Scoundrels: Star Wars Legends

By: Timothy Zahn

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

To make his biggest score, Han's ready to take even bigger risks.

But even he can't do this job solo.

Han Solo should be basking in his moment of glory. After all, the cocky smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon just played a key role in the daring raid that destroyed the Death Star and landed the first serious blow to the Empire in its war against the Rebel Alliance. But after losing the reward his heroics earned him, Han's got nothing to celebrate. Especially since he's deep in debt to the ruthless crime lord Jabba the Hutt. There's a bounty on Han's head - and if he can't cough up the credits, he'll surely pay with his hide. The only thing that can save him is a king's ransom. Or maybe a gangster's fortune?

That's what a mysterious stranger is offering in exchange for Han's less-than-legal help with a riskier-than-usual caper. The payoff will be more than enough for Han to settle up with Jabba - and ensure he never has to haggle with the Hutts again.

All he has to do is infiltrate the ultra-fortified stronghold of a Black Sun crime syndicate underboss and crack the galaxy's most notoriously impregnable safe. It sounds like a job for miracle workers...or madmen. So Han assembles a gallery of rogues who are a little of both - including his indispensable sidekick Chewbacca and the cunning Lando Calrissian. If anyone can dodge, deceive, and defeat heavily armed thugs, killer droids, and Imperial agents alike - and pull off the heist of the century - it's Solo's scoundrels. But will their crime really pay, or will it cost them the ultimate price?

©2012 Timothy Zahn (P)2012 Random House Audio

zahn and Thompson at their finest

absolutely amazing. adds depth to the universe and creates a compelling plot with great characters

What a fun ride

Don't let the fact that this isn't "canon" prevent you from adding it to your library, it's a fantastic heist story that never lets up and has an exceptionally satisfying ending!

Ocean's Eleven Meets Star Wars

I'm a "new" Star Wars fan that still prefers Episodes IV, V & VI to the prequels. I remember seeing Star Wars as a kid but it wasn't until I was an adult that I re-discovered it, along with a love of science fiction.

I liked the look of this one, especially since Han Solo and Chewbacca are two of my favorite characters in the original movies. Scoundrels is set after A New Hope and before Empire Strikes Back. Han has survived the adventure of blowing up the Death Star and still on the run from Jabba the Hutt. When he is asks to take part in a great scheme, that will result in a lot of treasure. He puts together a eclectic team to help him, including his friend, Lando.

As with any adventure a lot goes wrong, and it was interesting to see how it unfolded. It was like the heist to end all heists and it reminded me of a science fiction version of Oceans Eleven, with a unbelievable twist at the end.

This is the first Star Wars book I've listened to. I previously read other Star Wars books and I really liked the narration. Marc Thompson does a great job, and at times I found it hard to believe that it wasn't Harrison Ford speaking as Han Solo.

This was a great audiobook for me to dip my toe into Star Wars on audio and I will definitely be back for more.

Great

Narrator was great. A great story by a great author. Well worth reading / listening to. I loved it.

Awesome

If you could sum up Scoundrels: Star Wars in three words, what would they be?

Fun, exciting, action packed

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Marc is the voice that brings a book to life and paints a piece of Art

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed

Any additional comments?

You just cannot go wrong with Zahn

So much fun

Where does Scoundrels: Star Wars Legends rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Everything I was looking for in a star wars book. Really get a feel for the star wars galaxy

Helps is all make sense!

This novel takes place between "Episode IV" and "Episode V," and really helps us understand how much time passed between the two. I liked that it also answered the questions of why Han and Lando are on the outs prior to their meeting to Cloud City, and how Lando become the leader of that city.

Nicely done, Mr. Zahn!

The narrator, Marc Thompson, was great! There were a lot of main characters in this story, and they each seemed to have a distinct sound. Plus, his Han and Lando voices were really good; at certain points, they were dead-on impressions of Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams. Nice going, Marc!

More Star Wars Goodness.

Where does Scoundrels: Star Wars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is above average. It is great for nostalgia. That being said, it isn't Timothy Zahns best work by a long shot.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was as expected.

Have you listened to any of Marc Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He IS the voice of the Star Wars universe. Someone out there may be able to do better but he/she has not shown up yet. He makes the books far better than the written prose and this one is no different.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Start Wars book 4.5

Any additional comments?

This was a fun listen that I could enjoy with my young daughter. The Narrartor is one of the best and the technical aspects for Star Wars books are always top notch. The stories are not deep, if fact they are thin and extremely predictable but they get the job done.There won't be any real shocks or surprises but it is a fun visit with old friends and I liked it.

a peek at the history of our favorite scoundrels

Where does Scoundrels: Star Wars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The story is pretty good along the lines of other non-series stories. While it was a bit slow through out the story, it's still good reading/listening.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Scoundrels: Star Wars?

The most memorable moment for me was when the link between Han, Leia and the introduction of Winter into the storyline.

Have you listened to any of Marc Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Marc Thompson's voice never fails to produce a rich variety of believable voices the truly help breathe life into the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There's a point when you realize the roots and depths of the rocky relationship between Han and Lando.

Any additional comments?

Good story in keeping with the new direction the Star Wars Universe is going to take (in the movies atleast) of going back to the root stories and histories of the main characters.

Marc Thompson great as always!!

What did you love best about Scoundrels: Star Wars?

Marc Thompson!! He always brings the Star Wars universe to life with his narration. The story was great as well. Think of it as Oceans 11 meets Star Wars.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Scoundrels: Star Wars?

Spoiler!!!

I liked the scene when the safe was rolling through the streets.

What about Marc Thompson’s performance did you like?

His first person voice impersonations are spot on! Especially when it comes to Han and Lando.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I wouldn't say that the book moved me.

Any additional comments?

Great book for Star Wars fans. As with many of the Star Wars books, there are great sound effects and music to provide the listener with a more cinematic experience.