Star Wars - Volume 1: Heir to the Empire [Mass Market Paperback]

Firstly, for any person who has never read a Star Wars book in their life before, this is quite simply the finest place to start. Timothy Zahn's bestselling novel brings you back into the Star Wars Universe with a jolt out of your 'mottled hyperspace' of life with a jolt you'll remeber for the rest of your life. As soon as familiar faces appear in the mind's eye, you know that 'Heir' is going somewhere very exciting indeed. Just the thought of Wedge Antilies trying to look inconspicuous in a shady corner of the Mos Eisley Cantina tells your that your in good hands. New characters are placed before our eyes subteley; Talon Karrde, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Captain Palleon and Mara Jade, to name but a few, and are just as deep and envolving as our old favourites from episodes 4,5 & 6. Heres the bad news... finish this spectacular trilogy and you'll soon find that, although others are superb in their own way, there aren't many other Star Wars trilogy's, or indeed single or double episodes, that will grab you as much as the sheer depth and calculated genius that Zahn's have graced us with. But that's not such a bad thing really, is it?

I have read this trilogy many, many times now and I never get bored. I think that Timothy Zahn gives an amazing account of the post-ROTJ Star Wars galaxy. The character of Grand Admiral Thrawn is perhaps the greatest creation in any of the Star Wars books, and rivals many of the firm favourites from the movies themselves.
Heir to the empire is a brilliant start for anyone who is new to Star Wars novels, and even for more seasoned fans it's a great beginning for a new story.
There are plenty of new characters, as well as all the others that we know and love.
I am always saddened when i get to the end of the story. Not because of emotional events in the plot, but simply because I have reached the end, and I know that there are not many other books that I enjoy reading so much.
If i could rate this 10 stars I would.

The book takes place five years after the events of Return of the Jedi. Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the Emperor's finest commanders, takes charge of what remains of the Imperial forces in order to lead an attack against the New Republic.

The great aspect of this book is it introduces some new characters that are every bit as well shaped as the ones we know from the films. Thrawn is a great character - a strategic and tactical mastermind and a charismatic villain to boot. His method is one of cold calculation rather than rage and emotion. Thrawn is the ideal fit for a military commander. Mara Jade and Talon Karrde are also strong additions to the roster.

We see the characters we know so well from the films and how they have moved on with their lives. It is reassuring for this Star Wars fan - a testament to Zahn's skill and knowledge of his source - to see them presented so well. Luke Skywalker is getting used to his role not as the last of the Jedi, but the first of a new generation. Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo married and are expecting twins. Han is all that we have come to expect - charming, living on his luck and a heart of gold.

The characterisation drives the story and, arguably, the Thrawn trilogy (alongside the Yuuzhan Vong war in the New Jedi Order series) presents the best material for a new Star Wars series of films/animated series. There is enough action in the book to satisfy those looking for adventure, though of course, the book sets the scene for events in the following two books.

The 20th Anniversary Edition contains notes from the author on the text. These are inserted in the side margins of the page. Whilst some are interesting, most are bits of trivia. I was ambivalent about most of these entries, but they are a nice touch.

If I was to nitpick, then I would have preferred that the author's notes be presented as footnotes; that way, the main text could go across more of the width of the page. If you stop to read all the notes in the side margins, there is a risk that you lose the flow of the narrative.

For Star Wars fans, this review is moot; you probably have a copy of this already. If you have not yet got round to getting a copy, then this is an essential purchase. For non-Star Wars fans, I recommend this as an ideal introduction to the Star Wars universe. The book takes what was great about the original trilogy - character, adventure and heart - and develops on them.