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  • Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1: Heir to the Empire

  • By: Timothy Zahn
  • Narrated by: Denis Lawson
  • Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (343 ratings)
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Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1: Heir to the Empire cover art

Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1: Heir to the Empire

By: Timothy Zahn
Narrated by: Denis Lawson
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Summary

Heir to the Empire begins five years after Return of the Jedi. The Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and driven the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet back into a quarter of the territory it once controlled. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and have shouldered heavy burdens in the government of the new Republic, and Luke Skywalker is the first in a hoped-for new line of Jedi Knights.

But thousands of light-years away, where a few skirmishes are still taking place, the last of the Emperor's warlords have taken command of the remains of the Imperial fleet - and have made two vital discoveries that could destroy the fragile new Republic. The tale that emerges is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale: in short, a story that is worthy of the name Star Wars.

More in the Thrawn Trilogy series we have. And download all of our Star Wars titles you can!
©1992 Timothy Zahn (P)2007 Random House

Critic reviews

"Well written." ( School Library Journal)

What listeners say about Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1: Heir to the Empire

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Poor.

I read the original paperback many years ago. This abridgement has torn the book to shreds. Not worth the credit. Would advice everyone to avoid.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

By "Abridged" they mean "Cut to the bone".

What disappointed you about Star Wars?

It was a great story, but they've left only the bare structure of it - the details that gave it life are gone. Such a let down.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Abridged version, bought it without realising it.

This is the abridged version of the novel, it guts it down to a measly three hours. Don't let this be your first experience of this great story.

The superior, non abridged version is sadly unavailable in the UK. Seeing as it's been on the site since 2011 it will probably never be available in the UK. Deeply disappointing :(

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

way too much cut

Hated how some of the best bits of the book were missing, butchered in short.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The perfect antidote to Disney's "Last Jedi"

For those disillusioned with Disney's "Last Jedi", this is a perfect book / audiobook to enter the original Expanded Universe (EU) of Star Wars.

An exciting beginning to the Heir of the Empire / Thrawn Trilogy, which also adds new interesting characters and dimensions to the original Star Wars Story. I can't wait to read / listen to the second part of this trilogy!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it.

Was awesome fun I loved the story and the music was an awesome touch. Looking forward to listening to the next one.

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1 person found this helpful

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

a good one to get in to remember it's one of three

well another one of my favoured stories read well with good effects and clear characterization between the characters....

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Story

My first audio book with a thoroughly enjoyable story. Star Wars at it's very best.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Expected more...

I am a fan of the original movies and have always wanted to get into the expanded universe that has been created in literature, but unfortunately this just didn't do it for me. A neat taste of the Star Wars world but nothing like the feel of the movies. It serves as an ok sci-fi story on its own.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The beginning of the Expanded Universe

Had this on cassette and great to be able to listen to again! Brilliant story!

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