Every Star Wars Book Turning 10 In 2024
From A New Dawn to Maul: Lockdown and more!
Nothing makes you feel older than realizing the first Star Wars Canon novels came out nearly a decade ago.
2014 was a huge year for Star Wars Canon ā and an even bigger year for Star Wars Rebels (even in book form!). Iām a little late to the party on 10-year book anniversaries, but better late than never I suppose!
Here are some interesting things I discovered while putting together this list ā and a quick ode to my favorite Star Wars TV show.
The Final Star Wars Legends Book Took Place During the Original Trilogy
If you know one thing about Star Wars (besides lightsabers and that Darth Vader guy), itās that it has never bothered telling stories in order. Publishing books across the larger timeline has actually served the franchise quite well over the past four-plus decades. Itās fun to note that despite all the eras these books had explored up to this point, the final book in the āLegendsā timeline ended up almost right back where the whole thing started.
Because Lucasfilm established the Legends continuity mid-2014, the final book in that publishing era came out after the Disney acquisition. James S.A. Corey (who is, fun fact, actually two people)ās Honor Among Thieves holds the honor (get it?) of being the final book published before books set in the ānew canonā started releasing in August 2024.
This is why this book and Razorās Edge ended up being a duology instead of a trilogy. Heir to the Jedi, which released almost exactly a year later, was originally part of this trio, but is instead a stand-alone Canon novel.
9 Star Wars Books Turning 10 in 2024
Thatās a lot of numbers, but you get the idea. Beginning in January 2024 and running through December of that same year, nine adult and young reader books were released as part of both Legends (before they were Legends) and Canon. Author Michael Kogge holds the spot for first Canon Star Wars book published, though John Jackson Millerās A New Dawn will get more of a spotlight despite both books being great and about Rebels! Sort of!
Hereās a quick rundown of all the books that are officially a decade old this year.
Maul: Lockdown (Joe Schreiber) ā January 28
Honor Among Thieves (James S. A. Corey) ā March 4
Rise of the Rebels (Michael Kogge) ā August 5
Ezra's Gamble (Ryder Windham) ā August 5
A New Dawn (John Jackson Miller) ā September 2
Servants of the Empire: Edge of the Galaxy (Jason Fry) ā October 21
The Rebellion Begins ā October 21
Tarkin (James Luceno) ā November 4
Droids in Distress (Michael Kogge) ā November 18
The Star Wars Rebels Love Was Strong
October 3, 2014 launched a whole new era for Star Wars storytelling when the animated series Star Wars Rebels premiered on television. Thereās a reason that six of the nine books on this list are related to the show in some way. A new era warranted a wave of new, exciting stories for Star Wars fans of all ages.
When I spoke with John Jackson Miller about his writing career ā both in celebration of Kenobiās 10-year anniversary in 2013 and for Star Wars Insider ā he mentioned that one of the challenges of writing A New Dawn was that Rebels didnāt exist yet. He wrote these characters not knowing all we know about them now. Which just goes to show how well done that book truly is ā Kanan and Hera are spot-on, and no one even knew that then.
2024 also marks the debut of one of my favorite and by far the most slept-on Star Wars book series ā Jason Fryās Servants of the Empire books. Iāll definitely be discussing these on the show later this year ā perhaps with a subject matter expert on this very topic? Weāll see.
Happy 10 years to all these wonderful books!
Now This Is Lit is a podcast (and newsletter!) about Star Wars books, the people who make them, and the readers who just canāt get enough of them. You can find the show wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to the Substack for more deep dives, guides, interview transcripts, and book love.