Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1) by Timothy Zahn
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Book Reviews of Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1)
Book Review: Book is great, audio book is AWEFUL!
Summary: 3 Stars
The books in this trilogy are a fantastic read. The audio book of Heir to the Empire is the worst I have ever heard. The reader, Denis Lawson, is the most dry and inexpressive reader to ever have recorded his voice. Don't get the audio book for this. I gave it a 3 for Timothy Zahn's story. Listener beware!Book Review: Superb kickoff to a great trilogy set five years after Return of the Jedi
Summary: 5 Stars
The cornerstone of the modern Star Wars Expanded Universe, Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire was published in 1991 in an environment where Star Wars was considered a dusty relic of the 70s and 80s, except to some die-hard enthusiasts. At least, that was the perception going around. The reality was there was enough latent interest in the franchise to send this book soaring up the New York Times bestseller lists. I remember at the time believing there would never be any more Star Wars films and that this trilogy would act as a surrogate Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. Well, here we are eighteen years later and we've gotten three (soon to be four with the animated Clone Wars) more films, but still no sign of the infamous sequel trilogy. So, for the time being, perhaps the Thrawn Trilogy can be considered the closest thing we've got.
In light of that, the great news is this is one of the best books of the Expanded Universe and also one of its most cinematic. Zahn moved the timeline forward to five years after Return of the Jedi, and in doing so permitted the main characters to develop beyond what we saw in the films. Han and Leia are married with twin children on the way, and Luke is laying the groundwork for the future course of the Jedi. All the usual sidekicks are back and true to their film selves.
The key, though, is the new villain Zahn introduces, Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn is a character of chilling intelligence, methodically plotting and executing a return to power for the scattered remnants of the Empire. He is ably assisted by Captain Pellaeon and a well-trained Imperial force of warships and troopers. Thrawn's earliest appearance in the Expanded Universe chronologically was in the excellent novel Outbound Flight, set decades earlier. Heir to the Empire does not reveal much of the intervening decades in his life but readers of the other book will immediately recognize the portrayal and development of Thrawn here.
Another significant addition to the Star Wars galaxy in this book is Mara Jade, former Emperor's Hand and Force user turned smuggler. Mara is a strong character who tends to dominate any scene she's in, but she makes a great foil to Luke Skywalker. They are connected by surprising events from the past, casting a new light on the battle at the Pit of Carkoon in Return of the Jedi. Mara's adversarial relationship to Luke creates many opportunities for growth in both her and Luke and Zahn handles this well.
The best thing about Thrawn is he brings a true sense of danger that was lacking in the Empire's leaders since the Battle of Endor. Ysanne Isard was smart and malicious but lacked a sweeping vision. Warlord Zsinj was somewhat clever but also a bit silly and trite. The New Republic has faced many other opponents but not any with the potential for complete ruin that Thrawn brings. The addition of the rogue Jedi Joruus C'baoth to Thrawn's forces completes building the most credible threat the fledging government has faced in the Expanded Universe.
The storyline itself works well both as a largely standalone episode, not dissimilar to A New Hope, but also in planting the seeds for the two sequels. The storyline itself is well-crafted and marries perfectly with Zahn's strong characterizations. This book is essential reading for any fan wanting to enter the Star Wars Expanded Universe but also continues to be a rewarding read for fans saturated in the tales of that galaxy far, far away.
Book Review: Good Surprise
Summary: 4 Stars
I did not expect that the star wars series could continue so interesting after The Return of the Jedi. The new characters that I saw for the first time in this movie are just as interesting as Han Solo and the others I was already familiar with. If you like Star Wars you'll have a lot of fun!Book Review: Almost the first Expanded Universe Novel!
Summary: 5 Stars
That is if you don't count Splinter of the Mind's Eye, or the Han trilogy, or Lando trilogy. This is a great series and could easily be credited with keeping the Star Wars series in the general populace's eye during the late eighties and early nineties. With no new films to date Star Wars was officially over in 1983 with Return of the Jedi, that is of course until this was published.
One thing that stands out as exceptionally well done is the sense of military tactics and space battles, which ironically was missing from even the Prequel Movies. Zahn's pacing is quick but precise and leaves readers with a good sense of tension that keeps them reading to see how it gets resolved. The natural progression of the characters from the end of the last film (Episode 6) is apparent and the dialog is well written. He really captured the feel of each of the characters and the sense of scope with his descriptions. The opening scene with Luke and Obi-Wan is touching and written with a good sense of the relationship between the characters. Having read this series twice I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Whether you care for Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy or not, you can't deny that it is the series by which all other Expanded Universe material is judged.
Book Review: Doesn't deserve to be called a Star Wars story
Summary: 1 Stars
The good: some characters are well developed and treated that they come alive such as Han Solo and Lando.
The bad: The story seems to go nowhere, first chapters are really boring. I think Zahn fails to set the apropriated tension since the beginning.
The Ugly: How did Zahn dared to write a Star Wars story that doesn't features a dramatic ending with a light saber duel???!!! (sorry if I spoiled but I had to say this) This is not a complete story, it leaves you in the middle of something (nowhere in particular), it doesn't work as a unit like ep V which despite it is to be continued, it has a clear climax.
I'm very disapointed by this novel.