• 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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    4 out of 5 stars

Solid start to Star Wars Legends.

As my first Star Wars Legends novel I thought this was a great start! I already knew Zahn was great writer from the canon Thrawn novels but I thought he did a great job handling the OT cast of Luke and Han and the rest. I do prefer the canon EU characterization of Leia to this, but on its own she’s still Leia. Thrawn, as always, is one of the most fascinating Star Wars characters as is totally evident in this novel. Mara Jade is an interesting character that I know many say is their favorite but I don’t see it yet from this. Maybe I’ll get it more as I progress in this trilogy. The story itself was pretty good with a lot of clear set up for this trilogy that I’d hope would pay off in the next two. Without knowing there’s two more books I’d probably be more critical as nothing wraps up here but I can appreciate it as a novel that knows it’s just the first act of a larger story.

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Good if you like Star Wars

I would recommend this book to someone that was a big Star Wars fan and new every thing about the series

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good book, love Marc Thompson

I only wish it had the Thrawn voice(smooth, confident) from the other books, but oh well book is still awsome

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Great Book

Loved the book! The sound effects were a little much, but well written and performed.

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For the real fans

Done in a way I thought was Amazing, I could tell the difference between characters.

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a beautiful portrayal of the novels.

if you are at all a star wars fan, then you no longer have a choice. listen to this.

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incredible performance

One of my favorite books of all time that I haven't read in a long time, Marc Thompson's performance is really incredible. Great voices, great impressions of major characters. Highly recommended

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  • 10-01-21

The real episode 7

This was a tremendous ride. The story was top notch, villain was terrifying, and it was so good seeing the hero’s from the original trilogy in their original light. I loved the sound effects and music for the scenes that really make you feel immersed in the story. Just a great read can’t wait for part 2!

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Absolutely loved it

The attention to detail by the reader in inflection, the sound effects, the music... This is one of the absolute best audiobooks I've listened to. The story was already great on its own, but this really makes it better.

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Great Starting Point

While this book takes place 5 years after Return of the Jedi, it is a wonderful place to start for anyone choosing a first Star Wars novel.

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