• 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
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (26,124 ratings)

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Star Wars: Heir to the Empire  By  cover art

Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

By: Timothy Zahn
Narrated by: Marc Thompson
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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

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In the 45 years since George Lucas's interstellar fantasy epic Star Wars first hit theaters, the saga has grown to include 12 canonical feature-length films (and counting), a growing number of shows (both animated and live-action), and hundreds of novels and comics inspired by that galaxy far, far away. But there's nothing quite like the magic of a Star Wars audiobook. The stories featured in this collection are as vast and varied as the universe in which they're set.

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What listeners say about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

Average customer ratings
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good trilogy to re-read before episode 7, 8, and 9

I liked this one better the second time around. I read them 15 or so years ago. I think the Marc Thompson performance was the key. His voices along with the Lucas soundtrack in the background really helped.

My guess is that episode 7 will be 15 to 25 years past Return of the Jedi. So I think this series is a good filler between the two stories. The series introduces a lot of new characters that keep reappearing in later books so it will be nice to see how they use in the movie's to come.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic

another stellar job by Mark Thompson. love these books and his narration.

highly recommended for any true Star Wars fan.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Best Audiobook Ever!

What made the experience of listening to Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition) the most enjoyable?

Sound effect, amazing character voices, and the music. It is like you're watching a Star Wars movie in your mind. This audiobook is a work of art.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grand Admiral Thrawn. I love his confidence. He is the perfect bad guy.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook is a full production. It doesn't miss a beat and will satisfy any Star Wars fan.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb Narration

I read this when it came out, and was excited to see it made an audiobook. I waited until we got the unabridged version.
IMHO Jim Dale reading the Harry Potter series is the gold start by which all other aduiobook performances should be measured. Marc Thompson gives Mr.Dale a real run for his money. He is extremely skilled at it and makes the experience better. I cannot give him enough praise.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • DF
  • 03-31-14

Performance made the book.

The story is very good but the performance made the book. You barely have to use your imagination to see the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent. this is an epic performance

it's hard to believe that it was so long ago that I waited for each book to come out captivated by the story caught up in the drama revitalized with Star Wars Mark Thompson is an excellent storyteller he brought this to life the actual performance reminiscent of the NPR Star War sagas broadcasted even longer ago once again I am captivated in caught up in the story and I can't wait to start the next book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What the new trilogy should have been

Outstanding follow up to Episode VI and it's unfortunate that the new Lucasfilm couldn't have adopted these stories into the new trilogy.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

9/10, not the book's fault

the wookie voice was hard to understand, and some of the soundefects were a little annoying. Great story though!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this audiobook !

This is so far the 5th Star Wars audiobook I’ve heard and it’s so far my favorite. I read so many positive reviews about Timothy Zahn’s trilogy being the best Star Wars books written. So far I’m really impressed , even if it’s not canon anymore , it’s still such an amazing story. Also I love the production of all Star Wars audiobooks , the added special effects, and music make them feel like an experience.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The brilliant original expanded universe.

Written by the master Timothy Zahn and given audio life from a capably diverse narrator with original star wars sound effects and mini scores. If you like Star Wars even a little then there are few books to pick up over Heir to the Empire. Experience the legendary tactics of Thrawn and increasing heroics of Luke Skywalker.

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