The 20 best Star Wars audiobooks to explore a galaxy far, far away | Audible.ca
The 20 best Star Wars audiobooks to explore a galaxy far, far away
Are you ready to have adventures with your favourite characters? Dive into our collection of Star Wars audiobooks and be taken to a galaxy far, far away.
The stories unraveled in this collection of Star Wars audiobooks are as vast and varied as the galaxy far, far away in which they’re set. Overlapping timelines, canon shifts, film companion novels, and an endless cast of characters make it entirely possible for you to listen to nothing but Star Wars material for a long, long time. Such a wealth of content by passionate creators with limitless imaginations meant that we had a well of selections to draw from for our roundup, with recommendations for both die-hard fans and newly initiated acolytes. Get ready to soar with the Skywalkers as you dig into the 20 best Star Wars audiobooks available.
This title takes a spot on our list due in large part to the sheer star power of its cast, which features award-winning performers like Jon Hamm and Neil Patrick Harris, Star Wars narrator favourite Marc Thompson, and many more. This listen is a collection of 40 individual stories from 40 different authors, all exploring scenes from 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope from different, previously unexplored perspectives. From the story behind the fan favourite Cantina band to the background of ill-fated bounty hunter Greedo to the heartbreaking, posthumous ponderings of Beru Whitesun Lars, From a Certain Point of View is a perfect deep dive for any fan longing to see the classic film from a different lens. Because each story stands alone, this selection is perfect for savoring slowly—though we won’t discourage you from listening to all 15 hours in as few days as possible either. Each story is also a full production, so along with narration, listeners get to enjoy sound effects that make the experience even more transportative.
At the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a pained, conflicted Jedi Master, having just left his wayward former padawan for dead on Mustafar. When he next appears in the movie canon, it’s as a hermetic figure known locally only as Old Ben. Fans who have long wondered about the time that passed in between will delight in Kenobi, a listen that picks up after the events of Revenge’s conclusion. More or less alone on Tatooine, Obi-Wan finds himself unable to ignore the injustices transpiring on his new plane, but he quickly finds his noble fight for justice may endanger not only his own life, but also the fate of the galaxy. Though now non-canonical and considered a legend within the franchise universe, Kenobi fits seamlessly into the world of Star Wars, especially as the formidable Hall of Fame Narrator Jonathan Davis crafts a consistent character in capturing the vocal style and mannerisms of Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan.
As Episode VI: Return of the Jedi comes to a close with a decisive victory at the Battle of Endor, the Empire has been left battered and splintered. The Rebel Alliance, now formalized as a government body called the New Republic, is left to wrest the galaxy from evil permanently. But the Empire is also regrouping, their sinister plans unbeknownst to all but the pilot Wedge Antilles, who just barely manages to send a distress call to former Rebel fighter Norra Wexley before he is captured. Norra sets out with her bounty hunter son and a defected Imperial soldier to stop the Empire, and in the process, listeners get to traverse a new planet and a new group of underdog heroes to cheer for. Our expert guide for this journey is Marc Thompson, who’s a frequent voice in the Star Wars audiobooks universe. He’s a performer who really understands Star Wars and knows how to make the high-stakes tension and ever-present themes of hope and resistance shine through in every line.
In Ahsoka, Ashley Eckstein reprises her much-adored portrayal of Ahsoka Tano, a character she initially brought to life in the Clone Wars and Rebels animated series. Her deep understanding of the character comes through in her energetic, emotional performance, making this exploration of a fan-favourite character even better. Listeners pick up Ahsoka’s journey as she’s struggling to find purpose and meaning after leaving the Jedi Order prior to the devastating purge of Order 66. Disillusioned and heartbroken, she searches for an outlet for her overwhelming need to do good in the world, but worries about becoming a pawn in a larger scheme. This wandering search for meaning, interspersed with moments of intense action, is a listen that lends context and depth to Ahsoka’s character prior to her arrival in Rebels.
Best selling author Timothy Zahn first created the menacing, coldly calculating villain Grand Admiral Thrawn in 1991 to fill the big bad void left in the wake of Vader’s demise in Return of the Jedi, an incarnation that has since been rendered a non-canonical legend. Nevertheless, the blue-skinned, red-eyed Chiss has since been reintroduced to franchise canon in Thtext in italicrawn, a gripping origin story and political thriller wherein listeners follow Thrawn as he plots his way into the upper echelons of the Empire. This is another selection on our list narrated by Marc Thompson, and his performance here is nothing short of exceptional. His voice work for every character is distinctive, lively, and, at turns, deeply chilling. His ability to switch effortlessly from upbeat, punchy action narration to Thrawn’s cold, low voice make this selection a standout performance.
Princess Leia’s impassioned confidence and grit first enchanted audiences in 1977, and in this selection by Claudia Gray, listeners will hear the background story of how the Alderaanian teen princess came to be a bona fide icon and leader of the Rebel Alliance. From fleshing out characters like Leia’s adoptive parents Bail and Breha to shedding light on the ins-and-outs of intergalactic government, this selection is, at turns, a fast-paced thrill ride and an excellent character study. Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld in a measured, steady tone reminiscent of Leia’s own strength and resoluteness, this audiobook gives listeners a window into the world of teenaged Leia on the cusp of being declared heir to Alderaan and starting her path toward galactic heroism. Not only is this selection an admiring portrait of a beloved character for those already invested in Leia’s story, but it also serves as a great entry point for listeners less familiar with the expanded universe. For instance, fans who enjoyed The Last Jedi will be glad to hear that this gem also tells the tale of how Leia first met (future-Admiral) Amilyn Holdo.
This New York Times best-seller fleshes out the relationship between Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, uncovering the early years that led to their iconic team-up seen in The Phantom Menace. Considering the untimely end Qui-Gon meets in that very first prequel, it’s no wonder that fans have long demanded more canonical content on his enigmatic character...and Jinn’s own relationship with his morally ambiguous master, Count Dooku. The dual narrative threads of Qui-Gon’s training of Obi-Wan and flashbacks to his own training with Dooku set up a reflection on the nature of master-apprentice relationships and the mysterious ways of the Force. When paired with a fascinating, thrilling mystery at the core of its plot, this listen is as contemplative as it is exciting. And there’s no better voice for this intriguing, thoughtful story than Hall of Fame Narrator Jonathan Davis, who manages to capture not only young Obi-Wan’s bravado and energy, but also Qui-Gon’s pensive mysticism.
Based on the Star Wars Battlefront video game, Twilight Company is the kind of listen that reminds fans how much of the Star Wars universe there really is left to explore. An action-packed fantasy war story marked by elements of both gritty reality and mesmerizing otherworldliness, this listen follows a group of Rebellion soldiers as they doggedly work towards victory in the trenches of the Galactic Civil War. In addition to Davis’s stellar performance, the impeccable production that characterizes Star Wars audiobooks is better than ever here, with sound mixing for battle sequences that can seem frighteningly real. Freed’s choice to focus on this perfectly produced everyman’s story of ordinary soldiers performing extraordinary heroics results in a heart-wrenching, impactful new point of view for the Star Wars universe.
The first installment of a trilogy, Alphabet Squadron is a high-energy adventure as well as a reverential introduction to a new band of Rebellion freedom fighters. A ragtag team of New Republic pilots, gathered and tasked by General Hera Syndulla (a familiar name to fans of Rebels), are sent out to bring down a threatening TIE fighter cell known only as Shadow Wing. But while each member of the squadron is eager to find their place in the war between good and evil, they first have to battle their own demons. The sounds of the ships as each pilot whizzes in and out of battle sequences make for particularly fun and well-mixed audio, but it’s the updated, invigorating score in this selection that deserves the highest praise. Having new musical material makes Alphabet Squadron feel even more like the fresh, whip-smart story that it is, especially when accompanied by the narration of Audie-nominated Saskia Maarleveld.
Lost Stars approaches the time spanning the era of the Galactic Civil War, from the rise of the Rebellion to the fall of the Empire, with fresh eyes—in particular, through the point-of-view of lifelong friends Ciena and Thane. The pair start off together, two dreamers duped by the promises of the Empire, but soon splinter, ending up on opposite sides of the great war as an Imperial officer and a Rebel pilot. As the duo desperately tries to reconcile their love for the other with their opposing allegiances, the large-scale threats of a massive interstellar war fall away to a more human, intimate focus. In lieu of being a straight retelling of oft-rehashed events from the film franchise, Lost Stars is a standalone listen that allows two star-crossed lovers in a troubled galaxy to take centre stage. Pierce Cravens expertly balances the light, exciting tone listeners have come to expect from Star Wars audiobooks against heavier themes of love and identity. With its clear, tense plot and romantic overtones, this title listens like a production of Romeo and Juliet against the backdrop of a familiar galaxy far, far away.
Dark Disciple is based on unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars, unearthing more stories of Asajj Ventress, former Sith devotee and reformed protege of the villainous Count Dooku, as she navigates the moral ambiguity that lies between the light and dark sides of the Force. When Ventress is paired with Quinlan Vos, a Jedi Knight known for his habit of bending the rules, the pair must overcome their deep distrust of one another to unite in a common goal: to assassinate Dooku and halt the reign of violence and devastation he’s left in his path. The juxtaposition of Ventress’s redemption arc against the devilish Vos’s temptation toward the dark side makes for a tension-filled, captivating listen. Narrator Marc Thompson once again shows his prowess by crafting voices for famed characters that pay homage to their wider universe voice actors without approaching parody. Thompson does especially well with Golden’s passages of intense conversation between Vos and Ventress as they delve into their pasts to debate the costs of giving in to the dark side.
From Vader to Grievous, author James Luceno is known for his in-depth looks at some of the most fearsome villains in the Star Wars franchise, and in Tarkin he swings his focus to the pallid, high-cheekboned Grand Moff who commanded the Death Star. Set five years after Revenge of the Sith, this listen tells of the early days of the Empire as then-Governor Wilhuff Tarkin is rapidly ascending through the Imperial ranks. Until the ultimate weapon of destruction is completed, the threat of revolution still lingers, and it’s up to the indomitable team of Darth Vader and Tarkin to quash the freedom fighters that threaten the Empire’s grip. The rise of ruthless Vader and cold-blooded, calculating Tarkin occur side-by-side, and listeners can expect to hear narration by Euan Morton that does both iconic voices justice. This long-awaited dive into Tarkin’s backstory and chillingly cunning mind adds depth and impact to his role in the films, and cements his position as a foe as dastardly as any other in the Star Wars universe.
Author E.K. Johnston is particularly skilled at lending an additional air of depth and nuance to the female characters of the Star Wars universe—and Queen’s Shadow is no exception. When Padmé Amidala Naberrie, Queen of Naboo, is first introduced on the big screen in The Phantom Menace, she seems distant, wise, and, above all, extraordinarily capable, despite her very young age. Queen Amidala and her group of handmaidens form an unbreakable circle of trust that outsiders can’t penetrate...and that many fans wanted to dive deeper into. Queen’s Shadow provides an inside look at the government of Naboo, the monarchy and those who support it, and Padmé’s mindset as she transitions from Queen to Senator of the Galactic Republic. Catherine Taber, who deftly voices Padmé in The Clone Wars, narrates this singular selection, giving listeners the impression that the Senator herself is telling her story. For fans curious about Padmé’s background, this listen is a personal, fascinating, and moving experience.
In this story serving as a prequel to the video game Star Wars Battlefront II, an elite Imperial unit of four expert soldiers attempts to infiltrate and destroy an extremist subset of the Rebellion known as the Dreamers, formerly led by the fierce but fallen Saw Gerrera (who listeners might recognize from The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Rogue One). Set after the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the first Death Star, Inferno Squad unfolds like a spy thriller and adds nuance to the questions of morality the franchise so frequently asks. Author Christie Golden empathetically characterizes the members of the squad, leaving listeners stuck between rooting for or against the squad’s ultimate success. Laden with espionage and subterfuge, this listen sheds a new, human light on the soldiers that comprise the Empire, lending much-needed depth to a group of characters too often written off as one-dimensional villains. Better yet, the audio places listeners in the middle of a war zone with shifting perspectives and impeccable sound effects, culminating in a frantic, riveting final sequence you won’t soon forget.
Released in advance of Rogue One’s cinematic debut in 2016, this prequel companion lends additional context to one of the most emotional entries in the Star Wars canon. Author Jonathan Davis turns his focus to Galen Erso, one of the galaxy’s most brilliant scientists and father to Rogue One protagonist Jyn Erso, as he attempts to design a strong, more efficient power source to improve life in the galaxy. But his research draws the interest of the burgeoning Empire, rising from the ashes of the Republic it replaced at the conclusion of the Clone Wars. That’s when Orson Krennic, a loyal commander working on the Death Star project and an old friend of Erso, begins to manipulate Galen into unknowingly creating the greatest weapon the galaxy has ever seen. Catalyst sets up the tone of inevitable dread and resoluteness that characterizes Rogue One. With Hall of Fame Narrator Jonathan Davis at the helm, this listen will enrich the experience of Rogue One for first-time viewers and add an affecting backstory to an already poignant film for fans looking to watch it again.
Claudia Gray once again proves that she understands Leia better than almost anyone in 2016’s Bloodline. Whereas Gray’s other Leia-centric audiobook (featured earlier on our list) focused on Leia’s life before the original trilogy, this one looks at her role much later—as a Senator between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. As a loyal diplomatic servant to the New Republic, Leia devotes herself to steadying the newborn government, monitoring the activities of criminals, Imperial sympathizers, and extremists across the galaxy. There’s a lot to explore in this time period, including the impact of Vader’s death on the galaxy (and how the revelation of Leia’s parentage affected her reputation), the illusion of peace following the Battle of Endor, the rise of the First Order, and the birth of the Resistance. Leia’s perspective on these events is interspersed with details about her later life (including her fan-favourite romance with the rough-and-tumble scoundrel Han Solo) for listeners to discover. Audie Award-nominee January LaVoy has performed in more than 200 audiobooks—a degree of expertise she lends to Bloodline, modulating tension and volume at all the right points, navigating the complex world of galactic government with ease.
Long before the rise of Luke Skywalker, other bands of resistance fighters were determined to unseat the dark force of Darth Vader and his puppeteering master, Emperor Palpatine. One such band is at the heart of the story in Lords of the Sith—a group of Twi’Lek freedom fighters on Ryloth led by Cham Syndulla, a charismatic freedom fighter that fans may recognize from The Clone Wars and Rebels, and Isval, a former slave of the Empire seeking revenge. But the daunting, ruthless Emperor Palpatine and his pupil Darth Vader are determined to quell the insurrection; in the process, they find themselves stranded on Ryloth, testing their bond and challenging the powers of the dark side. Jonathan Davis’s performances of both the hopeful freedom fighters and the evil, awesome Vader and Palpatine are truly exceptional. The instantly recognizable hollow wheeze of Vader isn’t easy to capture in an original way, but Davis’s expertise makes it possible. When coupled with iconic Star Wars themes of good and evil and rebellion and obedience, this listen is as exciting as experiencing the original trilogy for the first time.
In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker learns of the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise, who was so incredibly powerful that he could create and extend life. It’s the desire to become similarly skilled in the Force and attain this knowledge himself that ultimately pushes Anakin, who fears the death of his beloved wife, toward the dark side. Now, listeners can hear the full story behind the legendary Sith Lord. Demonstrating the destructive cycle created by the Sith’s Rule of Two, this now non-canonical legend follows Darth Plagueis as he absorbs his Master’s knowledge only to kill him and assume his powerful position. Taking on his own apprentice, the cunning, strong-willed Darth Sidious, Plagueis plans to dominate the galaxy and destroy the Jedi Order. But tensions rise as Sidious’s ambitions and desire for unlimited power spar with Plagueis’s fixation on life and death as the inescapable traditions of the Sith loom large. This sinister audiobook positions all three prequels in a new light. Daniel Davis’s deep, gravelly voice is perfect for the ultimate Sith Lord, captivating listeners and creating an experience as ensnaring and seductive as the power of the dark side.
The end of Revenge of the Sith ushers in the galaxy’s worst years, but though the Jedi are all but eradicated and the Republic has been replaced by the iron fist of the Empire, there are still those determined to persist in the name of what’s right. John Jackson Miller’s A New Dawn introduces another underdog good-versus-overwhelming-evil tale into the Star Wars canon. The book focuses on Kanan Jarrus, one of the few Jedi who survived Order 66, and expert pilot and revolutionary Hera Syndulla, a pair beloved by fans of the animated series Rebels. Set between the events of Episode III and Episode IV, A New Dawn tells of how the duo met and how they worked together to face down the darkest parts of the galaxy. This exciting adventure is a joyride prequel to the Rebels series that has become a fast fan-favourite audiobook of the new canon, and beloved narrator Marc Thompson effortlessly brings the story together for listeners to revel in.
Though the screen time of the chrome-plated, caped stormtrooper Captain Phasma has been limited in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, fans have been clamoring to know more about the fearsome figure. In Phasma, author Delilah S. Dawson sheds some light on the character, fleshing her out beyond a threatening symbol of the First Order’s absolute power and mercilessness. Exploring the enigmatic character’s origins and motivations through the vehicle of an interrogation of Resistance spy Vi Moradi, Phasma is both a high-pressure tale of torturous cross-examination and a revealing look at a character previously shrouded in mystery. Phasma’s backstory is nothing like listeners might expect to hear based on her appearance in the films so far, but that’s a huge part of what makes Dawson’s work so compelling. January LaVoy lends a clear, innovative narrative performance to this already unique story. Together, LaVoy and Dawson produce a listen that’s nearly un-pausable.
