• 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 (26,123 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: Remembering Carrie Fisher with Our Favorite Quips and Quotes from Her Writings


Actress, writer, and advocate Carrie Fisher, best known for her performance as the bold, intelligent, and morally-grounded Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars film franchise, was a hero to so many—an outspoken, brilliant, and, quite frankly, hilarious film icon who stood out from the Hollywood crowd. The late Star Wars star's legacy lives on forever in her candid memoirs and incisive fiction. Read on for Carrie Fisher's best quotes.

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What listeners say about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

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Superb production values and excellent reading!

Excellent and unabridged production makes you feel like it's from a movie. Superb vocal performance sounds like the original actors in many cases. Really amazing story told very well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great continuation of an epic story!

Does the original trilogy justice. a believable continuation to the greatest epic space saga ever!

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Fantastic

it took me way, way, way too long to finish this book. but I loved it all the way through. HTTE is a great book and it was narrated amazingly. 11/10

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Really good.

very much enjoyed listening. Differert voices for characters was very helpful. Looking forward to the next book.

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Amazing listen

Marc Thompson is an amazing performer. It made the book so compelling that I fought for time to listen to it!!!

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Excellent Narration, brings you into the story!

Marc Thompson is an excellent narrator that makes the characters sound almost like the original actors from the movies. I had to laugh though, Tallon Karrde sounds a little like Antonio Banderas. This is the first Unabridged Star Wars book I have gotten, and both my wife and myself are eagerly awaiting Dark Force Rising and The Last Command to come out unabridged by the same narrator!

Timothy Zahn wrote a very good series and Marc Thompson really brings it alive. You want some great entertainent? Get this audiobook.

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Lived up to expectations!

This audio book is as-advertised. It was excellent and filled some gaps in the Star Wars storyline for a newbie like me :)

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How every audiobook should be...

If you could sum up Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition) in three words, what would they be?

Best Production Ever

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

I have to say, he gives voice to Thrawn, and I think the acting is pitch perfect.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

This book has amazing production values. You forget at times you are listening to a novel, and instead find yourself engrossed in the action and dialogue. It reminds me of old time radio programs. Marc Thompson makes you forget he is one person, a truly amazing voice acting performance. I will buy all the books he reads.

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A Fantastic Performance

The voice work by Marc is incredible. He has a gift for handling varied personalities and conveying their subtleties through his voice. Very engaging. Couldn't stop listening!

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WOW Just WOW

I can't express in a few simple words how pleased I am with this version of the book. The other version is abridged and leaves out so much of the story. I do hope they redo the other two books as unabridged as well. I know I would buy them in an instant.

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