• 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 (26,140 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.

Experience Star Wars Like Never Before

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What listeners say about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

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    3 out of 5 stars

Great Performance of an OK Story

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

Only to a Star Wars fan. The story is just not that good. The real problem is that the new characters are not as compelling as the ones from the original trilogy of films.

Have you listened to any of Marc Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listed to any other of Mr. Thompson's performances. However, the additional sound effects added to the reading greatly enhance the quality of the audio book experience.

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

No

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    5 out of 5 stars
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excellent...

except I can't stand one of the droids voices and the wookie that can speak English... horribly annoying. but everything else was awesome

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great listen and great reader

couldn't been happier with all to do with this story. can't wait for the next.

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

Good Read but not better.

I read this book for the first time after having read the other more modern Star Wars books first. I have to say Thrawn is better in the new Star Wars novels and was just kind of ok in this book. If I have to choose I would say I like the new books / lore better. Even though I have the JJ movies the newer books have better stories than this one. Still I'm glad I went back and read these older novels see what they were like.

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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

legendary and the best

I love Thrawn! This is a brilliant work and if you miss amazing Luke, Han, and Leia stories that focus on fleshed out characters with depth, this is it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing reading!

Zahn's continuation of the Star Wars saga in the time after Return of the Jedi is at least as good as the films. Thompson's performance is superb - one of the best I've listened to!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story told

This was a great way to work with my hands and enjoy the work and a Great book read to me. Really good background sounds with all the voices of the different characters.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent story & performance!

What a great read to introduce new storylines, new characters into the Universe, as well as new locations! Very engaging!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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It was gart

Longer story to make the book better.
I guess but still good job
Good luck

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great voices!

The narrator did a surprisingly good job hitting all the voices! Sound effects were great!

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