53 pages • 1 hour read •
Heir to the Empire
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Book Brief
404
Novel • Fiction
1991
Del Rey
YA
12+ years
Super Short Summary
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn takes place five years after the defeat of the Empire in Return of the Jedi, where Luke Skywalker, Leia Skywalker, and Han Solo work to build the New Republic. Meanwhile, Grand Admiral Thrawn, leading the remnants of the Empire, strategizes to reclaim power. Thrawn captures ysalamiri to counter Jedi powers, allies with smuggler Talon Karrde and Dark Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth, and initiates a plot to capture Luke and Leia.
Suspenseful
Adventurous
Informative
Mysterious
Exciting
Reviews & Readership
105,511 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn is widely praised for reviving the Star Wars universe with compelling characters and a well-constructed plot. Fans appreciate the introduction of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the expansion of the Star Wars lore. Some critics, however, find the pacing uneven and feel certain plot elements are predictable. Overall, a must-read for Star Wars enthusiasts.
Who Should Read Heir to the Empire?
Readers who enjoy Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn are typically fans of science fiction, specifically the Star Wars universe. They appreciate strong character development, intricate plotlines, and epic space adventures. Comparable titles include Star Wars: Thrawn by Zahn and Dune by Frank Herbert.
105,511 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Captain Pellaeon
Captain Pellaeon
Thrawn’s second-in-command on the Star Destroyer Chimaera, providing a viewpoint into Thrawn’s strategies and character.
Joruus C’baoth
Joruus C’baoth
A clone with Jedi powers and unstable temperament, who becomes entangled with Thrawn and Pellaeon’s plans.
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
A Jedi hero of the Rebel Alliance and twin brother to Leia, exploring his role and abilities in the aftermath of the original trilogy.
Leia Skywalker (Organa)
Leia Skywalker (Organa)
Luke’s twin sister and a key figure in the New Republic, balancing her developing Jedi abilities with her political responsibilities.
Han Solo
Han Solo
A former smuggler and general who now aids the New Republic through missions alongside Luke and Leia, married to Leia.
Talon Karrde
Talon Karrde
A crafty smuggler leader whose knowledge of secrets gives him power and who faces moral decisions affecting the New Republic.
Mara Jade
Mara Jade
Karrde’s second-in-command who harbors a deep-seated animosity towards Luke, with a mysterious past hinting at further significance.
Heir to the Empire is credited with kicking off the modern Star Wars expanded universe in 1991, providing a continuation of the story set after the events of Return of the Jedi.
When the novel was published, it reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Star Wars franchise.
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Timothy Zahn introduced Grand Admiral Thrawn in Heir to the Empire, a character who has since become a fan-favorite and has appeared in other Star Wars media, including the animated series Star Wars Rebels.
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404
Novel • Fiction
1991
Del Rey
YA
12+ years
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