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  • Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

  • (20th Anniversary Edition), The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1
  • By: Timothy Zahn
  • Narrated by: Marc Thompson
  • Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,019 ratings)

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Star Wars: Heir to the Empire cover art

Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

By: Timothy Zahn
Narrated by: Marc Thompson
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Publisher's Summary

Here is a special edition 20th anniversary release of the number-one New York Times best-selling novel that reignited the entire Star Wars publishing phenomenon - unabridged for the first time. The biggest event in the history of Star Wars books, Heir to the Empire follows the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia after they led the Rebel Alliance to victory in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.

Five years after the Death Star was destroyed and Darth Vader and the Emperor were defeated, the galaxy is struggling to heal the wounds of war, Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting twins, and Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of new Jedi Knights.

But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords - the brilliant and deadly Grand Admiral Thrawn - has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to create.

The explosive confrontation that results is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale - in short, a story worthy of the name Star Wars.

More in the Thrawn Trilogy we have. And listen to all of our Star Wars titles you can!
©1991 Timothy Zahn (P)2011 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Production

This is a production work, meaning you get sound effects like laser fire, various droid beeps, space ship noises etc.
There is one narrator, and though his voice doesn't match the original cast actors, he performs brilliantly, with each character having an unique and recognizable voice.
The story is my favorite of the expanded universe, introducing Grand Admiral Thrawn and Mara Jade among other greats.

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13 people found this helpful

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  • Tim
  • 10-10-2015

Listened to it every chance I had

A highly polished production. The sound effects, music and engaging narrator made this a very cinematic experience. I have never read a star wars book before, and this one was an excellent start for me. Highly recommended.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Was curious about Thrawn and was not disappointed

This is the first Star Wars novel I've managed to finish since I was either 9 or 10 years old and reading about 12-year old Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Jedi Apprentice series published by Scholastic. I am happy to say that this (audio)book is a credit to the franchise. It's marvellous!

My interest in Star Wars has been renewed again following the release of the new movies The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The character name "Mitth'raw'nuruodo" kept catching my eye in my internet searches and his clear popularity made me curious. I had to read about him; I wanted to know who Thrawn was and this title is the story that started it all. I haven't been disappointed. Grand Admiral Thrawn is now a favourite character of mine!

I've been delighted at the level of effort given to this audiobook's performance. Marc Thompson really can pull off Han Solo's voice in particular though he was great at Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian too. I adored all of the background sound effects, especially R2-D2's cute beeping and the humming lightsaber sounds. Really, I'm not exactly new to audiobooks but I believe this is the first one where I've had the novel pleasure of feeling like I was also listening to a movie whilst simultaneously reading a book. It was so much fun!

The only thing I didn't enjoy was the music. I'm half-deaf though I don't always have an issue with hearing if I'm listening to something through headphones. The music got too loud at times and I occasionally (though thankfully not too often) had to strain to hear Marc Thompson speaking. Sound effects really complimented the narrative but the music just got in the way. I insist that this is my only criticism though. Everything else was fantastic!

Will I read this book again? Very likely, yes. Will I listen to the second title in the Thrawn trilogy? Oh my gosh, I absolutely will. Do I think anyone thinking about purchasing this title should buy it right now? Yes, definitely. Read this in Emperor Palpatine's voice: "Do it!"

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2 people found this helpful

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not a big star wars fan but this book is good

had a mate recommend this series while I was looking for some other sci-fi to read. it's my first dip into the expanded universe and very interesting. worth picking up even if you don't have a huge star wars knowledge

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Where Disney comes to die

This book was the best way to wash away the rubbish of Disney's failed sequals and prays the proper respect due to the story and characters of the original trilogy.

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1 person found this helpful

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Thoroughly Enjoyable

Always loved this story and was looking to read it again, so figured I'd give the audio book a go. Was plesantly surprised by the great performance of Marc Thompson, but on top of that the added music snippets and sound effects made this a truly fantastic and enjoyable experience that really feed on nostalgia from the original Star Wars trilogy. If you are a fan of Star Wars especially of the EU and this trilogy would absolutely recommend this audio book.

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1 person found this helpful

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What was already good, got better

Relistening to an old favourite, regular books were already awesome, having Marc Thompson read it you makes it all the better. All in all, Most Impressive

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Feels like a movie

Very tight story with a great narration, was listening to this non stop after I got it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Simply the best

Marc Thompson’s voice acting is in a league of its own. The story is perfect one of the best Star Wars novels.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A lot of fun

As a Star Wars fan of both canon and legends I enjoyed every bit of this story especially with the grand admirals point of view,the narrator was well picked for this will be continuing with book 2

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