Reviews

Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

cargofox's review against another edition

adventurous relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

outtheroad's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.25

kellylover86's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Set 5 years after the end of the Return of the Jedi, this book explores the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the adventures of Han, Luke, and Leia. I thought this was really well-written, fast-paced, and delightful. 

ladypants's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Fun but so long winded 

evanprivet's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

panagiotis's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

overwelmingodds's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

fabulousfunk's review against another edition

3.25

The first of Timithy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy starts slowly but builds with good promise. The original characters shine and the new ones, while not yet so loveable, again shows promise. Yet, "Heir to the Empire" struggles with a true sense of stakes and tension and seems slow to take greater risks. 

As well, characters like Mara Jade's retroactive inclusion into iconic segments of the original trilogy feel heavy handed, and the constant call backs to the films, while not uncalled for, applies the sensation that our main characters have not existed beyond the limits of the screen up until these novels. So, the "Heir" feels like an apt victim of expanding on a universe that is not yours alone to do with what you please, and so it has difficulty finding a proper stride 

avgatgames's review against another edition

4.0

It was good, definitely setting up for a trilogy as the ending wasn't as satisfying as a 400 page book usually gives. I'll read the next one still because it was a good book though.

sapphirestars's review against another edition

4.0

FOUR AND A HALF STARS. I'm so happy to have been gifted this trilogy for Christmas and to have been listening to the 20th anniversary audiobook. The remastering of the audio and sound effects and voices that make this a dramatic reading or audio play. Reading this leading up to The Last Jedi (on our way to Pittsburgh as we did with Darth P. on our way to the Force Awakens two years ago---fitting symmetry) was beyond epic. I loved Thawn (and his art) and Pellion and crazy evil Dark Jedi clones and Leia and the Wookies on Kashyyyk (speech impediment! claws!) and Han talking to C3P0 impersonating Leia and just about everything else about this. Mara Jade who is insanely over the top. There were a few parts that lagged or were hard to follow but otherwise it's been a damn fun journey. Looking forward to finishing the series.