Heir to the Empire: Star Wars

By Timothy Zahn

Heir to the Empire: Star Wars - Timothy Zahn
  • Release Date: 2011-09-06
  • Genre: Science Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 148 Ratings

Description

Here is a special 20th anniversary edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel that reignited the entire Star Wars publishing phenomenon—featuring an Introduction and annotations from award-winning author Timothy Zahn, exclusive commentary from Lucasfilm and Del Rey Books, and a brand-new novella starring the ever-popular Grand Admiral Thrawn. 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.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

Reviews

  • Not to be Missed!!

    5
    By infinityends
    Just excellent!! Would have made a great final trilogy. Thrown the ultimate Star Wars villain, beyond Vader
  • Best Star Wars series ever

    5
    By Blkarrow3171
    This is where Lucas should have followed instead of the pre-crap
  • Great Book Made Even Better

    5
    By Revan97ofSWAT
    Star Wars Heir To The Empire is a nice, classic Star Wars novel. I enjoyed the originality of it and the way it ended. The book is made even better by the new forward and annotations by the author. The new Thrawn novella is what sold it for me. Although it's great in hardcover format, I'd suggest buying it on Kindle if you have one, it's a lot cheaper in e-book format. All in all it's a fun classic Star Wars book that you can't put down and leaves you exited to see what happens in it's sequel.
  • Spectacular Anniversary Edition!

    5
    By The Artist Librarian
    4 1/2 stars. I absolutely love it when authors and publishers decide to re-release books with annotations or other extras. For me, this commemorative edition was a wonderful addition to my Star Wars collection, perhaps because I previously had a used paperback copy, so I didn't mind buying a better copy. I found the annotations a neat "behind the scenes" look into the writing and publishing of the novel and wish that they annotated the rest of the trilogy ... it also comes with a bonus Thrawn short story also written by Mr. Zahn. Story: 4 stars. I actually read this book last out of the Thrawn Trilogy and I remember thinking, "I like the order I read it in better." I guess after reading books 2 and 3, I had high expectations and was expecting more from the beginning. However I still enjoy the trilogy as a whole (Zahn introduced one of the most memorable Star Wars villains in Grand Admiral Thrawn) and it does have the distinction of being the books that jump started Star Wars expanded universe publishing. The trilogy as a whole is a definite 5 star read for Star Wars fans though!
  • Love this edition

    5
    By Anjelus_
    One of the all time great sci fi novels, made all the better by insightful annotations and commentary. Not to be missed!
  • Awesome!

    5
    By Jrad1308
    Excellent book to say the least! I haven't always been the most interested reader in a lot of books including many star wars books, meaning I would usually only finish about half of most books and I would lose interest and ultimately never finish them. But this book is the first that I could not stop reading! And it's a great starting point for star wars fans beginning to read the books. I wish I had started with this one in the first place! The annotations also give great insight into the story and author. Great purchase overall, very impressed.
  • best stars wars book in history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    5
    By best SW book
    THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! once you start reading this you wont be able to put it down. This book is what started the "Expanded Universe" the story is great , the charaters were great everything is great. once you finish it you will HAVE TO buy the others in the series.
  • Amazing

    5
    By ArchAngel172001
    Very well written and just a great story. This author is the person to look for when it comes to Star Wars. I wish they would turn it into a movie.
  • NICE

    5
    By Max P. Sterling
    I have since stopped reading the star wars books. But I do remember Timothy Zahn was the author to look for for star wars books. if you dont read any other star wars books you have to read this one it is one of the best in the star warys line of books.
  • Best Star Wars novel out there.

    5
    By PhilU_Tampa
    Fantastic book! It's a great way into both Star Wars and into Tim Zahn's excellent work. It's a perfect continuation to the movies, with a fantastic cast of movie and original characters. The annotations really allow insight into this novel's creation.