• 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 (26,083 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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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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    4 out of 5 stars

Great sequel to the star wars saga

What did you love best about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition)?

Great narration by Marc Thompson. Loved the sound affects. All the charcters voices were spot on, except Han Solo. This book really brought me in from the being and I loved it to the end. I am a average star wars fan also. So if you liked the movies you will also like this book.

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

It is a first book in a saga but yet it has a grand battle at the end.

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

Luke was spot on!

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

Empire has just started fighting back!!!

Any additional comments?

no big lightsaber duels yet!

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

Classic; I Wish it was Canon!

This story blows the new age Disney writing out of the water. It introduces strong new villains and further feathers out characters that habe been close to our hearts since A New Hope. Decades later this story is still an amazing read (err, listen).

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

Amazing book and audio

The book plot was fantastic. A beautiful classic Star Wars novel. The audio for it was a uniquely delightful experience as well. Awesome narration, voices (especially C3-PO), music, background noses, sound effects even! I highly recommend this for anyone, especially if you have a long trip ahead of you.

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

Thron

Thron is a badass tactical genius! I want wait to hear the next in the series!

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

One of the best!

It is hard to beat the narrator, and the story is great. I enjoyed the whole trilogy.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Was hesitant, and now I can't wait.

I'm a long time Star Wars fan. When you throw an expanded universe at me I want to resist but so far I've been impressed and this first story in this series is no different. Well done and I'm impressed by the writing. It's easy to see the characters in these stories. I'll be downloading the next book immediately.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic

superb story with fantastic narration. Marc Thompson is a fantastic narrator and his impersonations of the classic characters are wonderful

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Awesome Trilogy

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?

Yes

What was one of the most memorable moments of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition), The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1?

Revelations of new Jedi

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole book

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

the plot was amazing

Any additional comments?

i would suggest this book to any star wars fan

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    5 out of 5 stars
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felt like the movies!

excellent sound effects, and really convincing voice acting (aside from landlo). on to the next book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An unabashed classic.

Nothing more I can say that hasn't already been said. This is the quintessential Star Wars expanded universe story. A classic on every level.

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