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

Better Solo a StarWars story

This is what solo a Star Wars story should have been the story has not a lot of plot holes and the characters are great.

best book ever

greatest story ever love it
best book of all times highly recommended it for everyone my the force be with u

Exciting

A fun, and casual listen full of excitement and drama! Exciting twist at the end, that made me gasp!

Excellent!!

Some fun twists and turns in this one that are trademarks of master author Timothy Zahn. If you love a good heist — who doesn’t? — STAR WARS: SCOUNDRELS is your cup of caf.

So much fun!

Ages ago, before audio books, I had read Timothy Zahn's Star Wars trilogy on the recommendation of a friend. Seeing this title, and reading the reviews, prompted me to try it, partly because I trust Zahn to write a good tale that isn't jarring with the Star Wars universe that -I- grew up with (pre Episode I, tyvm).

I was not disappointed. The narration was just fabulous, with all the different voices, giving what was already a fun, interesting story greater scope and depth. I think fans of 'heist' stories will enjoy it regardless of their interest in the Star Wars setting (or lack of interest, gasp!) because you don't /really/ have to be a fan or know much to feel involved in the story. Being a fan just makes the little 'easter eggs' more fun. :)

The ending was unexpected, which is always fun! A thoroughly enjoyable listen all around.

Story was slow to start

Would you consider the audio edition of Scoundrels: Star Wars to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print. I am all about the audio performances now. I find that the unabridged audio versions narrated by Marc Thompson are amazing. Second only to the original trilogy.

Which scene was your favorite?

The end.

Any additional comments?

Best EU ending I can think of.

Great book

Would you consider the audio edition of Scoundrels: Star Wars to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I loved the book, was well written, entertaining and fun to listen too.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bink, because of her abilities, and cleverness.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lando Arrived

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Like Oceans Eleven meets Star Wars

Wonderful book like a oceans eleven in star wars lead by Han solo highly recommend if fan of star wars or Han solo and the last words in the book are a shocker blown away and Marc Thompson does a amazing job once again !!!!

Not Galaxy-Shattering, but Fun Star Wars

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

Better than average.

What other book might you compare Scoundrels: Star Wars to and why?

The obvious comparison (albeit a movie rather than book): Oceans 11.

What about Marc Thompson’s performance did you like?

Overall Marc did a great job, especially considering just how many characters were involved with the central plot, including several female characters and same-species / same-organization aliens who he managed to still give distinct voices. My only (minor) criticism would be his performances of Han and Lando. Han's tone came off as too consistently annoyed (a character trait of Han's, but over-used in this case I think). And Lando sounded more like a bad parody of Billy Dee Williams. But overall still an impressive performance, all things considered.

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

One moment gave me a truly unexpected reaction, a moment I definitely was not expecting. I wouldn't dare explain further for respect of spoilers. :)

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for a Star Wars book with lasting implications to the fabric of the overall saga, this ain't it. It's more so what I would call "Star Wars junk food" --- it's fun to ingest, but at the end of the day the substance doesn't add to the ultimate story. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing. It's like the difference between a Summer popcorn flick compared to an Oscar-winning film. If you want substance, go for "Darth Plagueis". If you want a fun story you don't mind forgetting exists next time you watch the films, "Scoundrels" is right up your alley.

Don't let the grin fool you...

Star Wars fans, you know how you have questions about the gaps in the SW storyline...well, some of your questions are herein answered. Have you ever wondered what Han and Chewbacca were up to between New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back? Well, here are a few of the answers. Want to know why the Hutts hate Mr. Solo so much? This might help. Want to know why Lando wants to drop kick Han and Chewie into a Bantha pit covered in Sarlaac slime? This story might shed light on that.

The narrator was very good. He was able to VERY distinctly voice the numerous characters and there was never any doubt that he knew how Han, Lando and Chewie should sound. That was great. If you get the cadence of a main character's voice wrong, you will loose your audience quickly, but not here.

The story was fun, and intriguing. It had enough mystery to keep me guessing, but enough of "cannon" Star Wars to link the movies to what I was hearing. I was pleased with how fun the story was and I am glad I bought it. It will be a welcome addition to my listening library and I will recommend it friends.