Some of the top - ranked Star Wars novels include 'Heir to the Empire' by Timothy Zahn. It was very popular as it continued the story after 'Return of the Jedi' in a really engaging way. Another highly ranked one is 'Darth Plagueis' which gives a lot of backstory about the Sith. And 'Lost Stars' is also well - liked as it tells a love story set within the Star Wars universe, which is a different take on the usual action - oriented stories.
The top - ranked Star Wars novels are often considered to be those that have had a major impact on the franchise. 'The Thrawn Trilogy' starting with 'Heir to the Empire' is a classic. It expanded the Star Wars universe and introduced new and interesting characters like Grand Admiral Thrawn. 'Bloodline' is also a great one as it sets up a lot of the events that lead to 'The Force Awakens'. And 'Aftermath' which explores the time after the fall of the Empire is also highly regarded.
To rank Star Wars novels, you can consider different aspects. The sales figures are one indicator. Novels that have sold a large number of copies are likely to be popular and thus rank high. Then there's the critical acclaim. If professional reviewers and Star Wars experts praise a novel for its plot, world - building, and character arcs, it should be ranked well. For instance, 'Thrawn' has received a lot of positive reviews for its portrayal of the brilliant strategist. Also, how well it has been adapted or referenced in other Star Wars media can contribute to its ranking.
The top 10 can vary depending on different fans' opinions. However, 'Thrawn' by Timothy Zahn is often on the list. It focuses on the brilliant and strategic Grand Admiral Thrawn. 'A New Dawn' is also great as it gives backstory to some of the 'Rebels' characters. 'Bloodline' is important as it sets up the events leading to 'The Force Awakens'.
Among the top 20 Star Wars novels, 'Dark Disciple' stands out. It was based on unaired Clone Wars episodes. 'Bloodline' is also significant as it helps bridge the gap between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy. And 'Lords of the Sith' gives a closer look at the relationship between Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, showing their power dynamics and how they interact with each other within the Sith hierarchy.
The 'Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader' is a great Star Wars novel. It focuses on Vader's transformation after his fall to the dark side, which is really fascinating. 'Choices of One' is also considered a top novel. It has a lot of action and intrigue, with characters like Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade. 'Bloodline' is another top one as it sets up the events leading to 'The Force Awakens' and gives more context to the political situation in the Star Wars galaxy.
Some of the top - ranked Star Wars canon novels include 'Thrawn'. It's so popular because it brought back an iconic character in a new and exciting way. Another is 'Lost Stars', which is loved for its unique perspective, following two characters on different sides of the Galactic Civil War. 'Bloodline' is also highly regarded as it gives important backstory to Leia's character and the political situation leading up to 'The Force Awakens'.
The 'Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic' graphic novels are also highly regarded. They are set in the Old Republic era and show the Jedi and Sith in a different light, with unique characters and storylines. 'Star Wars: Darth Vader' series is also among the top. It really dives deep into the character of Vader, his thoughts, and his actions outside of what we see in the movies, making him more complex and interesting.
In terms of ranking all Star Wars stories, the original trilogy holds a special place. 'A New Hope' is a classic that set the foundation. 'The Empire Strikes Back' is renowned for its complex plot and character relationships. 'Return of the Jedi' wraps things up well. Among the newer ones, 'The Force Awakens' is also popular as it brought back the Star Wars magic for a new generation, reintroducing beloved elements like the Millennium Falcon and the Jedi - Sith conflict.
I think Star Wars novels are better. The Star Wars universe is filled with so many iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Princess Leia. The novels expand on their stories in ways that the movies can't always do. There's also the allure of the dark side and the light side of the Force, which adds a layer of mysticism. Star Trek novels are good too, but they lack that kind of mythic, larger - than - life quality that Star Wars has.
Well, I really like 'Heir to the Empire'. It's just so exciting to see how the story continues after the movies. 'Darth Bane: Path of Destruction' is also high on my list. It's really cool to learn about the origin of the Sith's 'Rule of Two'. 'Lost Stars' is different from the usual Star Wars novels as it focuses on the ordinary characters. 'Thrawn' is a must - read. Thrawn's intelligence makes him such an interesting character. And 'A New Dawn' has some great new elements in the Star Wars universe.
One of the worst might be 'The Crystal Star'. It has a convoluted plot that's hard to follow. Another could be 'Darksaber' which fails to capture the essence of the Star Wars universe in terms of its story and character development. And 'The Courtship of Princess Leia' also often makes the list due to its rather strange and unappealing storyline.