I just finished reading “Star Wars: Heir to the Empire,” Timothy Zahn’s first book in his original Thrawn trilogy first published in May 1991. I love “listening” to these Star Wars/Thrawn books as audiobooks because unlike most every other audiobook, Zahn’s books include Star Wars special effects like the beeping and warbles of R2-D2 and the classic theatrical scores by John Williams during key moments throughout the book.

Not only does the “enhancements” improve the listening experience, but Zahn is an expert storyteller with a firm grip on everything to do with the Star Wars galaxy. The writing is very detailed and precise in its language and as a thriller there isn’t many books that can top the suspense he creates as the story unfolds.

Despite being almost thirty years old, this classic Star Wars novel still endures as one of the best Star Wars novels ever written. Its hearty reception by Star Wars fans and immense popularity kick-started a slew of new Star Wars stories by numerous writers looking to imitate Zahn’s style and match his success.

Zahn introduces Grand Admiral Thrawn, a male Chiss, with striking blue skin, red eyes, and an angular face, known for his brilliant strategic mind and ruthlessness as the Imperial commander who has taken over the Empire’s fleet five years after the second Death Star is destroyed and Darth Vader is killed. The story features other classic Star Wars characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, and of course, everyone’s favorite droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoy’s the theatrical Star Wars saga, as well as anyone who enjoys an entertaining science fiction/fantasy novel set in a galaxy far, far away.

Get a copy of this audiobook from audible here.