One of the popular ones is 'Heir to the Empire' by Timothy Zahn. It really expanded the Star Wars universe in the Legends continuity and introduced great new characters like Grand Admiral Thrawn.
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.
You can start with the ones that are most highly recommended, like 'Heir to the Empire' as it was one of the first and very influential in the Legends series. It's easy to get into and gives you a good feel for the expanded Star Wars universe.
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.
Well, 'Knights of the Old Republic' is a top pick. It's based on the popular video game of the same name and has great art and a really engaging story. It follows the adventures of different characters in the Star Wars universe long before the movies take place. And then there's 'Republic', which shows the Clone Wars from different perspectives and has some really cool battles and political intrigue.
For 'Revan', the in - depth look at the character is the best part. It weaves a complex story around his redemption and his role in the larger Star Wars universe. Also, novels like 'Shadows of the Empire' offer a look at the criminal underworld in the Star Wars galaxy, which is a different and interesting aspect compared to the usual Jedi - Sith focus.