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

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

Absolutely Fantastic!

I'm actually ashamed in myself that Star Wars has been a part of my life for over 30 years and I have never read this. I can't wait to listen to the next 2 books in this trilogy! This book definitely reinvigorated my love for Star Wars!

finally

never thought to read star wars books, but since the universe has broadened, I'm looking to better understand the character backstory development, be it cannon or legends. glad i read this

Heir To The Empire Amazing Read!!!

Absolutely loved this book! The narrator did an amazing job throughout this entire book. The sound effects along with the Narrator are perfect! I very much look forward to the completing the series!

the music and background sound effects...made you feel the story

I really enjoyed the pace of story and the narration kept me enthralled. I felt the story come alive.

New to the SW books

I am new to Star Wars books and I very much enjoyed this adventure. I am definitely buying the next two novels in this series.

Thrawns voice changed

I don’t get it. Same author. Same narrator, but they changed thrawns voice from the ascendency trilogy. Not sure which was first. But why use a different voice. Couldn’t get over it the whole book and now I’m disappointedly over it.

Perfect

This book is one of the best Star Wars books that I have ever read and when it became available on audible I jumped at the chance to experience this riveting story again. The audio version of this book is excellent. Marc Thompson portrays every character very well in distinct voices. This rendition also contains music and sound effects. At first I found the sound effects very jarring and would take me out of the story. Fortunately I got used to these sound effects and instead of detracting from the story they reinforced the performance. After I listened to Heir to the Empire I was excited to continue listening. I looked up when Dark Force Rising would be released in anniversary edition, and discovered that it will only be released if Heir to the Empire preforms well enough. I hope that Marc Thompson narrates that version if it comes out or if it doesn't then he narrates the the complete trilogy anyway.

Star Wars: Heir To the Empire

This is my first Star Wars book and also the first time I had heard Marc Thompson narrate a book. I was impressed with this reading of the book. This book also has sound effects. The book kept me interested with good story line and lots of action. I could visualize the characters better because I had seen the movies. The book ended with a to be continued.

The story outstanding and the narration top-notch

Would you consider the audio edition of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition), The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1 to be better than the print version?

I have yet to be blown back by the quality of the Star Wars franchise unabridged audio books. They're professional and very immersive. Thrawn's voice is exactly how I imagined it in the book. Overall, yes, I found this better than the print just for the ambient environments, sound effect, and new emotions tied with the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

R2D2 of course, but I was pleasantly surprised by Talon Card and Thrawn.

Which character – as performed by Marc Thompson – was your favorite?

Talon Card. I spent the entire book debating with myself the mystery and appeal to his guests. The voice was perfect. However, I thought the Wookies took the most work. Well done.

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

Yes. I wouldn't put down my headphones if it wasn't for sleep and work.

Any additional comments?

I express the same bias as others about Han Solo. His voice rubbed off on me towards the end of the book. Leia's voice was my least favorite female character by far, but not enough to distract me.

larrys review

loved it could actually see it in my mind being played out. i loved it