Aaron Allston
A Youtini Collection

Star Wars books you should read if you like
Aaron Allston

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Aaron Allston
I'm content to stand on tradition. I'm even more content to wipe my feet on it.
T

hough his time on this earth was far too short, Aaron Allston was truly a wonderful author to grace the pages of a galaxy far, far away. No author could quite capture the wit and energy of the Star Wars universe quite like Allston. Heralding from the state of Texas, he was known among fans for his Hawaiian shirts. In fact, a large group of fans donned a similar garb at Star Wars Celebration, gathering in Austin’s memory after his untimely passing in 2014. His memory is kept alive due in large part to fans who love his work.

Allston was remarkably, one of the few writers to span the Star Wars Legends continuity from its early days in the 1990s till its end with the Fate of the Jedi series. He made his mark with the Wraith Squadron series, which saw a hodge-podge group of Rebels on their last chance come together under Wedge Antilles’s leadership and form a Commando squadron. He humorously and heartbreakingly conveys the ragtag feeling of the Rebellion. From there, he went on to collaborate with a large stable of writers in the New Jedi Order, Legacy of the Force, and Fate of the Jedi series. Allston even returned to the X-Wing series at long last with Mercy Kill in 2012. Although he joined the Force much too soon, Aaron Allston was a wonderful contributor to the Expanded Universe who left a larger than life impact for readers that will endure many years into the future.

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Books in this Collection

The Youtini Collections team has hand-selected the books in this collection
Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

X-Wing: Wraith Squadron

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Part of the
X-Wing Series
Wraith Squadron is a group of Rebels with issues. They haven’t quite fit into other squadrons—or are the last surviving member of their former squadrons. They each have specialized skills for infiltration missions, such as skills at slicing, demolitions, and even acting! They impersonate Imperials and pirates and even fly X-Wings! They’re much less polished than Rogue Squadron, and are always in a lot of trouble. Wedge certainly has his hands full this time around. Their mission: take down rogue Imperial Warlord Zsinj. This book begins a 3-book story-arc within the X-Wing series about Wraith Squadron. It is not technically necessary to have knowledge of books 1-4 in order to enjoy the Wraith series.

They are the galaxy's most elite fighting force. And as the battle against the Empire rages, the X-wing fighters risk life and machine to protect the Rebel Alliance. Now they must go on a daring undercover mission as the crew of an Imperial warship.

It is Wedge Antilles' boldest creation: a covert-action unit of X-wing fighters, its pilots drawn from the dregs of other units, castoffs and rejects given one last chance. But before the new pilots can complete their training, the squadron's base is attacked by former Imperial admiral Trigit, and Wraith Squadron is forced to swing into action, taking over an Imperial warship and impersonating its crew. The mission: to gain vital intelligence about Trigit's secret weapons, to sabotage the admiral's plans, and to lure him into an Alliance trap. But the high-stakes gamble pits Wraith Squadron's ragtag renegades against the Empire's most brilliant master of guile and deception.

Are they up to the challenge?

If not, the penalty is instant death.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

X-Wing: Iron Fist

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Part of the
X-Wing Series
In the second book in the Wraith Squadron series, the Wraiths form into a band of pirates—The Hawk Bats—in order to flush out Warlord Zsinj. They also add new members of the squadron, including the mysterious Lara Nostil, who is actually a member of Imperial intelligence!

They are the Rebel Alliance's ultimate strike force: sleek, swift, and deadly. For these X-wing fighters, no job is too dirty or too dangerous. Now they must rise to meet an impossible challenge: stop a powerful warlord by pretending to be his ally.

Against all odds, the controversial Wraith Squadron has survived its first covert mission. But now they are called upon to cheat death twice. This time, Wedge Antilles sends them in to stop the warlord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. If Zsinj joins the Empire, it could turn the tide of war against the Rebels.

The Wraith Squadron's mission is to infiltrate the warlord's fleet and uncover his carefully guarded plans. To do so, they must pose as ruthless pirates seeking to join Zsinj's forces. And that means first becoming pirates in space lanes teeming with Imperial Navy patrols. If that isn't enough to get them killed, they'll have to pass one last test: a suicide mission for Zsinj.

Can they survive the test and turn the tables on the warlord?

Or is this the end for Wraith Squadron?

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

X-Wing: Solo Command

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Part of the
X-Wing Series

Wraith Squadron, a hodge-podge strike team of last-chance rebels, is in pursuit of Warlord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. Han Solo is tasked with leading the Wraiths against Zsinj. Along the way, squadron member Lara Nostil's secret past comes back to haunt them. Plus, an army of sleeper agent droids!

It would be helpful to have an awarenesses of the characters heading into this story. The storyline begins in book 5 of the X:Wing series, Wraith Squadron.

Wraith Squadron: they are the Rebel Alliance's ultimate strike force. Sleek, swift, and deadly, they are the first in battle, the last line of defense. Now they must find and destroy a wily enemy more powerful than the Empire itself.

Their covert mission has been a success. The enemy has been vanquished. Or so they thought. The Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist somehow escaped destruction and with it the New Republic's greatest threat, the infamous warlord Zsinj. To defeat him, Wraith Squadron must join a combat task force led by the only man crafty enough to beat Zsinj at his own game: Han Solo.

But Zsinj knows the X-wing fighters' indomitable courage is both their greatest strength--and their greatest weakness. For even against the most overwhelming odds, the Rebels will fight to the death. And that will leave Zsinj the galaxy's unchallenged master!

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Part of the
X-Wing Series
Starfighters of Adumar takes Wedge, Tycho, Hobbie, and Wes Janson to the planet of Adumar, a world whose culture centers around an idolization of fighter pilots. They represent the best pilots in the New Republic, and are placed into competition against the best pilots of the Empire. The winner gets Adumar’s loyalty. This book is the culmination of the best of the X-Wing series, bringing together humor, high-speed action, espionage, and even romance.

The X-wing fighter pilots have earned their reputation as the Rebel Alliance's ultimate strike force by overwhelming enemies with their rapid-fire assaults. But now they are about to embark on a diplomatic mission that will prove to be even more hazardous than all-out combat.

The neutral world of Adumar has decided to pick a side in the war to control the galaxy. Delegates from both the New Republic and the Empire have been invited to Adumar, and each camp will be given a chance to plead its government's case. But there is one small catch: since the Adumari prize military skill above all else, they insist that both delegations be composed exclusively of fighter pilots.

For pilot Wedge Antilles and his company, it's an unfamiliar exercise in diplomacy and one that's filled with unexpected peril. For once they arrive, the X-wing pilots are challenged by Adumar's fierce warriors and attacked by Imperial assassins bent on eliminating all competition. But these challenges pale in comparison to the threat posed by a rogue Republic agent, one who is determined to win Adumar's allegiance once and for all - even if it costs the X-wing pilots their lives.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
A high-energy and bright spot in the New Jedi Order series, Aaron Allston brings his Original Trilogy ethos to the series by bringing in members of the Rogue Squadron series in defense of the Borleias.

As the Yuuzhan Vong's devastating conquests continue unchecked, Luke Skywalker, Han and Leia Solo, and Wedge Antilles are forced to destroy what they have risked their lives to create…

Scattering after the Yuuzhan Vong's invasion of Coruscant, the panic-stricken members of the New Republic Advisory Council pause just long enough to set up a mock defense on nearby Borleias—an attempt to buy time that fools no one, least of all the Jedi.

Leia and Han Solo travel from world to world to foment rebellion against the New Republic's disastrous appeasement policies. But Luke Skywalker has chosen the most dangerous assignment of all: to sneak into the Yuuzhan Vong's stronghold on Coruscant. His outrageous scheme to gain entry is either brilliant or suicidal, depending on the outcome. Bearing down swiftly on Borleias is a Yuuzhan Vong invasion fleet, determined to destroy the galaxy's remaining defenders…

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
The second enemy lines book is a fusion of the New Jedi Order and Wraith Squadron books. Luke, Mara, and a team of Wraiths venture into the bowels of Coruscant where they are confronted with a dark Force user—Lord Nyax.

Not since Emperor Palpatine have the Jedi battled such monstrous evil. Unless they succeed against staggering odds, the galaxy is doomed.

Luke Skywalker's daring mission to halt the Yuuzhan Vong's nefarious plot to overthrow the New Republic is struggling on all fronts. And time is slipping away for Han and Leia Organa Solo, trapped on a small planet whose rulers are about to yield to Yuuzhan Vong pressure to give up the Jedi rebels.

On Coruscant, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker have made a shocking discovery that is preventing the Yuuzhan Vong from exerting complete control. But when the enemy tracks them down, Luke and Mara are thrust into a fierce battle for their lives. Suddenly, the chances of escaping appear nearly impossible. And in space, another battle rages, one that holds ominous consequences for the New Republic—and for the Jedi themselves…

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Betrayal

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Jacen Solo is one of the most well-developed characters in the Legends timeline. His experiences in the hands of Vergere and the Yuuzahn Vong changed him irrevocably. He saved the galaxy once, but to what lengths is he willing to go in order to save it again? Betrayal takes his story in a new direction, reintroducing a villain from the original Marvel comics, Lumiya, who guides Jacen along a dark path. All the while, Jacen is serving as the Jedi teacher to his nephew, Ben Skywalker, and the Skywalker and Solo clans might be torn apart along family lines. It would be helpful to have read the New Jedi Order before starting Legacy of the Force, but we realize that's a tall order. At the very least, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the main characters and with Jacen's torture at the hands of Vergere in Traitor before diving in.

This is the era of Luke Skywalker's legacy; the Jedi Master has unified the order into a cohesive group of powerful Jedi Knights. But as the new era begins, planetary interests threaten to disrupt this time of relative peace, and Luke is plagued with visions of an approaching darkness. Evil is rising again—out of the best intentions—and it looks as if the legacy of the Skywalkers may come full circle. Honor and duty will collide with friendship and blood ties as the Skywalker and Solo clans find themselves on opposing sides of an explosive conflict with potentially devastating repercussions for both families, for the Jedi order and for the entire galaxy.

When a mission to uncover an illegal missile factory on the planet Adumar ends in a violent ambush—from which Jedi Knight Jacen Solo and his protégé and cousin, Ben Skywalker, narrowly escape with their lives—it's the most alarming evidence yet that sparks of political unrest are threatening to ignite into total rebellion. The governments of numerous worlds are chafing under the strict regulations of the Galactic Alliance, and diplomatic efforts to enforce compliance are failing. Fearing the worst, the Alliance readies a preemptive display of military might in a bid to bring the rogue worlds to heel before an uprising erupts. The designated target of this exercise: planet Corellia—renowned for the brash independence and renegade spirit that have made its favorite son, Han Solo, a legend.

Something of a rogue himself, Jacen is nevertheless duty bound as a Jedi to stand with his uncle, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, on the side of the Galactic Alliance. But when the wary Corellians launch a counterstrike, the Alliance's show of force—and a secret mission to disable Corellia's crucial Centerpoint Station—give way to an armed skirmish. Once the smoke clears, the battle lines are drawn. Now the specter of full scale war looms between a growing cadre of defiant planets and the Galactic Alliance that some fear is becoming a new Empire. And even as both sides struggle to find a diplomatic solution mysterious acts of treachery and sabotage threaten peace efforts at every turn.

Determined to root out those behind the mayhem, Jacen follows a trail of cryptic clues to a dark rendezvous with the most shocking of revelations—while Luke grapples with something even more troubling: dream visions of a shadowy figure whose Force power and ruthlessness remind him of Darth Vader—a lethal enemy who strikes like a dark spirit on a mission of doom. An agent of evil who, if Luke's visions come to pass, will bring untold pain to the Jedi Master—and to the entire galaxy.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Exile

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by

As the fourth book in nine book series, this novel continues to build on the plot lines of books 1-3. Exile also brings back Wedge, Lando, and Booster to help aid the main characters and their plot points. The story is told from multiple character perspectives and is packed with steady action.

We begin with Han and Leia in exile, Jacen Solo continues to struggle, while the tensions between the Alliance and the Confederation are at an all time high, and Ben Skywalker embarks on a solo mission that seems key to his character's development.

In the Stars Wars galaxy, evil is on the move as the Galactic Alliance and Jedi order battle forces seen and unseen, from rampant internal treachery to the nightmare of all-out war.

With each victory against the Corellian rebels, Jacen Solo becomes more admired, more powerful, and more certain of achieving galactic peace. But that peace may come with a price. Despite strained relationships caused by opposing sympathies in the war, Han and Leia Solo and Luke and Mara Skywalker remain united by one frightening suspicion: someone insidious is manipulating this war, and if he or she isn't stopped, all efforts at reconciliation may be for naught. And as sinister visions lead Luke to believe that the source of the evil is none other than Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith, the greatest peril revolves around Jacen himself.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Fury

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Darth Caedus, formerly Jacen Solo, kidnaps his daughter, Allana, from Hapes, threatening her life if her mother Tenel Ka doesn’t pledge Hapes to the Galactic Alliance. Tenel Ka turns to the Jedi for help rather than caving in to Caedus’s pressure. Meanwhile, Han and Leia track down the ever elusive Dark Jedi Alema Rar. As Caedus continues his domination, he turns his sights on obtaining a super weapon: Centerpoint Station.

Fighting alongside the Corellian rebels, Han and Leia are locked in a war against their son Jacen, who grows more powerful and more dangerous with each passing day. Nothing can stop Jacen’s determination to bring peace with a glorious Galactic Alliance victory–whatever the price.

While Luke grieves the loss of his beloved wife and deals with his guilt over killing the wrong person in retaliation, Jaina, Jag, and Zekk hunt for the real assassin, unaware that the culprit commands Sith powers that can cloud their minds and misdirect their attacks–and even turn them back on themselves.

As Luke and Ben Skywalker struggle to find their place among the chaos, Jacen, shunned by friends and family, launches an invasion to rescue the only person still loyal to him. But with the battle raging on, and the galaxy growing more turbulent and riotous, there’s no question that it is Jacen who is most wanted: dead or alive.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Outcast

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by

Outcast is the first novel in the Fate of the Jedi series. It takes place in the aftermath of the reign of Darth Caedus and primarily features Luke Skywalker, Han, Leia, and their children. In Outcast, an arrest order is put out for Luke, the start of anti-Jedi sentiments brewing in the galaxy, forcing Luke’s hand and setting him out on a mission with Ben Skywalker. Outcast is a great start to the Fate of the Jedi series, and continues to develop some of the main stories in the EU.

Does a new start for the Galactic Alliance mark the beginning of the fall of the Jedi Order?

After a violent civil war and the devastation wrought by the now fallen Darth Caedus, the Galactic Alliance is in crisis. From all corners, politicians, power brokers, and military leaders converge on Coruscant for a crucial summit to restore order and determine the future of their unified worlds. But even more critical, and far more uncertain, is the future of the Jedi.

In a shocking move, Chief of State Natasi Daala orders the arrest of Luke Skywalker for failing to prevent Jacen Solo’s turn to the dark side and his subsequent reign of terror as a Sith Lord. But it’s only the first blow in an anti-Jedi backlash fueled by a hostile government and suspicious public. Negotiating his freedom in exchange for his exile from the Jedi Order, Luke, with his son, Ben, at his side, sets out to unravel the shocking truth behind Jacen Solo’s corruption and downfall. But the secrets Luke uncovers may bring his quest—and life as he knows it—to a sudden end. And all the while, another Jedi Knight, consumed by madness, is headed to Coruscant on a fearsome mission that could devastate the entire galaxy.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Backlash

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
In the nostalgic victory lap of the Expanded Universe that is the Fate of the Jedi series, our heroes visit locations from the early days of the Legends continuity. Backlash takes them to Dathomir, where Vestara Khai seeks the aid of the Nightsisters against Luke Skywalker. Plus, more Jedi psychosis and Admiral Daala commands an army of Mandalorians!

Repercussions from the dark side’s fatal seduction of Jacen Solo and the mysterious plague of madness afflicting young Jedi continue to wreak galaxywide havoc. Luke and Ben Skywalker are in pursuit of the now Masterless Sith apprentice—a chase that leads to the forbidding planet Dathomir, where the Skywalkers will be forced into combat for their quarry and their lives. Meanwhile, Han and Leia have completed their own desperate mission, shuttling madness-stricken Jedi to safe haven beyond the grasp of Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala. Yet no greater threat exists than Abeloth, a being of ravenous dark-side energy who calls out to Jedi and Sith alike. For some it may be the ultimate source of answers for survival. For others it could be the ultimate weapon of conquest. But for all, it is a game-changing encounter of untold magnitude with unimaginable consequences.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

Conviction

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
The Abeloth-induced Jedi psychosis continues to rage among their ranks, especially in Valin and Jysella Horn. Saba Sebathyne becomes interim Chief of State when the Jedi remove Daala from office. The Sith look to take out the Jedi Queen of their visions—leading them to Hapes. Aaron Allston's interests are on display as this novel is full of espionage, political and military coups, romance, and Tahiri Veila's trial.

Chief of State Natasi Daala has been overthrown, and the Jedi Order has taken control of the Galactic Alliance. But while the new governors dismantle Daala’s draconian regime, forces still loyal to the deposed official are mobilizing a counterstrike. And even the Jedi’s new authority may not be enough to save Tahiri Veila, the former Jedi Knight and onetime Sith apprentice convicted of treason for the killing of Galactic Alliance officer Gilad Pellaeon.

Meanwhile, Luke and Ben Skywalker are relentlessly pursuing Abeloth, the powerful dark-side entity bent on ruling the galaxy. But as they corner their monstrous quarry on the planet Nam Chorios, the two lone Jedi must also face the fury of the Sith death squadron bearing down on them. And when Abeloth turns the tables with an insidious ambush, the Skywalkers’ quest threatens to become a suicide mission.

Legends
Legends
Adult Novel

X-Wing: Mercy Kill

Written by
Aaron Allston
Artwork by
Part of the
X-Wing Series
A long-awaited return to the X-Wing series set after the events of the Fate of the Jedi series, sees Piggy saBinring, Face Loran, Kell Tainer, and Runt Ekwesh thrown back into the fray. This time, they’re led by Wedge’s daughter, Myri Antilles. The re-formed Wraiths must expose the traitors behind the Lecersen Conspiracy, which almost crippled the Galactic Alliance.

Three decades have passed since Wraith Squadron carried out its last mission. Taking on the most dangerous and daring operations, the rogues and misfits of the elite X-Wing unit became legends of the Rebellion and the Second Galactic Civil War, before breaking up and going their separate ways. Now their singular skills are back in vital demand—for a tailor-made Wraith Squadron mission.

A powerful general in the Galactic Alliance Army, once renowned for his valor, is suspected of participating in the infamous Lecersen Conspiracy, which nearly toppled the Alliance back into the merciless hands of the Empire. With orders to expose and apprehend the traitor—and license to do so by any and all means—the Wraiths will become thieves, pirates, impostors, forgers . . . and targets, as they put their guts, their guns, and their riskiest game plan to the test against the most lethal of adversaries.

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