Mace Windu as the main protagonist and explores the dark and gritty side of the Clone Wars. Or you can read I, Jedi by Michael A. Stackpole, which is a novel that follows the adventures of Corran Horn, a former pilot who becomes a Jedi Knight and faces various threats and challenges.
Of course, these are just some suggestions and not rules. You can read any Star Wars Legends book that catches your eye or curiosity. The important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey.
How to download Star Wars Legends books?
The legal and ethical issues of downloading Star Wars Legends books
If you want to read Star Wars Legends books, you have several options to obtain them. You can buy them in physical or digital formats from various retailers or online platforms. You can borrow them from libraries or friends. Or you can download them from various sources on the internet.
However, downloading Star Wars Legends books from unauthorized sources may raise some legal and ethical issues. Star Wars Legends books are still protected by intellectual property rights and laws, which means that they belong to their authors and publishers. Downloading them without their permission or paying for them may violate these rights and laws, and may result in legal consequences or penalties.
Moreover, downloading Star Wars Legends books from unauthorized sources may also harm the authors and publishers who created them. By downloading their books for free, you are depriving them of their rightful income and recognition for their work. This may discourage them from producing more books or quality books in the future.
Therefore, if you want to download Star Wars Legends books, you should do so legally and ethically. You should respect the rights and interests of the authors and publishers who created them, and support them by paying for their books or using authorized sources.
The best sources and platforms for downloading Star Wars Legends books
If you want to download Star Wars Legends books legally and ethically, here are some of the best sources and platforms that you can use:
Amazon Kindle: This is one of the most popular and convenient platforms for downloading Star Wars Legends books in digital format. You can buy or rent thousands of Star Wars Legends books from Amazon's online store, and read them on your Kindle device or app. You can also access some Star Wars Legends books for free if you have an Amazon Prime membership or a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Aud ible: This is another popular and convenient platform for downloading Star Wars Legends books in audio format. You can buy or rent hundreds of Star Wars Legends books from Audible's online store, and listen to them on your Audible device or app. You can also access some Star Wars Legends books for free if you have an Audible membership or a free trial.
Project Gutenberg: This is a non-profit organization that offers thousands of free ebooks, including some Star Wars Legends books that are in the public domain or have been donated by their authors or publishers. You can download these books in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, or MOBI, and read them on any device or app that supports them.
Internet Archive: This is a non-profit library that preserves and provides access to millions of books, movies, music, and other media, including some Star Wars Legends books that are in the public domain or have been uploaded by users. You can download these books in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, or MOBI, and read them on any device or app that supports them.
Library Genesis: This is a controversial website that offers millions of ebooks, including some Star Wars Legends books that are not in the public domain or have not been authorized by their authors or publishers. You can download these books in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, or MOBI, and read them on any device or app that supports them. However, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues of using this website, and use it at your own risk and responsibility.
These are some of the best sources and platforms for downloading Star Wars Legends books legally and ethically. However, you should always check the availability and quality of the books before downloading them, and respect the rights and wishes of the authors and publishers who created them.
Conclusion
Star Wars Legends books are a great way to enjoy the original expanded universe of Star Wars. They offer a rich and diverse range of stories and perspectives that will appeal to any Star Wars fan. They are still available for fans to read and enjoy as they wish.
If you want to download Star Wars Legends books, you should do so legally and ethically. You should use the best sources and platforms that respect the rights and interests of the authors and publishers who created them. You should also support them by paying for their books or using authorized sources.
We hope that this article has helped you understand what Star Wars Legends books are, why you should read them, and how you can download them. We hope that you will have fun and enjoy reading Star Wars Legends books.
FAQs
What is the difference between Star Wars Legends and canon?
Star Wars Legends is the original expanded universe of Star Wars that was created by various authors from 1976 to 2014. It is not considered part of the official canon of Star Wars. Star Wars canon is the official continuity of Star Wars that is created by Disney and Lucasfilm from 2014 onwards. It includes the films, TV shows, comics, novels, and other media that are approved by the Lucasfilm Story Group.
Are Star Wars Legends books still being published?
No, Star Wars Legends books are no longer being published by Disney or Lucasfilm. The last Star Wars Legends book was published in 2014. However, some Star Wars Legends books are still being reprinted or republished by other publishers or platforms with permission from Disney or Lucasfilm.
Can I read Star Wars Legends books in any order?
Yes, you can read Star Wars Legends books in any order that you like. However, some Star Wars Legends books are part of a series or a saga that may have a chronological or thematic order. If you want to follow the order of the series or saga, you can check the official website of Star Wars (www.starwars.com) or other fan websites (such as www.yodasdatapad.com) for guidance.
How many Star Wars Legends books are there?
There are over 500 Star Wars Legends books published from 1976 to 2014. They include novels, novellas, short stories, anthologies, reference books, children's books, young adult books, game books, comic adaptations, and audio dramas.
Where can I find more information about Star Wars Legends books?
You can find more information about Star Wars Legends books from various sources online. Some of these sources are:
The official website of Star Wars (www.starwars.com)
The official website of Del Rey Books (www.delreybooks.com/star-wars)
The Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki (starwars.fandom.com)
The Yoda's Data Pad, a fan website for Star Wars Legends (www.yodasdatapad.com)
The Goodreads, a social media platform for book lovers (www.goodreads.com/genres/star-wars-legends)
These sources can provide you with more details, summaries, reviews, ratings, and recommendations for Star Wars Legends books. 44f88ac181