Star Wars: Specter of the Past: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 1 cover art

Star Wars: Specter of the Past: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 1

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Star Wars: Specter of the Past: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 1

By: Timothy Zahn
Narrated by: Marc Thompson
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn makes his triumphant return to the Star Wars(r) universe in this first of an epic new two-volume series in which the New Republic must face its most dangerous enemy yet--a dead Imperial warlord.

The Empire stands at the brink of total collapse. But they have saved their most heinous plan for last. First a plot is hatched that could destroy the New Republic in a bloodbath of genocide and civil war. Then comes the shocking news that Grand Admiral Thrawn--the most cunning and ruthless warlord in history--has apparently returned from the dead to lead the Empire to a long-prophesied victory. Facing incredible odds, Han and Leia begin a desperate race against time to prevent the New Republic from unraveling in the face of two inexplicable threats--one from within and one from without. Meanwhile, Luke teams up with Mara Jade, using the Force to track down a mysterious pirate ship with a crew of clones. Yet, perhaps most dangerous of all, are those who lurk in the shadows, orchestrating a dark plan that will turn the New Republic and the Empire into their playthings.

©2011 Timothy Zahn (P)2013 Random House Audio Adventure Genre Fiction Military Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Science Fiction Space Opera Star Wars Fiction Bounty Hunter Interstellar Pirate

Editorial reviews

"Longtime fans should get considerable pleasure from this addition to the saga." ( Publishers Weekly)

Critic Reviews

"Zahn turns in his usual high-caliber performance." ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant  
enjoyable book, straight off the back of the new ascendancy books and original thrawn trilogy. Story goes well but misses a key element I selfishly desired. haha

I miss Thrawn

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good read, well written. Enjoyed a lot enter the minimum 16 words here it’s good

Good book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Overall it was a very fun story, except for any council meetings. All the dialogue sounds like it's coming through a metal pipe, detracting from Marc Thompson's excelent performance.

A good story with some detracting moments.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
it is in total a good listen. It is starwars to the core. Good narration, good story arc, complete in line with what made starwars great and has me wanting to continue to the 2nd book.

another good story, true to the core

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Shame they're no longer canon as there are some fantastic support characters like Mara Jade and Talon Karde etc

It's a shame these stories are no longer Canon

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
loved it cant wait for the next book. I really hope Luke and Mara finally get together

great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A good setup for another great chapter in the greatest "should have been" story ever.

A good start to another great yarn.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great story, narration and feels like star wars should. Marc Thompson is brilliant and brings it to life.

Very good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
They should have made Zahn's trilogys into the new Starwars movie, very enjoyable. looking forward to getting into the next one.

A good continuation of the Thrawn story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Amazing story, the sound effects make the story so much more interesting and takes you into the Star Wars Universe

Amazing Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.