Ever wonder what happened to your favorite rebels after they blew up that pesky second Death Star? Well, you obviously haven’t been spending much time in a book store! Here’s a look at the the Star Wars novels from the end of Retun of the Jedi to the beginning of The New Jedi Order.
Note: these books emcompass the years after Return of the Jedi and before the New Jedi Order which focus on the central Star Wars characters Luke, Han, and Leia. Other series such as Rogues Squadron and the Boba Fett trilogy are not included here.
The novel begins shortly after Return of the Jedi as the Alliance comes to the aid of an Imperial outpost at Bakura and then must make peace with the Imperials to fight off an invasion from a race known as the Ssi-Ruuk who wish to enslave the entire galaxy.
The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton
The New Republic seeks out new allies to deal with the remaining power of the Imperial Remnant. Harpes, a consortium of of 63 high-tech worlds would be a strong ally, but the price of Princees Leia’s hand for Prince Isolder is too much for Han Solo who kidnaps Leia to win her heart.
Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning
Ahan and Leia attempt to recover a priceless peice of Alderaanian art which also holds the secret code used to communicate with undercover operatives in the Empire. At the same time Leia struggles to come to grips with the deeds of Darth Vader and who her father really was.
The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
For years the Star Wars Universe had been silent, that is until 1991 when Timothy Zahn was selected to write three new novels taking place five years after the Battle of Endor. Several characters were created which would become staples of the Star Wars Expanded Universe including Garm Bel Iblis, Talon Karrde, and Mara Jade. Heir to the Empire, the first book of the trilogy, introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn who has returned from the Outer Rim and taken control of the remaining Imperial Fleet and has enlisted the help of clone of a former Jedi Master Joruus C’baoth who has plans for Leia’s unborn twins. In Dark Force Rising Thrawn has begun his campaign against the New Republic and has discovered the location of the long lost Katana fleet of 200 Dreadnaught heavy cruisers, as Leia attempts to bring the Noghri over to the New Republic, and C’boath attempts to lure Luke to the Dark Side. In the final book The Last Command Thrawn has put the Emperor’s cloning technology back into action and is winning the war against the New Republic, Han attempts to rally smugglers to his side, and Luke deals with three dangerous threats – the cloned Jedi Master, the former Emperor’s Hand, and a clone version of himself!
The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson
Kevin J. Anderson’s three books focus on Luke Skywalker’s attempts to ressurect the Jedi Order by stating a Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. In the first book, Jedi Search Luke searches out new Force sensitive canidates as Han and Chewie discover a hidden Imperial laboratory in the black holes of Kessel which holds weapons more powerful than the Death Star. In Dark Apprentice a renegade Imperial Admiral conducts guerilla warfare on the New Republic, and Kyp Durron, a student of Luke’s with promising potential, becomes seduced by the spirit of an ancient Sith Lord – Exar Kun. Champions of the Force wraps up the trilogy with Luke incapacitated, Kyp Durron in control of the Sun Crusher, and Leia fighting to protect the newborn Anakin Skywalker from Imperial agents. Another book, I, Jedi by Michael A. Stackpole takes place during the events of the trilogy and focuses on a former Rogue Squadron pilot Corran Horn who enters the Academy hoping to learn enough to save his wife Mirax.
Children of the Jedi by Barbara Hambly
Han, Chewie, and Leia search for the long lost children of the Jedi as Luke journeys to a remote asteriod field to discover the Eye of Palantine. The asteroid-shaped dreadnaught is filled with enough firepower to take on an entire fleet and controlled by a sophisticated artificial intelligence that was sabotaged by Jedi Knight Callista Ming years ago, who gave her life, but whose spirit survived.
Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson
The New Republic discovers the Hutts are building a new super-weapon modeled after the Death Star’s laser, Luke and Callista begin a romance which is complicated by her inability to use the Force, and Admiral Daala unites the Imperal Fleet for a surprise attack on Yavin 4.
Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly
Luke goes after Callista, Leia is kidnapped and taken to a barren backwater world by a fanatic religious cult determined to destroy the New Republic, forcing Han, Chewie, and Lando to mount a rescue mission and to discover a malevolent mysterious parasitic insects known as Drochs.
The Crystal Star by Vonda N. McIntyre
Han and Luke investigate a secret cult led by a charismatic alien and his connection to the Force altering Crystal Star; the Solo children are kidnapped by a fomer Imperial officer determined to restore the glory of the Empire once more.
The Black Fleet Crisis by Michael P. Kube-McDowell
The New Republic deals with the political crisis of a new enemy, the Yevetha, a race of xenophobic aliens, who threaten the entire galaxy. In Before the Storm Luke leaves to investigate his mother and her people, Lando goes after a mysterious space craft of enourmous destructive power, and Leia faces off against the Yevetha leader of the Duskhan League who has an insidious plan to destroy the New Republic from within. In Shield of Lies the Yevetha situation worsens, Lando finds himself imprionsed on a ship of unknown origin, and Luke’s investigation into his mother brings him to an unexpected group who challenge his beliefs and use of the Force. In the final book Tyrant’s Test Han’s secret mission goes awry and he becomes a captive of the Yevetha, and Luke’s quest will bring him into the conflict against Nil Spaar, the Viceroy of the Yevethan Protectorate.
The New Rebellion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
When millions die Luke suspects the Dark Side is at work. So as Leia deals with an assassination attempt and new plot to take down the New Republic, he attempts to find Brakiss, a former student, who knows something about the new Dark Lord (who is also a face from Luke’s past).
The Corellian Trilogy by Roger MacBride Allen
The trilogy deals with events on Han Solo’s home system of Corellia which is on the verge of a civil war between the three races. In Ambush at Corellia Solo returns to his homeworld only to find himself used as a pawn in a plan so deceptive even the galaxy’s smartess scoundrel can’t figure it out. Assult of Selonia finds Han imprisoned and at the mercy of his cousin Trackan Sal-Solo, as the New Repubic tries to figure out what to do with the situation. The final book Showdown and Centerpoint the deadly secrets of Centerpoint Station are revealed as the Republic Fleet moves towards the system and the leaders of the rebellion demand Corellian independence or they will use Centerpoint to attack nearby star systems.
Specter of the Past & Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn
The Imperial Remnant is reduced to a shadow of its former glory and on the brink of collapse. Admiral Palleon attempts to make peace with the New Republic as other members of the former Empire lauch a plan to create conflict by implicating the Bothans aided the Empire in the extermination of the Caamsi, and a second plot to unite the Imperial Fleet under an actor impersonating the long dead Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Survivor’s Quest by Timothy Zahn
Luke and Mara set out on a mission, with the help of a contingent from the Imperial Remnant, to salvage a part of Jedi history when the remains of Outborn Flight, a pioneering Jedi expedition destroyed by Palpatine, are discovered near Nirauan.