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

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

At last!

Very entertaining read. Marc Thopson wow. You just cant beat this guy as far as readers go. He took a really good book and made it that much better. If your a star wars fan this is a must read and if not read it anyways you might become one.

Thank you for this AMAZING production.

What made the experience of listening to Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition) the most enjoyable?

It being a fully produced (soundtrack, effects and all) unabridged version.

What did you like best about this story?

A continuation of the saga

What about Marc Thompson’s performance did you like?

Overall good, only nitpick is that Han could have sounded a little more like Harrison. but overall it was great!

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

We need to get the other two books re done like this.

It's about time!

Marc Thompson is a fantastic narrator. I've listened to many of his books, and loved every one. I encourage everyone to buy this book immediately. We need to show that if they release unabridged star wars audio, then we'll buy it! It appears they've stopped making the horrible abridged releases already. However, I really hope this starts a new trend of releasing old star wars books unabridged. Hopefully it's not a one time thing.

As for the book, it's also fantastic. There are plenty of reviews of the material in the book on Amazon. Buy it. You'll love it.

Perfect

This book is one of the best Star Wars books that I have ever read and when it became available on audible I jumped at the chance to experience this riveting story again. The audio version of this book is excellent. Marc Thompson portrays every character very well in distinct voices. This rendition also contains music and sound effects. At first I found the sound effects very jarring and would take me out of the story. Fortunately I got used to these sound effects and instead of detracting from the story they reinforced the performance. After I listened to Heir to the Empire I was excited to continue listening. I looked up when Dark Force Rising would be released in anniversary edition, and discovered that it will only be released if Heir to the Empire preforms well enough. I hope that Marc Thompson narrates that version if it comes out or if it doesn't then he narrates the the complete trilogy anyway.

Finally! Unabridged after 20 years!

Would you consider the audio edition of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (20th Anniversary Edition) to be better than the print version?

Heir to the Empire was the very first book that ignited my passion for literature as a teenager. Imagine my disappointment when this wonderful book could only be found as an abridgment in audio format. Now, with the 20th anniversary, the fans are rewarded by an unabridged version of Heir to the Empire. I would highly recommend to anyone who has ever loved the Star Wars series, that they read/listen to this story. Fans of the SW saga will be delighted by the same level of action and intrigue Timothy Zahn placed into this book as George Lucas put into the series. Whether you are a life-long SW fan or new to the series, you will not be disappointed by this series. Hopefully, the fans will not have to wait too long for the rest of the Thrawn trilogy to be available in an unabridged format.

What did you like best about this story?

The interaction between the original characters was wonderful and true to the movies. The new characters were also marvelously developed and wonderfully complex. This book does indeed read like the 7th episode in the SW saga.

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

They may have defeated the Emperor and Darth Vader, but the Empire may not be as defeated as they think.

The Real Sequel Trilogy-Disney Missed BIG TIME

This is probably one of the best Star Wars books out there and is the first book in a three part story. I am currently working on the second book, I am about halfway through and it is just as good as this. This would have been amazing to see on the big screen and adapted into a live action trilogy. This is the Star Wars we deserved to see on the big screen following Return of The Jedi. Lucas himself even signed off on these stories to be cannon. Then Disney came in, well rather Kathleen Kennedy came in, and ruined it. This is pure Star Wars, no SJWs, no one trying make a point. It was a great story with great characters that I cared about. These Disney movies do offer any of that. I really could care less how Rey and all the other goons fit into the Star Wars universe. The Start Wars fan base deserved to see Thrawn on the big screen, it would have been magical....

Better than Disney

If only the Disney story group knew something about storytelling, they would have used the EU stories to inspire their movies post ROTJ. The performance was on point as always with Marc Thompson and the production value of the audiobook is top notch. I can't recommend this book any more because of the quality of the story and the honoring of the characters that made Star Wars great from the beginning. Get this book/series, you won't be disappointed.

Excellent

I hope they do this for the rest of the Thrawn Trilogy. Hell I hope they do it for the rest of the Star Wars books

So Good Feel Guilty I Did Not Read It

The only Star Wars book I have read was, " Shadows Of The Empire." With my job, using Audible is a perfect way for me to get caught up while I work. It is nice to hear sound effects and voice over, sort of feeling like I am listening to the audio of a movie. I am excited to start the next in the series, " Dark Force Rising." I am incredibly intrigued to see where the storyline leads as well as the new version that Timothy Zhan will be writing as well as how Disney will tie all of this new extended universe together. If you are at all of a Star Wars and or Star Trek fan I can with full confidence already recommend this trilogy. If you are like me and have a hard time trying to find time to sit and read and are constantly on the move a.k.a. walking and public transportation, as well as a busy work day in your cubicle but have access to headphones,, I personally believe this is a must buy, or perfect for your first free download already convinced me to purchased the next.

Finally!!!!!!!

This is a great addition! Like a previous reviewer mentioned we need more Star Wars books that are unabridged and Marc Thompson as the narrator. This is the book that started it all for the expanded universe and is a must read for any Star Wars fan. I just hope they continue the series with the following books. Truly a great production with sounds and Thompson at the helm.

Sound effects made this audiobook my favorite

Random House Audio is from now on my first choice. Sound effects plus multiple voices created unique experience

The real star wars

Well written, well read, great story. Everything the new Disney trilogy is not. This is proper star wars. Not the Mary sue sjw virtue signaling infested tripe that is Disney Star wars. Well worth a listen.

Fantastic from start to finish

This is the first time I've listened to any audio book. Highly recommended to any Star Wars fan.

really good

Good voice acting by Mark Thompson!

I liked Thrawn's character. He's excellent. and interested in Mara Jade too!

Sceptic fell in love

I was sceptic about the acted stuff and sounds effects but they really work well! I usually cant listen normal audiobooks while driving but this one kept my attention whole day.

Beautiful!!!

Thrawn trilogy was my entry to Star Wars Expanded Universe. One of the masterpieces of Star Wars universe.

Everything Zahn writes and Marc reads turns to gold. Marc's stellar performances make this more of a radio play than audiobook. And that's a good thing.

Highly recommended trilogy.

Great narration but poor story

I hate the Disney sequels but this overrated book doesn't do it for me either. While the narrator is brilliant, the book itself leaves me stone cold. None of the movie characters feel like the real deal, and the plot is meandering and pedestrian. It feels more like a slow, plodding TV show than an exciting Star Wars movie. Too bad, I wanted to like this.

My favourite Star Wars book to date

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said? This book is excellent, it takes place 5 years after the destruction of the second Death Star and the New Republic has risen from the ashes, but with a shaky control of the galaxy. The Empire is in complete disarray with almost no hope in sight for them... until Thrawn. Thrawn is by far one of the best EU characters ever introduced, he's smart, competent and a master strategist who rose through the Empire's ranks before being sent to the Unknown Regions.
Thrawn isn't the only fan favourite character to have been introduced in this book, not in the slightest. But to list them all would take way too long and you need to spend that time listening to this book. Not to mention all of the returning characters that are given a new life in this book; Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca... all make triumphant returns and they're all just perfectly done, you'll feel as if no time has passed since you watched RotJ and be taken on a wonderful ride back into the Galaxy.
If you didn't quite find the new Star Wars trilogy satisfying enough or you're just looking for a great Star Wars book this is the best place to start.

The definitive Star Wars Sequel

One of the best books in the Star Wars expanded universe and the unquestionable definitive continuation from episode 6. perfectly presented in this unabridged audiobook.

Re-ignite your love of Starwars

As a long time fan of starwars, its nice to have a book series that really hits home in terms of its tone. the extravagance and out of touch Disney films are nowhere to be seen and the characters are compelling from both sides of the republic empire divide.

Great audiobook quality as well, with individual voices and soundtrack to get you into the atmosphere perfectly.

I listened to the first two audiobooks in the series and then completed the last in paperback. planning to do the same with specter of the past and visions of the future!