Been away from the Star Wars universe for a long, long time now - but obviously the game has reinvigorated my interest.

Keen to know which books are the best to read - especially in relation to the Imperial Pilots (Fel, Jax etc)...?

Fel and Jax were used mainly in the comics (Soontir Fel has been a minor character in a few books, but Jax is comics-only I believe). Not many books follow the Imperials, especially not Imperial Pilots.

The X-Wing series, appropriately enough, is a great way to get introduced to the best Rebel pilots (Wedge, Tycho, Corran, Wes, Hobbie, etc.). Mike Stackpole began the series with Rogue Squadron, and later on Aaron Allston introduced Wraith Squadron, following some other characters. Both authors did a phenomenal job.

The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn is widely regarded as the best EU series. Anything Zahn writes is fantastic, but start with the Thrawn Trilogy ("Heir to the Empire" is the first book of the trilogy).

There are some other great SW novels, but those two series are the best. The "New Jedi Order" series detailing the Vong invasion has some great dogfights in it, but the series is dividing among fans and quite a few books in the series were awful. Some were great, though, so it's a mixed bag. Just don't start reading there.

There aren't many Imperial-centric books. If you're looking for Jax (and Kanos) the Crimson Empire comic series is what you want. Otherwise this is the list (and order) of books I would recommend (* are optional)

The X-wing series (except Isard's Revenge and Starfighters of Adumar)

The Courtship of Princess Leia

The Thrawn Trilogy

X-wing: Isard's Revenge

*The Jedi Academy Trilogy (introduces some important characters)

I, Jedi

*Darksaber (the novel is terrible, but the underlying Imperial storyarc is pretty good)

X-wing: Starfighters of Adumar

The Hand of Thrawn Duology

I also strongly suggest that you read the New Jedi Order novels. Not everyone likes them (I love them) but I suggest that anyone interested in Star Wars EU read them and formulate their own opinion.

I, Jedi was my fav but the Rogue Squadron series set the stage for Corran.

I just heard that TIE defenders make an appearance in "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor." Is that one any good?

Not at all related to your quest (well, they are Star Wars books) but I thoroughly enjoyed the Darth Bane trilogy.

I agree with all of the above although I really only liked the first Crimson Empire. The second was OK and I have not read the third.

If you want more Thrawn, Outbound Flight is a good read.

Also, a good reference for all things Star Wars is The New Essential Chronology. It provides a synopsis of the story arcs from every book, comic and video game. It was published around 2005 so it doesn't have anything printed since then but it is still good. It's got great artwork too.

*The Jedi Academy Trilogy (introduces some important characters)

*Darksaber (the novel is terrible, but the underlying Imperial storyarc is pretty good)

I have always tried to stay away from any book written by KJA. IMO he is one of the worst writers out there and the main culprit of bigger, badder super weapons.

But all of you reminded me that I need to pick up I, Jedi. Somehow I never got that one.

There are other good SW novels but nothing I can think of that have any focus on Imperial piloting so I'll leave those out.

I kind of wish we could get a novelization of the Dark Forces videogame series, so you could hear the word of Kyle Katarn.

*Darksaber (the novel is terrible, but the underlying Imperial storyarc is pretty good)

I was going to say basically the same thing. The "A" plot line is atrocious, but what is going on in the background with the empire is really pretty cool. Worth noting however, that you need to have read the heir of empire trilogy first to be properly introduced to one of the imperial characters.

*Darksaber (the novel is terrible, but the underlying Imperial storyarc is pretty good)

I was going to say basically the same thing. The "A" plot line is atrocious, but what is going on in the background with the empire is really pretty cool. Worth noting however, that you need to have read the heir of empire trilogy first to be properly introduced to one of the imperial characters.

Hmm...Maybe I'll have to check this one out. Thanks

I kind of wish we could get a novelization of the Dark Forces videogame series, so you could hear the word of Kyle Katarn.

Kyle Katarn is a man of action, not words.

Also, I want this too.

I liked Shadows of the Empire. Not really to do with tons of dogfighting, just an entertaining story. I myself need to read through the X-Wing novels.

Not at all related to your quest (well, they are Star Wars books) but I thoroughly enjoyed the Darth Bane trilogy.

I agree. Very good trilogy.

The thrawn trilogy is far and beyond great. (I'm kind of sad that they're not using them for the basis of the next movies)

Then go back and read outbound flight after the trilogy.

I, Jedi is great and never bad to read.

And for video games, Jedi outcast was the pinnacle of awesome and i still play it. (If you play the whole dark forces series you'll see the moldy crow.)

Dark forces was such a legit game. I remember getting pwned in the dark trooper factory. Love that xwing and the LCG are covering that cannon. Also the TIE Dighter game cannon with the defender and Marek Steele. Wish his pilot card was cooler or on a better platform or cheaper .

I can't remember the book, but the one about Han and how he was an imperial I thought was cool. The new Jedi order was ok (never finished it) and the Thrawn trilogy is amazing, retreading it right now. Thrawn trilogy is what basically got this whole EU thing kicked off if I'm not mistaken

Children of the Jedi is a favorite, as is The Courtship of Princess Leia.

Dark Empire is pretty much canon. Glorious art - story a bit meh.

And for video games, Jedi outcast was the pinnacle of awesome and i still play it. (If you play the whole dark forces series you'll see the moldy crow.)

Jedi Outcast is in my top 10 games of all time. As is Star Wars: Battlefront 2. I've never played a clunkier, more awkward, yet inexplicably FANTASTIC game.

To the OP, thanks for asking this, I'm in much the same boat ('cept I could care less about Imperial pilots).

I'm surprised there are so many fans of The Courtship of Princess Leia . I first read it as a teenager, and on re-reading it as an adult (as in, just a couple of weeks ago) I honestly struggled to finish it. The characterization of Han is strange; the characterization of Leia is almost unrecognizable; Luke has a near-death experience that gives him superpowers; one of the novel's big-bads deploys an improbable and completely useless weapon; both of the novel's big-bads are incompetent, grandstanding megalomaniacs… and the list could actually go on.

But, perhaps worst of all, Wolverton thinks the Falcon has proton torpedoes.

I'm surprised there are so many fans of The Courtship of Princess Leia . I first read it as a teenager, and on re-reading it as an adult (as in, just a couple of weeks ago) I honestly struggled to finish it. The characterization of Han is strange; the characterization of Leia is almost unrecognizable; Luke has a near-death experience that gives him superpowers; one of the novel's big-bads deploys an improbable and completely useless weapon; both of the novel's big-bads are incompetent, grandstanding megalomaniacs… and the list could actually go on.

But, perhaps worst of all, Wolverton thinks the Falcon has proton torpedoes.

Hmm. I might have to pull this off my shelf and re read it... If only I hadn't just started the thrawn series again.

What about the ones with Kypnwhats his name and the Suncrusher. Is that dark star? That I remember was good when I read it 15+ years ago.

I'm surprised there are so many fans of The Courtship of Princess Leia . I first read it as a teenager, and on re-reading it as an adult (as in, just a couple of weeks ago) I honestly struggled to finish it. The characterization of Han is strange; the characterization of Leia is almost unrecognizable; Luke has a near-death experience that gives him superpowers; one of the novel's big-bads deploys an improbable and completely useless weapon; both of the novel's big-bads are incompetent, grandstanding megalomaniacs… and the list could actually go on.

But, perhaps worst of all, Wolverton thinks the Falcon has proton torpedoes.

Haaaaaaan Solo

What a man Solo!

Anything is awful if you focus on the bad parts.

This is Star Wars we're talking about. If you don't cringe once in a while it just doesn't feel authentic...

I'm surprised there are so many fans of The Courtship of Princess Leia . I first read it as a teenager, and on re-reading it as an adult (as in, just a couple of weeks ago) I honestly struggled to finish it. The characterization of Han is strange; the characterization of Leia is almost unrecognizable; Luke has a near-death experience that gives him superpowers; one of the novel's big-bads deploys an improbable and completely useless weapon; both of the novel's big-bads are incompetent, grandstanding megalomaniacs… and the list could actually go on.

But, perhaps worst of all, Wolverton thinks the Falcon has proton torpedoes.

Not the biggest fan myself, but it does kind of wrap up the X-wing novels.

It's not a novel, but Jason Fry's Essential Guide to Warfare is an excellent read. It's very well written and very well illustrated, and covers a lot of the aspects of war in the Star Wars universe. Can't recommend it enough if you're looking for history and back stories.

I kind of wish we could get a novelization of the Dark Forces videogame series, so you could hear the word of Kyle Katarn.

There is a set of 3 Audio Dramas that focus on Kyle Katarn. They are well voiced acted and have music/sound effects to make it feel almost like a movie. Kyle Katarn is my fav star wars character and I've listened to the dramas well over 60 times by now. My original set is on casset tape!

Has anyone else listened to the original trilogy audio dramas. They're awesome.

Has anyone else listened to the original trilogy audio dramas. They're awesome.

Only the first one. I need to find the other two.