Scoundrels: Star Wars

I've listened to quite a few sci-fi and fantasy audiobooks, none of them from the Star Wars universe. I grew up watching and loving most of the movies (and movie offshoots) and characters. Although I am a nerdy sci-fi guy, I would not classify myself in the same 'Galaxy' as some of the more hardcore Star Wars aficionados. I normally wait to buy books with plenty of positive reviews and do not take a ton of chances on unreviewed books. With that said, I absolutely loved this book.

The author retained the imagery of the original movies as my mind's eye had seen them. I did a little research on his other audiobooks and saw a very positive trend, most of his other books are above 4 stars with plenty of reviews. He definitely has a lot of experience in the Star Wars universe as well.

The voice acting was GREAT! Especially, Han's voice (his inflection and canter was spot on). The production with the background noise was not overwhelming and definitely helped in setting the atmosphere and storytelling.

If you are new to the Star Wars audiobook universe, I would highly recommend you take a chance on these scruffy nerf herders.

Marc Thompson is incredible at duplicating existing accents and creating new ones in the Star Wars books. His voice inflections combined with the great sound effects make the experience itself of listening to the book the most enjoyable thing about the book. I almost can't afford to drive while listening to his books because I end up so absorbed in the narration that I miss turns!

As far as this book specifically goes, I appreciated the twists and turns and unpredictability of the storyline. For being a single book detached from any other particular Star Wars storyline, it was well-developed, well-executed, and wrapped up completely at the end. There's nothing I hate more than loose ends at the end of an otherwise great book. This one has none of them.

For me, it was the last couple of minutes of dialog of the story. Definitely not what was expected, but it made sense and did a good job of tying everything together.

Ages ago, before audio books, I had read Timothy Zahn's Star Wars trilogy on the recommendation of a friend. Seeing this title, and reading the reviews, prompted me to try it, partly because I trust Zahn to write a good tale that isn't jarring with the Star Wars universe that -I- grew up with (pre Episode I, tyvm).

I was not disappointed. The narration was just fabulous, with all the different voices, giving what was already a fun, interesting story greater scope and depth. I think fans of 'heist' stories will enjoy it regardless of their interest in the Star Wars setting (or lack of interest, gasp!) because you don't /really/ have to be a fan or know much to feel involved in the story. Being a fan just makes the little 'easter eggs' more fun. :)

The ending was unexpected, which is always fun! A thoroughly enjoyable listen all around.

I've read many Star Wars books that takes place before, during and after the legendary first 3 films. Yeah, sure, the entire 6 film collection that will eventually include more and more SW films. I'm a fan, just like you.

Story had the potential to be so much more but it simply falls flat. Zahn spent too much time on minutiae. There are some characters but too much details on safes, weapons, etc. The background story between Solo and Lando was interesting and it could have been expanded. Chewy was pretty much playing the background well I guess that's his position. The twist in the end simply made me chuckle. "Ok, yeah," I thought with a chuckle.

The performance was great! The voices, the ambiant background noise, the crowds, the different accents. Lucas Books produce top-notch material.

I would definitely try another from Timothy Zahn, his detailed use of descriptive language really paints a vivid mental picture.

I actually laughed out loud at a couple of moments in the book.

While I enjoyed the book overall, and the performance was top-notch which, the ending felt rushed, and in my opinion didn't have as satisfying a payoff as I was hoping for after such a long albeit very good build up.I love a good heist novel, but like a good heist movie, the last quarter should be the execution. I get that there can only be so much time spent in the actual execution of the heist, but well... you can make up your own mind, I don't want to give anything away. Plus, it's a personal preference thing.

The production values on these Star Wars audiobooks greatly enhance the books and these are in many ways radio dramas rather than audiobooks. The music, the sound effects, everything comes together in a fantastic audio presentation.

As far as production is concerned, any other Star Wars audiobook, as for content, Oceans 11.

I gotta pick one? Marc is so incredibly good and gives nuanced performances for each character. I gotta say though, the first time I heard Lando speak all I could hear was, "It's just me, Billy Dee." So cool

1 Uncrackable Vault, 11 Scoundrels. 150 Million Credits. Ready To Win Big?

Just hurry up and buy it!

Scoundrels is a heist story and it never becomes more than a story about a group of individuals planning and executing a heist. The story is well written, but there is no character development and the twist that occured at the end of the book did not seem plausible to me.

It was a good yarn on it's own, add Han Solo, Lando, Chewbacca, and a cast of others that you may or may not have encountered before in the Star Wars universe, and you have sci-fi gold!

There isn't really any one thing that I like, it was overall an awesome book.

Marc Thompson is an AMAZING narrator, his use of voice and his prose is SPOT on. He should read every Star Wars book.

Buy this book

I would indeed listen to Scoundrels again. It was amazingly written by Timothy Zahn and well voiced by Marc Thompson. The addition of music and sound effects really enhanced the listening experience.

I can't specifically think of any other books I'd compare this book to, but I would say it is one of Zahn's best Star Wars novels.

It is a toss up between Han Solo and Lando Calrissian. He really capture both characters voices and mannerisms very well.

Ocean's 11 Meets Star Wars

I can not recommend this book to Star Wars fans enough. Even fans of heists in general might enjoy this book.

Han Solo And Lando teaming up like Reservoir Dogs.

Han running a Big Con!

Marc Thompson should redo all the Star Wars Audio Books starting with the New Jedi Order. This time make it unabridged.