• 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 (26,115 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

Featured Article: Star Wars—Canon vs. Legends


Star Wars fans have more options than ever when it comes to media in the universe. There’s a slew of shows, both animated and live action, a growing roster of films, endless comics and books, an array of video and arcade games, and, of course, a score of innovative audiobooks—all set in that familiar galaxy far, far away. Our guide breaks down the basics of both the canonical universe and the Legends timeline so you can explore every corner of the Star Wars galaxy with confidence.

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What listeners say about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

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A most welcome unabridged production

Twenty years ago, Zahn jump starting of the expanded, post ROTJ Star Wars with an epic trilogy that remains a standard by which all later Star Wars books were judged. Seeing this special edition unabridged recording inspired me to revisit this title to see how well it held up. For the most part, it has aged well. Zahn offering a compelling and swift moving narrative giving us a look at life in that galaxy far far away after the Rebellion's victory.
Most important of all, though, is the unabridged redition of the complete story. To many Star Wars novels suffer from their abridgement into audiobook form. This gives the full experience and I hope that we will get to have the other two books of this trilogy in unabridged form soon as well.

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Worth your time

I don't care if this story isn't canon anymore, it's one of the greatest Star Wars works ever made.

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Amazing.

Great story. Narrator did a great job with every voice. Very Easy to understand who’s talking. Love it. Now I got to get book 2.

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Very well done!

Great performance. Really great voice. The music adds so much and again, the voices are really well done.

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A great addition to the Star Wars lore!

Being the first book of Star wars that I've read, I didn't have high expectations, however I very much liked this book and I'm excited to continue the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has not read, or who has read any additional Star wars books.

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You need this book!

Outstanding performance! The narrator does a great job with the character voices. The added sound effects and use of musical score immerses you completely in the book.

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Great Book!

A fantastic and engaging audio book. I could not put it down for very long.

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Very well done!

Would you listen to Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition), The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1 again? Why?

Yes I would listen again, the voices that Marc Thomson pulls you right into the story. I feel like I am watching a movie, with the sound effects and the story line keeps it very exciting.

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

Marc Thomson's voices pull you right into the story. I feel like I am watching a movie, with the sound effects and the story line keeps it very exciting.

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The ambience noise is terrible

The story is great and the sound effects are cool, but the drone of ambience noise hour after hour is so bad. Almost made me give up on novel. Hoping the next book doesn't have it or I'm going to read it in print.

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AMAZING!!!! A TRUE STAR WARS SEQUEL!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to any Star Wars fan who wants to truly relive the spirit of the old stories! If you have ever loved Star Wars (the original trilogy), and enjoy audiobooks, ORDER THIS IMMEDIATELY!!! Why are you waiting? Reading this is taking too long! Go order it now and then come back to this review. It'll be here waiting when you get back.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition)?

The sound effects are very well done and add tremendously to the storytelling.

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

Marc Thompson's vocal performances are above reproach. He does Han, Luke, and Lando perfectly and distinctively. Talon Karde sounded like he was being played by Ricardo Montalban (which is absolutely fine in my book). Palleon was brusque and almost fatherly. And to actually hear his voice for Grand Admiral Thrawn gave me chills. Very, very well done!

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

The John Williams score (and all variations composed for all movies in the franchise) was present and really lent an emotional weight to the performance. Great stuff!

Any additional comments?

I was truly sad when the audiobook was over. I have read the books several times, but to hear it like this, I felt like I was really spending time with it. It had real personality that was truly reminiscent of the original trilogy. Now, I miss it like I would a person. I greatly hope that they put together the same performance quality for the two other books in the series!

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