Tarkin: Star Wars cover art

Tarkin: Star Wars

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.

Tarkin: Star Wars

By: James Luceno
Narrated by: Euan Morton
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.99

Buy Now for $25.99

About this listen

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .

Bestselling Star Wars veteran James Luceno gives Grand Moff Tarkin the Star Wars: Darth Plagueis treatment, bringing the legendary character from A New Hope to full, fascinating life.

He’s the scion of an honorable and revered family. A dedicated soldier and distinguished legislator. Loyal proponent of the Republic and trusted ally of the Jedi Order. Groomed by the ruthless politician and Sith Lord who would be Emperor, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin rises through the Imperial ranks, enforcing his authority ever more mercilessly . . . and zealously pursuing his destiny as the architect of absolute dominion.

Rule through the fear of force rather than force itself, he advises his Emperor. Under Tarkin’s guidance, an ultimate weapon of unparalleled destruction moves ever closer to becoming a terrifying reality. When the so-called Death Star is completed, Tarkin is confident that the galaxy’s lingering pockets of Separatist rebellion will be brought to heel—by intimidation . . . or annihilation.

Until then, however, insurgency remains a genuine threat. Escalating guerrilla attacks by resistance forces and newfound evidence of a growing Separatist conspiracy are an immediate danger the Empire must meet with swift and brutal action. And to bring down a band of elusive freedom fighters, the Emperor turns to his most formidable agents: Darth Vader, the fearsome new Sith enforcer as remorseless as he is mysterious; and Tarkin—whose tactical cunning and cold-blooded efficiency will pave the way for the Empire’s supremacy . . . and its enemies’ extinction.

Praise for Tarkin

Tarkin tells a compelling tale of mystery while revealing much about a character who has fueled debate among fans since 1977, as well as the oppressive regime he represents. [James] Luceno has proven once again that the villains of Star Wars are as much fun as the good guys.”—New York Daily News

“Another home run in the new canon . . . This is the highest and best distillation of Tarkin stories, old and new, we’ve ever been given.”Big Shiny Robot

“A spectacular novel, with the intrigue, action, and profound characterization we have come to expect from the pen of Luceno . . . [Tarkin] provides a nuanced, multi-faceted anti-hero who is captivating, ominous, and calculating; in many ways, this is an origin tale of the Empire [and] a fascinating portrait of one of the more popular characters in the Original Trilogy. It may very well be one my favorite Star Wars novels.”Coffee with Kenobi

“A fascinating look at the pathos of one of the galaxy’s most criminally underused characters.”TheForce.net
Adventure Fantasy Fiction Historical Military Science Fiction Space Opera Star Wars Interstellar Bounty Hunter

Critic Reviews

Tarkin tells a compelling tale of mystery while revealing much about a character who has fueled debate among fans since 1977, as well as the oppressive regime he represents. [James] Luceno has proven once again that the villains of Star Wars are as much fun as the good guys.”—New York Daily News

“Another home run in the new canon . . . This is the highest and best distillation of Tarkin stories, old and new, we’ve ever been given.”Big Shiny Robot

“A spectacular novel, with the intrigue, action, and profound characterization we have come to expect from the pen of Luceno . . . [Tarkin] provides a nuanced, multi-faceted anti-hero who is captivating, ominous, and calculating; in many ways, this is an origin tale of the Empire [and] a fascinating portrait of one of the more popular characters in the Original Trilogy. It may very well be one my favorite Star Wars novels.”Coffee with Kenobi

“A fascinating look at the pathos of one of the galaxy’s most criminally underused characters.”TheForce.net
All stars
Most relevant
Kept thinking about this audiobook then would choose something else as I doubted it would hold all the elements I need in star wars stories. Wish I downloaded earlier, great book with insights into leading characters.

Kept thinking about this audiobook

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I was skeptical when I saw this book wasn't narrated by Marc Thompson, or Jonathan Davis, as most other Star Wars novels are and before reading this I had only mild interest in the character of Tarkin. I was however pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel, it was well paced and drew me in to Tarkins backstory, as well as the main plot. The sections from the emperor's point of view also helped fufil part of my desperate want of a Palpatine novel.

Interesting and enjoyable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

As an aspiring leader it was inspiring to see and learn how somone who had both political and military responsibilities be so competent in so many art forms, it was truley a glorious adventure.

The Carrion Plateau

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Love this, excellent voice acting, not precisely movie perfect but you hardly notice it once it gets going. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the clone wars show, as it’s full of little references and callbacks. 10/10

This slaps

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Tarkin, but his back story was great, really enjoyed this book.

Good book

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.