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Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, #1)

Timothy Zahn

Start date: June 1, 2013

Finish date: June 30, 2013

Why we're reading this: Since its release in 1991, this has been an EU classic for almost every one of us. Zahn started lifting t…more
[close] Since its release in 1991, this has been an EU classic for almost every one of us. Zahn started lifting the curtain on the Galaxy far, far away, and we've been loving the stories ever since.

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May 31, 2017 TheBookHunter rated it it was amazing

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This is the must-read Star Wars novel of all time.

Many years ago, I received this book as a birthday gift, and it was the first book I ever read cover to cover. As a Star Wars fan, I always wanted to know what happened after Return of the Jedi, of course before The Force Awakens was ever a movie. Heir to the Empire hooked me into the Star Wars novels because it was a sequel just as exciting and awesome as the movies.

In this masterfully written story, the Republic has been restored at last by the This is the must-read Star Wars novel of all time.

Many years ago, I received this book as a birthday gift, and it was the first book I ever read cover to cover. As a Star Wars fan, I always wanted to know what happened after Return of the Jedi, of course before The Force Awakens was ever a movie. Heir to the Empire hooked me into the Star Wars novels because it was a sequel just as exciting and awesome as the movies.

In this masterfully written story, the Republic has been restored at last by the Rebel Alliance, the Empire suffered heavy loss at the Battle of Endor but they are far from being defeated.
When a shadowy Imperial commander comes to power, and begins to devastate New Republic forces through superior tactics, he assembles a grand scheme to topple the fledgling Republic and restore the Empire.

Firstly, Timothy Zahn manages to create new awesome, menorable characters to boost the cast in addition to Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Lando and the droids.

We have Mara Jade, a badass mercenary with a mysterious past, possibly possessing the power of the Force!

Talon Karrde, a smuggling operation owner and scoundrel just as charming and sly as Han Solo and Lando Calrissian

Gilead Pellaeon, an Imperial Captain who's seeing the Empire's decline and hopes to fulfill his duty in keeping it together as well as his ship crew

And lastly, Grand Admiral Thrawn. Said shadowy commander who's determined to unite the Empire and drive the New Republic to the brink!

I could go on and on about how cool all of these characters are, especially the Grand Admiral.

This guy is just brilliant, and from the first page where he speaks, you get hooked on the brilliance of this master strategist and his philosophy, Thrawn is the bad guy you can stand behind as opposed to the other antagonist Joruus C'Baoth, an elderly Jedi Master corrupted by the Dark Side of the Force, mad with power, he seeks Luke Skywalker to corrupt him to his side.

I cannot stress enough that if you're looking to read Star Wars books, pick up Heir to the Empire and it's sequels, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command.

This book and its trilogy is as epic as the movies. The story is a solid 10/10. ...more

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Dec 18, 2016 Billy Tucker rated it really liked it

As far as Star Wars books go this is a great one. The switching of the narrative gives it the same sort of feel as the movie. I think the descriptions of Thrawn from the Captain's perspective capture exactly what the author is trying to convey. It also avoids the trap of "Force science" and over-explaining that these books seem to often fall into and I hate. ...more

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