Well, 'The Thrawn Trilogy' in general is a classic among 'Star Wars Legends Novels'. It brought back the threat of the Empire in a very believable and exciting way, with complex characters and interesting plots.
Well, it depends on what you're looking for. Legends novels have a vast and rich history. They were the go - to for a long time before the new canon was established. If you want a more expansive view with a lot of different storylines that go in all kinds of wild directions, Legends could be for you. But keep in mind that some of it has been retconned by the new canon. Canon novels, on the other hand, are more streamlined and fit into the current continuity better.
A possible order is to begin with the Darth Bane trilogy. It delves deep into the origins of the Sith and their rule - of - two philosophy. Next, check out the Jedi Apprentice series which focuses on Qui - Gon Jinn's early days. Then, move on to the Legacy of the Force series. Reading in this order helps you understand the evolution of the Force - related aspects in the Star Wars legends, from the dark side with Darth Bane to the light side training in the Jedi Apprentice series and the complex Force - related events in the Legacy of the Force series.
One great Legends Star Wars novel is 'Heir to the Empire' by Timothy Zahn. It's a classic that really expanded the post - original trilogy universe and introduced great new characters like Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Definitely 'The Courtship of Princess Leia'. It's a really interesting take on the relationships in the Star Wars universe. It has a lot of drama and action. It's a story that adds more depth to the characters we already know and love from the movies.
Another important 'Star Wars Legends Timeline Graphic Novel' is 'Knights of the Old Republic'. It's based on the popular video game. It tells the story of a group of heroes during a time of great galactic conflict, with a lot of interesting characters and a complex plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
For a beginner, starting with the Rogue Squadron series is a great idea. It's action - packed and easy to get into. Then you could read the Jedi Quest series which gives more background on the Jedi. After that, the Dark Nest trilogy can be a good follow - up. These novels are relatively accessible and will introduce you to different elements of the Star Wars legends, like starfighter battles in Rogue Squadron, Jedi training in Jedi Quest, and the more complex political and ecological situations in the Dark Nest trilogy.
It's hard to give an exact number as new ones are constantly being written and some might be out of print. But there are a significant number of them.
Well, 'The Thrawn Trilogy' is highly regarded among the best Star Wars Legends novels. 'Heir to the Empire', 'Dark Force Rising', and 'The Last Command' in this trilogy introduce Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant and complex villain. His strategic mind and unique approach to warfare make these books a must - read for any Star Wars fan. Also, 'Knights of the Old Republic' novels are great as they explore a different era in the Star Wars universe, full of Jedi adventures and Sith machinations.
The 'X - Wing Series' is also highly regarded. It followed the adventures of Rogue Squadron and gave a more in - depth look at the Rebel Alliance's pilots. It was filled with exciting space battles and great character development for the pilots, showing their courage and camaraderie.
The Legends novels were a major part of building the expanded Star Wars universe. They allowed fans to explore areas that the movies couldn't cover due to time constraints. They inspired fan theories and discussions, which in turn kept the Star Wars fandom alive and engaged between movie releases. They were like a bridge that connected different parts of the Star Wars story and kept the lore evolving.